Doug Martin Not Benched
December 27th, 2015
Bucs RB Doug Martin’s season was turned upside down today. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
The almost-NFL’s leading rusher sure looked like the scrub from the past two years today. Doug Martin was a total non-factor.
Unless of course you factor in that the Muscle Hamster was indeed a factor for the Bears.
Martin fumbled twice. The last time a productive Bucs running back had two fumbles in a game, Bobby Rainey was shoved so far back in Lovie’s doghouse that the guy still hasn’t seen the light of day and is rumored to be another Ariel Castro prisoner.
Martin had a paltry 49 yards on 17 carries for a 2.9 yards per carry average, very much like his numbers the past two seasons. Entering the game, he was nine yards shy of the NFL rushing lead.
But, no, unlike Rainey, Martin was not benched though he was on the bench late in the game.
Joe spoke with Charles Sims after the game and one reason the duo of Martin and Sims have been so effective is that the two have been in a rotation all season long.
Sims told Joe that, no, Martin was not benched, but was on the sidelines as part of the planned rotation.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Well maybe if we don’t run up the middle on every single 1st down, and almost every 2nd down, the run game would be more Effective.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
Yup. He got his a$$$ rotated out of the game and onto the bench.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
I am not mad with Doug both fumbles were good hits he took I blame o line and d line they didn’t get crap done today.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Bound to have a bad game sooner or later. As of right now, we have one game left in the whole season and DOUG FREAKING MARTIN is the NFL’s LEADING RUSHER!
LEADING! OVER EVERYBODY! How many people saw that coming?
December 27th, 2015 at 6:12 pm
If he wasn’t benched, he should have been.
Can Lovie do ANYTHING right? He the Obama of coaches.
December 27th, 2015 at 6:17 pm
I really like Martin’s effort….but these fumbles have got to stop….too many. I believe the turnovers cost us the game today.
December 27th, 2015 at 7:48 pm
I was all for resigning Doug Martin but im skeptical for one reason Simms has proven that he can run between the tackles he proved to me that he can be a everydown back its up to Licht and LOVIE to give a Martin a big pay raise
December 27th, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Martin has had a bad few weeks. But by all standards he has been pretty reliable. Today was a bad day. He was constantly smothered in the back field by the bears front 7. Our o line did next to nothing for most of the run game today. Im not worried about doug, the guy is a baller. The offense is better with him here. Sure Sims has proven to be a pretty dynamic player, but he can’t be on the field all game. We need a 1-2 punch and doug and chuck make a great combo. Dont mess that up.
December 27th, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Martin has to protect the ball better he’s catching up with Mariota to lead the league with the most lost fumbles. He had 3 prior to this week not with 2 more he’s right behind Mariota and Josh McCown at 6.