“$4 Million” Market For Doug Martin
March 1st, 2016
Uber insder Mike Florio weighs in
The plot thickens on Doug Martin.
No NFL analyst is more connected than Mike Florio, lord of ProFootballTalk.com, the engine of NBCSports.com. Florio also hosts PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio. While Joe was at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, one current NFL team employee (not a Buccaneer) told Joe that Florio runs the NFL. His influence of what he types is that strong.
This morning on radio, Florio broke down all things Bucs for what he called a “to-do” list.
In discussing No. 1 on the list, Doug Martin, Florio shared that he’s confident the running backs market this season will be depressed in the wake of the Eagles getting burned by DeMarco Murray’s $8-million-per-year contract and weak production last year.
Florio expects normalcy to return to the world of running backs, which have been devalued by NFL teams steadily for years. He projected Martin would find a free agency market that would pay him $4 million” per year. Florio also said the Bucs might structure an incentive-laden deal for Martin with that $4 million as a base.
Of course, Florio might be wrong. And it only takes one team — and a good agent — to bust a market.
If Florio is accurate, then the negotiation skills of Jason Licht really are going to be tested in the coming hours.
Joe knows this. Martin should be wearing pewter and red when Tampa Bay reports back to work in 34 short days.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Letting Martin walk would be a disaster and blunder of Michael Bennet / Darrell Revis proportions.
You dont just let elite talent walk away when you have the money.
This looks to be turning out to be my worst effing nightmare.
This organization is unbelievable.
PAY HIM!
March 1st, 2016 at 12:08 pm
if the market is 4 mil. give the man 5 mill and let’s move on building this team.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:14 pm
I think someone will offer him in the 5 to 6 million rage. I hope we keep him
March 1st, 2016 at 12:15 pm
To quote Gruden, “I’m going to have an eruption” if Doug Martin is playing for any other team next year. Don’t tell me he’s the hardest worker in practice and then turn around and say his price is too high. That is complete and utter BS. So the reward for working the hardest on the team in practice is to not be signed? Give me a break! I love this team so much, but they are on thin ice with me at this point in convincing me they are really trying to win. They’ve got money to spend, so there is absolutely no excuse. Pay the man what he wants, period. How many more Revis, Bennett, etc. are we going to let happen in Tampa?
March 1st, 2016 at 12:17 pm
4.5 mil a year 4 year deal. That’s more than fair for both sides, let’s not forget Martins injury history, fumble issues, and lack of break away speed.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:20 pm
If $5M is the market pay him.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Someone may offer him stupid money
March 1st, 2016 at 12:25 pm
RESIGN THE MAN FFS! 2nd highest rushing yards in the league. Great person on and off the field. Good locker room presence. Great chemistry with the o-line.
If they let him get away then it will be a blunder of epic proportions. He should have been signed weeks ago. But then again, it wouldn’t be shocking. Being a fan of this team is enough to drive you mad.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:29 pm
I am with Jollybuc big time on this.. How many times will this team let good talented players walk away. With 50 million in cap space there is no reason for a top player to walk out the front door. Even if you spent 8 million that would leave you with a solid 42 million this season and Vjax and Mankins are off the books for a combined 19 million next season. We have more than enough cap room for Martin today and in the foreseeable future…. Injury risk or not core young drafted players should not be walking out of our building…
March 1st, 2016 at 12:30 pm
It really doesn’t matter what the fair market is…..or what the Bucs offer…..it takes two to tango…..Martin & his agent must agree….and if they don’t, they will test the market.
The Bucs can always beat the market offer….and since Martin would like to stay a Buc….he will accept.
Be patient with this…..I think that if we want Martin, we will have him.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Love the way guys throw around other people’s money…….hey if the market is $4 million, let’s pay 5…and while you’re at it, if they are asking $1,500 for a season ticket, hey, let’s pay $2,500!!!!
You guys should be working for the Federal Government……ABC wants $4 million to build a road……pay ’em 5!!!
OBW, Lovie also got fired for wasting ownership’s money……Licht understands that….
March 1st, 2016 at 12:33 pm
I think this is BS. I guarantee Martin doesn’t sign a deal of less than $6M per year. Murray may have not helped the case for RB’s but there are too many teams out there looking for a player like Martin. I was confident that Martin would return but hearing these reports and what it seems like lowballing on the part of the Bucs, radio silence negotiations, I think we might lose him.
Really unfortunate situation and I will never fault Doug for seeking fair value. Thank you for all of the memories 22! You represent what all Bucs should aspire to be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkjmSjngFkc
March 1st, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Dewey Selmon Says
“if the market is 4 mil. give the man 5 mill and let’s move on building this team.”
And what if Doug and his agent are demanding $8 million per year?
It is not just up to the Bucs front office. Doug has a voice in this too. He may be trying to force his way out…even though he claims otherwise.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:35 pm
@San Francisco Joe
All of those reports you’ve heard? Everyone of them is media heads trying to guess.
No one actually knows what is happening behind closed doors.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:42 pm
Josh Norman and Von Miller..just got the tag..
Still waiting for the Bucs news..tag Doug..like NOW!
March 1st, 2016 at 12:42 pm
With Bennett, Reavis, and I’ll add Blount, we don’t have Winston. The future is brighter with Winston, and we’re doomed to mediocrity. Keeping Dougie should be a priority, but only at a reasonable cost. I believe we have the coaching to overcome the loss if he’s too greedy. In the draft get the premier bookend OT to open holes for Dougie and to protect Jameis at #9, then go defense.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Olivier Vernon is getting the transitional tag. We now have one of the best DL coaches in the league.
We could possibly get Olivier Vernon for less than $15m for this year. Worth it? I think so. Get him, and the Bucs have until July 15th to work out a multiyear deal.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:44 pm
This team is on the rise and a playoff is coming. Martin knows that too. Im not saying pay him crazy money, but pay him. I know he wants to stay, he just wants as much as he’s really worth. We can do that. If we dont, then plan on drafting Henry!
March 1st, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Bonzai is right!! I think Doug and his agent are looking to be in the 8 million a year plus club!!! And he would have got it if his rookie year and 2014 were switched!! That would have had him trending up and 2 back to back years on the books! GM are very wary of the huge year during a contract year!!! I would not mind seeing licht going up to 5.5 million a year with an opt out after 2 years!!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 12:46 pm
I will keep saying it.
4 years – $25M with $12M guaranteed ($5M 2016 salary, $2M of 2017 salary and a $5M signing bonus) is fair for both sides and actually favors Martin a bit.
If Doug insists that he is worth more than that – let him test the market where he will find out definitively that he is NOT worth 8 or 9 or $10M per year on a multi-year deal which is probably what he’s trying to hold out for.
The fact that Martin is not signed is on him because I guarantee you there is a fair offer on the table from the Bucs.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Looking like LG Richie Incognito may be leaving the Bills in free agency after all.
If Mankins retires, Richie Incognito could be a decent filler for a year or two.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Mario Williams just got released!!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Shame on my Tampa Bay..CHEAPONEERS! Just watch him walk. And watch another team..pay him. coupled with the fact it is now being reported this is a bad draft year for running backs overall. When and if you buc fans check out our history, you will find it is the Bucs way to let value get away. We been doing this for a long time and have become..experts at it. You think Jameis was throwing a lot last season? Lose Martin. Not only is he gonna be a throwin somoan, his incompletion and interception ratio is gonna go sky high. Look out bottom of the cellar..Here we come again! We are hell bent on nobody taking our bottom feeder position.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:53 pm
HawaiianBuc:
Dude.
I have read your posts over the years and you always struck me as a very rational and sober voice of reason…..but..
After reading your posts about McCoy and now Martin I gotta say …..I think you’re losing your mind man.
Relax and trust Licht.
This is not the same old Bucs anymore.
Oh, and I want Martin to stay. I think we transition tag him…
And McCoy is way over rated.
March 1st, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Bring In Super Mario!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 1:03 pm
@Pickgrin
“The fact that Martin is not signed is on him because I guarantee you there is a fair offer on the table from the Bucs.”
Absolutely….positively true……we want Martin & we have certainly offered him a fair deal…..he wants more & probably has nothing to lose by testing the market…..neither do we….if he gets a better offer, we can match it and he will stay with the Bucs.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Only worry about what Doug means to the Bucs, if you let him get away it will set this team back 2 years, and our locker room will begin to lose faith in THE BACK-STABBER!!
March 1st, 2016 at 1:07 pm
@Dooshlarue … ‘Relax and trust Licht’.
I’ll second that. And yes, Doug Martin will remain a Buccaneer.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:12 pm
DeMarco Murray wouldn’t have had such a down year if he HAD STAYED WITH HIS ORIGINAL TEAM!
Why in the WORLD would you mess up the chemistry of young Jameis Winston and the whole offense by getting rid of Martin, one of our BEST players?
IT’S NOT LIKE WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY!
Mark my words, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not tagged/signed Martin by 4:00 today and let another team sign him, they will have made a huge mistake.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:14 pm
Must say most of you are nuts. I like Martin and hope he stays. However, if he walks because some idiot GM believes he’s worth $8m a year then I hope we say “it’s been great” and move on. Jameis is our franchise player now and we can find good RB’s on the street. As much as I like Doug, he is not a game breaker or game changer. He is a solid, hard working back that has been injured for 2 of the 4 years he has been here. Get real folks. Hopefully we have grown ups running the ship now.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:16 pm
The only way the Bucs can come out of this offseason without Martin on the team would be if they maxed out their cap completely rebuilding the defense – which isn’t going to happen. If he won’t sign then give him the tag and see what happens next year. There is a lot of risk in resigning Martin, I’m a huge fan of his but you can’t discount nearly 2 years of poor play due to injuries. If he can stay healthy and do it again then you push this decision off a year, if he plays 4 games and looks slow then you cut him. It’s like what the Bucs did with Antonio Bryant – if he could get the tag then Martin is certainly worth it.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:19 pm
WalkdaPlank Says:
March 1st, 2016 at 1:12 pm
DeMarco Murray wouldn’t have had such a down year if he HAD STAYED WITH HIS ORIGINAL TEAM!
Why in the WORLD would you mess up the chemistry of young Jameis Winston and the whole offense by getting rid of Martin, one of our BEST players?
IT’S NOT LIKE WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY!
Mark my words, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not tagged/signed Martin by 4:00 today and let another team sign him, they will have made a huge mistake.
CORRECT!!! And who on earth would consider the Bucs, when they see how we didn’t take care of Martin!!???????!!!!
I’ve been watching the NFL feed all day..everyone got their tags etc…why isn’t Martin on my newsfeed!!???
What is the hold up????!!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 1:37 pm
The Bucs are in a no lose situation and have the hammer in this negotiation!!! I am really lovin this GM!!!! We either get DM22 at the right price, or another team overpays and we will get a high compensatory pick for 2017!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Another one of my favourites getting the tag…Eric Berry…love that guy!
Still waits for Doug news..maybe at 2 p.m..they will updates us??
March 1st, 2016 at 1:55 pm
I’d like to pay Vernon Oliver. Makes sense to pay and then renegotiate a longer term contract later. I am not worried about Doug Martin. We will match any offer and I don’t think another team will overpay him (esp. with his injury history.) Doug knows the Buc’s are developing a good OL and he has a comfortable relation with Koetter and Winston. As far as Mario he is getting up there in age, I wouldn’t mind a short term deal if the price was very reasonable and Hey if Richie promises not to bully Dotson he could play for me in Mankins absence.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Whoever is expecting the Bucs to tag Martin today is in for a disappointment.
Assuming his demands are more than the fair offer the Bucs have already made him – He will be allowed to test the market. And he will almost certainly be handed a dose of reality in the process. If another team wants to grossly overpay (unlikely IMO) then so be it.
If Doug is a man of his word that he wants to be here – then the Bucs will be given the right of last refusal. If another team is going to throw stupid $ at him (ala Warrick Dunn) – then congratulations Doug and we’ll put that 3rd round compensatory pick next year to good use.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:03 pm
“Uber insder Mike Florio weighs in…” Times must be hard for Florio to have joined the Uber driving force.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Dooshlarue,
I do like Licht, but forgive me if I don’t trust him until he can deliver us a winning season. Maybe (hopefully) all of our struggles over the last two years have been the fault of Lovie, but I’m going to take a wait and see attitude. It’s not like he hasn’t made colossal mistakes (most of which have been in free agency). It definitely appears we are on the right path, but there are still too many question marks to book a trip to the Super Bowl next year.
Losing Martin would be a huge step backwards in my opinion. Why create another unnecessary hole? Let’s say Doug wants $6M. Any decent back is going to want $3-4M. So we’ve saved $2M. Do you believe we are going to be up against the cap this year and that $2M is going to matter? If so, what exactly in our past would lead you to believe that? We always have tons of extra, unspent money year after year after year. Or would you prefer we go out and spend more money on Michael Johnson or Anthony Collins? If healthy, Doug is as much of a sure thing as you can get from a free agent. Pay the man.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:23 pm
“If healthy” is the key phrase in your last sentence Hawaiian.
And if Doug was satisfied with $6M per on a 3 or 4 year contract – I guarantee you a deal would already be signed.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Pickgrin Says:
And if Doug was satisfied with $6M per on a 3 or 4 year contract – I guarantee you a deal would already be signed.
==================
It’s this.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:37 pm
The only reason Doug wants more money is because the league is very rough on runningbacks these days. Many are done after half a decade, and are believed to be easily replaceable. Wouldn’t you try to get as much as you can if you might not be playing in a couple years?
March 1st, 2016 at 2:49 pm
@Pickgrin,
How close to the cap do you think we are going to be? I bet you whatever the minimum spending a team has to do is damn close to what we will be at. I used to not believe this, but years and years and years of frugal spending has forced me to realize what is reality. Point is, we can afford to pay Doug if we want to. Of course, we can also take that extra money and put it in the pockets of the Glazers, which is what I am scared we are going to do. I could give 2 sh!ts if he wants $20M. I’d rather give him the money than just let it sit there. But apparently that’s just me. Maybe we can re-sign another 3 starters for the salary he’s commanding. That worked out so great with Revis.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Ok – so we should pay Doug whatever he demands. Then what happens when Sims and Evans and Donovan Smith and Marpet and Kwon come up for renewal and you also have to pay Jameis $25M per year??
Its called good business sense. You don’t grossly overpay unless you are in desperate need of a QB, LT or DE.
And $16M per for Revis was and still is a joke. Nobody but DOM would have inked that deal PLUS given up a 1st and 3rd round pick.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:19 pm
I myself will give Licht the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he does not want to be STUPID with the money. After all, they did waste a lot the past couple years.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Doug Martin to Denver for more than $4 million per
March 1st, 2016 at 3:28 pm
I feel like the Bucs should keep him. Is he AP? No, but he is a known quantity and is familiar with the offense.
However, leveraging the farm to do so would be unwise. It seems to me like he’s not satisfied with what he’s being offered. So, it looks like the market will dictate his worth.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:35 pm
@Pickgrin,
We should pay Doug fair market value. More importantly, we should pay him the same or more than any other team. I really don’t think he’s asking for $8 Million. If they are $1-2Million off as reported, then stop being stubborn and just get the damn deal done already. He will go somewhere else and he will be successful. Then we’ll be stuck with Charles Sims (who I love as a change of pace back) trying to figure out how to dance in from the one yard line. When those guys you mention come around for contracts, we’ll deal with it then. Hell, we almost never have guys sign a second year contract, so that will be a welcomed problem in my eyes.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Florio also reported that Rod Marinelli had left the Cowboys to join Lovie in Tampa in last year.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:54 pm
I don’t know this is a tough one….I would hate to see doug leave but I don’t think he’s worth 8mill per year…I would try to sign him for 6 or 6.5mill a year with a lot of guarantee money…I would hate to go through this again next year…depending on how this FA and the draft goes, we may be only a player or 2 away and I wouldn’t want to choose between doug and other FA’s….GO BUCS!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says:
March 1st, 2016 at 3:35 pm
@Pickgrin,
We should pay Doug fair market value.
——————————————————————
Exactly. And every semi-knowledgeable source I have seen chime in on Doug Martin’s “value” has said $4-5 million per year. $6M tops.
I can practically guarantee you there is an offer from the Bucs already on the table at the upper end of that range for a multi year deal.
But Doug apparently feels he is worth substantially more because he had a great season last year and because – well frankly because this is probably his one and only shot at a Big contract so he’s going to maximize the opportunity. I don’t blame or begrudge Doug for that. Business is Business. And the NFL is a rough business – especially for running backs.
So Doug will test the market – find out that the Bucs were already being fair with their offer and likely wind up coming back and signing a deal in the same range of what’s on the table now that will keep him with the Bucs for at least 3 more years. The teeth nashing and anxiety will end and all’s well that ends well.
Or some other team will get stupid and offer Doug much more than his fair market value and the Bucs will “pass” on matching and draft a running back with their compensatory 3rd round pick next year and roll with Sims, Rainey and James for 2016.
The Bucs are definitely in the position of strength here. Would be silly to give that up and overpay just because Doug thinks he’s worth more than he really is.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:44 pm
You guys don’t get it do you? Sports nowadays got nothing to do with the word FAIR. Nothing at all. Mock my words..There is a team out there who will pay Martin what he is asking for. Don’t blame martin for not being a..nice little Buccaneer. Don’t work like that. As it has now become in American society, There is no such animal as Loyalty/allegiance anymore. Its why I left Tampa and headed West. I was making 40 grand back in the day. Another company offered me 92 plus a free move. I ran with it like hell. Never looked back. And neither will Doug Martin. Good for him. I salute him! You either want to pay the man or not. NEXT…!
March 1st, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
March 1st, 2016 at 4:44 pm
“Mock my words..”
————————————
I already do pretty much every time you post – LOL
March 1st, 2016 at 4:56 pm
WOWZER there Pickgrin. You actually read my comments. Thank you. And thanks for the..compliment (LOL) Don’t matter whether you intended it to be or not. dahaha
March 1st, 2016 at 5:03 pm
I read your words too Mike Johnson…and I agree with you…loyalty went away about the same time panty hose and the pay phone did..
It’s still pretty pathetic day…perfect timing though, tomorrow I am taking all the number 22 gear right back to the mall..
March 1st, 2016 at 5:29 pm
LifeOfABucFan…Although I am critical of my Bucs.Because of false promises over the years, there is still hope. He still could sign with us. We don’t know what going on behind the scenes just yet.
Hopefully Jameis and a few others are in his ear. But I never fault a player for trying to get more cash. Especially running backs. There self life is not long.
Our Bucs just have a history of letting players go when we need them the most. We will know more by tmw hopefully.
March 1st, 2016 at 5:37 pm
@ Mike..I agree with you a million percent..
You are right, our history is the norm it seems..the one that got away syndrome..I trust Licht ..and that maybe there is something cooking in the back kitchen and we at the front can’t know yet..
I am really hoping for Mother’s Day, since my sons are el-cheapo’s..that at least I get to see a FAIR contract for Doug..
The old saying back in the 70’s..So close, yet so far..lol…
March 1st, 2016 at 7:59 pm
Somebody will pay him more than that because teams have stacks of money to spend (we’re one of them)…
There’s about 5 days between the start of free agency and my deadline to fork over a grand for season tickets…you’re move One Buc.
March 1st, 2016 at 8:36 pm
Just last week Doug martin’s market was “supposedly” 8-10 million per year. A little more normalcy and logic and now he’s at 4 million per year. The reality is probably right in the middle. I’m okay with anywhere near 4-6 mill although 6 is pushing it but 8-10 was ridiculous. I’m okay with spending 8-10 mill per year as long as that includes both Dougie and Mario Williams.
March 1st, 2016 at 10:11 pm
there is no way doug martin is going to get back up RB money. He is an obvious bellcow. If Licht thinks martin is only worth 4 mill then there is no reason for martin to re sign. If cj spiller can get 4 mil, martin should get 8. The market is what it is. And #1 RBs with talent, like Martin, get $8 mil a year. His rocky career might give us a little discount, but $4 mil is slap in the face. They should be able to meet in the middle $6-7 mil sounds fair to me. I’d rather pay Martin $8 than vjack $12. Or mankins $10 or whatever it is. With our coaching staff i dont think we need to pay, over the hill, players just to be mentors. Our coaching staff is loaded with GREAT coaches.
And I swear to god if we let martin walk, and have ANY Cap space available at the start of the season, i will be forever hate Jason Licht.
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:51 am
Martin is looking for 8 mil a year..he’s even on the nfl.c om page as most likely to get overpaid this year..but somewhere else..
March 2nd, 2016 at 4:37 pm
I’m tellin all of you…The Jags, Raiders or even Giants will pay 8 mil a yr to get Martin in a heartbeat. Just watch and see. if we can pay Mankins, Vjax all of that money. We sure as hell can pay Martin. His value is being sorely underestimated by the Bucs. But then again, we have a history of this.