The Value Of Doug Martin
March 8th, 2016
How much is Doug Martin worth?
Lost in all of the hoopla if not paranoia about free agent running back Doug Martin and whether he will return is Martin’s value on the market.
One has to factor in the donut hole in his career. Through four seasons, Martin is either an elite running back (2012, 2015) or bottom of the league fodder (2013, 2014) and no in-between. He’s had two gigantic seasons sandwiched around two worthless seasons.
Then there is his age. Martin is 27 and general managers are — rightly — scared to death of signing running backs nearing the black magic age of 30 to any long-term deal.
So, what is Martin worth and, more importantly, for how much is his agent trying to shake down teams?
If one is to ask Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, Martin is worth in the neighborhood of $5 million a year, give or take a cool million or so. That’s what Cummings told Rob Weingarten of WHBO-AM 1040 Monday.
“He can now negotiate with 31 other teams but 31 other teams are not calling,” Cummings said. “I think it’s five or six [teams]. And out of those five or six, who really needs a running back? What kind of an opportunity can they afford Doug Martin and can they afford Doug Martin, period – financially? I think he is looking for five or six million dollars a year. He has earned that kind of a contract considering how running backs are paid nowadays. He is at the top.
“I hear a lot of people saying, ‘Well, you can just go out and get one.’ You don’t go out and get guys like Doug Martin in the third round. You just don’t. Very seldom if ever. He is one of the premier backs in the league. He is one of the reasons Jameis Winston was very successful.”
This cat-and-mouse game with Martin is intriguing. Look, Joe has made no secret what he would have done already: bring Martin back. The Bucs have enough holes and ample cap space, especially after Logan Mankins and Bruce Carter have fallen off the books. This is not the time to play tightarse with Team Glazer’s loot for a productive player.
Yesterday, however, when it was announced that Jon Robinson, the new GM of the Titans, who was Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s right-hand man in Tampa, apparently (keyword there) passed on Martin and traded for 28-year old DeMarco Murray and his $7 million salary (per Rotoworld.com), Joe’s antennae stood straight up.
What does Robinson (and Licht) know that we don’t know?
This is all very interesting to Joe.
March 8th, 2016 at 5:24 am
Although many anticipated that Bruce Carter would be released, I haven’t seen anything on the Bucs website or elsewhere confirming that yet. Did the Bucs release him yesterday Joe? Do you think they’ll now try to bring him back at a lower salary?
March 8th, 2016 at 5:25 am
It is very interesting joe. I hear the Lil dog saying stuff about having dirt on martin. I wonder what it is. Still, we have tons of cap space. Give dougie some please
March 8th, 2016 at 5:46 am
I hope Bucs can bring Doug Martin back!
March 8th, 2016 at 6:23 am
If it’s 7. Sign him now. That s ridiculous. I thought he was wanting north of that. He deserves 7 and anyone who says different did not watch Buc games last year. He was best player on the field in a lot of games. Ran hard when nothing was there at almost 5 yards a clip. Deal will get done. Cowboys going after him still makes me nervous. Don’t think he would go to raiders or 49ers even if offered more cause those teams don’t make sense even him being a west coast guy.
March 8th, 2016 at 6:24 am
That’s just it Joe, what does Licht know. He knows Jamies is the man who will take this team to the playoffs. Is it just a numbers game? Maybe there is more to the story.
March 8th, 2016 at 6:29 am
Also. There are rumors that Broncos are interested. How is that possible. They can’t even sign their own guys. Hope that is not true cause who wouldn’t want to go play for a Super Bowl team although I think denvers window is closing fast
March 8th, 2016 at 6:33 am
One more day !can’t stand it!
March 8th, 2016 at 6:39 am
Ya I’m not really that concerned with the resigning of Martin. Guy was wildly inconsistent. If Licht moves on I won’t really care that much.
March 8th, 2016 at 6:45 am
It needs to be a deal with incentives, he hasnt been consistent enough to get a bunch of cash ip front
March 8th, 2016 at 6:52 am
Titans know that doug martin is a buccaneer. There was no use in waiting and hoping to sign doug.
Besides, the eagles are having a fire sale. They probably got him for 6th rd pick. That’s a good deal for a formerly productive player. I doubt he is worth his contract though. I dont think he is the same runner behind a crappy o line. He was a product of the cowboys amazing o line.
March 8th, 2016 at 7:01 am
You guys kill me with the inconsistant, he’s not that good, we can do with out him crap. He was #2 in the NFL and ran for over 1400 yards. Those kind of numbers don’t grow on trees and Doug has done it twice now. Whatever the reason for his 2 year slump, if it was Doug’s commitment, injuries, bad O-line, whatever, those issues were clearly resolved last year. The Bucs need to keep the best weapons possbile around Jameis and not create new holes to fill. If we won 10 or 11 games last year it might be a different conversation but when your a huge loser year after year, lets keep what is working and fix what is broken. Why waste a draft pick for a starting running back when you have one of the best on your roster.
March 8th, 2016 at 7:01 am
Hell yeah JOEs! This article right here is why I click on this site 2 or 3 times a day! The little +×÷= is a half azzed,part time SLACKER! Proove it somewhere else fooool!
March 8th, 2016 at 7:13 am
Perhaps Doug has been inconsistent due to the various changes on the oline.
Some say blocking is an important component to the running game.
March 8th, 2016 at 7:14 am
The same way these media type have no idea how poor ol lovie was fired, I think it the same with Doug Martin. I like Dougie but to say an elite back is over hype. These guys don’t watch the bucs close. I truly believe Doug benefited from a strong O line last year, and his break away “speed” or lack there of sucks. He always get caught after breaking a long run. In 2013 and 14 he couldn’t break a tackle to save his life. I really like Doug Martin but I thing the media is putting his value in a place where it shouldn’t be. We’ll see what kind of year he has in 2016 either with the Bucs or some other team. I just don’t see him having the same kind of year he had in 2015, and of so I’ll eat my words. Really hope he can prove me wrong in a Bucs uniform.
March 8th, 2016 at 7:17 am
John Robinson passing on Doug M. Is huge….Murry had one good year and if you ever had him in ff you know that was the only year he stayed healthy… A contract year.
I really like Doug – one of the only reasons why my wife watches football. We just don’t know the direction of our offense. He is a 2 down back that might have a fumbling problem… We have the money but i think the Bucs are looking for a different type of back and want to make sure they don’t get into a bad contract…
March 8th, 2016 at 7:24 am
We can just dial up that consistent 1400 per year three down back with great hands anytime..
Easy as pie.
March 8th, 2016 at 7:44 am
Wait one minute here! So I’m suppose to sit here and believe because the new kid on the block signed Murray that its a knock on Doug you have to come at me stronger than that. What if Doug decided if not the Bucs it will only be a playoff contender. The last I heard the Broncos are letting both of their RB’s test the market and that there is some love for Doug in Denver
March 8th, 2016 at 7:57 am
What Aaron just said. If re-signs or not DM is not the back of the future for this offense. Koetter wants versatility on 1st and 2nd down I assure. Pay attention to draft I bet you they draft RB regardless of whether DM is here or not.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:00 am
When Doug Martin is healthy and motivated (as a new rookie and in a contract year) he is amazing. I wonder how many of us would be excited if the Bucs brought in Darren McFadden? He has had a very similar career to Martin in regards to injuries and potential talent.
McFadden averages 4.2 per carry vs Martin at 4.4 and McFadden averages 8.4 ypc vs Martin at 8.2 over their respective careers. Martin finds the endzone more often but that could be due to play calling. McFadden is coming off of a great season too so maybe we should try and grab him? He is only one year older than Doug.
I know none of us would be jumping up and down and getting plans ready for a Super Bowl trip if we signed McFadden so why the uproar over Martin?
I think the Bucs should move on, players that become known for being injured seem to spend the rest of their careers that way. Let’s get younger and go for Miller out of Miami.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:00 am
Joe would have franchised Martin for $11.8 million for one year……
Wow!!!
March 8th, 2016 at 8:07 am
The main thing many of you are missing is the philosophy of the new shot/playcaller HC. You are lamenting over someone that might not be an ideal fit for what his plans are for this offense going forward. DM is a pure runner,nothing more nothing less. My belief is an offense referred to as the “4 verticals” won’t require a ground£ 25 touches a game type RB. Rather a versatile back who is capable between the taxkles and I’ll say it again a natural pass catcher. I’ve seen the type before i.e Rodger Craig,Marshall Faulk,Sweetnes and today’s Leveon Bell.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:09 am
Murray is reworking his 7 million contract
March 8th, 2016 at 8:10 am
I think Dougy earned his money this season by killing it in a “prove it” year and so the bucs will reward him by saying go test the market and see what your value is and we will most likely match that for “proving” it last year. I highly doubt were gonna let our 1st rd all pro RB that was the engine to our offense last year walk when we have 60 mill in cap space. That would go against the theory of building thru the draft and devolving your talent, Not buying it. Have some Licht, the man knows what he’s doing. I have all the confidence in the world in him getting the job done.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:11 am
No go and watch the tape of the Cal kid Danny Lasco they spoke to on more than one occasion at the combine. After which you’ll probably have better understanding as to why.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:12 am
27 and 30 are worlds apart for a running back in the NFL, joes. I’d wager that if he was 30 that there would be zero discussion about a long term deal. That’s just not the case right now. Can safely do a 4-year deal.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:16 am
I ask Dallas yesterday was Bill Polian incompetent for allowing Marshall Faulk to walk and then drafting Edggerin James. Things happen in this league folks, being overly attached to any player with the exception of your QB in my opinion is none sensical.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:26 am
I have no idea of what people are talking about when they say #22 doesn’t fit into the “new” offense. What “new” offense?! The whole point behind retaining Koetter was for consistency for Jameis. How much ‘more’ passing do you think is going to occur? He threw for 4,000+ AND we had a 1,400 yd back. Get the defense straightened out and that, my friend, is is a recipe for winning games.
Consistency. Hmm, I wonder how that word fits into the Martin conversation. Sign him, it just makes sense.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:28 am
^^^and I answered your irrelevant question
March 8th, 2016 at 8:36 am
Yes. Let’s keep throwing that 1400 yards out there. Now go look up what he did, who it was against and what his real numbers were. 235 yards against Philly? Yes he will do that every year? About the only team that really mattered was Carolina with 106. look at all the low numbers. Catches? TD’s? We played a bunch of garbage teams that could not stop the run just like us. He is no superman.
March 8th, 2016 at 8:46 am
The Bucs cannot allow a young superstar in the prime of his career to walk. Moreover, the history of most Super Bowl winning teams, even those with great QB’s, proves a top running game is a necessity. So, while I disagree with Joe that the Bucs should’ve used the franchise tag on Martin (it made no sense economically, and would have greatly upset fellow owners) I do believe they need to keep him, even if it means paying a premium over market value, and/or meeting or exceeding the high bidder’s offer.
The challenge for Licht will be separating fact from fiction. If Martin’s agent, for example, tells Licht Team A is offering $7 million, how will he determine if that’s true? Gonna be tough to know, and even tougher to match that offer if the market really is only $5 million.
March 8th, 2016 at 9:06 am
@dallas the Imposter bucc fan. No you didn’t guy. You stated Faulk was better than James(which in my opinion can be argued)and that Manning would have won more chips with Faulk. But the fact that Polian went in a different direction didn’t make him incompetent for doing so. That bright guy was one incompetent @$$ statement if ever heard one.
March 8th, 2016 at 9:14 am
And what are we,I thought we grown men on this site if you need to hear state lovie was incompetent in order for you to feel better homie then yes “lovie was incompetent” there do you feel better has your spirit been up lifted in some way??? Like what is this 3rd grade you really are need of hearing another man say “YOU WERE RIGHT AND I WAS WRONG GUY”. Chit😌is laughable,now tell ya cronie 87 to ha ha ha that one.
March 8th, 2016 at 9:22 am
In Martin’s rookie year he had a much better line with Penn and Zuttah and Freeman was playing decent ball. Then he had the line blown up and Freeman self-destruct. Now we got a good line and QB again and he was put in a position where he could succeed. There is no reason to believe with our current cast that he would go back to the production seen in those trainwreck years.
March 8th, 2016 at 9:43 am
He’s not “young” for a running back. Middle-aged, maybe.
March 8th, 2016 at 10:53 am
NosBos- your reading comprehension skills sadly fail you once again. Polian is anything but incompetent.
It’s cool. I appreciate you acknowledging (partially) the error in your judgement. Funny that you can’t refrain from attacking me in the same breath tho! Can see how much it pains you that i am still here calling out the incompetence when it exists and the Pollyannas like yourself.
Sorry pal, not going anywhere.
Can you even define imposter?
March 8th, 2016 at 11:24 am
Its easy man a fake,a phony a ptetender. Someone who convinces others they are one thing but in truth they are something totally diffrent. You fit the bil.
March 8th, 2016 at 11:32 am
This more of your unsubstantiated insight into people you do not know? Reminds me of your shameful race whoring over the incompetent professional performance of your LovieDaddy.
You have yet to tie me to that word. As usual, can’t back up sht.
March 8th, 2016 at 11:41 am
Some of you are just ridiculous with these takes on Martin.
Anyone questioning his down production in year 2 and 3 need to look at just 3 things:
1. Was the oline one of the worst in the league? YES.
2. Did any other running back perform well behind said oline? NO. (Don’t talk to me about 1 single good game from Rainey or James).
3. Was Martin injured? YES.
To me, it did not seem that his injuries came from training or conditioning, they happened in games. That doesn’t seem to be a question of work ethic.
When healthy, he is a game changer.
March 8th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
five or six million per year, sure…the franchise tag was not necessary. if someone wants to overpay for a running back, let them.
March 8th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
8 million per, easy.
March 8th, 2016 at 4:50 pm
Martin is not old. He is just starting to hit his stride and turn into his prime. If another team gets him and he rushes for over 1500 yrds this season. I’m gonna LMAO at our Bucs. Because Jameis is very comfortable with Martin. And this O line is too. And lets keep it real people..If the Bucs were gonna sign/keep Martin? He would have been signed long ago. Licht is hoping Martin will not get a better offer than his. But..HE IS DEAD WRONG!!
March 8th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
8 million a year? Lmao glad youre not our GM.
Sure 8 mill laden with modest prove it incentive.But that little entitled a hole wont do that so screw em