Jeremy McNichols’ Bucs Ties Run Extra Deep
May 1st, 2017
The Buccaneers’ new rookie running back, the guy 96.9 percent likely to replace Doug Martin this year, has a much deeper connection to his new team than most fans know.
After the Bucs snagged him in the fifth round on Saturday, McNichols told KTVB-TV in Idaho about some of his Bucs ties.
It turns out his exposure to Martin, a Boise State star like McNichols, was more than just a one-time meeting.
“We actually just met this spring,” said McNichols when asked about his relationship with Martin. “We’ve been in communication a little bit, and he called me today. He’s excited and I’m excited.”
“I’m going to be able to learn from him. He’s a former Pro Bowler,” McNichols continued. “We went to the same college and we played in the same system. I think I can learn a lot from him to be honest with you.”
Martin’s former teammate at Boise State, Antwon Murray, works in the Bucs’ scouting department, a job he accepted last year. Murray’s last job was recruiting director at Boise State, so he knows McNichols well.
McNichols, 21, added, “I know DeSean Jackson pretty well.” … That surprised Joe. There must be some sort southern California connection there.
And of course, Dirk Koetter has all kinds of ties to the Boise State program, where he was head coach at the beginning of this century.
The reality is McNichols was the 17th running back drafted this year in a deep class of backs. That’s not impressive, but he was a damn impressive college football player and the Bucs considered him a bit of a steal, according to their scouting file.
It’s going to be a huge preseason for McNichols, as the Bucs figure out whether he has the goods to start on opening day in Miami.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:36 am
Don’t know why you’re doubling down on this “Martin will be gone” thing Joe.
Everything the Jason Licht and Koetter has said up to this point suggest’s otherwise.
Just like they’ve said they like the guys the have on the OLine, they’ve basically said the same thing about the running backs.
Doug Martin will be part of the 53 man Roster come week 4. Bank on it.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:42 am
He might be a part of it but if he pulls the same crap he’s been doing for the past few years he’ll be watching Rodgers and McNichols from the bench… I hope the guy does great, but he’s just to damn slow after the initial burst
May 1st, 2017 at 9:43 am
I would think the odds of McNichols earning the starting job is slim, but if he balls out in the preseason/Weeks 1-3 it definitely makes Martin more expendable.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:44 am
Anyone knows the betting line of DM vs the 2 JBF website owners mudwrestling contest
I heard it will be on the first episode of Hard Knocks
*I ve heard the Joe with the whiny voice throws low blows
May 1st, 2017 at 9:45 am
Joe when you mean gone. Its more of a “got hurt and is out for the remainder of the season” kind of gone. I can see that happening.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:48 am
I can see McNichols replacing Martin, but not this year. Only way that happens is if Martin has relapse.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:49 am
hey blake the difference is sure licht and koetter are “making it sound like” doug will be back, but all they have to say is “DOUG WILL BE BACK” and they havent said that. Do you remember when doug had a great year 2 years ago? Do you know what koetter and licht said? They said “DOUG WILL BE BACK” there was no beating around the bush, no “comments that suggest otherwise” koetter and licht are straightforward, and if they wanted him back they will just say it. With that being said Doug is only on this team so he can have a good first preseason game and become trade bait again. I see all the bucs fans that wanted martin gone and wanted dalvin cook now want martin to stay since there is no dalvin cook smh
May 1st, 2017 at 9:52 am
I suspect Doug will stay and Sims is gone. I think Sims is overrated.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:54 am
Lol I never wanted Cook, and so far the only reports we’re getting on Doug is that they are saying he looks like he’s back in great shape.
Yes Licht and Koetter are straight shooters with No bs, so If they are saying “We like the guys we have at RB”, and Doug Martin still happens to be one of those guys, I can put 2 & 2 together.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:55 am
If Mcnichols can block, thst will help him out alot. How often did we see Dirk use “chip Blockers” last year.
Speaking of chip blockers having OJ is almost like having a sixth olineman. Even on passing plays tpu could have him block while Brate, Evans, DJax and a slot guy or rb try to get open. In one offseason we suddenly have enough quality pass catchers to spare OJ to block. Defenses wont know what to expect. They possibly have to plan their blitzes according to where OJ lines up. And anytime you can dictate the matchups you have the advantage.Im so ready for some Bucs football!
May 1st, 2017 at 9:56 am
Tend to think there’s a 50-50 now chance that Martin will be with us the whole season (almost surely under a revised contract). Doubt that he’ll get many touches in preseason, but a lot can happen once the season starts. RBs go down (as Bucs saw last year) & some others are just downright ineffective. Thought initially that the Bucs would trade Martin once the draft was over (presuming that they drafted a RB early), but that doesn’t seem as likely now. And if he regains the form he’s had in 2 of his 5 yrs, we’ll be fortunate to have him.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:57 am
I’d say that Sims or Payton Barber are mostly likely the Odd Man out.
Seeing that Martin, Quizz, and by All reports McNichols all excell in Pass protection.
Just so happens, that Sims and Barber struggle the most at pass protection, In my mind that leaves either one of them as the guy on the outside looking in.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:02 am
He dropped because of his shoulder…
May 1st, 2017 at 10:06 am
I think that McWeapon will be the starter sooner rather than later. Don’t forget rookie rbs usually have a lot of success. I’m liking the pick more now. Still wish we had Brian Hill tho
F#CK YOU FAILCLOWNS
May 1st, 2017 at 10:07 am
Boise St coach played for Dirk. It’s an Idaho thing.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
I hope he does well, but I still wish the Bucs would have grabbed Dalvin Cook. It still seems like we are depending on a guy (Martin) who cannot be trusted and really hoping that a 5th round pick is going to be really good in a year or two.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:13 am
Licht is not (and should not) say “Doug will be back” at this point. Saying it before the draft would have tipped their hand that they were not going to draft a RB in the early rounds. And saying it now would let Martin off the hook.
And they shouldn’t let him off the hook. As long as he keep doing what he has been doing he will be back. But he has to prove it. Nothing wrong with that.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:16 am
The Desean Jackson connection is they have a mutual friend in Snoop Dogg via their Long Beach CA roots.
May 1st, 2017 at 10:30 am
Joe do u mean McNicolas has a 3.1 percent chance of replacing Martin next year?
May 1st, 2017 at 10:46 am
To me, Martin is a young man that was given a lot of money and success in his early life, and took it for granted.
He is skilled, he is a great teammate, and I truly hope that by Licht/Koetter standing by him through this “slip” it will pay us dividends by earning Martin’s best.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:00 am
He’s doubling down like he doubled down on a not to be named Out of Football QB.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:05 am
Licht needs to hold his own Stick and quietly shred Martin’s contract and offer him a minimum pay contract to prove he wants to be a Buccaneer. Martin owes that to the Bucs. I wouldn’t be surprise if Licht is waiting for the perfect time to taken that action.
Redoing the contract will make things balanced money wise. He does not deserve the 6 plus million dollars this year. If we could get Martin the pro-bowler with that kind of new contract, this offense is unstoppable this season.
Go Bucs!!!
May 1st, 2017 at 11:07 am
The only lock at RB is Quizz IMO.
The rest is all speculation.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:11 am
There are plenty of RBs on this team. DK and assistants are still keeping Barber around for a reason. It’s his second year, and he showed potential in what very little I saw/heard last season. I wish Muscle Hamster the best. That’s the one plus being a college football know-nothing: the draftees are a blank slate to me. Training camp and pre-season do the talking. Looking forward to the fall. Go Bucs!!
May 1st, 2017 at 11:28 am
The Bucs would’ve gotten on of the top RBs if they felt Doug wasn’t an option next year, basically betting on Doug to rebuild, just like betting on VJax last year, not a fan, but it is what it is
May 1st, 2017 at 11:44 am
There is a 96.9% chance those prognosticating Doug martin’s future have no factual basis and are just stating their personal opinion/desire. Which is fine as long as the reader recognizes this is not inside info.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:49 am
Sims is the odd man out, and McNicholes us an upgrade on third down.
Sims was one dimensional. Very good at that “one”, but limited. When he was on the field, everyone knew a pass was called.
McNicholes is a far more complete back, and even a better receiver.
I won’t be surprised if Sims takes training camp snaps at WR, a #2 slot guy. He’s too talented a receiver to just dump. AND that would just make the offense that much deeper at skilled positions.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:59 am
once we waited so late to grab the rb, I knew Doug would be back….BUT he’s on his last straw….remember licht like “bridge” players….he will be able to learn from not 1 but 2 vets in Doug and Rodgers….
I think the odd man out is Sims….he produced a few big plays but refuses to run between the tackles….I think we wait until after preseason to decide the fate of our rbs…..
as far as cook, I feel sorry for him and the Vikings….Florida boy with should and fumbling issues playing in green bay and Chicago in November and December…..good luck…LOLOLOL….GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Again…some here forget that Martin is a virtual free agent right now.
He is still contractually bound to the Bucs but NOBODY expects Licht to pay that deal off now that he has the Molly out.
So Martin’s agent is surely exploring the very best opportunities for Doug. And they have to be very careful…Doug’s career is teetering right now and he’s not getting any younger. It’s just possible that another team makes better sense for Doug.
Whatever….This is DOUG’S DECISION NOT THE BUCS! Unless they want to fork over the seven million.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:04 pm
@COBRA….I agree…move sims to the slot full time and let him play ST….he has the hands and offers a tackle breaking element that Humphrey doesn’t provide(tho I like Humphrey better)….let him play gunner and see if he can return kicks/punts…..if it doesn’t work, trade him to green bay or cut him….GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Jeremy McNichols grew up in Long Beach, he knows Desean Jackson from there. And he’s a close friend of John Ross,who is also from Long Beach. Boise State Head Coach Bryan Harsin played QB at Boise State when Dirk Koetter was head Coach. Harbin was OC at Boise State when Chris Peterson was Head Coach, when Peterson left for Washington, Harbin became Boise State Head Coach. So McNichols is a perfect fit for Dirk Koetter Vertical Offense. He knows the offense, it’s not like he has to learn a new offense.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Can people stop saying chuck sims is the odd man out of anything he’s the safest he’s our obv third down back who can catch run and block he’s going no where and oh yea our team needed yards after catch and big plays and guess what that’s Sims specialty so sorry guys Sims is deff staying koetter and licht love him
May 1st, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Can you imagine the dismay at JBF headquarters if Martin does stay on this team (especially after we also didn’t draft Cook)?
We’ll have to redeploy the Nos suicide-watch patrol! loljoe
May 1st, 2017 at 12:21 pm
This guy has a really solid overall skillset and he’s nowthe most explosive RB on our roster.
I think he will be our #1 RB eventually.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Martin will not be gone. He likely has already agreed to a restructured deal with incentives that will allow him to earn back money if he produces. He won’t count against the roster numbers for the first three weeks of the season. After three weeks, then the decision to activate or separate will be made. My thinking is that one injury will happen in the RB position (Sims, Barber, McNichols) and there will already be a spot ready for him.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:22 pm
This is all added leverage to renegotiate Martin’s contract – heck, his eventual replacement is from the same school!
Great move by management.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Ok..
I’ve looked at this from the perspective what if all of the guys we drafted this year. Looked at recent tape, thought of off the field issues, potential upside ETC. A little contrarian I know but here it goes:
Martin: Last season was his floor, and that floor is low. Super low. He is a motivation back. When he is motivated, he is one of the best in the league. We are not in any kind of salary cap issues, the only reason to rework his contract is because you want him around longer than this year. The reason that you cut him is simple. If you are Licht, you worry about him “pulling a hamstring” the first training camp and then you must pay him for nothing. Not my money and my job isn’t on the line, but I keep him, at his pay grade for this year. Every year for the rest of his contract is a one year deal, that sets him up for success. As soon as 2016 Doug appears, cut him.
I run him a ton this preseason too. Showcase him for trades or test his want. If you watch the film from the 2015 season, you remember just how good he can be.
Rodgers: Closest to a sure thing that we have. Reliable back when healthy but the last two seasons he has had some injury issues. Last year was the first season that he had an advanced role regarding work load. Really needs to be considered a complimentary back. Albeit a very good one. Making him a work horse will expose him to injury.
McNichols: Raw runner but great out of the backfield in pass catching. I heard him described as BSU’s best player in space but no creativity as a runner. Yep. If he gets decent blocking he is really good. Pass catching A+ and very good in pass protection. Can he develop more as a pure runner????
Peyton Barber: Interesting guy. I’m not really high on him mainly due to his speed limitations. He has Jerome Bettis speed but not his size but is quicker. He has blocking issues. Matt Waldman was really high on him coming out of Auburn, see the report here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BSurcw0IA0&t=2052s
After watching this, my question is, could he turn into a quasi Fb/Rb short yardage back. My logic. He’s strong at the point of attack, pretty good short yardage runner, but he is a questionable lead blocker outside the tackle. Love his story. Great in blocking on DE’s 1v1 but struggles to chose the correct assignment on overloads.
Sims: More and more a one trick pony. Not great in pass pro, not great in the run game and honestly McNichols tape out of the backfield is better than Simms. Also, who here is willing to bet that he doesn’t finish the year on IR? Who here will be willing to bet he doesn’t have a significant ding before week 4? Those are my questions. I know that Koetter likes his potential but he seems to be similar to McNichols in application. Check his highlight reel and they are 90% miss matches created by scheme in the passing game. I don’t see him becoming a committed runner this year as he never has.
So… My thoughts, as a runner, Martin has the most upside for the immediate future. He could also turn into a big pile of steamy…. too, but with the risk there is at least a reward and the Bucs have the power on his contract with zero cap risk
Rodgers is a safe guy. Know what you are getting
Barber, still has some upside, but will be limited due to speed. Could he put on 10 lbs and become the big RB to close out games that will come in with less than 4 minutes. Could he become our TJ Duckett type??? Won’t ever have his pure speed but matches up well with short area quickness.
Sims, luxury player. Seems to duplicate McNichols. I am jaded because I honestly hated the pick when it happens and have spent the past few years hoping that he would get some smaller shoulder pads (weird I know but it looks like he’s wearing MLB pads vs a modern RB). On the last year of contract. Hard to see the Bucs picking him up for another year if his production matches every preceding year.
Sims is my odd man out, unless Doug returns as the Molly Hamster.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Joe martin is not going anywhere get over it. This man was like a 1400 yard back not to long ago. It crazy how thirsty you guys were for AP who is older and has more miles than doug. But are ready to crap on doug with a drop of a hat. Yeah it sucks but people make mistakes that is life. Let that man live.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:29 pm
This is the last year of Charles sims contract. Next season he will be a UFA, I think the Bucs will keep him this season. He’s only making $779,000, I believe this season he will be auditioning for other teams. Most players go into Beast Mode during their contract year, I see no difference with Sims. He may have the best season of any Buc RB, especially with McNichols pushing him. Next season Sims will be 27 and a UFA and McNichols will be 22 and in his 2nd year of a 5th round rookie contract. Jason Licht is no fool, he knows that McNichols offers a lot for the money. Doug Martin could be the odd man out, because of his salary. We still need better CBs and guys like Jason McCourty, Sam Shields,Trumaine Johnson, Darrelle Revis are waiting. And after these young CBs that was drafted get settled in, more veteran CBs will be cut.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:43 pm
So I think that Doug Martin will follow J.R.Sweezy and restructure his contract. I believe that Mike Smith is pushing Jason Licht to bring in some experience CBs. I can’t envision sticking with the garbage that we have at CB, knowing that we will be facing the likes of Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan (twice), Aaron Rodgers, Eli Mannings, Drew Brees (twice), Cam Newton and his new weapons ( Christian McCaffrey, Curtis Samuels) twice, Carson Palmer.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:55 pm
he is competing for peyton barber’s roster spot first and foremost. anything beyond that would be a lovely bonus for the bucs.
the kid is a mid 5th rounder, drafted in the Danny Vitale zone. the part of the draft where you can tell some nice stories about their effectiveness in college but they are missing one or two obvious ingredients that cause them to grade out below NFL starter level. i don’t watch enough CFB to tell you what those flaws are, but no mid-5th rounder comes in automatically presumed to make any of the 3 proven (and versatile) producers on the roster immediately expendable
May 1st, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Since we’re all throwing sh*t at the walk to see what sticks my guess is if Doug stays in Tampa it’s his starting gig to lose. I could easily see ‘Quizz elevating to #2 and Sims and McNichols battling it out for #3. That brief time that Martin got hurt and Sims became the feature back (before his knee injury a few weeks later) was not impressive. I’m thinking McNichols was drafted to replace Sims moreso than Martin (short term timetable anyway).
May 1st, 2017 at 1:20 pm
@ToesOnTheLine!!!
I agree with that, but who knows? If the offense is clicking with McNichols as the lead RB would Koetter want to mess with that when Doug comes back?
This could be our version of Dak vs Romo lol
May 1st, 2017 at 2:45 pm
I believe what Blake_bugs fan said 100%. Doug Martin will be there splitting reps or starting on week 4.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:52 pm
I’m getting worried about NOSBOS. I wanted Cook too, but where is he?
May 1st, 2017 at 6:18 pm
If Joe is going to go all in, like he has all offseason, on running Martin out of town, Joe isn’t going to stop now. It’s OK Joe, I have nothing, no inside sources, nobody whispering in my ear, etc – I just have the common sense to know that if they really don’t want Martin on the team they’d have cut him and wouldn’t be thinking a 5th round draft pick is going to be his replacement. Hey if it happens, if this kid is David Johnson, then awesome – it’s a homerun – you can tell everyone how you knew the entire time that thus 5th rounder is better than the only all-pro running back in team history, etc etc etc. I hope you’re right, because if you are this kid is really really good. But to say 97% sure? You sound like The NY Times on election morning talking about Hillary’s chances to win.
May 1st, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Drug Martin is currently a buccaneer. Why would anyone expect Licht to say anything other than praise for him. He will continue praising him until he finds a sucker to trade for him or until he cuts him. I would be shocked if he did otherwise. Goodbye Drug Martin. Nice knowing you.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:49 pm
cant learn from a player you dont play behind…martin stays the new kid proved it…unless both are without a team at the start which i highly doubt….