MIA Running Attack
November 1st, 2017
Grim numbers.
Maybe we all should have seen this coming. Joe should have known better.
The turd the Bucs offense dropped against the Stinking Panthers was unforgivable. But perhaps, a downturn in the offense should have been expected (as opposed to the drop-off-the-cliff job Sunday).
The Bucs are a one-dimensional team. There really is no running attack.
Joe started doing a bit of tapping on the keyboard and the lack of a running game just jumps out.
Generally, an excellent game from a running back is thought to be 100 yards rushing. Well, in the past two calendar years dating back to Nov. 1, 2015, the Bucs have had a grand total of three games where a running back has run for 100 or more yards.
Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 101 and 154 yards last season against the Stinking Panthers and 49ers, respectively.
Doug Martin last ran for 100 yards two years ago against the Eagles where he slashed Philadelphia for 235 yards.
How dismal has the run game become? Through seven games this season, the Bucs as a team haven’t run for 100 yards since the return Martin. The Bucs did run for over 100 yards against Chicago and New York while Martin was serving the balance of his suspension.
Sorry folks, that’s just not going to cut it if a team wants lasting success through the season.
Now Joe can already hear the pounding of keyboards b!tching about the offense line. It’s a tired, knee-jerk reaction if not lazy. For example, Denver and Seattle have far worse offensive lines yet they get production from running backs.
During the same timeframe referenced above, Denver’s C.J. Anderson has three 100-yard games. The Broncos currently average 123 yards a game on the ground. The Seahawks average 97 yards a game behind a porous line. The Bucs? Try 81 yards a game.
Just for fun, Joe decided to see how many 100-yard games some other running backs had in the last two calendar years. Isaiah Crowell of the Browns has had five. Chris Ivory with the Jags has had two. Old man Matt Forte has had two with the Jets. Tim Hightower with the Saints has had two. Terrance West with Baltimore has had one.
There simply is no way to spin it. The running attack of the Bucs stinks. And until that is repaired, it should come as no surprise if the passing struggles. Teams don’t have to worry about the Bucs and their running attack. No need to regularly drop eight in the box.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:35 am
I heard a stat the other day and it might not be exact when I write this but it makes the point. In the past two years in the NFL when a team has run the ball over 30 times in a game it is like 75 wins to 8 losses. We can say NFL is a passing league but for sure it takes running the ball to WIN.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:37 am
The Broncos and Seahawks running games this season are terrible and awful, respectively. Not who I’d use to promote the importance of RB play vs O-line. Almost as ridiculous as the article promoting Charcanderick West as the solution to our running back dilemma.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:46 am
With Dotson and Smith, I see 2 players with no heart, no aggression or attitude.
I see the same on the D line save for GMC,
Face the facts, Joe, this team is not very good and without good, no, great coaching and a game plan, this is what to expect.
The Buc’s just are not a good organization.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:47 am
Oline and in turn Jason Licht is the reason why we have zero rushing attack, not Doug Martin. This oline last year and this year led by overrated nice guy Donovan Smith is getting smashed and prison violated play in and play out. Any other assessment is willful ignorance at best or an attempt to run cover for long time sacred cows Donovan Smith and Jason Licht at worst.
Oline and Dline suck as bad as any unit over the last decade and Jason Licht has had four years to improve. He sucks and he has to go.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:48 am
Especially when you combine a lack of a running game with a down the field passing attack, the offense is going to struggle. Since we go down the field so much (too much in my opinion), the routes take a while to develop, which allows the defense to pin their ears back and almost take their time getting to the QB. If we aren’t able to run the ball, it seems to me that it would make more sense to run more screens and check downs to the RB’s, so at least they can contribute.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:50 am
At this point they may as well fee Barber the ball and see if he can get in a rhythm and pound out some meaningful yards.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:51 am
Joe, Doug Martin would have more ysrds if the Bucs weren’t down by double digits of almost every game. Put Doug marrin on the Pats or Dallas and he’ll be one of the best backs in this league. Stop hating!
November 1st, 2017 at 8:51 am
When you start a game down by 50 it’s hard to run the fuc@ing ball dumb @ss! Also when it’s always 3rd and 25 pull your head out of your a@@
November 1st, 2017 at 8:52 am
stick a fork in douggie fresh……he’s done
November 1st, 2017 at 8:53 am
Mismanaged by kooky jason licht, no edge rushers, no secondary, missed on RBs, and passed on franchise OL, gets the bucs to where they are now, he missed on an entire draft, then if he is awake forgot that there is a trade deadline, licht has done one good thing draft 2 LSU LBs but they play same position
November 1st, 2017 at 8:53 am
Lot easier to run when you’re Defense doesn’t give up the booty every week
November 1st, 2017 at 8:53 am
I don’t know if it’s Dirk or Jameis, but I don’t ever see this team check out of a run to a pass out the other way around. In this league you take what the defense gives you with adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Look at the Pats, Packers, both teams run the ball very effectively without any stud backs out dominant o lines. We need to stop running at attached boxes, and try to check to a run when it has a better chance of success.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:57 am
You know what’s missing from the running game? And has been for close to a decade?
A quality fullback.
It’s not rocket science. Get us a quality fullback who stays healthy, allow the offensive line to gel, and the running game in Tampa will explode.
I’ve been begging for a fullback for years now. Still hasn’t happened.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:57 am
When one engages in scapegoating they are by definition covering up the truth: this oline sucks out loud and it was crafted by the one and only crafty Jason Dim Licht.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:00 am
I do NOT want us to draft a running back with our first pick in the draft though. No freaking way. We MUST spend that pick on defensive line. Probably the second pick too.
By next year, our offensive line will be gelling and it will become a bit easier to develop a running game. Toss in a quality fullback who can lead block like a demon and make the short yardage runs, and we’re set.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:02 am
It’s a tired, knee-jerk reaction if not lazy.
Some offensive lines are better at run blocking and some pass blocking.
How are they far worse, if they are doing better than us? You say oh the guy didn’t just forget how to coach,but now you want us to believe JR and DM both who have had success don’t know how to run now. Maybe they had success before because the unit was clicking. We are paper tigers just because we draft someone doesn’t mean they are consistently playing well. How many pro bowlers are on our offensive line.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:07 am
Joe.. you really need to get off of Doug Martin back.Youre just blaming him on no running game.The O line isn’t doing a dam thing..u don’t see that aggressiveness in them when a running play is called.Its funny..when Dirk was the coordinator there was a running game but since he been the head coach he don’t want to run or set up the run.How many times on first down he comes out and run the ball.His play calling is so predictable.
Martin is not getting the job done. Joe challenges you to turn on the film and watch Martin’s decision-making on his opening runs of the past two Sundays, just to keep it easy on your study.–Joe
November 1st, 2017 at 9:11 am
Bucs had a winning record without Doug Martin.
Since Doug Martin returned Bucs are 0-4.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:12 am
Bonzai a full back isnt fixing squat, football has evolved, the FB has been gone for 10 years, watch Urban Meyers running attack which some NFL teams copy, you spread teams out you have more guys than the defense you run it, koetter knows what he is doing with the run game the OL is terrible
November 1st, 2017 at 9:18 am
I cant believe people fall for these “articles. Doug averaged 4 plus yards a carry. If we weren’t down double digits and having to throw every down maybe we could get 100 yards rushing. And people really falling for this nonsense. Smh.
Pfft. Martin neither averaged 4+ yards per carry Sunday, or this season, or last season. –Joe
November 1st, 2017 at 9:25 am
It’s funny and sad that we cannot even count on this line to pick up a 3rd or 4th and 1.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:32 am
Martin has proven to be far more unreliable than he has had success. Facts can not be ignored because it does not fit agenda of low standard fanboys
November 1st, 2017 at 9:33 am
Drug Martin Averaged 5.69 yards in the NE game!!!!!!!
Nothing is helping the run game the last few games!!!! The pass game is not effective to remove the extra man out of the box and to back up the back 7!!!!!!! They are daring the Bucs to try and beat them with the deep ball!!!!!! and some plays the safties are within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage!!!!!! The O-line cannot carry the run game, as the RB was getting hit before the line of scrimmage!!!!!!! once again the RB had more yards “after contact” then yards gained!!!!!!!!! that means the 0-line was ” MANHANDLED”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our RB are not great, but maybe the only RB that could have put in a 100 yard game last sunday is the Hall of Famer Barry Sanders and he would have to do it all by himself!!!!!!!!!!
I am no fan of any of our RB, and I think there are new metrics that suggest no RB should ever be given a second contract!!!!! But if the offense could hit the deep ball once or twice it would open the offense a little bit more!!!!!!
Don’t be surprised if the Bucs don’t man up and get a “100” yard game rushing in New Orleans!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 1st, 2017 at 9:34 am
Hopefully WHEN 22 has a relapse it is entertaing… 30 for 30 needs material and his miserable career highlights wont cut it.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:44 am
So, you’re saying relying on Drug Martin was not a smart idea? Who could’ve predicted that?
November 1st, 2017 at 9:45 am
Hey I wanted DC anyway but if DM and JR both can’t run now, why didn’t Jason do anything about it, and why did he resign him?
November 1st, 2017 at 9:47 am
How is Kareem Hunt and all the other rookie RBs doing this year jason licht?
November 1st, 2017 at 9:49 am
Perhaps it is our O Line Coach, and his blocking scheme ?
Despite never having any running attack to speak of, we seem to cling on to this guy.
WTF ?
November 1st, 2017 at 9:50 am
I have mixed feelings on this subject. We don run the ball when we are trying to catch-up.We are designed to be a passing team first. So do I blame Doug Martin who rips off several 10 yard runs in the first half and barley touches the ball in the second half. If he carried the ball 25-30 times a game he would have several 100 yd games this year but he is best when he is moving the chains and protecting a lead in the 4th qtr. And he catches passes out of the back field. He is not Zeke Elliot or Kareem Hunt, but our offense is not built around him. You can probably get Nick Chubbs in the high second round next year and from the looks of things we will be picking at 36 or 37 in RD2.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:54 am
Per Peter Schrager of the NFL Network, Licht “frantically” tried to trade up for Dalvin Cook but couldn’t find a dance partner.
If that report is true, it’s pretty clear Martin was just a safety net. And it’s pretty clear that Dirk Koetter wanted Martin back.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:57 am
Doug has become a very average at best RB. He’s 29, so this shouldn’t be mind blowing to anyone. He doesn’t have anywhere near the same explosion hitting the hole that he used to. Even his biggest fan can’t deny that. He doesn’t trust his speed enough to bounce it to the outside. He is a tough runner and still pretty decent after contact, but he is not the Doug Martin from 2 years ago. As they say, Father Time is undefeated.
November 1st, 2017 at 9:59 am
Isaiah Crowell just scored his first touchdown this season last week.
Denver runs the heck out of the ball to cover for their dismal passing game. Anderson is a good back, but they don’t want Siemian to throw the ball because he’s awful. And considering their backup is Brock Osweiler, that team has to run.
Ravens, Jets, and Jags are all run heavy teams. I know the Joes hate fantasy football, but if you played it you might actually learn about teams across the league.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:00 am
I wish he would of frantically looked for a Pass Rusher too!
November 1st, 2017 at 10:00 am
People who know nothing about football knew the bucs needed a running back and defensive line help. Our gm decided he wouldn’t get any lineman besides free agent fat Baker and wait until the 5th round to get a running back who they cut
People can talk about what a stud beckwith turned out to be and they would be right but as a strong side linebacker who sees the field less than 40% of the time it was just as much a wasted pick as was Howard because they aren’t using them. Not looking like your gonna get that second contact licht
November 1st, 2017 at 10:02 am
What I see is too many predictable run calls…defense is ready for a vanilla run and often hits ALL our rb’s in the backfield on the hand off…usually on 1st down…has gotten a little better at mixing up 1st down calls this yr…jameis needs to chk out of run plays up the middle when the def is showing 8 and/Or blitz, which means our beast wr’s and te’s should be single covered…also, how many times has Doug Martin carried the ball more than 20 times the past two seasons? Obviously the score can chg up the game plan and Doug has to be on the field, but the majority of lead backs routinely get fed the ball 20+ times in games that aren’t blow outs, lanes open up in the 3rd and 4th qtr mysteriously and the play action pass starts to work better…mysteriously…he can also line up a yrd or so deeper in the backfield to see run lanes, poorly blocked defenders and cut back lanes…we need to commit to the run and see what happens…imo of course
November 1st, 2017 at 10:03 am
Dusthty Rhothdes Says
“Bonzai a full back isnt fixing squat, football has evolved, the FB has been gone for 10 years…”
Everyone knows the NFL works in cycles. If you don’t think a Lorenzo Neal/Mike Alstott type of fullback would not make our running game explode, then you don’t know what you are talking about.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:04 am
Hey, here’s a thought. Tampa has been trying to imitate what others are doing to improve their run game for years. Has. Not. Worked.
My way would.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:07 am
As for TMaxcon,
My best friend since elementary school just relapsed. His addiction has taken over his life, and for me it was the final straw. I can’t tell you the hell I’ve been through with him. Being in fear of finding his dead body on a bathroom floor. I have no doubt in my mind that one Day I will get a call describing just that.
You’re an awful human being for wishing that on someone. His family, his friends, his teammates love him. His life has value, regardless of his stats. You’re despicable, and I hope that when you lose someone to drugs you’ll think back to this moment and realize how evil it was to say that.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:07 am
It’s not Doug Martin, it’s the Oline. Do you watch film joe? The Oline is freaking garbage.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
Yes that includes Donovan Smith. The dude is gonna get someone killed, he’s pathetic
November 1st, 2017 at 10:13 am
Doug Martin bad
Donovan Smith good
See the problem?
November 1st, 2017 at 10:22 am
Oh and I forgot one point that I’m sure all bucs fans hate every week for years…how many 10+ yd runs or screens (and of course passing plays) are called back because of o-line penalties?!?!?! I am so accustomed to looking for the flag indicator after every long dmartin run and every long play in general…it’s nerve wrecking…we have gotten hosed on a few calls this year tho, but those penalties are back breaking and drive killers…
November 1st, 2017 at 10:39 am
Ya right bonzai your right aside from service academies and ga tech no one uses a fullback…those days are gone its a no touch football now so fb are gone
November 1st, 2017 at 10:41 am
I have never believed that BS about them frantically wanting to move up, for Cook!
November 1st, 2017 at 10:42 am
Donovan Smith had a bad reputation in college for being lazy. He was either above average or below. He is and always will be an under achiever. Sorry, folks not a big fan of Licht. Howard was a good pick. Beckwith was a good pick. But the problem was they already had a damn good MB & TE. Should of went after a DE, RB or OT. To me thats where the needs were. Licht quit listen to that or adage of getting the best player available. The Bucs have to many needs to do that. Just my opinion.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:54 am
Need to show the stat for how many times the Bucs running backs have been hit in the backfield. Having watched the all the games several times I can guarantee you this team is number one in jail breaks! Teams are stacking the line even on third downs with 8 & 9 players in the box daring us to throw down field. Hard to run the ball when the defender is meeting you at the hand off point. I can’t remember a play where there was this huge hole for these backs to run through and they just missed it.
November 1st, 2017 at 10:55 am
There was still some good RBs in the draft, after Dalvin Cook was drafted.
Justin Evans Pick# 50
Alvin Kamara Pick#67
Chris Goodwin Pick#84
Kareem Hunt Pick#86
D’Onta Foreman Pick#89
James Conner Pick#105
Kendell Beckwith Pick#107
Samaje Perine Pick#114
Tarik Cohen Pick#119
Wayne Gallman Pick#140
Marlon Mack Pick#143
I believe the Bucs came into the season focusing on the pass only
They were thinking “One Dimensional” Passing only
November 1st, 2017 at 10:59 am
Doug Martin is trash, whats more important, look at how many touchdowns he has had in 6 years. Hell 10 of them came in his rookie year. He is slow, and has no breakaway speed. He gets 1500yds in one season and only 6tds. Dude may be a fan favorite but he trash. He is so trash that NO ONE wanted to trade for him. He cant catch, damn sure cant run block, a $6mil 2 down back. Im done with Martin
November 1st, 2017 at 11:03 am
Sorry Buc Realist you basically said the same thing earlier in the post. Can’t believe some people watch the same game and don’t see the other teams completely stacking the box. It is basically six blockers trying to handle eight stacking the line. This is a product of not being able to connect on the long ball. When Winston is hot they have to respect the pass which opens up both the run and play action.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:04 am
From what I see, Martin is by far the best RB on the roster. The o-line is not run blocking well.. at all. I don’t see them giving the RBs many free yards and only Martin has been able to make a few runs out of nothing.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:11 am
The whole damn team sucks. Quit isolating one player every week. You win as a team and then you do like the Bucs do,you lose as a team.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:16 am
Seatle’s rushing stats are the exactly matched with the Bucs. Their at the bottom of the league with 3.7 ypc, same as the Bucs – 3.7ypc. So nice try on that one… The Bucs rushing problems are 3 things, lack of attempts due to defense putting us bad spots, Koetter calling too many aggressive passing plays, and poor run blocking. None of the problems of the rushing game have to do with Doug Martin. Maybe they will next year, I agreed with your case in the offseason that Martin is unreliable. But youre case that doug matin sucks right now is complete BS. Every week your trying to frame martin as the problem. Well we just faced back to back top 5 rushing defenses. Id bet money that Martin goes off this week and you guys will refuse to acknowledge that hes a fine back right now.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:16 am
Daveman just because he is the best back on the roster doesnt mean he is productive. Hell when we had folk and aguayo, folk was the best kicker on the roster. Doug is trash, and no one wants to accept that, he has poor vision and everyone wants to make excuses. 20Tds in 6 years is pure Garbage for a RB in the NFL, let alone a $6 mil RB
November 1st, 2017 at 11:21 am
The defective run game has been due to a number of issues, not just Doug Martin. The O line has to play better, Dirk needs to call more creative run plays (NOT THE DAMN TOSS PLAY), and RB’s need to follow blocks, and set up LBs for cut backs. The great backs don’t even focus on where the D linemen are. They manipulate the line to get past the linebackers. Your O line can block the D linemen fine, but it your letting linebackers run free and you’re running predictable run paths they will make the tackle and you will only avg 2 or 3 yards per carry.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:32 am
Maybe if we did some better play calling on runs. We line up like we are in goaline all the time to run a halfback dive. When me as a fan am 90% right all calling a run. Every time great there running up the middle loss of two. And me saying to myself why the hell did we just run that they had 9 men in the box. Can we check to a tight end slant or something. I never see linebackers caught looking in our backfield on play action. It’s like an article joe wrote earlier. Maybe we are tipping our plays as to run or pass.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:34 am
It’s a sports blog so I realize that means TONS of hyperbole. But we could avoid it if we wished and make thoughtful measured posts.
E.G. Doug Martin….He doesn’t suck…but he’s not a game breaker. We have two groups of people that either post…Doug is a top five running back in this league…really?….or he’s the worst RB in the league. He is neither. He’s a competent back who if given enough opportunity can play OK. He no longer creates his own holes.
Why must everybody always either be great or horrible….here’s a clue…part of the problem with our team is that we still have some AVERAGE players. Both offensive tackles…yeah average…not the worst and not the best. Our interior three show promise and our TE is a beast. We can fix our OL. We can find an RB.
D.R. made a great point yesterday. When the Bucs did their great housecleaning under Lovie we never replaced all of those SOLID complementary players. You do not repair an entire roster…their attitude in just two years.
Even the smart draft picks take time. So we draft #3 and that’s great…but he still has growing pains….our best players seem to be young and learning and our veterans with a some notable exceptions seem to be wearing thin.
November 1st, 2017 at 11:36 am
Doug has to make something out of nothing every play, wether it’s the oline or the defense not respecting the pass because of horrible QB play, our RBs haven’t had a chance
November 1st, 2017 at 11:39 am
let barber get carries…..and instead of 20 runs and 40passes let try to make it more balance….GO BUCS!!!!
November 1st, 2017 at 11:55 am
941 my sentiments exactly
November 1st, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Thanks DefenseRules…numbers and analysis always on point.
Thanks Westernbuc for sharing. Agree with your conclusion as well. Repeatedly despicable.
November 1st, 2017 at 12:15 pm
So, to recap:
Defenders 3 yards in the backfield at the snap? Doug’s fault.
No push from the o-line? Doug’s fault.
Piss-poor play calling? Doug.
Down in games by the end of the 1st quarter? Also Doug.
Gotcha!!!
Our offense is as predictable as rain in the summer, but I’m sure that has nothing to do with our lack of production.
November 1st, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Thank you Pepsi, you saw exactly the same thing that I saw: Joe is cherry-picking stats again. And for someone who says constantly that stats are meaningless, you use stats an awful lot when it suits your purpose Joe.
Martin has 65 rushes for 247 yds … a 3.8 yd/game average. Rodgers has 48 rushes for 171 yds (3.6 average). Sims has 8 rushes for 31 yds (3.9 average). And Barber has 12 rushes for 49 yds (4.1 average) and got almost all of those in a single game (Chicago) … why Koetter hasn’t used him since is far beyond me. Bucs as a team have 153 rushes for 568 yds (3.7 average). And oh ya, 153 rushes over 7 games is 22 rushing attempts per game.
Broncos have 197 rushing attempts in 7 games for 864 yds (4.4 average) … that’s over 28 rushing attempts per game. Seattle has 187 rushes in 7 games for 688 yds (3.7 average) … that’s almost 27 rushing attempts per game.
But wait, there’s more. Barber has 2 rushing attempts in the last 6 games. Sims has 8 rushes TOTAL. Rodgers ran well in our 2 wins (35 rushes for 150 yds … 4.3 average) but has only been used 13 times in the other 5 games, gaining a total of 21 yds (1.6 average).
So what’s wrong with this picture Joe? 3 RBs who are occupying spots on our roster who aren’t even being used by our OC? And who’ve been totally ineffective in our 5 losses. The problem isn’t Martin … he’s actually done quite well IMO of escaping multiple hits behind the LOS and turning that into at least sure losses into small positive gains. Our problem is that our OLine isn’t run blocking for beans in most (but not all) instances AND crappy play-calling by our OC. Total lack of creativity from what I’ve seen (if I can successfully guess where a run is going based on our lineup then I would imagine any NFL defense can).
November 1st, 2017 at 12:34 pm
You guys aren’t watching film and joe is cherry picking. Truth is Koetter had to rely on Martin for 1st Downs in the second half and he converted often including a 3rd and 1. He had a 5 yard avg going into the 4th and pull off a few runs of 10+ yards plus.
November 1st, 2017 at 12:34 pm
But he can’t catch for nothing.
November 1st, 2017 at 12:37 pm
2 good years out of 6 years… Doug is trash. Any other team wouldve gotten rid of that kind of production in a heart beat. Reminds me of when Jags fans were B!tchin about their line not blocking for Chris Ivory and the jags went and drafted a real RB to fix that problem. What tampa needs is a real RB. So all you doug martin Fanboys keep it moving. Put leveon or zeke on this team and you will see a HUGGEEEEEEE differenfenin production.
November 1st, 2017 at 12:41 pm
A running back that has hit maybe 1 or 2 homeruns in 6 years. I can see it now, Doug breaks on a 70 yarder then gets ran down from behind and cant punch it in from the 5
November 1st, 2017 at 1:16 pm
@941- You’re talking about elite talent. There’s how many guys out there like that? There’s no question that an upgrade is needed, better play-calling would help too.
Truth is that even Zeke would struggle if he had defenders in the backfield at the snap. The sad truth is that Doug simply is the best RB on the roster. That’s not fanboy-ism, that’s a fact.
November 1st, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Bias alert!
It’s not the o-line! It’s 100% on Doug Martin, even though he averaged 3.98 ypc last week (basically 4 ypc).
But when anyone not named Doug has those same stats, it’s good enough for J0e!
But hey- no bias here, right?
November 1st, 2017 at 1:29 pm
well said Bucsfanman.
I don’t care who you put back there, if the line doesn’t open holes, the RB ain’t doing squat. But for some reason this site refuses to place any blame on the o-line or the playcalling, it’s 100% the fault of 1 single running back.
It’s funny that when Rodgers only got 3 ypc against the Vikings, that wasn’t a problem. But Martin getting 3.9 is a problem…. but no bias, right?
November 1st, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Joe is right about Martins decision making . Watching replays during the game and Martin constantly misses opportunities . He does not seem to have the vision or moves change direction …. slashing ,sidestepping , body movement …. and definitely not the speed which is lacking in all our stable . He is a physical runner but lacks the size and strength to accommodate his style . His career rushing average and performance speak for itself . A mistake to keep him in lieu of his suspension and spotty production .
November 1st, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Dex Says:
November 1st, 2017 at 9:07 am
Joe.. you really need to get off of Doug Martin back.Youre just blaming him on no running game.The O line isn’t doing a dam thing..u don’t see that aggressiveness in them when a running play is called.Its funny..when Dirk was the coordinator there was a running game but since he been the head coach he don’t want to run or set up the run.How many times on first down he comes out and run the ball.His play calling is so predictable.
Martin is not getting the job done. Joe challenges you to turn on the film and watch Martin’s decision-making on his opening runs of the past two Sundays, just to keep it easy on your study.–Joe
_______________________________________________________________
Joe,
I actually challenge you to turn on the coaches film. I have it with NFL gamepass. In watching the Buc-Car game from last Sunday came away with a profound respect for what Martin has done with what he has been given. If you watch the film you will see time and again Martin making the right decisions and doing everything possible to make something out of nothing. I cannot tell you how often the following types of issues happened on running plays: 1) Run play scheme allowed one or more linebackers to be unblocked and roam free; 2) Offensive linemen got manhandled by panthers D-linemen; 3) The Bucs ran the exact same look consecutive plays in a row (one a play action, the other a carbon copy of the play action but with a hand-off instead).
You can see Martin making good decisions but honestly most plays he has no chance, Dalvin would fare no better nor would many other backs. Only someone who can make 2 to 3 defenders miss on every play (Barry Sanders?) could have a chance with our current line and play calls.
Actually, is making plenty bad decisions and suspect decisions.. Joe will point to Martin’s opening runs against Buffalo and Carolina, and there are many others. –Joe
I am happy to write up a much more detailed and comprehensive report on last weeks game targeting running plays with Martin and screenshots to help you if you would like. Not trying to be condescending but honestly I can easily show you play after play where Martin does his job and is let down by those around him. Conversely I can show you play after play where when given a fair chance on a play (blocking does not collapse or the playcall is not flawed leaving the other teams top player unblocked…) that he performs well and gets lots and lots of yards. Of course I know not every play is ideal. But the fact is countless times we can see Martin getting a really bad rap for things out of his control.
November 1st, 2017 at 2:56 pm
I said it before … I’ll say it again……
Cook was the pick (I know he’s injured. And if he was HERE he wouldn’t be). We have a TE. We didn’t have a running game. Licht looked at a terrible running game last year and consciously did nothing. His plan was “pray it gets better” and that’s solely on him.
Licht’s mistakes are outweighing his accomplishments.
November 1st, 2017 at 3:43 pm
Thank you Bucglory2002 … I don’t have NFL gamepass to watch the coaches’ film, but those times when I’ve focused on any of the RBs running the ball the story is almost always the same: there almost never seems to be no decent holes to hit. And all too often there’s a defender within a yard or two of the RB when they take the handoff. Last year it looked like the right side of our OLine was doing a pretty good job of run blocking (left side was meh). This year I don’t see much difference between either right or left side … they’re both meh.
November 1st, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Amen Westernbuc
And why do Joes print these hateful comments that have nothing to do with football ?
Problem with running game is lack of communication and lack of chemistry- and, as Ira Kauffman said, lack of physicality. Joes are correct that Martin is not playing to potential, but neither is offensive line- Maybe Bucs believe this will correct itself as season progresses- we shall see, but they better start on Sunday vs Saints
November 1st, 2017 at 3:47 pm
@ Joe
Ok so you keep repeating the opening runs of Martin. But every player makes bad decisions in each game. Jameis does and so does McCoy. Yes the first plays he was running in those games are not good. But how does a handful of plays to start 2 games define that he is doing poorly overall? We are talking less than 5 carries when during both of those games he had many more carries later in the game. In the Panthers game he had a really good performance the rest of the game after that. It is easy to do what you are doing, cherry picking. Heck I could cherry pick JW3 plays all day to say he is a bad quarterback. Its easy to cherry pick a few plays. But what about the avalanche of the other plays that he did nothing wrong? Is he expected to be perfect every play every game? If so I recommend we hold JW3, McCoy and ME13 to the same perfection standards that even Tom Brady doesn’t meet. It is so biased to only keep repeating the that the “first few plays of the last few games” as enough of a sample to make the claims you are.
To combine answers from your other comments. Yes, Joe typically watches the condensed game replay twice and takes notes, and the goes to the All-22 to study based on those notes and to study specific players. Second, Joe doesn’t type up long, boring film analysis. While Joe enjoys the study, Joe finds writing about it and reading about it rather boring, hence it doesn’t appear here. Joe holds all players to a high standard, but the highly paid and failing — and succeeding — ones get the most attention. Martin’s film last year didn’t deserve his return under his current contract. That’s not Martin’s fault, that’s an organizational thing. Mike Evans had two painful drops against Carolina and has several this season. It’s a problem, one that bears a lot of monitoring, though Evans is so good one can deal with the drops. Joe’s only agenda is the Bucs putting a good product on the field. –Joe
November 1st, 2017 at 3:57 pm
@Defense Rules
Gamepass is only $75 a year. You can actually get a free 7 day trial. I recommend getting it and watching at least for the trial period. You will see that both sides of the line have issues. I would say all of the linemen at times are getting man handled. I am not really trying to grade each guy because I don’t know the play call assignment each has to judge perfectly but it appears far more often than other teams we do a poor job blocking. I can show countless examples of 2, 3 or even 4 defenders behind the line of scrimmage unblocked for Martin to evade on countless plays each game. This does not mean I think Martin is perfect but I would say that at least 50% or more of the blame should be directed at someone other than Martin. Its fine if it is 40% Martin is the problem but to not acknowledge the other is just blatantly ignoring facts to fit a preconceived narrative.
Upon much study of last weeks game film (hours and hours in slow motion; can you say the same Joe?) I also can conclude that many pass plays our line also lets 4 linemen get past all our Oline plus TE(s) & RB helping. I saw a play where we only sent 2 receivers out and had 8 people blocking where our QB had pressure. 4 against 8 and we lost the matchups and the play was incomplete on a play intended to go deep. You can argue should we have only 2 receivers running routes on a play but the goal was a play action and attack the field and the panthers easily covered it and got pressure. Countless times this kind of thing happens.
November 1st, 2017 at 5:28 pm
Good to see many fans actually know what they are looking at when watching the tape. I guess if Martin has 1 run per game where he didn’t make the right choice, he’s just no good in general.
Doesn’t matter how many times our tackles get penalties.
Doesn’t matter how many times our tackles completely whiff on blocks.
Doesn’t matter how many times our elite WRs drop balls that hit them in the hands.
Doesn’t matter how many times Jameis completely misses a wide open guy when he’s not being hit or chased.
But if you mess up once and your name is Doug, you’re garbage!!!
LOL. Thanks for the entertainment at least.
November 1st, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Excuse me joe. 3.9. Sorry I was .01 off. But are you going to address how we are going to run the ball down double digits? Or you going to skip that? Pfft..