Schiano’s Former Bell Cow Passed On Bucs
May 12th, 2012
The buzz out of New York Giants rookie minicamp today interestingly centers around former Rutgers running back and fullback Joe Martinek. The guy was Greg Schiano’s bell cow as a sophomore, racking up 206 carries for 967 yards.
Joe’s read various reports, and even Tom Coughlin raved about the guy.
Interestingly, per the Star-Ledger, Martinek apparently spurned a job offer from Greg Schiano and signed with the Giants right after last month’s draft.
After going undrafted, former Rutgers fullback Joe Martinek said he was in contact with Buccaneers – and former Rutgers – head coach Greg Schiano, but chose the Giants because it “was the better fit for me.”
What made this stand out for Joe was a quote Joe read from Martinek saying how Schiano was a key figure in his development personally and professionally, combined with the lack of depth in the Bucs backfield. Sure, the Bucs drafted Doug Martin and have LeGarrette Blount. But Martinek didn’t want to follow his beloved college coach who has unproven Michael Smith and Mossis Madu sitting behind them on the depth chart?
Yeah, the Giants are the Super Bowl champs and Martinek was a Jersey high school legend, but it still felt odd that he passed on joining the New Schiano World Order.
Definitely keep an eye on Martinek as a guy that could land on the Bucs practice squad if the Giants cut him loose.
May 12th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Move away to 4-12 or stay home with World Champions? Is it really that hard to believe he opted for the Giants?
May 12th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Relax Joe, maybe he’s a Jersey Boy, and wanted to be close to Mama for Mothers Day ?
May 12th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I have a feeling he’ll end up with the Bucs at some point during Schiano’s tenure.
May 12th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
He may or may not. I pretty much assumed that Desmond Wynn, Martinek, and Justin Francis were definites for the Bucs to pick up after the draft. As it turns out, only Wynn signed.
As for Martinek, he’s tiny as far as FBs are concerned at just over 220 lbs, but he runs well (in the low 4.5 range) and COULD eventually be a West Coast-style FB in the mold of Larry Centers. The concerning thing with me was that with such little production from the Rutgers rushing offense last season, why was Martinek given so few opportunities?
May 12th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
We still need to make some competition for that fb position if we are you to be a run team we have to have a great fullback
May 12th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
I’ve never heard the term Bell Cow back till this year and I gotta say I hate the word and it’s getting on my nerves the more I hear it.
May 12th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
What is odd about a kid wanting to stay home and not uproot and be able to play in front of his friends and family?
Sometimes the suggestions are foolish.
May 12th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
agrees with Brad.Even though I’ve heard the term before now, it has already run its course as at the lasest horrendous buzzword. Stop It.
May 12th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Brad if bell cow annoys you just wait until you get a load of admin fawning all over a 17-31 “rock star” who has never acquired a single pro bowl player!
May 13th, 2012 at 10:15 am
This is just a no brainer. We have Martin and Blount and the Giants have……? He has a much higher chance of making the Giants squad.
May 13th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Brad…if you really want to be annoyed just keep reading Thomas’ posts….
May 13th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
He didn’t pass on us. We passed on him by not drafting him in the 7th round and allowing him to go undrafted.
He is a jersey guy. Born and raised. Why on Earth would he volunteer to leave and come to Tampa when he can stay and play for the Super Bowl champions? As far as him landing with the Bucs if he gets cut….he ain’t getting cut. We will regret passing on Martinek for years to come. Kid is a great football player.