“It’s Not Just LeGarrette”
July 20th, 2012
Since the moment Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik traded up at the end of Day 1 of the draft to snooker Tom Coughlin and the Giants and acquire Boise State running back Doug Martin, many Bucs fans have tried to create a “battle” between the two.
As Martin told Joe earlier this year, that simply isn’t the case.
So on Thursday, when Bucs rookies were made available to the local pen and mic club, Smith again had to explain there is no fight on the field between him and Blount. Rather, there is a battle with all the running backs.
“It’s not just LeGarrette,” Martin said. “We’ve got like five running backs in the room and there’s competition between everybody and all that’s going to do is make us better.”
Joe just thinks this is beyond refreshing. Does Martin want the job? Of course. But Martin seems to relish a team-first mentality and above all else, winning. What a novel concept.
While many have tried their best to make Blount and Martin some sort of football enemies, Martin seems to be more concerned about extracurricular elements of training camp than any friction fiction people try to apply to him and Blount.
“I’m curious to see if there’s any hazing going on,” Martin said. “I’m not sure if there is or not so I’m going to be watching my back, definitely.
Being a rookie and being a freshman in college is “definitely different. I feel I have a chance to go here whereas in college I redshirted and had to wait for two guys to get out of there and eventually got the chance to compete for that top spot, so it’s definitely different.”
July 20th, 2012 at 8:09 am
I think you meant ‘Martin had to explain’ not Smith.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:17 am
There is no reason at all that Blount and Martin can’t both be successful. There is plenty of room here for both.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:22 am
I think this Bucs RB corps can be electric, I’m excited to them run behind this O-Line…. Michael Smith intrigues me the most with that speed, I would love to see him on punt/kick off returns!
July 20th, 2012 at 8:25 am
I am glad they are getting along. Their College Teams were mortal enemies, Oregon and Boise State. Blount also knocked a Boise State player nearly OUT, with one punch.
I am sure Martin remembers that!
Martin is a little guy, muscular for sure, but seems no match for the much larger Blount, if a fight should happen.
From what I have seen of the two players, Blount seems much more of the Alpha Male type, and Martin seems to be a very nice, more laid back, and easygoing type of Guy.
I hope they become best friends, and provide Tampa with a deadly one two punch for years to come.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:34 am
I don’t think ‘many’ people have tried to make Martin and Blount enemies. I think there are many people that don’t have faith in Blount as a 3 down back. Coupled with drafting Martin in the first round and it seems pretty clear, in the NFL as a whole, that you don’t pay large $$ for 1st rounders to sit on the bench.
I’m glad there is a team first mentality, it should be that way. His play and attitude will have him with the lions share of carries in no time.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Joe, you’ve got some name/picture mistakes in there that are confusing. You’re talking about Doug Martin the whole time, but it seems like you are quoting Michael Smith (and isn’t that a picture of Smith, the burner?). FYI- confusing to read.
Friction fiction though, nice touch. Just like the receiving corps, with all the competition, the cream will rise to the top.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:02 am
Jrock, If that’s Smith he has Martin’s lid on.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:34 am
I can’t wait to see Martin tear it up in a bucs uni. This should be an impressive rushing attack for years to come. Would be nice to be the team that imposes its will on the ground.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Martin doens’t need to worry about hazing….hazing a muscle hampster would be animal cruelty!
July 20th, 2012 at 9:39 am
Tweet: “Where do fantasy players take Blount? Outside Bucs land we hear its Martin’s to loose, Blount T/O issue @bucsbuzztap” Reading the comments and the story leads one to believe everything is great in Tampa with the competition between the two, but outside of Florida we here that the staff has gotten tired of Legarrette fumbling. I’d like to think the good people of Tampa have a better pulse of what’s goig on their, but where does the fantasy player rank both Blount and Martin?
July 20th, 2012 at 9:42 am
you need veterans that have done something in the nfl to actually haze the rookies. Other than Barber and a couple of O-line guys there is no one else.
the rookies should have no fear of any hazing.
P.S. still waiting for Rock Star to draft 1 Pro-bowler.
July 20th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Don’t tell that to Price; he’ll smack you upside the head
July 20th, 2012 at 10:29 am
busrealist
I’d rather have a good solid comptetive team, than few “popular-voted” pro-bowlers.
July 20th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@oar
please wake me up when the “rock star” is the cause of any of those 2 things.
July 20th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
bucrealist
I will and it will probablly be right after this season!
BTW not sure how Dominik is supposed to be the “cause”. He’s not coaching the talent he drafts.
July 20th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@ OAR
I would love top end talent on the team, and the Bucs need to have somebody step up as a “top 5 at their position” in the NFL.
Dom may have had his 1st “pro bowler” drafted in his tenure this year.
(one can hope).
July 20th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I’m not sure if you’re joking around or if you’re mildly autistic, but I think it’s an easy assertion to make that you’ve been one of the most vocal pundits with a combative tone or agenda when it came to Blount/Martin; we’re repeatedly reminded of your view that Blount was misused by the previous regime and that he’s more than capable of being an elite RB, all the while you provide token praise for Martin’s talents. Give me a break, Joe.
July 20th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
SteveK
I’m not a huge fan of the most popular players voted, known as Pro-Bowlers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up having draft more than one.
Some of you guys think they need to be “pro-bowl” players in their 1st year. I mean let’s give these guys a chance to develop. Brooks got to pro-bowl in his 3rd year, Sapp in his 3rd year, and John Lynch in his 5 year, etc, etc….
July 20th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
BTW they really haven’t had a chance at any real development until this year and this coaching staff!
July 20th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
OAR is on a roll….
July 21st, 2012 at 1:22 am
This year is like just starting with a coach that knows what he’s doing. Can’t wait till September 9, when LeGrand leads them onto the field. I want us to rip Carolina a new one. Go Bucs!