Dominik Addressed Blount-Martin Togetherness
May 10th, 2012
The bell cow running back debate is one that will burn within many Bucs fans from now through at least late August.
Who should and will carry the load in the Bucs’ run-first backfield? Will there even be the bell cow that Greg Schiano desires?
Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik was pressed on this yesterday during an NFL.com podcast hosted by Steve Wyche and Jason Smith. Here’s how Dominik responded.
Host (paraphrased): Doug Martin, LeGarrette Blount, what’s your plan?
Mark Dominik: They’re going to complement one another. Let’em play with each other. Let them utilize their traits very well, and really kind of work together. I think most clubs, as we see around the league, have a multiple-back system, where guys can be on first-down or third-down, and short yardage or, you know, first-and-10. And I think that’s what’s so nice about adding a Doug Martin. You know because he has the hands, you know he’s really good catching the ball and real natural coming out [out of the backfield], runs really good routes, he’s under control as a runner but he has some top-end speed so he can get away. And what I like about him is he’s got some strength after contact to be able to break plays and get those hidden yardages, you know those yards after contact that are such hidden yards in the National Football League that are so important to sustain drives and give a chance to let your team win games.
Host (paraphrased): Will their use be situational, like the Giants have done in the past with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw?
Dominik: I think that’s the way the coaches are going to end up playing it out. And certainly the development of how fast, you know, Martin can pick it up. And certainly with LeGarrette now being here. And again, everybody’s got a fresh clean slate. Now with Greg Schiano, a new coaching staff, a new offensive coordinator very excited about the clean slate and really excited about some of the young players that have a chance to continue to step up and step through.
For those who love to read between lines, Dominik’s quotes above might satisfy you for at least a week.
Joe’s been known to examine tea leaves, and Joe finds it interesting that Dominik referenced Martin having to pick up the system — it’s new for Blount, too, and many fans allege Blount is an idiot that can’t figure out a playbook. Also, Dominik referencing the coaches’ excitement about a clean slate in a question about Blount is intriguing.
Regardless, Joe’s not worried about either one of the running backs. Joe’s concern lies in Mike Sullivan’s ability as a first-time offensive coordinator that has never called plays.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Mike Sullivan is a bad azz who takes Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. He will arm bar any player who forgets a play.
Seriously, I think we will be ok with Mike Sullivan. My only concern is if Martin and Blount will be able to work together, or not ?
I think they will, because Martin is a loveable, humble, laid back guy, vs the more Alpha Male Blount.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Joe needs to understand the correct use of there and their.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:35 am
He literally could not do any worse the Greg Olsen…
May 10th, 2012 at 11:40 am
Just stick them both in the backfield and give the defense a reason not to key on Blount. If so, he’ll average 5.5 yards a carry and the Bucs will be in the playoffs.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:49 am
By committee, pound em both @ the defense and dare them to put 8-9 in the box.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:51 am
MichiganBucsFan … Good point about not being any worse than Olson … But honestly … Like as In REALLY .. I believe my wife could call a better game if you gave her an Xbox controller to call the plays.
And I dont say that to exxagerate Olson crappiness … I really do believe my wife could do better.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:54 am
Off the top of my head … But the one player nobody is talking about is Mike WIlliams … If he can return to rookie form or better … How good could he be with coverage focused on Vincent Jackson and the threat of a Running game … MW19 could put up 10 TDs again, maybe not as many yards with other Receivers.
May 10th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
If there was only a way to make sure everyone got there touches during the game. If only we could have some kind of system. Maybe like a 2-2-1 carry system. where the starter would get 2 series, next guy will get 2 series and then 1 series for the last guy.
May 10th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
What a subjective interpretation Joe?
Dom spent 70% of his time explaining how versatile and multi-dimensional Martin is – and never mentioned Blount bc of course Blount is horribly one-dimensional.
Also, Blount has been with Schiano since February, Martin for about 1 week – obviously a big difference. All he said is Blount “has been here” and Joe somehow reads into that that Blount has mastered the offense. Comical.
Joe, your spin gets funnier and funnier – I used to look to you for information now it’s for entertainment.
Finally, Dom is the GM – he has NO say in how much time Martin gets vs Blount. Schiano has already made very clear what his feelings are about Blount / fumblers don’t play – period. Then he traded up in the 1st round to draft a starting RB with desperate defensive back 7 needs. The clean slate part means being late and not knowing the plays is forgotten – but what is on tape isn’t.
May 10th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Typical Dominik spin andy babble.
May 10th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
..in other words it will come down to who performs best in training camp and exhibition schedules. How many times has a 1st round or “bell cow” RB been upstaged by an UFA or 7th rounder ?
May 10th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Damn, I think the Bucs missed out on jvato24’s wife as offensive coordinator!?
Xbox and play calling….Too Funny!
I’m not an Olsen fan or think he’s great by any means, but people forget Olsen in his second year here took the team to 10-6 and moved up 10 spots in offensive rankings from his previous partial year as OC. His third/last year the team lacked an offseason and couldn’t execute a pop-warner play, besides giving up!
May 10th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
“some kind of system. Maybe like a 2-2-1 carry system. where the starter would get 2 series, next guy will get 2 series and then 1 series for the last guy.”
What an innovation, let’s make it easy for the opponent to figure out, in advance, what personnel we’re gonna have on the field. I know that might’ve been a bit heavy on the sarcasm, but come on! I’m in favor of the ‘hot hand’ method, my self , but there has to be a better way to distribut the load, without going predictable.
May 10th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I still think we need Trent Richarson (watch his YouTube tape) Give up McCoy & Josh Freeman
May 10th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
With Martin on the field, the defense can’t assume run or pass – with Blount on the field you can’t pass effectively so defenses assume run.
If you want to be predictable, make Blount your bell cow back. Include the fumbling – he is not an every down player.
May 10th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
I gotta agree with Thomas here. He did seem to avoid talking much about Blount. If you say everyone has a clean slate when he’s referencing Legarette, it means he better step it up because last year he was garbage.
And why were they asking a GM about how much playing time each RB would receive. Talk to Schiano about that. Better yet talk to Mike Sullivan. Speaking of the offensive coordinator, how come we never hear any interviews with him?
May 10th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
“many fans allege Blount is an idiot that can’t figure out a playbook.”
Blount had all season to figure it out and struggled in pass pro.
“Also, Dominik referencing the coaches’ excitement about a clean slate in a question about Blount is intriguing”
Because Blount had all season to figure out the playbook and struggled in pass pro.
Just sayin’.
May 10th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@bucfanjeff — And should we assume that Raheem and his staff had a clue on what Blount could and couldn’t do? How did he struggle in pass pro when he didn’t get the opportunity? How exactly do we know he has bad hands?
May 10th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Thomas, I would have to disagree with your comment that Dom has no say in who plays. I’m sure won’t get involved in day to day, but if there is a problem with production, his butt is on the line even more so than Schiano. Dom is Schiano’s boss any way you slice it. If things are done that he doesn’t like or agree with, I’m sure he will force changes to be made. If anything, he probably gave Raheem to much rope and I doubt he would make the same mistake again. I believe Schiano will be a successful coach here in Tampa and not need much interference from the Dom, but Dom seems to be on the field at many practices, watches the games closely from the stands, and I bet he calls the occasional shot from time to time, like it or not. We all know it was Dom that told Raheem to put Freeman in the game against the Pats in London.
May 10th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Doug Martin is our Lead Back.
LGB is still going to get the rock, and he will do good things with it.
Schiano loves to run the ball, can’t wait to see our “10th” rated O-Line maul some teams and let the RB’s carry the load.
May 10th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
” Fumblers don’t play – period.
Freeman fumbled 9 times last year! Guess he does not play – period.
BRILLIANT !!
May 10th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Bucfan your clueless:
Nobody with a brain compares qb fumbles to RBs. For one reason, qbs take the snap every play if you dIdnt know. Every team has a few bad snaps credited as qb fumbles, then there is the blindside sack forced fumble – no way for qb to avoid the ball coming loose.
Blount’s fumbles are poor fundamentals, attention to detail and laziness. If he didn’t leap defenders nobody would be advocating for him to be a starter – but he does and neophyte fans who don’t understand the position get fooled by this and think that he is Adrian Peterson.
Blount is not even a power back, he is tough to bring down at the plus 4 level, otherwise he is one of the worst in the league.
May 10th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
LMAO@ jvato. I believe you, and I also think my wife, who could give a crap less about football, would do a better job as O.C. Apple is also correct. Sullivan is a bad ass. That little bastard will knock the living snot out of these guys. Schiano and Rockstar did a great job bringing in a disciplined staff. Losing Bowers hurts and really sucks. I’m happy for the opportunity for Bennett, who, let’s not forget had 4 sacks, a safety, and 39 tackles. Not too shabby with limited playing time.