Lovie References “The True Doug Martin”
April 10th, 2015
The reality is Doug Martin hasn’t been a quality NFL starter since 2012.
If Martin played quarterback, the Bucs would have moved on already.
Injuries and poor form, and bad offensive line play, have made Martin look like anything but the first-round pick he was three years ago, when he tore up the league as a rookie.
So what do the Bucs believe they have in Martin? Joe can’t speak for the regime, but Joe does know Jason Licht and Lovie Smith drafted a running back in the third-round last year, Charles Sims.
That’s a high price for a back in the modern NFL. The Bucs also re-signed Bobby Rainey, and still have Mike James, whose young talent — turns 24 this week –was on display for all to see in 2013.
Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune talked to Lovie last night at One Buc Palace. Cummings relayed, via Twitter, that Lovie said: “We haven’t seen the true Doug Martin yet.”
Feel free to speculate on that one.
Joe knows Bucs officials are very enthused by Martin’s strong rushing days against Carolina (14 carries for 96 yards) and New Orleans (19 carries for 108 yards) in December. But that doesn’t mean they’re not even more excited by the flashes they saw from Sims.
Barring a shocking draft-day trade offer for Martin, such as a third-round pick, Joe suspects the Bucs will sit tight at the position this season, and let their big four battle it out. Joe also suspects the guy who does the best job blocking and picking up blitzes is going to get his share of playing time. That’s not one of Martin’s strengths.
April 10th, 2015 at 11:36 am
After a comment like that, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Martin is traded at some point in the next three weeks.
I would love to see a return to form for the Muscle Hamster. Doug Martin’s rookie season was a blast to watch, and he’s young enough to bounce back. He’ll need some help on that offensive line, though, or else it just won’t happen.
April 10th, 2015 at 11:45 am
AD watch. What are the chances? We need a probowl RB to take the pressure off of Mr. Winnerston
April 10th, 2015 at 11:46 am
He was poorly used during the second year of the Schiano staff and he was playing hurt last year. We saw him return to a version of himself that we remember toward the end of the year, when he started feeling more like himself. I can’t imagine they’ll trade him if they can have a chance to pair him up with Sims to offer some relief for Winston. If you take away his running game and leave him with a questionable offensive line, we might end up with a David Carr
April 10th, 2015 at 11:47 am
Martin isn’t good enough to succeed with no QB threat and behind a terrible oline. However he has the potential to be great with Winston and some decent blocking. They can’t all be Marshawn Lynch or AP. Fix the QB and oline and Martin will be more than servicible and probably great.
April 10th, 2015 at 11:51 am
Dougie’s days are numbered. If it comes down to better blocker, catcher, and runner then Mr. Mike James is the winner. The young guy does it all.
April 10th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
I smell a trade coming for Doug Martin, because we are very deep at running back, and have many other needs.
April 10th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
That comment was the kiss of death – Martin will be traded and some other team will see the real Doug Martin.
April 10th, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Doug Martin does a fine job picking up blitzes and blocking in the backfield Joe.
All the speculation about trading Martin and trading Glennon is bunk. They are both likely to be on the team this year – and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Martin have a good year if he can stay healthy.
April 10th, 2015 at 12:08 pm
After martins rookie contract is up we won’t sign him and he will be the typical patriots picking up the bucs trash and martin will light up the field and make us look horrible again
April 10th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Martin like Glennon may have preformed better with a good Offensive line.
April 10th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
seems he honestly just said what was reality….doug hasn’t had a great game in a few years so duh they haven’t see what the guy can really do. he had injuries last year but no one could take his spot, he’ll at the very least be competing for his job this year, I think he has more trade value than glennon so if that is the route the bucs go, im tired of being loyal to players that aren’t putting out the production on the field so I don’t really care about all this turnover if the team improves
April 10th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Lovie just gave him the kiss of death. He will be traded most definitely now
April 10th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Doug Martin didn’t forget how to run the football…
Coincidentally he’s only had about a handful of good blocks since 2012!
Perhaps Lovie should trade his O-Line coach in for someone more qualified.
April 10th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
What do you traders want from Martin? He has done a good job when not injured. His rookie year was not a flash in the pan, this guy is a tough runner. Imo, none of the other RB’s on the roster can match his raw ability. I look for Doug to run wild this season.
April 10th, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Hey, WS99, the Bucs already have a pro bowl RB. His name is Doug Martin, Pro Bowl in 2012. Gawd you are such a dolt.
Injured in 2013 and playing under an idiot OC who is probably a relative of WS99, Martin is still the best RB the Bucs have.
Quit trying to trade him away for a paltry 3rd round pick o bring in a player who might have two years left in the tank. AP is 30 and that’s when it all starts to go downhill for RB.
Just look at history.
April 11th, 2015 at 7:41 pm
Martin wasn’t coming off a leg injury his vision was horrible