Tale Of Two Sides In Running Stats
October 22nd, 2012Doug Martin had a bit of a breakout game yesterday. He looked sharp, quick and like a yungry first-round pick, including a 36-yard touchdown run that was well-blocked and only required Martin to break one tackle.
And it’s no coincidence that run went left.
This season, per the stat geeks at ESPN, Martin is averaging 4.9 yards per carry running left, and only 3.7 yards to the right. Up the middle, he’s at 3.1 yards per carry. Running wide left also shows a big, positive difference than running wide right.
On the left side, the Bucs present beasts Carl Nicks and Donald Penn, who have been nothing short of stellar pass blockers, as well. On the right side, it’s green Jamon Meredith and Demar Dotson, who have a combined 13 career starts. And those guys folded like a tent on the final play of the first half that represented a key shot for the Bucs to get in field goal range.
Joe points this out because it’s all so glaring. The loss of Davin Joseph can not be measured.
October 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 pm
The losses of Joseph and Clayborn have hurt this team far more than most realize. With those two in the lineup it’s possible this team is 4-2.
October 22nd, 2012 at 1:44 pm
The way Martin was running, you think we would have used him or used him as a decoy on “that series” in which we didn’t score.
I like the decisive one cut runners ala Martin, Smith, Madu, etc..
Blount has been trending down for me personally and I think I’m now in the trade Blount phase. I know that sounds ridiculous to some, but do you REALLY think he’s going to get PAID by the Bucs to stay after the season? Highly doubt it. Get something for him while you can. Develop Smith, Ware, Madu and company.
October 22nd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Martin had 87 yards with 12:13 left in 3rd quarter. Finished with 86. Why did he not get the touches
October 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Joe do you think Joseph will be back with the Bucs? That seems like a crazy question to me but some writers wrote that Joseph may have played his last game in a Bucs uniform after his injury. Do you think that has any chance of happening? Or will we see what the offensive line can really do next year
October 22nd, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Why would you use Martin as a decoy? He is a really good goal line runner, much better than Blount. I couldn’t figure out why they took martin out, who was running well to put in Blount who has never proven himself to be that good on the goal line. Martin also seems to give you more options in play action pass etc.. I like Blount but Martin is proving himself to be the better all around back.
October 22nd, 2012 at 2:41 pm
they just can’t run up the gut period. need more sweep, & screens to martin. that being said. i liked they way they used him the last 2 weeks …getting better @ not just running him into the back of the center etc.
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Stanglass, its because Blount had success as the goal line back the past two games, while Martin had the failed attempt earlier in the season. All short sighted criticisms. The problem wasn’t the player back there, it was the play calling. I would have rather seen a toss sweep to Dan O than three runs up the gut by Martin/Blount.
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Any run up the gut requires a push by the o-line I don’t care who the back is. We were beat up the gut all day and that’s why it was a terrible decision one time much less three in a row. If you’re going to roll out Freeman on a bootleg do it on first down not fourth.
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Still having a hard time with the broadcast of Blount napping on the bench.
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:16 pm
I think the Freeman roll out was a designed pass play. Did anyone else notice the receiver giving up on his route after he released from the block?
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:22 pm
I seriously think we can beat the Vikings on Thursday. Think about it, we’ve been competitive in every game this year. Not one time have we ever been dominated in a game. This is a team that can easily be 6-0 right now if not for a few mistakes and bad plays.
If we beat the Vikings, we have the Raiders up next. Win both of those and we’re
4-4, back at .500.
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:39 pm
The next two games are winnable giving the fact that they have OK QB with a good running game. Shut down Adrian Peterson and you will see how bad Ponder is. Percy Harvin is the guy I’m worried about. If we don’t do the 3 man rush on Carson Palmer we should be able to force him into making mistakes.
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Mt, because we needed to score quickly. Pay attention.
That TD run was a beautiful playcall. Dallas Clark had motioned into the slot and cracked back to seal off a linebacker. Yes, Dallas Clark was blocking.
October 22nd, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@Drew: What are you talking about? I sat right behind the Bucs bench and other than a pregame prayer Blount performed he was as active on the sidelines as any player there. At least he wasn’t laughing, smiling like he was telling a joke like some of them.
October 22nd, 2012 at 9:37 pm
’76, I think it was last year… and I don’t think he was napping.
October 23rd, 2012 at 1:38 am
What’s weird about the Joseph injury is that in passed years, we’ve been better running without him. Blount’s huge year was w/o him. Cadillac had some of his best games with Davin out.