Koetter Wants More Carries For Peyton Barber

November 23rd, 2016
Undrafted rookie RB Peyton Barber

Undrafted rookie RB Peyton Barber

Doug Martin has proven to be more of a pass blocking guru and an explosive receiver than a rushing threat since returning from injury two games ago.

Maybe it’s rust.

Maybe it’s just Martin struggling every other year.

Regardless, Dirk Koetter was talking about spreading around the carries a little more during his Monday show on the Buccaneers Radio Network.

Koetter’s looking toward undrafted rookie Peyton Barber.

“Another guy that we don’t talk about very much that came in there in the second half [against the Chiefs] and made some tough runs for us is Peyton Barber, young guy that’s gettin’ better,” Koetter said. “I mean, I looked at the tape and feel like, you know I think he had five carries and Doug had 24, I feel like we need to get Peyton a little bit more involved. He’s running with power and confidence right now.”

Barber has 43 carries for 182 yards this season and a touchdown.

Martin has 65 carries for 181 yards and a TD.

In many respects, Sunday’s game against Seattle is a playoff game. It should at least be viewed that way inside One Buc Palace.

Perhaps Koetter is willing to go with the hot hand versus staying committed to Martin, assuming Barber can have quick success on Sunday.

30 Responses to “Koetter Wants More Carries For Peyton Barber”

  1. Bucsfanman Says:

    I’ve got no issue with it, especially with Doug coming back from injury.
    Barber had a run Sunday that I swore he was stopped. It was a stutter-step and he gained like 4-5 yards. It was a sweet move!

  2. tmaxcon Says:

    Given the fact that Doug Martin is so unreliable and really should not be in the bucs future plans I am all for seeing what they have in barber. In martin they know he can chew up some yards and block but he does not score and more importantly he is never available when the team needs him. move on from martin. Martin and GMC’s salary could be put to much better use than on two part time players who don’t really matter.

  3. Bucsfanman Says:

    I agree to a point, tmax. Martin is nearing that magic age of 30 and has been oft-injured. The Bucs would do well by seeing what they have in this kid. Martin IS the better back though.

  4. Bird Says:

    You guys have no clue. Just wait. Doug Martin will make you eat your own words.

  5. R.O. Says:

    Hmmm.. a few weeks ago you were ridiculing PB. Looks like the extra reps in practice for him are starting to get him more quality looks in a game. He had some good blocks in the passing game as well. Eye in the Sky don’t lie…

  6. Doolnutts Says:

    I love our depth at RB… All young and productive runningbacks that all play their own role.

    And for those in other threads saying cut DM relax…. We will have over 60 million in cap space going into next season there is ZERO reason to be cutting any talent from a team that doesn’t have much of it to begin with. We have plenty of resources to use to help bolster the roster next year.

  7. Getaclue Says:

    Would like to see James get some touches too

  8. tmaxcon Says:

    Bird

    Doug Martin is nothing more than a unreliable good back. He’s not great, he rarely dominates a game and he is ALWAYS hurt. Easily replaced

  9. ndog Says:

    Uh before saying take snaps away from Martin in favor of Barber take a look at his pass blocking and then come back to me. In case you missed it a DB took him to school and drew a holding call on of the few times he was asked to block. Running is great but that is not all a back is asked to do.

  10. ToesOnTheLine!!! Says:

    Completely disagree with you Tmax. The guy is coming off a hamstring injury, he’ll probably be getting back to his 2015 form in a couple more weeks. Sheesh man, you are tough on these guys. Production isn’t just about fantasy football numbers, Martin is a good back at this moment (recovering from hammy/rust) and an exceptional RB when healthy (my opinion anyway).

  11. BucLife Says:

    I like Peyton Barber, really hope he is able to show his full potential with a few more carries.

  12. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    Do away wit toss plays and DM will be fine.

  13. Kingcrablegs Says:

    Doug makes the offense better when is in the game. Until a back out plays him in both the passing and run game, he needs to be our number one back. Doug is still a top 10 back in this league when healthy.

  14. SOEbuc Says:

    Agreed nole on Sat. Those pitchbacks are terrible.

  15. briandorry55 Says:

    You’re high.

  16. 813bucboi Says:

    i remember when mike james ran all over the seahawks and no one saw it coming….lets hope the combination of doug and barber can be effective….BUCS17-14….GO BUCS!!!!

  17. Andrew Says:

    Doug Martin got good yards after contact last week. I think he’s doing well.

  18. unbelievable Says:

    NOSBOS nailed it.

    Also, welcome back sir.

  19. kenny Says:

    draft dalvin cook

  20. Eric Says:

    I’m getting tired of defending DM to the unaware fans to be honest.

    He has led the league in broken tackles twice in 5 years. He had nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 2012. He led the league in yards after contact last year. He was #2 in the league rushing in 2015. He has the #1 and #2 most rushing yards in one game in the past 5 years. Pro-bowler. Helped to construct our most successful offense in 2015.

    The guy is great. Period. He rarely does not dominate games when he is healthy. Injury is a concern, sure but look at the injuries for running backs this year lol. Plus he’s back and I anticipate that he will pick up where he left off.

    I guess if the guy isn’t a healthy Adrian Peterson, he isn’t great. LMAO

  21. gotbbucs Says:

    I said this very thing after the game. The hot hand has not been Martin all season. Salary be damned, let the more effective runner see the carries. Split the early down carries among all the backs and let Martin handle passing downs.

  22. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    Unbelievable good to see you again my G.

  23. Bucsfanman Says:

    Martin’s still getting his game back. Look at the improvement from 2 weeks ago. I don’t think it’s coincidence that the offense has looked better since his return.
    There’s nothing wrong with spelling him with Barber or Quizz. It will be an area of need moving forward.

  24. BringBucsBack Says:

    Easy boys (and girls)! Be careful not to resemble the Bowers vs. Bennett (il)logic that Dumbanic employed. One guy HAS done it and one guy has talent.

    We all pull for whoever carries the rock but, Dougie is still running hard; commands attention and can be HUGE. He’s going no where this off season.

  25. Buccfan37 Says:

    I agree with unbelievable, welcome back NOSBOS. One of the biggest cheerleaders and Buc smack talkers here.

  26. Buccfan37 Says:

    I’m just as high on Doug Martin as I’ve ever been. Tmax.. put your crystal ball away.. it’s cracked.

  27. Trubucfan22 Says:

    I dont know what you guys are talking about. I watched the 30 min short cuts of the bucs game last night again, and paid close attention to martin’s runs after i read a lot of criticism from this site. Martin showed great patience and burst theough holes. He knocked off arm tackles and consitently got 4-5 yard gains. What hirt martins stat line was a few runs for loss. Bad plays blown up before martin even got the hand off. Barry sanders couldnt have avoided those negative yard plays.

    All in all, if you think martin had a bad game, go watch the tape again.

    Barber showed nice burst too. But the type of burst that you get from a rookie running full speed into the line and hoping to find a hole. Not that of a seasoned veteran who knows when and where to turn on the jets.

  28. Issic Haggins Says:

    Martin consistently puts you in a hole on second down, the guy can make good runs but has a knack for taking big losses. I don’t want to hear this crap about blocking because when given the chance numerous backs have performed better than Doug in ypc and runs for a loss. People !!! this isn’t by chance ,these same backs didn’t lead the league in broken tackles, because they hit the open holes better than Doug. Again Facts are Facts and at least three backs that have been free agents at one time or another and have for the Bucs out performed Doug when given the chance. Martin is also a liability in the screen game as he cant catch a lick. Now that being said , Doug is great at picking up the blitz ,can get hot for a while and when he’s running good he can handle allot of carries. The other thing that makes a guy like Martin good is the coach believes in him and calls his game………… When there is a weakness in a back or the coach just doesn’t believe in him , the coach just simply can’t call his game ( Charles Sims). The coaches seem to believe in Doug and that is the most important thing but clearly Barber has shown some feet in the last few games that Doug just doesn’t have.Mike James is always going to get positive yards if possible and Rogers is a mix of Barber, James and Martin but actually may be slower than Martin. Rogers and James catch the best , Barber has the best feet and James has the most power and will get cha something positive. Barber is the worst blocker and the other three all block well. Barber and James can get a third and one but Rogers and Martin are scary as they lose yardage way to often. Any of these backs can carry the load other than Sims and that allows the coach to call his game,Barber Is a touch weak in protecting JW!!! So who’s the best all around guy, prob Doug but James and Barber will avg more per carry , broken tackles or not than Martin ,it’s already proven . I believe Rogers may also but is allot like Doug . Go Bucs !!

  29. Trubucfan22 Says:

    So 10 carries by barber in his NFL career and he has already “proven” he is a better running back? I know medical marijuana is legal in florida, but put down the pipe bro.

  30. j$mac Says:

    put him at fulback seriously Dirk he doesnt even need alead blocker he has the power i can tell you that