Jacquizz Opens; Martin Gets The Load
July 28th, 2017
Busy
Doug Martin had his image on the side of the Stadium On Dale Mabry Highway torn down this month, but he’s still getting plenty of work.
At training camp today, Joe’s eyes on the ground saw Jacquizz Rodgers line up as the lone running back on the first play when the Bucs went to 11-on-11 work.
But then Martin came in on the very next play and got the most RB reps today.
Granted, Dirk Koetter has said many, many times that running backs can’t be judged during underwear football. So it means little. It’ll be interesting to see how the load is divided when the Bucs go live on Monday with hitting, versus the touch-football/no-touching world for running backs now.
No, Joe’s not backing off Martin being unlikely to be a Buccaneer when he’s eligible to return Week 4, barring injuries or unique circumstances.
Martin does look rather bulky but fit, though it’s tough to tell.
What will be telling is what happens over the next two weeks, including Aug. 11, when the Bucs suit up for the preseason opener in Cincinnati.
July 28th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
I mean, they have to restructure the contract if they’re going to keep him right?
The Bucs have literally 100% of the leverage.
July 28th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
bulky is not a good thing for a running back… could you imagine a lady asking how her jeans look and joe drops “A little bulky” on her… not very flattering. that being said we are talking about doug martin who is irrelevant to the bucs future successes.
July 28th, 2017 at 2:56 pm
If he’s not on the squad I hope we make a trade for a great DE. I hope they just don’t cut him for nothing in return.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
DB55
my man he wont have any trade value. too many bad not enough good. but a package of martin, dotson and gmc to the cowboys would be best we could hope for.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:04 pm
I’m trying to get Leonard Williams to Tampa from the Jets. I think he’d fit this young def like a glove.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:04 pm
i like that… i really like that idea
July 28th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Yeah, “bulky” is never good for a running back…”Bulky” never did guys like Adrian Peterson, Eric Dickerson, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones Drew, LG Blount, etc. any good…oh wait,..Yeah, NEVER a good idea for a RB to have some beef on his bones smh…Other than MJD, Jacquizz Rodgers is the “bulkiest” 5 foot 6 inch man I’ve ever seen in person. The guys built solid and “bulky” like a tree stump or brick sh!t house, take ur pick. Don’t know of anyone besides ^^^ who would think that is “not a good thing.”
July 28th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
db55 – i don’t think we would get more than a few haggard strippers and a case of lone star light for the package i mentioned above but it be a good time at least.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Joe, i disagree but really respect your consistency. Is Jeremy McNichols participating?
July 28th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Why hate on Doug. None of us have ever played football. Hundreds of athletes get suspended and get another chance. Talib was suspended and was a pro bowler and SB champion
July 28th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
And there is no way that any RB on their roster is a better back.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:15 pm
You’re prob right
July 28th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Joe you have remained so firm in your “Dougie Fresh won’t be a Buc” talk, despite evidence to the contrary (e.g., he looks good, team officials and players talking about how good he looks, first team reps, not signing am RB or drafting a top prospect, etc).
Do you guys know something we don’t? Or are you sticking with your initial bet just to be able to say “I told you so” if we don’t keep him?
I believe it was Mr. DeKemper who gave Dougie a “10% chance” of being around week 4 on a recent podcast. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, it certainly seems like the chances are at least 51%, unless this is all just a smoke screen to try and get a decent draft pick out of another team. But I gotta say, who would even want to trade for him either way?
It just seems to me that most evidence points to him being the guy in week 4, unless McNichols has an incredible camp and preseason.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:28 pm
tmaxcon … “that being said we are talking about doug martin who is irrelevant to the bucs future successes.” Have you let Jason Licht & Dirk Koetter in on your most astute assessment tmaxcon? They apparently haven’t arrived at that same conclusion yet because Martin got the most carries in today’s practice. I mean, Dirk reads these posts we’re told, what’s he missing? I mean if he’d only listen to you & get rid of Martin and GMC (and obviously there have to be some others) we’d have a decent chance of winning the Super Bowl. Ya right.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:29 pm
Makes zero sense for the Bucs to cut Martin UNLESS a guy like Carlos Hyde or equally talented back becomes free on the market.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
PS
Other local Buc analysts have said Martin looks to be in extremely great shape, so not sure about the “bulky” reference.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Look at the picture of Doug walking into One Buc on the Bucs.com photos. That cat is struck. Bulky, no. Solid and struck, yes. Can’t say he doesn’t look in great shape.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Defense Rules
of course they discussed it with me. I am bad cop they are good cops. a 40/60 running back and a good but not great defensive tackle that misses plenty of time is not the difference in a superbowl winning team… nice stretch with that one DR… Spin like that you should be writing for Pelosi.
dotson, martin and gmc would be enough to clean house and rid the choirboy curse.
July 28th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
@tmax- You KNOW those guys are going to help us win the Lombardi this year, right?
I’m not drinking (YET!) and I’m not kidding!
July 28th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Tmax is just a dreamer. His ideas and opinions are pure fantasy. I take the word of my five year old daughter who is sporting peppa pig footie pajamas more seriously.
Tmax is good few at few random chuckles at best. I just find disturbing to be a funny quality sometimes
July 28th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Or unique circumstances. ..hmmmmm
July 28th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
who is sporting peppa pig footie pajamas more seriously.
——–
Funny! Cuz that’s what GMC wore to practice today. Coincidence? I think not.
July 28th, 2017 at 4:04 pm
That was a 10% chance Doug will still be a Buccaneer in Oct – right Joe? You just said it the other day…
tmax – so the deal is you only hate Dom’s players and your mission in life is to rid the Bucs of them forever – is that it?
You’ll get no argument from me that Dominik was a terrible GM and is wide open to some occasional “hate” – but he did draft 3 good players in 5 years – and you seem to strongly dislike all of them.
Not so sure about Dotson who was one of Dom’s very few UDFA successes – but GMC, Doug Martin and LD54 are talented players who can help this team win a Championship.
July 28th, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Bucsfanman
maybe 1 out of the three will make it through to week 16…. think about it. odds are in my favor on that one sir given the injury histories and let’s be serious dotson is flat out horrible.
July 28th, 2017 at 4:06 pm
Pickgrin
I want my TEAM to win and sacrifices average to below average football players in dotson, gmc and martin to rid the team of the losing culture and end the choirboy curse once and for all. It’s a small price to pay for long term success. none of those were ever or will ever be champions. raise the standards
July 28th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
i have hopes that lvd can be reversed. he clearly is a follower and I believe the forces of kwon wills over come the damage from cancer93
the force is strong with kwon
July 28th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
make no mistake the choirboy curse is real and at the core of the losing culture…
July 28th, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Maxipad. I notice you left out nobody would pay anything for any of them. Is that because you would not want that to come back and bite you in the A$$ too?
July 28th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Contrary to what most think on this site, Joe included…i have a strong feeling , Martin will be our lead RB after week 4. Why not?
July 28th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
You have demontrated zero knowledge, undertanding or appreciation for what “my team” means. All you do is deride key players at every post, regardless of the subject of the post. Moronic at best.
July 28th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Other than a rather pitiful 2016 season. Why would the bucs cut martin? We have a reason why he was slowed in 2016. And we know he is back and healthy now. We know he has looked impressive all off season. We know the bucs plan on taking all the way through camo and into week 3 at the least. Why would the percentage to keep him only be at 10% when martin has every opportunity to keep his job and has looked impressive throughout the process? I could understand a 50/50 estimate. But 10%? What does Joe know that we don’t? If 10% was an accurate number why wouldnt the bucs have just washed their hands if him already? For 10% you might as well bring in a undrafted rookie to fill the roster spot. Im completely opposite of joe on this one. I give it a 90% chance he STARTS week 4. Most talented back we have with a huge chip on his shoulder? I’d double down on Martin. Nothing (out in the open) points to martin not being a buc this season.
July 28th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
so tmax thinks an athlete and a lady are looking for the same type of compliments?
maybe this is why he’s so angry about McCoy all the time
July 28th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
@tmaxcon … “a 40/60 running back and a good but not great defensive tackle that misses plenty of time is not the difference in a superbowl winning team… nice stretch with that one DR.” I’m seeing a glimmer of hope in there for you after all tmax. You apparently see Martin as a ‘2 good yrs, 3 bad yrs’ RB. That’s fair … so do I. The difference between us seems to be the word ‘hope’ … I’m hoping that Doug can have another one of those good yrs because they were both VERY good yrs; you’re obviously ready to write him off. As for GMC, proud of ya for at least acknowledging that he’s a ‘good’ DT. I know that was a big step forward for ya. Far as GMC missing ‘plenty of time’ goes, you know that’s a bogus claim from some of my and others’ past posts on JBF so no need to even address that. And as far as the Bucs being better off without GMC goes, I seriously doubt that even the most delusional Bucs fan would sign onto that statement. And BTW, didn’t know you were such an ardent reader of Nancy Pelosi, but it explains a LOT.
July 28th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Good thing Mike Alstott wasn’t “bulky.”
July 28th, 2017 at 5:24 pm
The Bucs have literally 100% of the leverage.
Can someone explain this to me? What are you guys seeing here. The Bucs have the utlimate leverage IF they want to honor his five million dollar contract. I’m not saying they won’t….just trying to put some perspective into our talks.
I do not see ANY trade value…other than a sign and swap.
Here is the bottom line…IF the Bucs pay the 5 million then yes…Doug has no options other than sitting out and losing 5 million….which is not even logical.
If the Bucs wish to renegotiate his contract that is TOTALLY up to Doug and his Agent. If they say no and the Bucs cut him…Doug is an FA.
We actually have very little leverage. Either pay the 5 million or Doug is an FA.
That’s not to say for certain that Doug wouldn’t find the Bucs his best option at the RIGHT PRICE…it IS to say 31 other NFL teams will have a shot at making an offer to Doug.
This is why I do not understand how Doug has any trade value…it has nothing to do with his talent…I’m NOT putting him down…just pointing out that it’s the NFL and $$$ as usual will go a long way.
I get that many here think the “Old Doug” would be worth 5 million for a 12 game season….and if he has an incredible preseason I accept that point although I’m not sure I agree I certainly understand it and don’t dismiss it out of hand.
But somebody correct me….isn’t it pay him his contract or he’s an FA and 31 other teams get a shot at him.
July 28th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
I want him to stay but he should restructure before week 4. No reason to think he deserves that payday after he let the team down. I believe he has learned from his mistakers but he still has to pay for them as well.
To be honest I don’t really give a crap which back gets the start, with the targets jameis has defenses won’t dare stack the box unless playacting is predictable which won’t be the case with Koetter going into his third year and second as head coach
July 28th, 2017 at 5:34 pm
Wake up Joe, Doug is our starting running back. You’re the only person I hear talking about him not being a big part of this team.
July 28th, 2017 at 6:10 pm
So Wesley you feel confident they’ll honor his contract and pay him the 5 mil?
If McNichols blow up and Quizz is solid would they still pay 5 Mil.
I’m not saying they won’t. One year of 5 million is not going to hurt the cap situation. Just trying to remind everyone the Bucs do not get to dictate Doug’s salary this year…other than pay him the full contract.
The minute they wish to renegotiate Doug’s agent SHOULD be on the phone with 31 other GM’s to guage current market value.
July 28th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
I believe Martin will do well this year and will root for him to return to his peak form. With the offseason acquisitions, maturity, and ability to dive a little deeper into the play book I think he and other playmakers will improve or in some cases heal up. I am disappointed in J. Smiths setback. I have been posting on these sites for a lot of years, certainly not with the frequency of many, but enough to enjoy the comments and observations of other Buc’s fans. Every once in awhile some know-it-all comes along and professes to be an expert. He picks a few players to hate then for the sake of argument calls everyone who disagree’s with him stupid. There have been a rare few in the past that got it right and bragged about their football superiority. Most just changed their names at the end of the season.
July 28th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Sorry team Joe’s but this Martin act not being a Buc is so damn laughable it’s become embarrassing brothers
July 28th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
SPBF –
– No other team can talk to Doug or his agent unless/until the Bucs cut him. If they did, it would be “tampering” by NFL rule as Doug is under contract to the Bucs.
– Martin (if he gets cut) will mostly likely not be cut until the Tuesday which begins week 4 of the NFL season.
– Its hard to join a team mid season like that and be expected to flourish and teams know this of course. Although RB is easier than some positions in that regard. So Doug’s best “options” at that point would likely be a team that had an injury to their star RB or a rash of injuries at the position. Obviously DM would be taking a chance counting on those “options” to be available if he were determined to be a free agent because the Bucs wanted him to redo his deal.
– The Bucs (Licht) can sit down with Martin and his agent at any time between now and then – and say in essence – “OK look. We had reservations about signing you to a big $ deal last year – primarily because of the 50/50 injury history in your 1st 4 years. Now that ratio sits at 60/40 bad to good as far as productivity goes. We also had concerns about your (substance) abuse but chose not to make that an issue as it had never caused problems in the past (that we know of) regarding your on field play. Well now its a problem because you were not available when we needed you end of last season – and you are suspended the 1st 3 games of this year as well. We need some contractual assurances “this” won’t happen again and since we paid you $9M last year for 400 something yards of productivity – we want you to agree to a new contract that involves a 35% cut in pay and also protects the team against any future occurrences involving “behavior” or “substances”. The offer is $4.7M per year for 2 years and there are no guarantees. We like you Doug, we like your skills when healthy and want you to be a part of this team – but not without a pay cut and some assurances in your contract that we can count on you (short of injury) to be available for this team.
– It would then be up to Martin to decide if he wants to sign the new fair offer – or play hardball and basically challenge the Bucs to cut him if they don’t like his contract which is in force if Martin is brought back without a new deal being signed.
I would think it would be in DMs best interest to sign an offer like that and play his heart out for the Buccaneers the 13 games this season rather than take his chances on the open market midseason and maybe not even get picked up or have to play for $1M this year or similar.
July 28th, 2017 at 8:27 pm
JimmyJack
You win the internet today. I blew snot bubbles like Ghengis Kwon hit me running a crossing route. Thank you for puttingTampax in his place. Made my day.👍
July 28th, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Joe feel free to use that simile about Kwon. As 87 once said, I don’t post enough to matter. I truly love the exposure you give the Bucs, warts and all. #fwdae
July 28th, 2017 at 9:52 pm
Doug ain’t going anywhere, best we got.
July 28th, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Pickgrin
Thanks. I see your points and other than specific dollars or contract specifics I think you are probably correct.
Do you make any allowance on the Buc’s end though if McMahon blows up much as Doug did his rookie year…much as another BSU back Ajayi did last year in Miami?
I think your scenario is probably the most likely…unless McMahon blows up…Quizz plays well and Barber continues to show promise
July 28th, 2017 at 10:23 pm
It doesnt matter what shape he’s in now. What matters is what kindcof shape hes in AFTER he serves his 3 game suspension. Also matters how they perform without him.
July 28th, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Have anyone heard about the supposed comeback of Trent Richardson? He’s looking good. Hey, this it’s the time to see what players can do (preseason).
July 28th, 2017 at 11:06 pm
Cutting Martin for money could destroy the “family” chemistry the team has tried so hard to develop.
Martin may not be popular to the Joes, but I get the clear impression he’s very popular with his teammates, many who may be saying “There but for the grace of god go I…”
If Martin didn’t fit into the Bucs plan, they’d have dealt him in some fashion already. To play games is to chance peeing on team unity.
Listen to what Martins teammates have to say about the guy! I have yet to hear anything but high praise for him!
Is there a Vegas line on whether Martin plays in Game 4?
July 29th, 2017 at 5:45 am
I’ve only heard the strong conviction that the Bucs will cut Doug Martin despite what they say, coming from two sources. This website and the radio DJ they love. The common thread is both have strong opinions about the team that are usually based on pure conjecture and a desire to take a contrarian stance that will get listeners/clicks.
July 29th, 2017 at 8:08 am
“No, Joe’s not backing off Martin being unlikely to be a Buccaneer when he’s eligible to return Week 4, barring injuries or unique circumstances.”
This is where having two Joes gets confusing…
July 29th, 2017 at 8:15 am
J 2.0 Says
“I mean, they have to restructure the contract if they’re going to keep him right?”
Not really. Consider this: how close are the Bucs to the minimum cap this year?
Also, there is a huge disadvantage to doing a new deal: It will become guaranteed again. As it is now, he can be cut any year they want. That’s something of value.
tmaxcon Says
“my man he wont have any trade value.”
Never miss a chance to push that hate agenda, right?
Martin does actually have some value. Though it isn’t much. First, he has proven to have the ability to be good. Second, the team that trades for him gets the same contract, with no guarantees…which is a huge plus.
July 29th, 2017 at 8:52 am
Bucs kept VJax on the roster for 10 mil because as old as he was and as much as he lacked explosiveness they believed in him more than the 6th best WR in camp. They might ask Doug to take a pay cut but they won’t cut a veteran with some hope of serious production over money. The choice for the season is not Doug Martin vs jacquizz or the rookie, it is Doug vs whoever would be the 4th or 5th rb on the 53 man roster
July 29th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Bucs will push for a pay cut at the end of pre season. Their argument will be “good luck finding a team to pay you more than 3 million after you missed all their preseason installations and they can’t put you on the practice field until October”