Change Coming To Running Backs Rotation
August 19th, 2017
Most NFL fans know the third preseason game is the dress rehearsal for the regular season.
Starters play into the second half and then they sit the preseason finale.
So today after practice, Joe asked Dirk Koetter if preseason Game 3 next Saturday would bring a change in usage for Doug Martin, who won’t be available until Week 4 of the regular season. Martin has been the starter through two games, although his reps have been limited.
Joe learned Koetter is no fan of the “dress rehearsal” phrasing and, yes, running back plans will be shuffled.
“It does change the way we’re going to do it,” Koetter said. “We’re going to try to get Jacquizz [Rodgers] more touches.
“Jacquizz hasn’t gotten very many chances.”
Joe is not surprised. What’s the point of giving Martin significant work now? Unless being showcased for a trade is part of it?
The Week 4 game on October 1 might as well be in the year 2019. It’s so far out in the world of football.
On Saturday night, Joe suspects Rodgers and Peyton Barber will be fighting for a Week 1 starting job.
August 19th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Agree. Martin looks like he cares again and has looked solid. So time to give #2 and #3 guys the reps since Martin out first few weeks
August 19th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Don’t be ridiculous, nobody is trading Doug Martin anytime this year. Couldn’t replace him and couldn’t get anything for him
August 19th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Joe is not going to give up his stance on Martin until he is official proven dead wrong.
August 19th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
I’m good with Martin being our starter after his suspension. But I also want to see Barber get some reps with the 1st team this week
August 19th, 2017 at 1:31 pm
Admittedly not what I expected, but Charles Sims has looked very, very good this preseason. Receiving & blocking have always been top-tier, but this year his rushing seems to have improved considerably also. I’ve always like Barber too, and thought that McNichols would be a shoo-in for making the 53-man roster (and replace Sims next year), along with Jacquizz to start the season. Now I’m not so sure who’ll get to be Alpha dog until Martin comes back (and yes, I’m now convinced he will be back for Game 4 barring injury). Preseason Game 3 should be interesting for the RBs.
August 19th, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Actually you need to see Martin play to make sure he’s back to his 2015 self because, get this, the season is longer than 3 games long. Yep, it’s true, I looked it up, there are 13 more games WITH Martin. So making sure you got what you think you got is incredibly important.
Rodgers meanwhile was dragged off the street and got 100 yards in the first game back from his couch. He’ll be OK if he doesn’t get much work. Although, to be fair, he hasn’t done anything in the preseason so far and I really wonder if he’s going to be the RB cut when Martin comes back. Not saying it will happen, but just something to keep an eye on. His week 1-3 performance will certain settle the issue in any case.
August 19th, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Another talented back in dm mode will help. I’m worried these “other” guys. I know it’s only 3 games so we should just go air raid every single play until Martin comes back. Absurd thinking? Yes. But makes me wanna puke.
August 19th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
I suspect that Barber will keep surprising. Seems like they have to keep him.
August 19th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
There we go Dirk. Was wondering why doug was getting the starts. Lets roll with the week 1 starters. Then lets hope doug stays sober n active during his 3 weeks away. Go Bucs
August 19th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
I suspect Martin starts PS#3 for maybe two series. If he shows serious juice in the first series, just one.
Fact is the team knows he can carry the load if his head is right. And there has been *zero* evidence it’s not since his post-rehab return.
If he has a stellar season, he may even be among the top of the “Comeback of the Year” list.
August 19th, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Cobraboy – Agreed. I know Joe was the head of the chase Martin out of town committee, but I can’t foresee that happening. I think he gets a series or two and so long as he looks OK then he’s done until Week 4 of the regular season. If Martin doesn’t look good for some reason then perhaps they play him PS#4 as well, but based on rewatching his runs from the Jacksonville game, I think we can safely put him in as the week 4 starter. With Martin in there, Sims on 3rd down – I think they can totally repeat what they did in 2015 when they were the top duo in football.
August 19th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
Well sure Rodgers needs more reps cause he’s been looking like a backup
August 19th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
I suspect “running by committee” until Week 4.
None of the RB’s can do what Martin does overall, and each has a trait that is important.
I suspect McNichols gets very little playing time until later in the regular season, unless the team crashes.
August 19th, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Martin’s three weeks away from the facility and from being part of the team will be a test. Does he head back to the club? If he does he’s a goner. Simple as that.
Can’t make the club from the club.