Martin Mondays: Doug Martin Shows Great Speed in New Orleans

Here is our second out of 16 installments of “Martin Mondays”.  This week we look at a play from the first win of the season, week two, and a Doug Martin run from the first quarter.

Doug Martin went through a resurgence in 2015, finishing second in the NFL with 1,402 yards rushing.  After a couple of down years due to injury, Martin was back, and more than earned his contract to remain with the Buccaneers.

Last week, we began our celebration of “Martin Mondays” with a look at a 14 yard run from week one against the Titans, when Martin showed great vision turning something into nothing.  We continue this week as we move on to week two.

It was the first win of the year and it was a big upset, as the Buccaneers beat the Saints on the road by the score of 26-19.  The play comes from the first quarter, and it is a play where Martin simply let his speed do the work.

More from The Pewter Plank

• Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
• ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
• Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
• Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
• The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023

Let’s have a look.

All screenshots courtesy of Gamepass.

Martin is lined up straight behind Jameis Winston.  Notice the bunch formation set up to Winston’s left in the circle?  Winston is going to change the formation, moving Vincent Jackson to the outside, and Luke Stocker back behind the line, setting him up in the fullback position in an offset “I”.

Here it is after the adjustment by Winston.  The offset “I” is set up, and Brandon Myers makes it a strong side left (more players on the left side).  Stocker is going to lead Martin, making a block at the point of attack.  Myers is going to block down on his man, and Martin’s job is to speed through the hole created.

That is exactly what Martin is going to do.

Stocker has taken his man clear out of the play, as a perfect lead blocker.  Look on the left of the picture, Stocker’s opponent is turned the wrong way.  He has no chance.  Now look at Myers, who has his hands right up into his opponent’ face, making him useless as well.  The hole is there.

All Martin has to do is use his speed to do the rest.

Martin has gotten through to the second level, but a linebacker has him lined up.  Is the play going to end there, or is Martin going to teach him how to do the “Dougie”?

Martin indeed teaches his opponent the Dougie, making him miss.  His speed does the rest.

Twenty yards down the field, it’s a first down for the Bucs on the way to their first win of the 2015 season.

Next: Three Predictions for Jameis Winston

Last week we saw a glimpse of Martin’s brilliant field vision.  This morning, it’s Martin’s sheer speed at the fore.