Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) works out prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Back in late November, Doug Martin told reporters, “You don’t want to make excuses, but injuries do kind of slow you down.” Unfortunately, setbacks have been a recurring theme in his young, four-year NFL career. If he wasn’t sidelined with an injury, he looked like a shell of his former self on the field.
From the start of OTAs, we were seeing a new, highly motivated Martin. He was in great shape and as confident as he’s ever been.
This preseason, though, Martin is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He’s playing for a new offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter who turned a similarly-built Maurice Jones-Drew into a three-time Pro Bowl selection in back-to-back-to-back years. He’s playing in his contract year. But most importantly, he’s playing to prove all the skeptics wrong.
From the start of OTAs, we were seeing a new, highly motivated Martin. He was in great shape and as confident as he’s ever been. But the doubts were still lingering and rightfully so.
It’s one thing to make quick cuts around the cones and burst threw the line in non-contact drills in a practice setting. Doing these things in an actual game is an entirely different story. Their preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings was a pivotal moment for Martin and he rose to the occasion.
Martin had only five carries and 19 yards, but he passed the eye test. The same agility and quickness we saw in one practice after another was there. But, yet again, doubt crept up again. Can the 26-year-old running back sustain some sort of similar success for another game?
Aug 6, 2015; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Major Wright (31) defends works out during training camp at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Fast forward to the Buccaneers’ home opener versus the Bengals and the answer was a resounding yes. With the questionable offensive line doing him no favors, Martin was picking up the slack and showing the same qualities from the previous game. Now, reporters started wondering, are we witnessing that rookie year from Martin where he rushed for 1,454 yards and scored 11 touchdowns?
If Martin’s preseason run has come to an end, he rushed the ball 20 times for 118 yards and a touchdown (5.9 yards per carry). In a matter of months, Martin went from someone who may not have been worth keeping around to becoming the clear-cut No. 1 running back on the depth chart. Here are 3 preseason moments where he showed his rookie year form.