Opinion: Buccaneers Made a Huge Mistake With Doug Martin
By James Yarcho
With the most consistent player for the Buccaneers in 2015 preparing to walk as a free agent, the Doug Martin contract talks may haunt the team moving forward.
For those of you who know me, you know my feelings on the Buccaneers’ Doug Martin. For those of you who don’t, you’re about to find out in a hurry.
Letting Doug Martin walk as a free agent Wednesday may cause the offensive chemistry of 2015 to dissipate very quickly. Martin, who rushed for the second most yards in the NFL with 1,402, was looking to get paid by a team with nearly $50 million dollars in cap space. One would think that the team could come to an agreement beneficial to both sides to bring Martin back, but talks have been at a stand still with what appears to be neither side budging.
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Martin has his share of critics, but it’s hard to deny his production in 2015. Yes, “he had two injury-riddled seasons” and the “oh, it was a contract year so a he played well for money” crowds, but no one who watched Buccaneers games last season can argue that Martin made plays when he actually got the ball. Breaking off six, seven, eight yard chunks at a time, leading the NFL in broken tackles, and extending drives consistently. Those are what you need from a running back in today’s NFL. And the Bucs are going to let him pack his bags and walk out the door?
Who wouldn’t want Doug Martin back? He’s a terrific football player, so of course we would like to have him back
Why?
Quarterback Jameis Winston, who had a brilliant rookie season, benefited from Martin’s dominant performances. Former offensive coordinator and, now, first year head coach Dirk Koetter raved about how important Martin is to this team and this offense. ” Tell Jason Licht that I want Doug Martin! Tell Jason. I’m putting my name on that. I want Doug Martin to be a Buc, so you tell him. Who wouldn’t want Doug Martin back? He’s a terrific football player, so of course we would like to have him back. Jason’s got control of that and I think he wants Doug back, too, but you guys have to get him on that one. But I’m pretty sure he does.”
It’s disappointing, disheartening, and dare I say “vintage Buccaneers” to let a guy like Martin hit free agency. To watch him walk away and continue his rise for another team. Is Martin’s rumored asking price of $8 million a lot? Well, yes. But at the same time, you know what you’re getting out of him. You know what he brings to the table and how he performed in Koetter’s offense.
That alone is worth a little extra compared to spending money on someone who “might” pan out. There have been too many risks taken in recent years on players who “might” or “should” work out here, just to have it blow up in the Bucs’ faces.
Players like Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory, or a rookie like Derrick Henry “might” work here. Then again, they might not. And where does that leave the Bucs? It leaves them in another bad contract situation should they sign the wrong free agent as well as wastes another season of Winston’s very favorable rookie contract.
As the Seattle Seahawks demonstrated, you must build quickly and efficiently while your quarterback is under a cheap rookie deal. When the time comes, Winston is going to get his $100+ million and the days of Tampa having $40-60 million in cap space will be gone.
The Bucs wanted to retain Martin. Martin wanted to stay home in Tampa and play for the team that drafted him. It’s beyond frustrating that the two sides couldn’t get something done before teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, or Martin’s home team the Oakland Raiders could get involved in the bidding. Bucs fans can hope that Martin’s market isn’t what he or his agent think it will be, but in all likelihood his price will only rise.
I don’t blame Martin one bit for seeking the biggest contract he can get. He’s a running back, the position with the shortest lifespan in football, and is 27 years old. This will be his one chance to cash in on a big contract and to that I say, “more power to you”. It’s asinine for people to get upset when a player leaves for money, when that’s what all of us do in our own lives. We consistently search for better opportunities for better pay to better the lives of ourselves and family. Why should athletes be any different?
Next: Martin to Hit Free Agency
There’s no loyalty in sports. Not from the payers and not from the team. In this situation, the Bucs were hoping to get the “hometown discount”, which is something that really doesn’t even exist anymore. Players want to maximize their value and get what they feel they’re worth. There is no shame in that. Martin (allegedly) wants upwards of $8 million a year. Spotrac.com lists Martin’s estimated market value at around $6.9 million. Once he reaches the open market and multiple teams get involved, it’s very likely he’ll get that $8 million he’s hoping for.
Some will agree. Some will spout nonsense like “running backs are a dime a dozen”. If they were really a dime a dozen, players like DeMarco Murray and Doug Martin wouldn’t cash in when they hit the open market. Martin is special. He was a vital part of this offense under Koetter and, despite what some believe, I don’t feel Licht did enough to ensure #22 would be back in Pewter in 2016 and beyond.
Wednesday is going to be a sad day for BucNation.