Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 15 Winners and Losers
By Brian DeFeo
Loser: Running Back Doug Martin
The Bucs started the game with a quick possession resulting in a field goal, then a one play fumble. Cowboys dominated time of possession in the first half after that and part of it is due to the lack of running game by the Bucs. Doug Martin has been extremely ineffective since his return and teams are starting to realize that they are getting beat in the air and not the ground.
For some unknown reason Jacquizz Rodgers was a healthy scratch for rookie Peyton Barber and Charles Sims. Rodgers has been the most effective runner on the team this year averaging over four yards per clip. Martin has looked like a running back who just signed a lengthy contract. With no threat of a run game the effectiveness of Winston’s play action isn’t as good as it should be.
Martin had five carries for 17 yards in the second half and Charles Sims played more snaps due to his inability to be an effective receiver. Martin ran the ball a total of 16 times for 42 yards for an average of 2.6 yards per carry with a long of eight yards. He’s only guaranteed money through next season so maybe the Bucs might want to look for a new bell cow in a deep class.