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Buccaneers: Five Things We Learned on Sunday Night in Dallas

By Alan Schechter

Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s Wrong with Dougie

I am sure this is a question that has been on everyone’s mind, but it was on display for the world to see the other night.

What is wrong with Doug Martin?

The story has been well-documented. Martin has recorded two elite seasons, with two injury-plagued sub par seasons in the middle. This season has seen Martin slowed by a hamstring injury, granted. However, when he has been healthy, he just hasn’t been very good, and that is the Martin we saw on Sunday night.

He recorded 16 carries for a whopping 42 yards and did not record a reception. His average yards per carry amounted to 2.63, which is far below acceptable. Doug just doesn’t hit the holes with the same explosion he has shown in the past. Could his hamstring be less than 100%? Possibly. But the numbers don’t lie, and his average for the year has been 2.9 yards per carry.

The Martin we saw on Sunday night was troubling. The offensive line played a part, but so did he.

Think about this. Did anyone really expect to be hoping to see Jacquizz Rodgers on a night when Martin and Charles Sims were healthy?

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