Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht says Doug Martin looks better than he has in a long time.
We all know that the future of Doug Martin with the Buccaneers is still up for debate. Aside from the suspension that voided his guaranteed money, the fact is that he has had more sub par seasons than good ones. He has been over 1,000 yards rushing twice, and under 500 yards rushing three times. That is not the ratio that the Bucs are looking for.
However, Martin currently remains with the Bucs. As we reported last week, Martin is doing all of the right things. It sounds as if rehab went well, and now he has reported for OTA’s. Technically he did not have to, as the workouts are voluntary. Skipping would not have made a whole lot of sense, however, as he still wants to show the Bucs, and the NFL at large, that he can play.
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So Martin reported. Jason Licht was asked about him during his press conference with the media. If you listen to the general manager, Doug Martin seems like a new man (per Kevin Patra of NFL.com):
"“[Coach] Dirk [Koetter] and I just very recently had a sitdown with him, a conversation with him,” Licht told reporters. “He looks great. He looks, right now, as good as I’ve seen him since I’ve been here from a physical standpoint. Seemed to be in very good spirits. Excited to have him. Excited to see how he does out here in OTAs.”"
He went on to talk about how although they can’t answer all questions this early, it’s encouraging to see him working so hard.
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This is no guarantee that he will be back of course. This is more for seeing the dedication of Doug Martin the individual. He said he would make himself better and he is doing just that. Wherever he ends up, good for him for working so hard.