Buccaneers: Five quick impressions from preseason game two

Running Game Without Doug Martin

As we all know Doug Martin will be suspended for the first three games of the season and last season while Martin was injured Jacquizz Rodgers was called upon to carry the load.

During the first three games he is also expected to be the main back with a little bit of running back by committee with Charles Sims, Peyton Barber, and Jeremy McNichols.

Martin performed very well against the Jags with five carries for 30 yards for a six yards/carry average and a touchdown, and played just over a quarter.

Jacquizz Rodgers came in during the third offensive drive and had three carries for four yards for a 1.3 yard/carry average. Charles Sims also got his carries around this time with two carries for six yards for a three yards/carry average.

Peyton Barber and Jeremy McNichols were in during the second half and got the most carries on the night with Barber having nine carries for 42 yards for a 4.6 yard/carry average, and McNichols having eleven carries for 32 yards for a 2.9 yard/carry average.

Minus Martin, the other running backs mentioned had 28 carries for 100 yards for a 3.5 yard/carry average, and yes I know with Rodgers being the main back they weren’t going to use him heavily in the game but still is that enough of a running game while Martin is out?

In two preseason games minus Martin the Bucs have rushed for a total of 45 carries for 167 for a 3.7 yard/carry average with no touchdowns.

Martin has a total in two games of nine carries for 44 yards for 4.9 yard/carry average and one touchdown.

Obviously the Bucs are trying to conserve the backs but without a healthy Martin will the Bucs get enough in the run game to be a dual threat offense?