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Buccaneers vs Patriots: Five game-changing players for Week 5

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts as a 47-yard interception for a touchdown by defensive back Robert McClain was upheld on review during the second quarter of an NFL football game Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts as a 47-yard interception for a touchdown by defensive back Robert McClain was upheld on review during the second quarter of an NFL football game Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 27: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears in the first second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 27: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears in the first second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images) /

Doug Martin

The wait is over. Veteran running back Doug Martin will return to the field on Thursday after serving a four-game suspension that began last season. It was a crazy offseason when it came to No. 22, with speculation flying everywhere that he would no longer be a Buc, the team was going to draft someone to be his replacement or that the team was going to sign someone like Adrian Peterson. None of that happened. The front office stuck with Martin, and it’s time for him to pay off that support.

Whether or not the front office was justified in keeping Martin will be determined by which player they get. Will it be the guy who rushed for over 1,400 yards in 2012 and then again in 2015? Or will it be the one who rushed for under 500 in 2013, 2014 and 2016? The Buccaneers certainly hope it’s the former instead of the latter. The Tampa Bay offense is at its best when it can establish the run. A productive run game sets up a deadly play-action, one that produces big plays more often than not.

If training camp and the preseason are any indication, the Bucs are set to get a better Doug Martin than ever before. He certainly looked good throughout August, which was a welcomed sight for the Bucs and their fans. Martin can make an immediate impact on Thursday night, both by running the ball and opening up the play-action. If he quickly returns to form, he might just tear through a struggling Patriots defense.

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