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Buccaneers: Five Bucs to watch in week nine vs. the Saints

By Sean Eck

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch over Sterling Moore #24 of the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch over Sterling Moore #24 of the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 20: Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tripped up by Damian Swann #27 of the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 20: Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tripped up by Damian Swann #27 of the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Doug Martin

Martin has looked like the player the Bucs needed to rejuvenate their ground game, but they are 0-4 since his return. Doug really needs to get the ground game going against the Saints as they are 21st in yards-per-game giving up 120.3 and 30th in yards-per-carry at an average of 4.9.  These statistics point to a big day from Doug. Martin has yet to crack the 100 yard mark in any game this season and this could be a prime matchup for him to exploit.

The Muscle Hamster needs to reach the end zone this week plain and simple. He has been held scoreless in the past two contests, and against the soft Saints defense, he could have real potential to score early and often if the Buccaneers can come out strong for a change. This is also an excellent opportunity for Martin to break off a big play as he only has a single run of over 20 yards on the season so far.

Should Martin reach 100 yards on the ground, he will pass Warrick Dunn for the second most 100 yard games in a Buccaneers uniform. Doug is also a single touchdown away from passing Mark Carrier for seventh most and ties Warrick Dunn and Joey Galloway for fifth-most with 28 total in franchise history. Martin is also only 193 yards away from passing Michael Pittman for the fourth-most scrimmage yards in team history.

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