Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running back Doug Martin racked up 1,454 rushing yards on a 4.6 yards per carry as a rookie. The future seemed bright for this young rusher.
Since then, Martin has totaled only 550 yards in nine games. He's averaging 2.5 yards per carry this season, and hasn't even eclipsed the century mark for rushing yards. Martin has gone from sensation to injury-prone has-been in three seasons.
However, it appears as if the Bucs' coaching staff still has hope for Martin.
"We're staying the course. Doug has done some good things," coach Lovie Smith said to TBO.com. "When you're the starting tailback, you know what goes along with that. We'd like Doug to get 200 yards every game, but we're not there yet. But in time, he'll break out."
Sorry, coach, I'm just not buying it. I mentioned Martin's immense struggles in my weekly "Start 'Em, Sit 'Em" fantasy football column yesterday, basically saying that it's time we all stop expecting the All-Pro Martin to return. Outside of one incredible performance against the Oakland Raiders in his rookie year, Martin has routinely looked pedestrian on the field. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry last season and has appeared hesitant when healthy this year.
Backup Bobby Rainey is averaging 4.7 yards per carry behind essentially the same offensive line, and has visibly looked like the much better option. Rainey leads the team with 220 rushing yards and has averaged 13 touches a game this season. Rainey isn't going to win any MVP awards, but he has consistently performed better than Martin. For some reason, Tampa Bay still insists on starting Martin when he's healthy though.
"I have no problem giving Bobby Rainey the ball," Bucs temporary play-caller Marcus Arroyo said Wednesday. "But I like how hard (Martin) works, how hard he runs, how he's trying to find ways to get it done. He has zero flinch."
The Buccaneers face the 8th ranked rushing defense of the Baltimore Ravens this week. However, they follow up their Week 7 bye with three matchups (MIN, CLE, ATL) against 19th or worse-ranked run defenses. Regardless of who they play, I'm not buying the coaching staff's misplaced confidence in Martin. I think Rainey is the Tampa Bay running back you want going forward.
