Buccaneers Looking to Use a Multi-Running Back Offense?
Doug Martin was a stud running back as a rookie for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. In 2013, he had a chance to be the same before a torn labrum sent him to injured reserve. While he easily has the talent to try to be that guy for a third year in a row, it seems things have changed.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers appear to be serious about implementing more of a committee approach at the position in an effort to keep their best runners healthy and fresh.
New offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford took one look at Martin going down in 2013 and the solid depth at running back in Tampa Bay, and decided the Bucs’ best path toward success on offense is to use a rotation at the position.
“I think you have to alternate,” Tedford said, “I don’t believe that one back can carry the load. It’s just too physical. I think you probably need to have two to three guys to bring different things to the table.”
It’s hard to argue with Tedford. True feature backs are a dying breed in the NFL. Not only are talents like your Adrian Peterson’s rare, but they also struggle to maintain long, effective careers.
Martin certainly has displayed the elite talent and versatility to be that feature back, but sustaining a significant injury in just his second season understandably is cause for alarm.
Martin not being driven into the ground for the 368 total touches he had as a rookie doesn’t mean he’s not going to have a huge role, though. Martin is still an exceptional talent that brings toughness, explosiveness and versatility to the table. The Buccaneers would be foolish not to have him on the field the majority of the time.
With that said, Martin’s absence last season opened the door to Tampa Bay getting a good look at Bobby Rainey and Mike James, two guys that have proven they can help out as change of pace options. Tampa Bay beefed up their running back rotation even more via the 2014 NFL Draft, when they added West Virginia’s Charles Sims to the mix.
In the early going, it looks like Sims may have a shot at seeing extensive work on third downs and in passing situations, with Martin cleaning up the rest of the work in that area. Martin will stick as the team’s lead back, but will take a backseat at times to a combination of Rainey and James and could also lose some short-yardage and goal-line work.
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