The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to take a big step forward in their rebuilding process during the upcoming 2015 season, and Doug Martin is a huge part of their upcoming season. Martin showed legitimate superstar potential during his rookie season, but has fallen off in a big way since then. Injuries have been a big part of his lack of success, but he has been looking much better so far during Buccaneers’ training camp.
Martin is ready to break out in 2015 and prove that he can still be a franchise running back for the Buccaneers.
During the 2014 season with the Buccaneers, Martin picked up just 494 yards and two touchdowns on 134 carries. He wasn’t able to get anything going at all, and there weren’t any flashes of the former playmaking running back from his rookie season. Martin was available for trade throughout the offseason, but the Buccaneers decided to bring him back for one more season.
At just 26 years old, Martin is in the prime of his career and there is absolutely nothing holding him back this year. He seems to be back at 100 percent, and if he can stay healthy he should be able to turn things around and get his career back on track.
Jameis Winston was selected with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and the Buccaneers need a running back to help take pressure off of him. Outside of Martin, there is really no running back on the Tampa Bay roster that can step up and make the type of difference that they need. He certainly has shown in the past that he can be that type of player, but he has to prove it on the field.
That being said, this is a make-or-break season for Martin as well. If he is unable to prove that he can still be a starting caliber running back, then the Buccaneers will be moving on from him next offseason. This is his big chance to prove that he can still play in the NFL, and Lovie Smith is giving him every opportunity that he can.
One thing is for sure, and that is the fact that Martin’s rookie season wasn’t a fluke. He dominated opposing defenses each and every week, and never showed signs of letting up. All that is holding him back is health issues, and hopefully he can put those problems in the past and get back to being the rising star that many thought he was becoming.
