MARTIN AND SULLIVAN SEE DEFENSES KEYING ON STOPPING THE RUN

[PewterReportMC]

Rookie running back Doug Martin started off the first part of the season fairly quietly before bursting onto the national scene on a Thursday Night game in Minnesota back in October. Lately, defensive coordinators are concentrating their efforts on stopping Martin. Martin and offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan are trying to figure out how to counter their defensive opposition.

http://www.pewterreport.com/index.php?option=com_k2&Itemid=20&view=item&layout=item&id=8599

[ufojoe]

Throw deep jump balls to VJ and let him go get them. Play to VJ's strengths.

[DEBUCSOWN]

Martin hasnt done much lately knew it was way too pre-mature when experts (for fantasy at least) were saying hes a future elite fantasy #1 RB

[Hate]

Martin hasnt done much lately knew it was way too pre-mature when experts (for fantasy at least) were saying hes a future elite fantasy #1 RB

is this for real?

[Timbuc2]

Martin hasnt done much lately knew it was way too pre-mature when experts (for fantasy at least) were saying hes a future elite fantasy #1 RB

is this for real?

Yea really, is he for real? Hey, figure a way how to get Doug the ball in space, figure out a way to get Freeman and the WRs on the same timing page, and figure out a way to LGB rolling a little.

These items are strictly on the coaches. Doug is still running hard as ever but we are playing better defenses and let's face it. The O-Line has over achieved but it's catching up with them.

If Alfred Morris and the Redskins can do it, we can do it. It's all on the coaching to figure it out.

[Pepsi]

Am I missing something or is it as simple as I think? More passes to Martin. More screens, check to him as the number 2 option more often. Freeman has been going through his progressions a little better this year but Martin is hardly in those progressions. He needs to know that even though he cant see Martin when he's in he flats on Freeman's blind side, that he is there. Martin has been deadly when he receives the ball on screen.

Even though Martin is a rookie he may be the biggest weapon on the team(if they use him right), even more so then Jackson maybe. If Freeman doesn't see a pass to make or a route that he thinks will develop into a good play in 3 seconds his next thought should be "time to bullet this to Doug." Unless Doug is dedicated to blocking. Isn't that what the Ravens do?

So pound the rock with Martin and throw the big passes to your two playmaking WRs, or if they're playing the run more, then open the passing game up with Martin as a dump off threat.

[Bucsfan x]

That means Freeman isn't getting the job done.

[Feel Real Good]

The truth is unless you're Adrian Peterson, running backs largely achieve their 1,000 yard seasons just on a couple monster games. It's not like they get 120 yards every single game. They're going to get 160 some games, 120 some games, 80 some games, and 40 some other games. Right now, just like in the beginning of the season, Martin is in one of those down stretches. This is why you don't build an offense around a running back.

[Chief Joseph]

The real truth is that the Broncos knew if they shut down Martin, Freeman wouldn't be able to beat the coverage.

[Bschucher]

The real truth is that the Broncos knew if they shut down Martin, Freeman wouldn't be able to beat the coverage.

Therein lies the problem..

[Theoldbuc]

We just lost two close games to the team with the best record in the NFL and the team with the best QB and one of the best defenses in the league. I don't think there is a need to overanalyze and certainly we don't need to panic.  Remember what we have been doing well and add a little something to it!