Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan on using Doug Martin and running back by committee in 2014By Josh Hill - Jan 16th, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Sep 29, 2013; Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Arizona Cardinals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Lovie Smith, they were also agreeing to hire Jeff Tedford as their new offensive coordinator. Now that both coaches have settled into their new gigs, Tedford is starting to give Bucs fans an idea of what sort of offense to expect in 2014. Doug Martin is a franchise running back, but Tedford states he doesn’t want to put the whole load on Martin’s shoulders. Instead, the new offensive coordinator says he’s installing a system he used at Cal in which multiple running backs are used throughout the year. Per the Tampa Tribune: “When I was at (the University of California) we were always very fortunate to have two very good backs, whether it was J.J. Arrington and Marshawn Lynch or Lynch and Justin Forsett, or Lynch and Jahvid Best or Best and Shane Vereen,’’ Tedford said. “We really had a good one-two punch in the backfield there and I think that’s what you need. For one guy to carry the load the whole time, especially as physical as this level is, is a lot.” Not only does this mean Martin’s shelf life has been extended, as the wear and tear will be less strenuous, but it also means that Bobby Rainey and Mike James could get more touches as well. It also opens up the possibility of the Buccaneers drafting a running back in the draft this year to complement the young Martin with another young prospect http://fansided.com/2014/01/16/tampa-bay-buccaneers-doug-martin-running-back-committiee-2014/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=Around%20the%20Network
The spot is pretty fungible so the RBBC approach works pretty well. It insulates you from injuries and also from big contract demands.
I dont see much of a downside to having James and Martin on the field at the same time even. Both catch the ball pretty well. If we can add a good slot WR and/or TE...we will cause some matchup problems for other teams.
As long as all of the backs are good at running the ball it shouldn't be an issue. I think fan's interpretation of a RBBC are a bit misconstrued. It's not like they are going to be alternating every single play. There will still be a main guy. The Niners utilize a RBBC but Gore continues to put up over 1000 yards a year. The Eagles do as well to some degree. I have no issues keeping players fresh and sharp for the duration of a game.
I was very impressed with Rainey. I thought he had excellent vision and really had a knack for finding the hole. I actually like him over James at this point.
RBBC is great but it puts the onus on the offensive line to open holes that an "average" back and not just a special back can get yards out of. For as long as the "Great Wall" group has been together, pretty much the only time the Bucs get decent production on the ground is when LeGarrette Blount or Doug Martin put on a cape and played like it's Tecmo Bowl. The Bucs have not been good at all grinding out solid but unspectacular 25 carry 115 yard games.
I think Tampa should definitely have Martin, James, and Rainey. All have shown great stuff in this league. Martin should definitely be the main guy though, but if for whatever reason Martin is struggling or he's lost the rock or whatever, roll with James and Rainey for a bit. The Bucs have a lot of versatility here and I've always been a fan of the approach of "riding the hot hand".
As long as all of the backs are good at running the ball it shouldn't be an issue. I think fan's interpretation of a RBBC are a bit misconstrued. It's not like they are going to be alternating every single play. There will still be a main guy. The Niners utilize a RBBC but Gore continues to put up over 1000 yards a year. The Eagles do as well to some degree. I have no issues keeping players fresh and sharp for the duration of a game.
That isn't an RRBC. No back gets ALL the carries it is about distribution. In NE the top carry guy has 37% of the carries. In SF Gore has 66% of the RB carries, McCoy 77% in PHL. There is a clear difference between guys who get about 300 carries per year and those who get about 150 per year.
RB by committee is always a good thing. Not 50/50...but when you have a great stable of RBs you use them. I think Rainey and James will battle it out as the main #2 and who ever wins that battle will get about 5 rushes a game. I think Lonnie Pryor has a chance to see some touches too. The best part of a RB by committee approach is that you can split up the pass blocking snaps so your true #1 isn't getting overworked and exhausted. James, Rainey, and Pryor might only combine for 10 touches a game while Doug gets 20+.....but sharing those 40 pass protection snaps is the bigger deal.
RRBC=GoodDraft a RB this year? I doubt it, especially early rounds..other holes to fix. Writer needa to get a clue.
It depends on how they use it.If they're going with the hot hand or using a particular rb's physicality against a certain type of defense, it should work out.I think once they see how good martin is, he'll be getting 2/3 of the rb reps anyway. He can be very westbrook like.
I agree with Bench, I think in the end, Martin will pickup 60-70% of the snaps with the other two fighting for the rest. If we target 30 rushing plays a game, that pretty much puts Martin into the 18-20 range with the others picking up the 10 or so left over. I'd be surprised if it played out too much different by the end of the year barring injury.
