Koetter: Lack of carries hurt Bucs RB Martin’s production 
Bucs running back Doug Martin Martin, who appeared in only 11 games last year, ranked tied for 36th in the league in rushing attempts in 2014, gaining 494 yards on 134 carries, an average of just 12.1 per game. CHRIS URSO/STAFF By Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: August 6, 2015 at 06:58 PM TAMPA — Weak play by his offensive line and injuries to his shoulder, knee and ankle may not have been the only factors contributing to running back Doug Martin’s struggles the last two years.To hear Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter tell it, a lack of opportunity may have also played a role in Martin’s failure to reach the 500-yard rushing plateau, particularly last year.“A couple of years ago he was getting a lot of touches,’’ Koetter said, referring to the 2012 season, when Martin went to the Pro Bowl after running 319 times for 1,454 yards.“I mean, all the running backs I’ve been around — Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Stephen Jackson, Michael Turner — you know what they say? They say give me the rock. I’m sure Doug’s saying that, too.’’He may be. Martin, who appeared in only 11 games last year, ranked tied for 36th in the league in rushing attempts in 2014, gaining 494 yards on 134 carries, an average of just 12.1 per game. Man in the middleWhen the Buccaneers spent their fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft on LSU LB Kwon Alexander, their plan was to see if he could possibly unseat Danny Lansanah as the starting strongside linebacker.That plan has since changed.Alexander is working exclusively at middle linebacker, where he’s taking second-team reps behind projected starter Bruce Carter, but is consistently impressing the coaches.“It’s proved to be the right thing to do,’’ defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said of moving Alexander. “Once we sat him down and told him, ‘This is what you have to concentrate on,’ we’ve see growth with him.“He’s been flashing out there, so we’re anxious to see how he keeps coming. We’re all intrigued with him. We thought we got a steal in the fourth round when we got him, and so far he hasn’t disappointed.’’To excel as a middle backer in the Tampa 2 scheme, a player must be able to call defensive plays and cover pass catchers running down the middle of the field. Alexander can do both, Frazier said.“We’ve really been impressed with how hard he studies and the way he prepares,’’ Frazier said. “And he’s a good athlete. He’s got good range. The thing that’s impressed us most is his ability to play man coverage.“He’s not just a guy who can drop in zone. We think we’ll be able to match him up against tight ends and running backs as well, and that’s always a plus the way teams spread you out in today’s NFL.”Quick studyQB Jameis Winston came to the Bucs with a reputation for being a hard worker and quick learner. His teammates can attest to both attributes.“I come in pretty early every day, like between 6:30 and 7 a.m., and when I get here he is already in the locker room working on his abs and doing his core work with our strength coaches,” Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy said. “That means he’s already in the mix of it. He gets to meetings early and does everything he has to do off the field. He puts in all the work necessary and he has all the tools, too.’’One of those tools appears to be a lightning-fast ability to learn offensive schemes.“I heard he learned the offense in two days, which is crazy because he’s a quarterback and he has to learn everything,’’ second-year WR Mike Evans said. “It took me a while and I only have to learn one or two positions.’’
