Bucs notes: Smith criticized for use of RB Martin vs. Colts
Bucs running back Doug Martin touched the ball just four times and was the intended target on one incomplete pass in the second half. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tribune staff Published: December 1, 2015TAMPA — Bucs coach Lovie Smith has come under fire in some circles for his use of RB Doug Martin during the second half of Sunday’s loss. Martin touched the ball just four times and was the intended target on one incomplete pass in the half.“When you’re not running the ball, you’re not running because you like something in the passing game — a matchup that you have that you think you can get a big play on,’’ Smith said. “And (Sunday) we liked some of the matchups we had.”Martin touched the ball on three of the first six plays from scrimmage in the second half and on four of the 10 plays he was in the game for in the half. It was only after the Bucs fell behind by two scores and were forced to throw that his workload suffered.Just dropping byWR Mike Evans caught five passes for 64 yards during Sunday’s loss, but it was one of the passes he didn’t catch that garnered most of the attention.Evans, who has dropped several passes this year, dropped what appeared to be a perfectly thrown deep pass by QB Jameis Winston at a critical time in the game.But neither that miss nor the others has soured Smith on his second-year wideout.“Mike Evans is a great wide receiver,” Smith said. “(Sunday), Mike dropped a pass and it was a big pass. But overall, I’m not going to complain an awful lot about Mike.”New manThe Bucs fortified their linebacking corps on Monday by signing Bartow native and former Florida Atlantic standout Adarius Glanton off the Panthers’ practice squad.The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder first came to the league last year as an undrafted free agent and wound up playing in 10 games with the Panthers, recording nine tackles, including one for a loss, and a forced fumble.Glanton has been on the Panthers’ practice squad all year, but with Bruce Carter nursing a sore hamstring and Kwon Alexander facing a suspension, he could see regular playing time, at least on special teams.To make room for Glanton, the Bucs released S Kimario McFadden.Roy Cummings
