In the midst of a pretty bleak season, there is a familiar sight in the Bucs backfield and that is Martin isn’t playing well.
After a stellar 2015 season which saw him rush for over 1400 yards and be second in the league in rushing, Martins running has gone downhill. Not only was he suspended for violating the NFL substance abuse policy, when he was suited up he has been atrocious.
Last year he had a 2.9 average along with Charles Sims which was the worst yards per carry (YPC) in the league. Now in the second year of his 5 year contract and things haven’t gotten better. He currently sits dead last on the team in YPC at 3.1 and what’s worse is that he has been the starter and has most of the carries.
Add the resurgence of Peyton Barber, who recorded the first 100-yard rushing game since 2015 and led the team with 58 yards in 12 carries vs the Lions and something has to change. What should the Bucs do with their former first-round pick? Should they get rid of him, trade him or demote him?
My opinion is simple, rework his contract and have an open competition with Barber for the starting spot. Either Martin reacts in the way you want him to and starts having success again or barber shows you that he should be the starter. Either way its a win For Tampa. This season is over and I hope that we get to see the young guys like Barber, Griffin, Elliot get some playing time and see what they can do.
This offseason promises to be a very important and interesting one in the future of not only the organization but of this current coaching staff. Either way, I’m sure that we will be looking very intently at what moves this team makes toward bringing a winning team to Tampa. Until next time and GO BUCS!!!!!
