Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not picking up Doug Martin’s fifth year option
After rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns on 319 carries as a rookie, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now looking past the former Boise State rusher. The man known as the Muscle Hamster has struggled to perform and stay on the field the past two seasons for the Buccaneers. He has earned fewer than 500 yards rushing each of the past two years and averaged less than 3.8 yards per carry. Last year, the Buccaneers drafted Charles Sims to replace Martin.
The 5-foot-9 running back has watched his ability to break tackles diminish, while his burst has been hindered by injury and his pass protection has been miserable. At the end of the day, the Buccaneers will likely let him walk, but I would not be surprised to see the Buccaneers trade him for a pick next year. A team I could see wanting him is the New England Patriots, who lost both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.
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