Pat Yasinskas, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Doug Martin says he's still the same player

TAMPA, Fla. -- Doug Martin knows the critics are out there.

They say he has lost it and he's not the same running back who rushed for more than 1,400 yards as a rookie in 2012. So what does the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running back say about all that?

"I don't say anything," Martin said. "That's something you've got to ignore. That's just outside noise. You've just got to ignore that and keep playing the game and having confidence in my game. It's just something that you've got to brush off."

But Martin hasn't been able to brush off defenders very often this season and that has fueled the critics. Martin is averaging just 2.8 yards a carry and has 193 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Injuries have been a factor. Martin missed two games with a knee injury and three games with an ankle injury.

"You don't want to make excuses, but injuries do kind of slow you down," Martin said.

But Martin is healthy now and his production hasn't picked up. In Sunday's loss to Chicago, Martin had 11 carries for 27 yards. He also was used in a rotation with Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey.

"As a running back you do want a rhythm," Martin said. "But we have Charles, Bobby and myself in the backfield and each guy brings something different to the table."

Coach Lovie Smith has said the run blocking by the offensive line hasn't been as good as he would like. That's a big part of the reason the Bucs rank No. 29 in the league in rushing offense.

But much of the blame from the outside is falling on Martin. From the inside, the belief is Martin still has what it takes to be an elite back.

"I think so," quarterback Josh McCown said. "Everything's been so up and down with injuries and stuff like that. There's been an inconsistency of just time for him. It's not anybody's fault. It's just where it's been. I still absolutely think he's capable of doing those things because it still flashes. I think it's more of us as a whole, as a group, continuing to improve in that area."

Martin said he is every bit as good as he was as a rookie.

"I do believe so," Martin said. "I'm very confident in my ability."

But the only way to silence the critics is to start churning out yards like he did in 2012.

^ Back to Top ^