Posts Tagged ‘Doug Martin’

Are Greg Schiano’s Days Numbered in Tampa Bay?

Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

by Devin McMillan

Dev Blog

 

 

 

 

 

(Image via JoeBucsFan.com)

(Image via JoeBucsFan.com)

The 0-5 start of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is taking a real toll on its fans.  Frustration is mounting game after game and the target for most of their angst is head coach Greg Schiano.  Before we even get to his issues as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one must wonder how he was hired there in the first place, considering his only previous head coaching job was at Rutgers University, in an 11-year tenure that only saw ONE top 25 finish and NO Big East titles.

Raymond James Stadium on Sunday (Image via War Room Sports)

Raymond James Stadium on Sunday
(Image via War Room Sports)

Fast forward to the current day, 0-5 Buccaneers.  This team features a talented roster which includes quite a stout defensive unit and core pieces on offense that any competent organization could build around.  Prior to Sunday’s 31 point “eruption” by Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles, the Bucs defense was yielding an average of 17.5 points per game (amongst the best in the league) and had only given up 5 touchdowns all season before giving up 4 against the Eagles.  The offense features talented skill players such as wide receivers Vincent Jackson & Mike Williams, and running back Doug Martin.  One of the top issues Tampa fans have with the coach surrounds who is leading that offense.  It’s not that they have anything against rookie signal caller Mike Glennon; but Schiano spent significant time in the offseason convincing fans that Josh Freeman was his guy.  Since that time, not only has Greg Schiano benched Josh Freeman, but he has released him and the NFLPA believes that Schiano is indeed the party that leaked information about Josh Freeman being in the NFL’s Substance-Abuse Program; information that should have never made it to the public.

Another sensitive issue for Bucs fans is the manner in which the team has used newly acquired all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis.  One fan at Sunday’s game told me, “they go out and get the best man-to-man cornerback in the world and then put him in a bunch of zone coverages”.  This was evident on Sunday as DeSean Jackson beat Revis on two touchdown passes, both of which apparently were supposed to feature safety help that never came.  When asked after the game, Revis refused to complain about the coverages called, and said only that “the players have to execute no matter what is called by the coaches”.

Tensions are boiling over in Bucs Nation, as the stands on Sunday were sparsely peppered with creative signs calling for Schiano’s job and the boos and jeers he received during the game only got nastier as he exited the field through the tunnel at game’s end.  This is one of those classic cases that always make us wonder how much management/ownership listens to the team personnel complaints of their fans.  Several callers into the Tampa sports radio stations directly address the Glazers in their Greg Schiano rants.  The fans have had enough.  There are rumors that many on the football team have also had enough.  Has Buccaneers management had enough?  Most importantly, has Malcolm Glazer had enough?  That apparently is the $15 million question.

 

Devin McMillan of The War Room, for War Room Sports

 

Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 Things to Watch

Sunday, December 9th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Though the past two weeks have again resulted in losses for the Philadelphia Eagles, the team has finally found some spark.  With an offense decimated by injuries, the rookies have stood up and put in a fight.  It seems that it took the youngest members of the team to take the field to finally display the heart we’d been yearning to see since the team’s downward skid began in October.  The team is still losing, but they’re finally in games.

Today the 3-9 Eagles face the 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  With playoff hopes for Philadelphia long gone, what matters now is draft position.  And the Birds would have the fourth pick in the NFL Draft if it were to happen today.  Philadelphia’s season will end on December 30th but there are plenty of reasons to tune in to this game.  Here are three things to watch:

  1. The progression of Nick Foles.  We haven’t been wowed by Nick Foles, but at Cowboys Stadium he showed marked improvement over his previous starts.  He was allowed to do more with the ball than he had in earlier games, completing 22 of 35 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown.  We have yet to see him do much with downfield passes and this may be the game he finds some comfort going for the big plays.  2. Struggling with or without Wash?  The woes of the defensive line have been of the most perplexing aspects of Philadelphia’s disappointing season.  D-line coach Jim Washburn was abruptly dismissed early Monday morning and the team brought former coach Tommy Brasher back to the position.  The line struggled mightily under Washburn.  With little time to learn a new scheme will we see much difference in the line’s performance?  3. running game.  On Philadelphia’s offense, Bryce Brown has been a beast, accruing 347 yards on 43 carries in two games, averaging a stunning 8.1 yards.  But, he also has had trouble hanging on to the ball, fumbling three times.  Will he have an opportunity to rack up on yards against the Bucs defense, which has held opponents to 3.5 yards per carry?  The Eagles defense will face breakout star Doug Martin, who has the third-most rushing yards in the league with 1,106.  It’s no secret that Philadelphia’s defense has struggled to stop anything.  After coming off of two disappointing outings where he averaged only 2.7 yards per carry, is he poised to break out once again?

Tune in for the excitement at 1 pm on FOX.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook. 

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

NFL Draft: Top 5 Running Back Prospects

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

By Brandon Pemberton

Follow me on Twitter @BrandonOnSports and @SportsTrapRadio

With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away, I’ve decided to give the people my top 5 prospects by position.  My rankings are based solely on my opinion and self-scouting.  Be sure to listen to Sports Trap Radio Saturdays from 10am-2pm on ueradiolive.com and on www.livestream.com/ueradiolive

1. Trent Richardson 5-9 228lbs Alabama

Strengths: This kid is the full package.  He’s an elite package of size, speed, and explosiveness.  People think he’s not effective in the passing game, but he’s caught 68 passes for 710 yards in his career.  He is also good in blitz pickup, not afraid to stick his facemask in the oncoming defender’s chest.  Ball security was a problem in his first two seasons, but he did a better job securing the football in his final season.

Weaknesses: The only one that I see, but it’s really not a bad thing is his willingness to take on contact at all times.  We all know an NFL running back’s shelf life is short as it is, so with some advice from coaches, hopefully Richardson will use a little more wiggle and step out of bounds at the sideline a bit more than in college.  Yes he is a bull, but the guys in the NFL won’t be afraid to try to knock his ass out. 

Grade: Top 5 pick

2. Lamar Miller 5-11 212lbs Miami

Strengths: Excellent top end speed, very explosive in and out of his cuts.  Presses the hole and has elite cutback ability.  Will be a home-run threat from day one in the NFL.  Has the ability to return kickoffs if needed. 

Weaknesses: Only had 300 plus carries in his college career, and injured his left shoulder during the 2011 season.  He fought his way through it, but teams will question his durability with the low amount of carries and injury in his only season as a starter.

Grade: Early 2nd round

3. David Wilson 5-9 206lbs Virginia Tech 

Strengths: Great balance, bounces off tackles and breaks a good amount for a running back with average size.  Has good vision and does a fine job setting up his blocks.  Was a damn good kick returner before becoming the full time starter in 2011.

Weaknesses: Has had problems with ball security, had 7 fumbles over his career.  Has below average hands, and needs to improve as a pass blocker as well.

Grade: Early to mid 2nd round

4. Doug Martin 5-9 223lbs Boise St.

Strengths: Very strong runner who finishes his carries well.  Nice combo of size and weight, low center of gravity makes him hard to bring down.  Excellent pass receiver and is a willing blocker in pass protection.  Not afraid to mix it up with oncoming defenders.

Weaknesses: Level of competition is a question for me.  Boise St. obviously doesn’t play in a BCS conference during his time there, so even though he looked great, it was against low level opposition.  Had problems with ball security during his career as well.

Grade: Early to mid 2nd round

5. Chris Polk 5-10 215lbs Washington

Strengths: Strong, durable, battle-tested running back.  Prototypical NFL size, ran for over 1000 yards the last 3 seasons.  Caught 79 passes in his career out of the backfield.  Runs hard, with good pad level.

Weaknesses: Lacks that home-run type of speed.  Has had two shoulder surgeries in his college career.  Isn’t real agile and isn’t very explosive in and out of his cuts.

Grade: late 2nd- early 3rd

The next 5: Bernard Pierce 6-0 218lbs Temple, LaMicheal James 5-8 194lbs Oregon, Tauren Poole 5-10 205lbs Tennessee, Vic Ballard 5-11 219lbs Miss. St., Isaiah Pead 5-10 197lbs Cincinnati. 

Be on the Lookout for my Top 5 WR’s coming in the middle of this week. 

Brandon Pemberton of “Brandon On Sports” & “Sports Trap Radio”, for War Room Sports