Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loss of Doug Martin would cripple growth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved a lot in 2015, but that growth may be stunted by the loss of a key player in free agency.

After having the worst record in the NFL in 2014, the Buccaneers were able to show signs of turning things around in 2015. The Buccaneers finished with a 6-10 record, which included a few nice road wins against the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

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The Buccaneers may have still finished last in the NFC South, but they began to show signs that they were heading in the right direction. 2015 was all about getting experience for the first overall pick in the draft, Jameis Winston, who played well in his rookie season. Winston totaled 4,042 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and six rushing touchdowns.

While the spotlight was on Winston in his rookie season, it was running back Doug Martin who was the real star for the Buccaneers last season.

In 2015, the Buccaneers were the fifth-best rushing offense in the NFL and a lot of that was because of the great season from Doug Martin. In his fourth season in the NFL, Martin had a great in the final season of his contract, as he totaled 1,402 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and a 4.9 yards per carry average.

The bounce back year for Martin was certainly a big reason for the better season for the Buccaneers, as, since his rookie season, Martin hadn’t played well leading up to last season.

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In his rookie season, Martin took the NFL by storm, as he totaled 1,454 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and a 4.6 yards per carry average. After having a monster rookie season, expectations were high for Martin that he was going to be an elite running back in the NFL, but instead of becoming a superstar, Martin struggled.

Following his rookie season, Martin would total less than 1,000 yards in the 2013 and 2014 seasons combined. Martin did miss extended time in both of those years, but his yards per carry average was below 4.0 each year.

Martin was healthy all season in 2015, and the Buccaneers saw what the elite level of production that he showed as a rookie back in 2012. The unfortunate part for the Buccaneers is that Martin is a free agent, and one of the best available running backs and players this offseason.

Both sides have expressed an interest in getting a deal done, but it appears that Martin is going to hit the open market which could lead to him leaving the Buccaneers. The loss of Martin in free agency would be a crippling blow to the growth of the Buccaneers as the 27-year-old running back would be nearly impossible to replace after his great season.

If Martin leaves, the Buccaneers would turn to his backup, Charles Sims, who would then likely become the lead back in some sort of committee at the running back position. Sims played very well as the backup to Martin in 2015, as he totaled 529 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

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The Buccaneers appear to be heading in the right direction with Winston at the quarterback position, but the loss of Martin would be one that could set the rebuild back for the time being.