New Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was reportedly impressed with Doug Martin when the two met a few weeks back. That’s resulting in a prove it deal for the talented yet inconsistent running back.
Oakland has reportedly agreed to terms with Martin on a one-year deal, NFL Network media insider Ian Rapoport is reporting. Martin had spent his first six seasons in the league with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The #Raiders have agreed to terms with former #Bucs RB Doug Martin, source said. Jon Gruden locks in running back depth and Martin gets a second chance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2018
Doug Martin Will Sign One-Year Contract With Oakland Raiders
The Bucs released Martin in February after a career filled with elite-level production, or almost none at all.
Since entering the league in 2012, no other running back has been as polarizing as Doug Martin. As a rookie, he rushed for 1,454 yards on a career-high 319 attempts with 11 rushing touchdowns. He followed that up with a six-game season in 2013 where he totaled 456 yards and one touchdown. This set the bar for what to expect from Martin, who epitomizes feast or famine from the running back position. Over his six-season career, he either rushes for 1,400 yards (twice) or 400 yards.
Doug Martin was a standout at Boise State University. He ranks third in school history in rushing touchdowns with 43 and fifth in rushing yards with 3,431 on 617 attempts. Martin acquired the nickname “Muscle Hamster” at BSU. Martin garnered the nickname, which came from teammates, due to his strength despite his smaller size.
In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Martin with the 31st pick in the first round. He impressed during the preseason and won the starting job. He continued to impress the team as both a rusher and a pass catcher. In Week 8, when the Buccaneers played the Raiders on the road, Martin rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns.
Martin struggled between ineffective play or injury for the next two seasons before a resurgence in 2015. Martin was healthy and returned to form, posting his second season with over 1,400 yards rushing. His performance that season earned him an entrance to his second Pro Bowl.
Martin was rewarded with a five-year contract extension at the beginning of the 2016 season. He performed poorly that season, totaling 421 rushing yards with three rushing touchdowns. Martin was handed a suspension by the league in December of 2016 for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. His four-game suspension was carried out to start the 2017 season.
The 2017 season would prove to be another disappointing one. Martin returned from suspension and was unable to consistently produce. He finished with a career-low 406 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
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