Martin Might Beat Out Blount for Starting Job

[Gallagher]

NFL.com"]

Before the 2012 NFL Draft,

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

running back

LeGarrette Blount

bristled at the suggestion that the Bucs would use their top-five draft pick on Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

"I would not like that pick. ... I would definitely not be happy with that pick," Blount said at the time (he later

changed his tune). Blount's sigh of relief when Richardson was picked by theCleveland Browns at No. 3 was short-lived as the Buccaneers would use the No. 31-overall draft pick on Boise State running back Doug Martin, who is expected to push Blount for the starting job this summer.

One of the reasons why the Buccaneers invested a first-round draft pick in Martin, and a seventh-round selection in potential No. 2 back Michael Smith, could be Blount's lack of commitment.

According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Blount

racked up $15,000 in fines for tardiness in his first two weeks in Tampa, prompting general manager Mark Dominik and former head coach Raheem Morris to force the rookie to hire a car service to wake him up and transport him for the three miles to One Buc Place.

Stroud adds that Blount continued to rely upon the car service in 2011, but he occasionally caught up on his sleep in meeting rooms.

Blount

was at the top of the depth chart

during the minicamps, but Martin is expected to push for a starting job this summer. With improved depth at the position overall, Blount will have to continue to improve his habits, on and off the field. Otherwise, first-year head coach/task master Greg Schiano might be inclined to let Blount sleep on someone else's dime.

He only put up 19 and 11 yards in the games we played him, so Doug Martin might be an upgrade for them. Still starting a rookie RB does not bode well for an offense under a new coordinator and scheme that will need to build chemistry with a new WR and G. I see a lot of their O getting put on Freeman's back and subsequently a lot of failed 3rd down conversions.

Either way, Blount's lack of commitment is yet another sign that the Panthers are poised to take the South.

[cultclassiccat]

I agree OP.

He will take that spot and rack up some descent stats this yr. I picture him to be Schianos new ray rice protige. Hopefully not any where near his(rice) stats for our sake.

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

Martin is the more talented runningback. Its not a bad combo actually with blount pounding away on tired defenses late in the game. Seriously, Tampa will be no pushover this season. It all depends on Freeman and if he is for real.

[Riverboat Ron]

Blount is a one trick pony. The Bucs know it too given they traded up to ninja Martin away from the Giants.

[Delhommey]

It doesn't help that Blount is a major liability on passing downs.

[Argus Plexus]

He can pound it up the middle all day but throw it to him and you might have a bad day.

[rayzor]

blount is a 2 down guy and that is only in the most ideal of situations...like when they have the lead or the game is at least close.

he's horrible as a blocker. he's horrible as a receiver. and he's a lazy bum.

not surprising that martin would be passing him up. i wouldn't be surprised to see them cut their losses, actually. blount is just bad for the team. in other words i hope they keep him and keep him as a starter. i just don't see them being that stupid.

well...maybe. they did think it was a good idea to go out and find a mediocre college coach to come in and make them competitive in the NFCS. of course he was probably the only one out of a hundred prospects that didn't reject them.