Doug Martin scores first TD of season (Video)
By Wes Goldberg
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been arguably the most disappointing team through the first three weeks of the NFL season. People had high hopes for this team.
Newly led by Lovie Smith, who had plenty of talent to work with on defense, the Buccaneers also had a new quarterback in Josh McCown–who seemed to elevate his game last season in Chicago–and running back Doug Martin.
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However, it’s been three straight losses for Tampa Bay. The team doesn’t look nearly as good as one that was supposed to compete for a playoff spot, a lot of that has to do with injuries. One of those injuries was suffered by Martin in the first game of the season, a 20-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Martin ran the ball nine times for just nine yards before leaving the game. Bobby Rainey filled his place nicely the next week, carrying the ball 22 times for 144 yards in a loss to the St. Louis Rams. But Rainey hasn’t gotten into the endzone in two weeks. In fact, McCown was the only Buccaneer to score a rushing touchdown all season, with two.
No Tampa Bay back has rushed for a touchdown, until Martin ran in a three-yard handoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday.
The score, which capped off an eight-play, 80-yard drive, tied the game at 17. Tampa Bay seems in position to have a chance at its first win of the season.
In his first game back, Martin has carried the ball 10 times for 32 yards and a score.
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