Fansided

5 replacements for Doug Martin in Tampa Bay

By FanSided Staff

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the third quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the third quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush has had as many ups and downs in his career as anyone. From winning the Heisman at USC, to being the most hyped up draft selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, and then dealing with a plethora of injuries and production problems, Bush isn’t exactly the safest running back in the pool of free agents in 2016.

However, he does have the ability to produce like he has in Detroit and Miami in years past. He is getting up there in age at 30 years old and the shelf life for NFL running backs isn’t favorable to those above the 30 year mark. But if the Bucs share his carries with a young back and limit the number of times he is used in pass protection, Bush could stay injury free and get back to making linebackers miss tackles and sprinting for those big gains he was so accustomed to at one point in his career.

This will all depend if Bush can stay healthy during the 2014-15 season though. Bush did miss a large amount of time in the 2014 season, which made his production limited. So if he can stay healthy, put up decent numbers, and be ready to move teams, he could be Tampa Bay’s go to guy in 2016.

Next: 2. Matt Forte

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