Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is showing during the preseason he could be ready to re-emerge as a threat on offense in 2015 after down years in 2013 and 2014. Through two preseason games, Martin is averaging 7.1 yards per carry and has picked up first downs on four of his 11 carries.
He had a 52-yard run on the opening drive Monday against the Bengals. The Bucs would score a touchdown on that drive.
"First off, he's healthy and you know how much that means to a running back," coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday, per ESPN.com. "He's worked hard. He's looked good in training camp practices but you want to see him do it in a game. There were holes last night. But there was also a wall and he was stopped at the line of scrimmage a couple of times and he made something out of nothing a few times. He broke tackles and ran hard. Just a good game.
"I wasn't around when Doug had his breakout year. But that guy we saw last night, that's what we're looking for. That's what we need in order for us to get the running game going."