The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have a long shot to reach the NFC Playoffs next week, but the uphill climb got a little steeper with news of a four-game suspension for running back Doug Martin. Martin is choosing to serve his suspension immediately rather than hold off until next year.
Martin learned of his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy last week. Rather than appeal the suspension right away, which would allow him to close out the regular season on the field as the Bucs hope to wiggle their way into the postseason, Martin has opted to begin serving the suspension right away so he can receive the treatment he feels is needed to help him avoid making the same mistake again in the future.
“I was notified last week of a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy,” Martin said in a statement. “My initial instinct was to appeal the suspension and finish the season with my teammates. However, after numerous discussions with people close to me — including Coach (Dirk) Koetter — I am starting the suspension immediately so I can enter a treatment facility and receive the help I truly need.”
This is a level-headed decision that puts Martin’s long-term health at the top of his list of priorities. Some fans will likely chide him for putting this off, as it hurts the team’s chances to reach the postseason, as slim as they are, but if Martin genuinely feels he has a problem to address, then he is making the bets possible move he can not only for himself as an individual, but for the team in the future.
If Martin cleans up whatever problem he feels he has, then staying clean of if in the future will only benefit the Bucs as a franchise, or whatever team has him on the roster in 2017 (there is always the possibility of being released from the team after a rather disappointing season after signing a big contract). Sure, it may sting now, but it is better to get through a four-game suspension and clean up your act now for good rather than put off a four-game suspension and have the possibility of dealing with a longer suspension again if this arises again.
Martin will have to miss the first three games of the 2017 season (preseason games do not count), so this actually reduces the impact the suspension could have on the Bucs in 2017 as well, although three games without Martin is still a hurdle to overcome.
With Martin no longer available, the Bucs will ride with Jazquizz Rodgers out of the backfield when they play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. To make the playoffs, they’ll need a win and a lot of help.
[ESPN]
