Lovie Smith: Re-signing Doug Martin a priority for Bucs
Doug Martin is in the midst of a renaissance season in Tampa Bay, and the Buccaneers are hoping it won't be his last.
Head coach Lovie Smith addressed Martin's pending free agency Monday, telling reporters the Bucs would like to keep their 2012 first-round pick off the open market.
"Is Doug Martin a priority? I can say that, yeah, he definitely is," Smith said Monday, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. "I don't think Doug came into the season thinking he wasn't wanted around here. It's the complete opposite of that.
"And we have put him in a position to have the type of year he's having right now. So, I think it's all good. If I'm Doug Martin, I'm pretty happy I didn't sign a contract before and I like the position I'm in right now."
The Bucs declined to pick up the $5.6-million option on Martin's rookie contract in May after two straight disappointing seasons.
With 941 rushing yards through 10 games, Martin has nearly doubled his 2014 total and is in line for a big payday, be it in Tampa Bay or elsewhere.