The Oakland Raiders are a team that could be on the cusp of another breakout season if new head coach Jon Gruden can right the ship in his first season back with the team. Along with parting ways with plenty of notable players, Gruden has brought in a few players he believes can make an impact like running back Doug Martin.
Initially, the move to sign Martin was a surprising one. The team already had Marshawn Lynch back in the fold for another season with two promising backs behind him in DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Now it appears Martin may have a shot at the starting gig or at least an opportunity to get a considerable amount of carries in 2018, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.
Doug Martin has “a fresh set of legs,” according to offensive coordinator Greg Olson, as the 29-year-old running back has shown his quick burst of old during the Raiders’ organized team activities. It sets up a running back competition at training camp between Martin and Marshawn Lynch.
Martin is coming off a forgettable season which turned out to be his last with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Boise State product missed the first four games of the season due to suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy, and that basically derailed his year as he went on to rush for a career-low 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Although Martin would like to forget his last season with the Bucs, he does seem to have an opportunity to make an impression in Oakland. The one-time All-Pro will likely split carries with Lynch during the upcoming season if the coaching staff continues to like what they see in the 29-year-old.
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