Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Martin, Doug ‘Muscle Hamster’

sage12 dmartin

Card: Sage HIT 2012
Acquired: Sage Twitter Promotion 2016

The diminutive Doug Martin is aptly nicknamed Muscle Hamster, clocking in at 5’9″ and 223.  A versatile back, Martin tore it up at Boise State.  He finished his college career with 4146 yards from scrimmage, 47 receptions, and 47 TDs.  Martin had back to back 1,200+ yard seasons, including a whopping 6.3 yards per carry in 2010.  Martin was selected with the 31st pick of the 1st round in the 2012 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was considered the second best RB behind Trent Richardson.

Martin reminds many Buc fans of former Tampa runningback Warrick Dunn, both in size and playing style.  Doug charged out of the gates his rookie year starting all 16 games  and put together a 1454 yard 11 TD effort, to go along with 49 receptions. He finished with 1926 yards from scrimmage and earned a Pro Bowl appearance.

In 2013, Martin took a bad fall jumping on a ball and landed on his shoulder. He tore his labrum and was placed on IR ending his season with only 456 yards rushing. In 2014, Doug sprained his ankle, and injured his knee, holding him out of 4 and a half games. He’d finish with 494 yards.

Most fans wrote off Doug Martin going into 2015, but he rebounded to form and had another solid season with 1,402 yards on 288 carries, and 33 receptions for 271 yards.  He’d total 1,673 yards from scrimmage and earn a Pro Bowl and his first All Pro nomination, after finishing second in the league behind Adrian Peterson in rushing.

Going into 2016, Martin was considered the marquee available runningback available in free agency. He tested the waters but decided to remain close to home, inking a new contract with the Buccaneers.  He’s broken many of the records held by Buccaneer greats such as James Wilder and Warrick Dunn.

NFL

Core, Cody

sage16 ccore

Card: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

A late 6th round choice of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cody Core played collegiality at the University of Mississippi.  Originally a defensive back, Core didn’t make the transition to wide receiver until 2014.  Paired alongside Laquon Treadwell, Core had 37 receptions for 644yards and 4 TDs in 2015.  He is a skilled special teamer and will be expected to make his living there while he grows into his role as a receiver. He will get plenty of opportunity after the Bengals lost Mohammed Sanu and Marvin Jones during free agency.

NFL

Watt, Derek

sage16_dwattCard: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Derek Watt is the younger brother of Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt, and while he followed in his older brother’s footsteps to Wisconsin, Derek elected to play fullback for the Badgers. With the versatility to play fullback or H-Back, Derek makes the case as a role player in a multiple RB set. Derek seals blocks well and picks up pass protection with ease. He has also displayed decent hands out of the backfield with 30 receptions for 309 yards and a 1 over his 4 years at Madison.  Watt also is a guy not afraid to cut his teeth on special teams as he had 17 total tackles for the Badgers.  One of the higher rated fullbacks, Watt will get a late round flyer or be a priority free agent for a team needing a fullback in 2016.

Derek heard his name called in the 6th round by the San Diego Chargers where he is expected to rejoin backfield mate Mevin Gordon from Wisconsin as his blocking back.