Buccaneers 24-year old Doug Martin told the media he is not a believer in a "Sophomore Jinx" and is looking to build on a rookie season that saw him finish in the top five in the league in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and carries.

The Bucs were a top 10 offense last season, are returning guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph, add in that the "Muscle Hampster" will come into the season with a much higher comfort level, and it is not a surprise that he, nor you, should buy into any so-called "Sophomore Jinx." With both Arian Foster and Jamaal Charles injury concerns/history it would not be a stretch to consider targeting Martin as the second running back off the board, behind Vikings Adrian Peterson, come draft day.
Analyst: Michael Pichan  View Profile

Doug Martin's rookie season was flat out fantastic. He is a Ray Rice-like fantasy back, and should be taken in the top half of first round in all formats this year.
Analyst: Brad Costilo  View Profile

Bucs coach Greg Schiano thinks RB Doug Martin can "absolutely" reach another level. "He looks better now than he did last season."

Doug Martin played on 28 of 54 offensive snaps on Sunday, compared to LeGarrette Blount's 18.

Doug Martin played on 46 of 63 offensive snaps on Sunday, compared to LeGarrette Blount's 12. Most of Blount's work came in the 4th quarter.

Rookie Doug Martin played in 52 of 67 offensive snaps on Sunday, compared to LeGarrette Blount's 6.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano said Doug Martin has won the starting job at RB now, but the competition is ongoing and LeGarrette Blount knows that.

Doug Martin appears to have beaten out LeGarrette Blount for a starting job with the Buccaneers.

Changes to the starting lineup in Week 3 of the preseason might or might not be meaningful, but when Bucs rookie running back Doug Martin overtook LeGarrette Blount on Friday night and started against the Patriots, something about it felt permanent. The evidence has been there for weeks. Martin, a first-round pick from Boise State, consistently impressed coaches in training camp with his broad skill set — running, catching and blocking like a veteran.

Coach Greg Schiano hopes and thinks Doug Martin will start at running back for the Bucs.

Doug Martin looked like the Bucs primary running back in his first practice. But it's just the first practice, so too early to determine who the starter will be.