Martin: I'm Excited For The Challenge/Video

I'm excited to see what Martin brings this season, a guy with his intelligence and solid base should make a more than adequate LT in the NFL. Let's not forget he doesn't have to be All-Pro to be the equal or better than what we had from Jake Long the last two years.

I have no predictions. Im normally an optomist when it comes to my Phins and I know hes been working hard, but I'm still scared to death. Please Martin, don't get our QB hurt!

Martin has by all reports given himself a chance to prove the doubters wrong. If he's worked hard in the offseason to get himself in a posItion to progress then im backing him 100%.

what's plan B?

Martin: I'm Excited For The ____________

Donuts
Churros
Hammock naps
Dorito Taco Bell Tacos
Couch naps
Gummi Bear Sundaes
Five Guys Burgers
Lockerroom naps
Fried Oreos
New Netflix Releases
Panzarotti Pizza Pockets
15 minutes between sets
Soap Operas In My BarcaLounger
Cinnamon Beavertails
Lolling On A Weeknight
Lolling On A Weekend
Naps As I Drive
Deep Dish Meatloaf
2013 Snoozon, I mean Season.

"FanMarino wrote:

Martin has by all reports given himself a chance to prove the doubters wrong. If he's worked hard in the offseason to get himself in a posItion to progress then im backing him 100%.

Agree.

If he can become an average to above average starting LT that's a huge win for Ireland , the coaching staff, and the fans.

"FanMarino wrote:

Martin has by all reports given himself a chance to prove the doubters wrong. If he's worked hard in the offseason to get himself in a posItion to progress then im backing him 100%.

sure hope he proves this doubter wrong and can become an average player, cause that's as far as my hope on him will take me..not buying the whole " he only needs to add strength"..this dude drastically needs to improve his whole game, everything..especially his base, which was narrow alongside a poor athletic position, two critical fundamental things that need to be in every Olineman skillset, that I didnt see in his..

Teams are gonna study that left side and attack the sh&$ out of us..

I would think Yeatman will challenge and be the backup.

"LBsFinest wrote:

what's plan B?

to ignore you until Martin proves the doubters wrong

"Ohio Fanatic wrote:

to ignore you until Martin proves the doubters wrong

I think its a valid question OH

Let's hope we don't see much more of this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAPYokt2Npc

Seriously, I know a lot of people don't like Martin and I have had my fair share of complaints, but actually, that was more when he was at RT. Yes, that play against Aldon Smith was really bad, but I don't think that's really indicative of how he played overall or his potential to be better. It was just a real bad highlight. I remember him having some troubles, but I don't remember Tanne getting completely killed when Martin was at LT either. He does seem to be working hard this off-season and seems to have a very good attitude and if he has indeed gotten stronger, along with Tanne getting more comfortable and probably more nimble in the pocket, then it may not be as bad as we think. I also really respect Philbin's knowledge, so if he thinks Martin can be a sufficient LT, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best.

"Sceeto wrote:

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best.

I can't give him the benefit of the doubt with this franchise' recent history :( but I'm with ya on the 2nd half of the quote!

"djphinfan wrote:

I think its a valid question OH

we can't have a star player at every position. IMO, Martin will develop into a "good enough" LT this season and get even better next season. If Louis comes back to form and we have Cogs, Pouncey, Louis and Clabo - giving us a pretty good 4/5 lineup. If Martin can play even average at LT, our line is good enough. As far as "plan B", we're missing a lot of plan B's due to our lack of depth across the roster. Not many teams have an answer if their LT goes down.

Martin's knock coming out was that he was weak. Not his technique or his footwork. Getting stronger is the easiest thing to overcome for a pro athlete. We'll see what happens but I'm optimistic.

"Ohio Fanatic wrote:

we can't have a star player at every position. IMO, Martin will develop into a "good enough" LT this season and get even better next season. If Louis comes back to form and we have Cogs, Pouncey, Louis and Clabo - giving us a pretty good 4/5 lineup. If Martin can play even average at LT, our line is good enough. As far as "plan B", we're missing a lot of plan B's due to our lack of depth across the roster. Not many teams have an answer if their LT goes down.

Like I said, I'd be happy with average, but that's gonna take a pretty big jump in play.

"smahtaz wrote:

Martin's knock coming out was that he was weak. Not his technique or his footwork. Getting stronger is the easiest thing to overcome for a pro athlete. We'll see what happens but I'm optimistic.

I disagree, I think he had technique issues and footwork issues coming out of Stanford, I think about it like this, if all he does is get stronger, were in trouble it's not enough, his whole game needs a makeover, and Jim turner just might be that guy to do it.

"djphinfan wrote:

Like I said, I'd be happy with average, but that's gonna take a pretty big jump in play.

Yes, it's a big jump, but I don't think it's unrealistic. He's smart, and he can get stronger. that at least gives him a foundation, if he works hard, I see no reason why he can't develop into an "average" LT.

"djphinfan wrote:

sure hope he proves this doubter wrong and can become an average player, cause that's as far as my hope on him will take me..not buying the whole " he only needs to add strength"..this dude drastically needs to improve his whole game, everything..especially his base, which was narrow alongside a poor athletic position, two critical fundamental things that need to be in every Olineman skillset, that I didnt see in his..

Teams are gonna study that left side and attack the sh&$ out of us..

I would think Yeatman will challenge and be the backup.

I don't agree that he needs to change everything. Some Ts don't use that exaggerated wide stance. I don't believe it's a requirement. From my martial arts background there are styles that use a variety of stances. IMO anything wider than a little more than shoulder width could work. I think he has quick feet and I like his punch, although he needs to improve the timing of it. That being said I don't believe he'll ever be a a great LT. But I do think he can average to above average and in our quick pass offense I see that as more than good enough.

Hope he's improved because if he isn't Tannehill is going to have a long season on his back or running for his life. Really all of the moves we've made, the money we've spent is just about meaningless if Martin can't protect Tannehill. And there isn't a plan b on the roster so his improvement is key to us being a playoff team.

"finfansince72 wrote:

Hope he's improved because if he isn't Tannehill is going to have a long season on his back or running for his life. Really all of the moves we've made, the money we've spent is just about meaningless if Martin can't protect Tannehill. And there isn't a plan b on the roster so his improvement is key to us being a playoff team.

I just don't think it's that big of a deal. In a quick passing offense you ask your Ts to block for less time the majority of the time. When you do need them to block longer you usually help one T or the other with at least a chip from a back or TE. IMO as long as Martin has quick enough feet to get in the way and improves his strength enough to anchor better, he's fine against all but the few beast DEs. And against those beast DEs we haven't had anybody who could stop them for the last two seasons anyway. I don't think any team does. Wake really doesn't get stopped. He gets beat by quick passing and the QB stepping up in the pocket. That's what RT will have to do. All we need is for Martin to improve his strength enough to prevent the rush that is so fast it doesn't give RT time to anticipate and adjust.

"rafael wrote:

I don't agree that he needs to change everything. Some Ts don't use that exaggerated wide stance. I don't believe it's a requirement. From my martial arts background there are styles that use a variety of stances. IMO anything wider than a little more than shoulder width could work. I think he has quick feet and I like his punch, although he needs to improve the timing of it. That being said I don't believe he'll ever be a a great LT. But I do think he can average to above average and in our quick pass offense I see that as more than good enough.

It's just that I see that narrow stance interfering with his balance a lot,the consistency for which he gets beat on the bull rush and the swim move is related to it imo, that's why I think he has to change from the ground up, new stance, new athletic position..

"rafael wrote:

He gets beat by quick passing and the QB stepping up in the pocket. That's what RT will have to do. All we need is for Martin to improve his strength enough to prevent the rush that is so fast it doesn't give RT time to anticipate and adjust.

Yeah, that's what I was getting at. Agree. :up:

"Ohio Fanatic wrote:

Yes, it's a big jump, but I don't think it's unrealistic. He's smart, and he can get stronger. that at least gives him a foundation, if he works hard, I see no reason why he can't develop into an "average" LT.

It makes me cringe a little when people are ready to write a guy off after 1 season at a position he'd never played before. If you look at the Johnathan Martin who finished 2012 vs the one who began the preseason there's a night and day difference, IIRC there was big thread dedicated to bashing him, calling him a bust, fire Ireland, he shoulda took a WR, etc etc after the Carolina game in PS week 2. With off season strength and conditioning plus a full camp and preseason at LT I see no reason why he can't make another significant leap by the start of next season. And from watching him play LT the last few weeks of the season, IMO he was already "average". Obviously he needs to get stronger and add some bulk, the bull rush was his Achilles heel. On the bright side he rarely got beaten around the edge or blew his assignments, those are the things that get QBs hurt.

"rafael wrote:

I just don't think it's that big of a deal. In a quick passing offense you ask your Ts to block for less time the majority of the time. When you do need them to block longer you usually help one T or the other with at least a chip from a back or TE. IMO as long as Martin has quick enough feet to get in the way and improves his strength enough to anchor better, he's fine against all but the few beast DEs. And against those beast DEs we haven't had anybody who could stop them for the last two seasons anyway. I don't think any team does. Wake really doesn't get stopped. He gets beat by quick passing and the QB stepping up in the pocket. That's what RT will have to do. All we need is for Martin to improve his strength enough to prevent the rush that is so fast it doesn't give RT time to anticipate and adjust.

100%.

Luckily the AFCE is devoid of beast DE's, and we'll only face a handful of quality edge rushers during the season. Suggs, Kruger, Hardy, Mathis, Freeney, and Michael Johnson by my count. If we played in the NFC North or East we might be in trouble.

"djphinfan wrote:

It's just that I see that narrow stance interfering with his balance a lot,the consistency for which he gets beat on the bull rush and the swim move is related to it imo, that's why I think he has to change from the ground up, new stance, new athletic position..

It's not that narrow though. It's just more narrow than you saw Long use. With more core strength, you can use a narrow stance just fine and a more narrow stance helps you move your feet more quickly. He doesn't have to change the stance. He just has to be stronger and improve his timing (both his punch and when he sets himself to absorb the blow).