March 2016 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wiretap

Doug Martin Begins Serving Four-Game Suspension For PED Violation

Dec 28, 2016 6:42 PM

Doug Martin has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and will serve a four-game suspension effective immediately.

"I was notified last week of a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy," Martin said in a statement. "My initial instinct was to appeal the suspension and finish the season with my teammates. However, after numerous discussions with people close to me -- including Coach (Dirk) Koetter -- I am starting the suspension immediately so I can enter a treatment facility and receive the help I truly need.

"On the field, I must be strong and determined to push through both pain and injuries to become an elite NFL running back. Off the field, I have tried that same approach in my personal life. My shortcomings in this area have taught me both that I cannot win these personal battles alone and that there is no shame in asking for help."

Martin was declared inactive for Week 16, which Koetter called a "coach's decision."

"I sincerely apologize to the Glazer family, general manager Jason Licht and the entire Tampa Bay organization, my teammates and our tremendous fans," said Martin, who wasn't at practice Wednesday. "This was not the season I envisioned and I have let everyone down, including myself. However, adversity yields opportunity and I ask for your support in my battle to overcome these personal issues."

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Suspension

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Dirk Koetter Defends Decision To Bench Doug Martin

Dec 26, 2016 8:50 PM

Doug Martin was made a healthy scratch against the New Orleans Saints before a game that would essentially decide whether they would reach the playoffs, Dirk Koetter stood by his decision and his previous defense of Martin.

Koetter wouldn't say what it means going forward, though.

"As I said last week, we made a decision for the Saints game based on what I thought was best for our team that week, and we'll do the same thing this week," Koetter said. "We'll make the decision, not just at running back, but at every position."

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Misc Rumor

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Only Steelers Rank In Top-10 In Offense, Defense DVOA (Infographic)

Dec 21, 2016 10:38 AM

The NFL has very teams this season that excel in all facets of the game. Further evidence of this issue shows itself in the fact that there is only one team ranking in the top-10 in both Football Outsiders' Offensive and Defensive DVOA: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 9-5 after winning five straight games and must beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 to ensure their place in the playoffs. Pittsburgh ranks third in total DVOA and first in Weighted DVOA.

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs ranked in the top-10 on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs are the closest team to joining the Steelers in the top-10 in both Offensive and Defensive DVOA at 13th and 12th.

The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots rank first and second overall in DVOA as they rank second and third, respectively in Offensive DVOA but 20th and 19th in Defensive DVOA. The Atlanta Falcons rank first in Offensive DVOA, 27th in Defensive and fourth overall. The Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders have similar splits as the Cowboys and Patriots, while the Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants are the inverse of those teams with top-5 defenses and offenses below the NFL mean.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team, IQ, Stats

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Jameis Winston Settles Lawsuit From Alleged 2012 Sexual Assault

Dec 14, 2016 9:24 PM

Jameis Winston has settled a federal lawsuit filed by a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2012 while he played at Florida State, according to the woman's attorney.

Erica Kinsman accused Winston of sexually assaulting her at his apartment in December 2012. He was never charged with a crime by police in Tallahassee, Florida, and the state attorney's office there declined to pursue a criminal case against him.

"The case has been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties," John Clune, the woman's attorney, told ESPN on Wednesday night.

Kinsman sued Winston in April 2015, accusing him of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. According to the lawsuit, Winston's "conduct was extreme and outrageous and caused Plaintiff to suffer severe mental anguish and suffering, including, more specifically, loss of sleep, flashbacks, severe anxiety, fear of repeat sexual violence, an unfounded sense of shame and depression, all of which will continue to require psychological and other counseling."

Winston filed a countersuit against Kinsman a month later, alleging that her accusations were "false, defamatory ... and have maliciously and impermissibly interfered with Mr. Winston's business and personal relationships."

Kinsman shared account of the alleged assault in the documentary "The Hunting Ground."

Mark Schlabach/ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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