Doug Martin has spent most of his career as a feature running back, with some standout seasons to show for it. His career entered another phase last season, when he joined the Raiders knowing full well he'd be a backup.
Marshawn Lynch was the primary option when he signed up, and steady carries proved hard to come by as an understudy even with head coach/offensive play caller Jon Gruden's propensity for using multiple backs. Lynch deserved the workload he got, and Jalen Richard was a change-of-pace back off the bench.
Martin went full-time after Lynch's season-ending groin injury, and churned out a respectable 4.2 yards per carry. He wasn't able to find another solid opportunity in free agency, and was unemployed when the Raiders drafted Josh Jacobs and signed Isaiah Crowell.
Crowell's torn Achilles' tendon brought Martin back to the Silver and Black, a second time with zero allusions of being the feature back. He came here to counsel Jacobs, and take over in an unexpected pinch.
He was frank about that fact after Tuesday's OTA session.
"Josh Jacobs, he's a good kid with good character," Martin said. "You all heard his story, I read up on it myself. I commend him for being as strong as he is, and that being said I came here to mentor, push him, show him that I've been in the league eight years, so I am a vet now. I can't believe it, but that's the case and so I'm here to just be that role model for him.
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"If he has any questions, I'm here for him to ask them. Like I said, he has good character, but at the same time he looks like he can just run you over, so he's going to be great for the team."
Martin definitely wanted a shot at steady carries, especially after leading the team with 723 rushing yards and four touchdowns primarily as a first-and-second-down back.
A Raiders reunion seemed likely at first, though the sides couldn't agree on terms and Martin remained a free agent deep into the offseason. That was worrisome, but Martin insists it didn't cause great consternation.
"If something doesn't go your way, you just have to stay optimistic, and I was being optimistic with the situation," Martin said. "I knew I was going to be somewhere and do good things, but it's just crazy how things folded out. I wish happy healing to Isaiah Crowell for his Achilles' (tendon injury), but, when there is chaos you just make a positive out of negative and you just got to stay optimistic about it."
Martin's back with the Raiders, understanding his role as mentor and backup capable of playing well on early downs.
This mentor/protégé partnership could work, considering how much Jacobs and Martin have in common. Both guys were first-round picks, with the Raiders adding Jacobs at No. 24 this year, and Tampa Bay taking Martin at No. 31 in 2012.
They also have similar builds, with Jacobs standing 5-foot-10, 220 pounds and Martin at 5-9, 223. Both guys can slash through the interior, with enough speed to pop good runs outside.
Martin had nearly 2,000 yards of total offense (on 368 touches!!) as a rookie, a sum the Raiders would gladly take from Jacobs early on.
Nearly a decade separates them and the Raiders are looking to get younger across the board, making this Jacobs' time to shine.
[RELATED: Jacobs is Raiders rookie in best position to succeed]
This will be the first time Martin has assumed a mentorship role, but he's ready for it.
"It's not something I'm used to but it's something that I want to do," Martin said. "I've been in the league eight years. I've been through the whole spectrum of good to bad in this league and, if I can teach somebody, if I can teach Josh on what to do, what not to do, how to stay in on the narrow path and just keep his eye on the goal, then I'm here for that.
"And, yeah, I'm grateful."
