ALAMEDA, Calif. -- More than a few eyebrows were raised when Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden made Doug Martin one of his first free-agent signings on Day 1 of the NFL’s league year back in March.
At best, Martin, who inked a one-year contract worth up to $1.475 million, would be a complementary piece to Marshawn Lynch, the erstwhile Muscle Hamster serving as the lightning to Beast Mode’s thunder. At worst, Martin was shot, his best years behind him, washed up after averaging 2.9 yards per carry his two previous seasons, and he would be lucky to finish the season.