Charles Sims beating out Doug Martin "only a matter of time"

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new starting running back before long, if Pewter Report is correct. They are reporting that the Bucs think it's "only a matter of time before Sims supplants Martin as the team's starting running back."

Charles Sims was the Bucs' third-round pick. The Bucs felt that Sims was by far the best player available to them at that pick, and possibly the best running back in the draft class. The rookie has missed half the season with an ankle injury, however, and isn't eligible to return to play until next week. But when he does return, the Bucs could move him ahead of Martin quite rapidly.

Sims is similar to Matt Forte in terms of running style, but has significant tread on his tires, having played in college for five years. Sims has outstanding speed and solid open-field elusiveness, and he looks the part of a good zone running back, but he didn't display consistent toughness as an inside runner in college.

Still, Doug Martin hasn't exactly given them much reason to stick with him, and the trade rumors swirling around the back are only reinforcing the idea that the Bucs want to move on from Martin. Bobby Rainey has played marginally better football than the Muscle Hamster has this season, but fumbles and inconsistency have prevented him from taking the reins. Second-year player Mike James has barely seen the field this year and appears to be out of the picture.