The Sports Xchange

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t pick up the fifth-year option on running back Doug Martin, their first-round pick in 2012. But Martin is still in their plans — at least short term.

Martin took reps as the starting tailback during Thursday’s OTAs and said he’s not concerned about his future with the Bucs.

“No, it didn’t surprise me,” Martin said of the Bucs’ decision. “I don’t want to say it was whatever, but it’s something that comes along with the business and if I just do everything in my control, everything else will fall into place. It’s just part of the business and if I just play to what I know I can do, everything will fall into place.

“I love Tampa. I’ve got my own home out here and I’m fixing up the back yard and it’s almost finished. I’d love to stay in Tampa.”

Martin has missed 16 games in the past two seasons after an outstanding rookie season in which he rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Bucs coach Lovie Smtih would not discuss the reason the team did not pick up Martin’s option.

“As a player, there’s a business part off the field,” Smith said. “And when it’s time to work on the field, you do that. The business part, I can’t get into that an awful lot. Doug knows we like him. He’s on the first team like he’s always been. He’s one of our guys. He’s our running back, he’s showing up and he’s getting good work. It’s as simple as that.”

— Quarterback Jameis Winston, the first pick in this year’s draft, missed Thursday’s OTA to attend the NFLPA’s rookie premiere event in Los Angeles.

Smith said the team accounted for Winston’s absence by doubling his reps Wednesday.

“It’s a part of it,” Smith said. “The Rookie Premiere that the rookies go to every year is a part of it. We have it built in. We doubled up on his plays yesterday, so he got pretty much the same amount of (repetitions) he would normally get.”

Smith said the Bucs have seen improvement in Winston since the rookie minicamp.

“We have seen marked improvement, like it should be, from the rookie minicamp to now,” Smith said. “He is feeling more and more confident, in the pocket picking (things) up. There is lot you ask a rookie to do. Jameis is picking it all up just like we thought he would. Right on schedule.”

Meanwhile, quarterback Mike Glennon is learning his third offensive system in the past three seasons but says Dirk Koetter’s offense is the best one.

“It’s my third one in three years and so far I would say I think it’s the best one I’ve been a part of,” he said. “It fits me really well.

“I’m getting great direction under Dirk. It’s been nice having him. He’s got a lot of knowledge and what he’s done in this division, he’s been at the top of our division and the league. He’s a great coach and he’s got a great system. I’ve enjoyed it so far. Still getting used to it on the field. The more I’m with him, the more he’s around our offense, the better we will be.”

Since high school, Glennon has been compared with Falcons QB Matt Ryan because of his similar skill set. Now he gets to play in the offense that Ryan ran the past two seasons in Atlanta.

How is Glennon approaching his job with the arrival of Winston?

“The same as always, to improve as much as I can, grasp this offense as much as I can,” Glennon said. “It’s my third offense in as many years, so I have to take my prior experiences and continue to grow as a player and excel better as an offense.

“As a quarterback, you want to be the guy. Work like you’re going to be the guy and take it one day at a time.”