Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Taking his chances

Backup QB Ingle Martin, who thought he'd watch Rex Grossman all season, has become the ultimate role player.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 24, 2002

GAINESVILLE -- At the beginning of the season, Florida backup quarterback Ingle Martin jokingly would ask special teams coach Jerry Odom to give him a chance to punt.

A former high school punter, Martin thought he had something to contribute if necessary.

During spring drills, he showed off his punting skills, but Odom had several punters on the roster. Besides, Martin's job was backing up Rex Grossman.

But six games into the season, with special teams struggling and the team in need of a punter, the coaching staff turned to Martin.

He has delivered. In more ways than one.

Martin has gone from running the scout team last season to becoming perhaps the Gators' most versatile player.

He has been the starting punter in two games as well as a backup quarterback, receiver and running back.

"It's kind of like high school," Martin said. "I kicked off, punted, played defense a little bit and quarterback. But this is the first year I've played receiver since seventh grade. I'm having a lot of fun. It's always fun to come off a redshirt year and get in there. A lot of guys come off and kind of rest for a year and come in their third year and play, but I've been fortunate to get in there and get a shot."

This isn't exactly what Martin expected when the season began, but he's making the most of it.

As the backup to a Heisman Trophy runner-up, Martin figured that, barring an injury to Grossman, the best he could hope for was to stand on the sideline, watching and learning.

His biggest expectation? "Nothing more than coming in and doing the best I could, giving the coaches someone they could feel good about to come in and play if need be."

Martin has played in seven games, lining up at receiver in four of the past five. He averaged 45.9 yards, including a 70-yarder, in his punting debut against Mississippi and averaged 37.9 yards on eight punts against LSU. He has rushed 12 times for 56 yards.

Since Grossman has been struggling the past few games and been bothered by a sore knee, the coaching staff scripted a role for Martin in last week's 30-23 overtime win against Auburn. Martin entered on Florida's third series and gained 5 yards on a draw on his first play. He was 3-of-4 for 14 yards passing and rushed for 21 yards.

His assessment? No big deal.

"I'm not big on praising or anything like that," Martin said. "You're supposed to get in there and do your job, and that's what I did. I didn't make any spectacular plays, I didn't make any plays that I wasn't supposed to make."

Coach Ron Zook has praised Martin, but said he is far from reaching his full potential.

"Ingle's got a lot of football in front of him, he really does," Zook said. "You've got to remember sometimes that he doesn't have the experience that Rex has, so obviously things might not be quite as quick. But I think right now he's got a great grasp of the offense, and he understands the plays that he does better than others, and I think that's a big thing."

The biggest question now is whether Martin, 20, will continue to make cameo appearances.

"It will depend on how things go and how he practices and things like that," offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher said. "He's supposed to be ready all the time."

Through it all, Martin has not forgotten his role. He is Grossman's backup. During the period when Grossman struggled most, throwing eight interceptions in two games, Martin was one of his biggest supporters.

"Rex is the best player in America, hands down," Martin said. "You can argue whatever you want. I don't think there is anyone out there that is better as far as a complete football player. He's tough, he'll make any throw. He gets the job done. It (mistakes) happens. ... You just have to get through, and that's what makes Rex great, he gets through it."

For now, Martin is thankful for any opportunity to play and contribute, wherever it might be. The way he sees it, he is making good use of his God-given gifts.

"To be able to get back there and throw it, run it or whatever, it's something I've been given," Martin said. "For those that much is given, much is required. So I'll have to go out there and throw it, run it and kick it well."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright