Coach Greg Schiano expressed confidence in rookie RB Mike James Monday. With Doug Martin (shoulder) sidelined, James is going to make his first career start against the Panthers Thursday. "I've liked what I've seen of Mike the last few weeks, both in practice and the game," Schiano said. "I think Mike has really improved as a running back from the beginning stages of training camp and made improvement steadily. When he's had his opportunities, he's done good things." Brian Leonard will play on third downs and Bobby Rainey may get a couple change-of-pace touches, but James is the clear-cut feature back. A plus pass-catcher with some burst at 5'10/220, he'll be a flex option despite a tough matchup.

Mike James projects as the Bucs feature back for the foreseeable future. Doug Martin may be done for the season due to a torn labrum. That thrusts James, a sixth-round rookie out of Miami, into an every-down role. He plays slower than his 4.58 forty suggests at 5'10/220, but he's an excellent receiver out of the backfield. That will fit nicely with rookie quarterback Mike Glennon. Despite a tough upcoming schedule, James needs to be added in all leagues as a candidate for 15-18 touches weekly. Fullback Brian Leonard and return man Jeff Demps are the only other "running backs" on the roster.

Mike James had 14 carries for 45 yards in Sunday's Week 7 loss to Atlanta. He added three catches for eight yards. With Doug Martin (shoulder) sidelined in the third quarter, James took over as the lead back and finished with 17 touches. He rarely left the field, but was removed on third downs in favor of Brian Leonard. James has intriguing potential and is a legit weapon in the passing game. He needs to be picked up in all fantasy leagues where available with Martin potentially dealing with a serious injury.

Mike James rushed two times for seven yards in Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Eagles. James has some juice in his legs, but Doug Martin almost never comes off the field. James has just four touches through five games. He's a very weak handcuff.

Sixth-round RB Mike James rushed for 81 yards on 15 carries in the Bucs' second preseason game Friday night. James added three catches for 23 yards and also executed a two-point conversion. After Doug Martin left early with a head injury, James was the next man up and immediately ripped off an 11-yard scamper against the Patriots' first-team defense. Through two preseason games, James has rushed for 96 yards on 21 carries (4.57 YPC). He looks to be the heavy favorite for No. 2 duties.

The Tampa Tribune doesn't expect the competition for the No. 2 running back job to be "much of a battle." Sixth-round rookie Mike James is the heavy favorite, and some expect him to win out over Michael Smith and Brian Leonard in a landslide. James lacks explosion as a runner, but he is very disciplined and can block. Smith, on the other hand, could potentially be on the roster bubble.

Bucs signed sixth-round RB Mike James to a four-year contract. James lacks explosiveness, but he can catch and block and is considered a disciplined runner with plus vision. There are people inside the Bucs' organization who think James can immediately be Doug Martin's primary backup. He'll vie with Michael Smith and to a lesser extent Brian Leonard for the role.

Bucs GM Mark Dominik "repeatedly mentioned" No. 189 overall pick RB Mike James as having the "inside track" to the No. 2 job behind Doug Martin. Following the trade of LeGarrette Blount to New England, the backup job behind Martin is wide open. Brian Leonard will play a third-down and pass-protecting role, but he shouldn't see many carries. That leaves James and 2012 seventh-rounder Michael Smith as the other options. Smith was a weekly inactive last season, and James is a bit of a fullback/tailback tweener with pedestrian speed.

Bucs GM Mark Dominik is comparing sixth-round pick Mike James to former longtime Buccacneer FB/RB Earnest Graham. James won't be a candidate for rookie-year carries behind Doug Martin, Brian Leonard, and Michael Smith. He's being viewed as a hybrid tailback/fullback with special teams value. "[It's] just who he is, a selfless player," said Dominik of James, describing him as a "four down" contributor. "The personality, the traits, the toughness, all of those things that Earnest [had]."