Curtis Martin Uncertain to Play in 2006

[Dr. Octopus 0]

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http://www.fflivewire.com/Article.asp?ID=mke5603jfm6630i

 

With Martin out of the picture, the Jets have serious concerns in the backfield. Cedric Houston and Derrick Blaylock are sharing time, but neither is considered a No. 1 back. They also have rookie Leon Washington. The trade market could heat up in the coming weeks, with players such as Chris Brown (Titans), Thomas Jones (Bears) and Michael Bennett (Saints) rumored to be on the block. Remember, the Jets tried to trade for the Cowboys' Julius Jones in the spring.

[Mack 1 6]

I don't remember hearing anything about the Jets' interest in Julius Jones during the off season. Anyway, the Jets better get on the horn quick with the Bears to inquire about TJ; that'd be an interesting scenario for him.

[bigmurd 0]

I don't remember hearing anything about the Jets' interest in Julius Jones during the off season. Anyway, the Jets better get on the horn quick with the Bears to inquire about TJ; that'd be an interesting scenario for him.

 

Actually, I heard it was the Cowboys who would have tried to sent Jones to the Jets for thier late 1st if Maroney was still on the board on draft day - he wasn't, so no trade.

 

And I doubt that the Jets would have done it either way.

[kutulu 1,724]

That link is blocked, but what does it say about him "hanging it up" or "uncertain to play"??????

[mozzy84 0]

That link is blocked, but what does it say about him "hanging it up" or "uncertain to play"??????

 

 

At 33, Martin could walk away, his legacy secure, but he still wants to play football. He made that clear. Whether he will play is a growing issue.

 

Given a chance to squash the speculation, Martin dodged. Asked if there's any doubt in his mind about playing this season, he replied: "I'm not going to comment on that at all."

 

Realizing his nonanswer could be turned into big headlines, Martin quickly added, "Please don't go and insinuate."

[kutulu 1,724]

Thanks. Not saying he won't walk away, but it sounds like this is a "created" story to me.

[akaoni 0]

If anything from the tone of the story, rather than walking away, Martin might be getting pushed out. Still, this story smells of a sports writer with nothing to write about who needs an angle to generate a little controversy...

[jgcrawfish 232]

If anything from the tone of the story, rather than walking away, Martin might be getting pushed out. Still, this story smells of a sports writer with nothing to write about who needs an angel to generate a little controversy...

 

and look, it worked!

 

Hey Doc Oct, don't believe everything you read...

[mgs316 14]

The real story isn't even Martin, it's the fact that Parcell's was trying to get the 2004 Golden Gopher's starting backfield back together. What the heck does this say about JJ standing in Big D?

 

My prediction: If JJ goes down once, he'll never start for the rest of the season. Barber and Maroney are the two most important handcuff's in FF this year.

[SmartassBoiler 0]

and look, it worked!

 

Hey Doc Oct, don't believe everything you read...

 

I don't see how this isn't worth posting. If CMart continues to have knee troubles, what's preventing him from saying that he's done? Plus, if he does it early enough, it allows the Jets a little time to trade for RB help.

[OB1 33]

While i'm certainly concerned by his injury and his tone, this NY Times article goes more indepth and makes me feel a bit better:

 

Later, Martin said he would not be working as hard as he has been if he did not expect to play again. “I’m working for hours at a time,” he said. “I couldn’t do it all for naught.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/sports/f...l/30martin.html

[Sweetness_34 0]

Martin's Fire Still Burns

 

Reporters met with Jets running back Curtis Martin Saturday afternoon at Weeb Ewbank Hall just minutes prior to the club's third training camp practice under Eric Mangini. On Thursday, the Jets placed Martin on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The 33-year old Martin underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last December and continues his rehabilitation under the watchful eye of Jets' medical personnel.

 

While on the PUP list Martin is prohibited from practicing with the team, but he can rehab and he can also participate in team meetings. The Jets can move Martin to the active roster at any time.

 

Martin, who led the team last season with 735 rush yards, had a streak of 119 consecutive regular-season games started for the Jets at the time he was forced to the injured reserve list, the longest streak ever by a running back in Jets’ team history. In addition, Martin started two playoffs games in 1998, one in 2001, two in 2002 and two in 2004, which brought his streak of consecutive starts in combined regular and postseason play to 126 contests. Over the course of his career, Martin has played in 168 regular season games, making 166 starts, and has missed only four games over the course of his career.

 

Here is what Curtis Martin said Saturday…

 

On his injury…

I am getting better. You all know that I am not trying to be rude, but there are some things that I can’t talk about. I am not going to guess anything. I am not going to talk about my gut. I am a man of fortitude, it is like your mind is trained and after a period of time you think a certain way. I am used to thinking one way and I don’t see that changing.

 

The hardest thing for me is not being out there with the team. I am one of those guys who, and a lot of people talk about it, I am one of those guys who really believes in the whole team concept. As a leader of the team, I look at myself as one of those guys who likes to lead his team into battle. Like last year, I think that was the hardest year of my career just because I wasn’t able to go out there. I would rather go out there and hop around on one leg, but at the same time, that doesn’t help the team and I couldn’t do that. To not be out there with the team on first day of camp, it bothers me.

 

On the decision that was made to put Martin on PUP…

I understand my role and my role is to work as hard as I can. I know that sounds cliché, but that is what I do and that is what I am going to continue to do.

 

On being motivated…

My fire will always burn. My fire will burn until the day that I stop playing football. I will always have that eye of the tiger and I will always be focused. This is my priority, this is my profession and I pour my heart into it regardless of the situation. You can’t always control the situation. I can only control myself and I can stay focused.

 

On the decision to be placed on PUP…

That is one of the questions that I cannot answer. It is what it is. Sometimes things are what they are. I don’t desire to fight it. It is what it is. I think at some point in time you become wise when you learn to just listen. Sometimes you have to set aside your own pride, and that is something that I have definitely had to do. That is where it’s at.

 

On where he is in his career…

This has not made me think about that. Actually, I like to think that I am too focused to even think about that. It is what it is, and that is not where my mind is at right now.

 

On his future…

I would not be working this hard if I did not want to play. The hours that I am putting in when I am not out here on this field; yesterday I watched two hours of film. I am working out for hours at a time. I’m working just as much as everyone who is out on the field. I am working hard.

 

On his reaction to being on the PUP…

I won’t say surprised as much as I will say, I always hope for the best and I train for he best and if it doesn’t turn out that way, then you have to adjust and that is what I am doing right now. I am adjusting.

 

On his teammates’ reactions to him being on the PUP…

I appreciate it. I think that is the standard that I set. I think that is the way that people have come to know me; that no matter what, on Sundays, I am going to be out there playing. So for my teammates to say that, I take it as a compliment. I think it is a way that they have learned to view me over the years.

 

On his desire to practice…

It hurts. This is the one thing in my NFL career, more so than the physical pain, that hurts. That is what I have the most difficulty with.

 

On his role on the team as the work-horse…

You know over the years, that is always what we have said coming into the year and it has never happened. Whenever it does, it just happens.

[Bad_Intentions 0]

They better make a deal for TJ, C. Brown, or Bennett in that order. Or they will go from bad to worse real quick. I feel that Martin didnt have too much left anyways. Surprised they didnt draft a back higher. With their QB situation up in the air, they cant afford not to have a stable ground game.

[RamslovaMartzhata 3]

Real football perspective: The Jets aren't going to win anythign this year and are rebuilding... so not much of a concern.

 

Fantasy perspective: Does Blaylock of Cobbs have value? Which one is going to start the season?

[The Moz 72]

Cobbs ???

 

 

 

 

 

Fort anyone concerned about this -- its going to play out as such !

 

IF Martin Returns he will be the feature back - BUT will likley play 2 series to 1 - with C. Houston being the other back. Also Blaylock could see time as a 3d RB. Houston wo0uld also get most of the GL runs to keep Martin okay.

 

If martin is out - no way do they trade for a RB that might not be any better than what they got !!

 

I am thinking it goes 1-2 down its Houston with Blaylock spelling and getting the 3D role. Leon Washington is a wild card - if he has a great camp who knows.

 

I am thinking Houston is real sleeper here.

[SmartassBoiler 0]

I am thinking Houston is real sleeper here.

 

Agree. Also keep an eye on how Leon Washington does in camp, although I can't see him being much other than a change of pace/passing threat back.

[Dr. Octopus 0]

Cobbs ???

Fort anyone concerned about this -- its going to play out as such !

 

IF Martin Returns he will be the feature back - BUT will likley play 2 series to 1 - with C. Houston being the other back. Also Blaylock could see time as a 3d RB. Houston wo0uld also get most of the GL runs to keep Martin okay.

 

If martin is out - no way do they trade for a RB that might not be any better than what they got !!

 

I am thinking it goes 1-2 down its Houston with Blaylock spelling and getting the 3D role. Leon Washington is a wild card - if he has a great camp who knows.

 

I am thinking Houston is real sleeper here.

 

 

I think this is pretty dead on for whichever scenario occurs. Martin out of respect will be the starting back if healthy, but will be spelled frequenttly by Houston, with Houston eventually getting the bulk. However with an impressive camp Blaylock could be the man, as he was originally signed to be the heir to Martin but fell out of favor and then became injured.

Houston ran very hard behind a terrible line with decent results but wasn't terribly impressive doing so, in fact BJ Askew the FB looked better when he got the call. However Houston could be a Belichick type back, which Mangini may prefer, a plow horse who gets his 3-4 yards and gets up and does it again.