http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/436/a-conversation-with-curtis-martin By Rich Cimini I caught up with former Jets great Curtis Martin at Wednesday's Super Bowl '14 event at the New Meadowlands Stadium, and we discussed a number of topics -- everything from the Jets' new-look backfield to his first year of Hall-of-Fame eligibility. Martin, who last played in 2005 but didn't retire until July, 2007, also talked about his ongoing pursuit of becoming an NFL owner. He first mentioned that dream at his retirement, and he hasn't abandoned it. Truth is, he sounded more confident than ever that it will become a reality. "Something's going to happen," he said, flashing a knowing smile. "It's been too close a few times, and everything is in place for it to happen. It will happen. It just takes time." Martin, who turned 37 on May 1, declined to say which team --or teams -- he's looking at. Now let's move on to some football topics. Q: I know how much you like Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. Do you think the Jets are taking a chance by messing with their league-leading ground game? CM: I think they had the league-leading ground game because of the line and the game plans. I believe lines make runners. Runners, we do well, but when the lines aren't good, no matter how good you are, you're not going to have those 14-, 15-, 1,600-yard seasons. Q: Are the current running backs good enough? CM: I definitely think they have the running backs. What I like about what they have now is the dynamic -- between experience and someone who knows the game (LaDainian Tomlinson) to someone who is very talented. I think (Shonn) Greene is very talented. I think he's one of those guys to look out for. If I was one of those guys in a fantasy league, he'd be someone I get this year. I think he has tremendous upside. I think them getting rid of Thomas Jones ... I don't know all the details, but I think Greene and Thomas Jones are similar backs (in terms of style). I think Greene is a little more agile, a little faster. Q: Tomlinson looked shot at the end of last year. Do you think he has anything left? CM: I do. If you have a certain type of passion to compete, which I believe L.T. has, I believe you look for opportunities like this, where everyone is against you. I was hurt (in 2003) and came back and had my best year (league-best 1,697 yards at age 31). Quite frankly, I thought I'd have an even better year the following year because of the way I felt. I felt like a rookie, but then I had the (knee) injury. Barring injury, I think L.T. will be perfect for this situation. Q: Do you think he will be motivated by the naysayers? CM: I believe he has that competitive mentality. I'm sure L.T. wasn't proud or ecstatic about his performance last year, and I'm sure he has a chip on his shoulder to bounce back. He'll be running behind one of the best lines. Q: But they released Alan Faneca. Can it still be the same line? CM: I still think they could be, if not the best, definitely one of the top three lines in the NFL. Q: This will be your first year of Hall-of-Fame eligibility. How do you feel about that? CM: It's something, previously, I thought, 'If it happens, it happens.' But as it gets closer, I find myself really hoping it happens. I think I do have the resume. It'll be exciting for me. It's something I never even dreamed could happen. For it to be right in my grasp, it would be exciting for me. Q: I have a feeling I know who your presenter would be. Bill Parcells, right? CM: Without a doubt, Parcells. I hope that he'd come and present for me.
Nice, Curtis has givin the new regime his blessing, cant wait to see how everything unfolds. forgot this was his year for the hall also, cant say hell be a first ballot...but hell definitely get in.
Curtis Martin is one of the classiest players ever....2005 seems so long ago. I'll be in Canton when he's inducted.....just 90 minutes up the road. #28 needs to be retired!!!
God I miss this guy lining up with the Jets on Sundays. One of my favorite Jets of all time. :martin:
I've posted this in the past. Curtis Martin hated football, but he decided to go for it because he wanted to take care of his mother. That was his motivation. And she wasn't even nice to him. Slice and dice all you like why he was 'horrible' (compiler). I know a lot of JETS FANS love to piss on him. Get over it. He was a great Jet.
Now does martin want a majority ownership in a team, because it would be nice to have him even if it would be a minority owner so he could always be part of the organization.
Curtis has been my favorite NFL player for a lot of years. Still is. And I hope that he makes the HoF ASAP. I guarantee you that I will be in that crowd, proudly wearing my #28 one last time.
I have to admit, there was a point where I was lobbying for Lamont to take over, but Curt was the MAN over his career. Did it all.
agreed, I would love Cmart to become the owner of the jets... obviously he couldnt be the majority owner, unless of course he has been making a rediculous amount of money on the side in the stock market or something... But i would love curtis to own the team. As for teams he could be looking at buying, the only one I can think of would be the Jags... I don't know if their owner is willing to sell, but you have to think he would be open to the idea with the problem of ticket sales...
C Mart is one of my favorite all time players, probably is. Just because of his style. it was all vision and toughness. not the fastest not the strongest but he knew the game like a coach and ran like he was playing madden himself. not to mention the plethora of injuries he played through. someone told me rushing 1,000 yards in a season is not impressive cause I bragged about the record he and Barry share (1st 10 season 1,000 yds plus). I replied how come its so easy that people barely do it beyond 4 or maybe even 5 consectutive years? anyways, class act through and through. always wish hed coach but he obviously wants to be an owner and I wish him the best of luck. how you retire behind only Sanders, Payton, and Smith and miss the HOF? well the answer is rings. we'll see though most 1st ballots have rings, but Curtis numbers kind of speak for themself, we'll see. hope he makes first ballot but theres a long line of players that should already be in there. interesting to see how the voting plays out.
I think he'd probably be a minority owner, he's a millionaire but he's not up with the ranks of Jerry Jones or Woody. It'd be something if he was an owner of the Jets though. I can't imagine there'd be a FA we wouldn't get with Rex, Tanny and then one of the classiest players of all time wining and dining you.
I've always wanted to go out to Canton to see the Hall of Fame if he gets selected I'll make sure to go to his induction.
[YOUTUBE]G2y8Sx4B2Sk[/YOUTUBE] Its the off season its one of the few things that people have to worry about so off course the talking heads and reporters are going to milk it for what its worth.
