BACKS TO THE FUTURE JETS MAY HAVE TO REPLACE MARTIN NOW By MARK CANNIZZARO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 4, 2006 -- Curtis Martin's old reliable No. 28 uniform remains ominously invisible at Jets practices. They have conducted 11 practices in seven days of camp and the status of the most dependable, durable, productive offensive player in franchise history remains a mystery, thanks to the stealth way this coaching regime chooses to report injuries. Martin and his 14,001 career rushing yards, his 10 seasons of 1,000 or more rushing yards, remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and Eric Mangini has given no information about his status. In Martin's place, Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and Leon Washington have been taking handoffs from the four quarterbacks in camp. That leaves this question: Who'll be carrying the load in the Jets' backfield when the season begins? It's become a more pressing question at this training camp than the hot-button quarterback competition. Blaylock is a terrific, versatile player who's never carried the load before and who's a key special-teams performer for the Jets. Houston is coming off of a fairly productive rookie season in 2005, when he spelled Martin when he was shelved for the first time in his career, on injured reserve for the final four games. But he's unproven and doesn't look like a dynamic every-down back. Washington is a rookie coming off of an underachieving final collegiate season, though he's had a praiseworthy camp. Blaylock, for one, believes he's ready to carry the load as a starter after being the backup to two likely Hall of Fame backs, Priest Holmes and Martin. "You always dream and want be a starter in this league," Blaylock said. "I've played behind and learned from the best. Both of those guys taught me the same thing: That you've always got to be ready. "Both had the same belief in work ethic. So I always stay prepared and focused, so when the opportunity comes I don't make mistakes." Blaylock, who had his best season for Kansas City in 2004, when he spelled injured Holmes and performed well, said that experience "showed me I had the ability to be an every-down player." Houston came to camp 10 pounds lighter and with a vow to know the blocking schemes in front of him and to read defenses. "Last year, I told myself to just run hard and not worry about the other stuff," he said. He's well aware of the opportunity that could be around the corner, depending on Martin's status. "You're out there interviewing with the coach," he said. "I'm trying to execute and make positive things happen." Mangini yesterday praised all three backs competing. "With Leon, I really like some of the things he's done lately," Mangini said. "He had a really good awareness play the other day as a punt returner, which shows he's paying attention in meetings. He's doing a good job in pickup (blocking) drills against linebackers and he's on ball security. "Both Derrick and Cedric have shown good things in different areas. Cedric is understanding the different blocking scheme unfolding. Derrick has been impressive with his route running and where he fits in the running-game scheme." If Martin is not going to be well enough to handle the load again, it's possible the Jets will look outside the organization for help. As of yesterday, Tennessee's Chris Brown remained unhappy with the Titans and wants out. Chicago's Thomas Jones might be tradable because the Bears used a 2005 first-round pick on Cedric Benson. There are a number of theories being floated about Martin's status. One is that he's not getting better and could be done. Another is that the Jets are trying to protect him from the rigors of Mangini's grueling camp. Another is that Martin simply needs some more rest before playing. The most likely scenario is the second, meaning Martin will be back in time to play some preseason games and be ready for the opener.
Fucking Herm...we all knew this was coming, and now we will have nobody with any full-time carrying experience in the backfield.
I agree...what makes it worse is that we had Curtis' replacement all along and let him go to Oakland.
woa woa woa, noone hated herm like me(well maybe champ) but it wasnt herm that didnt draft a runningback over the last 5 years to replace him
It was mismanagement from both sides, HC and GM. Bradway drafted Jordan and Jordan never played. Jordan may not seem HOF-bound, but a worse 2nd round RB we could have drafted. Bradway had his faults, but Herm only made things worse. Just like a lot of people liking to bash Bradway for the drafting of Bryan Thomas. Thomas was a bad decision in the first round, no doubt, but I don't think he would have gone DE in the first round at all if not for Herm's brilliant idea of moving Shaun Ellis to the 3-T position. Both Herm and Bradway screwed up a lot of potentially successful personnel moves.
it's not Herm's fault--it's Birdbrain Boobway. Jordan averaged 8 yards per carry as a rookie in 01, and the next summer Boobway signs 30 year old Martin to an EIGHT year deal (unheard of for a RB that old). No wonder Jordan jumped ship first chance.
i see what youre sayin byz, but even if herm played jordan, he still would have been let go. Everyone knew that jordan could play, but the contracts were the contracts and curtis was curtis...it would have played out the same exact way imo
I was an advocate about 4 years ago to trade Curtis when he had value (pre-extension), in order to be able to absorb the cap hit that cutting Vinny would have escalated. It was the right time, and although since then he has provided great memories and won the rushing crown, I still stand by my belief that trading him in the summer of 02 was the best scenario for the team in the long term. Hindsight is a bitch.
Trade curtis in 2002. Ahahahahaaaa . Which gm in his right mind would trade a 29 year old curtis martin. Lmfao. That was funny
Yes, I'm sure that's how Patriots fans felt when they couldn't match the offer sheet. And then they won the Super Bowl with Antowain F. Smith. Tony, Curtis is one of my all-time favorite players, but from purely a business standpoint (salary cap, future success of team) trading him made the most sense.
Even at that point I would have to disagree. Curtis was the main reason we had the relative success we did have at that time. I don't believe Jordan would have had that same success, and without that, Penny wouldn't have been as successful either. Of course, I think Jordan could have contributed more, and that woudl have helped out even more, but I digress. I can certainly see your side of it though, byz.
I'd rather Curtis didn't play. He was a great player, but was very uneffective last season and no need for that again. No way should we look outside what we already have, we got 3 backs that could easily carry the load.
Yeah, we could go back and forth and understand both sides of the argument, but it's one that people are pretty much cemented into their viewpoints I guess. (I'm speaking for the people that were around at the time we had this argument initially, long long ago in a land far far away) For what it's worth, I do not regret a single handoff Curtis has had as a Jet. Well, except for those 3-and-long draw plays maybe.
...yes it is, and football is tough business. Logic validates what you say, because we would have been well into the "heir apparent" era (whoever it could have been) but would have missed some great moments from CMart as a Jet. Its a tough call.
I still can't believe he is being considered in 2006. The guy is 33 (and looked every day of it last year--did he beat anyone around the corner?), is coming off major knee surgery, and we're rebuilding. He is a hall of famer (for what he did in the PAST), but name one other team that rebuilt around an OLD, injured RB who'se been in the league 11 years already. Trade him to Herm to be LJ's other backup.
why would herm want curtis now? he has a young rb in Larry Johnson, he has an aging injured Preist holmes and the newly acquired micheal Bennet if Holmes can't go... herm don't need 4 rbs!
