Updated:2006-09-05 09:05:32 Barlow Figures a Way to Learn from Martin By DAVE CALDWELL The New York Times HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., (Sept. 5) ? Jets running back Kevan Barlow admitted with a sheepish smile that he watched Curtis Martin watching film Monday morning. He then listened carefully when Martin asked questions about what he had just seen. Martin, who is out for at least six weeks while he continues to rehabilitate from surgery on his right knee, will not be playing when the Jets open the season Sunday against the Tennessee Titans , but he is apparently no less curious. Barlow, 27, was obtained Aug. 20 in a trade with San Francisco , but he already knows to follow Martin?s lead. ?He doesn?t know that I?m watching him,? Barlow said, ?but I?m watching.? Just how much yardage Barlow can produce in Martin?s absence will begin to be revealed Sunday, although Jets Coach Eric Mangini has not said publicly which running back ? if any ? will receive most of the carries. Mangini said that Barlow had impressed him by working with assistant coaches before and after meetings. Barlow, a second-stringer to Derrick Blaylock since joining the team, will practice more with the first team. ?He?s really working to get the playbook down,? Mangini said. ?The positive thing about game-planning is the playbook goes from ?War and Peace? to something a lot more manageable, because it?s so opponent-specific. That?s actually what gives you a little bit of an edge when you bring in new players and transition them into your system.? Barlow has more than three times as many N.F.L. rushing yards as the other three candidates for the Jets? starting position combined, but he has not grabbed the job. Barlow did not carry the ball in the Jets? preseason finale Friday against Philadelphia . He gained 11 yards on 3 carries in the preseason with the Jets, far behind Cedric Houston (44 carries for 178 yards), Derrick Blaylock (25-93) and Leon Washington (20-59). Mangini said Monday that Washington, a fourth-round draft choice from Florida State, would be considered for carries ? even though the competition was thought to have been among Blaylock, Houston and Barlow. Washington, who said that when he arrived in camp he thought there was ?no light at the end of the tunnel,? has stood out on special teams. Barlow, in his sixth season out of the University of Pittsburgh , said he was not alarmed that he was not progressing as quickly as he wanted. The Jets? offense is similar to the one used in San Francisco, he said, but he has had to learn a lot on the move. ?They?re not going to throw a guy out there who doesn?t know the offense and can get the quarterback hurt,? Barlow said. That is especially true when the quarterback is Chad Pennington , who has had surgery on his shoulder twice and was not named the starter until last week. Barlow said he would have to be satisfied with receiving most of his work in practice. ?You don?t want to be indecisive,? Barlow said. ?The game is too fast to be indecisive.? Pennington said again Monday that he would miss Martin, in his 12th season, who is on the physically unable to perform list. But Pennington also said the other backs would have a chance to prove themselves. Barlow not only has 3,614 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in his N.F.L. career, but he is also familiar with the Titans? home stadium, which is a famously loud place. Barlow had 14 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers? 33-22 loss to the Titans on Nov. 27. Barlow sprained his knee in practice the next week and played one more game before finishing the season on injured reserve. Barlow said he was healthy and invigorated. He would probably not be here if Martin had been able to play, but now he has Martin helping him become better, simply by watching film and asking questions. ?I hope I?m ready,? Barlow said before quickly adding, ?I think I?m ready to play, to contribute to a win.? Copyright ? 2006 The New York Times Company 2006-09-05 09:05:32
Well, hopefully the listening will translate into something. However, nothing beats actual practice. I hope Mangini has been working him out with the 1st team this week. I want to see the guy play. I am a Blaylock fan, but I don't see him being any sort of answer for us. Barlow at least has the potential. I don't think any of the others is even going to compete for the top spot. Houston, and Washington are at best, average RBs. At worst, they both suck.
it really sounds like barlow is trying to be the best player he can be. as long as he does that hes ok in my book.
Yeah, I kinda like what he's saying. At least he's put his situation in perspective, and with that attitude, increses his chances for success. I mean the guy may not be a feature back, but he has had some decent yardage running behind some of the crappiest lines in NFL history.
I agree, and unfortunately he is the closest thing we have to a feature back on the team at this point. I have the feeling he may surprise some of us. Although his webpage is real annoying :wink: http://www.kb32.com/main.php
at least hes showing that he wants to be here in NY and putting in effort and isnt just here for the sake of being here
OT: Some of us have been asking for this for YEARS! How many times did we bitch that Cotrell, Hackett or Herm never adjusted their game to the opponent? It's about friggin TIME! Back On topic. No Surprise from Martin. This is what makes him a class act. Barlow is watching the Ultimate professional
great article.. I was wondering, If Martin comes back this year we would have 5 rbs on the roster. Would someone have to go or would the cut be made elsewhere.
I think one of the RBs would be cut. As of right now, I'd say Houston would be the odd man out. That's subject to change over the next six weeks of course. As for Barlow, he can be a feature back, if he gets his act together. If this dedication is what is going to drive him for the rest of his career, then he has a very good future with this team. I guess we'll see.
