Tweet
Updated: Aug. 9, 2006, 11:32 AM ET
Reports: End might be in sight for Jets' RB MartinESPN.com news services
The New York Jets' running attack might have a new pilot this season for the first time since 1997.
Two sources close to Curtis Martin told the New York Daily News that the running back talked about retirement before deciding to give it a go for another season, and one of the sources told the newspaper "I'd be really shocked if he came back."
Curtis Martin
Running Back
New York Jets
Profile
2005 SEASON STATISTICS
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
220 735 5 24 118 0
Martin was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list at the start of training camp after he underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery in December. At the time of the surgery, he said he expected to start running again in February. He also said there was no ligament or structural damage.
However, according to several reports out of the New York area, Martin's knee has virtually no cartilage left. "The guy is bone-on-bone on the knee and can't play," a source told Newsday.
The Newark Star-Ledger reported earlier this week that Martin urged the team to draft a running back in case he was not ready for the season.
Is Curtis Martin one of the 10 best running backs in NFL history?
Yes
No
The No. 4 all-time leading rusher has been squirreled away inside the Jets complex rehabbing his right knee, making it a mystery when he will play again. Even teammates sound spooked when asked about how their teammate is doing.
"Curtis? I haven't really talked to him," said fellow running back Derrick Blaylock. "I really don't know how he's feeling right now."
Curious, considering coach Eric Mangini said that Martin has attended all position and team meetings.
Then there is Chad Pennington, who said, "I haven't seen Curtis that much. I've been going from meetings to eating back to meetings to rehab. My schedule's been so full, I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and talk to him."
Martin, with 14,101 career yards rushing, is locked up tight indoors. Last weekend when the Jets had two practices at the Meadowlands, Mangini said Martin made the trip. But once again, he was nowhere to be found. Not even when the team had an open 10-minute autograph session.
Rather than preparing for a future without Martin, the Jets chose the 5-foot-8 Leon Washington in the fourth round, but he is undersized and working behind Blaylock and Cedric Houston. None of the three seems to be the type who can carry the entire rushing load on their shoulders, so the Jets have put out feelers around the league for running backs.
One name that has come up is Titans back Chris Brown, who had his trade request declined. Still, there is no one available now who is the type of marquee, featured back the Jets want. They had one in LaMont Jordan, but let him go as a free agent last year.
Mangini has declined to discuss the options at running back, but said Martin is still providing a valuable service off the field.
"With a guy like Curtis, when they're around the players they have nothing but a positive effect," Mangini said. "He's done a lot of work with the younger guys, not just the running backs, talking about what it means to be a pro, what it means to practice like a pro, the way to conduct yourself. He has a wealth of knowledge in football and life the young players can't help but benefit from."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Reports: End might be in sight for Jets' RB MartinESPN.com news services
The New York Jets' running attack might have a new pilot this season for the first time since 1997.
Two sources close to Curtis Martin told the New York Daily News that the running back talked about retirement before deciding to give it a go for another season, and one of the sources told the newspaper "I'd be really shocked if he came back."
Curtis Martin
Running Back
New York Jets
Profile
2005 SEASON STATISTICS
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
220 735 5 24 118 0
Martin was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list at the start of training camp after he underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery in December. At the time of the surgery, he said he expected to start running again in February. He also said there was no ligament or structural damage.
However, according to several reports out of the New York area, Martin's knee has virtually no cartilage left. "The guy is bone-on-bone on the knee and can't play," a source told Newsday.
The Newark Star-Ledger reported earlier this week that Martin urged the team to draft a running back in case he was not ready for the season.
Is Curtis Martin one of the 10 best running backs in NFL history?
Yes
No
The No. 4 all-time leading rusher has been squirreled away inside the Jets complex rehabbing his right knee, making it a mystery when he will play again. Even teammates sound spooked when asked about how their teammate is doing.
"Curtis? I haven't really talked to him," said fellow running back Derrick Blaylock. "I really don't know how he's feeling right now."
Curious, considering coach Eric Mangini said that Martin has attended all position and team meetings.
Then there is Chad Pennington, who said, "I haven't seen Curtis that much. I've been going from meetings to eating back to meetings to rehab. My schedule's been so full, I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and talk to him."
Martin, with 14,101 career yards rushing, is locked up tight indoors. Last weekend when the Jets had two practices at the Meadowlands, Mangini said Martin made the trip. But once again, he was nowhere to be found. Not even when the team had an open 10-minute autograph session.
Rather than preparing for a future without Martin, the Jets chose the 5-foot-8 Leon Washington in the fourth round, but he is undersized and working behind Blaylock and Cedric Houston. None of the three seems to be the type who can carry the entire rushing load on their shoulders, so the Jets have put out feelers around the league for running backs.
One name that has come up is Titans back Chris Brown, who had his trade request declined. Still, there is no one available now who is the type of marquee, featured back the Jets want. They had one in LaMont Jordan, but let him go as a free agent last year.
Mangini has declined to discuss the options at running back, but said Martin is still providing a valuable service off the field.
"With a guy like Curtis, when they're around the players they have nothing but a positive effect," Mangini said. "He's done a lot of work with the younger guys, not just the running backs, talking about what it means to be a pro, what it means to practice like a pro, the way to conduct yourself. He has a wealth of knowledge in football and life the young players can't help but benefit from."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Comment