*Curtis Martin Appreciation Thread* (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

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Looking like when, not if, for Curtis Martin

BY TOM ROCK

Newsday Staff Writer

The question for Curtis Martin now appears to be when rather than if.

The future Hall of Fame running back, who last carried a football for the Jets more than a year ago, has been grappling with his decision to retire since having surgery on his right knee in December 2005. Thursday, speaking as a recipient of the Thurman Munson Award for excellence in competitive and philanthropic work, Martin made his most definitive statements regarding the end of his playing career.

"I believe that we're going to wait until afterwards so we can sit down and brainstorm on when the best time is for myself and for the team," Martin said, regarding the front office's involvement with the Senior Bowl and Super Bowl. "We'll probably follow up after that. I'm just not really sure right now."

Martin said he is looking forward to broadening his involvement in philanthropic endeavors once he has officially closed the book on his playing career. He said he has put aside 12 to 15 percent of every paycheck he has earned in the NFL for his self-funded foundation that helps the homeless, single mothers, inner-city children and others.

"While I was playing, I wanted to keep football as my focus and do what I could off the field when time permitted," he said. "Now that that moves to the forefront and football seems to be somewhat behind me, I believe you'll see more of what I've been doing and what I am planning to do."

Everyone always talks about what great citizens players like Warrick Dunn, Peyton Manning, Derrick Brooks and LaDainian Tomlinson are, but Curtis Martin always seemed to be overshadowed. Martin was everything you could ask for. He was great on the football field, a humanitarian off the field, and a devout Christian. I can't recall a single negative word ever spoken about Martin by a coach, a player, a media member or anyone else. You never heard anything but good things about C-Mart. Here's hoping he's in the Hall of Fame in five years.

To Curtis Martin... a great football player, and a better person.

KEEP FIGHTIN'

 

[TLEF316]

teriffic talent, tireless worker and outstanding human being. nothing more needs to be said.

 

[Raider Nation]

Anyone recall the circumstances under which he was traded? Did he ask the Pats for too much money? I can't imagine trading away a young talent with such high character.

ETA that I just looked at profootballreference.com, and Martin was traded following Pete Carroll's first season in N.E. Carroll was there for three years, and he had a different leading rusher each season. Martin in '97, Robert Edwards in '98 and Terry Allen in '99.

Ouch!

 

[JoeSteeler]

Great player and a classy guy! First ballot HOF!

 

[Bri]

Anyone recall the circumstances under which he was traded? Did he ask the Pats for too much money? I can't imagine trading away a young talent with such high character.ETA that I just looked at profootballreference.com, and Martin was traded following Pete Carroll's first season in N.E. Carroll was there for three years, and he had a different leading rusher each season. Martin in '97, Robert Edwards in '98 and Terry Allen in '99. Ouch!

the RFA rule. In fact it'd be similar circumstances to Turner(if he leaves SD) this year

 

[Bri]

Martin said he is looking forward to broadening his involvement in philanthropic endeavors once he has officially closed the book on his playing career. He said he has put aside 12 to 15 percent of every paycheck he has earned in the NFL for his self-funded foundation that helps the homeless, single mothers, inner-city children and others."While I was playing, I wanted to keep football as my focus and do what I could off the field when time permitted," he said. "Now that that moves to the forefront and football seems to be somewhat behind me, I believe you'll see more of what I've been doing and what I am planning to do."Everyone always talks about what great citizens players like Warrick Dunn, Peyton Manning, Derrick Brooks and LaDainian Tomlinson are, but Curtis Martin always seemed to be overshadowed. Martin was everything you could ask for. He was great on the football field, a humanitarian off the field, and a devout Christian.

There's been a couple halftime or pregame specials that shows Curtis with kids or families in the Pittsburgh area. I wish they were on youtube. Even knowing "going in" that he'd be shown as a nice guy(of course he is),but they were so nice it was shocking. Not just throwing some $ to charity but really getting involved and visitting families and helping them. It was like the Curtis Martin version of the extreme makeover show. I remember hearing an interview a long long time ago on Francesca's Sunday morning show on WFAN. He was trying to get some Steeler to "rip" on some players. The Steeler player was teasing that this guy wouldn't even make their team, that guy could carry their bags to the bus etc but when he got to Curtis the player just stopped talking. Dead silence for like 3 seconds and Mike says "Are ya there?" "Yeah yeah I'm here, I can't say anything bad about Curtis. Mike was all "oh cmon we're just kidding around" (or somesuch) and the player wouldn't budge. Maybe a week or two later, Cowher was on and of course Mike followed up the previous Curtis story and asked him. He said something like "anyone that does as much in the Pittsburgh community as Curtis does will always be welcome on the team." Sure he went on to say they had a RB, there's no way they could get Curtis etc but....it was all just so overwhelming.There's been quite a few interviews since where former Pats players or really anyone would heap praise on Curtis too.I grew up in a Giants household and the Boys, Eagles, and Skins all "hated" the Giants and vice versa and for an opposing team to speak of an opposing player so fondly was incredible. Never seen/heard such a reaction, may never again.I love the story of how Bill tried to run him into the ground in his first training camp. Most players today would have lightenned up even just a little bit as they figured they made the team etc. Instead that was just the first display of his drive, determination, and pride.

 

[PMENFAN]

Anyone recall the circumstances under which he was traded? Did he ask the Pats for too much money? I can't imagine trading away a young talent with such high character.ETA that I just looked at profootballreference.com, and Martin was traded following Pete Carroll's first season in N.E. Carroll was there for three years, and he had a different leading rusher each season. Martin in '97, Robert Edwards in '98 and Terry Allen in '99. Ouch!

He didn't get traded, he got stolen!!!! Parcells used his knowledge of the Pats cap situation to craft a contract offer the Pats couldn't match. The Pats obviously didn't want him to go, but couldn't match the offer. Edwards was lost in a fluke injury in a beach football game in Hawaii, at the Pro Bowl festivities, and Terry Allen was a fill in, because we had lost two pretty solid backs that we didn't plan to lose. The Curtis Martin situation is part of the reason I have zero respect for Parcells. Was it illegal? Can't prove it. His whole deal with leaving the Pats for the Jets was completely classless with the way it went down. As for Martin, I think he's the epitome of what great football players are. Never out there thumping his chest about how great he was, or how if he was getting the ball more they'd be better. Just did everything that was asked of him. He should have been in NE to get those rings, but Parcells took that away from him. Yeah, Curtis took the money, but he virtually had to.

 

[msommer]

As for Martin, I think he's the epitome of what great football players are.

And that is the all important fact about Curtis Martin's career.Curtis, GB for the memories, best of luck on the rest of your endeavours.

 

[Sinrman]

One of the most consistent backs you'll ever see...

Kudos!

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

Curtis Martin is the only player I have a jersey for that never played for my home team.

I love the guy in a non sexual way.

 

[MelKiperJr]

Good, not great, NFL running back. Not HOF material - but a consistent talent.

 

[Kleck.]

CM

 

[Bri]

Not HOF material

first ballot lock

 

[Raider Nation]

Not HOF material

first ballot lock

The NFL HoF voters aren't supposed to factor in off-the-field stuff, but that generally is in regard to the bad guys. It will work the other way for Martin. Even if a voter doesn't think he's QUITE worthy enough for his on-field performance, his character will nudge him over the top -- even if the voters would never admit it.

 

[phthalatemagic]

He probably gets in on the sheer weight of his numbers due to being a feature back for a long time. How many times would you say he was among the top 3 or so of his position? Three, four times? That's pretty good, and he probably deserves to be in, but to me it's not a no-brainer like some want to make it. Great guy though.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

As a Jet fan, this one will be tough for me. Great player and more importantly a great person.

Thanks for everything Curtis.

 

[Kiddnets]

His whole deal with leaving was completely classless with the way it went down.

Take out the teams and one might think you are talking about Bellichick as well! what comes around goes around!

As for CuMart - not flashy but did his job week in and week out. It was a privilege to root for this guy! Will be proud to have him as the first Jet to make the HOF in darn long time!

 

[Autumn Wind]

The term "underrated" was coined for guys like Curtis Martin. I can't think of a back that put up such consistently good numbers and was so overlooked.

 

[Coin Flip]

Very solid.....excellent fantasy Rb to have on your team.

 

[ravnzfan]

Good, not great, NFL running back. Not HOF material - but a consistent talent.

let's examine the Curtis Martin file, shall we?

11 yrs--5 Pro Bowls...'95,'96,'98,'01,'04

3 of his first 4 years in the league, plus 2 more, including his 10th which was his best year of all...Martin in '04:

371-1697-12....42--245---2

top 10 in "carries" and "total yds from scrimage"--8X's

top 10 in "rushing yards from scrimage"--7X's

top 10 in "rushing TD's"--6X's

his average year:

320-1282--8...44---302---2....every year, for 11 years...

as compared to the rest of the RB's that have played the game...All time top 50:

rushes---3rd

ru yards--4th

yds from scrim--7th

Touchdowns--12th

he's "IN"!

thanx for all you've done, and continue to do, Curtis...proud to have had you on the LONGSHOTZ!

 

[Bri]

nice old article here

http://archive.profootballweekly.com/conte...bett_111901.asp

some snips:

"Coming into this year, they were talking about LaMont giving me a rest," Martin said. "I appreciate it, but it made me work harder to find that extra edge in the offseason.

***

"I want to stay consistent. I don’t want it to be something that flickers away like a match blown out by the wind. I want to set a mark, set an example."

****

"I believe in hard work and prayer," Martin said. "I believe you get out what you put in.

"My goal every day when I come to work, even to practice, is to be an overachiever. I talk to my teammates about that. I have a lot of God-given talent. But beyond that, I’m going to overachieve. I’m starting to see some of the fruits of my labor."

While the Patriots have gotten worse since his departure prior to the ’98 season, the 28-year-old Martin continues to get better in his seventh NFL season, his fourth since Parcells shrewdly pried him away from New England.

"Curtis is a horse," Jets head coach Herman Edwards said. "Curtis is not as big as (Jerome Bettis and Eddie George), stature-wise, but his heart is. He’s a unique player."

Martin gets a call about once a week from Parcells, who continues to playfully prod one of his favorites.

"I appreciate just talking to Bill," Martin said. "We’ll always have a closeness. You know in the karate movies where the guy runs off once in a while to see the Zen master? That’s how Bill and I are. He always encourages me."

It was Parcells, after all, who told Martin last season, "Don’t confuse routine with commitment."

*********

"He’s one of my favorite players I ever coached. I’ve had some pretty good backs. O.J. Anderson was a pretty good one. But (Martin’s) at the top of the list. He survives better. He’s more like (Tony) Dorsett. Maybe not as much speed, but the same kind of elusiveness. He doesn’t take a lot of hard hits. That’s helped his longevity."

 

[zamboni]

Great RB, even better person. That about says it all.

While it will be hard not seeing Curtis play anymore, I'm looking forward to being there when they retire his number this year.

 

[Sabertooth]

I remember watching NFL films about him growing up and he was talking with Sabol about how bad his neighborhood was. He basically said that the closest he'd ever come to being killed was having a guy put a gun to his head and pull the trigger but the bullet didn't come out. He said the guy then pointed the gun at the ground and it went off.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Anyone recall the circumstances under which he was traded? Did he ask the Pats for too much money? I can't imagine trading away a young talent with such high character.

ETA that I just looked at profootballreference.com, and Martin was traded following Pete Carroll's first season in N.E. Carroll was there for three years, and he had a different leading rusher each season. Martin in '97, Robert Edwards in '98 and Terry Allen in '99.

Ouch!

He didn't get traded, he got stolen!!!! Parcells used his knowledge of the Pats cap situation to craft a contract offer the Pats couldn't match. The Pats obviously didn't want him to go, but couldn't match the offer. Edwards was lost in a fluke injury in a beach football game in Hawaii, at the Pro Bowl festivities, and Terry Allen was a fill in, because we had lost two pretty solid backs that we didn't plan to lose. The Curtis Martin situation is part of the reason I have zero respect for Parcells. Was it illegal? Can't prove it. His whole deal with leaving the Pats for the Jets was completely classless with the way it went down. As for Martin, I think he's the epitome of what great football players are. Never out there thumping his chest about how great he was, or how if he was getting the ball more they'd be better. Just did everything that was asked of him. He should have been in NE to get those rings, but Parcells took that away from him. Yeah, Curtis took the money, but he virtually had to.

Curtis Martin was drafted in the 3rd round. He didnt make much money off his first contract with the Patriots. When Parcells offered him that "poison pill" deal, he had no choice but to take it and the Patriots had NO way of matching it. I dont blame Parcells for it, great move by him and a great move for Martin.He had a tremendous career. CMart is a much better HOF candidate than someone like Jerome Bettis who just accumulated stats.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

I'd like to appreciate the fact that every year of his career (minus 2005) he was a top 18 FF back, and he was a top 10 FF back 6 years of his career. Consistency is fantasy gold, and Curtis Martin was a model of consistency.

Curtis Martin was always welcome on my squad. Here's to Curtis Martin.

 

[ravnzfan]

I'd like to appreciate the fact that every year of his career (minus 2005) he was a top 18 FF back, and he was a top 10 FF back 6 7 years of his career. Consistency is fantasy gold, and Curtis Martin was a model of consistency.

Curtis Martin was always welcome on my squad. Here's to Curtis Martin.

well said...and finishing 10th on 1 occasion made it 7 of 10 yrs top 10, 'til '05 injury KO'd him early!

 

[LBH]

Good, not great, NFL running back. Not HOF material - but a consistent talent.

His stats scream HOF material. What are you talking about?

 

[Rovers]

I compare Martin to a baseball pitcher that only won 20 once, but usually won 17 or 18 every year with a good ERA and 300 career wins. He was much more than a compiler, he was the essence of what a feature RB is. Reliable, durable and the focal point of the offense. In this world of stat hounds, many don't realise he was one of the very best pass blocking RB's to ever play the game. He could pick up the blitz better than any RB I've ever seen a lot of. His stature can't be measured by stats alone. He was a quiet leader that had the respect of every coach and player he ever took the field with.

Only E Smith had ten years in a row of at least 1000 rush yards besides Martin. Even this past year he was mentoring the two young Jets RB's. Leon Washington credits Martin for teaching him how to play well enough WITHOUT the ball to get off the bench and onto the field more often. Players like that are a very rare commodity, and easy, Martin is a first ballot HoF'er. Martin shunned the limelight. He didn't self promote and he didn't often give interviews. He was a rock that even a 4 win stormy season could not budge, no matter how high the waves got. Too bad the press doesn't often get excited over such football players. Martin's coaches sure did though. Because of his low profile, with exceptions of course, the true greatness of Curtis Martin is under the radar for many fans. Jets fans know..... just how good he was.

 

[pizzatyme]

I liked his on the field demeanor and the little-known fact that he played chess in his spare time.

 

[bostonfred]

My stud from my first fantasy football season. My favorite player with the Pats. Hated it when Parcells stole him away, but continued to root for him even though he was in NY.

Winning the rushing title in 2004 made him a lock for the hall. Before that, he'd never really been the best back in any given season, but had huge career stats because of his longevity. Those guys don't always make it in. Strange that the fact that Holmgren didn't give Alexander that controversial last carry would matter so much.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

Anyone recall the circumstances under which he was traded? Did he ask the Pats for too much money? I can't imagine trading away a young talent with such high character.

ETA that I just looked at profootballreference.com, and Martin was traded following Pete Carroll's first season in N.E. Carroll was there for three years, and he had a different leading rusher each season. Martin in '97, Robert Edwards in '98 and Terry Allen in '99.

Ouch!

He didn't get traded, he got stolen!!!! Parcells used his knowledge of the Pats cap situation to craft a contract offer the Pats couldn't match. The Pats obviously didn't want him to go, but couldn't match the offer. Edwards was lost in a fluke injury in a beach football game in Hawaii, at the Pro Bowl festivities, and Terry Allen was a fill in, because we had lost two pretty solid backs that we didn't plan to lose. The Curtis Martin situation is part of the reason I have zero respect for Parcells. Was it illegal? Can't prove it. His whole deal with leaving the Pats for the Jets was completely classless with the way it went down. As for Martin, I think he's the epitome of what great football players are. Never out there thumping his chest about how great he was, or how if he was getting the ball more they'd be better. Just did everything that was asked of him. He should have been in NE to get those rings, but Parcells took that away from him. Yeah, Curtis took the money, but he virtually had to.

CMart is a much better HOF candidate than someone like Jerome Bettis.