Smizzy Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Jets: Martin, Fiedler might be facing surgery Tuesday, December 06, 2005 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The rash of injuries that have wrecked the Jets' season may have even the ultra-dependable Curtis Martin facing off-season surgery, someone with knowledge of the situation told The Star-Ledger yesterday. Martin, who has been slowed by what the team is calling a sprained right knee, has struggled this season trying to become the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons. The news of Martin's possible surgery comes on the heels of coach Herman Edwards saying yesterday that veteran quarterback Jay Fiedler may also need surgery to repair a dislocated throwing shoulder. While Fiedler has played only briefly this season, Martin has been the Jets' workhorse since joining the club in 1998. In the past, the Jets have downplayed some of Martin's injuries and only in the off-season was the extent of those injuries revealed when Martin spoke in depth about the struggles of that previous season. Martin, who is 32 and would be facing a lengthy rehab, suffered the injury in Week 2 against the Dolphins but hasn't missed a start. He has rushed for just 735 yards and five touchdowns on 220 carries (3.3-yard average) this season, including only 29 yards on 15 carries in Sunday's 16-3 loss to the Patriots. Martin has said repeatedly he has no plans to retire soon, despite growing criticism that he has lost a step -- or two. But in fact he's running behind a banged-up offensive line and he's playing hurt. He has practiced sparingly since his injury. Even so, Martin is nearing the end and the Jets plan to select a running back high in the draft next April. Ideally they would love to get USC's Reggie Bush, but they would likely have to get the first pick overall to get him. Currently the Texans (1-11) have the first pick and word is they're eyeing Bush. The Jets, Packers and 49ers each stand at 2-10. The Jets had hoped Fiedler's shoulder would heal and he would return this season, but those hopes might now be dashed. If so, that would mean that the Jets' top two quarterbacks -- Chad Pennington and Fiedler -- would be coming off surgery on their throwing arms next season. Fiedler might have the surgery before this season ends if the Jets decide to shut him down. The uncertainty surrounding Pennington and Fiedler and the struggles of third-year pro Brooks Bollinger -- the organization feels he's little more than a career backup -- mean the Jets will have to commit more time and money to bringing in a starting-caliber quarterback than they had thought. The Jets were hoping that if Fiedler was able to play this season and play well and if Bollinger showed promised, they wouldn't have to go after a quarterback and they could pour their resources into other areas. But now the Jets realize they must find a veteran quarterback to bring to training camp. Patrick Ramsey (Redskins), Philip Rivers (Chargers) and Joey Harrington (lions) are among the early candidates. Offensive tackle, guard and running back are the Jets' most pressing needs outside of quarterback, one team official said. Fiedler, a 10th-year pro, began light tossing two weeks ago but hasn't graduated to seven-on-seven drills, the next step in his rehab. Coach Herman Edwards wants to see him play so he can evaluate him, but the Jets have only four games remaining and Fiedler won't play on Sunday against the Raiders. "It's tough because you don't know (about Fiedler) ... and a lot of big decisions need to be made around here when the season is over," Edwards said yesterday. "You knew when you brought him in here what you liked. Hopefully he can get back and we'll see that again. "We'll probably know more this week where he's really at. He's been trying to throw, but we'll see. We may try to force it a little bit. ... If he's not well and can't play, he's probably going to need surgery." Bollinger, who is winless in his five career starts, was totally shut down by the blitzing Patriots, who took away his bootlegs and rollouts. He completed just 15 of 37 passes for 135 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a 39.8 passer rating. Edwards said the Jets fully expected the Patriots to try to take away the bootlegs and rollouts from Bollinger. When they did, the Jets had nowhere else to go because Bollinger isn't as effective in the pocket. "The one thing you know about the guy is he's tough," Edwards said. "He's been under some duress. People are taking everybody else's game plan and it's not going to stop. ... He's gotten better. He really has. That's all you can ask the guy to do: Get better and improve. He's done that." Notes: DT Dewayne Robertson (quadriceps) is questionable against the Raiders. He had one of his best games of the season (six tackles, one-half sack) against the Patriots.... CB Ty Law, who aggravated his left foot, is fine, Edwards said.... RB Derrick Blaylock (foot) is out.... Edwards said he hasn't spoken to good friend Tony Dungy, the Colts coach, in a while because they have a pact that if one is on a winning streak or losing streak, the other won't call.... Edwards praised P Ben Graham, who dropped two punts inside the 5-yard line against the Patriots.... Jets wide receivers have just three TDs this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Curtis looks like he has a busted knee. No offense intended but he isn't himself. He didn't get that old that quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cant Hackett Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Curtis looks like he has a busted knee. No offense intended but he isn't himself. He didn't get that old that quickly. And Houston has NO carries against the Pats. WTF! A Fxxking personal record is more important then taking a look at Jordan, I mean Houston. F Herm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 All the more reason to play Cedric Houston which we refuse to do -except for one catch against the Pats he again was invisible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 The more I think about it, if Bush isn't there for us, I think we should trade the top 5 pick for Rivers and draft Lendell White in the second rd... OR DRaft the big OT and trade Ellis or Abe and the second rd pick for Rivers.. Either way, the jets have ZERO qb's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Come on - these million dollar doctors know right away if a guy (Fiedler) needs surgery. So let's wait 3 months to figure that out? It's line Penny now, get the shoulder fixed or we'll be out QBs again next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionelRichie Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 The more I think about it, if Bush isn't there for us, I think we should trade the top 5 pick for Rivers and draft Lendell White in the second rd... OR DRaft the big OT and trade Ellis or Abe and the second rd pick for Rivers.. Either way, the jets have ZERO qb's i'd rather see them go after shaub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 My buddy is the RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirlancemehlot Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Come on - these million dollar doctors know right away if a guy (Fiedler) needs surgery. So let's wait 3 months to figure that out? It's line Penny now, get the shoulder fixed or we'll be out QBs again next year. "We'll probably know more this week where he's really at. He's been trying to throw, but we'll see. We may try to force it a little bit. ... If he's not well and can't play, he's probably going to need surgery." Jay Fiedler, meet the end of your career, Career-ending mismanaged injury...Jay Feidler. I'm starting to think Johnson and Johnson has overstocked arm-slings this year. I hear the company is planning an arm wrestling contest for the sugically repaired. Should be a hoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I'm starting to think Johnson and Johnson has overstocked arm-slings this year. I hear the company is planning an arm wrestling contest for the sugically repaired. Should be a hoot. Either that or they have a secret breakthrough procedure involving shoulder transplants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 sign abe.. trade #33 pick and Ellis for Rivers!!!! draft Bush at #1!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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