Smizzy Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Martin Determined to Return Even Stronger View opinions on this and other stories. By ANDREA ADELSON Thursday, December 15, 2005 4:51 PM CST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Those famous Santa Monica steps better watch out. Curtis Martin is ready to give them a pounding. The Jets' star running back vowed Thursday to work more diligently than ever in the offseason, one day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to clean out his right knee. Martin has made it a habit to run the 200 steps on the California beach to stay in top shape, and said "I'm going to run them even harder this year." "This surgery, this is my first time in my career missing games like this," Martin said. "It feels like unfinished business. It's like inspired frustration that I have about it. I just can't wait to get back going." The 32-year-old Martin said he had several bone chips removed and bone bruises in two places. He felt so good after the surgery, he started his rehab immediately and expects to start running again in February. There was no ligament or structural damage, a big positive for a running back getting up there in age. Martin brushed aside any suggestions his career might be over, and expects to return to the team in 2006. If the Jets decide to keep him, they might ask him to take a pay cut and a diminished role. Though Martin declined to talk about his contract situation _ he is due $8.1 million next season _ he said he would be OK with splitting time because he wants to play for coach Herman Edwards. "I'd rather be here than anywhere else, I know that much," Martin said. "I don't know what my role would be, but I'd rather be here. I'd even rather lose with the Jets than win with someone else. "I like it here, it's my type of place. I would rather play here this year with a 3-10 record right now than to be with the Colts right now. The Jets, they've been good to me, and I appreciate them." Edwards also insisted Martin would return. "By no stretch of the imagination is Curtis Martin out of our plans," Edwards said. "He needs to be a Jet as long as he wants to be a Jet, and I think he will be." At the same time, Martin knows he might be faced with a tough decision if the Jets want to release him and save $6.2 million. Should he go to another team or maybe retire? "Yeah, but life's about making hard decisions," he said. Martin had started 119 straight games before deciding to end his season with surgery. Though he was injured in September against Miami, Martin continued to play, hoping his knee would hold up so he could become the first player in NFL history to start a career with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons. After faltering against New England two weeks ago, Martin finally realized it would be impossible to go on, even though he has played through many injuries before. His ironman streak was so impressive even his doctors marveled at the pain he has been able to endure. "One of the doctors said we just have to write a book about how you're able to do that, because there's no way in the world you should have been out there," Martin said. "It's just amazing the pain that it had to be, it's just surprising you were able to do what you were doing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonEJet Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 "I'd rather be here than anywhere else, I know that much," Martin said. "I don't know what my role would be, but I'd rather be here. I'd even rather lose with the Jets than win with someone else. "I like it here, it's my type of place. I would rather play here this year with a 3-10 record right now than to be with the Colts right now. The Jets, they've been good to me, and I appreciate them." I mean c'mon You guys badger him endessly....you should all go and wash your mouths out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted December 16, 2005 Author Share Posted December 16, 2005 I mean c'mon You guys badger him endessly....you should all go and wash your mouths out Curtis Martin is a class act and is what every NFL player should aspire to be like. the greatest NY Jet of my lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetheelz Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 I agree Smizz. Curtis is a great individual and nothing but class all around. Hope he can stay with us as long as possible, even if it does involve him taking a more limited role. There was no ligament or structural damage, a big positive for a running back getting up there in age. This is great news also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Jet Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 I mean c'mon You guys badger him endessly....you should all go and wash your mouths out I'm not one of those who bash CuMar, but it's weird how if you hear the negativity long enough, you start to believe it. My first thought after reading that, was how long until someone points out that Curtis would rather be here than anywhere else, because the Jets ARE starting him. And that his role, at least here, would be the starter. But you know what? CuMar is not only the classiest Jet, he's one of, if not the, best talent we've had on this sorry team. He's literally carried this team since we've nabbed him from New England. So, to those who will use this thread to bash him, well, I'll be nice. For now!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Loyalty doesn't win you championships. Curtis is a nice man, but he's past his prime and needs to be put out to pasture. There are people that can do his job better than he can at this point, and for a much lower price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4HCrew Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Time and time again Curtis reminds you the class that he is and will always be. He is an all time Jet great that will probably be appreciated alot more once he is gone. I am hoping his contract is restructured and he retires as a Jet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 The right way for all involved is for Curtis to restructure and play in a limited role sharing time and retire as a Jet Whether this happens is the big question Curtis is the type of person you want on your team-so few are like him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjets Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 The right way for all involved is for Curtis to restructure and play in a limited role sharing time and retire as a Jet Whether this happens is the big question Curtis is the type of person you want on your team-so few are like him from what he stated above..i believe he will come back at a limited role... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Time to hang it up-PERIOD. Ego doesn't let guys like Martin quit-Rice with the Broncos, Montana with the Chiefs, Unitas with the Chargers, Namath with the Rams, Harris with the Seahawks, Smith with the cards, Simpson with the Niners.But it's past time to go. He has lost more than a step. It isn't getting better after surgery. The history of the NFL is clear-running backs are done at his age. Guys who were more productive than martin-Smith, Harris, Payton-were done. There's nothing top say(other than calling him a WARRIOR! for the 54,678th time) that says a guy his age coming of knee surgery can do it. He's a nice man. He's been very productive here, but by no means great. If on the basis of his personality rather than cold hard facts you hand the starting halfback job to a 33/34 year old (in 2006) coming off surgery, youa re doing a grave injustice to this franchise and it's fans. Because it won't work. Based on a transcript of Canizzaro over at the old country,this CS seems very happy to trot out the injury excuse 24/7. Newsflash-if you're going to trust jobs to the old and injured, you shouldn't be entitled to use injuries as an excuse.Pennington was hurt. The stats in the dog-eared NFL recordbook that is on martin's coffee table could tell you as much. And yet those were exactly the decision Edwards made for 2005. If they bring back Martin in a big role, they will have a really bad 2006;same thing if they're going to depend on Pennington. Question is-is Edwards doing what's best for this team, this franchise, or is he looking out for his friends? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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