Jets News 5/19

[BP]

Martin sues insurer

BY RICH CIMINI and JOHN MARZULLI

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Saturday, May 19th 2007, 4:00 AM

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Jets running back Curtis Martin hasn't officially announced his Hall of Fame career is over, but a lawsuit filed in federal court yesterday made it clear he's done.

Martin revealed in the complaint that he's totally disabled due to a knee injury and is suing Lloyd's of London for refusing to pay him the $5 million in coverage he purchased from the insurance company in 2005.

The NFL's No.4 all-time rusher did not play a single down last season and told the Daily News last November that "retirement is probably the inevitable outcome" while suggesting he could probably tolerate the pain in his right knee to score a touchdown.

But on July 28, 2006, Martin submitted a claim form and physician's report to Lloyd's of London stating that, "On or about Dec.14, 2005, plaintiff became permanently disabled as a result of a single and unexpected event, a hit to his knee, during a professional football game ... and resulted in plaintiff's total disability," the complaint said.

He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on that date. The last game he played was Dec.4, 2005.

Last month, Lloyd's informed Martin by letter that the coverage was being denied. The suit accuses Lloyd's of breach of contract.

Martin, 34, purchased two policies for total disability insurance that were effective from Aug.1, 2005, to Aug.1, 2006. The prepaid premium cost him $178,250, according to court papers.

Martin's lawyer said last night that he wanted to speak to his client before commenting further on the suit. Lawyers of Lloyd's could not be reached.

The suit claims Martin's economic damages are in excess of $5 million. He took a $1.7 million pay cut last season and this year he was due to earn $4.4 million (that was later lowered to $3.3 million), but won't see a penny because it is not guaranteed if he retires.

[BP]

repost

[timbok]

oh man... this means he is done...

Well we have Thomas Jones,LW,Houston were good to go atleast

[Ghost]

oh man... this means he is done...

Well we have Thomas Jones,LW,Houston were good to go atleast

Thomas Jones could carry it all by himself, with Washington giving him help it should be better.

[SoFlaJets]

Jets' underrated offense could surprise in '07

By Connor Byrne on May 18, 2007 12:42 AM

The New York Jets stunned the football world last year by finishing 10-6 and earning a playoff berth after a lackluster 4-12 campaign in 2005. The main story line in the team's eye-opening turnaround was rookie head coach Eric Mangini, who managed to get the most out of what was considered a roster that wasn't exactly overloaded with top-flight talent.

The 2007 Jets, unlike a year ago, have plenty of expectations heaped on them, and one area to believe improvement will come is on the offensive side of the ball. New York's 'O' ranked a meager 25th in total yardage last season, and it was just 30th in yards per rushing attempt.

This offseason, however, the Jets took one big step to improve their ground game by trading for veteran running back Thomas Jones. The 5-foot-10, 220-pounder amassed consecutive 1,200-plus-yard seasons with Chicago, helping the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI last February. And in the team's 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts , Jones accrued 112 rushing yards on only 15 carries in what proved to be his final game with the Bears. Assuming the 28-year-old maintains his effectiveness with New York, it will have gained an above-average ball carrier.

In 2006, the Jets were stuck with a poor backfield that included the likes of Kevan Barlow and Cedric Houston piling up over 100 carries. The lone bright spot was rookie Leon Washington, who had 920 total yards (650 rushing, 270 receiving) and four touchdowns, but he doesn't quite seem like featured-back material just yet. With Jones in the fold, Washington can slide into a complementary role, giving the Jets a high-caliber tandem at running back.

Aside from acquiring Jones, the Jets didn't do much else to change their offense this offseason, and that's probably a good thing. Returning, of course, is rock-solid starting quarterback Chad Pennington (16 regular-season starts, 3,352 yards, 17 touchdowns), who rebounded strongly from past injury issues to help the Jets reach the playoffs in '06.

Pennington, whom many still consider an injury risk, will be even better protected this season by an O-line that will improve simply from experience. The Jets' top two picks of last year's draft -- tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold -- both had good rookie seasons, and they should continue taking positive steps in the pass-blocking department in '07.

The 30-year-old Pennington still has two very good receivers in seven-year veteran Laveranues Coles and the ever-improving Jerricho Cotchery. The 5-11, 193-pound Coles had one of his best seasons yet last year, racking up a career-high 91 receptions for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns. Cotchery, 24, matched Coles with six scores and added 82 grabs and 961 yards of his own.

The Jets' offense was undoubtedly somewhat of a hindrance for the team last year, but expect it to be better in the upcoming campaign. Jones will fortify the running game, the O-line should progress and keep Pennington safe, and the same two underrated wideout options remain on New York's roster.

With that in mind, don't expect the Jets to possess a high-flying attack, but the offense should certainly have the balance that Mangini and coordinator Brian Schottenheimer want. That can't be welcome news for the New England Patriots , whose heels the Jets are nipping on in the AFC East.