Thursday's Jets News

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

JETS OPEN UP MINUS CURTIS

RB'S RETIREMENT OFFICIAL TODAY

By MARK CANNIZZARO

July 26, 2007 -- When the 2007 Jets convene at Weeb Ewbank Hall today for the opening of training camp, with two-a-day practices starting tomorrow, Curtis Martin will be in the team's midtown office delivering his goodbye to the NFL as a player.

Martin, the fourth leading rusher in NFL history and a likely Hall of Fame entrant the moment he's eligible, will make his retirement official, as reported by The Post on Tuesday.

Martin sat out the 2006 season when it was discovered he had a bone-on-bone condition in his right knee, which was injured in 2005. He spent some time with the team last year and during minicamp this spring but knew all along his playing days were over.

"Fortunately for us he lives (nearby) and he's welcome here any time," Eric Mangini said of Martin in retirement. "We look forward to him still coming around here and helping mentor some of our young players."

Today, while Martin bids his official farewell to the game he graced with incredible class, prowess and remarkably consistent production since 1995, the Jets will begin their second camp led by Mangini, who guided them to an improbable playoff berth in his first season.

The Jets return 21 of their 22 starters from a year ago, and they bring in key newcomers, including Martin's replacement, former Bears running back Thomas Jones, for whom they traded in the offseason.

The Jets expect to have all of their draft picks in camp, including first-round CB Darrelle Revis, whose contract details were said to be in the finalization process as of last night, and second-round LB David Harris, who signed a four-year deal yesterday.

As of yesterday, the Jets expected disgruntled LG Pete Kendall, who wants a raise and has been very public and vocal about it, to report to camp by today. Neither Kendall nor his agent returned several phone calls yesterday, but Mangini said he believes his veteran leader will report on time.

"We expect him to be here (today)," Mangini said. "Pete has always been very professional."

Asked what would occur if Kendall opts to hold out, Mangini said, "We'll deal with that if it comes up. My expectation is that he'll move forward (and report)."

The Jets could fine Kendall $14,000 for each day he's absent.

One of the major themes of this training camp is how to deal with lofty expectations that are sure to come based on the Jets' surprising 10-6 record and playoff berth in 2006.

Dating back to minicamps, Mangini told his players they cannot rely on anything they did a year ago to help them move forward this season.

"If you start focusing on where you finished or where you hope to be, it ends up being a huge detriment," Mangini said. "You see teams with huge expectations going into seasons that don't pan out. And focusing on those expectations or things in the past takes away from the things that are so important: Doing the little things day in and day out."

Jets fans don't need to look very far in history to understand what Mangini was talking about.

Remember the 1999 season, the year after the Jets nearly defeated Denver in the AFC Championship to get to the Super Bowl?

How about the 2005 season, the year after Herman Edwards led the team within a Doug Brien field goal of the AFC Championship game?

"Every year is its own entity," Mangini said. "You have to understand that you don't get to start at 10-6 and in the first round of the playoffs. You have to go through the whole process again. All the hard work you did to get to that point has to be done again."

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

'Man-genius' readies Jets for Year 2

Thursday, July 26, 2007

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER

Don't bother looking for the Jets' preseason practice schedule, because at this moment, it doesn't exist beyond the first three days. Except, of course, in coach Eric Mangini's head and maybe in an itemized list in his desk drawer.

Obviously, Mangini wants to keep everyone guessing, even his own players.

"Expect the unexpected" became a mantra in the Jets' training camp last year, as the first-year head coach wheeled out pop quizzes, loud music and new offensive and defensive systems. With that camp as a springboard, the Jets provided the unexpected, earning an AFC wild-card playoff berth in a transition season that figured to be a difficult one.

Now the question is whether Mangini can keep the momentum going in his second training camp, which begins Friday. Mangini's job will be made harder by the fact that opposing coaches and coordinators have had time to study up on the Jets' ever-changing game plans.

As Mangini said the day after the Jets lost to New England in the first round of the playoffs, "We're back to a clean slate. Each season is its own unique season."

Some head coaches tend to ease up in their second season, secure in the knowledge that their program is in place and the culture of the team has been changed. Don't expect that from Mangini. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles said during the spring that the team's practices during voluntary minicamp lasted longer in 2007 than in 2006. The Jets will release practice schedules each Saturday during training camp for the following week, as Mangini attempts to prevent the players from becoming too comfortable.

Still, there should be fewer surprises this summer now that everyone has had over a year to adjust to Mangini's system. That includes Chad Pennington, who had an inconsistent 2006 with 17 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions, but for the first time since 2004 has gone through an off-season in which he didn't have to rehab an injured shoulder.

There are questions on the line in front of Pennington. Left guard Pete Kendall is unhappy with his contract, and wants an extra million that he feels is owed to him after a previous restructuring. The Jets have been unwilling to negotiate thus far, and it's not known if Kendall will report to camp today. He stands to be fined $14,000 for each day of camp he misses.

If the Jets trade or release Kendall, they will have to find a replacement. The front-runner during minicamp seemed to be Adrien Clarke, who started four games for Philadelphia in 2005. The Jets also want to see left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who struggled somewhat down the stretch in 2006, put on more weight and become more consistent in his second season.

There are questions on defense as well. Most of the players on this roster still seem better suited to play in the 4-3 rather than the 3-4. Included among them are inside linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Eric Barton, and nose tackle Dewayne Robertson, who is more suited to be a "3-technique" tackle in the 4-3. Second-round pick David Harris of Michigan, who signed with the Jets on Wednesday, is considered a prototypical 3-4 'backer and has a chance to move quickly up the depth chart, as does rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis, the only unsigned Jets draft pick.

MARTIN LIKELY TO RETIRE TODAY: The Jets have scheduled a media gathering in Manhattan today, and that likely means the official retirement of running back Curtis Martin, which has been expected for quite some time.

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com

* * *

Five keys to camp

1. QB Chad Pennington settling into offense. This year, Pennington was able to work on mastering second-year coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's system in the off-season, instead of rehabbing his shoulder.

2. Resolve the situation of LG Pete Kendall. If the Jets and the unhappy veteran can't find common ground in their contract dispute, they must find a replacement.

3. Now featuring RB Thomas Jones. Jones can be the every-down back the Jets lacked last season, allowing Leon Washington to be the change-of-pace guy.

4. Becoming entrenched in the 3-4. The Jets still believe that players such as ILB Jonathan Vilma can fit just as well in the 3-4 as they did in the 4-3.

5. And in this corner. Who will start at right cornerback opposite LCB Andre Dyson? First-round pick Darrelle Revis of Pittsburgh has a shot.

-- J.P. Pelzman

* * *

Training camp info

Hofstra University

Admission: Free

Parking: Free

Practice times (subject to change)

First practices: Friday 8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

2 p.m.: Saturday

8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.: Sunday. All other practice times have yet to be announced. The schedule for each week will be announced Saturday morning. Check newyorkjets.com for information.

Final practice: TBA

Fan information number: 516-560-8288

Directions to Hofstra

Take the George Washington Bridge to the Cross Bronx Expressway to the Throgs Neck Bridge. After the toll booths, get in right lane, which leads to Cross Island Parkway. Take Cross Island to Exit 30E, Long Island Expressway east. Take LIE to Exit 38, Northern State Parkway east. Follow to Exit 31 A, Meadowbrook Parkway south. Take Exit M4 to Hempstead Turnpike. Stay on Hempstead Turnpike for about one mile. The university will be on your right.

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Jets sign second-round pick Harris

TOM ROCK

July 26, 2007

And then there was one.

With yesterday's signing of second-round draft pick David Harris to a four-year contract, the Jets need only sign first-round cornerback Darrelle Revis to complete their draft class of four players. If Revis, for whom the Jets traded up to pick 14th overall, has a deal in place by the time the Jets begin their training camp workouts tomorrow, it would mark the team's 11th straight year without a first-round holdout. Revis' agent, Neil Schwartz, would not comment on negotiations.

Harris, an inside linebacker, was the 47th overall selection and is expected to compete for a starting job in the Jets' 3-4 defense.

The Jets have also signed free-agent K Justin Ayat and OL Marko Cavka and waived LB Lawrence Pinson.

Meanwhile, G Pete Kendall, who asked to be traded or released during minicamp and is seeking an extra $1 million on his 2007 base salary, has until this morning to arrive at Jets camp. Many players began moving into the dormitories at Hofstra University yesterday. If he decides to hold out and skip camp, Kendall could be fined up to $14,000 per day.

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Martin gave Jets everything

July 26, 2007

Curtis Martin was the last one to emerge from the locker room, with reddened eyes and a disconsolate expression.

The Jets had just lost to the Steelers, 20-17, in overtime in the 2004 divisional playoffs at Heinz Field, and Martin was devastated. Just miles from where he grew up dodging bullets from gangs and drug pushers, Martin's dreams of getting back to the Super Bowl were done.

It's as if he knew then that he'd never get another chance.

He didn't.

Martin, coming off his best season with 1,697 rushing yards, would play only 12 games the next season before a knee injury would eventually end his career. Today's retirement announcement is simply stating what Martin has known since late in 2005, that at 34 the body he willed to greatness can no longer sustain the pounding on Sunday afternoons.

The body of work he leaves behind is worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: 11 seasons, 14,101 rushing yards and 90 touchdowns.

But more than the numbers, Martin's toughness is what we'll remember most. At only 5-11, 210 pounds, Martin was as punishing an inside runner this side of Walter Payton. He never shied away from tacklers and always fought for the extra yard. Always.

He was not a good teammate. He was a great teammate. Never criticized others. Always set the example by working harder than everyone else, except maybe Chad Pennington, the Jets' workaholic quarterback. Helped any teammate who would ask, and even some who didn't.

"Curtis taught me how to be a professional," former Jets running back LaMont Jordan said. "He taught me what it takes to play in the NFL, how to conduct yourself on and off the field. I think if I weren't around a guy like him, I don't know if I would have made it."

No one could have imagined Martin would have that kind of impact on the franchise when Bill Parcells brought him here from New England in 1998. Then again, maybe Parcells did, because the coach had such a conviction about Martin as a player and as a leader that he paid a king's ransom at the time - $36 million over six years for a player with just three NFL seasons.

He turned out to be well worth the investment.

"Curtis Martin is a special player," Parcells once told me. "There aren't many guys like him you come across, but when you do, you cherish everything about him. He's been a great player and a great person. I love the kid."

In the end, Martin turned into the second most important player in Jets history. Only Joe Namath had a bigger impact.

Martin helped immediately, leading the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in Denver after the 1998 season. It was no accident that Vinny Testaverde, with such a reliable running game, enjoyed his most efficient passing season that year. And had it not been for a few turnovers against the Broncos, the Jets might have made it to the Super Bowl.

Martin was by far the Jets' most consistent player throughout his tenure, playing through knee and ankle injuries. Until he was hurt in the 12th game of 2005, Martin had missed just one game since joining the Jets.

He played for three coaches in New York and would love to have played for a fourth; his right knee would not recover sufficiently to get into Eric Mangini's lineup last season.

But Martin still left an indelible impression on Mangini. Last year, when Martin was doing everything possible to make a comeback, he told the coach that one of his biggest goals was to be named Mangini's practice player of the week.

That's one of the coolest stories I've ever come across in professional sports, and it's indicative of the high-character guy and intense competitor Martin was. Mangini was stunned when Martin told him that, left speechless that a man heading for Canton one day would be consumed over winning an award that meant something only to the players in the locker room.

For Martin, it meant everything.

Great player. Great competitor. We'll miss the guy.

Curtis Martin's spectacular run

In the beginning:

Selected by the Patriots in the third round with the 74th overall pick; nine running backs were selected ahead of him.

Made NFL debut Sept. 3, 1995 against Browns; ran for 102 yards and a TD on 19 carries.

Finished rookie season with 1,487 yards and 14 rushing TDs.

Chosen the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and to the Pro Bowl.

How he got here:

After the 1997 season, Martin signed a Jets offer sheet for $36 million over six years as a restricted free agent. The Patriots declined to match the offer and received first- and third-round draft picks from the Jets.

Highlights:

56 100-yard rushing games, 43 as a Jet, in the regular season

Pro Bowl in 1995, '96, '98, 2001, 2004

Ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of first 10 seasons.

Won 2004 rushing title with 1,697 yards, one more than Seattle's Shaun Alexander.

Has a "perfect" passer rating of 158.3 with two TD completions on two career attempts (both to Wayne Chrebet).

At the end:

14,101 rushing yards rank fourth in NFL history.

3,298 carries rank fourth in NFL history.

100 touchdowns (90 rushing, 10 receiving) tied with Franco Harris for 19th all-time.

17,430 yards from scrimmage

10,302 rushing yards and 2,560 carries are Jets records.

Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2012.

- TOM ROCK

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

RF365's head coach power rankings

By Os Davis on July 26, 2007 01:38 AM

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At this point in the non-season, it is said, every team is tied for first. By that same logic, every coach has made just as many mistakes in 2007 as any other while achieving identical success.

Through hard analysis of both past (but not too far gone) achievement, present status with his team, and the ever-elusive "What Have You Done for Me Lately?" factor, RealFootball365.com presents an attempt at a logical, objective, non-controversial look at the NFL's head coaches.

(Well, two out of three ain't bad.)

1. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots . Who else, right? Right.

2. Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts . All right, I'll admit it. Dungy has built some great teams. (Remember those wonderful 1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers ?) Yet nearly everywhere the meek one is placed No. 2 to a guy who hasn't won the Super Bowl in two years. Hmmm...

3. Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles . Call him the NFL's answer to Bobby Cox. In six of the last seven seasons (and eight total as Eagles head coach), Philadelphia has made the playoffs, and four times it has appeared in the NFC championship. Not bad for a guy who just discovered the running game in about Week 7 of last season.

4. Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears . Since going 6-14 in his first 20 games as Bears head coach, Smith has turned this team into a defensive marvel, going 25-7 including the playoffs since. Lovie has no ring yet, but he's got the time and potentially the personnel of his own choosing.

5. Mike Shanahan, Denver Broncos . Yes, he hasn't won a Super Bowl since a dude named John Elway was quarterbacking, but did you realize that the Broncos have posted exactly one losing season in the 12 of Shanahan's reign? Denver under Shanahan is always a threat to contend; plus, there's that 5-1 mark against the Belichick/Brady Patriots...

6. Mike Holmgren, Seattle Seahawks . Another coach who hasn't won the big one since the '90s, Holmgren has registered just two losing seasons in a 15-year head coaching career with the Seahawks and Green Bay Packers . With Seattle's injuries and limp defensive performance last year, many felt the team had no business getting into the playoffs; all the more credit to miracle-making Holmgren.

7. Brian Billick, Baltimore Ravens . Billick has managed to produce double-digit win totals (and one Super Bowl win) in four of his eight seasons as Ravens head coach, despite a sorry run of QBs like Tony Banks, Jeff Blake, Kyle Boller, Stoney Case, and Elvis Grbac. Installing Air McNair got Billick's boys to 13-3 and a reputation for more than defense.

8. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints . The only sophomore to place in the top 10, Payton was blessed with an enviable combination of players, luck and skill last season. Payton used Reggie Bush to perfection, designed a sweet offensive game plan for Drew Brees, and uncovered talents like Marques Colston. Are Payton and the Saints for real? We think so.

9. Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Whether Chucky was a great coach hasn't been in question since the Gruden Bowl -- I mean, Super Bowl XXXVII. But does the former wunderkind still have it? Gruden loves old guys at QB and with Jeff Garcia, white hot in 2006, at the helm, it's a make-or-break year for the coach.

10. Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans . The Music City Miracle isn't the only magic Fisher has seen in his tenure with the Titans, but he may need a little Potter in 2007 after a terrible offseason and three years of 17-31.

11. John Fox, Carolina Panthers . Sure, the Panthers had a brutal year in 2006, crawling to .500 after gaining status as prohibitive NFC favorites. Fox, however, has twice followed disappointing years with 11-5 marks.

12. Eric Mangini, New York Jets . The acolyte of Belichick fanned the flames of hope for Jets backers in his debut season. Gang Green has since taken up Thomas Jones. Mangini with a running attack? Scary.

13. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers . After hastily constructing the league's youngest team, McCarthy got his guys confident enough to go 7-4 in the last 11, including a season-closing four-game win streak. One wonders what will happen when that 25th-best QB is replaced.

14. Mike Nolan, San Francisco 49ers . This ranking brought to you by the Straddling The Fence Department. On the surface, the 49ers appear to be improving under Nolan, moving up steadily from the 2-14 bottoming out under Dennis Erickson to 7-9 last year. Just one problem: The defense was still dead last in terms of points allowed and bottom five against both run and pass. After an excellent offseason, suited or no, Nolan has few excuses left.

15. Herm Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs . Is there a blander, more uninspiring, greater waste of apparent football intelligence then Edwards in the NFL today? I mean, besides Romeo Crennel...

16. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings . Childress' 2006 Vikings: Fair-to-middling squad squeezed to their full potential by no-nonsense coaching or fair-to-middling squad disastrously out-coached against Chicago, New England and the Jets? Discuss.

17. Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars . From 12-4 to 8-8, despite statistical improvement to both offense and defense? What is that "chopping wood" thing about again?

18. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals . Lewis' Bengals records throughout his tenure: 8-8, 8-8, 11-5, 8-8. Think the Bengals'll go 8-8 this season?

19. Scott Linehan, St. Louis Rams . Ever since the glory days of Kurt Warner ended, the Rams have been spinning their wheels, making personnel moves seemingly without rhyme or reason. Linehan hopes to continue that trend.

20. Romeo Crennel, Cleveland Browns . Funny bit on Crennel from his Wikipedia entry: "Before beginning the 2003 playoffs with the Patriots, Crennel interviewed for head coaching positions with five teams in under 36 hours. He was not offered any jobs, however, and was passed up by the New York Giants , Buffalo Bill, Arizona Cardinals , Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons ." Imagine the second-guessing going on in Cleveland right now, after a season in which the defense actually degenerated from 2005; holding a roster filled higgledy-piggledy with past-their-primers, the mostly untried, and Kellen Winslow; and a "quarterback controversy" that might go on for a long, long time.

21. Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans . Kubiak's doing the best he can, I suppose.

22. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants . How many coaches prove to be a distraction, with players claiming they're being worked too hard...

23. Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins . ...not to mention having to memorize a 10,000-page playbook?

24. Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys . Generously do we let bygones be bygones. Son of the Houston Oilers' immortal Bum Phillips, Wade is at least at home in Texas; wish him well.

25. Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers . Don't get me started. I'm referring everyone here. .411 ... sheesh.

26. Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills . With each passing year, you gotta wonder how long Jauron's reputation is going to cruise on a fluke 13-3 season with the Bears back in two thousand-freaking-one. (And doesn't anyone remember how laughingly easy Chicago's schedule was that year?) Folks, he's 30-55 career otherwise.

27. Rod Marinelli, Detroit Lions . How are you given lots of license and the wizard of the Greatest Show on Turf and actually decline from a Joey Harrington-led 5-11 team? An inauspicious beginning, indeed.

T28. Cam Cameron, Miami Dolphins .

T28. Bobby Petrino, Atlanta Falcons .

T28. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers .

T28. Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals . Lifetime records of 0-0, one and all. Give 'em all a grade of "pending."

32. Lane Kiffin, Oakland Raiders . Already beat down by the NFL powers-that-be once, reportedly working veterans too hard ... hoo boy. I know we'll take a beating from Raider Nation for this rating, so I'll just say "Welcome to the league, Mr. Kiffin."

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Position Battles To Watch During Jets' Camp

Football

By MICHAEL DAVID SMITH

July 26, 2007

The Jets open training camp Friday with a roster not much different than the one that earned a playoff berth last year. But training camp will determine, at several positions, which players start and which players sit. Today we examine the major position battles at Jets camp.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

CONTENDERS: David Harris, Eric Barton

The Jets traded up to choose Harris, who led the team in tackles his last two seasons at Michigan, in the second round of this year's draft. Although Jets coach Eric Mangini is reluctant to praise rookies before they prove themselves in the NFL, he definitely sees the addition of Harris as a big part of building his 3

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Kendall May Hold Out for Restructured Contract

By KAREN CROUSE

Published: July 26, 2007

The Jets open training camp tomorrow on Long Island, and left guard Pete Kendall, who has been vocal in his displeasure over his contract, said yesterday that he did not know if he would be there.

Reached by telephone yesterday at his off-season home in Weymouth, Mass., Kendall initially declined to comment but later said,

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Jets sign second-round pick Harris to four-year deal

Thursday, July 26, 2007

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

The Jets yesterday their signed second-round pick, linebacker David Harris, leaving their first-round pick, cornerback Darrelle Revis, their only unsigned draft selection as the team reported to training camp at Hofstra University last night.

Players will undergo physicals and a conditioning run today before putting on the pads and going through a two-a-day session tomorrow.

Harris, selected 47th overall out of Michigan, signed a four-year deal. Terms of the contract were undisclosed. He's expected to battle veteran Eric Barton for playing time at inside linebacker in the Jets' 3-4 alignment and provides much-needed depth at the position. The Jets traded up 12 slots to draft the hard-hitting 6-2, 243-pounder.

The club is believed to be close to signing Revis, whom they traded up 11 spots to take with the 14th pick overall. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons, drafted 15th overall by the Steelers, signed a five-year deal worth $15 million that included $8 million guaranteed. Revis will get slotted just ahead of Timmons.

This morning, future Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin will announce his retirement at the team's Manhattan offices. He is scheduled to appear on ESPN's "First Take" program.

Martin, 34, finishes his career with 14,101 yards rushing, trailing only Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders in career yardage.

Giants: Backup safety Jason Bell was placed on injured reserve with a back injury.

Bell, who appeared in 15 regular season games and a playoff game last season, aggravated his back during the offseason conditioning program.

The Giants agreed to terms with WR Steve Smith, their second-round pick, according to someone familiar with the negotiations. The person requested anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially signed yet. Players are scheduled to report to Albany for training camp tomorrow. CB Aaron Ross (first round) remains unsigned, but both sides believe a deal will be struck before practices begin on Saturday

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Jets workhorse RB Martin calls it quits

Associated Press, Updated 43 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Jets running back Curtis Martin, fourth on the NFL's career rushing list, announced his retirement Thursday - 19 months after playing his final game.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection said in January that he had probably played his last game because of a bone-on-bone right knee injury suffered during the 2005 season. Martin made the long-anticipated decision official - after months of rehabbing and deliberating - a day before the Jets open training camp.

"Retirement is not an end, but a beginning," the 34-year-old Martin said in a statement. "It is not giving up a position, but more of a passing of the baton. And it's definitely not a crossroad, but a bridge that will further my pursuits within the NFL."

Martin finished with 14,101 yards rushing in 11 active seasons, ranking behind only Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269). His 3,518 carries are third on the NFL's career list, and his 90 rushing touchdowns rank him tied for 12th with Eric Dickerson. Martin was also a versatile offensive weapon throughout his career, catching 484 passes for 3,329 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Jets will honor Martin in a special ceremony before the beginning of the regular season.

Martin tore cartilage in his right knee in Week 2 against Miami in 2005, and aggravated the injury two games later against Baltimore. He played through the pain - typical of the toughness he displayed throughout his career - but ended his season after the Jets' 12th game.

It became a bone-on-bone injury when the damaged cartilage was surgically removed that December. His recovery was slow and the team placed him on the physically unable to perform list before training camp last summer so he could further rehabilitate the knee. They put him on injured reserve in November, ending his season.

While Martin was present during most team meetings last season and acted as a mentor to some of the younger players, including running back Leon Washington and Cedric Houston, he never played another down in the NFL.

Martin spent his first three seasons with New England, including being named the NFL's offensive rookie of the year in 1995. He came to the Jets as a restricted free agent in 1998 and became one of the most popular and successful players in team history.

His best year was his last healthy season in 2004, when he led the league in rushing with 1,697 yards and tied Sanders' record with 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career.

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Curtis Martin retires

BY TOM ROCK

tom.rock@newsday.com

July 26, 2007, 7:57 AM EDT

The Curtis Martin Era has ended.

The Jets' all-time leading rusher whose 14,101 career yards rank fourth in NFL history announced his retirement in a statement this morning, ending a career in which he had 11 active seasons. T In eight years on the field for the Jets

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

there are also a bunch of stories on the Team's Official site, which for some reason are a pain in the ass to copy and post so peruse at your own discretion folks

SFJ

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

It

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Martin makes long-anticipated retirement official

Associated Press

Updated: July 26, 2007, 1:34 PM ET

Curtis Martin Set to RetireNEW YORK -- New York Jets running back Curtis Martin, fourth on the NFL's career rushing list, announced his retirement Thursday -- 19 months after playing his final game.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection acknowledged in January that he had probably played his last game because of a bone-on-bone right knee injury suffered during the 2005 season. Martin made the long-anticipated decision official -- after months of rehabbing and deliberating -- a day before the Jets begin training camp practices.

"I don't see this as a sad time,'' Martin said at a small, 45-minute news conference at the team's Manhattan offices, one of several stops on a whirlwind media tour. "Someone was just asking me if there's any moment in particular that sticks out as the best moment of my career, and I told them, 'Right now.'''

Martin finished with 14,101 yards rushing in 11 active seasons, ranking behind only Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269). His 3,518 carries are third on the NFL's career list, and his 90 rushing touchdowns rank him tied for 12th with Eric Dickerson. Martin was also a versatile offensive weapon throughout his career, catching 484 passes for 3,329 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"I've seen myself have one focus and maintained that focus, and at the end of the day, things turned out better than what I had even intended from the beginning,'' Martin said.

The Jets will honor Martin in a special ceremony before the beginning of the regular season. There is also growing sentiment that the team should retire Martin's No. 28 jersey.

"I think that would be great,'' Martin said with a big smile. "If that were to happen, I would like that.''

NFL all-time leading rushers

Curtis Martin finishes his career in some elite company, among the who's who at the running back position:

Player Yards

Emmitt Smith 18,355

Walter Payton 16,726

Barry Sanders 15,269

Curtis Martin 14,101

Jerome Bettis 13,662

Eric Dickerson 13,259

Tony Dorsett 12,739

Jim Brown 12,312

Marshall Faulk 12,279

Marcus Allen 12,243

Martin, always regarded as one of the classiest yet toughest players, has already moved on to the next phase of his life after football: He plans to become an NFL owner in the near future.

"I believe I've gotten a chance to understand the game from the ground up,'' said Martin, decked out in a sharp black suit and black and purple tie. "It's something that very few owners are able to do, simply because they're not privy to the intimacy of the locker rooms or the brotherhood of the players. I believe that I can bring something new, and something that I think could be better for the NFL overall.''

Martin was hoping to announce specific plans Thursday, but hasn't finalized anything yet. He declined to reveal which teams he had spoken to, or if the Jets were one of them.

"It's something that I'm very excited about, and it looks good,'' he said.

Martin tore cartilage in his right knee in Week 2 against Miami in 2005, and aggravated the injury two games later against Baltimore. He played through the pain -- typical of the toughness he displayed throughout his career -- but ended his season after the Jets' 12th game.

It became a bone-on-bone injury when the damaged cartilage was surgically removed that December. His recovery was slow and the team placed him on the physically unable to perform list before training camp last summer so he could further rehabilitate the knee. They put him on injured reserve in November, ending his season -- and ultimately, his career.

"When I realized that I wasn't going to recover the way I had hoped to, it's like my mind made that shift and I said, 'You know what? Unless a miraculous thing happens, I realized that this is the inevitable.'''

While Martin was present during most team meetings last season and acted as a mentor to some of the younger players, including running back Leon Washington and Cedric Houston, he never played another down in the NFL.

"I don't have any regrets,'' Martin said. "I feel like I'm leaving this game exactly how I would want to. I know that I'm stubborn when it comes to football and I know that it would have to take something like this -- and gratefully it's not too bad to where it's going to hinder the rest of my life where I'd need a wheelchair or cane, but from what I understand, had I went back on there on that field, that would have probably been the outcome of it.''

Martin spent his first three seasons with New England, including being named the NFL's offensive rookie of the year in 1995. He came to the Jets as a restricted free agent in 1998 and became one of the most popular in team history.

His best year was his last healthy season in 2004, when he led the league with 1,697 yards rushing and tied Sanders' record with 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career.

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Rating the Roster: Offensive Line

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After a lengthy summer hiatus, we finally resume our

SoFlaJets · July 26, 2007

Jets' Martin retires from NFL

Thursday, July 26, 2007

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

'Man-genius' readies Jets for Year 2

NEW YORK

New York Jets running back Curtis Martin, fourth on the NFL's career rushing list, announced his retirement Thursday -- 19 months after playing his final game.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection said in January that he had probably played his last game because of a bone-on-bone right knee injury suffered during the 2005 season. Martin made the long-anticipated decision official -- after months of rehabbing and deliberating -- a day before the Jets open training camp.