Curtis Martin Conference Call Transcript 2/1/11

[JetNation]

February 1, 2011- On Tuesday former New York Jets running back Curtis Martin addressed the media regarding his Pro Football Hall of Fame nomination.  Here is the transcript courtesy of the Jets.

On what he is most proud of when he looks back on his career…

“Well, when I look back over my career, I’m more proud of the things that I’ve done off the field (and) the impact that I’ve had on the locker room (and) on my team as a leader. Those are the things that make me proud as a player because, as we all know in this game, there are so many distractions. There are so many things that can take your focus off the field. There are so many different ways to get in some type of trouble. For me, the thing that I’m most pleased with is to be able to retire with a good name, a name that hopefully can be associated with good character, humility, a leader, a hard worker, someone who endured, those types of intangible things. Those are the things I’d like to be associated with and those are the things I’m most proud of.”

On if he views his Hall of Fame candidacy from other individual awards…

“Well, yes, I do. This is, to me, something that has affected me totally different than other individual accomplishments. I don’t necessarily see this as an individual accomplishment. It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of other people to get to this point. Even you guys in the media, I think that you all play a role. I think this is more of a collective effort. I think that I’ve done what I did on the field. It wasn’t independently. One thing I will say, is that with the Hall of Fame, I didn’t know that I would care about it as much or I didn’t know how I would feel about it, but it’s something that I’m more excited than I have been about any other kind of individual accomplishment. I’m excited about it. For me, just to be mentioned in the last 15, there’s only a few guys who are in this elite group of people. I think it speaks to a career of commitment and dedication beyond the average, so it’s something that I’m really excited about.”

On how special it was to spend most of his career with the Jets…

“The Jets, for me, I look at the entire organization from the owner on down. I had a few years with the Hess family. I really respect that family, especially as owners. I think they did a good job as a team. I also appreciate what Woody Johnson has done with the team. I think he’s created somewhat of a Jet culture, a mentality, an expectation, a standard that we were to carry as players, and the current players do too. I think what he’s accomplished as an owner has trickled down through the front office and on the field to the players. I think that’s why we’re seeing the Jets in the playoffs more often. This is the second year in a row they were in the AFC Championship. I think it speaks to the leadership, which is the Johnson family, and the people and the coaches that he’s put in place to help the team get to where they’re at. I appreciate everything that the Jets organization and everyone involved has done to help me get to this place that I’m in right now.”

On how he will spend Saturday waiting to find out if he has been voted in to the Hall of Fame…

“I’m not sure of that. I’m usually a guy that I know that someone will let me know. They said I would receive a call if I did make it somewhere after 6:00. I’ll probably be home watching TV, doing something simple. I’m not too sure what actually will occur. I’ll definitely be anticipating the answer, whether it’s yes or no.”

On how his health is…

“Number one, there’s no pills (that I have to take). There’s very little pain. I usually only have pain because I still work out pretty vigorously. I’m doing a lot of boxing. With my cardio, I feel like I can come out and play if I had to. I’m sure most of us retired players think we can. I’m in really good shape. I don’t have too much pain. The only time I have pain is in my knee when I go too much. Like the other day, I boxed and I went maybe 17 rounds or so. I think with all the movement and everything, my knee got a little swollen, but it’s fine today.”

On owners saying they need to look at the long-term health of the league when a player’s career may only last two or three years…

“I think as a player it’s hard to have a long-term vision, but you also have to understand that that’s what the owners have to think. They can’t afford to think short-term. I believe in a lot of their decisions. The stance that they’re taking is targeted towards that. The one thing, as a player, that I would try to keep in mind is that the owners, obviously, they want to make more money and hopefully as a player you want to believe that if they’re making more money, that means that the players will eventually make more money. Sometimes that takes a long-term vision. Like you said, a lot of players may not see it that way.”

On if he’s prepared to not make the Hall of Fame…

“I’m totally prepared for that. I’m the type of guy that takes things as they come. For me, it’s been an honor. I don’t say this modestly or anything, but it’s been such an honor for me to accomplish what I accomplished in the NFL. Nothing will take that away from me or that joy of being able to play the years I have and accomplish what I have. Nothing will take that away. I think the Hall of Fame is more of an acknowledgment of what you’ve accomplished. I just think it’s a tremendous honor. If I get in, I’ll be elated. If I don’t, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the voting system or anything. It’s just the way it happens. It’s hard to compare to the Pro Bowl, but sometimes a lot of players feel they should get in. There were certain years I felt I should get in and I didn’t get in. You just take it as it comes. The Hall of Fame is special. If it doesn’t happen for me this year, hopefully (it will happen) some other year.”

On who will present him if he makes the Hall of Fame…

“It’s funny, coming into this league, I remember asking (Bill) Parcells if he really thought that I could play in this league. I think as a rookie, you look at the NFL and you say, ‘That’s on TV.’ The Hall of Fame is a whole other world. This is something that I never really even imagined would happen for me. I never really imagined being in this situation, but I always knew that as the talk began that there was never a question or doubt in my mind who would (present me), and it is Parcells.”

On his emotions knowing that the Hall of Fame is so close…

“I recently just got married. A lot of people, during the engagement period, were asking me how I felt. I said, ‘You know, I feel the same.’ They asked me how I thought I would feel when I got married and I said, ‘I don’t quite know.’ For me, I’ve always been a person who, until it’s done, that’s when I get excited. Until we were coming out of that tunnel going out onto the field to play the game, that’s when all my excitement would kick in. Until I walked down the aisle and got married, that’s when my excitement kicked in. I think this will be very similar. If I am elected, I think on that flight down to Dallas, I think that’s when all of my excitement would kick in.”

On how he views his time with New England…

“You know something, I just spoke to Mr. (Robert) Kraft this morning. He called just to congratulate me on my career. He said, ‘Curtis, when you came here as a rookie, we had a really good chance to get to know one another.’ I used to go over to his house for the Jewish holidays. I remember how his wife made this chicken soup that was my favorite. He just talked about what it meant to him for me to be there and how much he appreciated me as a player and, more importantly, as a person. It meant a lot to me because I’ve always respected the Kraft family and I always respected the Patriots organization. I think the Patriots organization was, I would have to say in my mind, the best foundation that I could have had as an NFL player. Of course, that included Parcells and the team. The relationship that I had with Mr. Kraft, the relationship I had with the head coach, Bill Parcells, and the fact that we were in Foxboro (where) there were few distractions for me coming from the city, that was probably the best foundation. Looking back on it, there is no other team I would have rather spent those first three years with.”

On if he would have stayed with New England if they tried to extend his contract earlier or if he wanted to be with Parcells…

“I’m a very loyal person. I was totally open to staying in New England. I wanted to stay in New England. It’s funny because out of all the teams that I may have had the opportunity to go to, the Jets were one in particular that I didn’t want to go to, but what made me open to it was the fact that Parcells was there. Up until I got the call, I had planned on being a New England Patriot. I never thought I would leave there for my entire career. I had just gotten on a flight and landed in Maui when I got the call from my agent that the New York Jets were interested and I had to get back to possibly sign a contract. I literally was at the mall, straight off the plane and had to go back on the plane and fly all the way back to New York.”

On what the most memorable moment of his career is…

“Let me just start with the most memorable event. For some reason, losing that game in Denver, in the AFC championship, stands out more than anything to me, as far as on the field. That was something that you leave situations like that feeling like it was such a lost opportunity. I felt like that really was our year. I felt like that was the year for me to get a ring and the Jets to win their second Super Bowl. That was almost heartbreaking as far as the game goes. Off the field, what I remember most, is the way the fans treated me (and) the way the media treated me. When I retired, the way they honored me at the Jets stadium (is memorable). I just felt such an appreciation for what the fans and the media have meant to me in New York and I also felt the appreciation from the fans of what I meant to them. Those are my most vivid memories.”

On where being a finalist for the Hall of Fame ranks in his life…

“I think that anytime a person has a career, and at the end of their career, whether you’re in business or football, baseball, whatever it may be, whether you’re on Wall Street, even with singers or actors, if you are elected to the Hall of Fame, that means that you were one of the best ever to do something. The intensity, the focus, the commitment and the passion that you had to have to achieve that, I think you can look back on it and be proud of what you’ve accomplished. That’s how I feel. I feel very grateful for, number one, being blessed with the ability to be in this situation, and then, having all the support.”

On whether he compares himself to anyone else in the Hall of Fame…

“You know something, I’m not. I think the Pro Bowl voting, it kind of gets you out of that type of mindset because you realize that it’s not necessarily statistics that’s going to get you there. Sometimes, there are intangible things or things you have no understanding of why a person votes yea or nay. My mind has not clicked in that direction to say, ‘Well, because this person got in, then I should get in,’ because I don’t think that has anything to do with it.”

On the NFL possibly moving to an 18-game regular season schedule…

“I think that, for a player, it really depends on who you are. I would definitely think if that happens, something must be done with the preseason. I know by the 16th game of the season, you’re almost playing on fumes. You’re playing on sheer will by that 16th game of the season. If they did something with the preseason games, maybe there’s some way where the players can get a little extra rest, but I don’t know how that would work out. (If that happens), then I think it’s doable. Do I think most of the players will be for it? I think there are more (that will not be for it) than there are that will, just because simply it’s a very grueling season. The NFL season is hard. Very few players can make it through an entire season. I think it would be great for the fans. I think it would be great for the game. I just don’t know what the effects would be for the players.”

On whether he would still like to own an NFL team…

“You know something, I really want to do it and I almost did it twice. In hindsight, I think it’s the right decision that I didn’t do those things (and) that I didn’t go forward with the situations that were at hand. It’s something that I’ve learned so much about and it’s been invaluable to me. I feel like I’ve gone back t0 business school, like I’ve gone to Columbia or Harvard and gotten a degree. I’ve learned so much. Now, I think I have much more of a mature thought about it. Being that I’ve gotten everything in place on my side that I need to do it, if the right opportunity comes, I feel very secure about that. More importantly, I understand the importance of it being the right opportunity for me. I don’t think that I went into it with that type of understanding, initially. Now that I have it, there’s not a rush or I’m not anxious about it. I described it previously that, it’s like running the football. I think what makes a running back a good running back versus a fair running back is that you know how to be patient and wait for the right hole and then you just hit that hole. That’s kind of the approach that I’ve taken as far as ownership goes. When that right opportunity comes, when that hole opens up, I’ll know it’s the right one and I’ll hit it.”

On whether he said he has been boxing for 17 rounds…

“Yes.”

On whether the boxing rounds are three minutes long…

“Yes, three-minute rounds. I take two rounds off. I’ll probably go maybe seven rounds, take one round off, do another six or so, take one round off and then finish out. They’re all sparring. I go down to the gym, I’ll get in the ring and the guys there know me. Whoever wants to hop in the ring, I’ll spar with them. Most of the time, I don’t punch back unless I’m sparring with one of the pros.”

On why the Jets were a team he did not want to go to initially…

“Before that, the Jets were just seen as one of the worst teams in the NFL, in my opinion, to be frank about it. I had never heard of the Jets winning. Joe Namath was so far beyond my time. That was back when football, in my mind, first started. I just didn’t think much of the Jets organization. Now, when Parcells went there, in my mind, that was going to be a better organization simply because Parcells was there. Ever since, I never recall the Jets having a 1-15 or a 2-14 season. Ever since then, the organization has turned around. Of course, now it’s my favorite team in the NFL, but things change and my perspective definitely did.”

On whether it hits him that he is only behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders on the all-time rushing list…

“It does. It sincerely humbles me. It brings me back to thinking how my mother forced me to play football just because I grew up in such a horrible neighborhood and she wanted me to spend some more time doing anything. I’m so grateful for my high school football coach, who was my phys ed (physical education) teacher (and) who was begging me play football because of what he watched me do in gym class. I never played. I walked out on the field in my senior year on Wednesday, when they have a scrimmage game on Saturday. I told him I’d play and he said, “Go get this man some equipment.” I put on the equipment and he puts me in as a starting running back. On the first play from scrimmage in the scrimmage game on Saturday, I ran for an 80-yard touchdown. It seems as though it was just like fate. It was just something that I was just gifted to do. It just humbles me that today, I’m in somewhat the same class or even right behind an Emmitt Smith, who I think is great, a Walter Payton, who I think is great (and) a Barry Sanders, who I think is great. Just to be affiliated and mentioned with those types, it’s kind of mind-boggling for me because it was never my plan.”

Closing remarks…

“Guys, I just want to thank you all. As I said in my retirement speech, the media, you guys have been really good to me. I know from a lot of your statements that you all are down there pushing for me to make it into the Hall of Fame. Whether I make it or not, that’s to be seen. I just want you all to know that I really, sincerely appreciate your effort, your time and the attention and coverage that you’ve given me throughout my career. We’ll see what happens Saturday, but regardless, thank you all for the way that you covered me throughout the years. I really, really appreciate it. Thank you.”

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[Maxman]

Have to give Curtis credit for being honest. Really good interview, but man he didn't want to go to the Jets initially? Love it, beats the gosh shucks, I was a Jets fan growing up line, lol.

[4HCrew]

Martin is one of my all time favorites for his warrior mentality on the field and his classiness off of it.

[T0mShane]

"I wanted to stay in New England. It's funny because out of all the teams that I may have had the opportunity to go to, the Jets were one in particular I didn't want to go to..."

LOL!

13 carries, 14 yards. Thanks for all the good times, Curt.

[LWC611]

He is a class act. Given what he has accomplished on the field, the fact that he is most proud of what he did off of it speaks volumes... I hope he gets in on the first ballot.

[Larz]

love the guy. can't wait to see him in canton !!!

[Klecko73isGod]

love the guy. can't wait to see him in canton !!!

+1

Third greatest Jet of all time!

[The Crusher]

Savage in 1, 2 3.........

[T0mShane]

What hurt Curt here more than anything was that he became tied to the idiot Herm Edwards, who rode Curtis into the ground at the expense of the team, and that we were constantly barraged with comparisons between Curt and obviously more dominant backs. It seemed like every time they handed off to him some announcer just had to say, "...and Martin just passed Marshall Faulk/ Eric Dickerson/ Jim Brown/ Tony Dorsett..." It almost forced you to realize how relatively worthless his rushing totals were when compared with those guys. He's fourth on the list behind Emmit, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Does anyone really think that Martin was even close to that kind of player?

[4HCrew]

What hurt Curt here more than anything was that he became tied to the idiot Herm Edwards, who rode Curtis into the ground at the expense of the team, and that we were constantly barraged with comparisons between Curt and obviously more dominant backs. It seemed like every time they handed off to him some announcer just had to say, "...and Martin just passed Marshall Faulk/ Eric Dickerson/ Jim Brown/ Tony Dorsett..." It almost forced you to realize how relatively worthless his rushing totals were when compared with those guys. He's fourth on the list behind Emmit, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Does anyone really think that Martin was even close to that kind of player?

Tom what exactly is your criteria for a Hall of Famer? btw feel free to check out the front page lol shameless plug

[#27TheDominator]

I was not a huge fan of him as a player. He was excellent and my lack of love only comes in comparison to other greats. He is a class act through and through. I had to deal with him once personally in a situation where many people would get nasty, thuggy and/or "do you know who I am", but he was just patient, quiet and classy all the way.

[T0mShane]

Tom what exactly is your criteria for a Hall of Famer? btw feel free to check out the front page lol shameless plug

Oh, I think Curt is a Hall of Famer, but I think he's a Hall of Famer like Wade Boggs is a Hall of Famer. There were always better, more dynamic players to be compared to, but his consistency was his stock in trade. Barry Sanders was hitting 60 homers every year, but Curtis was hitting line drive singles most times he swung the bat. No shame in that.

And I'm always reading the front page! In fact, I link to it (instead of straight to the forums) because I like to read what you guys have going on up there! Shameless plug, baby!!! Lol!

[Bugg]

Oh, I think Curt is a Hall of Famer, but I think he's a Hall of Famer like Wade Boggs is a Hall of Famer. There were always better, more dynamic players to be compared to, but his consistency was his stock in trade. Barry Sanders was hitting 60 homers every year, but Curtis was hitting line drive singles most times he swung the bat. No shame in that.

And I'm always reading the front page! In fact, I link to it (instead of straight to the forums) because I like to read what you guys have going on up there! Shameless plug, baby!!! Lol!

When Boggs at the end of his career came up in a World Series game and at least was productive. Martin, on the other hand, spare the Jacksonville blowout, never did a goddamn thing for the Jets in a playoff game. Those stirring videos of Riggins running over Dolphons in the Super Bowl-Martin doesn't have that. In fact as a dominant back there are far more instances that when the jets could've run out the clock with a big back getting yards and 1st downs in the 2nd half with a lead, Martin didn't do it-denver, SD, Pitt. Martin stuck around forever and piled up stats. When the games mattered he did little.

Canizzarro writes today that Martin was unselfish, which is complete and total bullhsit. Now may be Edwards ran him into the ground because no one could 2nd guess that. But Martin didn't exactly help the situation.He was all about racking up yards. He's Tiki Barber with a longer career. BFD. Enjoy your bust, Curtis. And speaking of postseason busts...

[T0mShane]

When Boggs at the end of his career came up in a World Series game and at least was productive. Martin, on the other hand, spare the Jacksonville blowout, never did a goddamn thing for the Jets in a playoff game. Those stirring videos of Riggins running over Dolphons in the Super Bowl-Martin doesn't have that. In fact as a dominant back there are far more instances that when the jets could've run out the clock with a big back getting yards and 1st downs in the 2nd half with a lead, Martin didn't do it-denver, SD, Pitt. Martin stuck around forever and piled up stats. When the games mattered he did little.

Canizzarro writes today that Martin was unselfish, which is complete and total bullhsit. Now may be Edwards ran him into the ground because no one could 2nd guess that. But Martin didn't exactly help the situation.He was all about racking up yards. He's Tiki Barber with a longer career. BFD. Enjoy your bust, Curtis. And speaking of postseason busts...

Every time I think of Curtis, I think of Denver.

[Maxman]

The 98 reference was a good one Tom.

That team overachieved big time.

[Maxman]

You cant fault Curtis if the coach played him hurt. That's what always bothered me about the criticism he received. We want players that say they can play even when they are hurt. John Abraham was blasted for saying he was hurt and couldn't play. Look at the crap Cutler just got for the same thing.

Yet Curtis worked through the pain and he was run into the ground. Not his fault though the coach needs to play the players that give them the best chance to win. Oh and Lamont Jordan, lol.

[Bugg]

Every time I think of Curtis, I think of Denver.

That, and his last rushing title in 2004, when EDdwards slavishly gave him a NFL-leading 371 carries and then he totally shat the bed in the playoffs. HE'S A WARRIOR!What crap.

By the standards of the HoF, he will get in. But please spare us all the "greatness" nonsense. If you give a competent NFL back that amount of carries he ahd better get a pile of yards.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartCu00.htm

[Falcon63]

Always classy. Sounds like he thinks he can still play....sign this beast?

[Bugg]

Always classy. Sounds like he thinks he can still play....sign this beast?

Jesus H. frickin' Christ!

[Falcon63]

Jesus H. frickin' Christ!

I hope you knew I was kidding...

[#27TheDominator]

That, and his last rushing title in 2004, when EDdwards slavishly gave him a NFL-leading 371 carries and then he totally shat the bed in the playoffs. HE'S A WARRIOR!What crap.

I think you mean his ONLY rushing title. He got one more yard than Shaun Alexander on 20 extra carries because Holmgren refused to give Alexander an extra carry in a meaningless pre-playoff game. I assume Holmgren really doesn't like Alexander. That may be a point in Curtis' favor. I think Curtis got about 50 more than Corey Dillon who missed a game or two.

[Matt39]

Its hard to say anything bad about the guy...he was a good player, but you also kind of knew the games that he wouldn't be productive in beforehand.

The Hall will eventually award his durability(which is definitely amazing for a running back) and the amount of yardage he put up.

He shouldnt get in before Deion, Faulk, Carter though. All three were more dominant at their respective positions.

[Falcon63]

Its hard to say anything bad about the guy...he was a good player, but you also kind of knew the games that he wouldn't be productive in beforehand.

The Hall will eventually award his durability(which is definitely amazing for a running back) and the amount of yardage he put up.

He shouldnt get in before Deion, Faulk, Carter though. All three were more dominant at their respective positions.

How was Martin NOT dominant? No, he never got MVP or anything, but he had 10 (would've been 11 without injury) straight 1k yard seasons on the JETS, in a time when 1k yards was actually an accomplishment. He also was a solid receiving back when needed. Oh, and he had a crap team behind him. Oh, and a crap OL.

[Bugg]

How was Martin NOT dominant? No, he never got MVP or anything, but he had 10 (would've been 11 without injury) straight 1k yard seasons on the JETS, in a time when 1k yards was actually an accomplishment. He also was a solid receiving back when needed. Oh, and he had a crap team behind him. Oh, and a crap OL.

Bosh. Balderdash. Piffle.

His entire time with the Jets featured a HoF center and some very good talent tackle to tackle, especially when Parcells was here. Testaverde was very good for several years,and Pennington was also. We had decent WRs like Chrebet and Keyshawn. he has also had a series of good backs he squeezed out of bigger roles-Anderson, Jordan and Houston. Martin was durbale, but again if you claim he was "dominant" you're going to have to point out those games in the playoffs and against the Pats and other teams where he really shined, because I don't recall them. Ys, against the weak sisters he ahd big game. he dissappeared when it mattered. The one playoff blowout of the Colts was more a Richie Anderson game.

[Sperm Edwards]

How was Martin NOT dominant? No, he never got MVP or anything, but he had 10 (would've been 11 without injury) straight 1k yard seasons on the JETS, in a time when 1k yards was actually an accomplishment. He also was a solid receiving back when needed. Oh, and he had a crap team behind him. Oh, and a crap OL.

1000 yards was no more of an accomplishment then than it is today. If anything more of an accomplishment now because more coaches with solid run-blocking OL's have come to appreciate the foolishness of giving one back that many carries. Martin's coaches were either too old-school and set in their ways (Parcells/Groh) or too stupid to know any better (Herm).

There used to be a 3-5 guys every year that would get about 350 carries or more. This past year there were zero. In the past 4 seasons combined there have only been 3 (Turner & Peterson in '08 and Chris Johnson in '09).

Martin was basically Thomas Jones, but for 10 years instead of 5. A guy who was solid but rarely made something out of nothing by kicking a run outside or breaking tackles or pushing the pile with brute running power. Now that's still an impressive career, and sooner or later he'll get in if he doesn't this year, but it doesn't mean he was a dominant runner. I can't think of a top defense he played against that would have feared facing him or wondered just how one stops Curtis Martin from running all over them.

What is inescapable is that for his career he averaged less per time he carried the football than any average runner and by career's end once finished 10th in the league in ypc. Compare that to Faulk, who's also up this year. 4x as many top-10 finishes and 3 of those times he led the league outright. That is dominant.

I wouldn't even say he's like Wade Boggs. Mostly singles or not, earlier in his career Boggs would hit .360 every year, and was the very best in the majors at not making an out for many consecutive years. Martin was never the very best at anything except carrying the ball, which is like leading the league in at-bats. Better baseball comparisons would be Don Sutton, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Dave Winfield, and other HOF'ers who had some gargantuan numbers by the end of their careers. Players who were very, very good but no one reminisces in hindsight at how dominant Don Sutton was in his prime, or "Yeah some of these guys today are pretty good, but son you never saw Dave Winfield or Paul Molitor -- now those were two of the most 'dominant' ballplayers ever."

Martin, to me, is like that. I wouldn't have cared as much, except we had a salary cap to adhere to and paid our Don Sutton as though he was Randy Johnson.

[Falcon63]

Yeah, I guess so. I just like him so much because obviously he's my favorite player, but also because he wasn't one of these money-grabbing, celebrity-status guys. He just played the game under the radar. And yes, he was not one of those explosive guys that could break one at any time, but he was consistent. I'd take a consistent back 10/10 if I had a choice of a consistent back or a pure speed guy.

However, I've been saying this for the longest time, but I think Greene will have a career similar to Martin's. In no way, shape, or form will he put up even close to the stats Martin does, but he has a great combo of strength and speed that Martin did. The only question is if he can be as consistent.

[Sperm Edwards]

Yeah, I guess so. I just like him so much because obviously he's my favorite player, but also because he wasn't one of these money-grabbing, celebrity-status guys. He just played the game under the radar. And yes, he was not one of those explosive guys that could break one at any time, but he was consistent. I'd take a consistent back 10/10 if I had a choice of a consistent back or a pure speed guy.

However, I've been saying this for the longest time, but I think Greene will have a career similar to Martin's. In no way, shape, or form will he put up even close to the stats Martin does, but he has a great combo of strength and speed that Martin did. The only question is if he can be as consistent.

Then you're too young too actually remember him and are drawing conclusions based on stats.

Martin got 2 contracts from the Jets. Both times he became the highest-paid RB in the history of NFL football. Since retiring most of the headlines he's made for himself revolved around his desire to own an NFL franchise. So don't tell me the guy was and is not about $.

He played the game under the radar not just because he had a quiet dignity to his persona and didn't do many commercials, but because in any given season he just wasn't all that. Everyone who is not "under the radar" isn't such because he isn't yapping to the press about his desire for more money. But year after year he would make personal-goal predictions for himself, whether they were 1500 yards, 2000 yards, or leading the league in rushing. Every spring he used to say crap like that. There was never a "I don't need all the carries; I just want to win."

Greene couldn't possibly be any more different of a RB than Martin, and his career will be nothing like Martin's. Martin neither had this great speed nor great strength that you speak of, so I'm not sure we're even talking about the same person. Martin was faster than Greene, a better receiver than Greene, held onto the football better than Greene, and (at least so far) was a good deal smarter than Greene, but had nowhere near Greene's power. They're just completely different. If he got another 6-7 carries per game, the way LT ran this past 2010 season is a lot closer to Curtis Martin's style.

[Scott Dierking]

Here is the thing-Coaches and GMs value guys that are consistent. And Martin is the hallmark of consistency. Most other players in the NFL, particularly at the punishing position of RB can not match that qualification.

If you were to tell any GM or coach, that they could draft a RB and he will guarantee them a 1,000 yard season (regardless of how he does it or what his qualities are), they will draft that player in the first round. That quality is that unusual.

That is the value of Curtis Martin.

Degrade the stat of 1,000 yards a season as much as you want, you can count on 2 fingers the number of players that did it that consistently in the history of the NFL.

Martin may not be a "fans choice", but if you were to ask GMs and coaches, they would salivate at filling their team with a bunch of Curtis Martins.

That is all you need to know.

[Sperm Edwards]

Here is the thing-Coaches and GMs value guys that are consistent. And Martin is the hallmark of consistency. Most other players in the NFL, particularly at the punishing position of RB can not match that qualification.

If you were to tell any GM or coach, that they could draft a RB and he will guarantee them a 1,000 yard season (regardless of how he does it or what his qualities are), they will draft that player in the first round. That quality is that unusual.

That is the value of Curtis Martin.

Degrade the stat of 1,000 yards a season as much as you want, you can count on 2 fingers the number of players that did it that consistently in the history of the NFL.

Martin may not be a "fans choice", but if you were to ask GMs and coaches, they would salivate at filling their team with a bunch of Curtis Martins.

That is all you need to know.

I didn't say his career totals weren't impressive. But paying very good like it's the best thing available is not all that wonderful under the cap.

Also in your fabricated Q&A with any GM or coach, you've really kind of slanted the answer. First off, I don't wholeheartedly agree with what any GM or HC would do with a first round pick. Second, you're presenting it as either that type of player or nothing. Since a GM or HC is no more guaranteed that type of consistency over a super-dominant player, you've presented it as something or nothing. Why not ask those same coaches whether or not they'd rather have just about the best RB in the league, absolute lightning in a bottle, for 4 seasons or someone merely very good for 10, and qualify that by also throwing in there that the 10-year guy will be paid and eat up cap space like he's the best there's ever been.

Somehow I don't think you'd get the same unanimous, one-sided thumbs-ups you've laid out. So apparently that isn't all we need to know.

[Matt39]

Here is the thing-Coaches and GMs value guys that are consistent. And Martin is the hallmark of consistency. Most other players in the NFL, particularly at the punishing position of RB can not match that qualification.

If you were to tell any GM or coach, that they could draft a RB and he will guarantee them a 1,000 yard season (regardless of how he does it or what his qualities are), they will draft that player in the first round. That quality is that unusual.

That is the value of Curtis Martin.

Degrade the stat of 1,000 yards a season as much as you want, you can count on 2 fingers the number of players that did it that consistently in the history of the NFL.

Martin may not be a "fans choice", but if you were to ask GMs and coaches, they would salivate at filling their team with a bunch of Curtis Martins.

That is all you need to know.

Disagree

[Scott Dierking]

I didn't say his career totals weren't impressive. But paying very good like it's the best thing available is not all that wonderful under the cap.

Also in your fabricated Q&A with any GM or coach, you've really kind of slanted the answer. First off, I don't wholeheartedly agree with what any GM or HC would do with a first round pick. Second, you're presenting it as either that type of player or nothing. Since a GM or HC is no more guaranteed that type of consistency over a super-dominant player, you've presented it as something or nothing. Why not ask those same coaches whether or not they'd rather have just about the best RB in the league, absolute lightning in a bottle, for 4 seasons or someone merely very good for 10, and qualify that by also throwing in there that the 10-year guy will be paid and eat up cap space like he's the best there's ever been.

Somehow I don't think you'd get the same unanimous, one-sided thumbs-ups you've laid out. So apparently that isn't all we need to know.

My hypothetical gets to be my dream scenario.

You can create your own.

The money is spent, so there is nothing that we can do about that. If you want to introduce a stat of $$$ spent to performance garnered, by my guest on that too.

[Scott Dierking]

Disagree

Ant that is what makes message boards go 'round. No problem with that.

[Matt39]

Ant that is what makes message boards go 'round. No problem with that.

I mean, where do you get that from though? The list of mediocre backs that have gone over 1,000 yards is pretty deep. You hand the ball to most pro backs 300+ times and they'll most likely eclipse the 1k mark.

Yeah, Curtis did it over the longest period of time. But like Sperm said- I'd take those 4-5 potential great seasons...over the consistent good seasons. Replacing running backs isn't that difficult.

[Scott Dierking]

I mean, where do you get that from though? The list of mediocre backs that have gone over 1,000 yards is pretty deep. You hand the ball to most pro backs 300+ times and they'll most likely eclipse the 1k mark.

Yeah, Curtis did it over the longest period of time. But like Sperm said- I'd take those 4-5 potential great seasons...over the consistent good seasons. Replacing running backs isn't that difficult.

The peaks and valleys that occur in running back seasons is pretty extreme. Most are like shooting stars, Flaming very bright for a short period, with possible another flash and are gone. Curtis provided more consistency than just a handful.

That provides value and is unusual for the position.

That is all I am saying.

[Matt39]

The peaks and valleys that occur in running back seasons is pretty extreme. Most are like shooting stars, Flaming very bright for a short period, with possible another flash and are gone. Curtis provided more consistency than just a handful.

That provides value and is unusual for the position.

That is all I am saying.

I guess its how much you value consistency at the running back position. Martin and Sanders(edit, Emmitt too) are the two that were probably the most consistent...but its tough to even compare them.