Randall Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 By ANDREA ADELSON AP SPORTS WRITER New York Jets' Curtis Martin talks to reporters before football training camp in Hempstead, N.Y., in this July 29, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Ed Betz) HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jets running back Curtis Martin reiterated Wednesday he wants to play this season, but is unsure when he will be able to return. The NFL's No. 4 all-time leading rusher said he is working out every day so he can come back as quickly as possible, and is hopeful he can play in the season opener Sept. 10 at Tennessee. But he made no guarantees about when his injured right knee will allow him to resume his career. "I'm working out as hard as I can," said Martin, resolute as always. "I'm here every single day and probably up here longer than most of the other players because I'm doing extra work. ... I don't know how long it will take me. All I can do is keep working the way I'm doing." Martin was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list July 27, the day before training camp opened. He initially got hurt last season and underwent surgery in December to clean out his knee. At the time, Martin thought he would be able to start running again in February. But the injury has taken much longer to heal. Because Martin is known for his ability to play through pain, the move to put him on the PUP list came as a mild surprise. Since then, reports have surfaced that he urged the Jets to take a running back high in the draft, has considered retirement and has virtually no cartilage in his knee. Instead of dismissing the reports, Martin declined to comment on them. About the only thing he was willing to say was he hasn't had any additional surgery. "I'm trying to do my best to be as good as I could possibly be and be back as soon as I could possibly be back," Martin said. "I just don't know everything. I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to clear up rumors that I have nothing to do with, or that didn't come out of my mouth, that came out of somebody else's mouth or something somebody else made up." Martin, who never discusses his injuries, did say, "I'm not worried about retirement right now. I'm worried about the same thing I've been saying, working hard and getting to my best ability." The 33-year-old Martin is going into his 12th season in the league. He has 14,101 career yards rushing and won the 2004 NFL rushing title. He went into 2005 with high hopes but they ended in Week 2, when he got hurt. Martin kept going, possibly doing more damage. He ended up playing in 12 games, broke a streak of 119 consecutive regular-season starts and ended his string of 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career, a record he shares with Barry Sanders. When asked why he wanted to keep playing, Martin said, "Because I still feel like a young man." But Martin is ancient in running back years, and the Jets seemed to be too stubborn to realize it. Rather than planning for a future without him, they banked on him to be there - just as he consistently has been for his entire career. The Jets had a chance to prepare for life without Martin when they had LaMont Jordan for four years. But there was a critical decision to make once the 2004 season ended. They could only afford to keep Jordan or defensive end John Abraham. They went with Abraham, slapping the franchise tag on him even though they knew they had no long-term plans to keep him. Instead of trying to trade him in 2004, the Jets hung on to him and let Jordan go. Jordan signed a lucrative deal with Oakland. Abraham was traded to Atlanta last March for a first-round pick. Now the Jets are stuck with Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston, neither of whom are every-down backs. They drafted a running back in April, but waited until the fourth round to take undersized Leon Washington. There also is the possibility of trading for a bigger-name player. But they still have plans for Martin, who is around the team as much as possible. "He's been to every weigh-in, every mandatory dinner, and every curfew. He's doing everything we ask him to do," coach Eric Mangini said. Though Martin is hopeful he can return, he put no timetable on his recovery. "I don't usually do well with timetables and scenarios like that. You do your best and when you're ready, you're ready ... Time will tell," he said. "I don't know exactly what will happen, but I'll keep preparing to be at my best." http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/202...html?source=rss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 And isn't that just what the Jets would want him to say if they are looking to trade for an RB? Martin is done. And SD and Tennessee aren't buying into this spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigben2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Martin is done... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 10, 2006 Author Share Posted August 10, 2006 Martin is done... Probably, but he wants to play. Like many whose heart is still in it but their bodies aren't he doesn't want to quit. Cn't say I blame him. The Jets should ease him out in a good way I would hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigben2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Probably, but he wants to play. Like many whose heart is still in it but their bodies aren't he doesn't want to quit. Cn't say I blame him. The Jets should ease him out in a good way I would hope. Like Jerry Rice I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Probably, but he wants to play. So does Fred Lane, but it's just not in the cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Like these guys have said wanting to play and can play are two different things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Martin was participating in mini camps, then got PUP'd and now he walking with a limp. Not just a limp, a BAD limp. He had surgery in December. He's 33. This is pure trade posturing, Martin remianing the soldier he's always been to his dying breath. They might even bring him in for a cameo, they way they did with Testaverde, but he's done. Expect NOTHING but misinformation from the Jets and their players. If Martin won't even appear in public.... (and he won't) what does that tell you? The man can't walk.... and Herman Edwards didn't help him by running him into the ground the way he did either. God help Larry Johnson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 and Herman Edwards didn't help him by running him into the ground the way he did either. God help Larry Johnson. We as Fantasy players don't concern ourselves with this stuff we just hope we get players who's coaches attempt to use them alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 We as Fantasy players don't concern ourselves with this stuff we just hope we get players who's coaches attempt to use them alot. If you play in a dynasty league you do, unless you haven't graduated from offense only one year redrafts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 10, 2006 Author Share Posted August 10, 2006 Like these guys have said wanting to play and can play are two different things. You said his statements are all spin. You said he is saying what the team wants him to say, but there is more to it than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 If you play in a dynasty league you do, unless you haven't graduated from offense only one year redrafts. Yeah that's me the 20 year rookie that only drafts offense only redrafts. I can only wish to be as talented as a guy like you Rovers. Oh wait I am... Never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Yeah that's me the 20 year rookie that only drafts offense only redrafts. I can only wish to be as talented as a guy like you Rovers. Oh wait I am... Never mind. LOL! If you were in dynasty leagues, why make that earlier comment? Forget graduating to dynasty leagues.... concentrate on high school first! 20 and still in high school.... yeah, actually I can respect that. High school was a blast! Back on topic, I saw the Martin interview. He refused to answer any direct questions, and at one point got a little testy when again asked about his knee, saying "I TOLD you I would not comment on that!" Little doubt in my mind Curtis is going to have to call it quits, whether he wants to or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 LOL! If you were in dynasty leagues, why make that earlier comment? Forget graduating to dynasty leagues.... concentrate on high school first! 20 and still in high school.... yeah, actually I can respect that. High school was a blast! No, Bro I'm not 20 or in HS. I've been doing Fantasy for almost 20 years. And yes I only do redraft, offense only as my main money league is mostly family and has been so for years. The guys are all happy redrafting every year and haven't been interested in Defense yet. So I guess laugh all you want, I'm cool with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Like Jerry Rice I guess. Exactly my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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