I saw this poll posted on jetsinsider and I thought it would be interesting to start another one here. Is Curtis Martin a 1st ballot hall of famer? I would have to give a resounding yes because: -He was arguably the best player in the history of the franchise -Only 2nd player ever to start career with 10 1,000 yard rushing seasons -4th all time leading rusher -Never fumbled -Extremely durable -Played through debilitating injuries -Biggest class act in football over the past decade.
You really can't put this on a Jets board and expect much less than a unanimous yes. And he probably will be.
If he isn't a first ballot hall of famer then something is wrong. I can't wait until he goes into the hall of fame as a NYJ...
I know but actually on Jetsinsider the vote is currently 153 to 25 in favor of yes. But, for all I know 25 Patriots fans could have voted no.
It's going to depend on who is eligible alongside him. I believe he and Bettis are both eligible for the first time and they could easily piggyback into the Hallf of Fame together. Against Marshall Faulk it's a bit tougher for both of them, but particularly for Curtis because he never got a ring. And yes the voters definitely take that into account on things like first ballot election to the Hall of Fame. Could you see the HoF voters putting Curtis, Bettis and Faulk all in the hall in the same year? I suppose it's possible. Then the second question becomes if only 2 out of 3 are going in that year who get's left out?
he'll be the year after bettis as Bettis retired after the '05 season while Curtis I don't think has officially retired yet. I think he'll be up w/ Faulk and obviously Faulk gets the nod before him but that doesn't mean both can't go in at the same time.
Yeah Faulk and Martin can get in together no problem. It was the three of them together that was giving me pause. And now that I think about it Bettis better go in his first year or he'll have a year wait already when the 3 of them come up.
I would hope it would be Bettis left out, since he wasn't even a feature back for quite a few years throughout his career. Faulk changed the way the position is played, and Martin was possibly the most consistent feature back in the history of the game. Just because Bettis won a Super Bowl as a situational back in his final year in football should NOT put him above either Faulk or Martin
as far as your points: he wasn't the best but he was the most productive in Jets history, point #2 is HUGE. When you are one of 2 people to ver do something that is special, #3 is big, #4 is big, #5 is good, the last 2 are nice but have little to do w/ him making the Hall.
and in five years who else will be on the ballott? wouldn't it be cool if klecko got in with martin!!!
Why would you put Faulk in ahead of Martin? Winning the SB? You all know I'm fairly honest about CM - and he's production alone gets him in on the first ballot. Add his classiness, willingness to play through injury, leadership qualities, etc. Don't forget, he was a dangerous if under-used receiver as well as a RB who could go inside, outside and block in the passing game. He gets my vote...
