One big reason: Mangini will not play pattycake with his starters in the preseason as Edwards did. The starters will be prepared and ready when opening day starts, and that means Martin will have a big bounce back year. Martin led the NFL in rushing in 2004 because Edwards got him some decent reps in the preseason. He got loose and in sync with his QB and lineman. That happened because Edwards received an avalance of criticism for his traditional slow starts and his coddling of the team in the exhibition games. In 2004, the starters got their reps, and what happened, the Jets started the season 5-0. Then in 2005, Edwards put the starters back under wraps, Martin's not ready, he gets hurt, and the team looks like pop warner in the season opener in KC. Mangini is old school, Bill-school. The regulars will practice and play during the preseason, and thrive in September. PREDICTION: Curtis Martin will run for 1200 yards, at least.
Martin will be a 10 to 15 carry a game back. If he hasn't slowed up more do to age and injury he probably averages just over 4.0 YPC which will translate to 8 to 900 yards next season. That would be a great year for a 33 year old back, Great!
I hear you. But Martin has a way of hypnotizing these coaches, I don't how, maybe it's the age, or the HOF career. If he gets the carries, he'll get the yards. If he doesn't (quite likely), he won't. I guess my larger point is, why the Jets will be better prepared for the season under Mangini.
Martin had a bad year primarily because of three things... 1. He's gotten older and the statistics show overwhelmingly throughout the modern era that backs on the plus side of 30 always slow down. 2. The Jets had a putrid offensive line, particularily after Mawae went down. 3. There was no real threat of the pass with Testavinny and Brooks in there. If the line improves substantially with the addition of the two first roundes, and Chad or Ramsey pose a passing threat, than Curtis' production has to go up. In all liklihood he will have a much better season than last. Curtis is a warrior who will give it everything he has. So a subpar season won't be due to a lack of commitment or effort.
Welcome to the Pre-Dillon Patriots running back by committee now in NY. the Jets are going to be a running back by committee offense this year, Curtis will get about 12-15 Carries and the other 12-15 carries for the game will be split between Houston/Washington/Blaylock combination with a carry or 2 for whoever plays FB. Ellis
I pretty much agree with you Gsour. Although I don't know about 1200 yards..but he will surprise a lot of people... he was hurt last year, behind that o-line. age is a factor but it wasn't the most glaring reason for last years failures.
I think that Martin's success will be based on the progress of what should be the new o-line and our ability to pass the ball. If we cant throw, Curtis and all of the RBs are in for a long year.
look i love CM but can we move on. we won't win with him anymore. he's dragging 2 old ladies on each ankle, god he's slow.
Sorry, but Martin had 1 MORE carry in the 2005 camp compared to the 2004 camp. Martin struggled because he was injured, because the OL was injured, and because the QB was injured.
Did you guys forget he lead the league in rushing 2 years ago and then in week 2 against the dolphins he got badly hurt and played on it all year. Combine the horrible line with his knee and I doubt any running backs would have had good years. With that being said he shouldn't be an every down back anymore.
