This morning's Star Ledger features another article by Dave Hutchinson on the front page of the Sports Section, in which he again quotes an "anonymous official" within the Jets organization. I wonder who this guy is and what Mangini will do to him when he finds out, but it's got to be the same "source" (or perhaps it isn't) who leaked the info last week about Chad being the starter. Mangini is still denying he's made a decision, but where are these supposed "leaks" coming from? And I wonder now just how bad Martin's knee really is. Anyway, the article online doesn't have the sub-title under the main title that appears in the actual paper. This subtitle in the newspaper says "Worried about knee, star had warned Jets to pick RB in draft.": http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/115495269791450.xml&coll=1 Martin's Status For Season Uncertain Monday, August 07, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff Before the NFL Draft last April, Jets running back Curtis Martin, his surgically-repaired right knee still bothering him, met with the Jets and told them they should strongly consider selecting a running back high in the draft because of his concern about his ability to play this season, a team official told The Star-Ledger yesterday. "You know it has to be serious for Curtis to do something like that," said the official, who requested anonymity because of coach Eric Mangini's policy against discussing injuries. "That tells you a lot about Curtis. He's always concerned about the team." Martin, a future Hall of Famer, underwent what was thought to be a routine arthroscopic surgery last December to clean out his knee but the knee hadn't responded and still hasn't. As the Jets enter their second full week of training camp today at Hofstra University, there is growing concern that Martin's career is in jeopardy. The Jets decided to draft Virginia left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson with the fourth pick overall and Ohio State center Nick Mangold at 29th overall. They didn't draft a running back until the fourth round, selecting Florida State's Leon Washington. If Martin does play this season, it's unlikely it will be at the start of the season. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of camp and the Jets are going to great lengths to keep him out of sight and away from the media. Martin, 33, has had surgery on his right knee the past two seasons. It is believed that a great deal of the cartilage in the knee is gone and that's what is giving Martin trouble despite his well-documented threshold for pain. "It's bone on bone," the official said. The Jets, who are trying to keep Martin's condition hush-hush, have been quietly calling around the league inquiring about the availability of running backs. Chris Brown (Titans) and Thomas Jones (Bears), among others, are on their radar. "Our starting running back on opening day may not be on the roster yet," the official said. Jones, however, may be hard to pry away from Chicago, especially after starter Cedric Benson injured his shoulder in training camp on Friday night. Besides, Jones is nursing a hamstring injury. Brown, who has requested a trade, appears to be the leading candidate although some in the organization aren't sold on him. Part of the reason the Jets have been slow to address the running back situation is because they're reluctant to part with a second-round pick, the likely asking price for a starting-caliber running back. The Jets do have two second-rounders in 2007, having acquired one from the Redskins in a draft day trade, but they want to keep both as they seek to replenish the roster with young talent. Right now, the Jets are standing pat. They want to see if a veteran becomes available at a cheaper price or if Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston or Washington steps up during the preseason. Blaylock, a fifth-year veteran who was signed as a free agent two off-seasons ago, is currently starting in place of Martin. But some in the organization feel he's no more than a situational back at 5-8, 210 pounds. Houston, a second-year pro, is a tough, solid runner but he doesn't appear to be a featured back. Washington is quick but raw. He's also only 5-8, 202 pounds. Martin, entering his 12th season, made the trip to New Jersey over the weekend but was conspicuously absent from the sidelines and didn't come out to sign post-practice autographs. Since the start of training camp, Martin, the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history with 14,101 yards, has been rehabbing. During his only interview, he said he's working as hard as the guys on the field and he wouldn't be working this hard if he didn't want to play. But Father Time may have finally caught up with Martin. As is always the case with him, his spirit is willing, but his body may not be up to the task.
I really, really don't agree with giving a 2nd rounder for any of the talent this year. Listen- this is a rebuilding year. We are so far off from the playoffs and more importantly, the big dance, that a SuperBowl appearance is quite unrealistic. Let's not mortgage the farm and give away a 2nd rounder which could be most helpful to us in the next draft, especially when used to land a premier RB in the first round. If we were one chess piece away from check-mate, I'd say go for it. At this point however, lets have RB by committee. Someone else was floating McCarrins and a later pick for Jones- that I'd buy. I don't see Mangini and company being that foolish to the point where they'd toss a 2nd without seeing what their current 3 RB's can offer in a gametime situation.
I was hoping that D'Angelo would have been there by the 2nd round- we can all dream, right? We had to address OL in the first. A premier back with a crappy OL in front of him will look like a complete bust. A mediocre back with a premier OL in front of him can certainly make his mark.
I totally agree, Koz. Sit and work with what we've got. Besides, Houston may prove he IS a featured back. But even if Martin did meet with the Jets, as the "source" says, we weren't in a position to pick high for a RB anyway. Picking Washington was good enough for this year, even if he wasn't picked specifically this purpose (Martin's replacement). He still provides depth. But giving up our extra #2 pick isn't something I'd like to see and I'm sure Tangini won't want to part with it anyway (unless something really sweet comes along). We're not seeing any SB this year anyway, so why squander something we'll sorely need next year to help in our building process.
This is not news. Curtis came out before the draft and said he'd love it if the Jets drafted LenDale White. I read that on this board.
Right on again. That's always the case. Examples are all over the league. Show me a team with a damned good O-line and I'll probably show you a pretty good RB and QB too, for that matter.
Okay, well, thank you. I wasn't aware of that, didn't read what you read and perhaps I shouldn't have made this thread.
Why is it so friggin' impossible to expect front office flunkies to NOT leak internal team information?!! Someone's vying for the position of Deep Jet II. He (or she) should be hunted down and fired.
Agree with everything said. The way I look at it, this is our existing backfield talent's chance to step up and take over a number 1 role, at least for this year. If Martin is unable to go, then we will really have a clear understanding of the strength or weakness of our backfield by the end of the year, especially if the offensive line really starts to gel. We weren't going to fix the Jets in a year. At least we will know for sure what future role the backs we do have can play go forward into next year.
Hi Winston, you have been away for awhile. Were you overseas? You said something about Shanghai in a post a few weeks ago.
I think the RBBC will work out just fine, and with our improved oline we should have an average run game. A 2nd rounder for a back this season just doesn't make sense. If that was the last piece we needed for a playoff win then sure, but in this situation we're clearly rebuilding so lets give the young guys a chance to rise to the challenge instead of throwing away a 2nd to bring in a guy w/question marks. I'm not worried about our backs in terms of the run game, in fact the infusion of speed and power might be good for our maturing oline. I just hope the pass protection holds up, b/c none of these guys can outshine cmart in that area.
I just find it strange that there are leaks at all, but maybe that's me. This regime has made it clear they don't want leaks leaving the organization the way Herm's group did. Okay, you get an occasional innocent blurb from a Ray Mickens or whatever, but leaks about internal discussions and/or decisions made behind closed doors? Mangini's seems like the kind of guy who wants to run this organization in a way that doesn't tip our hand to the opposition or let go valuable info that can be used to game-plan against us. What I'm saying is, while it may be unusual not to have leaks, I'm just amazed that it's coming from our FO this early and on topics so high up the decision-making chain. I don't think I'm wrong in assuming Mangini is going to tar and feather this SOB when he finds him (her) and make an extreme example out of them. Whoever is talking to Dave Hutchinson is walking on incedibly thin ice.
Agreed. There really is no reason to panic over the position. At least not to the extent of trading a first day pick for a RB. If Curt can't go, that's really depressing. However with the guys behind him, they should still be able to generate a decent running game.
I'll be very honest... I don't care if Curtis can or can't go. I know I'll catch hell on this, but I really don't care if I don't see Martin out there at all this year. I want the other three to have the max opportunity to showcase themselves. Besides, I saw enough Martin on 3rd and 15 the last couple of years to last a lifetime.
