Jets Push Martin To 1000 Mark
The New York Jets are trying to get Curtis Martin to 1000 yards this season. With nothing to play for, coach Herman Edwards has made it clear one of the biggest goals for the remainder of the season is to get Martin to 1,000.
Should Martin get it, he will become the first running back to start a career with eleven straight 1,000 yard seasons. Martin needs 294 yards. That averages out to 58.8 yards a game, an attainable number for the 32-year-old back.
"Ordinarily 1,000 yards is not a big deal in the NFL, it just means you've been healthy enough to carry the ball. But given the adversity that we've had to go through and the fact that he's done it ten times prior, that's what really makes this mark so special if we can get it for him," center Pete Kendall said.
Martin already has reached one record, becoming the fourth player ever to run for more than 14,000 yards. In typical fashion, Martin deflected any praise for reaching 14,000 yards.
"I feel the celebrating will come when I'm done with football and it will be something I will be able to look back on and appreciate."
There are some that believe he is close to reaching that stage. Last weekend, former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson said Martin was "done." Coach Herman Edwards refused to comment on that statement, and Martin says he feels he has "some good years" left in him.
Lets hope that getting Marting to the the 1000 mark doesn't deflect the Jets from focussing on winning the game. However, running could be the best ploy against a weakened Patriots defence.
The Jets are getting +10 on the spreads at time of writing - they might need it all and more if Martin doesn't perform.
