New York Jets

Jets Push Martin To 1000 Mark

2005-12-02T18:36:00.000-05:00

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.

Edwards And The Chiefs

2005-11-19T10:45:00.000-05:00

The National Football League is never short on rumour and conjecture - the Jets don't escape it either. There is talk that Jets coach Herm Edwards could jump ship after this season in favor of the Chiefs...if his friend, Dick Vermeil, decides to retire.

Edwards nipped it in the bud - to a degree: "I'm going to be here as far as I'm concerned," he said. "At this point right today, I'm going to be here." That could be interpreted that he is committed for one day.

His contract expires after the 2007 season and it's widely believed he is seeking an extension now. When asked if he would be happy to return with his existing contract, he avoided the issue.

"I don't talk about stuff like that," he said. "I'm happy to be here. I'm going to be here. ... it the end, if I'm not holding up...or they feel they need to go in another direction, they've got to do that. They have to do whatever is best for the team. I'm OK with that, I really am. Whatever is best for this organization."

Edwards suggested that he and owner Woody Johnson speak several times a week, and that he thinks Johnson still backs him, even with the season the Jets have had. But rumours die hard and some believe Edwards would prefer to be anywhere - as long as it is away from media spotlight that goes with the territory in New York.

Jets Turn Over Game To Carolina

2005-11-14T15:58:00.000-05:00

The New York Jets finished with six turnovers on Sunday that Carolina gratefully converted into twenty points. They finally won the games 30-3.

Will Witherspoon returned an interception 35 yards for a TD and Chris Gamble had an interception and a fumble recovery. But Lucas' interceptions were key:-

Carolina led 10-3 when Bollinger, the fourth string quarterback, moved his team to within range of the Carolina end-zone. He had an open shot at a touch down when Coles blew past Lucas but then had to wait for Bollinger's pass - which hung in the air - so that Lucas could catch up and intercept in the end zone.

"He beat me on that, but I didn't quit on the play," Lucas said. "I took it away from him and they kind of gave up after that because they felt they couldn't score.

Bollinger, who was sacked four times, threw four interceptions and finished 11-of-21 for 98 yards, insisted the Jets didn't give up. "I wasn't going to back down - we were still in the game," he said. "But obviously from there it didn't go my way. I made some bad decisions but mostly just bad throws...they didn't miss any beats. They made the plays when they had the chance."

Then it was Davis' turn to go in from a yard out with his 12th touchdown of the season, giving the Carolina Panthers a 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter.

After that the Jets crumbled.

Justin Miller fumbled away the kickoff and Gamble recovered to set up a field goal by John Kasay that made it 20-3. Bollinger seemed rattled under pressure and threw his third pick - to Gamble - on the next series to set up Kasay's third field goal.
Bollinger could do nothing right from then on and was picked off by Witherspoon, who ran it in for the score.

"It's almost unbelievable, you sit there and say, 'This is not happening,' " said New York running back Curtis Martin. "It seems like it didn't stop."

New York coach Herman Edwards seemed defeated afterward, defensive about Bollinger's play and the effort his injury-plagued team is giving. "That's a young quarterback, he doesn't have a lot of experience, he's doing as good as he can do," Edwards said. "That's all you can ask of any of these guys. If you have a problem with that, it's too bad."

Chargers v Jets - Quick Analysis

2005-11-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

Drew Brees and the San Diego Chargers visit the New York Jets at Giants Stadium in search of a follow up victory from last week.

San Diego Chargers are favorites in this one, with the line opening -5 against the Chargers who are 5-2-1 ATS this season. The Jets are 2-5. The total, which is 3-4 to the OVER in New York Jets games and 3-5 to the OVER in San Diego Chargers games, has been set at 42.

The Chargers won 28-20 against Kansas City last time out, a game where they were 4.5-point favorites. The game went under the total of 49.5. The Jets lost to Atlanta 27-14 - Atlanta covered in this one and it was an 'over' play.

With almost the worst-ranked offense in the league, the Jets will have to sort it out on the ground or through the air - or it's defense will have to step up to keep them in the game. The Jets average just 13.1 points per game and just 242.7 yards on total offense.

Jets Woes Under Analysis

2005-10-31T14:20:00.000-05:00

While Jets players and staff will be off this weekend for the bye, their coach Herman Edwards will be checking over stats and video from the first seven games of the season, to try to figure out how to save a 2-5 season - one that could be all but over if they lose their next game (San Diego Chargers).

Three areas Edwards indentified as needing correcting were turnovers, the running game and being outscored early. But identification is easier than remedy.

The Jets have fumbled 22 times so far this season, the most since Edwards has been coach and their 16 turnovers over seven games equal as many as they had all of last season.

After a 148 yards rushing against Buffalo, Curtis Martin took a big step back with just 28 yards on 14 carries. A big part of that was because the Jets fell behind early. Opponents are outscoring the Jets 40-7 in the first quarter.

"Those are the things we have to look at over the bye weekend and figure out how to get it straight and how to function better as a football team," said a beleaguered Edwards. "Because when you turn the ball over and you're not playing the run very well, that hurts you."

Those first-quarter struggles really hurt them on the road. When you fall behind early it is hard to keep down the crowd. The Jets have lost their last six regular season road games.