Curtis Martin has been the model of consistancy at the running back position. He went 10 years (this number may not be exact) to start his career with over 1000 yards rushing (Barry Sanders is the only other guy to do this) and didn't miss that mark until he was injured last season trying to run through all the guys stacked in the box because Penny couldn't throw more than 20 yards and the line couldn't block them. He accomplished this at a position that has an average NFL LIFESPAN of 6 years. This speaks volumes about his work ethic. I am 100% confident that Curtis has done anything and everything possible to get back into football shape, or he would not be playing. There is not a single doubt in my mind that he will be the starter (barring another injury) and be very productive. That being said, I also agree that he will be spelled a lot more by any of the 4 guys on the bench that can get the job done. Hopefully these other guys can take some of the load off and help extend the career of one of the all time best Jets players.
Curtis should and will start. However, he will be spelled more often this year, which is a good thing for him and the team. The most productive back will get the most work (I will still put my money on Curtis as the most productive out of this group). Now that the streak of consecutive years of over 1,000 yards is over there is really no pressure on Mangini to give him the ball if its not working. But his career suggets he will be back and able to contribute.
As many of you have pointed out he was the first to restructure and set the tone for the off-season. He also exemplifies the Mangini "guy"... nobody brings every quality Mangini values to the team the way Curtis does. Realistically speaking... there is no way that Curtis is not the starter on day one... after that all bets are off. As of right now we have a lot of guys that will get the opportunity to play/learn behind Curtis... I would not be surprised to see both Cedric and Blaylock get cut if the new kids out perform them. Here is the list of guys coming into camp... Curtis Martin Derrick Blaylock Cedric Houston Leon Washington (Draft) Brad Smith (Draft) (Probably no chance of him converting to RB, just WR) Dontrelle Moore (UDFA) Ryan Gilbert (UDFA)
Probably. Thankfully the time is near at hand when the Jets will be out from under the yolk of Martin's oppression. Look at a guy like Willie Parker for the Steelers last year. Not consistent at all, yet that 1 long TD run he ripped off in the SB last year was more important than all of Curtis' "steady" 4-5 yard runs put together. Not to mention the boon the Jets will recieve from not having millions of cap dollars tied up in Martin.
I don't think anyone can reliably predict this. Mangini will start the guy that he thinks is best, not just on the field, but best for the "team". I would have to guess that's Curtis, but I would not be shocked to see that change, if not game 1, perhaps later in the season. One thing I know for sure, and can predict with certainty..... Martin will handle whatever happens with class and a team first attitude.
