04/20/24
July 26, 2007
Curtis Martin Retires.: Martin ranks fourth All-Time on the NFL's career rushing list and was the second running back in NFL history to start his career with ten straight 1,000 yard seasons.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to football at 08:25 AM - 18 comments
Hell of a player. Pitt grad. What's not to like about Curtis Martin? The league could benefit from having more Curtis Martins. Best wishes to him in retirement.
posted by dyams at 09:48 AM on July 26, 2007
The NFL needs more Curtis Martin's. Nuff said.
posted by grampsw at 10:09 AM on July 26, 2007
Curtis Martin is an old school throwback. Great, great player and in my book, a first ballot hall of famer.
posted by BornIcon at 10:43 AM on July 26, 2007
Curtis Martin is a class act, no doubt. Also he knows the Jets backfield is in good hands with Thomas Jones.
posted by wdminott at 10:44 AM on July 26, 2007
What's not to like about Curtis Martin? Everything, if you're a Dolphins fan. I've watched him just kill the Dolphins year after year after year, with the Pats and the Jets. Nice guy, but damn I'll be glad to not have to see him anymore.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:57 AM on July 26, 2007
I suppose the inevitable "Is Curtis Martin a Hall of Famer?" discussions are occurring on sports radio and TV as we speak. I would guess there are some people who say "How could there be any question -- the guy is fourth all-time in rushing yards?" and those who would say "He was never the best player in the league at his position" or somesuch. I think he's a Hall of Famer -- one of those quiet types whose body of work far outweighs the lack of any single season that might be categorized as "historic."
posted by holden at 11:21 AM on July 26, 2007
I would never argue with Curtis Martin being considered a "Hall of Famer." His stats speak for themselves, he was a dedicated professional, he made his team better, and he never, that I can recall, embarrassed himself, the game, or the NFL. All those things should be the absolute standard for potential entry to the Hall.
posted by dyams at 11:29 AM on July 26, 2007
The "Curtis Martin highlights" video on that page has a great shot from 1999 of Deion Sanders backing off rather than tackling Martin. You'd think Martin was Jerome Bettis with a head of steam, the way Neon turtles at the sight of him. I'm embarrassed at how long I thought Martin was a journeyman back.
posted by rcade at 12:20 PM on July 26, 2007
As a Phish fan I hated to see Curtis Martin playing, but I'm very sad to see him go. A quality back. I wish him well outside of football.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:55 PM on July 26, 2007
Here is a perfect example of a guy being a better man than a football player. Never arrested, never beat his girlfriend, or held out over money...he even took a pay cut to keep the jets under cap. I've watched him forever and think he has alot to do with my love for the J-E-T-S...I won't say goodbye to Curtis but i will say good luck.
posted by NYRBeeker16 at 01:25 PM on July 26, 2007
I have nothing but good to say about Curtis Martin. He deserves all of the accolades thrown his way. However, on behalf of New England Patriots fans everywhere, I must emphatically say, "WE SAW HIM FIRST!"
posted by Howard_T at 03:46 PM on July 26, 2007
The Cold Hard Football Facts thinks that he isn't a hall of famer.
posted by apoch at 03:53 PM on July 26, 2007
I don't know much about football (I'm tying, I really am) I don't understand how you can make an argument that an athlete that is 4th all time in a pretty big offensive catagory could be excluded. Could you imagine a baseball HOF without the 4th all time homerun hitter, or a hockey HOF with out Marcel (4th all time NHL goal getter)? Am I over stating the importance of the all time rushing yardage list? If so I cheerfully withdraw my erroneous statement.
posted by HATER 187 at 09:38 PM on July 26, 2007
No, their arguments seem weak. If he wasn't a guy the other team game-planned to stop, I must not remember the Pats circa 1996 very well.
posted by yerfatma at 06:09 AM on July 27, 2007
I don't see how a back who piled up those numbers in the New York media market would ever be denied the Hall of Fame.
posted by rcade at 08:12 AM on July 27, 2007
He'll be in, period. The only question is whether or not he gets the support to be a first-ballot guy.
posted by dyams at 08:20 AM on July 27, 2007
Some of their arguments make sense, but in the end the numbers (Overall body of work) is just too strong. Why shouldn't longevity and consistently great play be valid criteria for greatness/Hall inclusion? The people at Cold Hard Football Facts are unable to answer that, aside from saying something to the effect that "it just doesn't feel right." To me at least, that is a weak leg to stand on.
posted by brainofdtrain at 11:33 AM on July 28, 2007
I like it here. It’s my type of place. I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else. The Colts, I would rather play here this year with a 3-10 record than to be with the Colts right now. The Jets, they’ve been good to me and I appreciate them. -Curtis Martin