Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Wednesday, 9. August 2006, 20:32:15
ESPN reports this may be it for New York Jets running back Curtis Martin. For those who don't know, Martin is a great guy who had it rough coming up - but learned character and perseverance from those closest to him. Curtis Martin is a hero in many circles and a role model in most others. He has had a tremendous career and will retire as the #4 running back all-time in terms of yards.
Everyone likes to debate who the greatest running backs are/have been in the history of the NFL. I'm no different. ESPN asks the question: Is Curtis Martin one of the Top 10 backs in the history of the NFL?
Answer: I don't think so. Martin has played for 11 years with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. He was a "Parcells Guy." That means he played with toughness, character and it means he did not turn the ball over. Keyshawn Johnson was/is a Parcells Guy (even though he is no longer a Cowboy). You don't have to be spectacular, but you have to get the job done.
Martin is currently 3rd in career carries, 4th in yards, and tied for 10th in touchdowns. Wow. He's also 7th in career yards from scrimmage. Amazing stuff. So, what's the problem? Why not Top 10?
Here's why:
1) The top 10 spots are locked with legends who outperformed Martin in almost every measurable way and either contributed to redefining the position (and are visually synonymous with broken ankles or impaled chests) or played championship level football.
My Top 10: Jim Brown, Walter Payton, OJ Simpson, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith (not crazy about him, but I gotta give him props), Marcus Allen, Marshall Faulk, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, and Gale Sayers (though not in this particular order).
I won't get much argument here on any of these choices precisely because their performances are etched in our memories. If Curtis Martin has a signature game, it was probably a game I attended...he ran for about 200 yards on the Colts in Giants Stadium in the snow. He mauled them, but those Colts were not a team who could stop the run if they borrowed four Patriots, four Steelers and three Bears. Sure, he had some great games with the Patriots, but none of that is burned into my mind. He doesn't even have a signature move.
Marcus Allen's dive over the top of the pile; Barry Sander's spin moves that turned around entire defenses; Earl Campbell planting his helmet in the chest of a LA Rams linebacker (poor sap!); Dickerson's leg kick and long stride; Faulk lining up wide and beating your team's best corner for a TD in the 4th quarter...
I would already put LaDanian Tomlinson ahead of Martin. Only a few guys have had the RB HOF Trifecta - 300 carries (durability), 1500 yds. (productivity), 10+ TDs (legacy). Tomlinson's already done that 5 times. Check out how many times your favorite player has done that. When it's all over Edgerrin James and Shawn Alexander will rank higher in my book.
I would put Tony Dorsett ahead of Martin. I could even see putting him ahead of Eric Dickerson. If I lived in Buffalo, I wouldn't want to hear Curtis Martin mentioned in the same breath as Thurman Thomas. It's a good thing I don't live in Buffalo - but I can understand how they feel. Was Curtis Martin better than Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis? That's tough because of the differences in running styles, eras of the game and more.
I can see all of that vividly - and I can see the steady, excellent, but unspectacular Curtis Martin piling up some big numbers - but it's not enough to crack the Top 10...and there is nothing wrong with that. Hats off to a great competitor and a better man. Canton is not far off.
Everyone likes to debate who the greatest running backs are/have been in the history of the NFL. I'm no different. ESPN asks the question: Is Curtis Martin one of the Top 10 backs in the history of the NFL?
Answer: I don't think so. Martin has played for 11 years with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. He was a "Parcells Guy." That means he played with toughness, character and it means he did not turn the ball over. Keyshawn Johnson was/is a Parcells Guy (even though he is no longer a Cowboy). You don't have to be spectacular, but you have to get the job done.
Martin is currently 3rd in career carries, 4th in yards, and tied for 10th in touchdowns. Wow. He's also 7th in career yards from scrimmage. Amazing stuff. So, what's the problem? Why not Top 10?
Here's why:
1) The top 10 spots are locked with legends who outperformed Martin in almost every measurable way and either contributed to redefining the position (and are visually synonymous with broken ankles or impaled chests) or played championship level football.
My Top 10: Jim Brown, Walter Payton, OJ Simpson, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith (not crazy about him, but I gotta give him props), Marcus Allen, Marshall Faulk, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, and Gale Sayers (though not in this particular order).
I won't get much argument here on any of these choices precisely because their performances are etched in our memories. If Curtis Martin has a signature game, it was probably a game I attended...he ran for about 200 yards on the Colts in Giants Stadium in the snow. He mauled them, but those Colts were not a team who could stop the run if they borrowed four Patriots, four Steelers and three Bears. Sure, he had some great games with the Patriots, but none of that is burned into my mind. He doesn't even have a signature move.
Marcus Allen's dive over the top of the pile; Barry Sander's spin moves that turned around entire defenses; Earl Campbell planting his helmet in the chest of a LA Rams linebacker (poor sap!); Dickerson's leg kick and long stride; Faulk lining up wide and beating your team's best corner for a TD in the 4th quarter...
I would already put LaDanian Tomlinson ahead of Martin. Only a few guys have had the RB HOF Trifecta - 300 carries (durability), 1500 yds. (productivity), 10+ TDs (legacy). Tomlinson's already done that 5 times. Check out how many times your favorite player has done that. When it's all over Edgerrin James and Shawn Alexander will rank higher in my book.
I would put Tony Dorsett ahead of Martin. I could even see putting him ahead of Eric Dickerson. If I lived in Buffalo, I wouldn't want to hear Curtis Martin mentioned in the same breath as Thurman Thomas. It's a good thing I don't live in Buffalo - but I can understand how they feel. Was Curtis Martin better than Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis? That's tough because of the differences in running styles, eras of the game and more.
I can see all of that vividly - and I can see the steady, excellent, but unspectacular Curtis Martin piling up some big numbers - but it's not enough to crack the Top 10...and there is nothing wrong with that. Hats off to a great competitor and a better man. Canton is not far off.
WIDGETIZE
Anonymous # 21. December 2006, 04:26
Came across your blog looking for a video of the game when Curtis was awesome in the snow one Sunday afternoon at Giants Stadium. The only problem was Curtis ran for about 170 yards in the snow vs. Pittsburgh in 2003. It was in 2000 on December 3rd actually, remember that game cause it was my 16th birthday, but Curtis ran for 203 in that one, no snow.
Nice job with the blog, but that was something I did notice.
Anonymous # 3. October 2007, 14:37
Came across your blog looking for a video of the game when Curtis was awesome in the snow one Sunday afternoon at Giants Stadium. The only problem was Curtis ran for about 170 yards in the snow vs.http://www.ticketwood.com/nfl/NewYork-Jets-Tickets/index.php
Jets tickets
Pittsburgh in 2003. It was in 2000 on December 3rd actually, remember that game cause it was my 16th birthday, but Curtis ran for 203 in that one, no snow.