Running more than their mouths
Martin vs. Edwards may be difference in Jets-Patriots game
Posted: Sunday October 18, 1998 04:37 PM
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Curtis Martin: "I look forward to every game, but this is a game you get pumped up for" AP |
FOXBORO, Massachusetts (AP) -- Regrets? Curtis Martin says he has
none about leaving New England for the New York Jets. Neither
should the Patriots, who replaced him with outstanding rookie Robert Edwards.
They'll play on the same field for the first time before a Monday night
crowd inflamed by the growing rivalry between the AFC East enemies. And,
for one game, those fans will be excited by a head-to-head competition
between two top running backs.
"I look forward to every game, but this is a game you get pumped up for,"
Martin said.
After making the Pro Bowl in two of his three seasons, he left last March
as an unrestricted free agent. Edwards was drafted with the 18th pick, one
of two compensatory choices the Patriots received for losing Martin.
"It's something that I don't regret," Martin said. "I hope the Patriots
don't regret it. I'm sure they don't."
Why should they?
Edwards is one of three running backs in NFL history to rush for a
touchdown in each of his first five games, joining Alan Ameche (1955) and
Joe Cribbs (1980). He's rushed for 92, 97 and 104 yards in his last three
games.
"He looks good to me," said Jets coach Bill Parcells, whose move from New
England to New York for the 1997 season created the heated rivalry.
Having succeeded Herschel Walker, Rodney Hampton, Garrison Hearst and Terrell Davis as a running
back at Georgia, Edwards doesn't feel pressure in taking over for Martin.
"I can only come in and do what I can do," he said. "I can't do anything
that he did or attempt to, because I'm my own player. He's his own player."
So far, the numbers are close: Edwards has outgained Martin 379 yards to
368, but has played one more game. He also leads in touchdowns, 6-1, and
average yards per carry, 4.3-3.5, but Martin has a 16-7 edge in receptions.
"We got rid of one great back and got another good one," New England
linebacker Chris Slade
said. "Robert hasn't proven that he will be as good as Curtis because he
hasn't done it long enough yet, but he has a lot of potential."
Robert Edwards: "... I'm my own player. He's his own player." AP | |
A thigh injury kept Martin from making the trip to St. Louis in last
Sunday's 30-10 loss to the Rams that left the Jets at 2-3 and desperate for
a win. He should play against the Patriots (4-1), who can open a three-game
lead with a victory.
Martin isn't satisfied with the team's or his performance.
"I am the type of player, no matter what, if I'm having my best year, it
would not be good enough," he said. "And, being that is not the case, it's
definitely not good enough."
It won't be easy against the NFL's third-ranked rushing defense. And,
unlike the Patriots, the Jets don't have a reliable passing game to keep
defenders from focusing on Martin.
"They have a lot of team speed and they do things to confuse you with a lot
of coverages," said Vinny
Testaverde, who takes over at quarterback after Glenn Foley completed just
5 of 15 passes for two interceptions and no touchdowns against the Rams.
A powerful offensive line and Drew Bledsoe's strong
start that forces defenses to stick to receivers longer creates more
running room for Edwards.
"I like the way he carries himself. He's a very confident ballcarrier,"
Patriots linebacker Ted
Johnson said. "He doesn't dance around out there. He's pretty much a
straight ahead runner. He uses his strength to his advantage."
Johnson is the leading tackler on a defense that has held each opponent to
fewer yards than the previous one and limited Kansas City to 134 yards in a
40-10 rout last Sunday.
"We're in a tough spot," Testaverde said. "We need a big effort against a
top team."
But stopping Bledsoe and the AFC's second-highest scoring team won't be
easy for the 20th-ranked defense in the NFL.
"To this point, I've been making consistently the highest percentage of
correct decisions," Bledsoe said.
Patriots fans may give Martin reason to wonder if he made the right
decision in leaving for the Jets and returning as one of the enemies.
"Usually it's a booing situation," he said. "They don't treat 'em good."
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