As reported here, here, here, here, here, and here, Jets’ running back and future Hall of Famer Curtis Martin will likely call it a career. Martin spent the first half of the 2006 season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list while he attempted to rehab his injured right knee, however the Jets placed him on injured reserve for good in November. The injury initially occurred in Week 2 of the 2005 season – Herm Edwards’ last as Jets’ coach. Martin attempted to gut out the injury, but with season-ending injuries to starting quarterback Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler, and the season already in ruin, Martin finally shut it down after the season’s 12th game. There’s no way to know how much further damage Martin sustained as he attempted to play through the injury, but in December 2005 he underwent surgery to remove damaged cartilage in his right knee, subsequently rendering the joint bone-on-bone and virtually impossible to play on.

While unable to contribute on the field in ‘06, Martin remained a leader in the locker room, and as the New York Post reports, he hopes to “stay involved with the team.” On his way into retirement, Martin praised the work of first year head coach Eric Mangini. As quoted in Newsday, if Curtis owned the team, Mangini would be his head coach. “[The Jets] went and got the best coach that was available,” quotes Newsday. “And I don’t know how many coaches would have been better regardless of whether they were available or not.”