Jets legend Curtis Martin believes this year’s team should be playing in January.
“I would be disappointed if they don’t make the playoffs, to be honest with you,” Martin said. “I think that they have all the pieces in place. I think they have the right coach. I think they have the right quarterback this year. They have tremendous talent at the receiver position. They have an incredible defense, I think one of the best in the league.
“I would be disappointed if they don’t make it into the playoffs at least.”
The Hall of Fame running back said he liked the decision to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. After a months-long standoff, the Jets got a one-year, $12 million deal done with the veteran quarterback on the night before training camp began.
“I think Fitzpatrick was a necessary ingredient to a successful year this year,” Martin said in a phone interview while promoting Verizon’s NFL Mobile app. “Not that anyone else couldn’t have done it, just that he was best poised to do it. I think he has the best chemistry with the receivers and the offense. At quarterback, you have to have that type of personality that people want to follow and respect. I think they do [have] that with Fitz.”
Martin also liked the addition of running back Matt Forte. Some have pointed to Forte being 30 as a negative, but Martin won a rushing title at 31 and believes it is all mental.
“I think 30-year-old running backs with the right mentality are just as, if not more, dangerous than a young, rookie running back,” Martin said. “At least that’s the way I felt when I was 31 when I won a rushing title. My mentality was still fresh. I was still hungry.”
He believes Forte will be the same way.
“I think Forte is one of those guys who has that will to continue to improve,” Martin said. “I think he has tremendous talent. I think if I had his talent I would have broken many more records and I would have had more yards and touchdowns than I did when I retired. I think he’s a phenomenal talent.”