Derrick Blaylock stood on the sidelines as the Jets continued to run the ball in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, and he watched Curtis Martin’s number get called again and again.
And again.
“You always want to get more carries,” Blaylock said. “I was kind of surprised, since we were running so much, that I didn’t get the ball more often.”
Blaylock almost certainly will get more chances this week, with Martin listed as questionable after bruising his right knee in the 17-7 victory over Miami. Martin hasn’t missed a game since 1998, so he is expected to play.
“If he feels he can help the team win, Curtis Martin is going to play,” Herman Edwards said. “He’s never going to put the team in jeopardy.”
Quarterback Chad Pennington said of Martin, “Even if [the MRI exam] came back positive, I would expect him to play.
“He’s the best I’ve ever seen at using an injury as a positive and just understanding that the pain is going to be there.”
Still, 32-year-old Martin could use some help. Blaylock, 26, is almost guaranteed more than the two carries he got on Sunday.
“You can’t ask Curtis to carry the ball 31 times a game,” Edwards said. “That’s not fair to Curtis. Last week was one of those games.”
Which is something even Blaylock said he understood. He signed with the Jets after four years in Kansas City, spending much of that time as the understudy to another elite running back, Priest Holmes.
So when Blaylock was ignored as Martin took a pounding during what was perhaps the game’s most important drive, he didn’t get upset.
“It was crunch time, and at crunch time your main guy should get the ball,” Blaylock said. “Curtis is a Hall of Famer, so why wouldn’t you want the ball in his hands? If I was a coach, that’s what I would do.”
True, but the Jets will need to get more from Blaylock if they hope to have success as the season moves on. Jacksonville will be the new guy’s first real test.
“Blaylock had a nice performance against Philadelphia in the preseason, but you can’t read too much into that,” Pete Kendall said. “No disrespect to anyone. The other side isn’t going to know how we’re going to use him, because I don’t think we really know how we’re going to use him.”
Blaylock said he doesn’t mind the team’s uncertainty.
“You have to earn that trust,” Blaylock said. “Hopefully I can earn it when I get on the field. I know my time will come. That’s what this week is about.”
He was able to excel in a similar role a year ago when he filled in for Holmes against the Saints and rushed for 186 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. It was Blaylock’s first start in the NFL.
Despite limited action, Blaylock has managed to impress some of his new teammates, as well as Edwards.
“He’s a good change-of-pace runner,” Edwards said. “He has a little burst in the hole, quick feet and can get outside. So he’s a guy that obviously will be involved in our offense a little bit more.”
That is fine with Pennington.
“I have a lot of confidence in Derrick,” Pennington said. “He’s the perfect guy to step in.”
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Carrying the load
Since Curtis Martin joined the Jets prior to the 1998 season, he clearly has been the team’s primary ballcarrier, leaving very few attempts for his backup. Here’s a look at Martin’s rushing attempts, and those for his backup:
Year Martin’s Att. Backup, Att.
1998 369 Leon Johnson, 41
1999 367 Bernie Parmalee, 27
2000 367 Parmalee, 27
2001 333 LaMont Jordan, 39
2002 261 Jordan, 84
2003 323 Jordan, 46
2004 371 Jordan, 93
2005 51 Derrick Blaylock, 2