Fansided

Every NFL team’s greatest rushing season of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Jets running back Curtis Martin stands on the field prior to a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, won by the Patriots 13-7, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on October 24, 2004. (Photo by Michael Valeri/Getty Images)
Jets running back Curtis Martin stands on the field prior to a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, won by the Patriots 13-7, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on October 24, 2004. (Photo by Michael Valeri/Getty Images) /

New York Jets: Curtis Martin (2004)

He was a star performer with the New England Patriots and drafted by Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. University of Pittsburgh running back Curtis Martin slipped to the third round in 1995 due to injury concerns. That certainly wasn’t the case during his impressive 11-year NFL career with the Patriots and Jets, one that culminated with a bust in Canton, Ohio.

Martin began his career rushing for 1,000-plus yards in each of his first three seasons, the first two under Parcells. In 1997, the latter would become the head coach of the Jets.

In 1998, the Jets and Parcells decided to buy some talented groceries. He signed Martin, who was a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. New England did not match the offer and was compensated with New York’s first- and third-round picks that year.

It proved to be a worthwhile investment for the Green and White. Martin is the franchise’s all-time rushing leader with 10,302 yards. In 2004, his 10th NFL season, he ran for a franchise-record 1,697 yards and a dozen touchdowns on 371 carries. At 31 years old and eight months, he also became the oldest player to lead the league in rushing yardage.

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