Joe Martinek

I think sooner or later Martinek will win the job and even then Schiano wll have to play the best player at the position, and that would be Martinek by a long stretch. He will get carries the ist game and if he produces then he will get more chances to prove himself. Lets all remember the rules are different for white boys and all other non whites at running back.   

here is the link to the full article.

while it does praise Joe for clawing his way up the depth chart after being labeled as a defensive player last year, the first paragraph shows how most of the sheeple (including most all sports "journalists") view him.

Joe Martinek isn't particularly big or overly fast and his quickness is probably just acceptable -- not exceptional. Yet almost every time the redshirt freshman tailback has the ball in his hands, something good seems to happen.

so, once again, we have a white player who has almost no talent whatsoever, yet makes plays every time he's given a chance... how exactly does that work?

Kordell Young ran for 3.8 YPC with 26 carries in the first game, but it was only his first game and he showed some signs of talent and scored a TD. Kordell did show some signs of why he started #1 on the depth chart. In the last game Kordell was injured. Last game Mason Robinson and Jourdan Brooks got every single carry. I thought there was a battle going on according to the NJ Star Ledger for the number 2 and 3 job at the onset of the season, with even Kordell feeling presure for the #1.

In an article in that paper before the first game, they talked about how Martinek was the only effective RB in the first scrimmage. Joe had 4 carries in that game for 37 yards and Shiano said "I think Joe continues to deserve more and more reps." Last game Robinson and Brooks, the latter of who wasn't really supposed to be ahead of Martinek on the depth, each had a bunch of carries 16 and 7 respectively. They were not very impressive early and then got some good runs late when Rutgers was far behind and the opposition was expecting pass. Even one ESPN analyst commented at the half that Rutgers running game looked to be pretty ineffective

Why the hell did Martinek not get a single carry? I repeat "zero" carries. Martinek was said to be performing well in the pre-season and in the mix. The answer to why Joe had zero carries in the first two games must have to do with his skin pigment. I can't believe last game with the injuries and Rutgers falling way behind that Joe didn't get some carries late in the game. If Joe sees no time this year, he should think about getting out of coal black Rutgers. Washington State, Colorado State or BYU anyone?

Rutgers Rushing
Player Carries Yds Avg TDs
Jourdan Brooks 22 134 6.1 2
Joe Martinek 8 61 7.6 1
Tim Brown 1 6 6.0 0
Jabu Lovelace 2 5 2.5 0

Stats from Navy game

It should be noted that Rugters coach went to freshman in the running game and sadly Brooks got the job done.  Martinek had a good game and will see more carries this yr, but will not see 22 carries as the other freshman Brooks did.

Martinek saw no time. Robinson replaced him!

Rutgers

Rushing        No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg
--------------------------------------------
BROOKS, Jourdan 17   61    3  & nbsp;58 0 10 3.4
TEEL, Mike       3  & nbsp;12    1   11 1 7 3.7
ROBINSON, Mason 6    7    4 &nb sp;  3 0 5 0.5
Totals...       26 & nbsp; 80    8   72 1 10 2.8

I usually root for Rutgers, seeing how they are my "local" team. When I discovered they had a freshman white running back, I once again became more interested in the team. I did not have high expectations for Joe seeing how most freshman have to pay their dues and wait till the better upper-class man players leave.

However, as this season goes on is becoming apparent that the "players" I alluded to do not exist. The guys getting playing time ahead of Joe stink and are a far cry from Brian Leonard and Ray Rice. The team (no coincidence) is 1-4. In a lost season, why not play the freshman and see what the future has in store.

Seeing Joe play would be the only reason to watch the awful team play. If not, I will root for this team to lose the rest of their games and return the the Big East laughing stock they used to be.

DraftDaddy just linked this article on Martinek.

it shows just how much bullcrap a white running back has to go through in the hopes he'll get a chance to play.

Frosh claws for playing time Multi-talented Martinek finds success in Wildcat offense, special teams in 35-17 win over Syracuse Sam Hellman / Correspondent Joe Martinek will get touches anywhere that he can get them. Whether it’s in the Wildcat formation, on the scout team or even on special teams, he wants to play. The redshirt freshman did more than play in the 35-17 win over Syracuse last week. Despite getting just two offensive touches in the game, Martinek made them count, running one 6 yards up the field and the other — from the Wildcat formation — down the left sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The Wildcat formation — becoming more and more common in both the NFL and in college — consists of lining the quarterback out wide and having the running back handle the direct snap where he can pass or run the ball. “It’s pretty exciting. It’s something that defenses haven’t really seen. It’s always fun doing something exciting. It was just something the coaches put together and we’ve been doing it [in practice] for a while now.” The touchdown run isn’t what impressed his teammates and coach the most, however, it’s what he did next. On the kickoff following his touchdown, Martinek informed head coach Greg Schiano that he had enough gas to play his role on the kickoff coverage and subsequently chased down the kick returner from behind and tackled him. “He can do so many different things and that is what makes him so special,” said senior quarterback Mike Teel. “He can score a 50-yard touchdown then go out on special teams on the kickoff on the next play, go down and make a tackle. How many guys can do that?” Since the return of a healthy Kordell Young and the emergence of Jourdan Brooks as an extremely powerful second option, Martinek has struggled to find playing time, but Schiano said that he still believes that Martinek could be the starter if he had to be. “I think Joe’s been consistent,” Schiano said. “It’s awfully hard to get multiple running backs ready, just from a repetition standpoint in practice. I think all four of these running backs could be ‘the’ running back if needed.” As a gunner on special teams, Martinek has made four tackles this season, three of which are unassisted. Martinek said that he isn’t yet fully used to playing special teams, but wants to do anything he can to get on the field. “I’m getting more comfortable with it just from the beginning of the year until now,” Martinek said. “If there is any way to help the team, I’ll do it. Coach [Schiano] gave me my couple of opportunities and whatever they give me, I just try to make the most of it.” Not only does Martinek do whatever it takes on game day to help the team, he also takes the same mindset into practices. During the week, Martinek devotes most of his time to the scout team where he mimics that week’s opposing running back to help the defense get ready. “How many guys can be on the scout team all week and really get beat up by the first team defense and then play on Saturday? He just goes about his business, does whatever he’s asked to do and does it extremely well,” Teel said of his teammate. The greatest challenge of being on the scout team, Martinek said, is balancing his time between helping the defense prepare and preparing himself as a part of the offense. “It’s hard because there’s more you have to learn, more film you have to watch, but if you look at your long-term goal — you want to win the national championship,” he said. “If you think of it that way then it’s worth it.” Martinek’s eagerness to help the team and willingness to sacrifice some playing time during practice to help the scout team is not lost on his coach. “It takes someone who is pretty unselfish,” Schiano said. “Joe is a great team football player.”

Here is what I posted under another thread about Joe after this past weeks game. Joe currently has run for 7.3 YPC, the second best YPC on the team is 4.6 YPC. Mason Robinson has double the carries of Martinek, but less yards. Yeah; and as you say, the most productive players supposedly play right Texas Tech/ Maximus?

Originally posted by ToughJ.Riggins Originally posted by jacknyc I think this was the most interesting statement in that article: "Part of that success is putting oneself in position to make big plays. For White, that meant convincing his teammates and his coaches that he belonged on the field." I think more guys need to step up and let their teammates and coaches know that they want to play and they can play....and not just sitting around waiting for their chance and 'doing what's best for the team' according to the coach. That is something that Joe Martinek of Rutgers should do. Today he had 2 carries for 51 yards with a key 45 yard TD. He now has the "two" longest runs on the team despite having the least carries of the 4 RBs at Rutgers by far and has the best YPC by far. He is also NJs all-time leading rusher, so he was a stud in H.S too that would indicate this is no fluke. He should speak up and tell Greg Shiano that his top-notch production along with the fact that no other RB has ran away with the starting job at all on the field should prove that he should see more carries! Speak up Joe!

Edited by ToughJ.Riggins

Joe Martinek article

Rutgers' Martinek makes his presence felt on the field ... and in cyberspace
by Tom Luicci/The Star-Ledger
Friday November 21, 2008, 5:00 PM



Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger
Joe Martinek was reluctant to have a website at first, but likes the attention it has received.The way it usually works for college athletes is they make their mark first and then have their own website. At least one fan of Rutgers running back Joe Martinek believes that's only a matter of time.

Martinek making his mark, that is.

"Jersey" Joe already has his own website .

It's the creation of Chris Palermo, a 1994 graduate of Hopatcong High School, which is where Martinek starred en route to becoming the career rushing leader in New Jersey high school history. Palermo also bills himself as a New Jersey "high school football enthusiast."

"I didn't create it," said Martinek, a redshirt freshman who has moved up to back-up tailback behind starter Kordell Young on the Knights' depth chart after rushing for a career-high 98 yards and two touchdowns at South Florida on Nov. 15. "(Palermo) e-mailed my dad one day. That's what he does, he builds websites. His mom was my brother's teacher at one point, so that's how we all kind of connected."

Martinek, who has already endeared himself to Rutgers fans by making the most of his limited opportunities so far -- 236 yards on 40 carries with four touchdowns -- and because of his blue collar approach. Martinek isn't the flashiest player, but makes things happen whether he is running the ball, catching it or playing on special teams.

The website has an updated bio, updated stats and lists Martinek's achievements, including where his 7,589 rushing yards rank on the national high school career rushing list.

"The final say is ours (as far as what goes on the website)," said Martinek. "He runs everything by us. He's good with that. My dad and I monitor it every day."

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano only learned this week that Martinek, who has yet to start a college game, already has his own website. He seemed more amused by it than anything.

"He has a website? Is that right?" said Schiano. "It's a new age."

Martinek said he admitted to being reluctant at first to having the website, but says he is pleased with it -- and with the attention it has received.

One thing you won't find on it: How fast the 6-0, 215-pounder really is. Martinek, a physical runner with quickness, has heard his entire life that he has "deceptive speed," which he admits bothers him. He has shown plenty of explosion in limited opportunities -- something that seems to continually surprise onlookers.

"I hear that all the time about my speed, how people say they are surprised how fast I am," said Martinek. "My last 40 time was a 4.4. I forget how long ago it was. But that was the last time I had it recorded."



Edited by backrow