Joe Martinek

[Gi-15]

I was pretty impressed by the FB Jack Cochran also, he got great hands and showed nice athletism on some of his catches, including a very nice one handed catch.

Jourdan Brooks is a terrible power-back, a guy his size should get the tough yard WAY more consistently. Kordell Young is nothing special. Martinek runs like McGuffie, but slower of course. And thats not a good thing, he needs to run with a better pad level, or he will get hurt, he took a shot to the head on his first, 14-yard run, that was ugly, fortunatly he's a big tough guy. He was without a doubt the most impressive RB on the field still.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

And I underestimated Joe. Martinek has 4 out of the 5 longest runs by RBs on the team this year with Brooks having the longest of the 5. That is very impressive when you have only the 3rd most carries.

I think Martinek can afford to run upright because when he gets hit he doesn't get knocked back as hard as McGuff because he's a 215 lb. guy.

McGuffie is flashy enough to run upright and get away with it and still be a star, but has to increase his awareness of guys blind-siding him. A couple times he didn't brace himself for hits this season and got thrown backwards hard.

Hopefully what I read on one message board that Sam had two slight concussions not three is true.

 

[Gi-15]

I gotta disagree TJR, he can't really afford to run upright because it will limit his effectiveness, runnning with a more compact style help you going through traffic and help breaking arm-tackles, you take less big shot because most of the time the tackler hits the shoulder pad, not the ribs, it also help changing direction. If he is serious about playing at the next level he should start improving in that area. Look at Hillis run, he protect his body nicely by running with his shoulder closer to the ground, even helping him breaking tackle attempts by weak and afraid safeties.

I myself read on a messageboard that Sam really only had one concussion and the RR is a freaking liar. I'll cross my finger that it's true.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I hope Joe gets used correctly next season, but under Schiano I won't hold my breath.

 

[White Power]

Joe Martinek is plenty fast to play running back he said the last time I ran the 40 I timed in the 4.4 range. Now that is pretty fast, and I think that if given the chance he will be a stud for Rutgers the next 3 years. He might even be able to become the all time leading rusher if Schiano would play him.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

This could start to wake fans up if Martinek isn't at least 2nd team RB next year. Joe deserves to be the starter no doubt in my mind; If they start him as 2nd team again at the beginning of next season, like I am unfortunately expecting, he will prove best once again. If Joe keeps outperforming his black Rutgers peers on top of his record setting NJ high school resume, will the Rutgers fans wake up to the discrimination when he doesn't get enough work?

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

A recent article on Joe Martinek from Mycentraljersey.com:

[url]http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090326/SPORTS0302/9 03260363/1095/RSS05[/url]

<snip>
Martinek ready to carry bigger load
By KEITH SARGEANT - Staff Writer - March 26, 2009

Martinek has spent the first four practices working with the first team offense, trying to improve on a rookie campaign in which he rushed for 404 yards and four touchdowns in only 76 carries.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, who earlier this spring said Martinek merits a longer look after leading all running backs with a 5.3 yards-per-carry average in 2008, likes what he sees from the Hopatcong High School product so far.

"He looks good," Schiano said. "I'm anxious to see him as we get into scrimmages."

Martinek, who's competing with Jourdan Brooks for first-team reps, said footwork fundamentals have been his greatest emphasis this spring.
<snip>

The article should have also mentioned that Martinek had 4 of the 5 longest runs on for Rutgers from scrimmage last season, despite only having the 3rd most carries of all the tailbacks. Martinek deserves to start over injury prone underachiever Kordell Young hands down IMO. Kordell is hurt once again and the Scarlet Knights are moving other RB Mason Robinson to slot WR. Despite Martinek's great success last season, Kordell Young and Mason Robinson are still ranked way higher than him by NFLdraftscout (although Martinek does graduate one year later in 2012).

 

[Mike]

Joe had 79 yards and 3 TDs in the Spring Game.

Also, CB/WR JT Tartacoff (considered the fastest prospect in NJ) made a commitment to Rutgers.

http://rutgers.scout.com/a.z?s=183&p=2&c=857661

 

[backrow]

wow, this Tartacoff kid has his time listed on scout.com as 4.34!

 

[NJfan]

Couple nice articles on Jersey Joe
http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/rutgers/2009/04/21/martinek -made-the-most-of-opportunities-this-spring/#respond


Have to scroll down a bit for this one
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigeast

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Hopefully Joe won't be caste aside this year. A real bright spot in the Big East.

 

[backrow]

"Most Recent Player News & Notes

04/19/2009 Rutgers RB Martinek impresses
Rutgers freshman back Joe Martinek was the leading rusher by a large margin at the spring game. His stats tallied 79 yards and three touchdowns for the Scarlet team, which won 31-3.

Martinek is one of many in a talented set of runners at Rutgers expected to battle this season. With his primary competition resting due to injury, Martinek continued to post solid spring numbers, and he has the potential of moving up the depth chart with continued successes.



04/13/2009 Martinek making most of practice carries
With fellow Rutgers running backs Jourdan Brooks, Kordell Young and Tyrone Putman nursing injuries, Joe Martinek seized the day during a weekend scrimmage, posting 124 yards on 18 carries, including a long touchdown scamper.

Martinek just seems to get it done. Yes, it's hard to invest a pick on a back operating out of such a crowded backfield, but he's the one on the field, and he's the one impressing coaches. "

 

[whiteCB]

WAKE UP SCHIANO! Martinek is getting the job done and you cannot argue with his production. I swear if Greg doesn't play Martinek then they guy's a racist.

 

[NJfan]

Found this on a message board regarding this years EA Sports NCAA Football roster for Rutgers. Number in parethesis is rating.

Kordell (88) *starting HB
Brooks (83)
Martinek (84) *they made him black...
Rashad White (80) * yes he's still on the team in this game
Freshman HB who I don't know who is is (80) *Can't be rocket Williams, this player is 6'1" 194...

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Martinek 'bruising' his way toward the top of the depth chart.

Rutgers running back Joe Martinek leaned back in a tub of sloshing ice cubes after practice Saturday afternoon, soaking away the bumps and bruises he had earned earlier in the day.


Martinek, a redshirt sophomore, is currently in a three-way battle with Jourdan Brooks and Kordell Young for the starting job in the Scarlet Knights backfield -- a competition that has really been a two-way battle with Young still limited in practice by an ailing left knee.<A name=more></A>


"I thought Joe ran hard," Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said.


He was also hit hard. The Scarlet Knights had their first full-contact practice of training camp Saturday, the highlights of which were some of Martinek's bruising barrels into the end zone during goal line drills.


Martinek is turning more heads these days, but even before he slipped on a scarlet red jersey he was already a legend in New Jersey. He became the state's all-time leading rusher by racking up 7,589 yards and 80 touchdowns during his career at tiny Hopatcong High, tucked in the northwest corner of the state.


The 6-foot, 215-pounder has become a fan favorite through his Jersey bloodlines and his gritty, keep-the-legs-churning running style. Some fans -- and many teammates -- affectionately call him "Jersey Joe."


"Everyone is improving, everyone is doing very well," Martinek said of the running back competition. "Whoever the coaches decide on, everybody's going to be ready and get the job done."


Martinek rushed for 404 yards and four touchdowns last season, and is right in the thick of the starting race with Brooks, who is larger at 6-1, 230. Young could factor in as well if he can regain his health, and standout true freshman De'Antwan Williams should also compete for carries.


"Joe's just having a fantastic camp," Rutgers center Ryan Blaszczyk said. "He's doing really well. He's really doing a great job."

 

[Freethinker]

It would be great if Joe can become the starter as a sophomore, have a great season and solidify himself for the rest of his Rutgers career. I know this is asking alot but the NJ high school rushing record holder should be granted that in a fair world.

With Joe in the mix and stud linebacker Ryan D'Imperio leading the defense Rutgers might actually be entertaining to watch this year.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Wheter or not he starts he will get alot of carries.This will show everyone how talented he really is.

 

[NJfan]

RUSHING: Joe Martinek (10-48); Jourdan Brooks (12-24); De'Antwan Williams (8-38, TD); Mason Robinson (1-9); Tyrone Putman (6-15); Ben Boursiquot (2- -7); Dom Natale (4-16); Jabu Lovelace (4- -8); Julian Hayes (1- -4); Tom Savage (2- -6); D.C. Jefferson (4-3); Steve Shimko (1- -6).

RECEIVING: Julian Hayes (7-135); Tim Brown (2-21, TD); Malcolm Bush (1-3); Quron Pratt (1-2); Junior Solice (1-16); Tony Trahan (1-25); Mohamed Sanu (6-72); Shamar Graves (1-7); Jack Corcoran (3-6); Joe Martinek (3-28)
Keith Stroud (1-14); Andres Morales (1-7); Marcus Cooper (1-12); Mark""Â￾I thought Joe (Martinek) ran hard, I thought Jourdan (Brooks) ran decently, too. I thought they both ran well. " Schiano
Stats don't lie!

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

so Martinek was the leading rusher, doubled the number of yards that Brooks had on fewer carries, AND was the second leading receiver ... and Schiano managed to give credit to the negro equally.

wow. just wow.

 

[backrow]

i think at this point it's just Schiano trying to motivate Joe, he's clearly ahead of the other guy. plus hard and decently aren't the same!

my grandma's car runs decently, my car runs hard

 

[NJfan]

2nd scrimmage

Receiving
Harrison 2-48 1 TD
Hayes 2-24
Wright 2-15
Brown 1-7
Cooper 1-21
Trahan 1-22
Martinek 1-8
Sanu 2-12
Putman 1-7
Morales 1-8
Stroud 1-0

Rushing
Martinek 10-74-2 TD
Brooks 7-50-1 TD
Williams 2-4
Savage 4-17
Lovelace 4 (-3)
Robinson 1-2

 

[Colonel_Reb]

7.4 YPC for Joe and 7.14 for Brooks. Joe has the edge in productivity, no doubt. Plus, he catches the ball. In my mind, Joe should be the number 1 back for Rutgers this year.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

the numbers say that the case is closed, and in Martinek's favor... so what is preventing the coach from making the decision?

 

[Freethinker]

Seems like Jersey Joe is getting the majority of the carries today. At the half he has 9 carries for 45 yards!

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

This is great news. Jersey Joe had a brilliant game. I was worried Joe would get demoted if he got outperformed by Brooks a second week in a row.

Even with showing he was Rutger's best back last season and this summer in practice and scrimmages- 2 great games by a black RB and 2 so-so games by a white one usually means it's back to the bench. A white RB doesn't get a whole season, two or three of being mediocre without getting demoted as a black Rivals RB recruit would.