JET NOTES-It’s safe to say Curtis Martin’s butt is feeling a lot better. -Martin’s production in the first half of yesterday’s 27-17 win over the Colts was more than what most running backs hope to put together in an entire game. -Martin was nothing short of magnificent, rushing for 152 yards on 15 carries – in the first 30 minutes. He finished with a career-high 203 rushing yards on 30 carries, which is also a Jets’ franchise record. -Martin’s first-half performance alone eclipsed his finest rushing performance of the season by nine yards. Martin rushed for 143 yards against New England earlier this season. His best rushing performance as a Jet came when he gained 158 last season against Seattle. -Along the way yesterday, Martin rushed for a season-high 55 yards on one carry in the first half. -Martin’s previous career high was his 199-yard rushing performance on Sept. 14, 1997 as a New England Patriot – against the Jets.
Jets’ rookie WR Windrell Hayes, who got his first NFL start last week but went without a reception, received criticism from Al Groh afterward. -Yesterday, Hayes, a fifth-round draft pick out of USC, made an immediate impact, making three big first-half receptions and helping the Jets to a 20-0 lead at the intermission. -Hayes made his first NFL catch on the Jets’ opening drive. It went for 32 yards, helping lead to the Jets’ first score. Hayes, who finished with 4 receptions for 84 yards, had catches of 32, 12 and 21 yards in the first half alone. -He’s been playing because of the absence of fellow rookie WR Laveranues Coles, who’s been out three games with a sprained left knee.
The Jets used more of newcomer DB Nick Ferguson on passing downs and he made a couple of first-half breakups on Colts’ TE Ken Dilger and WR Marvin Harrison. Ferguson, who was signed off the Bills’ practice squad a few weeks ago, also had a pass interference penalty in the first half.
Jets’ SS Victor Green picked off Colts’ QB Peyton Manning for his fifth INT of the season, tying his career high. … Jets’ WR Wayne Chrebet caught his seventh TD pass of the season, one short of his career high of eight, set in 1998. ….. Jets’ LB Bryan Cox sacked Manning twice, giving him 51½ for his career. Cox’s second sack also produced a forced fumble, recovered by the Colts. He also recovered a crucial fumble late in the game. ….. Jets’ LB Mo Lewis also had a sack. ….. Jerald Sowell had his first carry of the season, one yard on a draw play late in the second quarter. ….. Ernie Logan started at NT in place of Jason Ferguson. ….. Jets’ P Tom Tupa, one one best in the game at his position, had a five-yard shanked punt in the third quarter. The Jets’ defense responded by holding the Colts to a three-and-out series.