who had a better carrer? J. Bettis or C. Martin?

Answer 1

When you ask who had a better career, I don't think it's fair to evaluate that in terms of the success of team performance. Sure, Jerome Bettis played on a team that won a Super Bowl, but put Curtis Martin in the same backfield behind Rothlisberger and on a team with the Steelers championship defense, and Martin probably puts a Super Bowl ring on his finger, too.

That being said - Martin and Bettis are two entirely different types of runners - most of Martin's career relied on his explosiveness and acceleration - Bettis has always been a hard-driving battering ram of a runner. Given their different attributes, one would be used in situations where the other would rarely be asked to carry the ball.

Overall - Jerome Bettis ran for 13,662 yards in the regular season, an average of 3.9 yards per carry. His best season came in 1997, when he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and racked up some 1665 yards. Bettis totaled only 8 one-thousand yard seasons, and scored 91 career rushing touchdowns.

As a receiver, Bettis pulled down just 200 passes in his 13 year career - he wasn't much of a passing threat - but he did average 7.2 yards per catch, with 3 touchdowns.

Bettis fumbled 41 times in 192 career games.

Curtis Martin, as someone pointed out, is still listed as an active player, and he has said that he intends to play in the NFL in the coming season. To date, he has 14,101 yards in career rushing, an average of 4 yards per carry. His best season was just a couple of years ago, when he ran for almost 1700 yards (1697), at an average of 4.6 yards per carry. Until last year, Martin had totaled 1000 yards or more in every season of his career - ten straight seasons, and he has scored only one fewer touchdown than "2-yard dive" Bettis - 90 career rushing touchdowns.

Martin has been used far more frequently as a receiving option in the Patriots' and Jets' offenses - he has 484 career receptions for another 3329 yards and 10 touchdowns. His career average is 6.9 yards per reception.

Looking at just the raw numbers, only one thing jumps out - Curtis Martin has always been capable of the big play - Jerome Bettis has always been capable of grinding out 2 or 3 yards whenever the Steelers are facing a tough third down play.

Who has had the better career? They've both been NFL stars - whether either or both is a sure Hall of Famer is tough to say. Neither has Walter Payton numbers (16,726 yards rushing or 110 touchdowns). Bettis has certainly accomplished John Riggins-like numbers (11,352 yards rushing and 104 career touchdowns), and Curtis Martin has numbers like Eric Dickerson (13,259 yards rushing and 90 touchdowns, with 281 receptions for 2137 yards).

Apples and oranges. Two great backs - two different styles - two very successful careers.

Answer 2

Bettis, just because, yes, Martin overall was a much much better RB, he was one of the top RBs over the past 5-7 years, but the Jets never went anywhere. Bettis totally carried his team, with all of the 1-5 yard TDs he got it made the Steelers a lot better then they would've been.

Answer 3

Numbers-wise, it's Martin. Team success, Bettis.

Answer 4

Bettis, he was truly a team player and he was a big back. I give Martin credit for more yards but he isn't a "power" back so really he should get them. Honestly it is hard to pick between the two though.

Answer 5

Two totally different type runners. Martin had slightly better stats, but the Bus was a game winner. He was unstoppable close in & loved smash mouth to get that 4th & inches late in the game. Once the Steelers got the lead in the 4th quarter, the Bus was unstoppable. He'd kill the clock & break the other guys's back.

Answer 6

They are two different types of backs, but if I had to choose:
The Bus. He was running on those donut wheels the last 2 years, but he is the man. Curtis Martin is the better all around player/person, but the Bus was the go to man year after year.

Answer 7

both are great, Martin's career is not over, why do you talk about him in the past tense? Numbers wise, Martin was far more productive than the bus, his 10 years of 1000 yards is second only to Barry Sanders

Answer 8

Jerome had the better career. "The Bus" was one of the most well known power running backs in football history. Curtis Martin had a slow start to his career. He was drafted by the Patriots and got hurt in his first starting season. He was quickly traded and he finnaly did a little work.

Answer 9

Bettis fumbled 41 times in 192 career games.

Answer 10

Martin
he wan't as fortunate to be on a good team like Pittsburg
and its not like Jerrome won the super bowl by himself