BENGALS Martin's big start powers Jets' win

The Jets posted their first home-opening win under coach Herman Edwards.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Curtis Martin made a plan when last season ended. No more slow starts, no more taking it easy in training camp.
Martin wanted to start the season fast, hoping perhaps that could help the New York Jets avoid their September slumps.
So far, so good.
Martin ran for 196 yards on 29 carries and scored on a run and a catch, helping the Jets beat Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals 31-24 on Sunday for their first home opening victory under coach Herman Edwards.
"I feel as though I could go do it again right now," Martin said. "I'm not joking."
Last season, it took Martin four games just to get to 196 yards. The Jets' record through those first four games: 0-4. In 2002, Martin struggled through injuries. It took five games for him to get over 100 yards in a single game. The Jets record through those five contests: 1-4.
Preparation
Knowing that, the 31-year-old Martin made up a difficult off-season routine for himself. He climbed the 200 steps from Santa Monica beach during the spring several times, pushing himself to work harder. When he got to training camp, he asked Edwards to give him more carries during practice and in the preseason.
The results were evident against the Bengals. Playing behind a strong offensive line made even better with the acquisition of Pete Kendall, Martin averaged 6.8 yards a carry.
"He looked about 19," said Santana Moss, who had four catches for 55 yards. "Curtis looked fresh. He was rolling. His preseason was so phenomenal this year, the way he went through camp and did all he did."
His performance overshadowed Palmer, the former No. 1 pick who made his regular-season NFL debut. The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner commanded the offense well and made few mistakes, going 18-of-27 for 248 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Palmer's biggest miscue
But with the Bengals down 31-24 with two minutes remaining, Palmer made his biggest miscue. From his 49, Palmer heaved a pass for Chad Johnson. But rookie safety Erik Coleman stormed in and intercepted it, sealing the victory.
"We came here expecting to win," Palmer said. "We had what we needed. We had what we wanted. We had the ball with two minutes to go in good field position and I turned it over. I can't make plays like that for us to win."
Martin made the plays. He ripped off long runs and broke tackles, and that helped open up the offense. Chad Pennington threw for two touchdowns, going 20-of-27 for 224 yards in the first season-opening start of his career.
It was the highest rushing total for Martin since 2000, when he had 203 yards against Indianapolis.
"He was ready to run like that," Edwards said. "I said to him, 'You got it left, don't you?' He looked like a gladiator coming out of there."
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