In 2001, Muir’s final season in New York, the Jets finished with their best rushing totals during his tenure with the club. Behind Pro Bowl RB Curtis Martin, the Jets finished fourth overall in rushing offense and second in the AFC, averaging 128.4 yards per game, which marked the best ranking rushing offense since the Jets finished fifth in that category in 1991. Martin earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection after finishing second in the NFL with a career-high and club-record 1,513 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Martin posted four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons behind the Jets offensive line. Under Muir’s direction, the Jets allowed the fewest sacks in the AFC (19), which also marked the second-lowest total in the NFL. In addition, Muir was instrumental in the development of C Kevin Mawae, who was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2001.
In 2000, New York’s offensive line tied Indianapolis for the fewest sacks allowed (20), despite being part of an offensive line that had the most pass attempts of any team in the NFL. The Jets offense averaged 337.2 yards per game, and Martin raced for 1,204 yards rushing, including galloping for a club-record 203 yard rushing day against Indianapolis. Muir displayed his outstanding teaching and developmental skills in 1999 when he integrated three new starters on the offensive line — Guards Randy Thomas and Kerry Jenkins and RT Ryan Young in the starting lineup. Despite the injuries, Muir developed a cohesive unit that helped Martin post a then-team record 1,464 yards rushing, marking just the third time in team history that a Jets running back had posted consecutive 1,000 yard campaigns.
Click to expand...