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| March 25, 1998 Kraft Makes It Official, Patriots Will Not Match Offer. Today in Orlando, Fla., New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft made it official that the team would not match the  offer sheet veteran running back Curtis Martin signed
with the New York Jets last Friday."We had an emotional attachment to [Curtis] Martin," said Kraft. "But we're going to take the draft picks and move on. The draft is very deep this year and to get these picks from a division rival is even more important." In exchange for letting the Pro Bowl running back go to New York, the Patriots receive the Jets' first (No. 18) and third round pick in next month's NFL draft. Martin was drafted by the Patriots with a third round selection, number 74 overall, in the 1995 NFL draft. Martin, 24, played all three years with the Patriots, rushing for 3,799 yards on 958 carries and 32 touchdowns in the regular season. In 1995 he had 14 rushing touchdowns on his way to receiving the offensive rookie of the year award. In 1996 Martin had 14 rushing touchdowns and three receiving. The 17 touchdowns are the most in a season in Patriots history. |