Patriots Draft New Course After Losing Martin to Jets

New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft deliberated nearly five interminable days before announcing that he would not match the New York Jets’ contract offer sheet to restricted free-agent running back Curtis Martin.

Truth be told, Kraft couldn’t wait to get rid of Martin because of the heavy draft-choice compensation he would receive: first- and third-round picks in next weekend’s draft.

“We did not challenge the contract because we think it’s best for the New England Patriots,” Kraft said. “We’ve got an opportunity to build our team for a number of years with some very good draft choices.”

So good that the Patriots have six of the first 82 picks, featuring two selections in each of the first three rounds. But don’t be deceived into thinking the Martin deal is a slam dunk for the Patriots, that New England can automatically parlay that deal and their other high draft picks into a Dallas-type dynasty of the recent past.

The fact is, the Patriots have taken a major risk in giving up on Martin, simply because history suggests you don’t win Super Bowls without franchise-caliber running backs. Unless you call Sedrick Shaw, the team’s third-round choice in 1997, a franchise back, then New England is without a major piece of its puzzle.

That’s why it’s imperative for New England’s sake that personnel director Bobby Grier makes the most out of this year’s picks.

Grier has been studying trade possibilities that could vault the Patriots into position to take Penn State running back Curtis Enis. He also is looking at running backs who won’t necessitate a trade-up, such as Fred Taylor of Florida, Robert Edwards of Georgia or Skip Hicks of UCLA.

Don’t think Kraft himself doesn’t have plenty on the line here. Remember, it was the owner who usurped Parcells’ personnel authority by promoting Grier in 1995. That turned out to be Grier’s finest draft, highlighted by Martin’s selection in the third round, as well as first-round cornerback Ty Law, second-round linebacker Ted Johnson, third-round cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock and fourth-round center Dave Wohlabaugh, all of whom have been significant contributors.

Grier, who won’t make his first public comments on the draft until Monday, overruled Parcells the following year and selected wide receiver Terry Glenn, who turned out to be a star. But last year’s draft was poor, with first-round cornerback Chris Canty, second-round defensive end Brandon Mitchell and third-round running back Shaw all struggling as rookies.

Another performance like that next weekend and Grier soon could be looking for work. But if he strikes it big, then Kraft’s decision to let Martin go without a fight will turn out to be the correct call.

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Despite allowing the Martin contract to go through this week, the NFL management council continues to have a problem with clubs including options and the elimination of franchise or transition designations when pursuing restricted free agents. The council likely will bring up the issue to the NFL Players Association, and future contract offers may have restrictions placed on them as a result of the Martin deal.

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Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway said he will announce whether he plans to play in 1998 sometime before the draft, but he already has told teammates in recent weeks that he plans to return for at least one more season.

You can exhale now, Broncos fans.

Then again, maybe you ought to wait until it’s official. After all, even Elway admitted, “I change my mind every day.”

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So much for the Tyrone Wheatley-Rashaan Salaam controversy that precipitated Coach Dan Reeves’ eventual departure from the Giants. Reeves was adamant about taking Salaam with New York’s first pick of the 1995 draft but was overruled by personnel director Tom Boisture, who chose Wheatley. Turns out both running backs have been duds. Wheatley has done little to distinguish himself with the Giants, and Salaam is being shopped around by the Chicago Bears, who would settle for a sixth-round pick for him.

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Financial fallout from the Jets’ six-year, $36-million offer to Martin: Broncos running back Terrell Davis, MVP of Super Bowl XXXII, now wants to tear up the deal he signed in 1996. Davis, who averages just $1.16 million per year, might hold out of training camp if his deal is not upgraded.

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Look for Green Bay Packers Coach Mike Holmgren to be targeted as the No. 1 choice for both the Seattle Seahawks and expansion Cleveland Browns head coach/general manager jobs next year. Holmgren this week was given a clause in his contract that allows him to pursue opportunities that would give him the dual roles. Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Bill Cowher’s name has been mentioned in connection with the Browns, but Holmgren would be a more attractive candidate because of his expertise in personnel matters.