The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

there are a ton to choose from. But I think the biggest mistake they ever made was letting Curtis Martin go. They didnt recover from that until Dillon, and now Maroney.
at least Belichick came to make us all forget Parcells. But Martin and his hall of fame career was let go for 2 draft picks. Robert Edwards, who even if he stayed healthy was no Curtis Martin, and the stiff fullback.

Plunkett's time to go had come and they got a boatload of draft picks. Mike Haynes was a big loss to.

While Bledsoe and Glenn got a lot of headlines in 1996, Curtis Martin was their best and most consistant performer, the Emmitt Smith of the team and a guy they could have build around for years.

discuss.

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

A good case could be made for Curtis, but I wish Ty Law was still around.

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

its been great watching Law and Huard helping the Chiefs this year. But at least when they let Law go, his very best years were behind him, Martins career had just gotten off the ground.

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

Martian.

Law.

Milloy. Overpaid... but I wanted too see what he and Harrison could have been in the backfield. That would have been nasty for sure.

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

Irving Fryar made 4 Pro Bowls after he left the Pats. He's gotta be right up there with Curtis Martin and Mike Haynes.

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

I'd say Mike Haynes, but I don't recall the circumstances that lead to his departure. Martin's departure was unfortunate, but the poison-pill contract offered by the Jets (now illegal) would not have been a solid move to match. This makes it tough to say the Pats "let him go".

Regards,
Chris

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

Agree on both counts (Haynes and Martin).

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

Add Nick Bunoconti. Traded in 1969 for never did anything QB Kim Hammond. Nick (from Springfield,MA) anchored the Fins defense for years including the undefeated 1972 team.

Re: The best player the Patriots ever let go
 

I'd like to add Ron Mix, who the Pats had in 1960 but traded to San Diego for QB Tom Greene. Mix was probably the best Offensive Lineman in AFL history. Greene weas not the best of QB's.