NFL free agency: 25 signings that turned out for the best

Reggie White, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Mark Ingram fit the bill as smart NFL free-agent signings.

Curtis Martin


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The New York Jets actually got the better of the New England Patriots. Stunning. Signing Curtis Martin away from New England gave the Jets a Hall of Famer. Martin had three consecutive thousand-yard seasons in New England. Somehow, the Patriots let him sign with their division rival. With Gang Green, Martin tacked on seven more 1,000-yard seasons before finishing his career in 2005 with 735 yards, the only time in his glorious career he did not rush for four digits. In all, Martin rushed for 10,302 yards as Jet.