Deion Branch can seek a trade

[ARod2212]

Well then enjoy no WR in 2006, and nothing to show for it in 2007.

[schillingouttheks]

Well then enjoy no WR in 2006, and nothing to show for it in 2007.

Did you forget that there are 30 other teams? One of them would be willing to part with something good for someone like Branch.

[jsinger121]

Well then enjoy no WR in 2006, and nothing to show for it in 2007.

 

Nothing to show. Say Branch comes back in week 10 after his stupid holdout and finishes the year. The pats will just franchise him for 2007 anyways.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Deion Branch-WR-Patriots Sep. 1 - 3:27 pm et

 

 

NBCSports.com reports that Deion Branch and his agent, Jason Chayut, have filed a greivance with the NFLPA against the team.

 

The team is requesting a special master from the NFLPA to hear the case today. The timing is difficult for all sides with roster cuts pending Saturday and a self-imposed 4 PM deadline to negotiate with other teams. Only the Jets have talked trade directly with the Pats and their six-year offer to Branch had a "funky structure." The rising bad blood between New England and Branch's agent won't help a possible return to the team.

Source: NBCSports.com

[jsinger121]

The Special Master will tell him he has a contract and to honor it.

[Papelbon58]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2568851

[ksushi]

Branch has zero leverage. Zero. I don't get it. I hope if he sits out until the final six that Bill benches him for the entire time he is there to prevent him from cashing in. This is a stupid stupid move on his part.

[See Red]

Nothing to show. Say Branch comes back in week 10 after his stupid holdout and finishes the year. The pats will just franchise him for 2007 anyways.

 

Why the hell would they franchise him? Do you think Branch is worth the average salary of the top 5 WR's in the league for even a year?

[See Red]

McCairens and a 2007 first round pick and you would have me consider it.

 

You're pretty much looking at a second round pick AT BEST for Branch. If any team out there was going to throw you a first rounder then the deal would've already been made.

[See Red]

While yes its great to have top notch receivers... Brady doesnt really have a #1 guy he always throws the ball to. Some gmaes it would be branch, some games it could be watson, some games it could be brown, hell some games he's throwing to his defense/offensive linemen. He spreads the ball to all points across the field, knowledgable quarterback is an understatement. Sorry it just bursts your bubble but Brady has made himself out to be a future HOF

 

But eh keep drinking that kool-aid if you think he is average

 

Wait a minute. You took Tom Brady with the second (?) pick in a fantasy football league and it's me, MC Hammer, and Papelboner that are drinking the kool-aid? Your fellow fans on here are saying one of the worst running games in the league last year is in better shape than a team that has been among the best for the last ten years and we're drinking the kool-aid? We're being realistic. No Branch, no playoffs for the Patriots. Your running game isn't what it used to be, your passing game isn't and your defense sure as hell isn't what it used to be either when you have to make desperate signings like Junior Seau. Rodney Harrison won't be near what he used to be either.

 

By the way, Brady's had good recievers to spread the ball out to. If he has no other options other than Ben Watson, teams with athletic LB's are going to stop you. Bottomline.

[jsinger121]

Why the hell would they franchise him? Do you think Branch is worth the average salary of the top 5 WR's in the league for even a year?

 

Likely not but he's a good receiver and the pats aren't losing him for nothing. He has no leverage at all and his agent is being an idiot. The pats will stick it to him in 2007 and put the tag on him whether he likes it or not.

[ARod2212]

Did you forget that there are 30 other teams? One of them would be willing to part with something good for someone like Branch.

Apparently not, as the Jets and Seahawks are the only ones who had any interest. It would be pretty stupid to 'franchise' a receiver who has never had over 1,000 yards. He's not worth the a first rounder, nor the two the Patriots are apparently holding out for. Ladanian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. That's the list of guys worth 2 first rounders.

[jsinger121]

Apparently not, as the Jets and Seahawks are the only ones who had any interest. It would be pretty stupid to 'franchise' a receiver who has never had over 1,000 yards. He's not worth the a first rounder, nor the two the Patriots are apparently holding out for. Ladanian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. That's the list of guys worth 2 first rounders.

 

Well he's not going to get his wish to be traded because Pats are not trading him when he is not a free agent. He either fires his agent and accept the Pats very generous offer or he can be an idiot and listen to his agent and sit out and lose more money.

[schillingouttheks]

Apparently not, as the Jets and Seahawks are the only ones who had any interest. It would be pretty stupid to 'franchise' a receiver who has never had over 1,000 yards. He's not worth the a first rounder, nor the two the Patriots are apparently holding out for. Ladanian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. That's the list of guys worth 2 first rounders.

I know. My point was that we don't have to trade him to you guys if you don't like what we're demanding. We can shop him around and someone's likely to bite. You said this:

Well then enjoy no WR in 2006, and nothing to show for it in 2007.

In response to this:

remember who you are dealing with. Belichick and Pioli ain't trading him for anything less than a #1.

You made it sound like if the Pats didn't get a trade done with the Jets, then there would be no Branch or anything in '06 for the Pats. My point was that there are 30 other teams to shop him around with, and if nothing gets done, then it's not the end of the world for the Pats. Besides, like someone said, I don't understand why he's holding out. WRs have no leverage in this situation and if he wanted to return for the final 6 weeks, you know just as well as I do that Belichick won't even put him on the game roster, thus making him ineligible for unrestricted free agency in '07. I know it wouldn't be good for anyone and the Pats wouldn't get anything out of it, but it would send a clear message to him and his agent.

 

However, I've always thought that the Pats need to grow a pair and give him the damn money. They let Givens go because they wanted to be able to pay Branch, so pay him!

[CrespoBlows]

The Special Master will tell him he has a contract and to honor it.

 

What the hell does Branch care? He wants his money, and he'll probably sit out until he is traded, or gets that contract.

[Jon_Papelboner]

2 first rounders, lol, thats a f***in joke. Branch is only a good second WR.

[Jon_Papelboner]

Branch has zero leverage. Zero. I don't get it. I hope if he sits out until the final six that Bill benches him for the entire time he is there to prevent him from cashing in. This is a stupid stupid move on his part.

How about the pats? He's leaps and bounds better than anything else they have, and they're going to risk losing him over a few million dollars? Talk about petty.

[ksushi]

I think the pats are in good shape without him, better with him, no doubt, but the money he is asking for is unrealistic. He has no leverage in this situation is what im saying. He isn't gonna get what he wants. This is the NFL, just take the one year deal and take it to free agency next season. Thats what they all do, Branch is no different. If he sits out, he is screwed. If he plays, he'll eventually get paid. He is jumping the gun here.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

How about the pats? He's leaps and bounds better than anything else they have, and they're going to risk losing him over a few million dollars? Talk about petty.

When you look at his contract, and understand management ( Pats for instance ). Branch is the one that is risking two years in the prime of his career.

[See Red]

I know. My point was that we don't have to trade him to you guys if you don't like what we're demanding. We can shop him around and someone's likely to bite. You said this:

 

It may not be an issue of whether or not you like what you're being given. The Patriots told Branch he could seek a trade and, according to his agent, they would trade him if he found a good one. I'm not sure exactly what an arbitrators ruling would mean, but if he sides with Branch, he'll be agreeing that the Patriots turned down trades that are "appropriate and of a fair market value" according to recent deals revolving WR's.

 

It shouldn't help him that Ashley Lelie went for a third round pick. Lelie's proven capable of scoring more TD's and getting more yards. Is Deion Branch really worth any more than he is?

[schillingouttheks]

It's unfortunate because I really wanted the Pats to go after Lelie when it was clear that he wanted out of Denver. Maybe a Branch/Lelie swap would have worked out? I'm sure Denver would have loved it (when you think of a receiving core of Walker-Smith-Branch), but I doubt Branch would want to go there. Especially considering the fact that he wouldn't be the number 1 receiver there and would most likely be utilized as a 3.

 

Speaking of which, who's the number 1 receiver in Denver, See Red? Walker or Smith? Talent-wise I'd say Walker, but Denver might be loyal to Smith and make him the number 1. I'm not sure.

[See Red]

It's unfortunate because I really wanted the Pats to go after Lelie when it was clear that he wanted out of Denver. Maybe a Branch/Lelie swap would have worked out? I'm sure Denver would have loved it (when you think of a receiving core of Walker-Smith-Branch), but I doubt Branch would want to go there. Especially considering the fact that he wouldn't be the number 1 receiver there and would most likely be utilized as a 3.

 

Speaking of which, who's the number 1 receiver in Denver, See Red? Walker or Smith? Talent-wise I'd say Walker, but Denver might be loyal to Smith and make him the number 1. I'm not sure.

 

I'd say Javon is #2 because he's coming off of the injury and because Rod Smith is... well, Rod Smith. So I'd say the loyalty to Smith is the ultimate decider. Plus, the man can still play football and he brings so much to the team off of the field

 

But yeah, Smith/Walker/Branch would look great. Hell, Smith/Walker/Lelie would've been great. But Branch certainly wouldn't have been alright with that role.

 

It's funny, though, Lelie wanted out because he didn't want to be the #3 WR... well, that's exactly what he's going to be in Atlanta. Under Mike Shanahan, the Broncos have never had a solid #3 WR, so I was hoping Lelie would suck it up for the year. Obviously not the case, though.

[jsinger121]

It may not be an issue of whether or not you like what you're being given. The Patriots told Branch he could seek a trade and, according to his agent, they would trade him if he found a good one. I'm not sure exactly what an arbitrators ruling would mean, but if he sides with Branch, he'll be agreeing that the Patriots turned down trades that are "appropriate and of a fair market value" according to recent deals revolving WR's.

 

It shouldn't help him that Ashley Lelie went for a third round pick. Lelie's proven capable of scoring more TD's and getting more yards. Is Deion Branch really worth any more than he is?

 

The pats said he could seek a trade but would only trade him if they found a team that would compensate what the pats would be looking for. They didn't agree to just trade him if Branch could find a deal and the Pats didn't get the value they want for him. His agent is wrong and he is going to have to stay under patriots contract whether he likes it or not.

[CrespoBlows]

No way I'm giving up Adrian Peterson and McCariens for Branch. Take your second rounder and be grateful.

 

The Jets aren't that bad. The 49ers will most likely have a chance to draft Peterson first.

[guapo34]

Charles Rogers has been cut. Hes not great and hes not a great character guy either, but I don't think we can be picky at this point. I think he'd be a big improvement over what we have if Branch doesn't report until week 10.

[See Red]

The pats said he could seek a trade but would only trade him if they found a team that would compensate what the pats would be looking for. They didn't agree to just trade him if Branch could find a deal and the Pats didn't get the value they want for him. His agent is wrong and he is going to have to stay under patriots contract whether he likes it or not.

 

But the Patriots are being completely unreasonable. Two first round picks? According to their standards, no reasonable trade offer is good enough. Terrell Owens, pre-Philadelphia fiasco, got traded from the 49ers to the Eagles for a 5th round pick and a crappy DT. In the case of what Branch's market value is compared to what the Patriots are asking for -- sorry, the Patriots don't stand a chance.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

If Deion Branch wins his grievance(s) filed against the Patriots next week, he would reportedly be traded to the New York Jets.

 

Branch agreed to six-year contracts with both New York and Seattle late in the week, but the Jets were the only team that offered New England a pick. The Seahawks reportedly "got in the game late." Branch remains in limbo until a decision on the grievance has been made.

Source: Boston Herald

[See Red]

What exactly did the Jets offer?

[schillingouttheks]

A 2nd round pick I believe. Was McCareins in there too?

[See Red]

If it was, in fact, McCareins and a second rounder, I'm siding with Deion Branch on this one considering Terrell Owens got traded for a 5th round pick and Ashley Lelie went for just a 3rd round pick.