Deion Branch given permission to seek trade

[Brother Redskin]

Does this surprise anyone else? He was the SB MVP 2 yrs ago and now. Who could you see him going to? We probably have enough wrs but someone may get a good one.

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=20722&pcid=47

[turbodiesel#44]

How long will our litter be here?

Paper............................2-5 months
Cigarette Butts..............7+ years
Plastic Bags...................10-20 years
Aliminum Cans...............80-100 years
Plastic 6-pack Holder Rings.450 years
Glass Bottles................1 million years
Derrick Frost....................??????????

[Oldskool]

Id call him a malcontent but I think that he sees the writing on the wall for New England.

As long as he stays away from the NFC East Im fine. Hell whatever team takes him I wonder if they wouldnt mind taking his old buddy Patten as well :D

[1028046]

Does this surprise anyone else? He was the SB MVP 2 yrs ago and now. Who could you see him going to? We probably have enough wrs but someone may get a good one.

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=20722&pcid=47

Interesting I can't wait until the Pats have a couple of losing seasons in a row. I would love to see the team first attitude then I am sure a lot of players will start moaning just like they do on other teams.

Pats and sportwriters in general always make it seem like they have the most team first players but once the losses start piliing up thats what when you find out what a team is made of.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I hope he stays away from Philly.

[Dirk Diggler]

Kinda surprised by that.

I see the following teams inquiring: San Fran, Chicago, Philly.

[REDPepper]

get ready for some crazy rumors with philly

[turbodiesel#44]

I would guess the fecals would go after him strong.

[OWUeagleMD]

get ready for some crazy rumors with philly

Precisely what will happen:

Unsubstantiated rumors place him on Philly's radar.
Philly likely doesn't take a look at him (though I would absolutely love it if they did).
Philly is accused of being cheap when he goes elsewhere, regardless of whether or not they ever extended an offer to him to begin with.

[illone]

Hell whatever team takes him I wonder if they wouldnt mind taking his old buddy Patten as well :D


Another trade invloving three teams including the Redskins.

:laugh:

[turbodiesel#44]

Another trade invloving three teams including the Redskins.

:laugh:

If it was Patten and not a pick, I would be up for that! :applause:

[Chachie]

Philadelphia Eagles.

[bubba9497]

I hope he stays away from Philly.


Philly can't part with that valuable 4th round pick :laugh:

[tr1]

He's too expensive for Philly.

That league minimum is a killer.

[kingfish50]

Philthy's happy with the recievers they have that compliments their powerful runnung game.

[jeronimobrat]

Id call him a malcontent but I think that he sees the writing on the wall for New England.

As long as he stays away from the NFC East Im fine. Hell whatever team takes him I wonder if they wouldnt mind taking his old buddy Patten as well :D

I suspect the Giants to make a run at him if Plaxico Burress becomes a problem! The Cowbells, well let's just see how T.O. turns out there!

I hope he stays away from Philly.

Remember that Philthy loves to bring along draft prospects as well as keeping a leash on their picks. They had a chance to go after Javon Walker, but chose their complacent nature over a top quality commidity.

:logo:

[bulldog]

The Brian Mitchell Show was talking about Branch earlier. The Patriots are pretty cheap from the discussion I heard. Branch is not one of the top 10 receivers in the NFL, but he is now being paid as the 44th best receiver in the NFL in terms of base salary. That's nonsense for a guy who has performed in the clutch games in the playoffs for the team.

Why not take care of this player?

Brady supposedly took less money to allow the team to sign other players and now he is looking at going into the season without his best receiver.

How about Mike Espy for a #5 draft pick? :D

[Brother Redskin]

Kinda surprised by that.

I see the following teams inquiring: San Fran, Chicago, Philly.

I was also thinking SD chargers are kind of thin at wr with Mckardell being over mid 30s and a bunch of unproven young guys.

Im sure around the league will feature many threads of him going to philly. :eaglesuck

[AFskinsfan]

He wont go to Philly, they couldn't make a deal in a game of "Go Fish"!:eaglesuck

[bulldog]

When you look at the offensive skill players on the Redskins, Giants and Cowboys (if TO is healthy come Game 1), I don't see the Eagles being able to keep up in the NFC East.

That car just doesn't have enough horses under the hood to make it to the finish line.

They added players to an already good defense. Fine.

But that just means losing 17-10 instead of 27-17.

[OWUeagleMD]

When you look at the offensive skill players on the Redskins, Giants and Cowboys (if TO is healthy come Game 1), I don't see the Eagles being able to keep up in the NFC East.

That car just doesn't have enough horses under the hood to make it to the finish line.

They added players to an already good defense. Fine.

But that just means losing 17-10 instead of 27-17.

Going along with your car metaphor...

The skill players you mention aren't actually the horses under the hood. They are the rims, the sound system, and the fancy spoiler. The Eagles have everything else. They have the horse power-- the defense-- they have the handling--the offensive line-- and most importantly, they have the driver-- Donavan McNabb.

[Number5]

Going along with your car metaphor...

The skill players you mention aren't actually the horses under the hood. They are the rims, the sound system, and the fancy spoiler. The Eagles have everything else. They have the horse power-- the defense-- they have the handling--the offensive line-- and most importantly, they have the driver-- Donavan McNabb.


Sam Rayburn and a 4th for Branch......its already going around.

[tr1]

Sam Rayburn and a 4th for Branch......its already going around.


Another bad case of Bunkley-itis.

[Number5]

Another bad case of Bunkley-itis.


And if Bunkley turns out to be a stud, how stupid will you feel?

Will you feel Dumb and Dumber stupid, or will you feel Jack from Will And Grace stupid? Just a question.....because something tells me that this year you'll get knocked down a peg as far as your views about anything outside the Redskins.

[tr1]

And if Bunkley turns out to be a stud, how stupid will you feel?

Will you feel Dumb and Dumber stupid, or will you feel Jack from Will And Grace stupid? Just a question.....because something tells me that this year you'll get knocked down a peg as far as your views about anything outside the Redskins.


Bunkley will be a good player. I hope he starts this year, though. I love to see rookies in our opponents' line-ups.

Also, care to elaborate on your last point?

[Comrade]

How long will our litter be here?

Paper............................2-5 months
Cigarette Butts..............7+ years
Plastic Bags...................10-20 years
Aliminum Cans...............80-100 years
Plastic 6-pack Holder Rings.450 years
Glass Bottles................1 million years
Derrick Frost....................??????????


Why the hate on Frost?

[dent19]

get ready for some crazy rumors with philly

I can see them going hard to get him.... They really need a good WR

[Who Del]

If this guy is in Eagle green I would shed a tear. How lovely would that be? He absolutely toasted us in the Supe.

I'm not saying the Eagles will trade for him. But I think tonight's game could really help piece together what they will do. If there is a major injury or just downright poor performance the Eagles should take a look.

[tr1]

If this guy is in Eagle green I would shed a tear. How lovely would that be? He absolutely toasted us in the Supe.

I'm not saying the Eagles will trade for him. But I think tonight's game could really help piece together what they will do. If there is a major injury or just downright poor performance the Eagles should take a look.


I'm starting to feel for you guys. When will the FO pull the trigger. I'm not complaining...you could have picked up a lot of help by now that would cause us heartburn....but it just hasn't happened.

[Number5]

Bunkley will be a good player. I hope he starts this year, though. I love to see rookies in our opponents' line-ups.

Also, care to elaborate on your last point?


Sure buddy...for all of your banter over the year with regards to how the Eagles will fair, i have a gut feeling that the team will prove many people wrong and be very sucessful. More importantly, I believe that they will run with sucess, pass with sucess, and quite possibly win the division.

I feel that for the first time, you will be proven wrong and have to admit it thus changing your views on not only the Eagles, but the entire league.

I don't know, but I really have this gut feeling that this year, your own "tick tock" will blow up.....call it Karma....

Anyways, here's to a good season tr1! :cheers:

[bulldog]

I missed the part where the Eagles offensive line with 30 somethings Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan and the running back were that special to be the 'horses under the hood' that keep the Eagles in the East race.

besides, if you can't throw the ball you are going to see Sean Taylor and Roy Williams near the line of scrimmage to shut down your run game.

do the Eagles really want to see McNabb have to scramble to keep drives alive for the team given the injury problems he has had for the past year? :)

[Dirk Diggler]

The Brian Mitchell Show was talking about Branch earlier. The Patriots are pretty cheap from the discussion I heard. Branch is not one of the top 10 receivers in the NFL, but he is now being paid as the 44th best receiver in the NFL in terms of base salary. That's nonsense for a guy who has performed in the clutch games in the playoffs for the team.



I don't think they've refused to redo his contract. I think they just refuse to make him one of the 10 highest paid receivers in the league which I believe is what he's asking for.

[Dirk Diggler]

I was also thinking SD chargers are kind of thin at wr with Mckardell being over mid 30s and a bunch of unproven young guys.

Im sure around the league will feature many threads of him going to philly. :eaglesuck

I'd imagine they want to keep Branch out of the AFC - the Pats could very well end up playing San Diego in the playoffs. This isn't Drew Bledsoe where you know the guy can't get it done when the heat is turned up. :)

[Number5]

Rumor has it that the SKins are going to sign him to a 7 year 51 million dollar contract with a 16 million dollar signing bonus. Synder is on his way to pick him up in his private jet. Word has it that branch will the 4th WR in the Redskins 4 WR set and play ST as the primary gunner on PC.

[bulldog]

and Eagles' fans are going to say 'how did he do that?' :laugh:

[tr1]

Sure buddy...for all of your banter over the year with regards to how the Eagles will fair, i have a gut feeling that the team will prove many people wrong and be very sucessful. More importantly, I believe that they will run with sucess, pass with sucess, and quite possibly win the division.

I feel that for the first time, you will be proven wrong and have to admit it thus changing your views on not only the Eagles, but the entire league.

I don't know, but I really have this gut feeling that this year, your own "tick tock" will blow up.....call it Karma....

Anyways, here's to a good season tr1! :cheers:

I'm picking the Eagles to come in second in the division...don't I get any points? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[tr1]

and Eagles' fans are going to say 'how did he do that?' :laugh:

Owner envy.... :D

[Number5]

I'm picking the Eagles to come in second in the division...don't I get any points? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Yes you do...

Any time table on the TO meltdown...especially now that he told Billy to watch his 10 year highlight tape?

[SackMachine]

I hope the eagles pick him up, if we win the division I dont want us to win against teams that are lacking players, I want us to win against the best there is.

[tr1]

Yes you do...

Any time table on the TO meltdown...especially now that he told Billy to watch his 10 year highlight tape?

Three losses in a row...it should happen early in the season.

[Number5]

Three losses in a row...it should happen early in the season.


I give him week 4

[kingfish50]

Rumor has it that the SKins are going to sign him to a 7 year 51 million dollar contract with a 16 million dollar signing bonus. Synder is on his way to pick him up in his private jet. Word has it that branch will the 4th WR in the Redskins 4 WR set and play ST as the primary gunner on PC.
#5
You know, if it wasn't for the salary cap, I think it would be a good move (not at that exagerated price) because Dan Snyder will spend the money to make this team a winner. Now in the case of your owner (Lurie?) and the Philthadelphia Fecals, they would not spend a dime to upgrade the offense as this would cut into Lurie's take home profits.
How many FA recievers and RB's slipped by you this off season? You have plenty of cap space available, so what's the excuse? Working on your drafted rookies so that 4 years down the road, when they are comming into their own, they can hit the FA market and be picked up by a team willing to do what it takes to win?
You can make fun of the Redskins and Dan Snyder for what you consider over paying, but if it gets you to the Bowl, then it was money well spent.
Think about this. If you had an owner like Dan Snyder, you would probably have a couple of Lombardi trophys sitting in that empty display case at that lovely stadium of yours.Woops, sorry! I forgot that Lurie had the tax payers of philthy and PA pay for that stadium. My bad.

[eagles78]

Although, I'd love to have him in Philly; that probably has about a 5% chance of happening.

[Number5]

#5
You know, if it wasn't for the salary cap, I think it would be a good move (not at that exagerated price) because Dan Snyder will spend the money to make this team a winner. Now in the case of your owner (Lurie?) and the Philthadelphia Fecals, they would not spend a dime to upgrade the offense as this would cut into Lurie's take home profits.
How many FA recievers and RB's slipped by you this off season? You have plenty of cap space available, so what's the excuse? Working on your drafted rookies so that 4 years down the road, when they are comming into their own, they can hit the FA market and be picked up by a team willing to do what it takes to win?
You can make fun of the Redskins and Dan Snyder for what you consider over paying, but if it gets you to the Bowl, then it was money well spent.
Think about this. If you had an owner like Dan Snyder, you would probably have a couple of Lombardi trophys sitting in that empty display case at that lovely stadium of yours.Woops, sorry! I forgot that Lurie had the tax payers of philthy and PA pay for that stadium. My bad.

What do Daniel Sydner and Jeffery Lurie have in common right now? Neither has won any Super Bowls under their regimes yet....

[bubba9497]

Although, I'd love to have him in Philly; that probably has about a 5% chance of happening.



:applause: a honest response

[ConcordNCSkinsFan]

I know the Patriots won 3 out of 4 superbowls and people like Peter King think their Front Office can do no wrong, but to let Deion Branch walk wouldn't make sense. They have gottten too caught up in the "we can just plug in anybody" philosophy and they are starting to pay for their arrogance. It reminds me of the Chicago Bulls at the end of the 90's when the dunce who use to be the GM said "Organizations win championships not players" but when MJ, Pippen, and Rodman were gone the "Organization" became the worst in the league. You can't just pay Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, and Tedy Bruschi and say the hell with everybody else.

[bubba9497]

What do Daniel Sydner and Jeffery Lurie have in common right now? Neither has won any Super Bowls under their regimes yet....


but Snyder is trying to win, Lurie is trying fill his bank account

[tr1]

What do Daniel Sydner and Jeffery Lurie have in common right now? Neither has won any Super Bowls under their regimes yet....

Well, had Lurie been a bit more aggressive in FA, then this could be funny. But, unlike your owner, DS is willing to spend some of his fortune to make his team better.

We didn't let Lloyd go by us.

We didn't let RE go by us.

We didn't let Carter go by us.

You let Bentley get past you.

You let Lelie get past you.

You let Duckett get by you.

See a pattern here? Had you picked up any of the guys who were relevant to your team's need, you could surely say your pause in dominance in the division was an abberation, but Lurie is going to cash out on your last few years of success...and have you sucking wind.

It must hurt.

[TheREALJBird]

I can't believe the Pats would let him go, they have about nobody to catch the ball for them now....I think that makes their number 1 WR Bethel Johnson now:laugh:

[CowboysForLife]

TO for Deion Branch!!!! Pull the trigger!!!!!



























:silly:

[Brother Redskin]

I can't believe the Pats would let him go, they have about nobody to catch the ball for them now....I think that makes their number 1 WR Bethel Johnson now:laugh:

they traded B.Johnson to the saints for DT Johnathan Sullivan. They do have the rookie Chad Jackson and vet Troy Brown

[Number5]

Well, had Lurie been a bit more aggressive in FA, then this could be funny. But, unlike your owner, DS is willing to spend some of his fortune to make his team better.

We didn't let Lloyd go by us.

We didn't let RE go by us.

We didn't let Carter go by us.

You let Bentley get past you.

You let Lelie get past you.

You let Duckett get by you.

See a pattern here? Had you picked up any of the guys who were relevant to your team's need, you could surely say your pause in dominance in the division was an abberation, but Lurie is going to cash out on your last few years of success...and have you sucking wind.

It must hurt.


4 to None......Division Titles in the 2000 era during which both were Owners...so far, look like Jeffie is on top...but things can change, right?

[kingfish50]

but Snyder is trying to win, Lurie is trying fill his bank account
My point exactly and the other difference is that Snyder seems to have learned from his mistakes. He's handed practically all of the operational control over to Joe Gibbs. He listens to him and then if warranted, he'll open up the wallet and fly the jet to make things happen for what is best for this team. You just can't say the same about Mr. Lurie.
And about Snyder and Lurie not winning a Super Bowl since they took over, the difference is that with Joe Gibbs, we'll get there. He's so unselfish as to give control of his offense to another, all for the team and the organization. His old style of offensive plays didn't seem to be enough. Can the same be said about Ried? His WCO is just predictable. Will he change his philosiphy or hire another O-coordinator (that's if Mr. Lurie is willing to spend the money) for the good of the team? If so, does he have the players needed to make it successful? Looks to me like what few FA's that were available and could have helped, were over payed by some other teams that were willing to spend the money it takes to be a champion.

[Chachie]

but Snyder is trying to win, Lurie is trying fill his bank account


Not his trophy case. :D

[cannonshogs44]

I say the Saints

[kingfish50]

4 to None......Division Titles in the 2000 era during which both were Owners...so far, look like Jeffie is on top...but things can change, right?
You had your 4 years of semi success in a division that was the laughing stock of the league. Go ahead and live in the past. This is a whole new division.

[Number5]

You had your 4 years of semi success in a division that was the laughing stock of the league. Go ahead and live in the past. This is a whole new division.


And that's whats so exciting about the new season. Rather than pound my chest and give the title to my team (as so many are doing up here) I'd rather wait and see......

[kingfish50]

And that's whats so exciting about the new season. Rather than pound my chest and give the title to my team (as so many are doing up here) I'd rather wait and see......
Fair enough. Two weeks until the season starts seems like an eternity right now.
I will be pulling for philthy (as I'm sure 99% of the people here will also) when you play the dallAss cowBoys. I hope your Defense can make TO pay for all of the trouble he's left behind in philthy. It should be a fun game to watch. Hail!

[Number5]

Fair enough. Two weeks until the season starts seems like an eternity right now.
I will be pulling for philthy (as I'm sure 99% of the people here will also) when you play the dallAss cowBoys. I hope your Defense can make TO pay for all of the trouble he's left behind in philthy. It should be a fun game to watch. Hail!


Thanks King...as I when you guys play the Pukes as well...

[Fanatic684]

I know the Patriots won 3 out of 4 superbowls and people like Peter King think their Front Office can do no wrong, but to let Deion Branch walk wouldn't make sense. They have gottten too caught up in the "we can just plug in anybody" philosophy and they are starting to pay for their arrogance. It reminds me of the Chicago Bulls at the end of the 90's when the dunce who use to be the GM said "Organizations win championships not players" but when MJ, Pippen, and Rodman were gone the "Organization" became the worst in the league. You can't just pay Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, and Tedy Bruschi and say the hell with everybody else.

We'll see what happens, but from what I understand of the situation, the two sides weren't close on negotiations, and this is what the Pats have come up with to try and resolve the situation.

It could be the Pats way of telling Branch: "If you think our offer is so bad, let's see what other teams think you're worth. Let's see if another team will top what we're offering." And of course, if Branch does find a team willing to pay him more, the Pats will not trade him for peanuts. I don't think it comes to that, IMO.

A lot of winning does lead to arrogance, true, but I think this is a tactic the team is using to try and get Branch to stay, as strange as that may sound.

[jeronimobrat]

I'm starting to feel for you guys. When will the FO pull the trigger. I'm not complaining...you could have picked up a lot of help by now that would cause us heartburn....but it just hasn't happened.

And this is the reason why the Eagles will be looking to finish last in the NFC East just like last year. Only, this time please do not be placing the blame onto McAss!

:eaglesuck

[PCRoughrider]

Exchange him straight up for David Patten.

[allskinz]

Philthy's happy with the recievers they have that compliments their powerful runnung game.

Good one! :cheers:

[allskinz]

Exchange him straight up for David Patten.

I wonder if it is like Walmart and as long as we have a receipt we can do an even exchange (since it has been longer than 30 days)..

[jrockster21]

I hope he stays away from Philly.

I'd say that's almost a definite. No way Philly gives him the kind of contract he's looking for...he wants Reggie Wayne money.

[skinz4evr]

[QUOTE=Number5
Will you feel Dumb and Dumber stupid, or will you feel Jack from Will And Grace stupid? Just a question.....because something tells me that this year you'll get knocked down a peg as far as your views about anything outside the Redskins.[/QUOTE] HAHAHHAHHHAHHHAHHHAAA You watch Will and Grace? HHAHHHHAHHAHHHHAHHHAHHA:eaglesuck

[JoeSkins]

To me, Deion Branch isn't that special of a player. The guy has never had 1000 yards, his top TD total is 5 TD, and, to be honest, he really doesn't look like he's any better than that kind of production. It's a case of a pretty good wideout being made by his quarterback. The Patriots are handling this one perfectly. Everyone likes to bring up the Super Bowl MVP, but at that position it's very overrated. One excellent game doesn't mean as much as some project it to. On top of that, he's a year removed from that award anyway. Four career 100 yard games, he's an OK wideout.

Whoever breaks the bank on him is going to be disappointed. David Patten had a downright terrible career prior to Brady and hasn't exactly been explosive here. David Givens is probably going to disappoint the Titans as well.

The Patriots can run a lot of two-TE sets and still pass the ball relatively effectively with the kind of talent they have at that position. They'll miss Givens and Branch, mostly because they're leaving in the same offseason. They won't sink from it, though.

[Number5]

HAHAHHAHHHAHHHAHHHAAA You watch Will and Grace? HHAHHHHAHHAHHHHAHHHAHHA:eaglesuck


Ah.....yeah...and I watch Family Guy, Law and Order, House, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dragonball Z, All My Children, Cold Pizza, and Jerry Springer. Whats your point? I believe in quality t.v. with the exception of Jerry, I consider myself open minded and a person who enjoys a good plot or a good laugh...

[allskinz]

They just mentioned on NFL Network that he would be a good fit in Philadelphia or Minnesota.

[OWUeagleMD]

Ah.....yeah...and I watch Family Guy, Law and Order, House, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dragonball Z, All My Children, Cold Pizza, and Jerry Springer. Whats your point? I believe in quality t.v. with the exception of Jerry, I consider myself open minded and a person who enjoys a good plot or a good laugh...

Pretty much none of the shows you mentioned qualify for "having a good plot." At least from where I'm sitting.

[Number5]

Pretty much none of the shows you mentioned qualify for "having a good plot." At least from where I'm sitting.


If you smoke as much weed as I do, then you'd feel different.... :D

[Goaldeje]

If you smoke as much weed as I do, then you'd feel different.... :D

Never done that, does that make Will & Grace watchable? Might have to try it...

5, tell me you wouldn't do backflips if you got Branch, especially for a reasonable price (3rd rounder) and signed him to a reasonable contract (not top 5 or anything stupid, but reasonable).

[Number5]

Never done that, does that make Will & Grace watchable? Might have to try it...

5, tell me you wouldn't do backflips if you got Branch, especially for a reasonable price (3rd rounder) and signed him to a reasonable contract (not top 5 or anything stupid, but reasonable).


I like Will & Garace because of the witty dialogue, between Karen, Jack and Rosario. I find Grace annoying and Will to be overly done. Still its a good show for folks who like sacasism!

Anyways, goal I would be doing backflips of the top floor of city hall. Branch would add speed, more toughness, and big play ability the offense could use. All signs seem to point that in fact the team might make a serious run at him.

[Goaldeje]

I like Will & Garace because of the witty dialogue, between Karen, Jack and Rosario. I find Grace annoying and Will to be overly done. Still its a good show for folks who like sacasism!

Anyways, goal I would be doing backflips of the top floor of city hall. Branch would add speed, more toughness, and big play ability the offense could use. All signs seem to point that in fact the team might make a serious run at him.


I always thought that Karen (is she the one with the huge boobs?) has some talent. The rest of 'em? Meh. Not so much.

Anyway, Branch would give McNabb a legit number 1. If Branch is looking for top 10 money, though, I don't see Philly signing him. I almost typed tha you shouldn't, as he is not a top-ten talent kind of guy. But then again, you really need a number 1. Maybe now is the time to overspend a little?

And btw: you should try Scrubs. That's a damned funny show. Lots o' sarcasm

[pointyfootball]

It could be the Pats way of telling Branch: "If you think our offer is so bad, let's see what other teams think you're worth. Let's see if another team will top what we're offering." And of course, if Branch does find a team willing to pay him more, the Pats will not trade him for peanuts. I don't think it comes to that, IMO.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Branch is good, but he's not top ten. As much as I'd like to see him starting with Brown, I don't think it's going to happen.

[Number5]

I always thought that Karen (is she the one with the huge boobs?) has some talent. The rest of 'em? Meh. Not so much.

And btw: you should try Scrubs. That's a damned funny show. Lots o' sarcasm


Yeah....Karen is funny as hell!

And I love Scrubs! Cool show, can't wait to see about JD's baby for the next season....yeah Turk got a baby on the way too...so its only right JD does something to keep the pace going!

[Heidenreich]

According to ESPN radio, there are two teams left in the hunt for Branch.

Seattle & the Jets.

A deal has to go down by 4, but it depends on what New England wants

[JoeSkins]

I hope he gets shipped to Seattle and everyone takes him in their fantasy drafts too early. :D

[twenty-eight]

dont know if this has been posted yet...sorry if it has...

POSTED 11:36 a.m. EDT, September 1, 2006

BRANCH TO BROADWAY?

A league source tells us that the reports of a contract offer to Pats receiver Deion Branch are true, and that in fact two teams have ponied up a six-year, $36 million package.

One of the two teams, per the source, is the New York Jets.

If a deal goes through, the Pats will receive (we're told) a second-round draft pick and a "pretty good player."

But the source told us that perhaps there's been a snag, because the deal was supposed to be done as of Thursday night.

The other team in the running for the Super Bowl XXIX MVP is presently unknown to us. We're working on finding out who it is, but the Jets are considered to be favorite to land him.

Stay tuned.

POSTED 9:22 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:03 a.m. EDT, September 1, 2006

ELEVENTH-HOUR OFFER FOR BRANCH?

Both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald are suggesting that receiver Deion Branch might have received an offer on Thursday.

The Herald regards the news as uncorroborated rumor; Pats-hater Ron Borges of the Globe tries as usual to make the situation seem far more ominous than it might be.

But Borges's story curiously buries the notion of Branch dropping a contract offer on coach Bill Belichick's desk on Friday, making us wonder whether Ron is merely going out on a limb (again) for Branch and his agent, Jason Chayut.

Citing "several league sources," Borges says in the middle of a long third paragraph that a deal between Branch and a new team was worked out on Thursday.

If true, the question then will be what the Pats will want in return, and in support of the notion that the Patriots shouldn't be greedy Borges points only to recent deals involving receivers Donte' Stallworth (a player and a fourth-round pick that can upgrade to a three) and Ashley Lelie (a high third-round pick) and ignores, say, the fact that the Broncos gave up a second-rounder for Javon Walker, who is coming off of a torn ACL.

Our take? If there's an offer that Branch has accepted, the goal of the mystery team likely isn't to pry the Super Bowl XXXIX MVP away from the Patriots but instead to drive a greater wedge between team and player, ensuring that the Pats won't have Branch's services for at least the first half of the 2006 season. (Branch can report as late as Week Ten and still get credit for the final year of his contract.)

From the agent's perspective, the objective is to get Branch to harden his resolve regarding his ongoing holdout at a time when Deion might be getting a little nervous about passing on paychecks. If the Pats prevent Branch from accepting an offer elsewhere, chances are that Deion might think twice about caving.

Meanwhile, Branch and Chayut will have some ammunition for generating some favorable P.R.; if there's a team that's willing to pay Branch more than what the Pats have offered, why don't the Pats just pay him that amount?

Depending on the specific terms of the offer that supposedly has been made, that might be the end result. We still doubt, however, that Branch will be with a new team by 4:00 p.m. EDT Friday, the deadline imposed by New England for a trade.


http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[twenty-eight]

I really hope he stays with the pats

[twenty-eight]

POSTED 1:59 p.m. EDT, September 1, 2006

'HAWKS, JETS ANGLE FOR BRANCH

Published reports indicate that the other team in the hunt for Patriots receiver Deion Branch is the Seattle Seahawks.

Earlier on Friday, we reported that the Jets are one of two teams who have offered Branch a contract worth six years and $36 million.

But we're now told that the Jets don't genuinely expect to land Branch from a division rival, and that they jumped into the fray primarily as a favor to Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, and in order to make it harder for the Patriots to ultimately keep Branch.

In fact, some league insiders are wondering why other AFC teams (specifically division rivals in Buffalo and Miami) haven't matched or increased the financial offer, for no reason other than to pressure the team into moving Branch somewhere.

That somewhere, for now, figures to be Seattle.

The other possibility, in our view, would be a decision by the Patriots to match the offer that Seattle has made. But $36 million over six years might still be more than the Pats are willing to pay.

Either way, something is going to happen within the next two hours -- unless New England chooses to extend the artificial deadline put in place a week ago.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[OWUeagleMD]

I don't like the idea of him going to Seattle. They're receiving corps would become a little redundant with this trade, no?

[DWinzit]

Did the Patriots screw Branch?

http://kffl.com/hotw/nfl


Patriots | Union files grievance on Branch's behalf
Fri, 1 Sep 2006 19:02:25 -0700

Howard Ulman, of the Associated Press, reports the <A href="http://www.kffl.com/team/77/nfl">NFL Players Association has filed a grievance on behalf of New England Patriots (http://www.kffl.com/team/24/nfl) WR Deion Branch (http://www.kffl.com/player/1202/nfl). Union lawyer Richard Berthelsen said the grievance alleges that the Patriots (http://www.kffl.com/team/24/nfl) "reneged" on an agreement to trade the receiver. According to Berthelsen, the Patriots (http://www.kffl.com/team/24/nfl) agreed they would trade Branch if he was comfortable with the contract he could work out with another team and the draft choice compensation for him "was commensurate with what has been the value of similar players." The New York Jets (http://www.kffl.com/team/27/nfl) offer of a second-round draft pick for Branch was commensurate value, according to Berthelsen.

[ArmchairRedskin]

From what I heard, the Pats wanted 2 first rounders as compensation. That pretty much would exclude any deal being done.

The questions I have

1. is this even true
2 if true, did Branch know all along and is just now bringing that fact to light to make the Pats look bad
3. Are the Pats c-blocking him with an outrageous price tag

[Fanatic684]

I think the Patriots went into this thinking that no team would top what they were offering for Branch, and they've been proven wrong. So I think they would trade him for a fair price, and two first rounders is in no way reasonable. So if that demand is true, the Patriots were never serious about trading him.

But I'm not sure if I believe that they wanted quite that much. The story says they wanted more than a second rounder from the Jets. Now, if they're going to trade him to the Jets, a division rival, it would seem fair that they would ask a lot in return.

I think it's a little crazy that Branch's agent is filing a grievance. Branch is still under contract to the Patriots, and the Pats gave him and his agent an opportunity to find out his market value and seek a trade, which they did not have to do. Now they're complaining that the Patriots did not trade him for what Branch and his agent felt was equal value?? That's a lot of demands from a player still under contract.

If I had to guess, it would be that a trade will eventually be worked out with the Seahawks.

[twenty-eight]

POSTED 6:29 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 6:44 p.m. EDT, September 1, 2006

BRANCH PLOY BLOWS UP IN PATS' FACES

A week ago, it sure looked like a smart move when the New England Patriots gave holdout receiver Deion Branch a one-week window for attempting to work out a new contract with a new team, as a precursor to a trade. It looked to us like an effort to allow Branch to determine for himself that the market for his services was not what he thought it might be, which would then prompt Branch to report to his current team before the start of the season -- and eventually accept the Pats' best offer for an extension.

As of 24 hours ago, it looked like the Pats were right. Teams weren't flocking to Branch -- not even the cap-rich Vikings, who cut on Saturday Koren Robinson, the No. 1 receiver on the depth chart until he tried to play a real-life game of Need for Speed: Underground.

But then the Seahawks and Jets came out of nowhere, offering Branch $36 million over six years.

So the ball was in the Patriots' court, and regardless of whether the asking price was two first-round picks or two double-chocolate donuts, an agreement couldn't be reached.

The end result? According to Tom Curran of NBCSports.com, Branch and his agent, Jason Chayut, have filed a grievance alleging that the Pats didn't act on the matter, allowing the 4:00 p.m. EDT deadline to come and go.

Maybe we're missing something here (and it wouldn't be a first), but even if the Pats verbally agreed (as Branch alleges) to trade Branch if presented with a "fair and reasonable" trade offer, that's in no way an enforceable contract because the Patriots received nothing in exchange for allowing Branch to explore a trade.

The law calls it "consideration" -- in every binding contract, there must be some consideration given by each side to the transaction. If, for example, I promise to give you a pimento loaf sandwich, I have no legal obligation to honor the commitment unless you also have promised to give me something of value in exchange for it. Here, Branch gave up nothing to the Patriots, who had no obligation to even allow him to explore a trade; thus, there is and was no binding agreement that the team would trade him.

Still, to the extent that Branch previously was wavering regarding his holdout (and wavering we think he was), these most recent developments likely have prompted him to stick to his guns and to stay out of camp until the tenth week of the regular season, the latest date for reporting to the team and getting credit for the final year of his rookie deal.

Alternatively, Branch could report and be as subtly disruptive as possible without committing "conduct detrimental to the team," potentially forcing the Pats to trade him.

So, in our assessment, the Patriots game with Branch has blown up in their faces. We didn't think it would happen, but in hindsight we're not shocked that it did. In fact, we're surprised that more teams didn't make offers to Branch in the hopes of forcing the Patriots to trade him away.

As it turns out, however, two offers were more than enough to push the differences between player and team to permanently irreconcilable.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[DWinzit]

Over the past few years this has become a ploy used by teams for various reasons. Sometimes they just hope they can receive compensation, to avoid a cap hit, to prove to a player he is receiving fair market value, to unload an unwanted player etc...
I like the fact that this one may have blown up in the arrogant Patriots face! Branch probably will not be on the field with them at the beginning of regular season and they may be forced to trade him to a division rival. This one will be fun to watch!:munchout:

[DarthSidious]

For the 3rd richest team in the NFL, the Pats are cheap as hell. I hope Branch wins his case against them and that the Pats suffer.