Branch still loves BB, would love to be back (el mergio) - Page 12 - New England Patriots Forums

nashvillepatsfan · 02-19-2010, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patjew

just as someone could be punished for stealing a snuggie.

I had no idea you had to pay for those things until security insisted i give him back his snuggie

BradyManny · 02-19-2010, 08:54 AM

Branch: 'I'm a Seattle Seahawk' - Extra Points - Boston.com

Quote:

That was because as Branch boarded the plane for Seattle, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft called him to impart this message -- "We tried our best, you tried your best" -- and Branch told them he appreciated what they'd done for him. "Right there," Branch said, the hatchet "was buried."

"Looking back, I wish all that hadn't happened, I really wish we could've sat down and come to an agreement on a contract," Branch said. "Who knows how many Super Bowls we could've won? There were so many great players that have left since I left. I wish we'd sat down and got to the nitty gritty, and hashed it out. But that's the business side, and that stuff happens."

For those that think the Patriots hold a grudge.

Also, it's pretty clear Branch sees what a huge mistake he made.

BradyManny · 02-19-2010, 09:26 AM

So if things fell into place with Branch ... - Extra Points - Boston.com

More from Deion.

***Deus Irae*** · 02-19-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

I note what appears to be a performance issue and you accuse me of a personal agenda - your Branch lust aside, he's not the Super Bowl MVP of 2004 anymore - so yes, it's personal, which is why I've written nothing but summaries of departure drama and said naughty things about his mother.

I have no "Branch lust". If the team can find a better upgrade to Aiken than Branch, I'm all for it. The difference between our positions is that you seem to have gotten personally offended that anyone would even consider allowing the guy to compete for the job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Which is truly pathetic in Wide Receiver terms, but don't let Donte's health woes and odyssey to sign with all 32 teams stand in the way of a pretty fantasy.

What fantasy? Again, I've been clear about this from the start. The WR position from last year needs to be upgraded. Stallworth and Branch are probable upgrades over Sam Aiken. Therefore, I have no issue with the team bringing them in for a look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Right - you like the broken twig and whomever with the NFL pedigree and I'd rather see the Pats' energy focused on drafting and developing some youngsters - be it resolved, we have identified our preferences..

I have no problem with the team drafting and developing some youngsters. I have a problem with the team relying on nothing but those youngsters after having gone through last season. Edelman's been a heck of a find. P.K. Sam and Chad Jackson? Not so much. Given that Belichick has generally tended to bring in veterans to camp, I don't see why you've apparently got such an issue with him doing so this season.

emoney_33 · 02-19-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyFTW!

Aiken is a crappy WR. There's nothing personal about it, and it's not an opinion. He just is; he's a good STer, but he's not an NFL-caliber WR, and, at his age, he'll never become one.

Also, as Deus pointed out, a trend, by definition, consists of more than one data point. What you've spelled out, in terms of YPC, isn't a trend in any sense of the word. Obviously, Branch isn't as desirable as he was in 2005; nobody claimed otherwise, so you're just arguing against a point that nobody supported in the first place. Some of us are just pointing out that, if the Pats signed him, he'd open the season as our #3WR at worst, and maybe even the #2. Personally, I'm worried about his knee, but if it checks out with the Pats' medical staff, then that's good enough for me.

Bottom line: if it doesn't cost much to get him here, then why not bring Branch back? For all the hand-wringing that we do about how we never know if FAs will fit the Pats' system (see: Galloway, Stallworth), it seems like that much more of a slam dunk to go get a guy who's only 30 and has won a SB MVP here.

Branch is not even remotely close to a "slam dunk". The point is he is far more likely to do absolutely nothing to help than he is to come in here and bounce back.

Look we can bring in 30 guys that are better receivers than Aiken, why do you guys want to shoot for the bottom of that barrel? Branch and Stallworth are better receivers than Aiken but they aren't going to make this team a better offense than 2009. And neither of them would take Aiken's roster spot as he still has tremendous value on special teams.