tombonneau

Ergo, I simply don't see what his gripe is? You draft a guy in the 2nd round, you expect the kind of production he is delivering.

He hasn't had over 1000 yards.

He hasn't scored double-digit TDs.

He hasn't made the pro-bowl.

To my knowledge, he hasn't even been in the top 10 of any receiving category.

So how is he treated unfairly? Its not like he was drafted and put up Moss #s for a 3 seasons. IMO, the Pats are well within their rights to stick to their guns on this one.

Sorry for another Branch post, but just read the blurb about him on PFT this morning and had to voice my opinion finally.

TomBradyWoot

But the Patriots and their players have never been about statistics. I mean Seymour has never been in the top 15 of anything for a defensive player and he's still the best lineman in the game.

tombonneau

Totally different scenario. Seymour is dominant, despite it not showing up on the stat sheet, and the Pats know that is the nature of the role he plays on defense.

One need only look at how the D performed with vs. without him in 06.

Conversely, the Pats not only have one without Deion, but in games where D's focus on Deion and double-team him, he literally disappears.

Look, I like Deion, but the dude needs to shut his mouth, show up, have a great 06, and if he wants to chase the $$$, he can do it at that time.

Seymour he is not.

TomBradyWoot

You missed my point but thats fine.

richpats

Looking back I think we should have tried to extend him before free agency started. Givens' deal is really hurting the Pats as far as negotiations with Branch go. If we had extended Branch early, we would essentially have given up Givens, but at least we'd keep one around for a while.

letekro

I think you're proving his point by noting that teams often double-team Deion. That, combined with the way TB spreads it around make Deion's statistics a little misleading.

patchick

I don't imagine it was an option. With the CBA up in the air and the prospect of an uncapped year, agents weren't rushing out to sign long-term deals based on "old" dollars.

tombonneau

Right, teams DT him bc he is out #1 WR. He if he was a true #1WR and deserved true #1 WR money he would beat the DTs rather than not have any catches in a game where he is DT.

Just bc a guy is your best WR and sometimes is DT'd doesn't mean he deserves big-time money.

richpats

Yeah, I forgot about that whole mess.

I hope Deion pulls a Hines Ward and shows up mid-preseason as a sign of good faith - it could grease the wheels on a contract extension. We won't play Deion in the preseason anyway.

tombonneau

No, I got your point, but my counter is its apples-to-oranges when you compare what Seymour does and saying it doesn't show up on the stat sheet vs. what Branch does not showing up on the stat sheet.

A WRs merit will generally be statistically validated, unless you want to count down-field blocking.

I like Deion. I think the Pats value him too. Just not enough to pay him like he is one of the best WRs in the league, bc he simply isn't.

And I agree completely with the person who said they should have done this before Givens got his ridiculous deal, as that is now a natural starting off point for Deion.