Brady to Patriots: Signing No. 1 wideout critical - New England Patriots Forums

mcsully · 08-01-2006, 11:00 AM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ats/index.html

I find it funny that a national sports writer had more on teh topic than the local guys..

***T-ShirtDynasty*** · 08-01-2006, 11:01 AM

Awe crap...

Kdo5 · 08-01-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

"Deion is the most important player on our offense," Brady told SI.com. "When I look at the elite receivers in the game, he is second to nobody. He doesn't get a lot of the credit, because we do spread the ball around here, and he doesn't feel a need to promote himself like so many guys at that position. But he is that good."

Would he really come out and single out Deion as THE most important player on our offense? He usually praises the offensive line, he did praise Dillon, why would he just come out and say Branch is the most important part. When obviously Brady is the most important part...

***PatsRI*** · 08-01-2006, 11:12 AM

While I think Branch is asking for the Pats to bend too much, I think this is why Brady is liked so much by his teamates. He's a leader on the field but also stands up for his fellow players. Ater cutting Milloy and still winning the SB I'm not that worried that this will be a devisive issue for the team though.

14thDragon · 08-01-2006, 11:15 AM

Wow, at least we got some more numbers on the contract offers. Anyone else notice that the FO seems to have decided they are tired of funny money deals? With Brady, Seymour and Branch they have done deals where the player can pretty much gaurentee they will get the whole of the contract money and still have room for another contract at the end of this one.

But what exactly is the thinking of the agent here? Not even sending a counter offer? That is not even negotiation, that is just insanity. If he is looking for something specific, then send it to the club then work your way from there, But to keep insisiting on a promise of not getting the tag? Just plain stupid.

***Tunescribe*** · 08-01-2006, 11:17 AM

A counter-productive thing for Brady to say, even though I'm sure he meant well. This sort of thing just gives Branch's agent more fuel to throw on the fire.

***mgcolby*** · 08-01-2006, 11:19 AM

I just finished reading that article and I think Silver liberally interprets some of Brady's comments and assumes to much in the article. Just my opinion.

***patchick*** · 08-01-2006, 11:21 AM

That's a pretty amazing article, completely out of keeping with everything else I've seen reported. I wonder how they got those quotes, and whether they were really taken in context...

Nonetheless, it's a good reminder to the contingent here that always wants to show a player the door the instant he starts a contract dispute. (Remember all the "trade Seymour" threads last year?) At the end of the day talent matters, and Branch is the best WR this team has had in quite a few years. If you think receivers are easy to come by, take a moment to reflect back on the 2nd-round pick spent on Bethel Johnson.

dhamz · 08-01-2006, 11:26 AM

I'm sure both Branch and all the other players in the locker room will appreciate Tom's comments. They are in stark contrast to Brett Favre who by many accounts lost the Packers locker room by taking the opposite stance on Javon Walker last summer.

That is really all you can take from this.

It will have zero impact on whether or not Branch gets a new deal or not. The Pats simply don't make emotional decisions about business issues and Brady's desire to have them lock up Deion will mean nothing to them.

5 Rings for Brady!! · 08-01-2006, 11:34 AM

dhamz:

My thoughts exactly. Brady knows how to tow the company line, but at the same time, be a good teammate when he needs to.

Brady was in this position himself a couple years ago, with his contract negotiations dragging out for a long time.