PATSNUTme

Do you think that this is the week that Branch needs to report to practice?

With all of the new recievers this year he does need to, IMO, report this week so he has time to work with them and get on the same page.

Also, I think that if he doesn't report his week, that is when the Patriots decide to play hardball with him from now on. Meaning that they will not forgive all of the fines and won't even talk about giving him a bonus.

But, I'm interested in others opinions so a poll is probably worth while.

14thDragon

Branch is in a pickle right now.

If he ends his hold out, then he gives up his last bit of leverage for this year, with really nothing to show for it. If he does not end his hold out, the team seems to have enough in them to get along without him. Again negating his leverage while piling up the fines.

If he comse back this week, then likely the fines can be forgiven and hopefully both sides will come back to the negotiation table. Add to that the shear scariness this offense has shown without him there, adding him to the mix could give him marvelous oppurtunity to raise his value during the season.

If opposing defenses need to stack 8 in the box to stop a good ground game, then Deion would hardly ever being seeing the dreaded double and triple coverages. He could have his bes year heading into free agency.

Other then a little pride, he has everything to gain by getting back to work now, instead of later.

Crowpointer

Has somebody worked the numbers on the fines if he holds out to week 10 ? Plus does that mean he loses his signing bonus ? If so does that mean he is working for free in 2006 ? If all these are true than you francise him next year (6 mill) and get him for 22 games (this year and next for 272k per game) I think his agent needs to sharpen his pencil and show Deion these numbers so he can make a better decision and end this nonsense.

Major **********

I think the only thing Branch needs to do is pull his head out of his agents @$$. Everything else will follow after.

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'I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Lets see how well you can handle it' 'I hate it when I get my Schwartz twisted'

NE39

I don't think he "has" to show up by a particular time to be effective. I think he can show up and be ready to play (and play well) right away.

However, the sooner he shows the better.

BradyManny

Hasn't he lost like 200 grand at this point or something?

He's being so incredibly stupid and not only hurting the team, but hurting himself[this move doesn't make any finacial sense to him in any way]. Don't get me wrong, I love Deion, but he's being such a ginormous ***** right now that I'm not sure I'd want to lock him up long term.

No matter when he reports, the outcome is that he lost and the Pats won. The obvious outcome b/c of the way the NFL is set up and the fact that HE IS UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE SEASON.

Armen Da Pats Fan

1. He has overestimated his value to this team, and as a wide reciever in general.

2. The offense is moving along fine without him.

3. Physically, he's never been the strongest reciever on the field and missing this time will hurt his play. I don't care if he has been working out on his own - there is no substitue for team camp and workouts.

4. If the Patriots wanted to, they could just de-activate him until it's time to cut him, ala the last malcontent, self-centered wide reciever who played here (Sheresa Glenn).

Personally, I don't care if Deion ever plays in a Pats uniform again.

I have no tolerance for his type of self-centered, pampered, whining millionaire athlete cr@-pola.

And I don't blame his agent, either, because Deion is the one who hired, and even worse, RETAINED this jacka$$ after he started making critically poor decisions that will hurt Deion's career!

ADPF

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ADPF

Armen Da Pats Fan

Option 5 - Who cares if we ever see Deion in Foxboro again!

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ADPF

Armen Da Pats Fan

I do agree there, as well...

I am dying to see this wonder that is Chad Jackson, our supposed future at wideout!

Is his injury a hamstring?

ADPF

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PATSNUTme

It would be great to get Jackson back.

But, you are talking about two entirely different situations. Jackson has an injury and is in Foxboro working withthe trainers to try to get on the field.

Branch is voluntarily not with the team in order to make a point. He's made it a long time ago and now it's time for him get into practice.