maverick4

I don't blame Branch at all, and I hope things work out for him with the Pats.

Way too many people are on the bash-Branch bandwagon.

He has been clutch for us time and time again, and he is a top 15 player at his position.

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DaBruinz

Really? A top 15 player?

Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Chad Johnson, TJ Houshmandzedah, Hines Ward, Torry Holt, Joey Galloway, Marvin Harrison, Rod Smith, Derrick Mason, and Reggie Wayne. That's 15 players who are better than Branch. And that doesn't include Jimmy Smith, who retired.

Branch may be a top 15 #1 because guys like Houshmandzedah, Wayne, and Boldin are 1As, but he's not a top 15 receiver.

Slagathor

I couldn't agree more.

If I was to compare Branch to any of these guys, it might be Holt. The problem is (and the Pats "system maybe to blame <eyeroll>), is that Branch has not come close to matching Holt's numbers and more importantly has not matched his durabilty.

He's had the benefit of performing well on the big stage as well as the which is the single greatest contributor the general publics view of his value.

Long term, his size and style of play does not bode well for his long term health either.

$9,000,000.00 a year for Branch is absolutely ridiculous and getting his average salary down to what is fair, which I think is about $5.5 Mil including bonus and incentives will be impossible.

BelichickFan

The basic unsolvable problem is Belichick doesn't think Branch is worth the money - and even if he did he wouldn't pay it to a WR.

maverick4

No player in any position under Belichick will have great numbers.
Stop obsessing over statistics.
Branch, like Seymour, is more valuable than what his numbers suggest.

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maverick4

Please. Belichick wouldn't take TO, Moss, Boldin, TJ Houshdfdk, Joey Galloway, or Rod Smith over Deion Branch, so don't list them as better receivers.

Branch is one of the top 15 receivers in this league, regardless of his numbers in the Pats' numbers-deflating offense.

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BelichickFan

I guess we'll see. Givens actually did better with Branch out than Branch did with Givens out. Call me stupid but if Jackson could ever get healthy I think we'll be just fine with Caldwell, Brown, Jackson and Bam Bam (given our very strong TE, RB, QB).

Alk

Ummm...I think Belichick would take Boldin and Houshmanzillah over Branch. What's more, Moss and TO ARE lightyears better than Branch whether Belichick would take them or not.

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maverick4

Even though I support Branch on this negotiation, I agree with you completely on this BelichickFan.

The Pats will be fine with the receivers they have, especially when Big-Play Chad Jackson gets healthy.

VJCPatriot

Let's just look at the numbers impartially ok.

Wayne is making what 39M for 6 years right? That amounts to 6.5M per year. His total bonuses are 13.5M.

Branch wants 8-9M per year. Let's say he would bite at 8.5M per year. IF he wants a Wayne type contract then he would be demanding... 51M for 6 years. Ok call me crazy but how in the world does Branch deserve 12M more total dollars than Wayne and 2M more per season than Wayne when he is not even as good as Wayne? And if his per season salary demand is 9M what is his signing bonus demand - 15M, 20M?

Somebody needs to tell Branch to put down the crack pipe. If Chayut is telling him he can earn 8-9M per year... and Branch BELIEVES that. Umm no. How about no way in hell.

As far as I'm concerned this will be the last year Branch will be in Pats uniform if the indications of his financial expectactions are true.

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