Isaac

Wow.

Well, if nothing else it may help define Branch's value, sort of like how the Patriots like players to seek out a deal in free agency and then they try to match it. Maybe if no one is offering much more than the Patriots are, Branch will cave.

Brownfan80

He can. And now I'm sure he WILL. The Patriots are basically saying "We're not paying you what you want, find someone that will and you're out of here (for the right compensation)".

Brownfan80

This is a good point, and may be exactly what the Patriots are up to. It's not as though many teams out there have quite the cap room that the Pats do, particularly to fill that big a hole (moneywise) at WR.

rtunstal

It seems to me that deion is nolonger welcome in NewEngland .

This to me looks like BB is telling him either find someone who will trade for you at what your asking or get your but into camp.

As always this seems like BB being BB as always.

I wonder if anyone will grab him up probely the jets or miami or mabey even cleveland who do you think will bite.

nhpatsfan

My head is reeling. The front office is caving to Branch?
Somebody help me out. Let's assume he's successful in signing with another team....what is the financial impact for us?

14thDragon

This is the most brilliant move I have ever seen. This better then brilliant, it is inspired.

How do you teach a player what his real value is, let him try the waters. Since it is dependent upon finding a trade that would work with a the Patriots, they can always decline and keep him on the roster.

He wants to be paid market value, see what the market is willing to give him.

I also like the September first clause. So he does not really have time to brow beat anyone. It is a week on the auction block and see who bids.

BelichickFan

I read this as : "You think you're worth so much, go out and see what others offer you".

Brownfan80

I would assume we still absorb whatever is left of a prorated signing bonus, unless they're going after him to get that back for holding out.

Pats0204

This may be their effort to show Branch what they know that he apparently does not - that he is worth more to them than other clubs. I can't see him getting a better deal than what they have on the table....

MrBigglesWorth

I think it's a bluff. The trade would unlikely involve players and most likely would involve draft picks which would benefit next year and not this year obviously. They still have him under contract, so a trade would make sense after franchising him during the off season after you utilize his services for a run at the superbowl.

I think they are heightening the pressure on Deion and also give him a dose of reality of who wants him and what they would be willing to pay. I don't see the Pat eventually letting him go for anything less than a first rounder since that is what they would get if he was franchised.

And I hope someone doesn't say something stupid like Donnie Edwards straight up.