AndyJohnson

One thing that bothers me on this board is how fast the opinions of players change.

In 2003 when we may have had the best pass D I have ever seen, this board was in love with Ty Law. He was a consensus as the best CB in the NFL. As people became unhappy with Law the person, all of sudden the posts started up that he wasnt really that good.
I dont remember a negative word being said about Deion Branch, until recently, and in fact, when Givens was walking he was trashed as not being in Branch's league. Now there are loads of posts saying Branch isnt really that good anyway. (I personally understand this one better because I think all WRs are overrated to begin with)

Why does this happen? Is it a case of revisionary history, or are there different people whonever spoke in the past all of sudden coming out of the wordwork saying they never thought they were that good to begin with?

I know its par for the course with any fan base that as soon as a player is gone he never was as good as when he was there, but this board typical leans toward positive, but is honest about players. (Everyone knows my opinions on Ted Johnson and Antowain Smith were at least as negative before they left as after, and many posters are similar to this) Its hard to have integrity in discussion, if in fact, people dont place any value on sticking by what they have said in the past.

SeanBruschi54

When Law left he was already starting to decline in play.

I would like to know who has said Branch isn't that good. I think ive seen he's not as good as he thinks and should be paid more like so and so. Never saw posts saying he's a bad player or declining.

jczxohn1

"Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Felt guilty and thought I ought to offer a serious response, but after re-reading your comments, I think you're over-reacting. May be a few who change their opinion, but as Sean said, there haven't been that many saying Branch isn't a decent receiver, just isn't worth the money he wants, not to mention his early statements about playing out his contract. The better example is the angst aroused last year when Seymour held out. Players change, too.

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

AndyJohnson

There have been post saying things such as 'he hasnt outplayed his draft slot because he hasnt played a full season without being coddled or caught more than 5 TDs" and that he isnt worth the money of a #1. (Its hard to reconcile being called a draft steal previously as a 2nd with now not being worth #1 money. How can a 2nd be steal if he isnt worth a first?)
The thread where I am saying he is every bit as good as Boldin has a lot of negative commentary on Branch. Interesting too, because my point is that Boldin is overated, not that Branch is underrated.

Murphys95

It's a good question and it's been like that for as long as I can remember. In fact, it makes me think of a game I was at in 1981. The Pats finished 2-14 that year. In this game Grogan was struggling badly in the first half. The crowd at Schaefer began chanting for his backup, "Ca-Van-Augh, Ca-Van-Augh". This went on an on, until finally, the fans got their wish and Matt Cavanaugh came in for Grogan.

On his very first play Cavanaugh fumbled the snap and turned the ball over. The crowd, almost as if on cue, started chanting, "Grogan, Grogan" - I'll never forget that.

Sorry I don't have a real answer for you, I'd chalk it up to human nature.

AndyJohnson

That would be a correct statement if you left out the first line.

Hey, wait a minute. Since you believe EVERY Patriot OC has sucked, maybe you always have thought he was the best, because he sucked the least?

jczxohn1

Was he a steal because he was a #2, or because he came from Louisville and signed a long contract for short money compared to what he would have gotten had he come from a UCLA? IMO, the FO has him pegged about right. AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, Deion needs to fire his agent and cut a deal.

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

Joker

Branch is our number 1 receiver,,,he has a great chemistry with Brady and knows the offense inside out...no way I want to see him go...but he IS under contrct and he IS the one responsible for this brouhaha...so that leads me to believe that he actually cares more about making incrementally more with another team that is willing to OVERPAY and THAT seems to be his overiding motivation.

So yeah, I'm disassociating my feelings for him as a Patriot fan and moving on...why is that wrong?

AndyJohnson

Im not saying that is wrong, Im saying coupling that with revising history by altering your opinion of his ability is wrong.

DaBruinz

Well, Andy, considering that I am the one pointing out that Deion hasn't played a full season without being coddled and that he hasn't had a season with more than 5 TDs (both of which are factual statements), I have never called Branch a 2nd round steal.

I should also point out that I haven't mentioned anything in terms of the draft pick compensation that I would expect the Pats to get in return for Branch. Also, I would like to point out that Draft pick compensation has absolutely NOTHING to do with the position in which the player was drafted.