The Gr8est

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/pat...ticleid=155110

'Speaking at the team’s Kickoff Gala, Kraft was asked if he still felt optimistic Branch would open the season in a Patriots uniform.

“Today’s Tuesday,” Kraft said. “We’ll know the answer to that within three days. Like all our fans, I appreciate that Deion’s very special. But we have to let things work their way out and we’ll see what happens come Friday.”

Kraft was then asked for clarification. Couldn’t Friday’s deadline come and go with Branch’s situation unresolved?

“What you have to do is figure out what resolution and optimism mean to you,” Kraft said. “All of us know what we’d prefer to see happen. We’ll wait and see what happens.” '



Does anyone else read between the lines and see this as almost a threat to Branch? If Branch doesn't change his mind, (or agent), and sign with the Pats, what sort of resolution could BK be hinting at?

sarge

It doesn't sound like a threat at all to me.

But it does sound like he isn't very optimistic that it will be resolved in a way we all want to see. Which is the reason for this line

To me it sounds like he isn't optimistic it will be a happy ending. But that it may just be an ending nonetheless.

Not very encouraging at all!

smg93

Kraft is not suggesting anything but instead, is letting everyone know that while he is a fan first who loves his players, he has hired "managers" he pays very well to make tough decisions for the good of the team. That's not an original thought, he's said that time and time again.

richpats

What he's implying is that the Pats will not let Branch continue his holdout into the regular season, and his fate will certainly be known on FRIDAY.

Of course this option would be a last-resort, but could the Pats possibly CUT Branch on Friday? I think they would rather do that than let his holdout cast a shadow over their season, and if he decided to come back Week 10 that would shake up the locker room (not in a good way either).

EDIT: Before I get a bunch of "no way's" and "impossible's", 2 words for you: Lawyer Milloy.

Dfresh429

I read it as him saying that, if no team knocks his socks off with an offer, there has been some sort of verbal agreement between the two parties that they will either take one of the deals offered by teh Pats or really get negotiations going hard core...dont know, but that is how i read it

The Gr8est

Cutting Branch occurred to me too, but what good does it do the Pats to cut Branch and give him what he wants? He still wouldn't get the huge raise he wants, but he'd still be getting a raise, and the Pats get nothing.

Not a great example to set for other players unhappy with the money the Pats are paying them.

What other sort of "final" resolution could Kraft be hinting at if he doesn't intend to let this holdout last into the season?

Willie55

No way they cut him. That would be giving into his demands. That would set a bad precedent. He would ultimarely be given what he wants: not to be franchised.

In regards to Lawyer Milloy, he was affecting the salary cap where he had said he would rework his deal prior to the season for the good of the team and then reneged on that in late August. Plus, Milloy was an aging veteran who had lost a step.

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Bella*chick

I just don't read anything positive or negative in that statement. It seems like Kraft is just trying not to say very much about the situation while discussing the situation and it's kind of a hard thing to do.

I will say I have never in my life been so anxious for a Friday, however. Is there a time deadline? Like 1:00, or 5:00 or end of business or something? What IS end of business for a day in the NFL anyway?

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QuiGon

The Lawyer Milloy situation is very different from Deion Branch. With Milloy, you had a guy the Patriots were not willing to keep at his current contract. They were either going to renegotiate the contract or cut him. The problem arose when Milloy spent all summer indicating he would go along with a renegotiation, then changed to a hard line stance at the last moment (possibly due to tampering from another team). So the Pats cut him.

With Branch, you have a guy the Patriots want to play at his current figure. They are not trying to squeeze money out of him, he's trying to squeeze money out of them.

The Patriots won't cut Branch because that would be giving him exactly what he wants, which would be a horrible precedent.

patsox23

TOTALLY AGREE