Banks: Pats figure out how to get Branch to negotiating table - New England Patriots Forums

PromisedLand · 08-30-2006, 04:07 PM

New Don Banks article (which I noticed while voting in Ian's poll!):

Quote:

So what's the endgame of this sticky situation? It would appear that it's up to Branch and his agent to wisely recognize the path back to the negotiating table that New England has been nice enough to provide, with both sides crafting a deal that saves face all around and avoids designating either camp as a winner or loser in this unexpectedly long standoff. The Patriots have at least created the context for such a scenario to unfold in the coming days.

This much should be clear to Branch by now: The Patriots aren't going to be the first ones to crack. They never have in the past, and head coach Bill Belichick and VP of player personnel Scott Pioli aren't likely to start caving now. They will find a way to move on without Branch in 2006 if that's the only recourse they feel has been left to them. They hold most of the cards in this one, and they know it.

For Branch, the grass is greener in New England than it will be anywhere else. The tricky question is whether he'll learn that lesson without having to leave town.

More ... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...tes/index.html

***Born_a_Patriot*** · 08-30-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PromisedLand

New Don Banks article (which I noticed while voting in Ian's poll!):
More ... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...tes/index.html

Amen to that Brother

PromisedLand · 08-30-2006, 05:38 PM

bump ... I honestly thought this would generate a lot more discussion!

***Mike the Brit*** · 08-30-2006, 05:55 PM

Much as I would like Branch to re-sign with the Patriots, this article simply repeats a lot of received ideas about how brilliant Belichick and Pioli are but gives no reason to think that Branch is any more likely to sign.

Here is what Banks writes:

"Remember Alvin Harper? The former Cowboys receiver had a beautiful thing going in Dallas in the early 1990s with quarterback Troy Aikman and fellow receiver Michael Irvin. Harper did get paid by jumping from Dallas to Tampa Bay in free agency in 1995, but in essence he was never heard from again once he took the bucks and became a Buc.

Branch has a great situation in New England. He's Brady's favorite target, and he's well positioned to have a long shelf life in the Boston area, as the logical heir to replace beloved veteran receiver and local icon Troy Brown once Brown's career finally concludes. And there's always a shot at securing a third Super Bowl ring, which would move him into pretty elite territory."

In other words: stay with New England and be more successful. But if you've been watching what has been going on, it doesn't appear that having the most successful career is what motivates Branch rather than being paid the most money. So all of this stuff is quite beside the point.

The only other argument is Banks' assertion that Branch will realize that he's not going to get the money that he wants. But how should he realize that in a few days of negotiation when another team would also have to pony up a substantial draft pick as well? Surely he would get a better contract if he were a complete free agent and whatever happens between now and Friday afternoon can't be an accurate guide to that.

Branch and his agent may be wrong about the market, but that isn't going to change by Friday.

Very stupid article, in my opinion.

Patriots4Ever · 08-30-2006, 05:55 PM

nice read...thanks..

RayClay · 08-30-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PromisedLand

bump ... I honestly thought this would generate a lot more discussion!

I didn't see it. You can see by my post in another thread I agree with Banks.

ESPN's NFL Live: Vikings, Seahawks Discussing Branch

Swear I just read it.

RAWKY · 08-30-2006, 09:50 PM

Sadly i do not think Branch wants to be in NE any longer. This is aptly demonstrated by his refusal to actually negociate with the team.

We can blame his agent all we want, but the fact is if Branch simply wanted more money he would have instructed his agent to counter the Pat's offer.

That did not happen so one must conclude Branch wants out of NE any way he can.

Brady'sButtBoy · 08-30-2006, 09:52 PM

After five or six days of TC went by with no word from the Pats, Chayut pumped up Branch figuring any moment the team would cave. Then came two weeks of camp without a peep. Hold tight Deion, said Chayut, the are trying to test us. TC broke and the preseason arrived, the Pats rolled without any WR of note on the field. Chayut told Branch he must get tough now because the team is probing our limits. Then Chayut was shocked by the trade offer; through eight days he has found nothing for his client that any team will buy. Deion, you have to be ready for the worst - you might lose half the season or more, sounds like what Chayut is telling Branch now.

The somewhat shocking reply from Branch - That's cool, I've got my rings...

This article is right on in one way for certain - there has got to be very real possibility of disaster for Branch if he sits out all year or even until the six game deadline. Deion just doesn't have the numbers to automatically overcome the stigma of a me first guy and one has to wonder if a player can permanently pollute his own mind with his oh so dissed ego to the point of ruining his career as viable option on a winning team deep with other stars. IOW, the AZ's and SF's of the world will pay you pretty large but you might never have place on a winner until you wake up and realize how late it is.....

VJCPatriot · 08-30-2006, 11:26 PM

Honestly I never thought of Deion as the kind of guy to be all about the bucks. I'm thinking at this point why is he still listening to his agent and why isn't he telling the guy to stick his nose in there and start negotiating? Sept 1st is the deadline. The ball's in your court now Deion. Whatcha gonna do??

***Lloyd_Christmas*** · 08-31-2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike the Brit

Much as I would like Branch to re-sign with the Patriots, this article simply repeats a lot of received ideas about how brilliant Belichick and Pioli are but gives no reason to think that Branch is any more likely to sign.

...

In other words: stay with New England and be more successful. But if you've been watching what has been going on, it doesn't appear that having the most successful career is what motivates Branch rather than being paid the most money. So all of this stuff is quite beside the point.

...

Very stupid article, in my opinion.

I'm not defending the article, but Branch does have financial motivation. BB will sit him all year if he has to. That means that the fines will stick (I believe they will be waived if he comes back and resigns) and he won't make JACK for this year.

Also, he will be 1 year out of football and carry the 'Scarlet M' on him (meaning malcontent). Whether you want to believe it or not, that will cost him some money next year when he is a UFA and trying to get another team to drop big bucks on him.

His holdout is hurting him more than it is hurting the Pats and BB will play without him. Continuing to hold out is counter productive.