tailgater

I believe they changed the rules with the new CBA and a player cannot be "Keyshawned" anymore. If a starter is healthy, he cannot be inactivated on gamedays, or suspended with pay. Teams could do so to avoid players from reaching incentives, among other reasons.

If Branch holds out til week 10, the Pats will certainly let him play when he's ready. It will help his trade value next year when they tag & trade him.

Oswlek

Although, if I remember correctly, the team cannot *officially* deactivate him per the new CBA. They can not play him, but I'm not sure if they can tell him not to come in.

dryheat44

There was something done about the situation, but I don't remember what. However, Branch won't be a starter, does not have any incentives to reach.

What Chayut can say is that the Patriots are hurting his career heading into free agency. There was a greivance filed a couple years ago on similar grounds. I don't remember the outcome.

Belichick will find a way to remove the distraction and media circus. Maybe Branch stubs a toe in the first practice and gets IRed.

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When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee