Bostonian1962

I know everybody is sick of these Branch threads, so appologies up front. However, by the 700 people here right now, I'd say there is some interest. I know I'm interested.

I respectfully think several folks on here are reading the developments incorrectly.

IF it's true that the Patriots offered 5 years, $31M, and IF it's true that his new offer is 6 years, $36M, I read it this way.

The Patriots wanted Branch to see what the true market was. Turns out it's not $7M or $8M a year, it's more like the $6M the Patriots were offering. Why wouldn't the Patriots say: "O.K., we'll give you that contract"? There would probably be an issue with setting a precident on tearing up the final year of his current contract, so they'd just have to increase the bonus. That way he'd get that money this year, but they'd have plausible deniablility on "tearing up the final year".

Unless the Patriots get a trade offer they cannot pass up, I see Branch re-signing today or tomorrow with the Patriots. If a team comes in at the last minute with a $7M+ per year offer, forget I said anything. It never happened.

RIP#40

I agree, I think the Pats and DB agreed to let the other teams in the league set the market. Pats will match highest offer and DB plays 9/10.

__________________
Jim Colclough was the man.

BradyManny

It would all make perfect sense if anything that went through Deion Branch's (or his agent's) brain made sense. Hopefully Branch will come to his senses last minute.

Pattie

I'll truly be shocked if he re-signs. I think he's gone to Minnesota and/or the Jets.

PatsWorldChamps

it isnt about avg annual pay (which is bogus anyways), it is about guaranteed money.

__________________
"If you didn't know better, you'd think the Jets sent Bill Belichick north
to destroy the Patriots from within. (When) they could have had
impact players David Terrell or Koren Robinson or the second-best tackle in
the draft in Kenyatta Walker, they took Georgia defensive tackle Richard
Seymour, (who is) too tall to play tackle at 6-6 and too slow to play defensive end." - Xerox Borges, April 2001

Kdo5

The Patriots need to throw his old contract in the trash and give him a brand new one or he wont re sign.

SVN

if BB thinks branch is not going to be back before week 10 or next yr he will deal him for a draft pick for sure. We all know how much he values his draft picks and he wont let this problem let linger if he thinks branch isnt going to be productive this season

edzo44

Interestingly enough it would seem that BB & SP did think he was one of them because of their initial offer.

__________________
We've had a bunch of practices. We're going out there everyday. They're tired. They're sore. There's a little bit of information overload, but it is pro football. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy."

- - - Bill Belichick

Va_Pats_Fan

That used to be the case, with the massive increase in the cap, comes an increase in the players expectations, and the ability for owners to throw money at them in hopes of buying a superbowl. Players that are just below the elite status will now start to make elite $$$, just because someone is willing to pay it, not cause they are worth it.

patsox23

"AND/or?" Cool! Can we get the #1 from BOTH teams?