Branch is bluffing - New England Patriots Forums

PonyExpress · 09-03-2006, 03:53 PM

My read on the situation is that the Patriots will win the grievance hearing outright, and will not trade Branch. Once Branch realizes the Pats aren't doing anything, he will report for duty. Sitting out ten games doesn't help his cause in any way. The pressure on him to return to the team, from his friends and his own desire to play the game, will overcome his agent and his own patience. The solution to the Branch problem is to do nothing at all.

sarge · 09-03-2006, 03:55 PM

He may have been prior to the trade stuff, but not now. Atleast I don't think so!

WV-Colt · 09-03-2006, 03:59 PM

the situation in GB with walker from last year also hurts the chances of branch reporting before week 10, IMO.

Pats726 · 09-03-2006, 04:03 PM

he doesn't wish to be here...U really do NOT care about what he does now..time to move on.

Patriot Missile · 09-03-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

My read on the situation is that the Patriots will win the grievance hearing outright, and will not trade Branch. Once Branch realizes the Pats aren't doing anything, he will report for duty. Sitting out ten games doesn't help his cause in any way. The pressure on him to return to the team, from his friends and his own desire to play the game, will overcome his agent and his own patience. The solution to the Branch problem is to do nothing at all.

You don't think it helps him in any way? If he sit's out then he is less likely to be injured on a football field. Hence he will be healthy to pick up his 30+million dollar contact with 20+ guaranteed. This is the difference between Willie Parker and Branch and it has been discussed in another thread. Parker took the lesser of the deal full knowing it was still alot of money. If he got injured this season he get's zip.Zero.

I don't agree with the situation in the least but as far as a money standpoint he's playing as smart and as greedy as they come. I just wished he took Brady's advice and asked himself some of the questions Brady suggested. Who knows maybe he did. I'm sure Branch's crappy agent didn't though.

***Patters*** · 09-03-2006, 04:04 PM

The Boston Herald had an interesting article today:

"Branch’s side plans to highlight a number of players traded in the past year for second-round picks or lower, such as Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper (second), Broncos receiver Javon Walker (second) and Eagles wideout Donte’ Stallworth (conditional third or fourth, plus backup linebacker Mark Simoneau). Players Association attorney Richard Berthelsen also noted that Branch was selected at the end of the second round with the 65th overall pick in 2002.
The goal, Kessler said, is to force the Patriots to accept the second-round pick and send Branch to the Jets."

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/pat...ticleid=155742

Until I read that, I thought that Branch did not have a valid grievance, but now I think that at least he can make a good case.

So, what I think is going on right now is that the Jets and Branch are really moving to prevent a trade to the Seahawks (which BB would probably prefer), and meanwhile BB is making things difficult in the hope of getting the Jets to sweeten the pot. I'm thinking Branch will go to the Jets and we'll get their better second or a second and something else.

AzPatsFan · 09-03-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

My read on the situation is that the Patriots will win the grievance hearing outright, and will not trade Branch. Once Branch realizes the Pats aren't doing anything, he will report for duty. Sitting out ten games doesn't help his cause in any way. The pressure on him to return to the team, from his friends and his own desire to play the game, will overcome his agent and his own patience. The solution to the Branch problem is to do nothing at all.

I strongly concur. "Time heals all wounds and wounds all heals". The significant differences from the Pats offers and the others was that DB gets his money NOW, rather than, NEXT Year.

As time goes on it will become clear that he CAN'T get his money NOW from anyone. The Pats offer for next year is almost the same as the alternative offers. If there is to be an early resolution, then another team will have to pay the Patriots MORE than they will get in trading him NEXT off season.

Incidentally with Branch holding out He costs the team essentially nothing for his non services.

primetime · 09-03-2006, 04:14 PM

Yeah, but the thing is, the Patriots don't have to make the trade if they don't want. Then any player could go to arbitration and be like look, I want out, and then the arbitrator would award the player a trade and the team who loses out a draft pick equal to players traded previously. That makes no sense and destroys the whole system.

upstater1 · 09-03-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patriot Missile

You don't think it helps him in any way? If he sit's out then he is less likely to be injured on a football field. Hence he will be healthy to pick up his 30+million dollar contact with 20+ guaranteed. This is the difference between Willie Parker and Branch and it has been discussed in another thread. Parker took the lesser of the deal full knowing it was still alot of money. If he got injured this season he get's zip.Zero.

The only thing holding him back from that line of thinking is the franchise or transition tag.

PatsWorldChamps · 09-03-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstater1

The only thing holding him back from that line of thinking is the franchise or transition tag.

the pats are obviously planning on franchising him.... if not, he agreed he would come in and play for the $1M... DB WILL be franchised.