BelichickFan

http://bostoncollege.rivals.com/show...597484&style=1

"a mole inside the stadium has told me that the resigning of branch will happen before the arbitration is heard. The background is this: the team made what they thought was a fair offer to Branch before the opening of camp. His agent did not even counter. Before the pats agreed to let him shop himself they made it clear that because of his remaining contract year, and franchise tag they would view his trade rights in excess of what a restricted free agent signing brings a team. Branh's agent is essentially claiming that the pats had the obligation to lower that position. There is no way that Branchs people can win their case, they know that...he will be in uniform for the second game....."

A couple of replies later :

".....but mark down the Branch thing......"

DefenseRules

Sighs...
I won't even dare to dream.

Kdo5

Ughhhhhhh.

Screw Branch, screw the f'in rumors I just want to see Pats action on Sunday.

Brownfan80

Rumor, speculation, arbitration... I couldn't possibly care any less. Until that little midget is catching passes from Brady like he should be I can't waste any more time even THINKING about him.

BelichickFan

I'm tired of it too, but, in whatever order, Branch, Gabriel, Jackson, Caldwell along with the TE has to excite everyone

Born_a_Patriot

I will forever *Hate Branch.....

*The word Hate is used in Fan terms no way does that dumb ass deserve any real feeling wasted on him...

__________________
Tonight A Dynasty Is Born

PatsFaninAZ

Not me. I hate him now, and will hate him if he holds out, and will hate him if he joins another team, but if he comes back into the fold, then I'll love him like any of the rest of the Pats.

The reality is that I root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. The patriots m.o. in the BB era has been that no player is more important than the team -- rightly so. But it goes both ways. Throughout, they have had to make some very hard-nosed and on their face callous moves, with the understanding that it's all just business. We've lost many of the players that we adored and who did a great deal for this franchise and for us as fans, in part because the team stuck to principle and what it thought was best overall even if it meant not paying value that others were willing to pay. In the end, while Branch and his agent are amatuers and have botched this to high heaven, I don't think what they are trying to do is that much different. It's just business, not personal. And if he makes the right play and comes back to the team, it's all water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned.

Patters

Looking ahead to our playoff game against the Steelers, it would bre great to have Branch around.

Pat_Nasty

I honestly don't see the necessary connection between Branch's camp knowing they have no chance, and Branch resigning or reporting back to the Pats for game 2.

Everything I've read to this point has indicated that Branch plans to keep filing whatever greivances/suits he can in whatever forums he has available, all the while holding out until either the Pats trade him, or week 10.

PonyExpress

patnasty,
I continue to believe Branch is bluffing. His threats are empty, because he has no chance. I expect him either to report for duty and play out his current contract by next week, or sign an extension by then with the Pats. The repercussions to his career of not doing so have been discussed ad nauseum on this board so I won't repeat them.