Originally Posted by Oswlek

Here is a post by Dan Pires on PatriotsPlanet:

Before a whole lot is made of Deion's statement to The Boston Globe, make sure to consider another mitigating circumstance [yes, this is for the Neanderthal element out there]. One of twin boys, Deiondré, is confined to a hospital in Kentucky and he's only functioning at about 75 percent. Here are two very good pieces on Branch's life and his children:

[link to a premium SI article that won't work anyway]

"Four years ago he nearly lost one of his newborn twin sons, Deiondre, to spinal meningitis. The baby was in a hospital being kept alive by machines. "I think [Deion] was having to decide whether it was time to unplug," says Bradley, when a "miracle" occurred. The infant suddenly responded to treatment.
On Sunday, Deiondre was chasing his brother, Deiontey, around a Super Bowl field of confetti. Now his father holds on tightly to anything that comes his way -- spirals and sons."

http://www.boston.com/sports/article...hurdle?mode=PF

For Branch, the toughest hurdle
Patriots star reflects on son's struggle
By Jackie MacMullan, Globe Staff | January 7, 2006

He only sees Deiondre and Deiontey, his twin sons born prematurely four years ago. He sees Deiondre hooked up to machines, battling meningitis, clinging to life as his tiny lungs strain to breathe. It is a memory he cannot -- will not -- erase.

''I was so young when it happened," said Branch Thursday afternoon in a private moment before preparations for New England's first-round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. ''I was 21 years old. It was scary. I was trying to make sense of it."

Branch, talking publicly for the first time about his son's condition,
agreed to do so only on the condition that the specifics and the
timetable of his treatment was kept confidential. How do you make sense of two children so eagerly anticipated, born
within minutes of one another, one healthy, one who quickly became critically ill? Deion and Danyld Lynch, the children's mother, were overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. The joy of the births was soon trampled by the fear and uncertainty surrounding Deiondre's future. And yet, Deion quickly realized, their son was not alone. The hospital in Kentucky was teeming with sick infants.

''You walk through the ICU and you see these tiny little babies, just 2 and 3 pounds, with all these tubes sticking out of them," Branch said.
''It stays with you. There was this one little girl who weighed about 2 pounds 2 ounces. She was so small, and her tiny little heart was pumping so fast, trying to hang on . . . I don't know if she made it. I don't know if any of those kids made it."

Deiontey was lucky. Although he and his brother weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces at birth, he responded quickly to the special care afforded premature infants. Each day, he grew stronger, while his brother deteriorated. Meningitis is a cruel disease. It strikes silently, ferociously, without warning. The diagnosis was dire. Even if he lived, Deiondre had already suffered massive brain damage. The doctors told Deion and Danyld their son would likely never walk, talk, smile, laugh, cry, or even dream.

Originally Posted by big mike

IMO, what's sickening is how quickly posters here go from singing the praises of a person while he's a Patriot, but as soon as he's on another team, he's suddenly a talentless, selfish hack. That is sickening.

As much as people complain about Peyton Manning, if he became a Patriot, you guys would suddenly be saying he's the best quarterback ever. And if Brady were traded away, you'd all of a sudden decide he's nothing special. Sickening.

Originally Posted by Oswlek

Here is a post by Dan Pires on PatriotsPlanet:

Before a whole lot is made of Deion's statement to The Boston Globe, make sure to consider another mitigating circumstance [yes, this is for the Neanderthal element out there]. One of twin boys, Deiondré, is confined to a hospital in Kentucky and he's only functioning at about 75 percent. Here are two very good pieces on Branch's life and his children:

[link to a premium SI article that won't work anyway]

"Four years ago he nearly lost one of his newborn twin sons, Deiondre, to spinal meningitis. The baby was in a hospital being kept alive by machines. "I think [Deion] was having to decide whether it was time to unplug," says Bradley, when a "miracle" occurred. The infant suddenly responded to treatment.
On Sunday, Deiondre was chasing his brother, Deiontey, around a Super Bowl field of confetti. Now his father holds on tightly to anything that comes his way -- spirals and sons."

http://www.boston.com/sports/article...hurdle?mode=PF

For Branch, the toughest hurdle
Patriots star reflects on son's struggle
By Jackie MacMullan, Globe Staff | January 7, 2006

He only sees Deiondre and Deiontey, his twin sons born prematurely four years ago. He sees Deiondre hooked up to machines, battling meningitis, clinging to life as his tiny lungs strain to breathe. It is a memory he cannot -- will not -- erase.

''I was so young when it happened," said Branch Thursday afternoon in a private moment before preparations for New England's first-round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. ''I was 21 years old. It was scary. I was trying to make sense of it."

Branch, talking publicly for the first time about his son's condition,
agreed to do so only on the condition that the specifics and the
timetable of his treatment was kept confidential. How do you make sense of two children so eagerly anticipated, born
within minutes of one another, one healthy, one who quickly became critically ill? Deion and Danyld Lynch, the children's mother, were overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. The joy of the births was soon trampled by the fear and uncertainty surrounding Deiondre's future. And yet, Deion quickly realized, their son was not alone. The hospital in Kentucky was teeming with sick infants.

''You walk through the ICU and you see these tiny little babies, just 2 and 3 pounds, with all these tubes sticking out of them," Branch said.
''It stays with you. There was this one little girl who weighed about 2 pounds 2 ounces. She was so small, and her tiny little heart was pumping so fast, trying to hang on . . . I don't know if she made it. I don't know if any of those kids made it."

Deiontey was lucky. Although he and his brother weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces at birth, he responded quickly to the special care afforded premature infants. Each day, he grew stronger, while his brother deteriorated. Meningitis is a cruel disease. It strikes silently, ferociously, without warning. The diagnosis was dire. Even if he lived, Deiondre had already suffered massive brain damage. The doctors told Deion and Danyld their son would likely never walk, talk, smile, laugh, cry, or even dream.

Originally Posted by Keegs

Sweet and i told my dad we should take Maroney, do you want a cookie?

Originally Posted by QuiGon

No, Seymour didn't do the same thing. Seymour held out for a very brief period of time while continuing to negotiate with the Patriots in 100% good faith. Branch cut off all lines of communication and did not act in good faith.

Originally Posted by SamBam39

watched the weasel's press conference last night.
sickened me.

after all this crying about wanting to be paid big for his big talents, as soon as
he gets his money what does he say to seattle fans?

'I hope ya'll aren't expecting me to come in here and be all that, I'm just a piece of the puzzle'

what a slimy loser.

Originally Posted by big mike

I mentioned that to illustrate that I'm not some troll who just came here to start this issue, I've been around quite a while.


That has nothing to do with the fact that he didn't show up despite being under contract. That is the point that you and others are claiming justifies ridiculing Branch - because he was under contract, and held out. Seymour did the same thing. Sure, there are minor differences - but the fact is that Seymour held out just like Branch, yet none of you are ridiculing Seymour for that fact, which proves that Branch not showing up despite being under contract is not the reason you're now ridiculing him. The difference is that Seymour was resigned, and Branch was traded. Period. It doesn't matter whether Seymour is a better player or not - you and others have claimed that it was because of Branch holding out that changed your opinion of him, which it clearly can't be.


You and I don't know what the agents did behind closed doors, and claiming you do is absurd. The Patriots didn't tell Seymour he could negotiate with other teams, which was what brought up the arbitration issue with Branch. Seymour had two years left on his contract, Branch only had one. Sure, you can find differences, but the fact is that you guys are claiming that you are only ridiculing Branch because he held out despite being under contract, despite the fact that Seymour also held out (didn't show up to camp) while under contract, and you didn't do that to him - since he was re-signed.


Seymour doesn't have a kid who has to live in a hospital.


Because Bellicheck didn't give Seymour the option of negotiating with other teams - that was a bad move, and what started the "cluster-****".


Let me know when you get yours out of your own ass. And while you're at it, get a life.

Originally Posted by big mike

A player does not negotiate with the team, their agent does. How does someone "break off all lines of communication"? If BB/Pioli don't pick up the phone to call the agent, how is that the player's fault?

I'm waiting to see which one of you guys is the first to say you hope Deion's kid dies. Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Originally Posted by big mike

IMO, what's sickening is how quickly posters here go from singing the praises of a person while he's a Patriot, but as soon as he's on another team, he's suddenly a talentless, selfish hack. That is sickening.

As much as people complain about Peyton Manning, if he became a Patriot, you guys would suddenly be saying he's the best quarterback ever. And if Brady were traded away, you'd all of a sudden decide he's nothing special. Sickening.

Originally Posted by Keegs

WET GET IT. they both held out. Quit repeating the same thing over and over.


Their Talent and value to the team DOES MATTER. Seymour is the best Defensive lineman in the league, so he deserves top money.
Is Branch the Best wideout in the league?? Is he a top 10 WR? NO he's not
does he deserve top money?? No he doesn't.
Does he think he does? Yes, he does.

Seymour handled it like a professional and Deion and his agent handled it like Schmucks. Making it a huge production, getting the media invovled and not even producing a counter-offer.

THE ONLY THING BRANCH & SEYMOUR HAVE IN COMMON ARE THAT THEY ARE BOTH PATRIOTS AND THEY BOTH HELD OUT. There are huge differences between the 2 and you are a jerkass for ignoring these differences.


I'm sure you will respond to this with your brilliant "they both held out" argument.

That one's a keeper.