Deion Branch Discussion - Page 3 - New England Patriots Forums

Gronkandez · 02-15-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satchboogie3

My biggest problem with Branch is his price tag. $2.6 million for a #3 is too much.

Also, I'm getting SICK of seeing Edelman and Slater on the depth charts. They CANT PLAY! Heck, throw up Price and Underwood for that matter. All the "we are fine at WR" just don't see how pathetic our depth is. Totally useless group of guys that are slow and/or midgets, can't jump, can't fight for the ball, can't create seperation, and can't catch a ball that hits them right in the hands.

It's pathetic.

Use that $2.6M toward a guy like Mike Wallace please. Then draft your speed guy/KR/project in the draft.

ATippett56 · 02-15-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

2011
Welker, Branch, Ochocinco, Price, Edelman, Slater
================================
2012
Welker,????, ????, Branch, Edelman, Slater
================================
We should definitely bring back Welker and Branch, giving us some stability at wide receiver. Make no mistake, Branch has lost a step and is in the process of losing another. However, he is certainly worth the money as an emergency #4 WR, our #6 receiving option.

We can spend the rest of the off-season discussing the options for the two open wider receiver spots.

I would not consider Matt Slater as a wide receiver but strictly a special teams player.

2012 New England Patriots wide receivers

Welker, ????, ????, Branch, Edelman

???? - Marques Colston or Brandon Lloyd or Reggie Wayne
???? - Josh Morgan

Josh Morgan, wide receiver from the San Francisco 49ers, could be a relatively inexpensive option (especially when compared to the bigger wide receiver names on the market) for the New England Patriots offense.

Josh Morgan, WR for the San Francisco 49ers at NFL.com

PATSYLICIOUS · 02-15-2012, 06:35 PM

I want him back, at the very least for insurance and as a mentor. Do you really want to go into next season with zero wideouts beyond Welker (assuming he IS kept) that are proven in our offense? Branch is useful to this team at least in that role, and I feel like he can once again be a reliable 4th option on the team (preferably 5th if a FA/rookie DOES step up as the 4th option).

VrabelJr · 02-15-2012, 06:43 PM

The reason most of you are unimpressed with Deion Branch is that he's more or less a slot receiver. We already have the #1 slot WR in the league in Wes Welker.

To you I pose this question: What if the only way for us to sign a big time Wide Receiver threat was to let Welker go and move Branch to the slot? Would you do it?

letekro · 02-15-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

Strictly numbers-wise, his production hasn't dropped off. There's no reason not to expect him back.

297 yards over the last 8 regular season games for your top outside target is abysmal. Obviously, if he is the 4th WR and plays for dirt I don't have a problem with it. I'm just not sure he is an NFL caliber player anymore. Brady looks for him a lot and his production is still poor. I think he is done, but we shall see.

CT_Pats_Fan · 02-15-2012, 06:44 PM

I'd love to see the Pats re-sign Welker, bring in a solid #2, and have Branch as #3. The guy has everything the Pats value - football smart, is a hard worker, tough, not afraid to go over the middle, and Brady trusts him. Count the "upside, talented" guys they've brought in that failed due to not having some (or all) of the above.

Yes, he's a year older, not as quick, but he's a known known, and if his production is off, could it be that's because Welker, Hernandez and Gronk are getting most of the balls thrown their way (as they should)?

brdmaverick · 02-15-2012, 06:47 PM

I think there is some merit to maintaining some consistency, BUT we have also seen that when the talent is THAT good Brady and the wideouts will make plays regardless. (ie, see 2007 when the Pats brought in Moss, Welker, Stallworth).

***DaBruinz*** · 02-15-2012, 07:00 PM

I don't believe that Deion will be back because an average of 2 receptions and 31 yards per game over the last 10 games of the season isn't enough. Not from a guy who is the #2 WR. Just like it wasn't enough for Chad Johnson and why I believe that Chad will be gone also.

***DaBruinz*** · 02-15-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOTSFANINPA

Didn't that Midget catch a huge 4th down throw at 4th and 16 late in the SB that moved the Patriots into position to win?

Branch is too old to take over a game,but if there is one player Brady respects and trusts in a 4th and long situation,Its Branch.

Branch is still excellent depth as a 4th receiver,I don't think he is done yet..

But he had a critical drop on the previous series that, along with Welker's drop, cost the Pats the game.

Patspsycho · 02-15-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letekro

297 yards over the last 8 regular season games for your top outside target is abysmal. Obviously, if he is the 4th WR and plays for dirt I don't have a problem with it. I'm just not sure he is an NFL caliber player anymore. Brady looks for him a lot and his production is still poor. I think he is done, but we shall see.

You call his production poor and declining, even "abysmal," but looking at the numbers, pre-Seattle and post-Seattle, they really do not differ:

2005: 998 yards, avg: 12.8, long: 51, TD: 5

2010: 706 yards, avg:14.7, long: 79T, TD:5
2011: 702 yards, avg:13.8, long: 63, TD:5