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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.
Who said Branch will get $2.6 million? Odds are he will be playing for the veteran minimum maybe with some incentives.
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Perhaps Branch will be our #3 WR; perhaps he'll be our #4 WR.
The key is that he is worth a roster spot.
Will regard to salary, I think we can leave those details to the team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob0729
Personally, I think Branch will be back for the veteran minimum as a #3 WR. He isn't really starter material anymore, but he has synergy with Brady and can be very effective off the bench. The guy did have some really good games this year. He just isn't consistent enough to be a starter and obviously he isn't a consistent outside threat or a deep threat.
He is already #4. #1-3 are Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez.
Gronk and AH are not WR. This year Branch was the #2 WR behind Welker, he was the #4 target in the passing game different things.
Branch is productive and plays well in this O he will be available for short money, he will IMO be on the roster.
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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."
I agree with others here that branch will be on the roster. It is however my hope that it is in a reduced role as a number 3 WR. In my opinion this offense needs (i know we are a good offense but there is always improvement), either chad or Brandon Lloyd or "insert name here" to be the number 2 WR who has the athletic ability to beat the CB in front of him when matched up in single man coverage and has the ability to if left unguarded beat his opponent deep.
Branch to me is a guy we would want to keep around to teach young guys how to be a pro and as a very good back up if injury strikes or the 2 minute offense where he and brady know each other very well.
Hopefully it is slightly above vet min with incentives and he retires a patriot in 1-2 years.
Deion Branch was not the problem at any time this year. This is the way I'd rate our pass catchers:
Gronkowski- A
Hernandez- B+
Welker- A-
Branch- C/C+
Edelman- D
Ochocinco- D/F
Slater- D/F
Underwood- F
The problem is just how bad our bad receivers are. I would be thrilled to have two or three guys of Branch's caliber in our lineup. He has good hands and instincts, and he can make teams pay at times. Edelman and Slater are not even real WRs; Underwood is a practice squad guy. Ochocinco does not and will not understand the system. Price and Tate were both cut.
We just need players that are adequate to make plays when the defenses focus on shutting down the big three. We don't need Calvin Johnson, we just need guys that can beat a nickel back or linebacker in coverage.
Agree with your premise that there is a large gap from our good to our bad...
But what does a guy have to do to get an A+ from you...
Welker: A- ... had a career year in td's and yards 110+ receptions and almost lead the league in yards.
Gronk A ... The guy set every record you could for a TE...
Your a harsh marker sir.
But i do agree. Slater F, Ocho D-, Underwood F. Edelman is unfair to judge as if we did not have welker on this team Edelman would be playing his role and i believe would be a very productive receiver (not to welkers level) but a 70+ catch guy.
Mo - unlike some people, I don't over-react to dumb crap. Hernandez has had drop issues since he came in. He has gotten better, but he still needs more work.
Fact is that Branch is injury prone. Always has been. And I did take into consideration that the TEs emerged, but that doesn't change the fact that Branch just wasn't getting open anymore. And that, more than anything, is what caused his drop in production.
.
Branch did get open in the SB. 4 times last 2 drives.
When Welker "dropped", Branch was open on the sideline. Brady could have gone to him, it would have been 3rd and short if not 1st down.
Next, Branch gets wide open, Brady throws behind. Either Brady's injury affected the throw, or Branch was even faster than Brady thought he was and the throw ended up behind.
Last drive, Branch gets wide open running across the middle. Branch hurried the throw and threw it over a Giant defender who affected the catch. If Brady waits 1 more second, Branch is wide open to the left with no Giant defender to throw over.
Then Branch got open and converted 4th down and 16.
Thats 4 times he got open. So I would say that Branch still has it, I would definitely keep him.
He knows the Pats system very well and doesnt do stupid things.
With every rookie WR, you run the risk of him not being able to pick up the system and integrate.
I agree with the people who say bring him back, but at a minimum contract. 2 yrs, vet. minimum (or close to it) with incentives. How many times have the pats brought in WRs who cant cut it? Branch knows the system, wants to be here and Brady likes and trusts him. But I do think the Pats need to bring in a few players to play ahead of Branch. Lloyd, for reasons already stated on these boards. A 2nd or 3rd round draft pick (Alshon Jeffrey, Stephen Hill, Dwight Jones) and another vet. (Eddie Royal, Jericho Cotchery) at a minimum contract.
Last edited by stevedogc; 02-16-2012 at 07:28 AM..
So you Guys are telling me that in the Best year ever for FA WR's you guys would rather keep a diminshing skills Deion Branch over say a guy going into his prime? Check this list again and tell me the Patriots couldn't find somebody younger or better than Branch! You guys gotta be kidding me. So Glad BB is making the decisions and not some of us.
So you Guys are telling me that in the Best year ever for FA WR's you guys would rather keep a diminshing skills Deion Branch over say a guy going into his prime? Check this list again and tell me the Patriots couldn't find somebody younger or better than Branch! You guys gotta be kidding me. So Glad BB is making the decisions and not some of us.
Any combination of those guys could more than replace Deion Branch!
Yeah but if they don't learn the offense TB12's head will explode, and no one wants to see that. I think Brady prefers the untalented-at-this-stage Branch, over talented guys who may not grasp the offense.
For the record, I agree that Branch s/b replaced but it's not that easy since the offense is apparently extemely difficult to learn.
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Re: Deion Branch Discussion
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