Breer makes case for Branch to come back--do we want him?

[aluminum seats]

Why Deion Branch is more likely now - Extra Points - Boston.com

Makes a fairly convincing case....considering the need at WR and Brady's previous comfort level w/him, seems to make some sense.

 

[fumbrunner]

Why Deion Branch is more likely now - Extra Points - Boston.com

Makes a fairly convincing case....considering the need at WR and Brady's previous comfort level w/him, seems to make some sense.

If he comes cheap enough. He is in serious decline and should be paid as such. Hopefully he could regain some of his former level of play.

 

[BradyManny]

Why Deion Branch is more likely now - Extra Points - Boston.com

Makes a fairly convincing case....considering the need at WR and Brady's previous comfort level w/him, seems to make some sense.

Hell yes I would do this. Everytime it is brought up, I am first on board for it.

 

[mtbykr]

Considering our WR position right now, and his history with Brady I would certainly bring him back if the price is right.

 

[Patspsycho]

I think it's time to stop recycling, time to stop kicking the spare tire or scrapping around in the junkyard.

 

[BradyManny]

I think it's time to stop recycling, time to stop kicking the spare tire or scrapping around in the junkyard.

I'd agree if it weren't for his track record with Brady. It's a safe assumption Branch could come in and contribute. He is everything we need in a receiver to complement Moss and Wes.

 

[Brono]

Would Branch be more value at the WR position? Is it better to pick up an impact player instead?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I prefer new blood,proven blood and most of all..blood from a WR that is not older than 27 and has great credentials - Welker will likley need to be replaced for a good portion of next season.

However he may be a decent 3rd or 4th WR to pick up cheap

 

[upstater1]

His recent comments sort of verify the idea that he always had a 2 cent brain. I'm still all for it since I always thought this was Belichick's biggest personnel blunder.

Now, Breer is actually incorrect about the uncapped year making it possible to dump his salary and the cap ramifications from the bonus. There's a provision that prevents that and forces teams to spread out the bonus hit to future years on the cap, in order to dissuade teams from using the uncapped year to dump players.

That being said, he has $13 million in bonuses over 6 years, so we're talking about a $2.2 million hit in 2011. That's not a huge cap hit in dead money, so I don't see that dissuading the Seahawks either.

 

[Jimke]

Would Branch be more value at the WR position? Is it better to pick up an impact player instead?

The Patriots are not going to spend $10M on an impact wide receiver.

Don't worry Branch won't accept the Patriot's offer of $1M for 1 year.

 

[JackBauer]

Don't worry Branch won't accept the Patriot's offer of $1M for 1 year.

Oh, I see what you did there. You just implied that the Patriots are cheap! Sick burn!

 

[blackglass3]

I would bring him in, but only if he's humble and realizes what a douchbag move he pulled shooting his way out of town.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i am not sure a 31 year old injury prone WR is what the pats need right now.

 

[emoney_33]

People have too much a tendency to remember the past for more than what it was and to let their desire to reproduce the good times effect their judgement. 2010 Deion Branch is better than Sam Aiken, but he's not a player I would try hard to get. His repoire with Brady 4 years ago is pretty meaningless as this offense has continued to evolve.

If Branch was cheap I wouldn't mind him as some competition for more WR, but he's not "THE" answer to our WR depth problems.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Hell yes I would do this. Everytime it is brought up, I am first on board for it.

You must be second, because I'm first.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm sure Branch could be as good as Gaffney was in 2008. That's all we need for an upgrade.

 

[emoney_33]

I'm sure Branch could be as good as Gaffney was in 2008. That's all we need for an upgrade.

Assuming Welker returns sooner rather than later, which at this point is no guarantee.

 

[BelichickFan]

Assuming Welker returns sooner rather than later, which at this point is no guarantee.

Welker is irrelevant to me in this discussion. We need, badly, to upgrade the other wideout position. Presumably Edelman will replace Welker until the latter is ready. Branch would be good for what is now, ick, the Aiken spot. I was talking about upgrading that spot, not the WR group from pre-Welker injury.

 

[MassPats38]

Come back as what? If he is a possible 3rd or 4th option and willing to accept the appropriate pay for that place on the depth chart, maybe. His big strength was the chemistry with Brady, and after 4 seasons with Seattle that likely would have to be redeveloped.

He was valuable in 2006. In 2010 after his injury history with Seattle, averaging 12 games per season, he is kind of like getting the current version of that car you loved in high school. It may still run, but it won't run or look like it did. His Super Bowl MVP days are far behind him. The only remaining question is whether he is a serviceable option at receiver these days.

 

[Nonentity]

Offer him $4-4.5m/year over two years. Less than we offered Gaffney, which is fair given Branch's knee injury.

Something like:
2010: $1.5m
2011: $1.5m plus a $1m option bonus

would probably work out quite well for both parties.