MMQB on Branch, Meriweather and others NE stuff

[MoLewisrocks]

On Branch it's a two way street and I think both sides made mistakes and learned an unfortunate lesson in the process...

Sometimes, the lure of moving should be ignored. Sometimes, the grass isn't greener on the other side. If Deion Branch were honest with himself, he'd look himself in the mirror and say, "I should never have left New England four years ago.'' And in the wake of his best game in the NFL since the day he won the Super Bowl MVP nearly six years ago, there was no way the bubbly Branch could avoid the topic of what might have been.

"I think about it a lot,'' he told me over the phone from the Patriots' locker room. "My brother and my father do too. They say, 'You'd be ready to put a gold [Hall of Fame] jacket on if you stayed.' ''

Probably not, but Branch, after catching nine balls for 98 yards and a touchdown Sunday in the Patriots' win over Baltimore, understands what he lost -- and what he may have to gain inthe near future.

"It's easy to say that now versus back then, and I wish ... well ... but we can't go back on it. We could easily factor in what went wrong, but right now, but I'm very thankful and honored to be back where I belong, and I'm not looking back or anything,'' Branch said.

Branch played four years in New England, 2002-05. By the end, he'd become Brady's go-to receiver. In his two Super Bowls -- wins over Carolina and Philadelphia -- Branch caught 21 passes for 276 yards. Four of his eight Patriot playoff games were 100-yard receiving affairs.

In 2006, Branch held out from training camp with the Patriots. He forced a trade to Seattle, which gave up a first-round 2007 draft pick to New England to get him.

In Seattle, Branch was given a six-year, $39 million contract. In New England, the last offer to Branch was approximately six years, $36 million.

Last week, Branch was traded back to New England. To make the trade happen, Branch lowered his 2011 compensation by $3.65 million. That makes his original contract from 2006 now worth six years and $35.35 million. Now, there's no guarantee the Patriots wouldn't have tried to cut Branch's salary. But I ask you this: Where would Branch have had his best chance to be productive: with the team that drafted him, quarterbacked by an all-timer who had great chemistry with him, consistently in one of the best offenses in football ... or with a team with an oft-injured quarterback, adjusting to a new offensive system, and with three head coaches in five years?

In hindsight, it was an idiotic move, holding out and forcing the Patriots to trade him. The Seahawks traded for an impact receiver, and what they got was a pedestrian one. In 54 career games in Seattle, including the playoffs, Branch had three 100-yard games. In his last 34 games in Seattle, 24 times he was held to 50 receiving yards or fewer. Branch's impact with the Seahawks, basically, was nil.

In his last six New England playoff games, including one when he was named the MVP of the Super Bowl, Branch had more 100-yard receiving games than he had in his 54-game career in Seattle. Now Branch is 31, trying to acclimate himself to his old team in his ninth year. He's in his twilight. The big move in 2006, in essence, was for no more money. It's sad, really. But Branch wasn't sad Sunday. He was feeling the love from a crowd that treated him like he never left. The quarterback treated him that way too.

Brandon Meriweather, James Harrison hits deserve hefty punishment - Peter King - SI.com

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yup, yet again a quality player (q.v. Ty Law) prematurely ejaculates himself from the Pats roster and turns out that the benjamins on the other side are just equivalent yet inhibit achieving notable HOF status. The Twig made a career mistake and now returns as The Zombie. Watching his post game press conference was enlightening. Articulate and quixoticly both proud and humble. With his incessant ball washing praise of Tom Brady, were I Tom I'd be sure to keep my distance from Deion in the shower.

Exceeded my 'decent' expectations on his return. The major contribution to the W was needed.

 

[khayos]

Logan Mankins take note, you pissed away your big payday.

 

[upstater1]

Yup, yet again a quality player (q.v. Ty Law) prematurely ejaculates himself from the Pats roster and turns out that the benjamins on the other side are just equivalent yet inhibit achieving notable HOF status. The Twig made a career mistake and now returns as The Zombie. Watching his post game press conference was enlightening. Articulate and quixoticly both proud and humble. With his incessant ball washing praise of Tom Brady, were I Tom I'd be sure to keep my distance from Deion in the shower.

Exceeded my 'decent' expectations on his return. The major contribution to the W was needed.

Ah, but it's a two way street. The Patriots and Branch were $500k apart. Branch LOST money, the idiot. The Patriots, though, lost a Super Bowl by his leaving.

Both the franchise and the idiot could have chipped in $250k and made up the difference.

Tedy Bruschi did it right. He took less, but what people never talk about is the fact that the Patriots never cut him. He played for many years at a very health salary. He never tried to max out only to get cut. Meanwhile, guys like London Fletcher are still playing, and London has been hovering around the veteran minimum for a few years now.

 

[Bella*chick]

Wow, seeing it all in print like that.

That's really unfortunate.

 

[jays52]

I don't think that Branch would have left over 3mm. Hell, at the end of the day the guy is taking home <1.5 of that anyway. We'll never know the exact figures and I think that needs to be taken with a grain of salt. What some people don't seem to understand is that these guys have about 10 years of earning potential and that could end at any point. Don't forget that these contracts aren't guranteed and they play in the most violent sport on earth. Their bodies are trashed after their careers. I don't begrudge Branch at all for trying to make all that he could especially given his size. He's always been a good person, always works hard, always is respectful of his teammates and it's great to have the guy back. This irrational hatred of the guy for trying to maximize his income over a ten year period is frankly disgusting.

 

[Synovia]

To make the trade happen, Branch lowered his 2011 compensation by $3.65 million. That makes his original contract from 2006 now worth six years and $35.35 million.

King isn't so bright.


Branch's offer from the Patriots required him to play 2006 still under his rookie salary. Seattle's allowed him to get paid quite a bit that year.

If I remember correctly, the way the Pats deal was structured, Branch was cuttable if he got hurt the first year (which he did).

Yeah, he probably would have put up better numbers in NE, but the NE deal was significantly more risky.

 

[Patspsycho]

The one big criticism I have of the Patriots organization is that they completely fail when it comes to communicating with their players. Players are human beings, and sometimes an understanding conversation is all that's needed.

There's no need to act tyrannical or so cold-blooded when it comes to contracts.

 

[jays52]

...and let's not forget that 36mm was Seymour money at the time. You really think they valued Branch like they valued Seymour in 2005? C'mon, those numbers are fictional.

 

[borg]

One factor that never gets mentioned by the media, but is front and center in detirmining which team to play in, is state income tax. Many players want to maximize earning potential, playing in income -tax-free states like Washington if offers are the same. Branch's Seattle contract earned him to an extra $2 mill , free and clear, vs Taxachusetts. To clear this $2mill, over $3.5 of pretax income is needed if he stayed in Mass.

Look at Lebron James as an extreme example. Miami vs NYC. 38% total tax liability vs close to 60% for NYC residents at the highest level. Using a $100 mill contract as an example. $62 mill cleared vs $40 mill. So for Lebron to get the extra $22 mill difference in his bank clear of taxes (if he lived in NYC) he would need another $50 mill in income. Add in the real money, endorsements, etc. and we're talking cash money homey.

 

[upstater1]

One factor that never gets mentioned by the media, but is front and center in detirmining which team to play in, is state income tax. Many players want to maximize earning potential, playing in income -tax-free states like Washington if offers are the same. Branch's Seattle contract earned him to an extra $2 mill , free and clear, vs Taxachusetts. To clear this $2mill, over $3.5 of pretax income is needed if he stayed in Mass.

Look at Lebron James as an extreme example. Miami vs NYC. 38% total tax liability vs close to 60% for NYC residents at the highest level. Using a $100 mill contract as an example. $62 mill cleared vs $40 mill. So for Lebron to get the extra $22 mill difference in his bank clear of taxes (if he lived in NYC) he would need another $50 mill in income. Add in the real money, endorsements, etc. and we're talking cash money homey.

How are you coming up with your figures?

Massachusetts is 5.3% tax and New York State is 6.85%.

5.3% tax on $36 million (taking out the 1.5 million paid to Branch's agent) is 1.8 million.

So, if the Patriots and Deion were $500k apart over 6 years, the tax ramification would mean they were an additional $300k apart, less when you realize that the state income tax gets deducted from the federal tax, so that $1.8 million he pays to Massachusetts saves him ($1.8 x 35% top Fed tax rate) $630k of Fed taxes, so the total additional losses per year because of state taxes are $200k.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Almost, at high incomes your itemized deductions go away

 

[Triumph]

Ah, but it's a two way street. The Patriots and Branch were $500k apart. Branch LOST money, the idiot. The Patriots, though, lost a Super Bowl by his leaving.

Not really.

NE had Indy on the ropes and the defense could not hold the lead. Brady had an uncovered WR (Gaffney?) on the right side and did not see him late in the game. All NE needed was one more 1st down in the 4th quarter to run the clock out.

There were numerous chances to beat Indy in the AFCC and NE would have killed Chicago in the SB for number 4.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

King isn't so bright.


Branch's offer from the Patriots required him to play 2006 still under his rookie salary. Seattle's allowed him to get paid quite a bit that year.

If I remember correctly, the way the Pats deal was structured, Branch was cuttable if he got hurt the first year (which he did).

Yeah, he probably would have put up better numbers in NE, but the NE deal was significantly more risky.

Not true. People keep confusing retaining a remaining year with not getting paid for a year. Deion still would have gotten his signing bonus up front and his guaranteed money FULLY guaranteed like they used to back in the day before the uncapped year... One of the reasons Brady was so upset when it was all said and done, and he was upset with both sides, was because of how it all unfolded. The Patriots finally upped the ante down the stretch but it was too late because both sides were dug in. That was what drove Brady nuts... They each had a case and they were both stubborn and wrong because they both cost this team and that was what he really realized and cared about at the time...

And he got hurt the second year after starting the first 5 games. He returned and didn't tear the ACL until the playoffs...Memory is selective and a funny thing...

 

[upstater1]

Not really.

NE had Indy on the ropes and the defense could not hold the lead. Brady had an uncovered WR (Gaffney?) on the right side and did not see him late in the game. All NE needed was one more 1st down in the 4th quarter to run the clock out.

There were numerous chances to beat Indy in the AFCC and NE would have killed Chicago in the SB for number 4.

How many 3 and outs in the second half? You're telling me substituting Branch for Caldwell doesn't help them?

 

[Grizzafted]

I mean, all things considered, if we're going to wist.fully "what if" the fact that the Pats didn't bite the bullet and re-sign a key player half a decade ago, it's clearly Ty Law and not Branch, for me.

You could have lost Branch, and all things equal with Ty Law in the lineup for an additional three years, with the way he played in Belichick's system, I think you probably get another Super Bowl at least. No Indy comeback, no Duane Starks/Ellis Hobbs fiascos. Maybe no Plaxico catch.

haha you can't type "wist.fully" because it includes "st.fu"

 

[Synovia]

Look at Lebron James as an extreme example. Miami vs NYC. 38% total tax liability vs close to 60% for NYC residents at the highest level. Using a $100 mill contract as an example. $62 mill cleared vs $40 mill. So for Lebron to get the extra $22 mill difference in his bank clear of taxes (if he lived in NYC) he would need another $50 mill in income. Add in the real money, endorsements, etc. and we're talking cash money homey.

You've got some serious math issues there.


The max income tax brackets for NY is 6.85%(actually, just went up to 8.97) and NYC is 3.648%. Add the 35% max for federal, and you're looking at 47 or so.

Its nowhere near 60%.

 

[Synovia]

How are you coming up with your figures?

Massachusetts is 5.3% tax and New York State is 6.85%.

5.3% tax on $36 million (taking out the 1.5 million paid to Branch's agent) is 1.8 million..

His numbers are junk, but yours are old too.

NY state tax is 8.97% for high earners since 2009. NYC income tax is an additional 3.4%

 

[Synovia]

Not true. People keep confusing retaining a remaining year with not getting paid for a year. Deion still would have gotten his signing bonus up front and his guaranteed money FULLY guaranteed like they used to back in the day before the uncapped year... .

Of course he would have gotten his bonus paid. IIRC though, the way the NE deal was set up was it was 6 additional years, and the SEA job started this year.

I think a big chunk of the Patriots money was coming via roster bonus in the 2nd year though. I could be remembering it wrong, but I remember Branch getting significantly more money in the first 3 years in seattle.

 

[upstater1]

I mean, all things considered, if we're going to wist.fully "what if" the fact that the Pats didn't bite the bullet and re-sign a key player half a decade ago, it's clearly Ty Law and not Branch, for me.

You could have lost Branch, and all things equal with Ty Law in the lineup for an additional three years, with the way he played in Belichick's system, I think you probably get another Super Bowl at least. No Indy comeback, no Duane Starks/Ellis Hobbs fiascos. Maybe no Plaxico catch.

haha you can't type "wist.fully" because it includes "st.fu"

It's hard to say BUT, Ty Law was not there for the final Super Bowl win. Deion Branch was.