Deion Branch Appreciation Thread

[Hoodie]

I loved hearing him tell the story about how Brady refused to take a knee and threw that TD instead. Deion just giggled through it.

I just wish that he didn't disappear so much during the games.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

Just for fun, let's project his numbers over 16 games:

78 rec 1152 yds 9 TDs

Compare to his career best year of 2005: 78 rec 998 yds 5 TDs

And that's despite dropping into the team in the middle of the season. Amazing.

Yes...nice point.
Its a good thing Branch has decided to make another "guest appearance" for the Pats....:rocker:

 

[Seacoast Fan]

I love Branch but I don't know how anyone can call him physically tough.

Please tell me you are joking....

...and other posters can correct me if I am wrong but didn't he play in one of the Super Bowls with a busted nose?

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Adding his Seattle #'s to his NE totals this year statistically puts him on pace for his best regular season EVER. He's at ~750 yds right now and not quite sure he'll get to 1000, but there is a pretty good shot at it. And Playoff's haven't even started yet

For a 4th round pick, or in other terms (the dancing queen - aka Maroney), I'd say that's about as brilliant a move by BB as getting rid of Moss was.

 

[Hoodie]

Please tell me you are joking....

...and other posters can correct me if I am wrong but didn't he play in one of the Super Bowls with a busted nose?

I think that was Troy Brown. Busted his nose on one of the first plays of SB38 but played the rest of the game.

 

[Ring 6]

Branch has been running some mighty fine routes - those curls and comebacks often leave the DB floundering while he picks up plenty YAC.

Made Tillman look foolish on a number of occasions last night.

Despite pushing his way out of town for a bigger contract (which is every pro athletes right) there never seemed to be any residual bitterness between the parties - now we know why.

Branch is a true Patriot in the mold of Brady, Bruschi, or a Vrabel - he keeps his mouth shut, avoids provocation and gets the job done.

Welcome home, Deion.

Was it a bad accident that caused your memory issues?

 

[JFK]

iRefuse to appreciate Branch. Seeing him perform just makes me think about what we could have done in 2006 with him. We would have been in the SB. But Branch didn't care enough.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I love Branch but I don't know how anyone can call him physically tough.

Yet he is. He blocks well and will sacrifice himself for the greater good. He may have been injury prone in the past, but that's durability and the nature of the game. I guarantee you every guy on that field down the stretch is hurting in some way shape or form, yet they are performing in mindboggling conditions as if they are playing in a climate controlled dome. The key is being willing and able to push through it and play focused. That is something divas often struggle with.

You should be listening the the new WEEI star David Givens (filling in for Holley who is on maternity leave - a boy) talking about what goes into making a great receiver in this offense and why Branch is better than Moss for this offense and why this offense is better than the 2007 offense...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

iRefuse to appreciate Branch. Seeing him perform just makes me think about what we could have done in 2006 with him. We would have been in the SB. But Branch didn't care enough.

Life is too short to be a bitter tool.

 

[JFK]

Branch can block DBs but does not like to get hit.
I won't call him physically tough or not.

 

[Its_The_Patriots]

Deion Branch is very much appreciated, as is the rest of the New England Patriots players.

 

[nabwong]

I love Branch so this is just for discussion sake. Do you think we'd get a 1st rounder if we traded him again?

 

[Seacoast Fan]

I think that was Troy Brown. Busted his nose on one of the first plays of SB38 but played the rest of the game.

yes, you are right, thanks.
But lets face it, Deion would have done the same

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Branch can block DBs but does not like to get hit.
I won't call him physically tough or not.

Nobody likes to be hit. Some guys are built to withstand it, but that can lead to miscalculation. Still the smart money is on the guy who knows when to push the envelope and when to live to play another down. Deion doesn't deliberately absorb hits unnecessarily because he wants to remain in the game as a move the chains guy. When he starts running away from contact and it costs yardage or he starts alligator arming throws or not fighting for a reception, call me. He plays tough, he also plays smart.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

His quickness is his best trait - can't really be jammed, starts and stops and twirls, can stop on a dime, can get open almost always.

But also great hands, never fumbles, knows when to take the 12 yards and go down. Very bright, in total sync with Brady when reading a defense. Great complement to Welker and Gronk. Also a very popular and likeable teammate.

I hope he can maintain this level of play for another 2-3 years; if so we are golden.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

iRefuse to appreciate Branch. Seeing him perform just makes me think about what we could have done in 2006 with him. We would have been in the SB. But Branch didn't care enough.

I felt that way for a long time too. Let's face it though. He was thinking about his financial future. I don't like the way he shot his way out of town and did not "man up" for the final year of his contract.

But the bottom line, he is also one of the few that has demonstrated (by action), that it was a mistake to ever leave here. He has almost articulated as much too. These guys are big ego guys, and to me, that kind of admission goes a long way.

Lot's of people leave home for the wrong reasons, but when you return later, only to explain to your parents that you made a mistake, they will almost always forgive and embrace you. I choose to go that route.

I hope Deion retires a Patriot.

 

[unoriginal]

Adding his Seattle #'s to his NE totals this year statistically puts him on pace for his best regular season EVER. He's at ~750 yds right now and not quite sure he'll get to 1000, but there is a pretty good shot at it. And Playoff's haven't even started yet

For a 4th round pick, or in other terms (the dancing queen - aka Maroney), I'd say that's about as brilliant a move by BB as getting rid of Moss was.

Yep. Looking at it holistically:

In:
Deion Branch
Danny Woodhead
3rd round pick

Out:
Randy Moss
Laurence Maroney
6th round pick

Quite a series of transactions.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I can only hope that Deion is talking to Logan Mankins. "Logan, don't make the mistake I made, take the deal, the playoff money will make up the difference, and you will never regret it". I was all for bring Deion back (starting last year) but I had no idea he would have this much left. (and maybe he can make a call to Seymour too)!

 

[TruthSeeker]

It feels like yesterday when everyone was in an uproar because the Patriots traded away a fourth round pick for Branch. A fourth round pick... Nevermind the team already had six in the previous three rounds and will probably get another from the inevitable trade back.

But wait, I heard he wasn't worth a fourth round pick.

There were also many of us who knew Deion that were very comfortable with this trade. That being said, I wasn't expecting it to be quite this good. :singing:

 

[TruthSeeker]

Adding his Seattle #'s to his NE totals this year statistically puts him on pace for his best regular season EVER. He's at ~750 yds right now and not quite sure he'll get to 1000, but there is a pretty good shot at it. And Playoff's haven't even started yet

For a 4th round pick, or in other terms (the dancing queen - aka Maroney), I'd say that's about as brilliant a move by BB as getting rid of Moss was.

So perhaps 2006 Super Bowl chances of the Patriots were lost by Deion leaving and the 2010 Super Bowl chances of the Patriots were revived by Deion returning? No wonder he's a Super Bowl MVP!