Deion Branch Discussion

[signbabybrady]

Why am I seeing so many comments about not bringing Deion back?

I think posters on this board want to see Welker resigned and 4 new WR or even just flat out 5 new WRs and I just dont get it.

For this dicussion I am assuming Wes is back.

I just dont see the logic in completely turning over the position after that.

I think Edelman and Branch should both be considered as part of the plan next year leaving two spots to fill.

I think one needs to be very aggresively filled. Either a First round pick or a top tier FA. My prefrence here is leaning toward Reggie Wayne as I think his time in the Indy offense with Peyton has to be an indication he can pick up a complicated offense.

The second spot is mostly determined by the first as if you go rookie this spot is more important and if you get a near the end vet you kinda need a rookie.

Now once the two above are satisfied and you have a group of 5 you then need to challenge them and to this end I am ok with a number of third options with maybe Edelman getting pushed to a STs role only or maybe Branch becames a camp cut but I doubt that.

Getting back to the point at hand (Deion) I think the goal with Deion should be to move him down the depth chart this way you get the speed everyone wants and actually improve your depth. The way I look it at is put athletic player into the Reps Branch got this year and put Branch into the Reps Chad got and your production from both spots should go up.

 

[letekro]

I'm not sure whether there is place on the roster or in the league for a midget that can neither run nor catch.

 

[MP-Logick]

I'm not sure whether there is place on the roster or in the league for a midget that can neither run nor catch.

...really?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I'm not sure whether there is place on the roster or in the league for a midget that can neither run nor catch.

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..

 

[JackBauer]

I don't really care about Branch one way or another, other than to stipulate that he should not be any higher than #3 on the depth chart (ideally #4).

 

[VrabelJr]

Branch is fine as a #3 next year. He brings leadership to the team. Anyone who doesn't want him is a fool and doesn't know anything.

 

[signbabybrady]

Just to add some perspective to the conversation his 2011 stats are not that far off from some of his best in 02-06. I dont care how you produce so long as you do there is a spot for you.
Season Team Receiving Rushing Fumbles
G GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost

2011 New England Patriots 15 15 51 702 13.8 63 5 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

2010 New England Patriots 11 9 48 706 14.7 79T 5 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

2010 Seattle Seahawks 4 3 13 112 8.6 41 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

2009 Seattle Seahawks 14 5 45 437 9.7 35 2 1 -8 -8.0 -8 0 -- --

2008 Seattle Seahawks 8 8 30 412 13.7 63 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

2007 Seattle Seahawks 11 11 49 661 13.5 65 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

2006 Seattle Seahawks 14 13 53 725 13.7 38T 4 4 30 7.5 19 0 -- --

2005 New England Patriots 16 15 78 998 12.8 51 5 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

2004 New England Patriots 9 9 35 454 13.0 26T 4 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

2003 New England Patriots 15 11 57 803 14.1 66T 3 1 11 11.0 11 0 -- --

2002 New England Patriots 13 7 43 489 11.4 49T 2 2 0 0.0 4 0 1 0

 

[Gronkandez]

I'd rather see a guy with some upside go out there and fail than to see Deion go out there and not create any separation time after time. The guy has no explosiveness and little upside. Against a good defense, man coverage completely shuts him down.

 

[Jackson 2]

I'm not sure whether there is place on the roster or in the league for a midget that can neither run nor catch.

A little harsh, don't you think? He's clearly not the player he was before he went to Seattle, but I think he still has enough to be a contributing WR, even if he isn't a starter.

 

[BradyBranch39]

absolutely have to keep him. If we replace him with someone else, and that guy can't pick up the offense, we're REALLY in trouble.

How do you let go of a guy Brady calls the 2nd best WR he's ever seen (to Jerry Rice)?

 

[signbabybrady]

I'd rather see a guy with some upside go out there and fail than to see Deion go out there and not create any separation time after time. The guy has no explosiveness and little upside. Against a good defense, man coverage completely shuts him down.

See that is kind of my point. There are generally 5 WR or even more when you consider STs. And a statement like yours says to me you would rather see 4 new guys behind Welker instead of 2 or 3 with Branch as insurance and hopefully not needed as insurance and inturn an upgrade to Ocho.

If all I heard from posters was that Branch better not be number 2 on the WR depth chart I wouldn't have started this thread but to completely move him off the roster is pretty drastic IMO. Reality IMO is that he will likely be the most procuctive option you have for the price he will comand at 3 or 4 on the depth chart.

 

[letekro]

A little harsh, don't you think? He's clearly not the player he was before he went to Seattle, but I think he still has enough to be a contributing WR, even if he isn't a starter.

Once you have an older guy penciled in as a backup, it's not much of a stretch to have him fall of the roster entirely.

 

[signbabybrady]

Once you have an older guy penciled in as a backup, it's not much of a stretch to have him fall of the roster entirely.

In my original post I did state I could see a scenario where in camp he doesnt win a spot but I doubt it.

I think we absolutely need to push him down to at least 3rd in the pecking order or even 4th and from there sure someone could beat him out like a Tiquan or a low rd Draft pick but I dont think you should be investing heavy in trying to find 3 WR to completely move him off the roster.

IMO for him not be considered one of the top five entering camp you would have to sign and or draft 3 significant pieces (maybe even 4) that either burn up cash resources or pick resources that IMO should be spent on D. Offense moves should be about retention and that one outside speedy WR threat. Only caveat to this would be RB if you dont feel Vareen and Ridley can get better and BJGE leaves (but this is another convo).

 

[patsinthesnow]

The 3rd WR on this team is the #5th target and rarely sees the field, I don't mind him there.

We really need an upgrade at #2 WR over Branch. (Lloyd, Wayne, Jeffery, Sanu, anyone)

I would prefer a Vet at #2 over a rookie because of the hurry up.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Re: Deion Branch - Discuss

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.

 

[Patspsycho]

I'm not sure whether there is place on the roster or in the league for a midget that can neither run nor catch.

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

 

[Gronkandez]

See that is kind of my point. There are generally 5 WR or even more when you consider STs. And a statement like yours says to me you would rather see 4 new guys behind Welker instead of 2 or 3 with Branch as insurance and hopefully not needed as insurance and inturn an upgrade to Ocho.

If all I heard from posters was that Branch better not be number 2 on the WR depth chart I wouldn't have started this thread but to completely move him off the roster is pretty drastic IMO. Reality IMO is that he will likely be the most procuctive option you have for the price he will comand at 3 or 4 on the depth chart.

My thinking is its very possible to go 13-3 with Deion as a #2 or #3 guy but I would rather give those reps to another couple of guys to let them develop. I kind of feel the same about BJGE. Play Ridley and Vareen for god sakes! I understand it was their first year and there was a lockout etc but by the time next year rolls around BJGE shouldn't be getting more than 7 carries per game IMO.

 

[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 wide receiver spots.

 

[Jackson 2]

Re: Deion Branch - Discuss

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.

Welker A-? Hernandez B+? How about Gronk A+ (not sure how he could be better than he was), Welker A (I know he's a slot but anyone who leads the league in receptions by a healthy margin and scores a bunch of TDs deserves better than an A-) and Hernandez A-. It may be nitpicking, but that's my opinion.

 

[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.