There is no way (Patt....err) Branch makes this team

[patsfan55]

For those posters who have been around these parts for a while, thought you'd like this one


In all seriousness, it's quite similar situations that Branch is in now to what Patten was his last couple years here. Clearly diminishing skills. Clear need to get younger at the position, with some other guys locks. But also his repoire with Brady is amazing, and what prob keeps him here on the very cheap

 

[supafly]

As you said, his rapport with Brady + knowledge of the offense are 2 factors that play into his favor.

Another couple are the fact that he will come cheap, and may be used to mentor any younger WR's on the team with his team-first attitude and experience.

A couple more are that he had a great season with 51 catches, and has the ability to start in a pinch, should injuries occur.

That's a total of 6 right there; with the one drawback being that spaces may be limited, depending on the team's thoughts on the draft.

 

[brady199]

If you look at his career stats, there really wasn't a decline in his production. He slowed down at the end of the year, but I'm sure that was due to injury and or Brady just taking what the D gave him. I think people are exaggerating his demise. He'll be 33 and probably shouldn't be counted on for a full 16 games, but then again we don't need 16 games from him with all the weapons we got.

 

[supafly]

I'm leaning towards Branch making the team, while Ocho may not.

 

[Sciz]

I think no more than one of Ochocinco, Branch, and Gonzalez makes the roster. There's not much value in keeping a vet around as a #4 receiver if they don't play special teams. We're talking about what, like 5 snaps a game? Right now, I think Branch is the favorite for that #3 spot.

 

[ATippett56]

Clear need to get younger at the position, with some other guys locks.

The New England Patriots cut wide receivers Brandon Tate and Taylor Price in calendar year 2011. The New England Patriots roster transactions are contrary to your point.

But also his repoire with Brady is amazing, and what prob keeps him here on the very cheap.

At least Deion Branch will open up and study the playbook, unlike another wide receiver "not to be named" currently on (but hopefully soon to be cut) the New England Patriots roster.

 

[BradyBranch39]

If we sign him, there's no way he isn't on the roster all season.

 

[patfanken]

The New England Patriots cut wide receivers Brandon Tate and Taylor Price in calendar year 2011. The New England Patriots roster transactions are contrary to your point.

Remember please that Price was cut more because of a roster squeeze necessitated by having to sign a C to play a game. I'm sure they were hoping that he'd get through waivers. He didn't. That's not to say they were thriledl with his season, but I doubt they wanted to get rid of him totally. It was a roster emergency

At least Deion Branch will open up and study the playbook, unlike another wide receiver "not to be named" currently on (but hopefully soon to be cut) the New England Patriots roster.

Branch cam no longer free himself from any kind of press coverage, and unfortunately, that's the kind of coverage that the Pats are seeing predominately lately. Average CBs can take him out of the game. Whether he knows the offense or not. It still isn't getting him open, and unlike a guy like Lloyd, he can't catch a pass unless he clearly gets separation. Branch is no longer the #2 WR in this offense, and at his age and diminishing skills he's not worth keeping as the #5 or 6 option

 

[supafly]

Branch is no longer the #2 WR in this offense, and at his age and diminishing skills he's not worth keeping as the #5 or 6 option

That's a pretty bold statement, Ken.

As a 5th or 6th WR? Who would you rather have? Tiquan Underwood? Slater?

He can step in immediately and start without missing a beat, should an injury occur. On top of that, his leadership presence and mentoring skills should be a positive for the locker room here.

 

[patsfan-1982]

branch is a mid level WR thats what he's been doing he's whole career 40+ rec 600+ yards 4+ TD's the problem last year was not talent at WR but the fact that they had no dept after Branch there was a big drop off ocho had 15 rec and after ocho there was no one Edelman Underwood and Slater had a total of 8 rec.

now you have Lloyd Ocho Gonzalez and Branch if he comes back now you have a team full of mid level WR's to deal with after the big 3 not just ST players

 

[serifyn]

I dont think Branch is going anywhere, hes played outside of NE before and no team will want a WR who clearly has deteriorating skills, that being said he is not 'done' he will sign for low money for the patriots, and i think he will either make the team or retire a patriot.

Branch's biggest asset is his football intelligence along with his chemistry with Brady, on any other team that wont make a big enough difference for him to make the roster.

Even with the acquisition of Lloyd, Branch can back him up. i think in 3 WR sets, Branch is the best candidate, especially over receivers like Ochocinco.

If the Patriots choose to draft a wide reciever, i think 1 of Branch, Ochocinco, Gonzales and Underwood make it to the 53, if the Patriots dont draft anyone, 2 of them might make it, Regardless, Lloyd and Welker figure to be out there 90% of the time with Gronkowski and Hernandez, anyone else will be for backup or development reasons.

Bringing in Lloyd tells me that the patriots arent happy with what they got now, This upcoming draft has alot of pretty good WRs, but i think their fear is that if they draft a WR, they will still be stuck with one of the guys from last year in 2012 because they wont know the offense, Lloyd solves this issue, he knows the offense and i think that was the biggest reason the Patriots signed him.

 

[Mosi Moose]

I'm leaning towards Branch making the team, while Ocho may not.

Agree 100%. I don't think Ocho makes this team.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

If either Ocho or Gonzales "gets it", Branch would be an excellent candidate for the shadow roster. Time to heal and a short season could be just what the doctor ordered for Branch.

 

[upstater1]

Faulk was on the team this year, so I don't think BB will consider it a burden to have Branch around for insurance.

By the way, when the Patriots were down by 4 late in the Super Bowl, who was Brady throwing to?

Twice Branch was open for big gains, and once Brady missed him. Those are big spots, time running down in the Super Bowl, how does Branch get wide open in those big spots?

 

[mgteich]

Branch was our #2 last year. He has lost a step or two. Lloyd is now our #2.

Ochocinco was our #3 last year. Branch (even with diminished skills) figures to be a better #3 than Ochocinco.

Our #4 WR position doesn't get much work. This position can be used for a developmental player or as a player whose primary role is insurance against injury. A healthy Gonzalez seems perfect for this spot, as does a draft choice. If we bring in a high draft cholice, Gonzo is likely gone unless he can beat out both Ochocinco and Branch.

Finally, there is always the possibility of keeping the 7th wide receiver spot as one of the last roster spots instead of the 3rd QB or the 9th OL or the 5th RB.
=================================================
I have the minimum at 23 on offense (the min at each position), now that we seem to have a solid #3 TE. There is always lost of flexibility in choosing the last roster spots.

BEFORE THE "FINAL 5 CHOICES
(The last 5 roster spots can come from almost anywhere)

OFFENSE (23)
QB 2
RB 4
WR 4
TE 3
OL 8
ST 2

DEFENSE (22)
DL 6
ILB 3
OLB 3
ST 2
DB 8

SPEC (3)
K 1
P 1
LS 1

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Welker, Lloyd, and Slater are locks along with 3 TEs (which may allow one less WR), and it would appear that Branch, Edelman, Gonzalez, and any draft pick(s) are battling for two spots, but maybe three. At this point I think Ocho and Underwood have no shot to beat out any of those guys.

 

[Nunchucks]

Branch will probably be the number 3/4 WR next year. Patriots will start Lloyd and Welker.

Branch may have had 50 catches, but he was on the field a LOT.

Underwood and Ochocinco will compete for the 3-4 spot and a draft pick will be the 4th-5th WR.

 

[Garbanza]

I think no more than one of Ochocinco, Branch, and Gonzalez makes the roster. There's not much value in keeping a vet around as a #4 receiver if they don't play special teams. We're talking about what, like 5 snaps a game? Right now, I think Branch is the favorite for that #3 spot.

Lets see....

Gonzales essentially hasn't played in two years
Ocho is too stupid to understand the Pats offense
Branch is gettong older, but understands the O, was healthy last year and made some contributions.

Gee, wonder who is going to make the team?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If we sign him, there's no way he isn't on the roster all season.

I agree. Bill doesn't **** around with core players who have delivered for him in the past on their back 9. While Deion probably wasn't quite what we needed down the stretch as our #2 WR option, we almost won it all anyway and he was certainly better than any option on the roster then and now, until or pending Lloyd performing as anticipated. They say the holdup is he is hoping for a two year deal but he doesn't really have anything to leverage it with. One side or the other will come to an accommodation eventually as they did with Troy and Faulk and even Light (although the lockout gave him leverage).

 

[PatsSox363804]

Bringing back Deion on short money is an easy decision. Brady trusts him and he'll give you more as a #3 receiver than Ocho. Playing less snaps will keep him productive when he sees the field.