Deion Branch signs with Patriots (one year deal)(merged)

[Sciz]

These guys represent almost $9m in CAP cost!!!!!!

Gonzalez
Fells
Spencer Larsen
Allen
Branch
Koppen

Gonzalez is $716k
Fells is $1.333M
Allen counts as $590k
As far as I know, we don't have numbers for Larsen or Branch.
Koppen hasn't even been resigned yet.

Where the hell are you getting $9M from?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Anybody have Vatahas number? Look, bringing back Vets is nice. If I was a Vet I would want that respect. Roster spots are another thing. Branch doesn't play ST, he can be singled covered with ease and Ochcino as much as he is hated here, could have more of an upside. How embarrassing it will be to cut DB? The thought of whetere or not to cut Faulk last year I am sure stuck in BB's throat.
If we do Draft a rookie WR, do you have him sit and Branch take his reps? I am sure TB said "I will restructure if Branch and Koppen are back". The sad facts, both are going to be way to expensive and "roster blockers". They are going to be CAP heavy as well.

I like the fact BB is stocking up on mediocrity, but other than perhaps Lloyd, resigning Connelly, Greggory cause we had to, Fanene cause it was cost effective after blowing the Red Bryant opp, Gallery because we might have to and Scott because there was a chance he could be back to 2009 and we needed the position filled, in my humble opinion, I would have rather had a single talented player to work with rather than Gonzalez on one leg, Fells who one can find that "blocking TE" anytime the day before the first game of the season, Spencer Larsen who has no clue what position he really is, Allen who has applied for an AARP card and he is bringing Branch with him.

You know they are going to bring back Koppen so TB doesn't poke his lip out. Yet another replaceable guy.

These guys represent almost $9m in CAP cost!!!!!!

Gonzalez
Fells
Spencer Larsen
Allen
Branch
Koppen

These guys or Wallace? Or LarDarious Webb?, or perhaps Freeney?

Is their any intelligent poster out there who would say and agree,..... yes give me one of those three on the bottom versus six of those on top.

I can see Crazy Eye convincing BB not to go WR or DB in the Draft with all of those neat acquisitions I just made. More reason for BB to trade down for more picks now stockpiled to 2029!

Anyone bet the resign Faulk as well?


For all of our success including weak Drafts, down trading, passing on talent that has time and again proven to fly in the face of the Pats F.O. bad decisions, the Pats could be more dominant. It's like BB wants to give the other Teams a chance.

I am spoiled as we all are but what the hell is he thinking with those mediocre roster pickups and over the hill Pats who were great at one time but now require bigger salaries than they are worth? He wins but it is an added issue to waste Draft choices that they might actually take and bench them for these guys. Like I said, he wins. But we thought that the big TB restructure was going for players we could use, Not Koppen, Branch et, al. Loved them but time to move on.
DW Toys

When I read posts from you like this it reminds me of that great line from Bull Durham...Don't think, it can only hurt the team... Try being a fan DW. Let the pros handle roster construction and team building. They have a pretty good track record over the last decade...

 

[Ring 6]

Anybody have Vatahas number? Look, bringing back Vets is nice. If I was a Vet I would want that respect. Roster spots are another thing. Branch doesn't play ST, he can be singled covered with ease and Ochcino as much as he is hated here, could have more of an upside. How embarrassing it will be to cut DB? The thought of whetere or not to cut Faulk last year I am sure stuck in BB's throat.
If we do Draft a rookie WR, do you have him sit and Branch take his reps? I am sure TB said "I will restructure if Branch and Koppen are back". The sad facts, both are going to be way to expensive and "roster blockers". They are going to be CAP heavy as well.

I like the fact BB is stocking up on mediocrity, but other than perhaps Lloyd, resigning Connelly, Greggory cause we had to, Fanene cause it was cost effective after blowing the Red Bryant opp, Gallery because we might have to and Scott because there was a chance he could be back to 2009 and we needed the position filled, in my humble opinion, I would have rather had a single talented player to work with rather than Gonzalez on one leg, Fells who one can find that "blocking TE" anytime the day before the first game of the season, Spencer Larsen who has no clue what position he really is, Allen who has applied for an AARP card and he is bringing Branch with him.

You know they are going to bring back Koppen so TB doesn't poke his lip out. Yet another replaceable guy.

These guys represent almost $9m in CAP cost!!!!!!

Gonzalez
Fells
Spencer Larsen
Allen
Branch
Koppen

These guys or Wallace? Or LarDarious Webb?, or perhaps Freeney?

Is their any intelligent poster out there who would say and agree,..... yes give me one of those three on the bottom versus six of those on top.

I can see Crazy Eye convincing BB not to go WR or DB in the Draft with all of those neat acquisitions I just made. More reason for BB to trade down for more picks now stockpiled to 2029!

Anyone bet the resign Faulk as well?


For all of our success including weak Drafts, down trading, passing on talent that has time and again proven to fly in the face of the Pats F.O. bad decisions, the Pats could be more dominant. It's like BB wants to give the other Teams a chance.

I am spoiled as we all are but what the hell is he thinking with those mediocre roster pickups and over the hill Pats who were great at one time but now require bigger salaries than they are worth? He wins but it is an added issue to waste Draft choices that they might actually take and bench them for these guys. Like I said, he wins. But we thought that the big TB restructure was going for players we could use, Not Koppen, Branch et, al. Loved them but time to move on.
DW Toys

How many times are you going to post the total cap numbers of a group of players and ignore that cutting them would only save the difference between that and the guy who takes their places in the Top 51?
I've seen it pointed out to you half a dozen times.

Once more:
If 5 players are paid $1,000,000 and you cut them, you do not have $5,000,000 to spend on one guy. Since eliminating 5 for $5,000,000 means that 5 other players are added to the number to get to 51, you have saved only 2.5-3mill.
In your example above you are including guys signed at the vet minimum, and even a guy not signed.
It would be great if when you wrote a post you read the responses to it.

 

[RayClay]

Branch did fine with 51 catches. we paid for a tremendous all pro that was supposed to make those 51 catches complementary. Hopefully Lloyd will be a good number 1, i've got good vibes about him. Tight with McDaniels and those circus catches and body control are going to make Brady smile more than he has since prime Randy.

Good camp competition anyway. This year? We had to bring back Tiquan Underwood...pitiful.

 

[ATippett56]

This year? We had to bring back Tiquan Underwood...pitiful.

It's never too late for an undrafted rookie wide receiver to bump Tiquan Underwood.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Anybody have Vatahas number? Look, bringing back Vets is nice. If I was a Vet I would want that respect. Roster spots are another thing. Branch doesn't play ST, he can be singled covered with ease and Ochcino as much as he is hated here, could have more of an upside. How embarrassing it will be to cut DB? The thought of whetere or not to cut Faulk last year I am sure stuck in BB's throat.
If we do Draft a rookie WR, do you have him sit and Branch take his reps? I am sure TB said "I will restructure if Branch and Koppen are back". The sad facts, both are going to be way to expensive and "roster blockers". They are going to be CAP heavy as well.

I like the fact BB is stocking up on mediocrity, but other than perhaps Lloyd, resigning Connelly, Greggory cause we had to, Fanene cause it was cost effective after blowing the Red Bryant opp, Gallery because we might have to and Scott because there was a chance he could be back to 2009 and we needed the position filled, in my humble opinion, I would have rather had a single talented player to work with rather than Gonzalez on one leg, Fells who one can find that "blocking TE" anytime the day before the first game of the season, Spencer Larsen who has no clue what position he really is, Allen who has applied for an AARP card and he is bringing Branch with him.

You know they are going to bring back Koppen so TB doesn't poke his lip out. Yet another replaceable guy.

These guys represent almost $9m in CAP cost!!!!!!

Gonzalez
Fells
Spencer Larsen
Allen
Branch
Koppen

These guys or Wallace? Or LarDarious Webb?, or perhaps Freeney?

Is their any intelligent poster out there who would say and agree,..... yes give me one of those three on the bottom versus six of those on top.

I can see Crazy Eye convincing BB not to go WR or DB in the Draft with all of those neat acquisitions I just made. More reason for BB to trade down for more picks now stockpiled to 2029!

Anyone bet the resign Faulk as well?


For all of our success including weak Drafts, down trading, passing on talent that has time and again proven to fly in the face of the Pats F.O. bad decisions, the Pats could be more dominant. It's like BB wants to give the other Teams a chance.

I am spoiled as we all are but what the hell is he thinking with those mediocre roster pickups and over the hill Pats who were great at one time but now require bigger salaries than they are worth? He wins but it is an added issue to waste Draft choices that they might actually take and bench them for these guys. Like I said, he wins. But we thought that the big TB restructure was going for players we could use, Not Koppen, Branch et, al. Loved them but time to move on.
DW Toys

DW, you are a great contributor, but this one really makes no sense. You're just making things up, throwing things against the wall, and seeing what sticks. Very little that you wrote sticks.

 

[Froob]

Why are people acting like he's like a 36 year old patten who hasn't played in like two years? 706 yds and 5 tds and he had a stretch of games he was hurt for if I remember correctly. Who was the old washed up reciever who caught that pass on 4th & 26 in the biggest game of the year? Lemme give y'all a hint it wasn't Wes welker and it wasn't some young gun like tiquan underwood or Matt slater. Glad to have ole' reliable back I fully expect him to make the team.

 

[DW Toys]

How many times are you going to post the total cap numbers of a group of players and ignore that cutting them would only save the difference between that and the guy who takes their places in the Top 51?
I've seen it pointed out to you half a dozen times.

Once more:
If 5 players are paid $1,000,000 and you cut them, you do not have $5,000,000 to spend on one guy. Since eliminating 5 for $5,000,000 means that 5 other players are added to the number to get to 51, you have saved only 2.5-3mill.
In your example above you are including guys signed at the vet minimum, and even a guy not signed.
It would be great if when you wrote a post you read the responses to it.

Fair enough. No question I wasn't using exact numbers. Just trying to make a point. It was not intended to be exact to the letter CAP report.

DW Toys

 

[ATippett56]

Why are people acting like he's like a 36 year old patten who hasn't played in like two years?

Plain and simple, an overreaction to a Super Bowl loss.

 

[DW Toys]

When I read posts from you like this it reminds me of that great line from Bull Durham...Don't think, it can only hurt the team... Try being a fan DW. Let the pros handle roster construction and team building. They have a pretty good track record over the last decade...

Forgive me. Respect your opinion. No question about the success. Just ranting that I feel CAP space is wasted when there are roster spots filled by some players who stand in the way of a Draft choice or young FA who need reps to get better and perhaps help the Team.

I am entitled to a rant once in a while I hope although I am not amused when I see one here myself.

It was an exaggeration from actual numbers, but that was not my point.

I owe everyone on this forum to do better.
DW Toys

 

[DW Toys]

DW, you are a great contributor, but this one really makes no sense. You're just making things up, throwing things against the wall, and seeing what sticks. Very little that you wrote sticks.

Thank you for the retort.
A little heart on the sleeve B.S. from DW. Just a little disappointed in the fact that some signings seem pointless to me and the Pats F.O. has thrown up the white flag about bringing in talent and now seek low percentage roll players, and valuable resources are being wasted. I respect your opinion though.

My point was not the exact CAP count, but that for the price of what the have to pay Branch (who will not be signed for just league minimum for sure) and no longer has to be game planned for, and Gonzalez who is a definite maybe with injury risks et.al , there might be a Webb or a Freeney (as example. Not really my binkero) that would be an impact player. It has been said that was what the Pats lacked some of last year on the defensive side. VW is great but not really what one might call an impact player because of his trench position.

Losing Anderson and Carter and to a lesser extent Wright and bringing in Fanene, Scott, Allen and Greggory hasn't really made our defense any better. I think Scott is a key piece though. But in the end signing up the old guys trumps all that impact stuff. That was my point.

Just Ranting Cousin. Hope you see the integrity of the comments from my end that are not a commentary on the Teams success or that of the Coach. Neither are perfect. Neither am I. They have spoiled me.
DW Toys

 

[Bonzo]

The wide receiver who probably has a better rapport with our HOF QB than any other player on the planet -- not to mention a sound understanding of an offense that Ocho couldn't wrap his noodle around after an entire season -- competing for a spot as a depth option? Hell yes, sign me up.

Talk about an embarrassment of riches . . .

 

[EJ Blitz]

I don't have a problem with Deion. I think he's a great guy, and I like his humble personality. However, if we knew we were going to bring him back, why the hell did we sign a slew of WRs, some of who will be primed to get cut. I know it's for competition, but since Deion was expected to get signed back apparently, why the hell didn't we pour more resources into the defense. sigh.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't have a problem with Deion. I think he's a great guy, and I like his humble personality. However, if we knew we were going to bring him back, why the hell did we sign a slew of WRs, some of who will be primed to get cut.

Because last year's receiver corps was 1.75 players (Welker, Branch) deep

I know it's for competition, but since Deion was expected to get signed back apparently, why the hell didn't we pour more resources into the defense. sigh.

The offseason's not over yet. If BB doesn't focus more on defense than offense in the draft and moving forward, I'll join you in the pitchfork brigade.

 

[Arrington Planet]

I don't have a problem with Deion. I think he's a great guy, and I like his humble personality. However, if we knew we were going to bring him back, why the hell did we sign a slew of WRs, some of who will be primed to get cut. I know it's for competition, but since Deion was expected to get signed back apparently, why the hell didn't we pour more resources into the defense. sigh.

Because, besides of Wes and him, it's hard to say whether the rest of the WR corp did a better job receiving or playing defense...

And it's only been 2 weeks since FA started, and we've already added some nice depth to the defense without wasting the money, of course it's not enough, but the draft is within a month yet.

 

[Joker]

If BB doesn't focus more on defense than offense in the draft and moving forward, I'll join you in the pitchfork brigade.

OK..so there's Deus ...lower left hand corner with the pitchfork...name the other Pats fan members in this shot..the guy right in front with the blue shirt at the bottom has to be PWP...

 

[RayClay]

It's never too late for an undrafted rookie wide receiver to bump Tiquan Underwood.

I'm trying not to say the name (or the number if you're Spanish) I'm avoiding, but suffice it to say i don't think they intended Branch to be their big threat at WR with Welker in the slot. Nothing against Tiquan, he seemed to put forth effort. I'm fine with trying some low risk vets as i think Lloyd could be just what we need. Doesn't seem predictable which receivers will click here, so that likely goes double for draftees.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Thank you for the retort.
A little heart on the sleeve B.S. from DW. Just a little disappointed in the fact that some signings seem pointless to me and the Pats F.O. has thrown up the white flag about bringing in talent and now seek low percentage roll players, and valuable resources are being wasted. I respect your opinion though.

My point was not the exact CAP count, but that for the price of what the have to pay Branch (who will not be signed for just league minimum for sure) and no longer has to be game planned for, and Gonzalez who is a definite maybe with injury risks et.al , there might be a Webb or a Freeney (as example. Not really my binkero) that would be an impact player. It has been said that was what the Pats lacked some of last year on the defensive side. VW is great but not really what one might call an impact player because of his trench position.

Losing Anderson and Carter and to a lesser extent Wright and bringing in Fanene, Scott, Allen and Greggory hasn't really made our defense any better. I think Scott is a key piece though. But in the end signing up the old guys trumps all that impact stuff. That was my point.

Just Ranting Cousin. Hope you see the integrity of the comments from my end that are not a commentary on the Teams success or that of the Coach. Neither are perfect. Neither am I. They have spoiled me.
DW Toys

DW, you absolutely have integrity. Wouldn't question that!

I'd love to see a guy like Webb brought in, but remember that there's a lot of offseason left, and the price tag on some of these guys is quite high. There's a draft to bring guys in, and there's still a chance that some veterans get cut. Adrian Wilson would be someone to get on the horn with the moment his release papers get signed, for instance.

 

[supafly]

OK..so there's Deus ...lower left hand corner with the pitchfork...name the other Pats fan members in this shot..the guy right in front with the blue shirt at the bottom has to be PWP...

Gosh, Joker--sounds like a fun activity, but I think we'd better hold off on this one.

If I had to guess though, I'd envision Wicked Pissah as the guy behind him with the beard. Still a force to be reckoned with, but just a bit different approach.

PWP seems to me like he's more active and in better shape than the guy who you have him playing--even as a self-appointed "old coot." Plus, I am somehow doubting that PWP still enjoys wearing a shirt and tie very often. To me, he seems like his own man these days, leaving the shirt and tie behind for days of the past.

EDIT: Okay, you drew me in...That's definitely Box O' Rocks there in the front with the shirt and tie.

 

[supafly]

DW, you absolutely have integrity. Wouldn't question that!

I'd love to see a guy like Webb brought in, but remember that there's a lot of offseason left, and the price tag on some of these guys is quite high. There's a draft to bring guys in, and there's still a chance that some veterans get cut. Adrian Wilson would be someone to get on the horn with the moment his release papers get signed, for instance.

Good post. Everyone has their finer points and attributes, and DW certainly brings some positives to the table just the same as everyone else here. Although sometimes a radical outside of the box thinker, he still contributes just as much as many others.

He is just an acquired taste, that's all.

As far as a guy like L.Webb, I think of several things:

1. I am assuming that Belichick has to be a lot happier with his CB's than we as fans, seem to think. I think that he'll always be looking for savvy vets and low priced experience, but as a whole I would guess that BB maybe the happiest with his choices than he has been in a few years.

They are all young (besides the recent depth/competition signing in Allen). They are all currently cheap.They are all versatile and can probably play any of the secondary positions; inside, outside, star, dime, free safety, etc. They are all guys who he handpicked, meshing two 1st round talents in Dowling and McCourty with low round and UDFA signings in Arrington and Moore. He has now added Allen to compete, but may have an idea for him as a possible FS competitor.

I would guess that Belichick at least feels as though the core guys are currently there, with maybe a tweak to produce the finished product.

2. Belichick does not usually overpay for the position of CB. He tends to feel that a certain price is what he is willing to pay, and a guy like Webb will be way more than BB likes to cough up.

3. There are many here who already know the system, and a guy like Webb does not. This may be important, it may not be--but with young, cheap, and relatively talented CB's each in their own respect, I am guessing that BB would not be slightly interested in a guy like Webb for the compensation and money.

To me, it sounds like nothing more than a fan's wish or a mediot's idea; not typically a "BB" type of move.