Patriots Place Stallworth on IR, Release Shiancoe; Branch Expected To Return

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Place Stallworth on IR, Release Shiancoe; Branch Expected To Return
By: Derek Havens

The New England Patriots announced on Tuesday veteran wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. In addition to Stallworth, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe has been released. Deion Branch expected to return....

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[dannydyn]

Heh... you just beat me to the thread...

Donte' Stallworth on Patriots' IR; Deion Branch to sign



Donte' Stallworth on Patriots' IR; Deion Branch to sign - NFL.com

WELCOME BACK BRANCH!

 

[dannydyn]

Branch has been off and on the roster all season. If he goes down, the team might have to get Troy Brown out of retirement.

 

[Claremonster]

So Stallworth only produced 1 td all year? Went out with a bang I guess.

 

[Wax Frog]

Goodbye, Visanthe! Thanks for the phonics practice

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm a big Deion fan - moving the chains is the key to our offense, big plays can come from non deep threats. Keep our offense on the field and we'll score; and Deion can do that.

 

[dannydyn]

I'm a big Deion fan - moving the chains is the key to our offense, big plays can come from non deep threats. Keep our offense on the field and we'll score; and Deion can do that.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[51Hits]

I'm a big Deion fan - moving the chains is the key to our offense, big plays can come from non deep threats. Keep our offense on the field and we'll score; and Deion can do that.

I dunno, he wasn't doing too well getting separation early in the season.

 

[Chopblock CB]

Branch is Brady's out guy...chemistry they say...Who knows what was up with Stallworth...Might have been one of BB's "Nostalgic" type moves like he did with Testaverti and Flutie...knew Donte was gonna retire and gave him his shot to go out with a band....:rocker:

 

[YearbookCurfew]

Did Shiancoe even play a single snap?

 

[DaBruinz]

People keep saying that Branch is Brady's "OUT" guy. Umm.. No. He's not. 9 receptions in 7 games for 80 yards is NOT being someone's "OUT" guy. It is being the 6th or 7th option and Brady going to you as a last resort.

Branch lost a step last year and he was, repeatedly not getting open to start off the season.

Branch might be Brady's BFF, but he's not producing on the field.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

so by keepin shancioe on this roster, cost us keeping either gaffney stallworth or both... when all of them are just jags.... lets hope the wr position is adressed again in the offseason....

 

[Dagg]

I originally loved the Shiancoe signing not sure why he couldnt break in the lineup over Fells or the guy with the long name. As far as I can tell only saw him on one play which he botched Mallets pass it went off his chest and turned into a INT for Houston.

I like Stallworth way more than Branch since we need a vertical threat not a slower version less acrobatic version of Brandon Lloyd. I really hoped Gaffeny would get a look vs being Branch back in he just couldnt shake anybody before he was dumped earlier this year.

 

[BelizePats]

I just don't see how this can be spun as a positive for us. Branch has lost more than a step over the last couple of years, so much so that he was released from the team. Not for locker room issue or disagreements with the coaching staff but because he was no longer playing at an NFL level. Stallworth still had his legs as we saw by him getting behind coverage for his TD and on a play right before his TD. When you stretch the field, it opens up all the underneath stuff in the same manner that running the ball opens up play action.

This sucks.

 

[PromisedLand]

I just don't see how this can be spun as a positive for us. Branch has lost more than a step over the last couple of years, so much so that he was released from the team. Not for locker room issue or disagreements with the coaching staff but because he was no longer playing at an NFL level. Stallworth still had his legs as we saw by him getting behind coverage for his TD and on a play right before his TD. When you stretch the field, it opens up all the underneath stuff in the same manner that running the ball opens up play action.

This sucks.

I agree - Edelman was no Randy Moss but at least he "could ... go ... all ... the ... way" (thanks Chris Berman) and Donte brought that same element to the table. Now we have one great slot receiver in Welker, one guy on the outside who makes acrobatic catches but does not have blazing speed, and Branch. Nobody to keep the safeties deep. Not good. What's Brandon Tate doing nowadays? (KIDDING, don't bust a vein!)

 

[PatsFan2]

I hope the Matthew Slater at WR experiment is over...did you all see how clueless he looked on that deep pass Brady threw in his direction?

 

[PatsFan2]

Sure wished we had went after that jerk Braylon Edwards...seriously who's out there now, I mean otherthan Branch?

 

[brdmaverick]

I just don't see how this can be spun as a positive for us. Branch has lost more than a step over the last couple of years, so much so that he was released from the team. Not for locker room issue or disagreements with the coaching staff but because he was no longer playing at an NFL level. Stallworth still had his legs as we saw by him getting behind coverage for his TD and on a play right before his TD. When you stretch the field, it opens up all the underneath stuff in the same manner that running the ball opens up play action.

This sucks.

I agree on this. I've been a huge Deion supporter and reiterated the same things people have been saying all along 'chemistry, go-to-guy, moves the chains, etc', but we that did not translate to results earlier in the season. He had a combined 80 yards and no TDs in those games while Stallworth had 63 yards and a TD on his lone reception. Certainly more upside with Stallworth so it's a shame to see him on IR.

Now given that Stallworth is no longer an option, I do like bringing Branch back. My expectations for him have greatly diminished, but I do like bringing in someone of his stature vs. Tiquan Underwood of last year. Maybe we can give Ocho a call, just kidding. But anyways, if there is a positive it's that Branch got his most action and production in the last game he played with us prior to being cut.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Per Curran per Branch Deion is back.

 

[JackBauer]

Well...better hope Welker and Lloyd stay healthy, because Branch is pretty much toast at this point.