Branch...1 year now...you be the judge...

[Va_Pats_Fan]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003865967_branch03.html


I just can't make him out to be the bad guy...he did what he had to do....

 

[mgteich]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

All are entitled to their opinion. For me Branch is scum for refusing to completed his contractual obligations. I need to put aside such feelings regarding Seymour, but he did the same evil deed.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003865967_branch03.html


I just can't make him out to be the bad guy...he did what he had to do....

 

[Pats726]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003865967_branch03.html


I just can't make him out to be the bad guy...he did what he had to do....

HAd to do?? like not honor his contract? PLEEEEZ!!! That is a poor excuse...

 

[Pats726]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

All are entitled to their opinion. For me Branch is scum for refusing to completed his contractual obligations. I need to put aside such feelings regarding Seymour, but he did the same evil deed.

Actually I would have been HAPPY if Branch had done what Seymour did...he might still be here..

 

[patsox23]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003865967_branch03.html


I just can't make him out to be the bad guy...he did what he had to do....

Not only did he not live up to his contract, he turned down a perfectly reasonable offer far more in line with what his talent should have demanded. The Seahawks came in with a bigger offer, it's a free market, no problem - but anyone who thinks Deion Branch deserves (or deserved, at the time, I should say) the NFL's 7th-best salary at WR is a crazy person.

I like him personally, I guess, but I still think it was a disappointing, d!cky move and I hope he never wins a thing.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Perhaps.

I'm happy for the progress of his son and his own progress with his charity.

I also recall a story claiming Deion paid in the $4 million ballpark for his new pad in Seattle. I don't see that his son's welfare was that closely tied to his motivation for his choices. He made his choices, he's a Seahawk, I now have someone else to root for in New England. Best wishes for his son, buh-bye Deion, hellow Wes/Randy/Donte/Kelley/Jabar.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Did I click to a different link than everyone else?

I read the sad story of his very ill child..............

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

I think some people view DB, and I guess how could they not, as a player under contract to play for the Patriots, and as one of Tom Brady's favorite go-to receiver.

I always regretted the fact that he laft and it kinda was the start of an un-necessarily stressful time in Foxboro.

I always liked him and the chemistry he and #12 had. All Brady had to do was look at him and he would adjust his route to where they both knew he would be...a pretty valuable asset if you ask me.

This being said, he HAS started the Deion Branch Charitable Foundation that helps people in need...you can't argue with the cause.

Branch has always been allright in my books. I will always wish him well...

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

IIRC the Patriots offered him $6M a year but not to start until this year after his first contract expired - just like they did with Warren. Screw Branch - the money was there and offered.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

My personal opinion is that BOTH sides misjudged the other, and all of a sudden it was too late for either to back off. Unfortunate situation.

Do you think BB and Pioli dislike Deon? I bet they don't. It was business...

 

[richpats]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

I just can't make him out to be the bad guy...he did what he had to do....

As another poster mentioned, he could have taken the offer from NE and his child's welfare would be just the same. Branch gambled big-time last year and it paid off for him. He sounds more like a POS since he was willing to give up 10 paychecks (~$625,000) last year- that certainly wouldn't have been in the best interest of his family.

Don't forget that "Meion" didn't even bother to negotiate with the Pats after their first offer. Branch is just lucky the Pats let him seek a trade.

Good riddance Deion.

 

[brdmaverick]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Look it sucks when one of our favorite players leaves for another team just because of money, but let's not forget the double standard that is going on in football.

When a player underperforms his contract, the team does not honor the contract and cuts the player. When a player outperforms his contract, why is he villified for 'cutting' the team?

 

[cstjohn17]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

I may be on an island but I wish the two sides had been able to work it out for this simple reason, they would have been a better team with Branch last year and would have continuity and production going forward. They way it played out hurt the offense in 06 and forced a re-deal in 07+.

Branch broke his contract using his tight relationship with #12 as leverage. The Pats didn't cave but he got his wish (new contract) and it really seemed to impact Brady. Brady said all the right things but he really looked down.

What is done is done. We can win the division with a win on Sunday.

 

[sarge]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Branch told the herald (or globe, dont remember) that he would finish his contract whether he got a new one or not.

He lied!

Had he just said nothing and did what he did, I would have less of a problem with it.

But the fact that he went out of his way to lie so he could come off as a good guy in the short term really has me lose respect for him.

 

[Maroney TD]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

I can't get mad at players in the NFL who hold out in order to try to improve their negotiating position. The NFL screws players with non guarenteed contracts so this is the little leverage that players have. Everyone gets mad at the player but in reality most players only have 1 shot to get a big time contract and I don't blame them for going after it. Yes he was under contract but at the same time the Pats could cut him at any time. Yes those are the rules but the rules also allow players to hold out.

 

[biffman]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Look it sucks when one of our favorite players leaves for another team just because of money, but let's not forget the double standard that is going on in football.

When a player underperforms his contract, the team does not honor the contract and cuts the player. When a player outperforms his contract, why is he villified for 'cutting' the team?

1. The players know the deal going in – they get a guaranteed signing bonus with each year of the contract at the team’s option. NOT the player’s option, the team’s option.

2. When was the last time a player got a huge signing bonus, played terrible his first couple of years and offered to pay back some of that money for underperforming?

 

[patsox23]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Did I click to a different link than everyone else?

I read the sad story of his very ill child..............

I'm sure there were some, like me, who didn't read the story or click on the link, and didn't realize there was an ill child involved. I certainly feel awful about that, and will read the story now. That said, my feelings on the ridiculous contract he signed - 7th-highest paid WR in the league? - still stand.

 

[upstater1]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

I think you're right about people not reading the article.

Deion had every right and motivation to go for AS MUCH MONEY as possible, not matter the team that paid him.

Look, he has insurance for his family now. That's well and good. But he's a busted knee away from having no insurance at all for them. No one is going to pick up the tab for this kid's pre-existing condition. That's on Deion. And in a country with our health care uninsured mess, where million dollar retirements are depleted overnight from medical expenses, you can't blame him.

How much do you think a solid 24 hour a day home care environment costs in this day and age. If it's only about changing diapers, we're talking $50k. If it's specialists and doctors providing care, we're talking quadruple that.

So he bought a big house. Those are the perks of signing a big contract, being a talented player, etc. A house is also an investment. He can sell that house too.

I would have done the same exact thing. My child comes first, and everyone else can go to hell.

 

[patsox23]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

Look it sucks when one of our favorite players leaves for another team just because of money, but let's not forget the double standard that is going on in football.

When a player underperforms his contract, the team does not honor the contract and cuts the player. When a player outperforms his contract, why is he villified for 'cutting' the team?

This is suuuuuch a tired refrain - the players COLLECTIVELY BARGAINED to not have guaranteed contracts. It is NOT the same.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Branch...1 year now..you be the judge..

In your scenario, there should be no signing bonuses.

The player gets the signing bonus.
The team gets the right to cut the player at any time.

Look it sucks when one of our favorite players leaves for another team just because of money, but let's not forget the double standard that is going on in football.

When a player underperforms his contract, the team does not honor the contract and cuts the player. When a player outperforms his contract, why is he villified for 'cutting' the team?