Will the Pats send a 5-day letter?

Gopats!!! said:

I would absolutely put Branch on the "Reserve/Did Not Report" list and hold his pay. I know if he doesn't report by the 10th game he is not eligible for free agency. If we put him on the Reserve/Did Not Report list is he eligible for free agency? I would think not, but I don't know.

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He'll be eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season regardless - he's already accrued four seasons of playing time under the CBA. The only reason that he's not a FA is that he's under contract, but he's vested. Even if he didn't have 4 years (and only had three) he'd still be eligible for restricted free agency, which would give him enough of a bargaining position (the Pats would have to match the best offer he gets).

Pujo said:

He'll be eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season regardless - he's already accrued four seasons of playing time under the CBA. The only reason that he's not a FA is that he's under contract, but he's vested. Even if he didn't have 4 years (and only had three) he'd still be eligible for restricted free agency, which would give him enough of a bargaining position (the Pats would have to match the best offer he gets).

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I believe that Branch would have to complete the last year of his contract. If he doesn't do it this year he is still obligated to play the rookie contract out next year.

Wouldn't the contract be tolled if he goes on the reserve list?

Also, It isn't clear whether the Pats could reclaim part of Branch's signing bonus, and it would likely go before an arbitrator if the Pats try to do so. The language of the new CBA has not been finalized yet, and the Pats would likely argue that Branch's contract was signed before the CBA was extended (thus the old rules would apply). This is a concern of Branch's agent, as outlined in a Globe column by Ron Borges:

"Branch is also concerned that unresolved contract language in the collective bargaining agreement might put him in jeopardy of losing a portion of the signing bonus he received when he signed his rookie deal in 2002 if he holds out. The NFL Players Association is insisting the language clubs have used to reclaim signing bonuses from players who do not complete their contract -- like Ricky Williams in Miami or Terrell Owens when he was suspended last season for disciplinary reasons -- be changed to prevent clubs from taking such action but nothing has been finalized. Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, is fearful the club might try to squeeze Branch financially by not only fining him daily but also trying to recoup at least some portion of his original signing bonus."

I think the one thing we can count on the Pats to do is to not make rash emotional overreactions like fans, talk show idiots, and agents.

they need to make an example out of branch... fine him the max and then make him run laps until it almost kills him when he reports

PATSNUTme said:

OK. Then I say do not send it. I think the $14,000 per day is punishment enough. If he holds out all of TC that's a cool $500K, that just won't happen.

Dion is not Glenn there has not been any trouble with him ever. This is business-that's all.

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So far this post is the most logical of them all. Hit him in the wallet! Why would you send that type of letter to Deion, who has never been a problem period. If you send him that five day letter, you'll get a player who comes backs unhappy, disgruntled and just may come up "limp" on a fly pattern and have to sit out for a while. If you catch my drift.

I say just let the two sides work it out, it will all come together in the end. Whether he's here during camp or holds out all of camp. He'll be here somethime this year. He WONT risk his free agency. now next year, that may be a bigger problem. If the cheap Pats try and franchise him

cdillon28 said:

If the cheap Pats try and franchise him

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