Jackson and Branch
 

I realize there are already several threads on the Deion Branch situation, but I'd like to look at it from a slightly different angle which hasn't been talked about, to my knowledge. And that is this:

Chad Jackson could be the key to resolving the Deion Branch situation.

Before you jump down my throat, let me hasten to add that yes, I know he's just a rookie and yes, I know that rookie WR's don't usually produce a lot in their first year.

HOWEVER ...

Chad Jackson is extremely talented. We have seen him win the "hands" competition and we have heard how well he did in minicamps. Now imagine he had come to training camp healthy and remained healthy. Imagine he had turned heads during practices and had played against Atlanta with the first team, catching 7 or 8 balls for 90 yards. This is not beyond the realm of possibility: Terry Glenn had 90 catches for over 1100 yards as a rookie for the Patriots in 1996.

How different would things look now? How different would the mood of the team, the media, and the staff be now? We'd have a much more optimistic situation. You'd believe that Caldwell, Jackson, and Troy between them could do a very decent job of holding down the fort until the cavelry arrives. You'd be hearing the players say things like, "Obviously we want to Deion to be here - obviously he's our #1 receiver, but we have a lot of other talented players here, and until Deion gets here we'll be OK with the guys we have."

Imagine now if you will, the effect this would be having on Deion. Right now, Jackson's absense is fortifying his position, and fortifying his belief that the team cannot get along without him and will cave. He may be hoping they will lose 2 or 3 of their first 3 or 4 games and will panic and give him the deal he wants. He may at least be waiting to see if that happens. And without Jackson stepping up, there is certainly a better chance that will happen.

But suppose Jackson comes back next week and starts to look as talented as Maroney. Supposing he contributes an acrobatic catch and/or a long run next week against Arizona. Now Branch has to start worrying. He has to start thinking, "Yikes, this kid is really good, maybe they can get along without me!" If I continue to sit out, I'll not only look like a jerk, I'll not only lose my salary to fines, but I may even lose my starting job!"

That's why I think Jackson, potentially, could be the key to resolving the Branch situation sooner rather than later. Of course this is highly speculative, but we know Chad is highly talented. What we don't know is how hurt he is and how long it will take him to figure out how to play against NFL caliber competition. But if it is sooner rather than later, Branch may come to his senses, or knees, sooner rather than later as well. And even if he doesn't, we'll be a lot better off at wide receiver.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

Chad Jackson may or may not be the solution to the Deion Branch conundrum.

But why take the chance??

We have arguably the best QB in NFL history and I thought we are screwing him around.

It is just like the 49ers trading away Jerry Rice at the prime of Joe Montana's career.

But why??

Why take the chance of getting another Duane Starks???

Why throw away our best opportunity to win another Lombardi?

Brady is 29-years-old.

He is at the peak of his career, and we are giving him free-agent discards Reche Caldwell and Eddie Berlin?

Our best chance to grab another Lombardi is NOW.

There is no "long-term" strategy.

We should give Brady the best WRs NOW to take opportunity of having the best QB if NFL history.

.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

:agree:

Here's hoping Jackson has a speedy recovery.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

First of all you instantly lose credibility when you compare Deion Branch to Jerry Rice. Deion is a slightly above average number 1 receiver; Jerry Rice is the greatest receiver in history. Rice was not replaceable; Branch is, and will be if he maintains his current negotiating stance.

Second, I never said Jackson is the "solution", which would imply that he could immediately step in as Branch's replacement. He is not equivalent. What I did say is that he is the "key", because if he starts to produce and look good our wide receiver situation will suddenly look a lot less desparate to both sides.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

Why give into somebody who is under contract? And a good contract offer was made to?

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

Mikey, you are absolutely the worst chicken little on this forum. We're not trading Branch, we're not taking a chance. HE is holding out despite being under contract and despite having been offered what is, if what his own AGENT said is accurate, a very fair deal.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

Mikey, you say they're screwing around with Brady by not giving Branch what he wants, but let's get specific. All he's asked for at this point is one thing, a promise not to put the franchise tag on him next year. Would you have the Patriots grant him that promise at this time just to get him into camp now? I'm just wondering exactly where you stand.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

So you want to give Branch 8-9 million a year? Aint gonna happen. We wont get Porter, we wont get Lelie. Maybe a veteran but not those two. Jackson is questionable. Pats have other targets on offense that are not Wide Recievers. People seem to give up on Caldwell after ONE DROP, ONE measly drop, ONE. He can still very well be the replacement of David Givens.

Lelie wont come because he wants to be a #1 reciever, aint gonna happen.

Porter wont come because the Raiders wont ship him.

A veteran could come but dont expect him to be amazing.

Branch isnt going to get 8-9 million a year. Its beyond stupid to give him that kind of money.

Not overpaying Deion Branch to the point where he has one of the top 10 Wide reciever salaries is a good idea. But ofcourse the Patriots are screwing with Brady because they dont wish to give Branch a HUGE deak like that, which is extremely beneficial to Branch and really barely beneficial to the Patriots.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

I hope you are right but until Jackson actually gets on the field and practices it's completely pointless to speculate how much he can contribute this year. And frankly, if he can't stay healthy now I'm wondering how in the world he's going to stay healthy when the season starts and the intensity ramps up 100 times over.

Re: Jackson and Branch
 

Bingo! Jackson is on pace to get enough reps to learn our system by March.