There must be an agreement in place
 

I don't think this was done as something that was not talked over with Branch (via his agent). I think the sides sat down and went over it.

I know some here fear that Branch will get a huge offer but the team will not be willing to give the Pats much. I feared that as well but then thought about. They must have agreed on the following.

Minimum draft pick. Be it what it may, but the pats must have told him if they aren't willing to give us what ever that pick happens to be, don't even bother. And I suspect Branch and his agent agreed.

Offlimit teams. I would think generally the AFC would be off limits, especially the afc east and all the contenders in the afc. Maybe they let him go to the Titans or something.

Player trade. This one I don't know how they could word. Maybe that one is a we'll look at the offer.

Timeline. I think both sides agreed that either this happens or Branch gets to camp, Pats waive the fines.

Finally, and here is the one that I am really hoping for. I hope they have agreed that the Pats have the right to match any offer from another team that Branch would agree is fair compensation, and that he will sign with the Pats and can not use the match to make to team raise it's offer.

In the end I hope this is resolved with Branch in a Pats uniform.

I do think it is a smart move buy the team. And I have been particularly p!ssed at Branch mainly because he lied when he told the press he would finish his contract with or without an extension.

That said it really felt like a punch in the gut when I saw the headlines. And I would really hate to see the man in another teams uniform.

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

That's basically what I suggested a few days ago in another thread I started except my suggestion was a promise to trade him while franchised in March if he could get the Patriots an agreed upon value.

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

My suggestion started this thread :

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-...ad.php?t=39567

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

hmmm, the 'Skins are in town this week :cool:

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

Wild speculation.

Maybe the Pats just sprung this on Branch and his agent, and see what happens...

no one really knows, we only know what we HOPE went on..

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

Does anyone really think that there is NOT an agreement in place?

And, part of the agreement has to be that if no acceptable trade is worked out, Branch reports and plays out his contract.

If there is not those provisions in place, I'll be totally shocked.

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

Have you not been shocked before by the Pats?

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

I think the Pats may have said to his agent, "Here is our offer. You will find that no other team in the league will top it. If you can, then facilitate a trade and we move in our seperate ways. If you can't, show up, sign this deal, because it is the best you'll get, and be happy with it."

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

Not in the way this would be shocking.

This would be shocking in a "did you think they would ever make such a horrible business decision" way.

If there is no agreement for him to come in on 9/2 if he is still a Pat it is a huge concession by the Pats that would encourage more players to hold out in the future.

It simply makes no sense for the Pats to give this to Branch for nothing in return.

Re: There must be an agreement in place
 

Exactly. Evidently those who think this was just something thrown out to Branch's agent, have no business experience. It just isn't done that way.