Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

All of a sudden his agents are pretty mouthy. "Contentious negotiations?" Since when? Pats hadn't talked to them since April! I am curious about the statement of a player calling Branch...Brady?

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

Who's surprised that these agents would react this way? They have nothing to loose and everything to gain with this type of media coverage. I agree on the premise that the Patriots wanted to keep their WR, but it's kinda hard to keep someone who's so determined to wreak havoc with your contract/negotiation formula.

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

I am curious about how this writer has made up things that never happened. I am starting to think MOST agents are pond scum..fight for what is right?? Liek not honoring contracts?? Like not showing up for work?? Sorry the Twig will get his as he back pedals his importnace..Give me the money but NOT the spotlight...

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

Please let this be the last Branch thread posted on this message board.

Also, please no more salary cap threads untill they apply to a certain player.

Thank you

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

This Branch business is getting ridiculous. I'm not even going to waste my time reading that entire article. The first two paragraphs were enough.
The media is making more out of this than is necessary. This entire offseason the media has thrown dirt at this team. From the head coach to ownership. I'm probably paranoid, but it feels like there is a contious effort to bring this team down. Congratulations to them, they've won round one. We'll see what happens next. I'll bet money that our FO won't get burned like this again by anyone. I don't think Brady was the only one who learned from this experience. As for the agents, who cares what they have to say.

Branch is not the only player who held out this offseason. Are the Denver Broncos falling apart because Lelie held out? The Patriots did not miscalculate Branch's value. The Seahawks overpaid for it. Whatever, they can have him. I'm tired of talking about him, and I'm tired of hearing about him. Branch is not and never was the most important player on this team. Let the mediots say what they want.

This team has a bright future. We are getting younger, We are in GREAT cap shape, and the core of this team is still intact. I never considered Branch as part of that group, and I never will. Come on guys, BREATHE. This team got over the loss of Milloy. They will get over this one. We had some losses this year, more than usual. I'm sure the guys on the team were wondering so who replaces this guy or that guy. I wonder if we would still have all that cap space if the Pats weren't so busy trying to sign LAW and the Obnipotent One. :rolleyes: Maybe we could have spent our money elsewhere if they weren't saving it for them.

And another thing. Somebody please explain to me when Deion Branch became a perenniel Pro Bowl WR, who produced 1,000 plus yards receiving the last four years? Jeez, a Super Bowl MVP sure does wonders for a players reputation. :rolleyes:

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

I still dont see how the Patriots lost. They got a 1st round pick for a #2 receiver.

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

Willie, don't worry about it. After hearing Jonathan Kraft the other day, I'm beginning to wonder if the media is jumping to conclusions and making things up.:rolleyes:
He said that Branch's camp was not countering any of the offers and that the Patriots offer was not necessarily still on the table at the time of that announcement. We will never know.
They did the right thing, IMO. The guy was unsignable. Anyone who turns down two offers, and is determined to hold out without even trying to counter those offers, is UNSIGNABLE IMO. They traded him while his value was high. If they had waited, I don't think that we would have received a first round pick.

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

Yeah, I'm fine with it. Everyone is saying we blew it by letting him look around but the other option would be for him to still be sitting at home. That MAY have resulted in him returning Week 10, being Franchised and then traded for a #1 but it may not. Having the extra #1 in the bag can hardly be considered losing.

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

Where did that thread go where I stated that players were upset at the way the Pats FO handled this situation? And people called me a liar. Well I guess I'll keep this on file in case I need to defend my good name in the future...




Patriots veterans were clearly upset at Branch's departure, especially given that he had done everything the organization had asked. The fact that the team is attempting to recoup nearly $800,000 in fines and bonus money only adds to the frustration. "When you look at Deion Branch, he embodies everything as a football player and everything that we talked about as the type of guys we want on this team," said Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour, who briefly held out last year in a contract dispute. "I saw a lot of hearts broken when coach Belichick announced that move."

Re: Cutting off Branch: First indication of franchise rot?
 

which has been the case from the start.