PromisedLand
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New Don Banks article (which I noticed while voting in Ian's poll!):
More ... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/08/30/nfl.notes/index.htmlSo what's the endgame of this sticky situation? It would appear that it's up to Branch and his agent to wisely recognize the path back to the negotiating table that New England has been nice enough to provide, with both sides crafting a deal that saves face all around and avoids designating either camp as a winner or loser in this unexpectedly long standoff. The Patriots have at least created the context for such a scenario to unfold in the coming days.
This much should be clear to Branch by now: The Patriots aren't going to be the first ones to crack. They never have in the past, and head coach Bill Belichick and VP of player personnel Scott Pioli aren't likely to start caving now. They will find a way to move on without Branch in 2006 if that's the only recourse they feel has been left to them. They hold most of the cards in this one, and they know it.
For Branch, the grass is greener in New England than it will be anywhere else. The tricky question is whether he'll learn that lesson without having to leave town.
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