Bostonian1962
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,096
- Reaction score
- 34
I know everybody is sick of these Branch threads, so appologies up front. However, by the 700 people here right now, I'd say there is some interest. I know I'm interested.
I respectfully think several folks on here are reading the developments incorrectly.
IF it's true that the Patriots offered 5 years, $31M, and IF it's true that his new offer is 6 years, $36M, I read it this way.
The Patriots wanted Branch to see what the true market was. Turns out it's not $7M or $8M a year, it's more like the $6M the Patriots were offering. Why wouldn't the Patriots say: "O.K., we'll give you that contract"? There would probably be an issue with setting a precident on tearing up the final year of his current contract, so they'd just have to increase the bonus. That way he'd get that money this year, but they'd have plausible deniablility on "tearing up the final year".
Unless the Patriots get a trade offer they cannot pass up, I see Branch re-signing today or tomorrow with the Patriots. If a team comes in at the last minute with a $7M+ per year offer, forget I said anything. It never happened.
I respectfully think several folks on here are reading the developments incorrectly.
IF it's true that the Patriots offered 5 years, $31M, and IF it's true that his new offer is 6 years, $36M, I read it this way.
The Patriots wanted Branch to see what the true market was. Turns out it's not $7M or $8M a year, it's more like the $6M the Patriots were offering. Why wouldn't the Patriots say: "O.K., we'll give you that contract"? There would probably be an issue with setting a precident on tearing up the final year of his current contract, so they'd just have to increase the bonus. That way he'd get that money this year, but they'd have plausible deniablility on "tearing up the final year".
Unless the Patriots get a trade offer they cannot pass up, I see Branch re-signing today or tomorrow with the Patriots. If a team comes in at the last minute with a $7M+ per year offer, forget I said anything. It never happened.