“Branch’s side plans to highlight a number of players traded in the past year for second-round picks or lower, such as Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper (second), Broncos receiver Javon Walker (second) and Eagles wideout Donte’ Stallworth (conditional third or fourth, plus backup linebacker Mark Simoneau). Players Association attorney Richard Berthelsen also noted that Branch was selected at the end of the second round with the 65th overall pick in 2002.â€
Culpepper blew out his knee. Miami was not going to give up more than a 2nd for a player that might not even be able to play right away.
Walker also was coming off a knee injury. Same logic for him as for Culpepper.
Stallworth is an interesting case as his numbers (Regular Season) are very comparable to Branch’s
Stallworth:
| Year TM G Rec Yards Y/R TD
| 2002 nor | 13 | 42 594 14.1 8
| 2003 nor | 11 | 25 485 19.4 3
| 2004 nor | 16 | 58 767 13.2 5
| 2005 nor | 16 | 70 945 13.5 7
TOTAL | 56 | 195 2791 14.3 23
9 100+ yard games
Branch:
| Year TM | G Rec Yards Y/R TD |
| 2002 nwe | 13 | 43 489 11.4 2 |
| 2003 nwe | 15 | 57 803 14.1 3 |
| 2004 nwe | 9 | 35 454 13.0 4 |
| 2005 nwe | 16 | 78 998 12.8 5 |
TOTAL | 53 | 213 2744 12.9 14 |
4 100+ yard games
Now it is true that Branch has had some huge playoff games – 4 games with 100+ yards – but he has also only scored 2 TDs in the 8 playoff games he has been in. Also in the 4 Playoff games he did not have 100+ yards he post receiving totals of 10, 23, 15 and 36 yards.
So Kessler could argue that if Stallworth is only worth a 4th and player, than Branch is not worth more than a 2nd. Unfortunately no one is going to give Stallworth $30+ million contract. The minute that Jets offered Branch the money THEY set his value at a #1 pick. The JETS are the team that is saying that Branch is an elite player and THEY want him so bad they will pay – overpay in fact – him a huge contract.
Another interesting side not – IF Branch wins this thing, if I am Stallworth I would want a huge contract, I would point out that I (Stallworth) am just as good as Branch and that it is not my fault that the Saints were so bad I never had a chance to put up huge numbers in the playoffs. If Branch is worth high $30s, Stallworth is worth at least low $30s.
Branch is a nice player but he is not an elite one. Honestly, would you take Branch over:
Larry Fitzgerald
Steve Smith
Anquan Boldin
Torry Holt
Chad Johnson
Hines Ward
Andre Johnson
No way! The scary thing is after the T.O. trade to Baltimore fiasco, I think Branch might actually win his hearing. If so, Pats get a 2nd and the Branch gets to go to NY and go 4-12 for the next ½ dozen season.
Culpepper blew out his knee. Miami was not going to give up more than a 2nd for a player that might not even be able to play right away.
Walker also was coming off a knee injury. Same logic for him as for Culpepper.
Stallworth is an interesting case as his numbers (Regular Season) are very comparable to Branch’s
Stallworth:
| Year TM G Rec Yards Y/R TD
| 2002 nor | 13 | 42 594 14.1 8
| 2003 nor | 11 | 25 485 19.4 3
| 2004 nor | 16 | 58 767 13.2 5
| 2005 nor | 16 | 70 945 13.5 7
TOTAL | 56 | 195 2791 14.3 23
9 100+ yard games
Branch:
| Year TM | G Rec Yards Y/R TD |
| 2002 nwe | 13 | 43 489 11.4 2 |
| 2003 nwe | 15 | 57 803 14.1 3 |
| 2004 nwe | 9 | 35 454 13.0 4 |
| 2005 nwe | 16 | 78 998 12.8 5 |
TOTAL | 53 | 213 2744 12.9 14 |
4 100+ yard games
Now it is true that Branch has had some huge playoff games – 4 games with 100+ yards – but he has also only scored 2 TDs in the 8 playoff games he has been in. Also in the 4 Playoff games he did not have 100+ yards he post receiving totals of 10, 23, 15 and 36 yards.
So Kessler could argue that if Stallworth is only worth a 4th and player, than Branch is not worth more than a 2nd. Unfortunately no one is going to give Stallworth $30+ million contract. The minute that Jets offered Branch the money THEY set his value at a #1 pick. The JETS are the team that is saying that Branch is an elite player and THEY want him so bad they will pay – overpay in fact – him a huge contract.
Another interesting side not – IF Branch wins this thing, if I am Stallworth I would want a huge contract, I would point out that I (Stallworth) am just as good as Branch and that it is not my fault that the Saints were so bad I never had a chance to put up huge numbers in the playoffs. If Branch is worth high $30s, Stallworth is worth at least low $30s.
Branch is a nice player but he is not an elite one. Honestly, would you take Branch over:
Larry Fitzgerald
Steve Smith
Anquan Boldin
Torry Holt
Chad Johnson
Hines Ward
Andre Johnson
No way! The scary thing is after the T.O. trade to Baltimore fiasco, I think Branch might actually win his hearing. If so, Pats get a 2nd and the Branch gets to go to NY and go 4-12 for the next ½ dozen season.
