Schefter: Branch to New England for 4th round pick

[LetsGoPats36]

One of my all time favorite Patriots returns!!!!! Today is a glorious day. Anyone who watched all the games Branch-Brady played in together knows what kind of connection they have is special. I fully believe that if Branch would have suffered less injuries he'd be regarded league wide as a more talented Donald Driver and it wouldn't surprise me to see him start catching balls and making plays right away. This is awesome news.

On a side note, I bought an authentic Branch jersey literally 2 weeks before we traded him in 2005. I had since laid white tape over the nameplate and written WELKER in Sharpie. I know Welker probably keeps 83, but tonight I took the tape off. I can once again wear my Branch jersey with unabashed pride

 

[BradyFTW!]

Why the hell would the Seahawks trade him if he's (finally) been effective and healthy? They're right in the thick of the hunt of a terrible division. Carroll wouldn't give up a guy who has a lot left for a 4th at this point would he?

Same reason they cut Housh loose: they have some good, cheap, young talent at WR. Branch is a luxury.

 

[USCPatriot]

yea, it will be interesting what number he receives/picks up. I am sure the organization will let him choose. It will be beyond neurotic if he winds up with number 81.

 

[VOODOOZF]

That's fantasy football. Branch's fantasy value vs. his value to the Pats are two different issues.

Besides, the Pats weren't getting Danny Amendola in a trade anyway.

It is fantasy, but the author's basic point is just as valid in the real world.

 

[Water Boy]

Love Branch, but a 4th rounder seems a little steep. Shows how desperate the Pats were for another veteran WR who knows the system and can make an immediate impact

I think this is more of a case of placating Brady. I think Deion will provide decent depth, but I am not expecting him to be the player he was in 03, 04.

Also I still hate his @$$. Not a player I care to root for.

 

[JoeShmoe]

He's going to be perfect for the dink and dunk we obviously want to move towards

Good hands, good route runner, has the timing with Brady

Watching Moss last night unless he goes deep he cant get penetration, someone like Branch can and will on slants, outs etc

Just hope Tate can provide the home run threat

 

[PatriotsInGA]

I think a 4th is a little high to be giving Seattle, but if Deion can help this offense return to 2003/2004 form, I can learn to love this trade.

 

[resdubwhite]

Saw Branch in the first seahawks game this season. Was ok.

Like everyone else. I think a 4th is a bit steep. So hopefully we're not paying a lot of the salary.

 

[shmessy]

So much of what a WR does is timing with his QB.

I think many people here do not remember that this WR is the one that had a virtual mind-meld with Brady. These two communicated telepathically, and that cannot be discounted. He's Brady's favorite WR of all time and was from the very first day of his rookie camp.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Also I still hate his @$$. Not a player I care to root for.

Hates a strong word, but it'll do in this situation

 

[Dagg]

Yeah he left us high and dry a few years back, what short memories some of you have, that absolutley sunk us that season.

We needed some height not a Twig.

 

[PatsChamp88]

Initially when I saw we got Branch for a 4th rounder I was wasn't too happy but remember Maroney was traded to Denver for a 4th round pick so this move makes sense.

 

[Patjew]

Sign(ed) the Twig!

 

[Off The Grid]

Wow...REALLY??...a 4TH???

Branch's Market Value was a 6th Rounder AND they pay at least half of his contract.

I guess Robert owed Pete some residual Severance Pay...

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

40 pages of comments.

It's simply amazing that a fanbase could so totally miss what's going on with their team.

Branch was really the one they wanted otherwise Brady would never have contacted him. This board needs to come to the reality that management determined the NFL caught up with the 2007 offense. As such, the team is going in a different direction.

A return to a more "2003/4" offense required receivers who can run all the routes and are in synch with Brady. This means that Brady is going back to the "open receiver is my favorite" receiver. This board longed for that for the past years but now dumps it because we are actually going back to it.

For all the talk of Branch's health, it seem only kontradiction has actually watched him this year. His prognosis is good. Considering the weekly "506", it's hard to imagine all these medical determinations are actually based on anything.

A 4th for an NFL receiver is too much? Are you serious or is that based on a medical determination this thread knows zero about? Once this thread comes to realize the direction this team ig going, it will realize a 4th is nothing.

Ever hear of a 4th round bust?

Tate provides a verticle threat and the Tate/Branch/Welker/Hernandez/Edelman/Gronk combo is much more prolific than 2003/4. A more controlled offensive philosophy will also help the defense.

 

[vyrago]

Thank you for a bit of reality.

The armchair GMs on this forum are nothing if not comic relief.

In general a disgruntled lot, except for a few realists. I think this makes sense from a number of angles. Let's see how it plays out before we give BB a failing grade on it. I'm sure TB is happy.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I hope the Pats have done their due diligence on this one where Branch's knees are concerned. Otherwise, the Pats just tossed a 4th away.

 

[Off The Grid]

40 pages of comments.

It's simply amazing that a fanbase could so totally miss what's going on with their team.

Branch was really the one they wanted otherwise Brady would never have contacted him. This board needs to come to the reality that management determined the NFL caught up with the 2007 offense. As such, the team is going in a different direction.

A return to a more "2003/4" offense required receivers who can run all the routes and are in synch with Brady. This means that Brady is going back to the "open receiver is my favorite" receiver. This board longed for that for the past years but now dumps it because we are actually going back to it.

For all the talk of Branch's health, it seem only kontradiction has actually watched him this year. His prognosis is good. Considering the weekly "506", it's hard to imagine all these medical determinations are actually based on anything.

A 4th for an NFL receiver is too much? Are you serious or is that based on a medical determination this thread knows zero about? Once this thread comes to realize the direction this team ig going, it will realize a 4th is nothing.

Ever hear of a 4th round bust?

Tate provides a verticle threat and the Tate/Branch/Welker/Hernandez/Edelman/Gronk combo is much more prolific than 2003/4. A more controlled offensive philosophy will also help the defense.

If you're done with your snot-bubbling tantrum: I can't speak for the other 399 posts, but I've been advocating a return to this kind of Offense louder than anyone, as my Signature would've told you, had you the capacity to read it.

That doesn't mean that Branch is worth anywhere near what we paid, a point which obviously eludes you.

 

[DaBruinz]

People are saying that Branch has been effective this year.. Umm.. I didn't realize that an 8.6 YPC was being effective... Especially when your career avg is 12.6..

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I hope the Pats have done their due diligence on this one where Branch's knees are concerned. Otherwise, the Pats just tossed a 4th away.

Why would the Pats do any due diligence? It's not in their mode. Much like planning isn't in their DNA.

Besides, BB could most likely get more insight from 40 pages of postings from people who most likely haven't seen Branch play in the past four years.