Brady to Patriots: Signing No. 1 wideout critical

[mgcolby]

I think we're all missing the point here...




Unless Branch puts down the pot, he is not going to be a Patriot for much longer. There is no way that BB/ Pioli/ Kraft are going to invest 7 million a year for an injury prone reciever, who is quite frankly replaceable whether Brady say so or not. I think we'll franchise him, and try to get something like a first rounder for him . Sad, but that's life.

In the words of another Pats wideout...Bingo..We've got Bingo!

The blame at this point is squarely on Branch's shoulders. If the pats came in with a 4 mil per year deal then he would have reason to b!tch and maybe holding out would be justified. But acting like 6.3 a year is an insult by not only holding out but excusing yourself from the bargaining table, that is outright idiotic!

 

[VJCPatriot]

19M/3 = 6.33M per year.

No way you can find that offer insulting.
And it's kind of hard to backload a 3 year contract so I think maybe if you structured it so he got a bigger signing bonus up front? I'm really disappointed in Branch. He needs to get control of his agent I think.

Isn't that guy supposed to be negotiating? What's with the flat out refusal to even talk? You want a little more money you work your way up.

You can't expect Reggie Wayne money for a guy without Reggie Wayne production.

 

[spacecrime]

Again, guys, a lot of us - myself included - thought Brady's deal was a huge hometown discount, due primarily to bookkeeping issues that obscured the full value of the deal. It's not like he's wildly overpaid or underpaid. But this idea that we got a huge break on the deal is a HUGE myth that continues to be put out there.

You can;'t judge a deal on the cap # of one year.

Brady's deal was IIRC for $60 for 6 years. Is that right? If so, it is a great discount.

I do recall that Mannings was right around $100 mil for 7 years.

Who is underpaid and who is overpaid?

I understand Miguel said said that Brady has the highest cap # in the NFL whenever people say Brady is underpaid, so maybe I have my numbers wrong. Because according to my math 60/6 is a SMALLER number than 100/7.

 

[Miguel]

Didn't your guy Miguel just report that Brady has the highest cap number in the history of football?

To be accurate, I said that Brady may have the highest cap number in the history of the NFL. If John Clayton's report that Brady's 2006 cap number is $15.67 million, then Brady would indeed have the highest cap number in the history. But like I said in my original post, it is very likely, IMO, that he will hold that distinction for just one year as I think that Manning's 2007 cap number will be $16,533,334.

 

[Miguel]

I understand Miguel said said that Brady has the highest cap # in the NFL whenever people say Brady is underpaid, so maybe I have my numbers wrong. Because according to my math 60/6 is a SMALLER number than 100/7.

I did not say that Brady had the highest APY ever. I said that Brady may have the highest cap number in one year ever. There is a difference.

Let's not forget that Manning was an UFA when he signed his contract. Brady had two year left on his contract so Brady had to give a discount in return for the Patriots taking on his injury risk two years early.

 

[DaBruinz]

No offense to Brady, but Branch is NOT an Elite receiver. Branch is not in the same class as Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerlad, or even Hines Ward.

As others have said, Brady should have kept his mouth shut and just said, "I'd like Deion to be here, but the situation is between him and management."

 

[pats1]

NEM Says.....

Patriots...QUIT SCREWING AROUND, THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE THIS SEASON AND IT ALL BEGINS NOW....QUIT SCREWING AROUND AND SIGN BRANCH...NOW.​

That's All Folks.......................NEM

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=33007&highlight=Kraft

March 21, 2006

Mr. Robert Kraft, CEO
New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Route One
Focboro, MA 02035

Dear Mister Kraft:

You and I have met on several occasions. One time , when you and Mrs. Kraft came to our headquarters, the Vine in Phoenix, you spent severalo hours with us, drank beer with us, signed autographs, had your picture taken many times, and gave a great talk. You were then, and I still believe you to be, a "Fans owner."

I mean an owner who can associate with the fans themselves because, at one time, before you bought the Patriots, that is exactly what you were, one of the guys just sitting on a cold aluminum bench in Foxboro Stadium.

And through all of the preceeding years of glory you have stayed exactly that, an owner ,but moreso a fan.... a true fan of the football team that you love.

So, I ask you this question, if you don't mind, from one fan to another.

Please tell me, and all of the other loyal Pats fans, what is the grand plan for this season that none of us seem to be seeing, as we lose one quality player after another, and have not replaced any of thos gaping holes?

I assume that there IS a grand plan? Am I correct?

After all, a team that has been as successful as the Patriots in recent years, a team that has thrived on the word "team", it seems unlikely that we would be willing to give up this many quality players unless you, coach Belichick, and Scott Pioli had a "grand plan" in the works.

So, I ask you as a fan, one of the many who pays the freight for this team, in purchases of Patriots paraphenelia, and of course, the many who pay the highest prices in the NFL for their tickets...and all the rest that goes into the coffers of the Patriots from those who love this team and wh'se money keeps it afloat...what exactly is the grand plan that you will unveil in the next few days to prove to all of us PAYING fans that the Patriots know what they are doing and that an honest run at another Super Bowl title is in the works?

Please, Mister Kraft, as a loyal fan I would like to know the answer, as I am sure that there are thousands of other Pats fans, maybe millions, that not only want an answer, but I believe they are owed an answer.

So, I ask you, once again, with due respect and as a fan to another fan....Mister Kraft, please tell us what the grand plan for success in 2006 is?

Thank you.

Mike Allen
Founder, Former President
President Emeritus
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
FAN CLUB OF ARIZONA

 

[DaBruinz]

6.3 million a year? That's the Patriots offer? And Branch turned it down?

Um, how much does he want? More than $6 million a year?

That's insane.

According to the Article, Branch wants to be paid similar to what Reggie Wayne got. A 6 year, $40 million contract with a 13.5 million signing bonus.

3 words. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

 

[DaBruinz]

Didn't your guy Miguel just report that Brady has the highest cap number in the history of football?

Brady IS making 15 million this year. Peyton is the one making 10 million.

Another "genius" who doesn't know the difference between actual salary and Salary Cap number.

For the record, "Genius," Manning had to have his contract restructured so that they would have enough free cap space this year (prior to the jump to 102 million). All that did was push more salary cap hits into the future. Don't worry, there will come a point when the Colts have to pay the piper. Heck, Polian's ignorance is already showing with the fact that he can't even sign Keiaho because he screwed up.

Brady, on the other hand, hasn't restructured his contract this year and that 15.6 million will actually go DOWN unless Brady hits incentives.

 

[DaBruinz]

NEM Says.....

Patriots...QUIT SCREWING AROUND, THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE THIS SEASON AND IT ALL BEGINS NOW....QUIT SCREWING AROUND AND SIGN BRANCH...NOW.​

That's All Folks.......................NEM​

http://www.animatedbliss.com/images/CD/Looney%20Tunes/thats-all-folks.jpg​

Yes, the problem is with the Patriots front office. They make a fair market offer to Branch and his agent doesn't even have the courtesy to make a counter offer. He tells the Patriots to F**K OFF and that his client will be holding out. The Patriots say, "Ok. But we expect your client to be in camp or the offer is off the table and there will be no more dicussions." And Chayut's response? "My client will ONLY be in camp if you guarantee not to franchise him next year."

Yet, its all the fault of the Patriots Front Office.

Sorry, NEM, but there are some pretty BIG holes in your argument there. Basically, its not the Patriots who are screwing around. Its Branch's agent. He's the one who turned his nose up at the Patriots offer.

Would you care to explain to everyone how its the Patriots Front office who is screwing around and not Branch's agent?

 

[dhamz]

The Pats are offering Branch 5 million per year (20 for 4) according to the article - not 6.33. That number comes from taking the current deal 1 yr/1m and comparing it to the offer 4yr/20m and getting the difference 3yr/19m.

I don't think 4 years 20 million with 4 million of the 20 as a signing bonus is a great offer for Branch that he should be jumping at. I don't think it is too insulting to counter either.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Belichick responds to Brady's comments & speaks on Jackson's debut...

Q: Tom said in an interview that Deion Branch was the most important player in this team’s offense and how important is it to get him into camp. Is that uncomfortable for you guys, when the quarterback is making a public appeal to get a contract situation resolved?
BB: Look, I understand that there is a relationship between players. Who are the players that you would think would be important to a quarterback? The safeties? Every player is important to me on this team. Every player. Whichever the final 53 are, they will be the ones that we feel collectively and I feel can do the most to help us win this season. They're all important every single one of them, so I'm not saying that some won’t play more than others and all of that, but I think everyone of them is important. Every decision is important and each role that each player has is important. That's the way I’ll try to coach the team. I'm sure not everyone will agree with that. I'm sure you'll be one of the first to write it. I don’t have a problem that either. But that's how I look at it and that's how we'll try to do it. I'm sure not everybody will see it the way I see it. I'm not worried about that.

Q: I’m guessing that from the position of Deion that there is a point at which you guys have to say, ‘Okay, get Deion to camp?’
BB: I'm not saying anything about any player who is not here. I’m just coaching the ones who are here and we’re going to continue to work with them and hope that they will improve. I hope all of our players are here and I hope all of them can practice everyday, but unfortunately that's not the case. We’re not 100 percent in those areas but we will work hard to improve the guys who are here and that's all we can do.

Q: Is it starting to hurt you guys yet because he’s not in camp?
BB: I'm just trying to concentrate on the guys that are here. Those are the guys that I’m coaching. Those are the guys that I’m working with. I don't know about anybody who's not here.

Q: How did Chad Jackson look to you after his first practice?
BB: He looked like he didn't do much. I hope that he will do more in succeeding practices. I think you have to start somewhere and that's where he started. This is really his first practice and he is ‘x’ number of practice behind everybody else. We'll take it day by day and hopefully he'll do more this afternoon than he did this morning and more tomorrow than he did this afternoon and so forth. He has a long road ahead of him. I think he has some talent and some ability, but we have a long way to go and today was the first step and I would say a small first step.

 

[QuiGon]

I hate for there to be any bad blood between Brady and the ownership.

I don't think there's really much worry that might happen. He is just being a good teammate. What's he supposed to do..? Say "We don't need Deion"...?

He's got a role he has to play and management/ownership knows it doesn't really mean anything.

 

[spacecrime]

I did not say that Brady had the highest APY ever. I said that Brady may have the highest cap number in one year ever. There is a difference.

Let's not forget that Manning was an UFA when he signed his contract. Brady had two year left on his contract so Brady had to give a discount in return for the Patriots taking on his injury risk two years early.

That's right. I forgot. Quite a lot to figuring out a fair deal, isn't there?

I do recall (now that you mention it) a lot of ESPN talking heads yapping about how the COlts never should have let Manning get to Free Agency.

 

[spacecrime]

I don't think there's really much worry that might happen. He is just being a good teammate. What's he supposed to do..? Say "We don't need Deion"...?

He's got a role he has to play and management/ownership knows it doesn't really mean anything.

Agree 100%. Brady show consolidarity and it isn't like the Patriots are going to change their ways anyway.

Besides, this was nothing to the way Brady reacted when his friend Milloy was cut. He was ripped at that. I don't recall any owner/coach backlash. Owners understand players sticking together.

Compare Brady's comments to Brett Favre's a couple years ago re: Javon Walker.

 

[Pats726]

Maybe Brady should talk to Branch????

 

[spacecrime]

The Pats are offering Branch 5 million per year (20 for 4) according to the article - not 6.33. That number comes from taking the current deal 1 yr/1m and comparing it to the offer 4yr/20m and getting the difference 3yr/19m.

I don't think 4 years 20 million with 4 million of the 20 as a signing bonus is a great offer for Branch that he should be jumping at. I don't think it is too insulting to counter either.

Depends on whose side you are on how much it is worth. You could see it as a $19 million three year extension.

One of the keys is that the way it is set up, like Seymours, is that all of it is prettty much guaranteed after 2006.

 

[DaBruinz]

The Pats are offering Branch 5 million per year (20 for 4) according to the article - not 6.33. That number comes from taking the current deal 1 yr/1m and comparing it to the offer 4yr/20m and getting the difference 3yr/19m.

I don't think 4 years 20 million with 4 million of the 20 as a signing bonus is a great offer for Branch that he should be jumping at. I don't think it is too insulting to counter either.

DHamz - It all depends on how the extension is put into affect. If the extesion were to start AFTER this season, then you are correct. However, the original Borges article made it sound like the extesion would replace this year, hence making it only a 3 year deal and carrying Branch until he was 30.

In either case, Branch's agent was a fool for not sending in a counter offer. Then they could say they were bargaining in good faith with the Patriots. However, Chayut didn't do that. He basically told the Patriots to F**K off and that his client would be holding out. And the Patriots told him that they expected his client in camp and that if he wasn't in camp, then the offer was off the table and there would be no more discussions. And Chayut's response was to try and tell the Patriots how to run their organization by telling them that Deion would only be in camp if they guaranteed Deion they wouldn't use the Franchise Tag on him.

Now, I can understand if Branch wants a longer term deal, but his agent was the one who should have made a counter offer to the Patriots saying such. That didn't happen. So, now Chayut has run his mouth and put Deion in an even worse bargaining position. See, I fully expect that if Deion holds out for more than 52 days that the Patriots will suspend him and then Branch will owe the Pats a year of service at his current rate. And the Pats, most assuredly, won't offer him a contract extension then. And it would be really hard for Deion to get a deal at 29.

NOTE: I say 52 days because fines are an AFTER TAX item. I figured that Deion would make about 717K after taxes and divided that by the 14K fine that its reported the Patriots will enforce.

 

[spacecrime]

NEM sez: So, I ask you as a fan, one of the many who pays the freight for this team, in purchases of Patriots paraphenelia, and of course, the many who pay the highest prices in the NFL for their tickets...and all the rest that goes into the coffers of the Patriots from those who love this team and wh'se money keeps it afloat...what exactly is the grand plan that you will unveil in the next few days to prove to all of us PAYING fans that the Patriots know what they are doing and that an honest run at another Super Bowl title is in the works?

This is too funny. Buying tickets to watch a sports team does not give you a say in how it is run, and the front office does not have to prove anything to you.

I suggest you boycott the team, and not buy a ticket next time the Pats play in Arizona. Maybe it will drive Kraft into bankruptcy and you can say, "I told you so."

 

[Kdo5]

Belichick responds to Brady's comments & speaks on Jackson's debut...

Q: Tom said in an interview that Deion Branch was the most important player in this team’s offense and how important is it to get him into camp. Is that uncomfortable for you guys, when the quarterback is making a public appeal to get a contract situation resolved?
BB: Look, I understand that there is a relationship between players. Who are the players that you would think would be important to a quarterback? The safeties? Every player is important to me on this team. Every player. Whichever the final 53 are, they will be the ones that we feel collectively and I feel can do the most to help us win this season. They're all important every single one of them, so I'm not saying that some won’t play more than others and all of that, but I think everyone of them is important. Every decision is important and each role that each player has is important. That's the way I’ll try to coach the team. I'm sure not everyone will agree with that. I'm sure you'll be one of the first to write it. I don’t have a problem that either. But that's how I look at it and that's how we'll try to do it. I'm sure not everybody will see it the way I see it. I'm not worried about that.

Q: I’m guessing that from the position of Deion that there is a point at which you guys have to say, ‘Okay, get Deion to camp?’
BB: I'm not saying anything about any player who is not here. I’m just coaching the ones who are here and we’re going to continue to work with them and hope that they will improve. I hope all of our players are here and I hope all of them can practice everyday, but unfortunately that's not the case. We’re not 100 percent in those areas but we will work hard to improve the guys who are here and that's all we can do.

Q: Is it starting to hurt you guys yet because he’s not in camp?
BB: I'm just trying to concentrate on the guys that are here. Those are the guys that I’m coaching. Those are the guys that I’m working with. I don't know about anybody who's not here.

Q: How did Chad Jackson look to you after his first practice?
BB: He looked like he didn't do much. I hope that he will do more in succeeding practices. I think you have to start somewhere and that's where he started. This is really his first practice and he is ‘x’ number of practice behind everybody else. We'll take it day by day and hopefully he'll do more this afternoon than he did this morning and more tomorrow than he did this afternoon and so forth. He has a long road ahead of him. I think he has some talent and some ability, but we have a long way to go and today was the first step and I would say a small first step.

DANG. He seriously sounds like he was frustrated. But I couldnt agree more with his response to Bradys interview.