Branch - not getting it done

[goheels22002]

Chemistry......5 catches on 11 targets....doesn't sound like unmatchable chemistry.
Where's the results of this great chemistry....10 yards per game?
This is wasted cap space and cap space is precious.

I like that you have this obsession with Deion Branch and his cap number. It's weird. It sets you apart from the herd.

Most of the knuckleheads on this message board are concerned about the Patriots' defensive backs who, for some inexplicable reason, cannot get within six yards of any eligible receiver no matter how hard they try. It's like they are iron filings at the wrong end of some Roger Goodell controlled magnet.

You, well, you're worried that the Patriots are paying their 5th receiver the veteran minimum while the offense leads the league in scoring and YPG. Don't let go of this. You'll be able to say I told you so in the end.

 

[Patsrock]

Daniel Fells has 2 catches and make more money just saying

 

[RI Patriots fan]

I like that you have this obsession with Deion Branch and his cap number. It's weird. It sets you apart from the herd.

Most of the knuckleheads on this message board are concerned about the Patriots' defensive backs who, for some inexplicable reason, cannot get within six yards of any eligible receiver no matter how hard they try. It's like they are iron filings at the wrong end of some Roger Goodell controlled magnet.

You, well, you're worried that the Patriots are paying their 5th receiver the veteran minimum while the offense leads the league in scoring and YPG. Don't let go of this. You'll be able to say I told you so in the end.

I didn't say that I wasn't concerned about our DBs. But that issue was being discussed thoroughly.

 

[ajg]

Lester Hayes could come out of retirement at age 60 and cover Branch. The Pats need to trade a few of their precious draft picks, probably a #1 & #4 to the KC Chiefs for Dwayne Bowe. That will make all the difference between one and out in the playoffs or making it back to the Super Bowl.

Everyone knows that they're not going to re-sign Welker. So, take that 9.5M salary and put it towards a 4 year/$40M contract for Bowe who could really spread out defenses to make it easier for Brady to target the TE's, Welker & Lloyd.

 

[Patsrock]

NFL cap space worrying is funny. Pats had on opening day around $10 million available. What big name guy will the supposedly break the bank on? This team has not been in cap problems for 10+years now. Not gonna happen over 500,000

 

[RI Patriots fan]

Daniel Fells has 2 catches and make more money just saying

I've seen different sources say different things about Fells compensation but I've read that most of Fells compensation is guaranteed for this year. Assuming that all of it or most of it is guaranteed, there would be no benefit in cutting him.
But unlike Branch, Fells plays special teams and has more yards than Branch while being targeted 7 less times.

 

[Patsrock]

Lester Hayes could come out of retirement at age 60 and cover Branch. The Pats need to trade a few of their precious draft picks, probably a #1 & #4 to the KC Chiefs for Dwayne Bowe. That will make all the difference between one and out in the playoffs or making it back to the Super Bowl.

Everyone knows that they're not going to re-sign Welker. So, take that 9.5M salary and put it towards a 4 year/$40M contract for Bowe who could really spread out defenses to make it easier for Brady to target the TE's, Welker & Lloyd.

Sorry I wouldn't trade a 1 and 4 for Bowe. Not when you need major help in the secondary.

 

[Patsrock]

I've seen different sources say different things about Fells compensation but I've read that most of Fells compensation is guaranteed for this year. Assuming that all of it or most of it is guaranteed, there would be no benefit in cutting him.
But unlike Branch, Fells plays special teams and has more yards than Branch while being targeted 7 less times.

What benefit do you get from cutting Branch. Say you do it today Oh you save 520,312.50 on Branch. Then you go and sign Salas to a NFL deal and his pro-rated deal is 261,561.5. So you saved a total of $258,751. Now you go and sign a new practice squad player. So now that drops savings to $207,451.

 

[VrabelJr]

But again, why pay his salary if you have a guy on the practice squad who's making $465k a year? It's not like Branch is even playing special teams (at least not that I've seen).

I just dont see the reason to pay him $1.35 million for 1 catch a game for 10 yards with Salas on the PS.

You're worrying about the salary cap mid season? Thank god you're not the owner.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

What benefit do you get from cutting Branch. Say you do it today Oh you save 520,312.50 on Branch. Then you go and sign Salas to a NFL deal and his pro-rated deal is 261,561.5. So you saved a total of $258,751. Now you go and sign a new practice squad player. So now that drops savings to $207,451.

Salas is currently being paid $465K on the practice squad to equal what he would make if he was placed on another team's roster.


"Wide receiver Greg Salas, a member of the Patriots' practice squad, recently had his salary raised to $465,001, up from $149,600, a league source confirmed.
Practice squad players, who are paid weekly during the course of the regular season, have a minimum salary of $5,700 per week. Salas was previously being paid at a rate of $8,800 on a weekly basis, and will now receive $27,353per week.
The raise could be due to a number of factors, and it's possible that Salas had an offer from another team to sign with its active roster. Practice squad players are eligible to sign with another club's active roster at any time, and must remain on the active roster for at least three weeks if they choose to do so."

ESPN NFL Source: Patriots triple Salas' salary




Unless I'm mistaken, I can't see why the Patriots would have to pay him any more than what he's making right now if he was added to the roster.
I've also pointed out that given Branch's performance thus far, are we also losing out on better production from Salas? It would seem like it would be hard to do worse.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

You're worrying about the salary cap mid season? Thank god you're not the owner.

I'm pretty sure that the salary cap is scrutinized frequently during the season by any decent owner.

 

[Patsrock]

Salas is currently being paid $465K on the practice squad to equal what he would make if he was placed on another team's roster.


"Wide receiver Greg Salas, a member of the Patriots' practice squad, recently had his salary raised to $465,001, up from $149,600, a league source confirmed.
Practice squad players, who are paid weekly during the course of the regular season, have a minimum salary of $5,700 per week. Salas was previously being paid at a rate of $8,800 on a weekly basis, and will now receive $27,353per week.
The raise could be due to a number of factors, and it's possible that Salas had an offer from another team to sign with its active roster. Practice squad players are eligible to sign with another club's active roster at any time, and must remain on the active roster for at least three weeks if they choose to do so."

ESPN NFL Source: Patriots triple Salas' salary




Unless I'm mistaken, I can't see why the Patriots would have to pay him any more than what he's making right now if he was added to the roster.
I've also pointed out that given Branch's performance thus far, are we also losing out on better production from Salas? It would seem like it would be hard to do worse.

On the cap goes Salas # and then you have to sign a new practice squad member. They won't be paying him anymore but salary cap wise you save squat

 

[PatsFan2]

I'm pretty sure that the salary cap is scrutinized frequently during the season by any decent owner.

I don't know who is dew off PUP might be Myron Pryor, who would give us some pass rushing help inside. If he's good to go i bet Branch will be the First to go. Count me in as surprised he's still on this Team and i agree Salas couldn't be any worse.

 

[VrabelJr]

I don't know who is dew off PUP might be Myron Pryor, who would give us some pass rushing help inside. If he's good to go i bet Branch will be the First to go. Count me in as surprised he's still on this Team and i agree Salas couldn't be any worse.

Do you know who was on the field during our OT drive yesterday? That's right, Deion Branch.

 

[brdmaverick]

But again, why pay his salary if you have a guy on the practice squad who's making $465k a year? It's not like Branch is even playing special teams (at least not that I've seen).

I just dont see the reason to pay him $1.35 million for 1 catch a game for 10 yards with Salas on the PS.

As we've seen chemistry does count for a lot with the Patriots. Have his skills declined? Certainly, so it becomes a balancing act of measuring how much you weigh physical vs. mental strength. After all, Ocho clearly has better physical skills but look how much good it did him last year (not much). I like having Branch out there. He may not be doing much, but we shouldn't be asking much. I like knowing that he won't zig when he's supposed to zag (or vice versa) and lead to an interception. As someone pointed out, he's the fifth receiving option and we should only judge him as such.

 

[brdmaverick]

I like that you have this obsession with Deion Branch and his cap number. It's weird. It sets you apart from the herd.

Most of the knuckleheads on this message board are concerned about the Patriots' defensive backs who, for some inexplicable reason, cannot get within six yards of any eligible receiver no matter how hard they try. It's like they are iron filings at the wrong end of some Roger Goodell controlled magnet.

You, well, you're worried that the Patriots are paying their 5th receiver the veteran minimum while the offense leads the league in scoring and YPG. Don't let go of this. You'll be able to say I told you so in the end.

Thanks, I got a good chuckle from reading this.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Is Branch good? No, not anymore. At this point, he's basically depth in case Lloyd gets hurt, and if Lloyd gets hurt then he'll see some catches. He'll be overmatched in the process, because again, he's not that good anymore, but he's our WR4, which makes him probably the seventh option in this passing attack. To say that this team has far more pressing concerns would be a major understatement.

 

[RayClay]

We're a tight end/slot receiver team that's trying to use four RBs, two of whom are third down receiver types also.

We're also a young team with new players at many offensive positions. why in the world would we want a veteran receiver who can step in cold and make a clutch catch because he has great rapport with our quarterback?

Let's cut him and save about nothing so we can roll the dice with an unknown in those situations.

It's terrible that we lead the league in total offense and still have a veteran receiver in reserve. We must improve on this.

 

[Bhelmet]

Branch is on the team b/c Brady wants him here - only thing that explains it for me.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Well, if one of the other receivers go down I would rather have a guy like Branch get his targets upp'ed rather than Salas because I'm just not sure Salas could come in on the no-huddle situations as easily and keep up with the tempo.

Yeh well, you know, that's just like your uhhhh, opinion man.