Branch or Stallworth

[JR4]

Assume Welker, Lloyd and Gaffney have made the cut.

If both were performing as expected and no injuries,
which one would make your final cut, Branch or Stallworth?

If you want to leave a reason for your decision that would be great.

 

[JPPT1974]

Stallworth has a past and so far, he is learning from it. But Branch is a former Super Bowl MVP. So I would have to cut Branch due to money and Stallworth due to his past.
It could go either way. Not just on the field but off it as well.
Both have talent. But Branch is a little more disciplined than Stallworth.

 

[aztecafut]

I'm not a football expert like a lot of the people on this board but I would have to say Stallworth because be is more of a deep threat in my opinion. I know that Branch has a good connection with Brady but I feel that last year he seemed to disappear a lot during games. Maybe he was playing hurt, that I don't know, but I also think that what Branch can contribute to the offense is already well covered with Welker and the awesome TE duo that we have. Even though some say that Stallworth has lost a step, in my opinion he can still be a threat on the outside and he's familiar with this offense.

I know people here are already saying that we already have a deep threat in B. Loyd because he seems to be doing so well in TC but I think this offense would be more dangerous with Stallworth playing on the opposite side of him than if we kept Branch. Just my opinion. Don't be too harsh on me fellas.

 

[JR4]

I'm not a football expert like a lot of the people on this board but I would have to say Stallworth because be is more of a deep threat in my opinion. I know that Branch has a good connection with Brady but I feel that last year he seemed to disappear a lot during games. Maybe he was playing hurt, that I don't know, but I also think that what Branch can contribute to the offense is already well covered with Welker and the awesome TE duo that we have. Even though some say that Stallworth has lost a step, in my opinion he can still be a threat on the outside and he's familiar with this offense.

I know people here are already saying that we already have a deep threat in B. Loyd because he seems to be doing so well in TC but I think this offense would be more dangerous with Stallworth playing on the opposite side of him than if we kept Branch. Just my opinion. Don't be too harsh on me fellas.

Good points.
I am looking at it considering depth. LLoyd is the outside threat but if
something happens to him who takes over that role. In that case I think
Stallworth would be better than Branch to fill that role.

 

[Advil]

tough call. Branch kind of fell off at the end of last season, if thats due to age, he needs to go, if he was just hurt and is okay now, I think he'll stay due to his rapport with Brady and the organization.

in my opinion, I like Stallworth's skill set more. Having him AND Lloyd stretching the defense would turn Welker, Gronk, Gaffney and Hernandez into monsters.

Stallworth is only a year younger so it should be a good battle.

 

[Spergon Wynn]

I've been wanting Stallworth to make this team since he was re-signed. I like Branch but...I don't know...I think Gaffney can do everything he does now better.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

tough call

 

[TyronePoole]

tough call

I think it might come down to how McDaniels envisions the offense evolving and which type of backup is more important to have.

I'm leaning ever so slightly to Stallworth.

 

[Peachhead]

I loves me some Deion. He was a binky in his draft class and I was thrilled when the Pats picked him. I think he should be a first ballot entry into the Pats Hall. But at this stage in their respective careers I think Stallworth has more left in the tank.

I reluctantly chose Stallworth.

 

[Nordberg]

I'll take the guy that knows the offense better

I trust Branch more

 

[pherein]

I like Branch better sorry.
We drafted Stallworth in 2002, 1st round, and I was a big fan. Apparently someone was mystified by the Name.

But he always did very well in training camp. Stallworth looks great in training camp, and always made the 4th spot or 3rd.
Problem is during a real game he could never get it together. When Payton came in, in 2006, he evaluated him will Brees and quickly traded him to the
Egals.
I trust him as a backup, but I just don't trust his game play anymore. At least with Branch you know what your getting,even if he can't get open sometimes.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Good points.
I am looking at it considering depth. LLoyd is the outside threat but if
something happens to him who takes over that role. In that case I think
Stallworth would be better than Branch to fill that role.

Depth is a major issue. Stallworth is the man.

Tom Curran makes a good argument that it's Gaffney that is battling Deion anyway. They are running the same routes in camp. Stallworth may be depth for Lloyd. They can't just assume Lloyd will stay healthy.

 

[patsfan13]

Stallworth has been backing up Lloyd at the Z rec position in camp Gaffney and Branch have been taking reps at the X rec position, since our base is a 2 TE set with a slot rec then the X rec will be more of a sub package so Stallworth would get the z pos and Gaffney beats out Branch as the X rec.


The real battle for the last WR spot (assuming Slater and Edleman get roster spots is between Gaffney and Branch from what I have read.

 

[BananaRepublican]

I like Branch better sorry.

Tom Curran makes a pretty sound case that it's between Branch and Gaffney anyway. I think he's right because the two guys have been running the same routes in camp.

If that's true then Stallworth may be insurance for Lloyd, not subject to competing with Branch.

Whomever sticks will stick because they deserve it. That's all that really matters. Somebody wrote that Deion seems to have "aged more than his years", can't remember who, but I really haven't heard too many glowing things about Deion since 2010. He did make some good catches last year, but didn't seem to be nearly as consistent.

Maybe it's over. He and Kevin. It's the end of another era perhaps.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I'll take the guy that knows the offense better

I trust Branch more

huh? stallworth played under Josh McDaniels. Branch did not.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'll take Stallbranch. Oops, I mean Branchworth. Hmm I guess I need to think this over more

 

[PatsWSB47]

I think Brady and Branch are more in sync. Branch, though I think is more of an injury risk. Still I think I'd go with Branch but it's a close call, so much so I won't be all "damn, Branch didn't make it" if Stallworth wins the job. Also I'm more sentimental with Branch.

 

[AllstonPatsFan]

Stallworth because he caught the funniest td pass I have ever seen. 2007 down the seam at Dallas. He runs away from the dback shakng his finger at him. Then the dback falls down and Donte' points at him while running into the end zone.

I have never laughed like that during a football game.

 

[pherein]

Tom Curran makes a pretty sound case that it's between Branch and Gaffney anyway. I think he's right because the two guys have been running the same routes in camp.

If that's true then Stallworth may be insurance for Lloyd, not subject to competing with Branch.

Thats good to hear. I think hes a solid backup. Stallworth was so amazing in camp every year for 4 years we waited for him to break out, but once the game started he just got confused or a concentration problem something. I remember Brooks and the HC always yelling at him. He was just one of those WR's that had problems with pressure I think. I think Sp knew he wasn't going to get it together. He would get open deep a lot but could never hold on to the ball or over ran the route sometimes. I wasn't to surprised when he never made a name for himself. Hes not a bad WR though, just I don't know, erratic and inconsistent at times.

 

[WhiZa]

I think Stallworth would have the bigger impact overall, but Branch would probably be more clutch. I said Stallworth because I believe Branch is more replaceable at this point in his career.

As far as salary cap goes cutting Donte would save 500k while cutting Deion would save 1 million. It already leaves Branch at a disadvantage.