Pats give Branch permission to seek Trade

[PlattsFan]

All I'm implying is that the Agent is talking out of both sides of his face. They're negotiating with the Patriots, but all the while eyeing Free Agency, knowing that's where the REAL big bucks are but claiming that they want to re-up with the Pats. It's shady, IMO, but not everyone will look at it with emotion and I know that. And I also know that the Patriots are all business too. That doesn't mean I have to be though .

Hey, that's fine. I don't think you'll ever catch me defending an agent. There's two sets of people I never feel sorry for in football: agents and owners.

When I hear an agent say, "We'd like to get it done with the Patriots," I always add, "but they have to pony up the cash." Because that's what they really mean. And that's what he means, too. Sure, they'd like to get what they want from the Patriots. It's a great place to play, you get playoff exposure all the time, Deion likes Brady and all ... but they'd only go so far to do it. I don't necessarily agree with their conception of Deion's value, but it's not my money ...

 

[ATippett56]

You keep saying that, but most people would disagree with you. There is always a market for a proven #2 WR in the league. Its a matter of whether or not there is a team who believes what Branch does and that he is a #1 or is willing to pay him some semblance of the money he's looking for.

I believe the Minnesota Vikings have plenty of room under to cap to sign Deion Branch but its whether they would be willing to trade a first or second round draft pick for him.

NFL Network Commercial (last season)

"With Randy Moss out of the picture, it's gonna be smooth sailing for the Minnesota Vikings!"

I guess Koren Robinson did not get the message.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Who is stopping the process of Branch becoming a free agent?? Of him completing his contract?? The Patriots are in no way stopping him. How is it NOT Branch's fault?? If he wants to be in an open market, he needs to complete his contract. As of now he has NOT done that.

As yet he hasn't but he doesn't have to as of right now. According to the CBA, Branch can complete the duties of his contract by showing up for 10 games this year.

Branch is doing what the CBA allows him to do. To say he is doing something wrong is, well, wrong.

you can keep saying "it isn't an open market"..but that is NOT the Patriot's fault...it is Branch's for NOT completing his contract. If he wishes to sit out till Game 10...fine. But at that point, he will be irrelevent. As for talking about a true open market..even in March, it truly doesn't involve all 31 teams due to various reasons because not all teams will be in a position for him.

The issue of open versus not open is one of personal opinion obviously. Suffice it to say that the market for Branch's services is much more restricted right now than it was back in May. Back then the league was flush with sal cap $ and vacant roster spots. This is no longer the case.

My point is such restriction might very well be a contentious issue with Branch's agent if the Pats use it as a means to determine his market value. I know if I were his agent I'd certainly be of that opinion.

 

[patchick]

If I were the Patriots, I might have been tempted to offer this:

For the next week, pretend you're a RFA under high tender. You find a deal you like that gives us the team's #1 pick, and we have the right to match the contract. If you come up with such a deal, we promise to either make the trade or match the contract. If not, you're back on the field at the end of the week--fines waived, but the old contract holds.

If those were the terms, do you think Chayut would accept the challenge? The worst case scenario is that your client is back in camp earning money without paying fines, and without completely "caving."

 

[DaBruinz]

The CBA allows for players to not honour their contracts by imposing fines on them for not doing so. Branch has a right to pay his fines in lieu of showing up for work. It's his choice.

As for Branch having to "put up or shut up" I don't see it that way. Branch has the option of not showing up for work until week 10 (or is it 9?) and accruing his season so that he can become a UFA next year. He could do so knowing that this would force the Pats to franchise tag him (and pay him handsomely in the process) if they wish to get any value out of him. He could also do so with the purpose of making the Pats start Caldwell and Childress as WR's

There is only one problem with your scenario. By week 10, Branch will be having to pay the Patriots because of the fines and game checks he will have sacrificed. I believe that the team can suspend him at that point and not pay him at all. I am not sure he would get an accrued season if he was suspended.

 

[patchick]

According to the CBA, Branch can complete the duties of his contract by showing up for 10 games this year.

Branch is doing what the CBA allows him to do. To say he is doing something wrong is, well, wrong.

Hold on...that's like saying "the law says you can park anywhere you want, some parking spaces just come with a $100 fine." He is doing something wrong, and the fines are punishment.

 

[ATippett56]

If I were the Patriots, I might have been tempted to offer this:

For the next week, pretend you're a RFA under high tender. You find a deal you like that gives us the team's #1 pick, and we have the right to match the contract. If you come up with such a deal, we promise to either make the trade or match the contract. If not, you're back on the field at the end of the week--fines waived, but the old contract holds.

If those were the terms, do you think Chayut would accept the challenge? The worst case scenario is that your client is back in camp earning money without paying fines, and without completely "caving."

It's more of a question whether a NFL franchise is willing to part with a first round draft pick for Deion Branch?

 

[SCPatBoy]

First...This doesn't really suprise me. I have never viewed Branch as a #1 WR.....The Pats just aren't going to pay the money. I truly think regardless of what people say....BB has seen enough in Jackson to give him confidence in letting Branch go and the coming of Ben Watson and the Running game. I think a deal will get done and I think when it is all said and done BB and Pioli will come out of it looking like geniuses........Branch is no #1....Gets injured every year...Doesn't play big against the good defenses........BB and FO know Branch isn't a #1 either...

 

[DaBruinz]

It isn't an open market. An open market would entail having all 31 teams being a serious party to any trade deal. For reasons touched upon several times now, not all 31 teams are in position to be serious suitors to a trade for Branch.

You are making a HUGE assumption that this is all Branch's fault! This may not be the case.

Which team, other than the Titans, doesn't have the money to accommodate Branch? This is a subject that you have ignored numerous times. Care to actually offer up an answer to this?

 

[Oswlek]

First...This doesn't really suprise me. I have never viewed Branch as a #1 WR.....The Pats just aren't going to pay the money. I truly think regardless of what people say....BB has seen enough in Jackson to give him confidence in letting Branch go and the coming of Ben Watson and the Running game. I think a deal will get done and I think when it is all said and done BB and Pioli will come out of it looking like geniuses........Branch is no #1....Gets injured every year...Doesn't play big against the good defenses........BB and FO know Branch isn't a #1 either...

Deion is absolutely a #1 receiver. Is he Randy Moss? Larry Fitzgerald? Steve Smith? I think we all agree that the answer is no, but remember, there are 32 teams in this league. Considering that you would have a hard time naming 20 better receivers than Branch, a statement that he is not a #1 is patently false.

The bigger question is, do the Pats need a Branch quality receiver to win? I personally don't thnk so, but a lot has to fall into place.

* One of the receivers, I don't care which, has to at least command safety help most of the time.

* One of the TEs, again, I don't care which, has to have a very good season, and a second will need to be considered a threat as well.

* The OL will need to block very well. On longer 3rd downs, your WRs are still the primary options more often than not. If the quality of receiver is lower, he may need an extra second or two to wait for seperation or to go to a 3rd or 4th read.

* The running game needs to be very good or better. Not necessarily great, but enough of a threat that the D always (except obvious unlikely rush scenerios) consider it an option. Without surefire good receivers, they have to be able to run even when the D knows it's coming.

With the quality of the TEs, I think #2 is a given. I have confidence in #3 and the running game looked fabulous vs. Atlanta, OK vs. Arizona. #1 is a questionmark.

I still believe that, with or without Branch, NE will prove to be a dominant SB winner this year.

 

[DaBruinz]

As yet he hasn't but he doesn't have to as of right now. According to the CBA, Branch can complete the duties of his contract by showing up for 10 games this year.

Branch is doing what the CBA allows him to do. To say he is doing something wrong is, well, wrong.

While it is what the CBA allows, it is still wrong when you take into consideration that the man said, in a public interview, that he would honor his contract whether or not he had a contract extension. Holding out is NOT honoring your contract. So, he lied.

So, yes, you CAN say he is doing something wrong.

The issue of open versus not open is one of personal opinion obviously. Suffice it to say that the market for Branch's services is much more restricted right now than it was back in May. Back then the league was flush with sal cap $ and vacant roster spots. This is no longer the case.

My point is such restriction might very well be a contentious issue with Branch's agent if the Pats use it as a means to determine his market value. I know if I were his agent I'd certainly be of that opinion.

Again, you make this claim, but I would be willing to bet that a Former SB MVP and starter on 2 SB championships who is a #2 receiver that has performed in the #1 slot has plenty of value on the open market and his market value can easily be determined if one looks at his numbers and compares him to other receivers with similar stats around the league.

 

[ayjackson]

Which team, other than the Titans, doesn't have the money to accommodate Branch? This is a subject that you have ignored numerous times. Care to actually offer up an answer to this?

clearly BMU is correct in his assertion that not nearly as many teams in the nfl would presently be interested in discussions concerning Branch as there may have been several months ago before rosters were forming or set....clearly this means the market is not open to all consumers (teams).....clearly then, if branch received an indication of his value at this time of year, he could claim that his true value as a WR, as determined on the open market (when most teams could show their interest), could be higher than what was otherwise determined and request a premium on top

i though we were all economics majors?

aren't there any business valuators or asset appraisers on here?? even a frickin' CFA might see BMU's point

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Hold on...that's like saying "the law says you can park anywhere you want, some parking spaces just come with a $100 fine." He is doing something wrong, and the fines are punishment.

The fines are in place to discourage only.

My opinion is if it were truly "wrong" to holdout then the player would be banned from ever playing again if he did so. Just like I would be banned from ever parking in that illegal spot if I ever did so.

Which way you interpet this probably depends on whether you are on the players (or customer) side or management (law) side of things.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

clearly BMU is correct in his assertion that not nearly as many teams in the nfl would presently be interested in discussions concerning Branch as there may have been several months ago before rosters were forming or set....clearly this means the market is not open to all consumers (teams).....clearly then, if branch received an indication of his value at this time of year, he could claim that his true value as a WR, as determined on the open market (when most teams could show their interest), could be higher than what was otherwise determined and request a premium on top

i though we were all economics majors?

aren't there any business valuators or asset appraisers on here?? even a frickin' CFA might see BMU's point

This is why I went into medicine

 

[ayjackson]

This is why I went into medicine

and now your a lawyer, then?

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

The CBA allows for players to not honour their contracts by imposing fines on them for not doing so. Branch has a right to pay his fines in lieu of showing up for work. It's his choice.

That's an interesting take. So I have the right to drive 125 mph down the interstate because I'm willing to pay the fines in lieu of driving 65 mph. Silly me, I thought fines were there as a threat of punishment in case I choose not to play by the rules.

Edit: LOL... I'm trying to play catch up on the thread, and now I see Patchick already covered this a couple pages later.

 

[ayjackson]

That's an interesting take. So I have the right to drive 125 mph down the interstate because I'm willing to pay the fines in lieu of driving 65 mph. Silly me, I thought fines were there as a threat of punishment in case I choose not to play by the rules.

sometimes it's punitive

in the case of parking tickets, i think its a tax

in the case of CBA fines, i think it's for discouragement probably, not punishment, in which case BMU may be correct

its a good theory debate for some social sciences course i reckon

 

[Bostonian1962]

My head is reeling. The front office is caving to Branch?
Somebody help me out. Let's assume he's successful in signing with another team....what is the financial impact for us?

Caving to Branch???? No Way they are doing that. The opposite is true. This brass is so smart. They are basically telling Branch and his agent, you have 1 week to find a team that will trade us what we want, and to get the contract that you want! The team will either get a blockbuster trade for Branch, or they (Branch and Co.) will have even less leverage than they already have. It's a brilliant move. Come Sept. 1st, they will be in the hole a ton of dough in fines, it will be underlined that they are overasking, and if they come back, next year they will have little more leverage, as they can be Franchised. Worst case: Patriots get a ton in a trade. That's my take, and my humble opinion.

 

[primetime]

Which team, other than the Titans, doesn't have the money to accommodate Branch? This is a subject that you have ignored numerous times. Care to actually offer up an answer to this?

We overrate Branch. Most teams aren't willing to pony up superstar money for a guy who has never set the world on fire and has had the best QB in football throwing to him, and is notoriously fragile. Plus his agent is clearly a jackass to deal with. Why would you deal anything meaningful for this?

Just because they have the money doesn't mean their willing to pay him for the next 5 years with money he probably doesn't deserve. I don't think he deserves the first offer the Patriots gave him, let alone what he's asking.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

clearly BMU is correct in his assertion that not nearly as many teams in the nfl would presently be interested in discussions concerning Branch as there may have been several months ago before rosters were forming or set....clearly this means the market is not open to all consumers (teams).....clearly then, if branch received an indication of his value at this time of year, he could claim that his true value as a WR, as determined on the open market (when most teams could show their interest), could be higher than what was otherwise determined and request a premium on top

i though we were all economics majors?

aren't there any business valuators or asset appraisers on here?? even a frickin' CFA might see BMU's point

I completely disagree. As others have said, teams are flush with $$$ because of the CBA both this year and next year. They can prorate it. Furthermore, this week of shopping around is BEFORE the 53 cutdown. Teams can have Branch for 2 preseason games before kickoff.

Besides, I completely disagree about the definition of "open market." FA are in "open market," players under contract or franchised are not in a "open market." And IF the holdup on the deal is compensation (which it usually is), than that will continue to be the hold up a trade no matter what time Branch tries to get a trade.