Reiss: BB: Branch's absence unexcused

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

...

“Some players, injury wise, are in different stages of rehabilitation than others. All of them are coming along in one way or another. Obviously, that won’t really come to full evaluation until we get to training camp, so the guys that are out there are out there, and the guys that aren’t are making progress to getting there. I’m not going to talk about anybody that’s not here, other than I’ll say that Branch’s absence is unexcused.”

...

This does confirm that we have a holdout on our hands.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Well it worked with Seymour, so why wouldn't Branch give it a shot?

Although I put Seymour in very different category than Branch, I think when it comes to a #1 WR, the laws of supply and demand give Branch a negotiating advantage.

We either pay Branch the market rate (hopefully a little less) or pay a FA #WR the market rate (which would probably be higher - especially if there is interest among multiple teams)

That being said we don't really know who would be available next year... like Branch anyone in the last year of their contract is subject to be re-signed.