Right thing now is to trade Branch, So I think the Pats will....

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Let him sit ... He cant win a grievence, he is under contract, and we dont have to do anything with him.. Granted getting rid of this headache would be natural, but the Pats are going to do what is right, and make him honor his contract... The pats are a yr to yr team, in 2007 they will deal Branch, but not before then...

 

[Jimke]

I don't think they can wait until 2007 to trade him. There is

too much to lose if the arbitrator rules against them. Anything

is possible. Remember O. J.

 

[rookBoston]

Thing is the precedent. If BB trades Branch now, players (and agents) will know they can hold out to get a better contract. BB wont let that happen for less than a 1st rounder.

Right now, I think the best thing is for Branch to fire his agent, offer to report to camp if BB agrees to waive the $500K in penalties and publically put all this behind them. At the end of the season, BB will Franchise him make the trade to the Jets or Seahawks. Trouble is, Branch wont let that happen unless something special happens.

Which means we're at an impasse. Both sides have too much invested to back down now. This is going to be ugly.