Trade Branch

[zippo59]

I hear you, but I would be more inclined to agree if teams also had to fulfill contracts.

We'll even if a player is released he still must be paid the guaranteed money. A guy knows how much money is guaranteed when he signs the contract, so if he doesn't think it's enough then he doesn't have to sign.

 

[Patjew]

We'll even if a player is released he still must be paid the guaranteed money. A guy knows how much money is guaranteed when he signs the contract, so if he doesn't think it's enough then he doesn't have to sign.

Much easier said than done, especially when you're talking about a rookie contract. And as far as I know, only the signing bonus is guranteed. Though I'm no expert on this subject.

 

[PonyExpress]

I can't believe this thread got 3 stars.

 

[Digger44]

Not at all, there are LOTS of opinions I disagree with, and there are lots of people - myself included - who post things that are anti-Patriot. But this particular thread is so ridiculously baseless it's unfortunate that it has to taint what is otherwise a very savvy and insightful place to post.

Ya know patsox23, I dont know if you like me or hate me. Frankly, I don't care. Let me just say that you hit the nail on the head. This type of stuff is becoming the norm on this board. I admit that my antics can be quite critical, however I have an intense desire for quality topics. Any thread that I start is not off the cuff. They are well thought out and documented. I make an effort for quality new threads (not inter-thread discussion 100% of the time.) Eight months ago, a thread like this would have withered in a few hours. Now it is common practice. Sad, just sad.

 

[Don_the_patfan]

Who does this guy think he is? He's not as good as he thinks and doesn't deserve the money he thinks he's going to get.

And how would you know how much he wants. You dont know anything thus having an opinion with such conviction is fullish. And as far as how good he is all I got to say is Super Bowl MVP good. That to me is a hell of a player.

If he doesn't conform and sign a reasonable contract, trade him. I know they are short at WR, but Belichick can't let this greedy clown rob them.

God help you. You say trade him. I say if you want to make a point back it up..Trade him to whom and for whom?? At least make sense. And to call him names when he's been a perfect team player shows your adolescent tendencies..In other words F*** logic I got to take this out on someone. Sad really cause no one takes you seriously.

I know they'll probably sign him, but if he's not signed and in camp by July, dump him. He's not as good as he thinks. Every cent he earns is because of Brady, he should realize that.

Nope not good at all. I mean after all being our Best WR is not good enough..oh yeah MVP of the Super Bowl thats not good either. Ohh and catching those balls from Brady got nothing to do with his skills. Yup you make perfect sense.

I just hope that if this Branch thing doesnt work out people here would respect him for the player he's been and not trash him out the door which has been a tendency lately. I am all for opinions but you my friend are out there.

 

[D-cleater]

Don's on the money. It's funny listening to people spout off that player is selfish for not showing, when they probably have no idea what it is like to risk your health on the field for a company that could lay you off at any time with nothing.

If a player tears an ACL in the last year of a contract , is the club going to sign him to the same contract they would have had he never had the injury?

Hmmmmmm...

 

[PatsWorldChamps]

If a player tears an ACL in the last year of a contract, is the club going to sign him to the same contract they would have had he never had the injury?

Hmmmmmm...

waaah... that's what insurance is for.
is branch underpaid? yes... for every under-paid player on their rookie contract, there is a ryan leaf also, who gets $10M for nothing... branch will get an extension offer... until then, it is his job (and in his contract) to show up for practices.

ps. super bowl MVP means very little (ill wager BB says it means nothing)... it means you had ONE great game... it doesnt entitle you to a 12M bonus.

 

[CheerforTom]

And how would you know how much he wants. You dont know anything thus having an opinion with such conviction is fullish. And as far as how good he is all I got to say is Super Bowl MVP good. That to me is a hell of a player.

Branch did have a great game in 39 and probably deserved that honor. But the fact remains, he is not in the top tier of #1 wideouts in the league. He shouldn't be expecting the money that one would receive.

And don't call someone foolish if you're gonna spell it wrong...

God help you. You say trade him. I say if you want to make a point back it up..Trade him to whom and for whom?? At least make sense. And to call him names when he's been a perfect team player shows your adolescent tendencies..In other words F*** logic I got to take this out on someone. Sad really cause no one takes you seriously.

A perfect team player wouldn't be doing what he's doing right now. You don't hold out for more money because you loooooove the Patriots... Roberts was bringing up a trade as an option to be discussed (presumably), so not naming possibilities or other teams is to be expected.

Nope not good at all. I mean after all being our Best WR is not good enough..oh yeah MVP of the Super Bowl thats not good either. Ohh and catching those balls from Brady got nothing to do with his skills. Yup you make perfect sense.

Being our best WR and the MVP of 39 certainly ARE on his resume. He's an incredibly UNDERrated receiver in my estimation (since he doesn't get much press from outside sources) and helps a great deal with the team. But you can't deny that we have a spectacular quarterback who does make every receiver on the field look very good. I love Deion Branch, but he is not a Terrel Owens, Shawn Alexander or Richard Seymour in terms of skill.

I just hope that if this Branch thing doesnt work out people here would respect him for the player he's been and not trash him out the door which has been a tendency lately. I am all for opinions but you my friend are out there.

I hope so as well. On the other hand, I have no problems calling a sheep a sheep, and the simple fact here is that Branch has officially joined the proud league of players who are mainly about the money. That really disappoints me.

Should we trade him? Hell no, him and Brady obviously have a good system going and I believe Brady when he says that Branch has a real ability to get open when he wants to be. Should we break the bank for him? Not a chance. Ask Adam Vinatieri about that one.

Thanks for the good replies on this one, it's an interesting discussion. Stop hating on it (or on Roberts) guys, it's quite legitimate. If you can't stand a lower post quality while football isn't on, feel free to go read up on the Sox.

 

[Kdo5]

If he refuses to play the last year of his contract then I'll be pissed.

 

[dryheat44]

Ummm somebody help me out here....

We've had multiple threads in the past week dealing with trading Graham. We had MANY threads last year suggesting we trade Seymour while his value was at an all-time high. We had threads talking about trading Givens.

Why are some of you whining for moderator intervention because someone suggests trading Branch? I would certainly entertain trading him for a young WR with some years left on his rookie contract and a draft pick. I'd rather not, but I don't see how the idea is "ban-worthy".

PM me if you want, and I'll tell you how to put somebody on the ignore list.

 

[Displaced - Fan]

That's a semi-fair point, easily countered by "Branch could be making way less but the Patriots drafted him two rounds earlier than most other teams would have."

Bottom line, he signed a contract, he's obligated to fulfill it, he's even been QUOTED lately as saying that all he can do is fulfill his contract, and weeks later here he is, NOT fulfilling it. Be a man, Deion. Get in camp.

This is a big misconception for NFL contracts. "Hey he's under contract so he needs to suck it up and play". The Teams/Franchises have 0 obligations to keep these contacts with the players and can terminate them at any time they feel fit. Yet fans rarely speak up about guys getting let go when they "are under contract". Players have every right to stand up for them selves and deserve to be treated fairly.

This being said, there are good ways and bad ways to make a statement. Missing mini-camp isn't a big deal and is making a point. If he misses training camp, I view this as hurtful to the team and a poor decision on the player’s part.

 

[marty]

Thank goodness cooler heads prevail in our front office. I'm fairly confidante that the situation will resolve itself in the best interest of the team.

 

[dryheat44]

This is a big misconception for NFL contracts. "Hey he's under contract so he needs to suck it up and play". The Teams/Franchises have 0 obligations to keep these contacts with the players and can terminate them at any time they feel fit. Yet fans rarely speak up about guys getting let go when they "are under contract". Players have every right to stand up for them selves and deserve to be treated fairly.

.

No player is required to sign any contract. It's unfortunate (from their standpoint) that their union agreed to this system, but they sign their contracts with full knowledge of the system. Any player can insist on having his contract guaranteed, probably accepting a lower salary for that privelege. Any player and his agent can attempt to structure a contract that won't screw him if he's cut, hence the large up-front SBs and smaller annual salaries.

I agree that Branch is underpaid based on past production. So what? If he was a #5 WR and STer, he would be overpaid. With a rookie, it's all a gamble. Very few rookies get paid what they're worth.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

This is a big misconception for NFL contracts. "Hey he's under contract so he needs to suck it up and play". The Teams/Franchises have 0 obligations to keep these contacts with the players and can terminate them at any time they feel fit. Yet fans rarely speak up about guys getting let go when they "are under contract". Players have every right to stand up for them selves and deserve to be treated fairly.

Disagree with you. The players know the salaries aren't guaranteed, that's why they try to get the best signing bonus they can. Once they sign, they know it's a series of one year contracts with a team option. Too bad for them.

Regarding the thread, I'm a big fan of signing a player long term or trading him a year before he becomes a FA. I love Deion but if we could trade him for a mid #1 and then trade a lower pick for a Lelie or Stallworth I would do it. Sorry, I guess I have too many fantasy teams but that's how I see maximizing a player's value. I said it with Givens and I'd do it with Branch.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Would everyone agree, that out of the 32 teams #1 WR's, that Dion would be ranked between 16th and 20th? I love the guy but he is not in the top of #1 WR's.

So, that is how he should be paid, whatever that is. But to suggest that we try to trade him because he holding out on mini camp is just dumb.

Even if he holds out the first week or two of TC, it's no big deal. Only to the media, who has to have something to write & yap about.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

But to suggest that we try to trade him because he holding out on mini camp is just dumb.

It actually isn't if you're convinced you can't re-sign him at the end of the year. I'm not saying dump him but if someone offers value that should last 4-5 years vs. a guy who'll be gone in 10 months - don't tell me that's dumb.

 

[lapatsfan]

Just watch the playoff game versus Jacksonville when Deion dropped that deep pass over the middle. For millions of $$$ per year, you've gotta make that catch! He is a very good receiver, just not great.

 

[PATSNUTme]

It actually isn't if you're convinced you can't re-sign him at the end of the year. I'm not saying dump him but if someone offers value that should last 4-5 years vs. a guy who'll be gone in 10 months - don't tell me that's dumb.

So, who is going to give us value for him? We don't need draft picks, we need a decent WR this year. Just because he is holding out during mini camp we trade him as the original post in this thread advocates?

Sorry, but that is stupid. If Branch holds out past the last week of TC, I might change my mind.

Graham could be gone in 10 months but I think the trade for Lelie is dumb too.

It's about winning the SB this year, then we take care of next year after that. Who knows if we can't sign him before he becomes a UFA.

 

[CrazyDave]

Trade Branch because he's not at mini-camp. Yeah right.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I-I-I am the ghost of Richard Seymour!
He-e-e-e-ed my words, Coach Bill!
Your past deeds will come back to haunt you-u-u-u!
What did you expect would happen when you let me-e-e-e get away with this?