Long-term lurker, first-time poster,
I just had to respond to this thread because so many in the media just don't understand how the Patriots do business and I feel the need to clarify it to them.
In New England, the inmates do NOT run the asylum. Which is to say that the Patriots front office decides the value of each individual player both on the field and at the bargaining table. The Patriots simply will NOT allow a player or his agent to dictate that players value to them. And they also never allow the perception that a player has managed to do that.
The Patriots will never allow the perception that a player and agent have more leverage in a negotiation. I knew the Deion Branch era was over in New England the minute he held out with a year left to go on his contract AND when his agent starting complaining to the media.
Holding out and going to the media put a nail in the coffin of Branch's career in New England because they were never going to allow the perception that he and his agent had beaten them.
The Patriots will make exceptions....but only for players that they feel are basically irreplacable (i.e. Seymour and Brady) But even when Seymour held out, he did it the right way. He and his agent never said a WORD. He let his actions speak for him and didn't bad-mouth the front office and force them into a corner. He left them the room to maintain the perception that they were really the ones in control all along and it allowed them to come to an agreement.
Branch and his representation didn't leave the front office any wiggle room and forced them to act accordingly.
The Patriots wanted Branch to be on the team and I feel like they would have been willing to pay him close to what he wanted, but he was going to have to play by the rules that the front office has laid down which state that all business is handled in-house. You simply don't talk out of school with the Patriots and expect to get a deal done.
And I think you see evidence that agents have caught onto that. Reports are that Samuel wanted to talk to the media and basically blast the Patriots for the lack of progress on the franchise tag front, but was told my his agent that if he did that, then he could kiss any chance of a future in New England good-bye.
Honestly, how many of us could get raises in the real world by insulting our bosses and calling them cheap?
