D. Branch holdout (1 Viewer)

[qazqaz11]

This actually applies to most holdouts but I'm going to use Branch as an example. First off I agree that Branch is going to be badly underpaid for this season, especially in light of what Givens is going to get paid this year. Having said that, what on earth were Branch and his agent thinking when they went public with this whole mess? Did they actually believe that there would be a massive groundswell of public support for an athlete who refused to honor his contract? Kraft pulled a great PR move by offering Branch a new contract. It was admittedly a lousy offer but at least it was an offer that Branch had to turn down. In the eyes of Pat's fans, at least he tried. This is just a lose - lose scenerio for Branch. He is scheduled to earn $1.045 million this year ($545K sal + $500K achieved incentive bonus). In order for Branch to become a FA next year he must be in camp prior to Wk 10 (Nov12 vs NYJ). If he fails to report by then, the final year of his contract is pushed ahead to 2007. I don't see anyway that Kraft gives in, he'll just wait Branch out. Branch will either end up accepting a contract extention below market value or (more likely), will end returning to the Pat's with his tail tucked between his legs. If the latter situation occurs then Branch will earn a maximum of $228,500. This does not account for any fines the Pat's can slap on him between Aug 18 (1st day after training camp ends) and Nov 11 (last day prior to Wk 10). If we assume that the Pat's can't fine Branch a single cent for those 87 days (8/18 -11/11) and that he returns on Nov 11, his salary for 2006 breaks down as follows:

Salary for final 8 gm ($1.045M/2) = $522,500

Training camp fines ($14K x 21 days) =$294,000

Fines from 8/18 to 11/11 = $???????

Max earnings for 2006 =$228,500

Under this scenerio Branch gives up a year of his football career for what is basicly spare change (not to mention bad publicity).

Now I'll play devils' advocate (and Branchs' agent). First of all I approach Pats' GM and plead my case for a raise. I get turned down. Next I tell Branch that under NO circumstances do you discuss your contract situation with anyone. When asked, you have one standard reply " I'm under contract for this year and will be fulfilling all my obligations". Next, attend training camp and take all the 1st team reps. No point in giving them anymore opportunities than necessary to find your replacement. Now during the final exibition game you pull up with what appears to be a strained leg muscle (or some other injury that is not medically disprovable). After missing a couple of games (with pay) I doubt that it will take Kraft long to figure out what is going on, and call me into his office for a chat. At this point we can begin to negotiate a new contract. Once signed, Branch will make a miraculous recovery. Deion gets his new contract and Kraft doesn't look like he gave to extortion. Win-win.

Doesn't this make more sense than a lose-lose holdout?

PS - I'm new at this, so if this is the wrong forum - please feel free to move it.

 

[Borat]

Now I'll play devils' advocate (and Branchs' agent). First of all I approach Pats' GM and plead my case for a raise. I get turned down. Next I tell Branch that under NO circumstances do you discuss your contract situation with anyone. When asked, you have one standard reply " I'm under contract for this year and will be fulfilling all my obligations". Next, attend training camp and take all the 1st team reps. No point in giving them anymore opportunities than necessary to find your replacement. Now during the final exibition game you pull up with what appears to be a strained leg muscle (or some other injury that is not medically disprovable). After missing a couple of games (with pay) I doubt that it will take Kraft long to figure out what is going on, and call me into his office for a chat. At this point we can begin to negotiate a new contract. Once signed, Branch will make a miraculous recovery. Deion gets his new contract and Kraft doesn't look like he gave to extortion. Win-win.Doesn't this make more sense than a lose-lose holdout?

Ask Terry Glenn. He tried something very similar, and found himself watching the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI from his couch at home. Bill Belichick doesn't #### around.The Patriots have a huge amount of cap space. I would be absolutely shocked if Branch doesn't get an extension in the coming weeks.

 

[nerangers]

Maybe it is just the parent in me, but I get tired of seeing players act like children when it comes to negotiations. I know it is a two way street, with the team asking players to restructure contracts and all, so it seems to make it ok for the player to demand the same. To me it is like a child throwing a temper tantrum, and then rewarding him for bad behavior. Holding out does not want me to offer you more money, plain and simple. If you don't like what you are offered, you are free to test the market when your contract is up.

I do think Branch deserves a new contract, but I don't like how he is going about it. I think the Pats always have a price in mind, with a little wiggle room for negotiations. I remember that the fines will be costly if Branch holds out. He will only be hurting his pocket by doing this...it will come back to bite him when negotiations become serious again.



EDIT:

Found the quote I was looking for:

Branch is trying to decide what his next move will be. He had, according to several teammates, decided he would follow Seymour's example and hold out, but that was when the cost was one-third of what it now will be. If he were to hold out for even 10 days he would surrender more than 10 percent of his salary. If it were to last throughout training camp, he would have lost $630,000, more than 60 percent of his present deal. Now that's coercion.

 

[Fullback Fro]

For all Branch has done for the Franchise I think the Pats should pay the man. I think he deserves Reggie Wayne money. He has had compareable stats throughout their careers but Branch has a SB MVP. I think they will get a deal done. Richard Seymore turned down a offer and held out only to get a huge offer from the Pats last year.

Branch is GROSSLY underpaid this year and deserves to be treated better by the team that he helped win a couple Superbowls with. He is still young enough and talented enough to be worth the signing by the Pats. I think they gets somthing done. The Pats really have no othe options currently.

 

[zamboni]

The longer this goes on, the more I like Ben Watson this year.

 

[nerangers]

For all Branch has done for the Franchise I think the Pats should pay the man.  I think he deserves Reggie Wayne money.    He has had compareable stats throughout their careers but Branch has a SB MVP.  I think they will get a deal done.   Richard Seymore turned down a offer and held out only to get a huge offer from the Pats last year.   

Branch is GROSSLY underpaid this year and deserves to be treated better by the team that he helped win a couple Superbowls with.  He is still young enough and talented enough to be worth the signing by the Pats.    I think they gets somthing done.  The Pats really have no othe options currently.

BRANCH| 2003 nwe | 15 | 57 803 14.1 3 tds

| 2004 nwe | 9 | 5 454 13.0 4 tds

| 2005 nwe | 16 | 78 998 12.8 5 tds

WAYNE

| 2003 ind | 16 | 68 838 12.3 7 tds

| 2004 ind | 16 | 77 1210 15.7 12 tds

| 2005 ind | 16 | 83 1055 12.7 5 tds

Wayne and Branch were similar in 03 and 05 with R Wayne getting more TDs. Branch was hurt in 2004. That cost him some in the Wayne Comparision for sure.

If Branch gets in the 5 million range, he should count his lucky stars (last I read that was the range the Pats were offering).

 

[AB in DC]

The problem here is that the Pats offered roughly $1.5 million to $2 million a year for a future contract

Last I heard, the Pats were offering a contract similar to what David Given got.

 

[David Yudkin]

The problem here is that the Pats offered roughly $1.5 million to $2 million a year for a future contract

Last I heard, the Pats were offering a contract similar to what David Given got.

My bad. You're right, I read the article wrong. I saw 3 years for $6 million when it's actually 3 years AT $6 million. Here's what was in the Globe:

The Patriots made an offer to Branch in May they claim would have paid him an average of $6.25 million over three years or $5 million over four (2006-2009), but the deal was heavily backloaded, with more than $9 million of it coming in the final two seasons of the contract, at which time clubs often try to renegotiate. The signing bonus also was split over two years, unlike the $8 million bonus Branch's former teammate, David Givens, received this offseason from the Tennessee Titans, and the $13.5 million bonus paid to the Colts' No. 2 receiver, Reggie Wayne, as part of a six-year, $40 million deal. Branch believes the Wayne deal best reflects his value, but the Patriots, who argue Wayne has usurped Marvin Harrison as Indianapolis's No. 1 receiver, disagree.

If Branch plays out the final year of his contract, he would earn barely 20 percent of what Givens, who was drafted the same year on the seventh round, will earn this season in Tennessee. Branch is due $545,000 in salary and $500,000 for reaching an incentive bonus for yardage last season.

 

[First Down]

I just hope Chad Jackson gets into camp on time and is able to contribute his rookie year. Jackson could surprise lots of people with his upside.

 

[Marc Levin]

Getting Branch signed is (and should be) a hige priority for the team.

They can NOT afford to go into the season w/o Branch after losing Givens.

And anyone thinking this helps (rather than hurts) the other receivers is nuts - downgrade EVERYone on the pats passing game if Branch is holding out.

Brady loves him and they need him getting separation deep for any other receiver to do well.

 

[LHUCKS]

Caldwell is gold.

That's right...I said it.

 

[Marc Levin]

Caldwell is gold.

That's right...I said it.

 

[Buckna]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.Bam Childress 3John Stone 3Zuriel Smith 3Chad Jackson 0Michael McGrew 0Matt Shelton 0Erik Davis 0Rich Musinski 0

 

[David Yudkin]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

 

[LHUCKS]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

Troy Brown/Caldwell/Jackson are a possible trio of fill-ins. I don't see this as a "must sign soon" situation.

Aren't the Pats pocketing 40K every day Branch holds out? Seems smart to me to make him sweat it out for a few weeks and make a half million for your ballclub...or even more.

 

[Sabertooth]

Did the Patriots honestly think they could just bully everybody into small contracts? This is just reaping what they've sown.

 

[Boston]

Branch is trying to copy what Seymour did last year. It's all about precedent in these type of situations. I'm sure he feels that if the Big Guy got a bump prior to getting his extension he would at least get that as well if a longer deal couldn't be worked out. The problem is it would be lunacy for the Pats to travel the same road they did with Seymour. While Branch is a very good player he's not in Seymour's league. Seymour is a franchise level player and he's the exception not the rule. If the Pats do the same thing with Branch you can be absolutely sure they would be in this type of situation every single year with other high quality players whether it be Warren, Wilfork, Watson or Mankins. Therefore the Pats need to make sure they don't shoot themselves in the foot long term with a short term fix.

If Branch were smart he'd tell his agent to keep quiet. He's currently getting mouthy and that will not go over at all with the Patriot faithful. It's "in Bill we trust" in Patriotland and talking to the media will only hurt him in the court of public opinion. He has zero chance of getting any sympathy. If he's doing it to get traded (I don't think it's anywhere near that level) that won't work either. Ty Law got as dirty as you can get and BB didn't flinch for a second. In the end BB will do what he feels is right for the Pats and nothing is going to change that.

 

[David Yudkin]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

Troy Brown/Caldwell/Jackson are a possible trio of fill-ins. I don't see this as a "must sign soon" situation.

Aren't the Pats pocketing 40K every day Branch holds out? Seems smart to me to make him sweat it out for a few weeks and make a half million for your ballclub...or even more.

$14K per day.

 

[Musesboy]

Why does any player ever hold out and miss training camp?

They are all expecting their antics to get them what they want, but it hurts the team by missing camp, even if they ultimately win the argument. Why not say I'll be in camp but this needs to be sorted out by the start of the season. If it isn't sorted out, that is the time to hold out when it impacts results directly.

I think this is especially true of rookies.

It's hard to win an argument when you just annoy the one you are arguing with.

 

[Borat]

Did the Patriots honestly think they could just bully everybody into small contracts? This is just reaping what they've sown.

 

[LHUCKS]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

Troy Brown/Caldwell/Jackson are a possible trio of fill-ins. I don't see this as a "must sign soon" situation.

Aren't the Pats pocketing 40K every day Branch holds out? Seems smart to me to make him sweat it out for a few weeks and make a half million for your ballclub...or even more.

$14K per day.

Okay, so your team pockets 1/4 million if you make him sweat it out for 2 weeks, or 1/2 mill for 4 weeks.I don't blame the Pats.

Reche Caldwell train is coming baby...all aboard. Toot Toot.

 

[David Yudkin]

Why does any player ever hold out and miss training camp?

They are all expecting their antics to get them what they want, but it hurts the team by missing camp, even if they ultimately win the argument. Why not say I'll be in camp but this needs to be sorted out by the start of the season. If it isn't sorted out, that is the time to hold out when it impacts results directly.

I think this is especially true of rookies.

It's hard to win an argument when you just annoy the one you are arguing with.

The difference in rookies is if they get hurt they have no contract and would be paid nothing. At least if Branch DID go to camp, he could be collecting on his $1 million a year salary.

 

[Musesboy]

Why does any player ever hold out and miss training camp?

They are all expecting their antics to get them what they want, but it hurts the team by missing camp, even if they ultimately win the argument. Why not say I'll be in camp but this needs to be sorted out by the start of the season. If it isn't sorted out, that is the time to hold out when it impacts results directly.

I think this is especially true of rookies.

It's hard to win an argument when you just annoy the one you are arguing with.

The difference in rookies is if they get hurt they have no contract and would be paid nothing. At least if Branch DID go to camp, he could be collecting on his $1 million a year salary.

Fair point.

 

[Boston]

Did the Patriots honestly think they could just bully everybody into small contracts? This is just reaping what they've sown.

Like the big ticket deals Brady and Seymour just signed? Or was it the deal they just gave Dillon that's probably biting them in the butt? Maybe it was the new deal they gave Harrison? Or was it the extension they gave Light a few years before his contract was up? Or was it the big deal that landed Colvin? No, wait it was paying AV as the highest paid kicker in the NFL the previous two years. The Pats don't bully anyone. They make cold, hard business decision with zero emotion. They don't let sentiment get in the way. If you don't like their offer you're free to go elsewhere and sign a big deal like Woody, Givens or Andruzzi did. It's pure business. That's why they have won 3 of the last 5 Super Bowls, have a very healthy cap situation and a boatload of young talent that will keep them in contender status for a long time.

 

[David Yudkin]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

Troy Brown/Caldwell/Jackson are a possible trio of fill-ins. I don't see this as a "must sign soon" situation.

Aren't the Pats pocketing 40K every day Branch holds out? Seems smart to me to make him sweat it out for a few weeks and make a half million for your ballclub...or even more.

$14K per day.

Okay, so your team pockets 1/4 million if you make him sweat it out for 2 weeks, or 1/2 mill for 4 weeks.I don't blame the Pats.

Reche Caldwell train is coming baby...all aboard. Toot Toot.

By my math, it's $70K a week. The Boston Globe article indicated he could hold out to whatever week in the season and play the minimum number of game this year to have it count as a full season and become a free agent. In that scenario, Branch would get paid under $250K for his partial season.

 

[Borat]

For all Branch has done for the Franchise I think the Pats should pay the man. I think he deserves Reggie Wayne money. He has had compareable stats throughout their careers but Branch has a SB MVP. I think they will get a deal done. Richard Seymore turned down a offer and held out only to get a huge offer from the Pats last year.

Branch is GROSSLY underpaid this year and deserves to be treated better by the team that he helped win a couple Superbowls with. He is still young enough and talented enough to be worth the signing by the Pats. I think they gets somthing done. The Pats really have no othe options currently.

FF, let's keep in mind that Branch has only played all 16 games once in his four year career, and hasn't even hit 1,000 yards in a season yet (granted, he reached 998 last year). He also has yet to show that he can get open when being double teamed.I don't think the Seymour comparison is valid. Seymour is arguably the best defensive lineman in the game, and certainly among the top 5. Branch probably isn't even among the top 10 WRs in the league.

I don't mean to tear down Branch, because he is easily Brady's favorite target, he's a Super Bowl MVP, he's a leader on a corps of WRs that will need one once Troy Brown retires, he shows up for big games, and he is definitely underpaid. But this isn't exactly Chad Johnson or Randy Moss that we're talking here, either, and he is under contract.

 

[LHUCKS]

By my math, it's $70K a week.

oh so it's only working days...I thought they trained through the weekends? But your right 7x14 = 98 K per week.

Still...it's not chump change.

 

[LHUCKS]

I don't mean to tear down Branch, because he is easily Brady's favorite target, he's a Super Bowl MVP, he's a leader on a corps of WRs that will need one once Troy Brown retires, he shows up for big games, and he is definitely underpaid. But this isn't exactly Chad Johnson or Randy Moss that we're talking here, either, and he is under contract.

 

[Borat]

I just hope Chad Jackson gets into camp on time and is able to contribute his rookie year. Jackson could surprise lots of people with his upside.

Jackson has been signed and will be on time.The Patriots have signed all of their draft picks except Moroney.

 

[Buckna]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

I did say it was a quote from a previous topic. I'll edit it for ya!

 

[David Yudkin]

On the contrary, I think Branch and his agent are very smart. The Pat's are over a barrell right now WR-wise and have tons of cap space with which to spend money. A quote from a previous topic discussing the same thing:

If Branch refuses to play for a fair amount of time, that would leave Caldwell (career high of 28 receptions) and Troy Brown (39 receptions last year) AS THE ONLY WR ON THE ROSTER with more than 3 CAREER RECEPTIONS.

Bam Childress 3

John Stone 3

Zuriel Smith 3

Chad Jackson 0

Michael McGrew 0

Matt Shelton 0

Erik Davis 0

Rich Musinski 0

Post stealer . . . literally. I posted that and still feel that the Patriots cannot afford to fool around with Branch. They can talk all they want, but there is no PLAN B.

I did say it was a quote from a previous topic. I'll edit it for ya!

I was just razzin' ya. I could care less. Normally people like to quote my posts when I say something stupid, so this one's certainly not a problem.

 

[qazqaz11]

By my math, it's $70K a week. 

oh so it's only working days...I thought they trained through the weekends? But your right 7x14 = 98 K per week.

Still...it's not chump change.

I know it's $14k per day for training camp or $294K for the whole 3Wk. Does anyone know if it's the same fine per day after training camp?

 

[fridayfrenzy]

The Pats should put this extra cap space to use on a player that has given everything for the franchise and now asking for his just reward.

Branch is not bad mouthing anyone or going about it a harsh way like Walker or T.O. This is a similar situation to Hines Ward last year.

Give th guy his just dessert and use that cap space while you have it.

 

[Fullback Fro]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr...orting_to_camp/

Branch not reporting to camp

Patriots receiver unhappy with offer

Deion Branch is feeling shortchanged by New England's latest offer. (Globe Staff Photo / Barry Chin)

By Ron Borges, Globe Staff | July 26, 2006

FOXBOROUGH -- Barring a last-minute change, the Patriots will open training camp Friday without one of their most significant players for the second year in a row.

Breaking News Alerts After mulling his options for several days, No. 1 wide receiver Deion Branch decided last night he will not report to camp despite facing a $14,000-per-day fine. A year ago, Richard Seymour sat out of camp until the Patriots agreed to bump up his contract by more than $1 million before making him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive linemen this past offseason.

``Deion will not be in camp until he feels he's being treated fairly," said Branch's agent, Jason Chayut. Branch, who has a year remaining on his rookie contract, which was signed in 2002, has yet to comment publicly on his situation. He did not attend the team's mandatory minicamp and now says he won't be at the opening of training camp.

The Patriots made an offer to Branch in May they claim would have paid him an average of $6.25 million over three years or $5 million over four (2006-2009), but the deal was heavily backloaded, with more than $9 million of it coming in the final two seasons of the contract, at which time clubs often try to renegotiate. The signing bonus also was split over two years, unlike the $8 million bonus Branch's former teammate, David Givens, received this offseason from the Tennessee Titans, and the $13.5 million bonus paid to the Colts' No. 2 receiver, Reggie Wayne, as part of a six-year, $40 million deal. Branch believes the Wayne deal best reflects his value, but the Patriots, who argue Wayne has usurped Marvin Harrison as Indianapolis's No. 1 receiver, disagree.

If Branch plays out the final year of his contract, he would earn barely 20 percent of what Givens, who was drafted the same year on the seventh round, will earn this season in Tennessee. Branch is due $545,000 in salary and $500,000 for reaching an incentive bonus for yardage last season.

If Branch duplicates his career-best numbers of a year ago, when he led the club with 78 receptions and 998 receiving yards, his five-year totals would closely approximate Wayne's.

Playing in a more prolific passing offense (although one that has produced no Super Bowl appearances), Wayne has caught 304 passes for 4,164 yards and 28 touchdowns in five seasons.

If Branch duplicates his 2005 numbers, his five-year totals would fall 13 receptions short of Wayne's (291), 422 yards behind him (3,742), and nine scores in arrears (19).

Branch's totals were severely limited by his injury-shortened 2004 season, in which he played only nine games, catching 35 passes for 454 yards, and 4 scores.

That was the season in which he roared back after being inactive for seven weeks to win the Super Bowl MVP award with 11 catches for 133 yards against the Eagles. He ranks third all-time in Super Bowl career receptions with 21, trailing only Jerry Rice (33) and Andre Reed (27).

The Patriots believe their offer is reflective of the market but Branch believes he is being shortchanged, in part because the signing bonus is not lucrative enough and in part because the deal would effectively preclude him from being a beneficiary of free agency.

If he were playing well after the 2009 season and a new deal could not be reached, the team simply could franchise him. A year later he would be entering his 10th season, which is not when wide receivers often receive big paydays.

The Patriots waived defensive back Gemara Williams.

Williams, 23, was signed by the May 8 as a non-drafted rookie free agent from the University of Buffalo.

 

[Boston]

My guess is that Branch's agent and Ron Borges will be joined at the hip during this holdout. Borges will be an absolute pipeline for the Branch camp. He's hatred of BB and the Pats knows no bounds and he revels in any controversy they're involved in. If he can pile on all the better.

 

[kbleck]

Branch for Porter Trade? Both are unhappy

 

[Ghost Rider]

In four seasons, Branch has:

-averaged than less 700 receiving yards a season

-scored a whopping 14 touchdowns

-averaged 12.9 yards per catch

Yes, he has been a great postseason player, as evidenced by his SB MVP award, but he should be thanking his lucky stars the Pats are offering him as much as they are.

 

[David Yudkin]

In four seasons, Branch has:

-averaged than less 700 receiving yards a season

-scored a whopping 14 touchdowns

-averaged 12.9 yards per catch

Yes, he has been a great postseason player, as evidenced by his SB MVP award, but he should be thanking his lucky stars the Pats are offering him as much as they are.

Career regular season averages . . .Branch: 4 receptions, 51.8 receiving yards, 0.26 TD per game

Wayne: 3.95 receptions, 54.1 receiving yards, 0.36 TD per game

 

[BlackHole]

Branch for Porter Trade? Both are unhappy

I would take this trade in a heartbeat.

 

[Ghost Rider]

In four seasons, Branch has:

-averaged than less 700 receiving yards a season

-scored a whopping 14 touchdowns

-averaged 12.9 yards per catch

Yes, he has been a great postseason player, as evidenced by his SB MVP award, but he should be thanking his lucky stars the Pats are offering him as much as they are.

Career regular season averages . . .Branch: 4 receptions, 51.8 receiving yards, 0.26 TD per game

Wayne: 3.95 receptions, 54.1 receiving yards, 0.36 TD per game

And? I was not comparing Branch to Wayne. Others were.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Word around here is focusing on the Givens contract with Tennessee and how Branch wants to get his. I see the logic, but he should know better with this organization.

At the end of the day, it's all about opportunity. If a player of Branch's caliber and value is going to hold out, this is about as good a situation as any to do so, considering the predicament the Pats find themselves in.

Just hope this one works itself out shortly.

 

[Borat]

Branch for Porter Trade? Both are unhappy

No chance. Porter doesn't seem like a Patriots type of player. And aside from his contract, Branch is very happy to be in New England.

 

[silentmark]

Getting Branch signed is (and should be) a hige priority for the team.

They can NOT afford to go into the season w/o Branch after losing Givens.

And anyone thinking this helps (rather than hurts) the other receivers is nuts - downgrade EVERYone on the pats passing game if Branch is holding out.

Brady loves him and they need him getting separation deep for any other receiver to do well.

Disagree, Brady spreads the ball around, plus what has DB done to deserve a pay raise ? Average numbers, questionable durability, please ...

 

[Boston]

Branch has a flaw in his negotiating tactic. While he can make a very good case that he deserves money like Givens, Wayne and EL he leaves out an important factor. All three of those guys played out their contract and had the ability to sign with other teams. Branch doesn't have that luxury. He is not a free agent. He is currently under contract with the Patriots and doesn't have the leverage those three players had.