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Apparently the Patriots don't think he's a so-so player considering the 6M offer they made him.Plus, there's more to a player then just statistic. Branch is one of those big game players. Having a guy you know you can count on when the pressure is at its highest is more important that having a guy catch 100 balls during the regular season, yet doesn't show up during the playoff.Look at Mike Vanderjagt vs. Adam Vinatieri. Vanderjagt's stats are way better than Vinatieri yet when the pressure is on, Vinatieri is the guy want kicking the ball.
What's funny about Branch in general is his track record has been feast or famine--regular or post-season. Here are his post-season numbers:
Year Opp Result | RSH YD TD | REC YD TD---------------------+-----------------+----------------- 2003 ten W,17-14 | 0 0 0 | 3 10 0 2003 ind W,24-14 | 0 0 0 | 2 23 0*2003 car W,32-29 | 0 0 0 | 10 143 1 2004 ind W,20-3 | 1 4 0 | 1 15 0 2004 pit W,41-27 | 2 37 1 | 4 116 1*2004 phi W,24-21 | 0 0 0 | 11 133 0 2005 jax W,28-3 | 0 0 0 | 2 36 0 2005 den L,13-27 | 0 0 0 | 8 153 0---------------------+-----------------+-----------------TOTAL | 3 41 1 | 41 629 2
Link to mudslinging and acrimony? I'm not talking about reporters' opinions here; I'm talking about actual mudslinging and acrimony. Certainly there must be some if you feel so strongly about it you can use it as the lead sentence of your first post in a poll.
OK . . . PERCEIVED mudslinging and acrimony as INFERRED to by the media.Although I doubt either side will be complimenting each other on their attire or home furnishings by having the other over for Sunday brunch.Branch certainly has let his grievance actions speak for his opinion on the Patriots. And the Patriots (current and former) players have voived their concerns over management as well.The team has been tightlipped, but their actions are what could be construed as acrimonious.
Branch is not a so-so player. People keep pointing to Brady as the reason for Branch's stats, while the truth is he would put up better numbers in a different offense.This guy is very good. Maybe not superstar tier 1 but he is in the next tier down and a player most teams would love to have.
But that's just the thing. There's been no acrimony. Everyone's assuming that the Patriots are some cold, calculated business people who don't really want Branch back, but we don't know that. In fact, Kraft has said he wants Branch back, Brady's been nothing but positive about Branch and fairly optimistic about Branch coming back, and Belichick has, as usual, said nothing. Everyone's assuming that Branch has some kind of venomous rage against the Patriots, when there's really no reason to think that, either. He hasn't said or done anything that said, "I hate the Patriots". Every single one of his actions has very clearly stated that he wants to get "Reggie Wayne money" starting in 2006. There hasn't been one single shred of evidence to think that Branch is unhappy with the team. This is why I think you guys are missing the boat with your predictions here. It's not personal. It's business. That's the field the Patriots have laid out, and Branch is just playing on it.
What characterizes "dug in too deep"? Are you aware of some kind of emotional reason, or is there a business reason that you believe the two sides will refuse to negotiate? I am not aware of either, so I'd be interested to hear it.
And there you have it. Paying him a comparable salary to Brady. That speaks volumes about the Pat's opinion on Branch, but it is also the problem. How can a WR come in and take home more then Tom Brady?
From what I read, the Pats giving Branch a week or so to find a trade partner was their attempt to bring Deion back to the bargaining table. They had hoped that there wouldn't be another team who would offer what he thought he was worth. Oops.
I deleted a second paragraph before posting that started to say that if anyone can get past this and get down to business on the field (and put this behind them) it is The Patriots and Branch, but given the situation I just don't see it happening. Branch now has the taste of a big contract and the Patriots let him loose to seek that contract. Now, I can't see Branch willingly taking less then he has been offered by Seattle and I can't see the Pat's paying Branch more then they pay Brady. So, by dug in too deep I mean that both sides are just too far apart with little chance of meeting in the middle. If it comes down to week 11 and Branch needs to play then he will play, but I see the Patriots getting something out of this before week 11 (if that is what it comes down to).
My bad .... thought it was 6 - $36 million.
It's a numbers game to Belichick and Pioli, they have always made this clear. If it doesn't pencil out, they aren't going to do it, and if that forces the player to move on, so be it. If the numbers can be hammered out, Branch will play again for the Pats, if they can't - which appears to be the case right now - he won't. Either way I don't think acrimony plays into it much.
Branch made this into an issue instead of honoring his contract.It's all on Branch, the WR who has never had a 1000 yard season.this is a total farce.
Moderators should really do a better job representing this board. There's been ZERO mudslinging by anyone connected to the issue. Branch hasnt said anything other than he wants to get paid more, and the Pats havent said anything.Pretty pathetic way to cover up your initial mistake. You'd look better just admitting you mispoke. "Oh, I meant the PERCEIVED comments..." That's just stupid.
Chrome, What the bleep are you talking about ?
There is very little difference between the deals that have been offered by the Patriots and the deal offered by Seattle. The most significant difference, and the one that Branch is fighting for, is the 2006 salary. I think we can all agree that Branch will exhaust all options to get a 2006 salary greater than the ~1 million he's due without compromising his compensation in 2007 and beyond. And that's exactly what these grievances are all about.The important question, and the one I think you guys are wrong on, is what Branch will do if that fails. He's announced that he will hold out, which makes sense whether he's saying it as a negotiating tactic, or as a threat he intends to carry out. It seems like a lot of people here believe he will carry it out. The problem with that, to me, it doesn't make much sense for Branch from a business standpoint. I won't rehash the reasons again, but I believe that Branch has very good business reasons to sign with the Patriots at a number close to what they are currently offering, and I believe the Patriots have expressed a desire to get back to the negotiating table.Sweeper said:
