Patriots act getting old? (1 Viewer)

[PMENFAN]

After Impressive Practice, WR Branch May Play?Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer - [Full Article]HC Mike Holmgren isn't sure now whether WR Deion Branch will play in Sunday's home opener against the Cardinals. He put on a pretty persuasive performance Wednesday in his first practice with the Seahawks. This was his first practice since mid-January, and he looked quick, and explosive. "We'll go right down to the wire on that one," Holmgren said, meaning Branch is likely to be a game-day decision.

Have fun watching the pats miss the playoffs with their $14mil in cap space. There is no reason to have that much in cap room. Players are going to begin to avoid the Pats in FA because the know the how the Pats deal with their players.SEE: CB Ty Law, S Lawyer Milloy, C Damien Woody, DT Ted Washington, CB Terrell Buckley, S Tebucky Jones, FB Marc Edwards, LB Bryan Cox, G Joe Andruzzi, WR David Patten, WR David Givens, as well as guys like LB Willie McGinest and K Adam Vinatieri

What do they have in common? (throw out Givens, Vinatiery and McGinest, because they just left) Save for Patten last year, no playoff appearances. Isn't that the goal of the game?

 

[Phurfur]

It's interesting how for the last couple of years Branch was ready to become a top ten fantasy WR (one of the things holding him back was how well Brady spread the ball around). Now, Doug Gabriel is an upgrade.

Branch was never close to a top 10 fantasy WR and no one has said Gabriel is an upgrade but I bet he delivers more "Value"

Branch has done enough to get paid more; He's done enough in the NFL that he shouldn't have to worry about money.

If I made 2.5 million over the last 4 years I would not be worried about money. What is Branch's problem?

Every year the goal is to field the best team possible and its very clear to me that the Pats are not doing that.

You are correct "Every year the goal is to field the best team possible" that does not mean one year at a time like allot of people perceive it to be. It means 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,..... That means planning ahead and you don't do that overpaying for an non elite WR.

 

[TD Ryan]

If I made 2.5 million over the last 4 years I would not be worried about money. What is Branch's problem?

2.5 mil is not "set for life". Especially in terms of the NFL (and other pro sports).Branch was underpaid because he was still working off his rookie contract.It was never a question of whether Branch deserved a raise. It was a question of how much.

 

[porkins]

After Impressive Practice, WR Branch May Play?Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer - [Full Article]HC Mike Holmgren isn't sure now whether WR Deion Branch will play in Sunday's home opener against the Cardinals. He put on a pretty persuasive performance Wednesday in his first practice with the Seahawks. This was his first practice since mid-January, and he looked quick, and explosive. "We'll go right down to the wire on that one," Holmgren said, meaning Branch is likely to be a game-day decision.

Have fun watching the pats miss the playoffs with their $14mil in cap space. There is no reason to have that much in cap room. Players are going to begin to avoid the Pats in FA because the know the how the Pats deal with their players.SEE: CB Ty Law, S Lawyer Milloy, C Damien Woody, DT Ted Washington, CB Terrell Buckley, S Tebucky Jones, FB Marc Edwards, LB Bryan Cox, G Joe Andruzzi, WR David Patten, WR David Givens, as well as guys like LB Willie McGinest and K Adam Vinatieri

Care to explain why Tebucky jones is back on the team?I will have fun watching the Patriots play this year, and continue to win despite the talent that they let walk away.

 

[PatsWillWin]

After Impressive Practice, WR Branch May Play?Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer - [Full Article]HC Mike Holmgren isn't sure now whether WR Deion Branch will play in Sunday's home opener against the Cardinals. He put on a pretty persuasive performance Wednesday in his first practice with the Seahawks. This was his first practice since mid-January, and he looked quick, and explosive. "We'll go right down to the wire on that one," Holmgren said, meaning Branch is likely to be a game-day decision.

Have fun watching the pats miss the playoffs with their $14mil in cap space. There is no reason to have that much in cap room. Players are going to begin to avoid the Pats in FA because the know the how the Pats deal with their players.SEE: CB Ty Law, S Lawyer Milloy, C Damien Woody, DT Ted Washington, CB Terrell Buckley, S Tebucky Jones, FB Marc Edwards, LB Bryan Cox, G Joe Andruzzi, WR David Patten, WR David Givens, as well as guys like LB Willie McGinest and K Adam Vinatieri

Care to explain why Tebucky jones is back on the team?I will have fun watching the Patriots play this year, and continue to win despite the talent that they let walk away.

Special teams and depth.

 

[Willowdoc]

First of all way is anyone saying the Patriots did this the right way? They didn't overpay Branch, but they set it up so that anyone who is unhappy with their contract in NE will know they can get a trade if they holdout! Branch got an additional 7 million in signing bonus, minus the fines he will pay (not the signing bonus part, according to everything we've heard he just has to play the 2006 season to get it and he is doing that) he is up 6 1/2 million dollars. The Patriots gambled an awful lot when they told Branch to see what he could get on the open market for some reason thinking he wouldn't get an offer (I am actually shocked that Miami didn't make a financial offer, given the free opportunity to cause discord in NE, but the Jets did it for them). It was a horrible gamble by Pioli I think.

The only team that has treated a hold out correctly is Tampa Bay, who truly held the line on Keenan McCardell and only traded him when he was going to report anyway. But, if I'm Laurence Maroney and the Patriots try to low ball me according to the market (which they will, Brady accepted a low offer, thats another story), I'll know I can hold out and eventually get traded to get my money. Because of this the NEP will have to change the way they do business or they will lose all of the talent they obtain when its time for reupping contracts.

And BTW, who said that the Eagles, Panthers and Steelers are cheap? They don't overpay for middle level talent ... Jeremiah Trotter or Antwan Randel El, but the Panthers gave Delhomme a much higher offer than any other team, the Eagles signed Jevon Kearse and then Darren Howard to upper level contracts and the Steelers resigned many of their players (hines ward for example) at true fair market value, this is not what we have seen from the Patriots, who got Brady cheap and begrugingly signed Seymour to a higher contract than they wanted.

 

[porkins]

After Impressive Practice, WR Branch May Play?Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer - [Full Article]HC Mike Holmgren isn't sure now whether WR Deion Branch will play in Sunday's home opener against the Cardinals. He put on a pretty persuasive performance Wednesday in his first practice with the Seahawks. This was his first practice since mid-January, and he looked quick, and explosive. "We'll go right down to the wire on that one," Holmgren said, meaning Branch is likely to be a game-day decision.

Have fun watching the pats miss the playoffs with their $14mil in cap space. There is no reason to have that much in cap room. Players are going to begin to avoid the Pats in FA because the know the how the Pats deal with their players.SEE: CB Ty Law, S Lawyer Milloy, C Damien Woody, DT Ted Washington, CB Terrell Buckley, S Tebucky Jones, FB Marc Edwards, LB Bryan Cox, G Joe Andruzzi, WR David Patten, WR David Givens, as well as guys like LB Willie McGinest and K Adam Vinatieri

Care to explain why Tebucky jones is back on the team?I will have fun watching the Patriots play this year, and continue to win despite the talent that they let walk away.

Special teams and depth.

I know why he's here. I was referencing scientists claim that he left beacuse the Pats are such a horrible team, but for some reason he came back.

 

[TD Ryan]

Special teams and depth.

yup. and it's too bad he's banged up.Tebucky wasn't a very good every down player. He doesn't read plays well. He's out of position a lot. And that's all bad news for a safety.But he runs very fast and hits hard... perfect for a special teams gunner. Don't think, just run as fast a possible and hit something.

 

[porkins]

First of all way is anyone saying the Patriots did this the right way? They didn't overpay Branch, but they set it up so that anyone who is unhappy with their contract in NE will know they can get a trade if they holdout! Branch got an additional 7 million in signing bonus, minus the fines he will pay (not the signing bonus part, according to everything we've heard he just has to play the 2006 season to get it and he is doing that) he is up 6 1/2 million dollars. The Patriots gambled an awful lot when they told Branch to see what he could get on the open market for some reason thinking he wouldn't get an offer (I am actually shocked that Miami didn't make a financial offer, given the free opportunity to cause discord in NE, but the Jets did it for them). It was a horrible gamble by Pioli I think.The only team that has treated a hold out correctly is Tampa Bay, who truly held the line on Keenan McCardell and only traded him when he was going to report anyway. But, if I'm Laurence Maroney and the Patriots try to low ball me according to the market (which they will, Brady accepted a low offer, thats another story), I'll know I can hold out and eventually get traded to get my money. Because of this the NEP will have to change the way they do business or they will lose all of the talent they obtain when its time for reupping contracts.And BTW, who said that the Eagles, Panthers and Steelers are cheap? They don't overpay for middle level talent ... Jeremiah Trotter or Antwan Randel El, but the Panthers gave Delhomme a much higher offer than any other team, the Eagles signed Jevon Kearse and then Darren Howard to upper level contracts and the Steelers resigned many of their players (hines ward for example) at true fair market value, this is not what we have seen from the Patriots, who got Brady cheap and begrugingly signed Seymour to a higher contract than they wanted.

It was a gamble by Pioli. It didn't go the Pats way, but to end up with a 1st rounder makes up for it.I'm sure Maroney will end up getting his when his time rolls around. I wouldn't put Maroney's talent and Branch's on the same level. Maroney probably will be worth way more than Branch.If I recall correctly, after Dillon was here for a year they gave him a nice new contract that they didn't have to.I don't think anyone was calling those other teams cheap. They were pointing out that they have not overpaid average players and it has allowed them to stay competitive.

 

[Phurfur]

If I made 2.5 million over the last 4 years I would not be worried about money. What is Branch's problem?

2.5 mil is not "set for life". Especially in terms of the NFL (and other pro sports).Branch was underpaid because he was still working off his rookie contract.It was never a question of whether Branch deserved a raise. It was a question of how much.

And since when is playing in the NFL a guarenteed "set for life" job. I guess we all would like to work 5-6 years and be set for life. He still is not getting any sympathy from me.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

The Patriots gambled an awful lot when they told Branch to see what he could get on the open market for some reason thinking he wouldn't get an offer (I am actually shocked that Miami didn't make a financial offer, given the free opportunity to cause discord in NE, but the Jets did it for them). It was a horrible gamble by Pioli I think.

I don't view it as a gamble so much as a freeroll. And it paid out. I think the Patriots are pretty happy about getting a first-rounder in return for Branch, which is why they agreed to it.

The only team that has treated a hold out correctly is Tampa Bay, who truly held the line on Keenan McCardell and only traded him when he was going to report anyway.

They traded him just before the deadline in week 7. He would have reported in week 10. The Bucs got only a third and a sixth for him even though he was coming off a much better year than Branch has ever had (and he has outperformed Branch since then as well).

 

[Ron_Mexico]

The Patriots gambled an awful lot when they told Branch to see what he could get on the open market for some reason thinking he wouldn't get an offer (I am actually shocked that Miami didn't make a financial offer, given the free opportunity to cause discord in NE, but the Jets did it for them). It was a horrible gamble by Pioli I think.

I don't view it as a gamble so much as a freeroll. And it paid out. I think the Patriots are pretty happy about getting a first-rounder in return for Branch, which is why they agreed to it.

The only team that has treated a hold out correctly is Tampa Bay, who truly held the line on Keenan McCardell and only traded him when he was going to report anyway.

They traded him just before the deadline in week 7. He would have reported in week 10. The Bucs got only a third and a sixth for him even though he was coming off a much better year than Branch has ever had (and has outperformed Branch since then as well).

Finally, a voice of reason.

 

[Bad_Mo]

New England could have screwed Branch buy trading him to a team that won't be sniffing the playoffs for many years to come. He should gladly write the check to Kraft. Maybe while he is, it will sink in how much of a jackass he was in this whole thing.

Well then he's a JA that just signed a $40m contract. What would Kraft have done if Branch had a career ending injury this season while playin for the Pats? Nothing of course, it's business. Branch owes the fines and will likely pay them soon enough. But I can't blame Branch for any of his actions. He and his agent were obviously correct in their estimates of his value. I don't consider him worth near what Seattle gave him, but he got his contract. His actions got him the contract he wanted, you might not like it but his ploy worked. And in a world where there are 10s of millions of dollars at stake, most of the players don't really care if some people don't like their actions when it works. I don't blame them.

His actions were jackass-esque as they related to NE. The fact that he got his money from SEA doesn't make his actions anything better than they were.

 

[This_Is_Not_VRR]

I'd chime in on this thread...But I'm the same guy who thought that the Pats would never recover from letting Lawyer Malloy walk.

 

[Jagerbomber]

New England could have screwed Branch buy trading him to a team that won't be sniffing the playoffs for many years to come. He should gladly write the check to Kraft. Maybe while he is, it will sink in how much of a jackass he was in this whole thing.

Well then he's a JA that just signed a $40m contract. What would Kraft have done if Branch had a career ending injury this season while playin for the Pats? Nothing of course, it's business. Branch owes the fines and will likely pay them soon enough. But I can't blame Branch for any of his actions. He and his agent were obviously correct in their estimates of his value. I don't consider him worth near what Seattle gave him, but he got his contract. His actions got him the contract he wanted, you might not like it but his ploy worked. And in a world where there are 10s of millions of dollars at stake, most of the players don't really care if some people don't like their actions when it works. I don't blame them.

His actions were jackass-esque as they related to NE. The fact that he got his money from SEA doesn't make his actions anything better than they were.

oh cry me a river.

 

[FMD]

Branch had a contract and didn't live up to it. He had a right to holdout, but there were consequences (i.e. fines) associated with that move. Hopefully Branch's agent was smart enough to build that into his contract with Seattle but I see nothing wrong with the Patriots wanting that money.Where I think the Patriots made the mistake was giving Branch the go ahead to shop himself around for a trade. The Patriots were banking on Branch finding no takers and then accepting their offer. That tactic blew up in their face.The Patriots will get Seattle's #1, which ain't bad, but it will likely be a very low #1 and they lose the services of their best WR, which could cost them a playoff run this year (way to early to predict right now). But overall I agree with philosophy of teams like the Patriots and Steelers: in the salary cap era it is better to let a player go rather than to overpay him. Time will tell if it was a good move for the Seahawks or not. If he is the missing piece of the puzzle and they win the Super Bowl then it was a good move. If not, they paid a king's ransom for what might become known as an average receiver.

Good post. It definitely hurts the Patriots short term but I think it's for the best long term. I agree the Patriots made a mistake letting him shop himself for this reason: Other teams treated Branch (and offered a contract) like he was a free agent (which is essentially was to them). To the Patriots he was under contract for 1 more year. Not really comparing apples-to-apples and definitely a problem for the Patriots when he received some offers. However, I think the Patriots wanted to kill the distraction...............and get a #1 pick in the '07 draft which is supposed to be very strong.

 

[Borat]

After Impressive Practice, WR Branch May Play?Clare Farnsworth, Seattle Post-Intelligencer - [Full Article]HC Mike Holmgren isn't sure now whether WR Deion Branch will play in Sunday's home opener against the Cardinals. He put on a pretty persuasive performance Wednesday in his first practice with the Seahawks. This was his first practice since mid-January, and he looked quick, and explosive. "We'll go right down to the wire on that one," Holmgren said, meaning Branch is likely to be a game-day decision.

Have fun watching the pats miss the playoffs with their $14mil in cap space. There is no reason to have that much in cap room. Players are going to begin to avoid the Pats in FA because the know the how the Pats deal with their players.SEE: CB Ty Law, S Lawyer Milloy, C Damien Woody, DT Ted Washington, CB Terrell Buckley, S Tebucky Jones, FB Marc Edwards, LB Bryan Cox, G Joe Andruzzi, WR David Patten, WR David Givens, as well as guys like LB Willie McGinest and K Adam Vinatieri

Why are you so bitter? You seem to go out of your way to rip the Pats every chance you get. Which would be fine, but you don't seem to have a real point in your rants. You list a bunch of players that we've lost, but not one of those players has made the Patriots regret letting him walk, and every single one of those guys' play has declined since they've left (although the jury is obviously still out on Givens and Vinatieri). You also fail to mention that the team has signed (or re-signed) Brady, Dillon, Light, Neal, Seymour, Bruschi, Vrabel, Colvin, Izzo, and Harrison - an obviously better group of players than the group of players from your list that we've lost.The fact that you even bothered to list Buckley, Tebucky, Edwards, Cox, and Patten is beyond laughable. Buckley and Cox were all done. The Saints made a huge mistake giving Tebucky that contract and then giving up draft picks for him on top of that. Marc Edwards was an easily replaced FB who was never thought of again once he left. And David Patten caught all of 22 passes last year for a Washington team that (surprise) overpaid for him.Furthermore, minus this year's losses of Givens and Vinatieri, look where those players from your list ended up: the Jets, Bills, Lions, Raiders, pre-Saban Dolphins, Saints, Jaguars, Browns, and Redskins. If you think any one of those teams even comes close to managing their caps as well as the Pats, you are completely out of your mind. In fact, except Jacksonville and Washington, these are some of the most poorly run franchises in football. And you want to fault the Patriots for not following their examples?

 

[This_Is_Not_VRR]

Here's a breakdown of the Branch contract.

Branch gets $7 million signing bonus

Permalink Posted by Mike Sando @ 02:07:30 pm

The ink is drying on Deion Branch's new contract and -- shock of shocks -- the numbers are a little more nuanced that what we've been hearing. It's a six-year, $39 million deal if he stays on the roster for the measure of the contract. We suspected that. Here's where things are a little different: The deal includes a $7 million signing bonus and a 2006 base salary of $2.1 million. That equates to about a $3.3 million cap hit this year, by my amateur calculations. ...

There is a $6 million option bonus in 2007. That means Seattle could choose to let him go at that time and this would become a one-year deal for $9.1 million. Unlikely, but possible, which is why I never reported the part about there being $13 million in guaranteed money. It's not guaranteed, but he will probably receive it. That option bonus jacks upt he second-year cap hit to about $6 million, again by my amateur calculations. There is also a $660,000 roster bonus in 2008. Hope that helps.

What was NE offering him?

 

[nerangers]

Hi Guys,

Sorry, didn't read the whole thread...but I have said it before, and will probably say it again. Just because there are teams that are willing to overpay a player, does not mean other offers were not fair. I do think Seattle paid too much for Branch based on his past numbers. This contract might justify what Branch felt he was worth, but lets hope he can live up to that kind of money for Seattle. I don't fault the Patriots for what some feel was a lowball offer. Personally I thought it was just about right for Branch. Many of the Patriots that have left the team this year I thought got more money than they are probably worth. I think the additional 10 Million everyone got in cap space contributed to this.

I don't think Pat fans think Branch was a bad WR by any stretch of the imagination...it was the amount of money he wanted. Branch himself said it was not about the money...I think that is the only thing it really was about in the end.

I am glad the situation is over....don't care for the end result, but both the Pats and Branch need to move on from here. I always felt the Pats were holding that cap space to get this deal done. Hindsight being 20/20 I wonder if the Pats would have kept Givens and traded Branch if they knew how unhappy Branch was?

 

[pizzatyme]

It's interesting how for the last couple of years Branch was ready to become a top ten fantasy WR (one of the things holding him back was how well Brady spread the ball around). Now, Doug Gabriel is an upgrade.

Branch was never close to a top 10 fantasy WR and no one has said Gabriel is an upgrade but I bet he delivers more "Value"

Branch has done enough to get paid more; He's done enough in the NFL that he shouldn't have to worry about money.

If I made 2.5 million over the last 4 years I would not be worried about money. What is Branch's problem?

Every year the goal is to field the best team possible and its very clear to me that the Pats are not doing that.

You are correct "Every year the goal is to field the best team possible" that does not mean one year at a time like allot of people perceive it to be. It means 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,..... That means planning ahead and you don't do that overpaying for an non elite WR.

A few issues with your post...Would you like a raise? People in India make $40 a week. I bet they'd think, "what is his problem". It's all about fair market value.If every year is about fielding the best team, and the Pats are great at planning as you insist, then what happened this year? Didn't they plan over the last 3 or 4 years for this year?

 

[pizzatyme]

Past numbers only count for so much! I mean if Priest doesn't get injured, we still don't know the true value of LJ. If Michael Turner doesn't get moved to a RB1 on some team, do we really know what he is capable of?

Is Randy Moss worth WR1 $s? I mean we are pretty sure he is still a top 5 WR in the league, yet his SITUATION only will allow him so much opportunity to earn his paycheck.

Branch's SITUATION only allowed for certain numbers. Let's see how this story unfolds before we call him over-paid.