WR Deion Branch Skips Practice. (1 Viewer)

[Pick]

WR Branch Skips Practice

SeattlePI.com, Associated Press

New England Patriots WR Deion Branch was not at the Patriots mandatory minicamp today. He is in the final year of a five-year contract he signed after New England drafted him in the second round in 2002. Branch has expressed a desire for an extension.

 

[Boston]

BB has confirmed that Branch is an unexcused absence. This is really no surprise. Branch is looking for a new deal and saw this strategy payoff for Seymour. It's always about precedent and when the Pats gave a new deal to Seymour every other player on the team took note of that. Now the difference is Seymour (along with Brady) is a totally different story than any other player on the team.

The interesting question is how far apart are the two sides. Branch is a difficult guy to slot. He's their definite #1 but he's not a TO, Marvin Harrison type of #1. He'll definetly make more than Givens did but if he's asking for a lot more than things could get sticky.

In the end my guess is there will be the usual media glare on this. The Pats won't comment and hopefully Branch won't either. After that a deal probably gets done and all will be forgotten. Whether you like this stuff as a fan or not this is part of the business and it's not going away.

 

[Team Legacy]

With the lack of depth in New England, one would think a deal would HAVE to get done soon, however, the cockiness of the Patriots organization could decide to land a free agent (LELIE) and put the pressure on Branch to report.

 

[gang-wars]

Branch is the only NFL guy I know who doesn't play preseason when he's healthy.

This probably saves him from getting hurt.