Patriots must be smoking crack!!

[FloridaResident]

According to Hugh Douglas out of Phili am610 radio, the Pats are asking for 2 first round picks for Branch

hahahahaha!!

[2KBack]

and people thought we overvalued Ash. They are a hardnosed organization, even more so than Denver. Think of all the names that have skipped town during this regime. Drew, Milloy,Mcginist, Law, they'll cut ties without blinking, yet if they want to keep you, it seems there is no escape.

[Hotrod]

Im thinking the person on that radio station is the one smoking crack....

[Killericon]

According to Hugh Douglas out of Phili am610 radio, the Pats are asking for 2 first round picks for Branch

hahahahaha!!

It's win-win for the Pats. Either they get to keep their man, which they want, or they rip someone off for their man.

Frankly, I can see the Vikings sending 2 firsts over.

[Taco John]

Branch is officially the most overrated WR in NFL history...

[Northman]

What do the Pats have to lose? Nothing. They look just fine without him just like Dallas looks fine without TO. Teams are tired of overpaying for these guys when they can get good talent without the big price. If they dont get what they want it wont matter cause they have already moved on without him.

[MechanicalBull]

Isn't that what the Raiders were rumored to be looking for in Jerry Porter?

[Killericon]

Branch is officially the most overrated WR in NFL history...

Hey, he was a mere 2 yards short of his first 1000 yard season last year. :~ohyah!:

[Rock Chalk]

For a receiver who has never gotten 1000 yards, a 6th round pick is probably a little much.

Branch is so overrated.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Frankly, I can see the Vikings sending 2 firsts over.

Ummmm . . . no.

[WayOutWest]

According to Hugh Douglas out of Phili am610 radio, the Pats are asking for 2 first round picks for Branch

hahahahaha!!

and thats because they have no intention of trading Deion. They dont realistically expect someone to pay that price, thats why that info was leaked out. They're going to squeeze Deion in every way possible to show that he's not bigger than the team.

Pioli and Belichick are very smart men. They set the bar high because they know nobody will bite, they did it on purpose

[Kaylore]

This just proves they have no intention of actually moving Branch. They gave him the trade option as a way of showing they had made their final offer.

[PatsWin2002]

and thats because they have no intention of trading Deion. They dont realistically expect someone to pay that price, thats why that info was leaked out. They're going to squeeze Deion in every way possible to show that he's not bigger than the team.

Pioli and Belichick are very smart men. They set the bar high because they know nobody will bite, they did it on purpose

You're pretty smart too. ^5

If anybody does take the bait it will hurt us for this year, but I love stockpiling picks...we've had so much success doing that.

[PatsWin2002]

I hope he ends up firing his agent and makes him the scapegoat....and wafts happily back to PatsLand as happy as a clam. :)

[Hercules Rockefeller]

If anybody does take the bait it will hurt us for this year, but I love stockpiling picks...we've had so much success doing that.

No one is taking the bait on a WR that hasn't hit 1,000 yet in his career and whose numbers are virtually the same as Lelie's. The Pats aren't going to get offered more than a 2nd for Branch.

[PatsWin2002]

No one is taking the bait on a WR that hasn't hit 1,000 yet in his career and whose numbers are virtually the same as Lelie's. The Pats aren't going to get offered more than a 2nd for Branch.

No SANE person would take that deal, but there are some yahoos out there.....

BTW, couldn't you see Shanny doing this with Lelie if he wanted to keep him? The difference is that Ash was seen as a detriment to the team and Branch is not.

If BB really wanted to get rid of Branch he would've driven him to Atlanta himself and hoped he beat Shanny there. ROFL!

[Hercules Rockefeller]

BTW, couldn't you see Shanny doing this with Lelie if he wanted to keep him? The difference is that Ash was seen as a detriment to the team and Branch is not.


Ashley made it clear that he had no intention of ever playing for Denver again, regardless of the situation. He was not a detriment because he was never there. Branch wants to get paid and doesn't care who gives it to him.

[Crowpointer]

The sarcastic message is for Branch's agent. If you think your client is worth more than what a franchise players money is then we want what the compensation is for signing away a franchise player which is 2 first rounders. Branch isn't going anywhere. He is between a rock and a hardplace. He would be well advised to show up at practice asap or he will get Lelie type fines if he holds out to week 10.

[Ballhawk]

Not sure allowing a guy to seek a trade then making a joke of it is the way to go

[Sodak]

Frankly, I can see the Vikings sending 2 firsts over.


No way. Vikes fans are still reeling from the embarassing Herschel Walker trade. I doubt they ever do anything that stupid again.

[Rock Chalk]

I agree Ballhawk.

Id sit on the bench, collect my paycheck and never play another down for the patriots.

Worse yet, Id intentionally drop any passes thrown my way.

The Patriots did not handle this the correct way at all. Branch isnt being a TO abut it, he just wants to get paid.

Then again, I hate teh Patriots so, maybe Im biased.

[brother love]

No SANE person would take that deal, but there are some yahoos out there.....

Dan Snyder Hilarious!

[WayOutWest]

The sarcastic message is for Branch's agent. If you think your client is worth more than what a franchise players money is then we want what the compensation is for signing away a franchise player which is 2 first rounders. Branch isn't going anywhere. He is between a rock and a hardplace. He would be well advised to show up at practice asap or he will get Lelie type fines if he holds out to week 10.


the 14K fines stop as soon as we reach week 1. at that point he loses about 62,000 per week he holds out in game checks.

amazing that what some of us make in 2 years he throws away in 1 week :oyvey:

[Rock Chalk]

the 14K fines stop as soon as we reach week 1. at that point he loses about 62,000 per week he holds out in game checks.

amazing that what some of us make in 2 years he throws away in 1 week :oyvey:

Id report. But Id take every play off. Walk my route. Walk back to the huddle, show no hustle until they benched me and paid me to sit.

Refuse to even attempt to catch a pass thrown my direction.

This is how I would handle things if I felt I was getting screwed.

I certainly wouldnt hold out and hurt my paychecks. Thats just ignorant. Id Lavar Arrington it, do what I want on the field until they benched me or just got rid of me to get it over with.

[Killericon]

No way. Vikes fans are still reeling from the embarassing Herschel Walker trade. I doubt they ever do anything that stupid again.

The fans wouldn't...But this is the same crew who traded away Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper, and got a 2nd, 3rd and 2 4ths to go with Napoleon Harris in exchange.

[Atlas]

The Pats really need Branch on their team, by them asking for two 1st ensures that he will be.

[Jetmeck]

It's win-win for the Pats. Either they get to keep their man, which they want, or they rip someone off for their man.

Frankly, I can see the Vikings sending 2 firsts over.



Actually it is not a win-win situation because the Patriots need Branch. They have no proven receivers left to speak of. I don't care how great Tom Terrific is he has to have receivers. One good preseason game with Brady throwing to scrubs proves nothing. In certain instances you need a CLUTCH receiver that can be counted on. They have none
now.

I still get pissed when thinking of Brady mocking Lynch in the playoff game last year just because John was fired up.
Poor poor Tom so used to things going his way ..screw him.

[69bronco]

They are smoking Crack and shooting up crank if thay want two number 1's for branch. The only person on NE's roster thats actually talented is Tom Brady.. Anybody else except for maybe Richard Seymore i wouldn't trade for a bronco at the same position.

[Orange_Beard]

I agree Ballhawk.

Id sit on the bench, collect my paycheck and never play another down for the patriots.

Worse yet, Id intentionally drop any passes thrown my way.

The Patriots did not handle this the correct way at all. Branch isnt being a TO abut it, he just wants to get paid.

Then again, I hate teh Patriots so, maybe Im biased.

Nice.

[watermock]

mock has washed his hands.

I'm in the war room planning a sneak attack.

I'm pouring over intelligence reports at this very moment.

[goldengopher1976]

No one's brought up the fact that other NE receivers have tried the FA market recently and none of them have been nearly as productive outside of that system. Perhaps it's time to recognize what a difference a great QB makes. We, of all franchises, should know how good mediocre receivers can look with a HOF signal-caller behind center.

I can't imagine that any team is going to give more than a second rounder for Branch (maybe a conditional first). Of course, with the boom or bust nature of first round receivers, there's a premium price to be paid for proven guys, even if the proof isn't all that dazzling (cf. Nate Burleson)

[watermock]

The Pats really need Branch on their team, by them asking for two 1st ensures that he will be.


They didn't seem to need Branch to beat the Skins 41-0. WTF are you talking about? They always play hardball. Noone is going to give two firsts, even one. He's a 5-9 utility reciever worth maybe an early third and maybe 28 million over 4 years.

[Atlas]

They didn't seem to need Branch to beat the Skins 41-0.

A preseason game against the Redskins is not the same as a January game against the Steelers, Colts or Broncos

[youcandoit1687]

givens got waht 24/5, patten did pretty well(albeit with the skins), im sure branch is seeing that along with toms contract and the way the FO is chuckin everybody else out the door and saying well, i better capitalize on my "star power" right now because ill be out the door soon enough and i could probably make a pretty good payday being on a SB team

plus they havea friggin 10-20 million dollar cap left(can somebody give me exacts but i think its close to 20) and they cant pay a guy more than waht 750K who has been their no. 1 receiver and a SB MVP. that atleast deserves some respect and consideration.

[BroncoInferno]

No one is taking the bait on a WR that hasn't hit 1,000 yet in his career and whose numbers are virtually the same as Lelie's. The Pats aren't going to get offered more than a 2nd for Branch.

To be fair, the Pats offense emphasizes the idea of spreading the ball around, so you aren't likely to see a receiver putting up eye popping numbers in their scheme. I think in another offense he's a 90 catch 1200 yard type of player. Where I would be leary on Branch is his history of injuries. I agree that they won't get offered more than a 2nd.

[Jason in LA]

Somebody let me know when that guy gets his first 1000 yard season.

I'd say that the Pats are doing this so nobody will try to trade for him, and he'll have to go back to them. They're also setting the bar high so nobody comes to them offering a mid-round pick. They won't get the 2 number 1s, and they know it. But teams are on notice to be ready to offer something good.

[Jason in LA]

To be fair, the Pats offense emphasizes the idea of spreading the ball around, so you aren't likely to see a receiver putting up eye popping numbers in their scheme. I think in another offense he's a 90 catch 1200 yard type of player. Where I would be leary on Branch is his history of injuries. I agree that they won't get offered more than a 2nd.

The Colts spread the ball around, and they had 3 1000 yard WRs.

I would argree with your point if the Pats had a couple other guys who were also close to 1000 yards. But the next guy on the list, Givens, had about 700yards.

I like Branch because he shows up big time for the big games, like the Super Bowl. But I wouldn't rank him amoung the very best WRs in the league.

[PatsWin2002]

The Colts spread the ball around, and they had 3 1000 yard WRs.

I would argree with your point if the Pats had a couple other guys who were also close to 1000 yards. But the next guy on the list, Givens, had about 700yards.

I like Branch because he shows up big time for the big games, like the Super Bowl. But I wouldn't rank him amoung the very best WRs in the league.


The Patriots REALLY spread the ball around. Tom uses like 9 different receivers.

[bendog]

The Patriots REALLY spread the ball around. Tom uses like 9 different receivers.

In ONE play, no less.

[BroncoInferno]

I would argree with your point if the Pats had a couple other guys who were also close to 1000 yards. But the next guy on the list, Givens, had about 700yards.

That's because they were spreading it around a bunch of different people. The fact that Brady had 4110 yards passing and not one 1000 receiver illustrates my point that they emphasize spreading the ball around. They had ten guys with 10 catches or more, seven guys with 22 or more.

[ROYC75]

According to Hugh Douglas out of Phili am610 radio, the Pats are asking for 2 first round picks for Branch

hahahahaha!!

They are not, they drew the line in the sand so high no other NFL team will match. Branch will have to play for the Pats or sit out.

Bout time teams started to bully up to these cry'n players demands..........

I applaud Shanarat for holding still with Ashley ....... All NFL teams GM's should play hardball with players now days.

[Jason in LA]

That's because they were spreading it around a bunch of different people. The fact that Brady had 4110 yards passing and not one 1000 receiver illustrates my point that they emphasize spreading the ball around. They had ten guys with 10 catches or more, seven guys with 22 or more.

If Branch was really worth two first round picks I'm sure Brady would go to him more often.

The guy is good, but he's not elite. That's all I'm pointing out.

[BroncoInferno]

If Branch was really worth two first round picks I'm sure Brady would go to him more often.

The guy is good, but he's not elite. That's all I'm pointing out.

Oh, sure, if you compare him to TO and Moss...no, he isn't in that class, I agree. However, I still think he's 90 catch 1200 yard type of player in an offense that doesn't worry about spreading the ball around as much. As I said, I'd be hesitant about his history of injuries more so than anything else.

[dcbroncofan]

The broncos should take that deal: Ron Dayne and David Terrell for Deion Branch

[Falconer]

The broncos should take that deal: Ron Dayne and David Terrell for Deion Branch

That is funny! Shannahan should call them up right now with that offer.

[baja]

According to Hugh Douglas out of Phili am610 radio, the Pats are asking for 2 first round picks for Branch

hahahahaha!!

You ought to get the whole damn tree for that!

[BroncoMan4ever]

What do the Pats have to lose? Nothing. They look just fine without him just like Dallas looks fine without TO. Teams are tired of overpaying for these guys when they can get good talent without the big price. If they dont get what they want it wont matter cause they have already moved on without him.

Honestly, without Branch they are screwed this year. He is arguably there biggest weapon. I know someone will say Brady is, but the truth is without his go to guy at receiver he will fail. They don't have anyone else at receiver who could possibly take Branch's spot right now.

So in all actuallity they r playing the situation smart, make his trade price so high teams wouldn't be willing to do it, and then have Branch come crawling back to them.

[Ballhawk]

The Patriots REALLY spread the ball around. Tom uses like 9 different receivers.


They just do not like spreading th CASH around Ha!

[ClevelandBronco]

Isn't that what the Raiders were rumored to be looking for in Jerry Porter?

Then it's easy. Branch for Porter straight up.