As the thread title indicates, Im starting this to discuss this player. Not to discuss why 'we shouldnt bother cuz our QB suxxors' or any other stupid crap like that. So if you dont have anything intelligent to say, stay out. That being said. I think if we end up getting Branch, many of you will be shocked at how much better he is than you all seem to think. I hate the Patriots... a lot. But over the course of the last 4 years or so, there have been 2 players on that team which, from watching them play all the time, Ive fallen in love with. Richard Seymour, and Deion Branch. If you ask me, thats the two most talented players on that team (although I think Maroney is going to be a fantastic halfback). Hes had some injury problems obviously, but when hes healthy and hes in the game, hes a fantastic player. With Branch and Coles starting (Coles would probably keep the #1 spot cuz of his familiarity with the team and QB, plus hes been here for years while Branch wasnt even here for training camp. Plus they wanna use Coles on quick hits and stuff.) and Cotchery, Dwight and Brad Smith backing up, Id say without hesitation that wed have one of the leagues better receiving groups from top to bottom. Now whether or not the Patriots allow this trade to go through, obviously that seems somewhat doubtful. If I had to guess how this is going to shake out, theyll set their trade demands ridiculously high so they can blame the trade not getting done on the Jets being unwilling to get it done, not on themselves for not wanting to give him to the Jets. All things being equal, Id love to see Branch starting for the Jets on the season opener, but Id bet on him staying a Patriot, holding out til week 10, and then hitting free agency next year.
I like him. I like the ways he gets open wherever he is on the field and from what I've seen of him I feel that he had the skills to mesh with Pennington's passing effectively. That is, he doesn't rely on his QB to do things Chad can't do. I love, love, love it.
Good post! :up: I don't see how he could not be considered an upgrade to what we have now in anyones eyes. Even if you don't think he's great, he's still tremendously better than McCairns at the #2 spot. I also can't imagine NE giving him to us either. The only way it is worth it to take Branch is if he's comes at a reasonable price. Such has never been the case for deals between the Pats and Jets though, and being rivals it is common sense. I honestly didn't see anyone biting on Branch at all. Figured he'd have to fall back on NE and deal. Interesting bit of trading seems to be going on though.
I rate him as average to slightly-above average. I don't think he will add much to our offense.....too small and can't stay healthy. 3rd rounder at best.
I think people are deluded about this guy. -Never had a 1,000 yard season -Never healthy -A possession receiver He won the Super Bowl MVP, but he's Brady's number one option. If this team had another wide receiver worth throwing to, his numbers would probably not be as good as they were last season. He's certainly not worth the type of money we're going to pay him. -X-
To say he has never had a 1,000 yard season is a little misleading. While true, last year he had 998 yards. And to say he is never healthy isn't quite true either. He's played 4 years, and his total games played in each year is 13,15,9, and 16, respectively. I personally see him in the mold of a shorter Coles. He has a lot of speed, and can make plays. Next year with Clemens more in the gameplan, Coles and Branch will make a great WR duo.
I agree with you disco....I just dont get the part about the pats setting the price too high so they can blame the jets for the deal not happening....I dont think theyll have to explain to anyone why they didnt get the deal done? plus they have other teams to trade with
I'm not actualy a hugh fan of this potential trade because like Coles,Branch is better at the short to intermediate stuff.I'd prefer a true burner opposite Coles,allow him to streach the field with Coles finding space underneath.
I'm not going to talk about Pennington's ability versus Brady's, but a smallish, fast receiver thrives on getting the ball quickly and making something of it after the catch. If a small but excellent receiver has to wait for the ball, two things happen. It greatly diminishes his ability to catch the ball because he's small and he's got the DB all over him. In fact, it can be an INT waiting to happen if he gets outmuscled for the ball continually. The second thing that happens is, he gets creamed over and over again because he's been forced to wait for the delivery. Even if he makes the catch, it's doubtful he goes anywhere with it. So yes, you do have to talk about the man in terms of who is throwing him the ball. That cannot be left out of the equation. A tall, big, tough receiver like TO, for example, can work with all these limitations imposed upon him by a QB who puts less on the ball, but it greatly hampers a small speed-burner because it takes away his game. Am I making any sense here? Of course, if we were to be doing this thinking about Clemens being the passer, then this helps the situation geatly. Thats if Branch can remain injury-free long enough for him to ever see Clemens on the field.
Yes, he is. For perspective, his career yards per catch is 12.9. Keyshawn Johnson's is 13.1. We're not talking about Steve Smith here. -X-
that's more so due to the patriots scheme on o over the years....spread em out and throw 5-7 yard slants, hitches, etc.....the spread dink and dunk is what they run this is also why deion branch has never had a 1000 yd season....the pats spread the ball out more so than any team in the league, that's a very stupid argument that i see from a lot of posters already.....if you don't think he is a good player, tell me something about his game, not something that is almost out of the guys control i like deion branch very much as a player....him and coles would be great
Exactly. He also ran alot of screen passes trying to use his speed to make some people miss. Any number of things could contribute to that ypc avg.
That spread the ball around offense apparently didn't apply when Troy Brown was catching 101 balls in 2001 and 97 balls in 2002. -X-
A lot of things could contribute, but typically, a "big play" receiver balances it out by, well, making big plays. -X-
That was when david givens hadn't even really developed yet...they did not have nearly as many weapons back in 2001...no daniel grahm, no ben watson, deion branch wasn't even there (may have been a rookie...) are you really disputing that for the last few years the patriots don't run a spread em out, dink n dunk, spread the ball around kinda offense??? geez man, obviously you haven't watched much of the patriots over the last few years if that's what you're attempting to say....
