The next T.O. saga has begun, only this time its with a New England Patriot...<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Patriots WR Branch skips mandatory practice Click here to find out more!NFL.com wire reportsFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (June 13, 2006) -- Deion Branch, the 2005 Super Bowl MVP, stayed away from the New England Patriots mandatory minicamp because he is upset with his contract.The team's top wide receiver, in the final year of a five-year contract he signed after New England drafted him in the second round in 2002, would like an extension."I'm not going to talk about anybody who's not here," coach Bill Belichick said.Branch was the MVP in the 2005 Super Bowl, the Patriots third title in four seasons. He caught 11 passes for 133 yards in the championship game against Philadelphia.But he was absent when the Patriots held their first session of the minicamp, which will end June 15."Obviously, it's tough not having him here, but that's the business," quarterback Tom Brady said. "That gives us a chance to really work on other things."The Patriots lost their No. 2 wide receiver in the offseason when David Givens signed as a free agent with Tennessee. Without Branch, the Patriots' top two wide receivers appear to be Troy Brown and Reche Caldwell, who left San Diego as a free agent after last season.Last year, All-Pro defensive lineman Richard Seymour stayed out of minicamps. He eventually reported for training camp and signed a long-term deal.AP NEWSThe Associated Press News ServiceCopyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved</div>http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NE/9495593
The Pats better open up their paychecks because they desperately need Branch. Chad Jackson isnt ready to be the guy and either Reche Caldwell or Troy Brown being a starter at this point is a scary thought.
Yeah maybe the Pats could look at the Eagles situation last year without T.O., they had NO recievers and look how bad their season went...
It's not the TO situation, it's the Richard Seymour one. Chad Jackson has looked amazing, Belichick has said he has the best hands on the team. But, our # 1, no. Branch will defiantly play this year. It's just a matter of time.
Who knows how much longer he will holds out, look like he's in the same situation like Hines Ward was last year, i don't blame him, he definately deserve a big paycheck
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Patriots | New rule may impact Branch's situationSun, 23 Jul 2006 06:01:06 -0700Ron Borges, of the Boston Globe, reports the NFL's collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to fine players $14,000 per day for holding out may impact the decision of New England Patriots WR Deion Branch. The team had been facing the situation where Branch held out for a new contract, but now things are not so certain given the amount of fine the team can levy to Branch. Agent Jason Chayut has been trying to negotiate an extension for Branch that reflects he has outplayed the value of his rookie contract. Branch is the team's No. 1 receiver yet will earn only $1.045 million this year. And he will make that much only because he hit an escalator clause based on yardage that added $500,000 to his base salary. A source said the Patriots have offered Branch either a five- or three-year deal that averages just over $6 million. Chayut says the average was more like $5.6 million a year. For perspective, a wide receiver hit with the franchise tag this season would receive $6.172 million, the average of the top five salaries at the position. That number will increase next year, probably to around $7 million, thus putting Branch below the game's elite receivers if he accepted New England's offer. Chayut argues Branch was coerced into signing a five-year deal when he was drafted in 2002. Branch is now trying to decide what his next move will be.</div>
Branch to Hold Out<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Patriots | Branch to hold outWed, 26 Jul 2006 05:29:32 -0700Ron Borges, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots WR Deion Branch decided he will not report to camp despite facing a $14,000-per-day fine. "Deion will not be in camp until he feels he's being treated fairly," said Branch's agent, Jason Chayut. The Patriots made an offer to Branch in May they claim would have paid him an average of $6.25 million over three years or $5 million over four, but the deal was heavily backloaded, with more than $9 million of it coming in the final two seasons of the contract, at which time clubs often try to renegotiate.</div>
This guy is a joke to me, just play out your deal. Stop crying, I hope the Pats don't pay him and he just doesn't play this season. I heard Jerry Porter was availble.
ya i think he is just being a big baby he needs to prove himself one more season ik hes gona be the top wr but with chad jackson on the team now he has some competition i think.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (XxCalhoun2xX @ Jul 26 2006, 10:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>ya i think he is just being a big baby he needs to prove himself one more season ik hes gona be the top wr but with chad jackson on the team now he has some competition i think.</div>If I were Branch I wouldn't worry about Jackson just yet, the Patriots wouldn't start a rookie over someone like Branch. I really think Branch is gone after this year, then Jackson will take over and we'll need to go get a veteran WR.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Jul 26 2006, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh those high character Patriots are at it again!</div>lol.
