<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.newsday.com/sports/footb...ports-headlinesJets making run at BranchPatriots wide receiver could join Jets if teams can agree on draft-choice compensationBY BOB GLAUBERNewsday Staff WriterSeptember 1, 2006, 10:15 AM EDTDeion Branch in a Jets uniform? It could happen.The Patriots gave their holdout receiver until today to find another team willing to trade for him, and Branch found two – the Jets and an undisclosed NFC team. Newsday has learned that both teams have agreed on the parameters of a long-term contract with Branch, but that neither club has so far been able to agree on draft-choice compensation with the Patriots to complete a trade, according to multiple league sources. The Jets acted almost immediately when the Patriots allowed Branch permission to seek a trade, and a contract agreement was reached late Monday. The NFC team reached agreement on a similar deal yesterday. Terms of the contract were not available, but league sources said the deals far exceeded what the Patriots had offered. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum declined comment this morning about Branch through a team spokesman, citing the fact that Branch is currently under contract with the Patriots.The Patriots were tight-lipped about Branch's situation last night. After they lost to the Giants in the final preseason game for both teams, head coach Bill Belichick and general manager Scott Pioli declined to comment on Branch. The Patriots are thought to be reluctant to trade the former Super Bowl MVP receiver because he is so valuable to their team, especially because they have little depth at the position. The Patriots' initial rebuff of the Jets' trade offer indicates they might be uncomfortable trading within the division, although they once traded quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the Bills for a first-round pick.Branch is thought to be very interested in playing for Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the Patriots former defensive coordinator. Branch is in the final year of a five-year deal that is scheduled to pay him $1.045 million this season.When the Patriots gave Branch permission to seek trade offers last week, it was considered a way of forcing Branch to resolve his contract situation and thus return to the team, especially if he couldn't find another club willing to meet his demands. But that plan may ultimately have backfired, since several teams expressed interest in acquiring him. The Jets were the quickest to act on contract negotiations, reaching agreement with Branch on Monday night.Several calls to Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, were not returned.Mangini became familiar with Branch's skills during their time together in New England, when Mangini was one of Belichick's top assistants. Branch, 27, is coming off his best season, catching 78 passes for 998 yards and five touchdowns in 2005. Branch was the Super Bowl MVP when New England beat Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX, finishing with 11 catches for 133 yards. That gave him a combined 21 receptions in two Super Bowls, an NFL record. In the Patriots' win over Carolina in the previous year's Super Bowl, he had 10 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown.The Jets-Patriots tug-of-war is the latest in a series of tussles involving the two teams. In 1997, the Patriots accused the Jets of tampering with head coach Bill Parcells before hiring him to coach in New York. Tagliabue wound up awarding the Patriots four draft choices as compensation. A year later, Parcells lured Pro Bowl running back Curtis Martin away from the Patriots with a six-year, $36 million contract offer that New England declined to match.And in 2000, after Parcells had retired as Jets coach and named Belichick to succeed him, Belichick promptly resigned and eventually signed with New England. The Jets were eventually given two high draft choices as compensation.</div>
Branch has tentative deal with Jets, SeahawksBy Len PasquarelliESPN.com(http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2568851)With the clock ticking toward a Friday 4 p.m. ET deadline for striking a deal, league sources confirmed for ESPN.com that New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch has reached agreement with the New York Jets and an unnamed NFC team on a long-term contract that meets his demands. The NFC team is believed to be the Seattle Seahawks. But neither team, the sources acknowledged, has been able to come to an agreement with the Patriots on compensation for the four-year veteran. And without the second half of the deal in place, the deadline could pass without a trade, and again force Branch to decide whether to extend his camp-long holdout. A deal with the Jets would reunite Branch with first-year head coach Eric Mangini, who previously was the defensive coordinator in New England. Representatives for Branch were expected on Friday to apprise Patriots officials of the status of talks with other teams. New England last Friday granted Branch permission to discuss a potential trade with other teams. It's believed that none of the suitors involved with Branch are willing to offer the Patriots more than a second-round draft choice. New England is seeking a first-round pick and perhaps a middle-round choice as well. Whether the Pats would consider extending the deadline to enter into trade negotiations with the two clubs attempting to land Branch is unknown. Part of New England's strategy in granting Branch permission to deal with other teams, it seems, was to try to force some kind of resolution to stalemate before the start of the regular season. People close to Branch insist that he will not crack and will report to the Patriots only for the final six games of the season, enough to earn an accrued year toward the pension, and to qualify him for unrestricted free agency next spring. While last week's move by the Patriots was surprising, it was also reflective of the state of discussions between the two sides. There has been virtually no meaningful dialogue for weeks and Branch, the team's leading receiver in 2005, remains out of camp and is being fined at the rate of $14,000 per day during his absence. It is believed that, at some point in the offseason, the Patriots offered two extension proposals: a three-year deal worth $18.75 million with $8 million of that guaranteed, and a five-year extension at $31 million, with $11 million in bonuses. Branch, 27, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.05 million in 2006, the final season of the original five-year contract he signed as a second-round choice in the 2002 draft. And the base salary is only that high because Branch performed well enough to trigger an "escalator" in the contract that raised his compensation by $500,000. Team officials indicated as far back as March that securing an extension with Branch was a priority, but the sides have been unable to strike a deal and talks seem at a dead end. Branch is coming off a career year in 2005, when he had 78 receptions for 998 yards and five touchdowns. For his career, Branch has 213 catches for 2,744 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has appeared in 53 games and logged 42 starts. He earned most valuable player honors in Super Bowl XXXIX when he tied a title game record with 11 receptions, netting 133 yards.
I would love to see it happen, and I'd have to think an offer of like the Redskins 2nd Round Pick and Justin McCareins would probably get the job done if they are going to be willing to trade him in-division at all. Either way though, the Jets being interested makes this lose-lose for the Patriots. Scenario 1) The Patriots decide they have to keep him and pay him the market value that the New York Jets/Seattle Seahawks set for Deion Branch. This is a lose because the price tag is now much more then they hoped to end up paying him. Scenario 2) The Patriots trade Deion Branch. This is a lose for the Patriots because Deion Branch is no longer with the Patriots and they likely will not have gotten fair value for him. The only way they could end up winning here is if they somehow manage to get one of these teams to overpay.Scenario 3) Nothing happens, Deion Branch holds out until Week 10, plays the Final 6 Weeks to Qualify for Service Time and then goes somewhere else in Free Agency.The Patriots tried letting Branch test the waters figureing that nobody would be willing to pay his price, and that plan backfired on them. Now it is going to be interesting to see what happens.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Sep 1 2006, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would love to see it happen, and I'd have to think an offer of like the Redskins 2nd Round Pick and Justin McCareins would probably get the job done if they are going to be willing to trade him in-division at all.</div>That's what I was thinking, only our 2nd round pick.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Sep 1 2006, 11:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's an asshole. I could care less where he goes.</div>We dont want him in our division, especially to the Seahawks
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (david81 @ Sep 1 2006, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Sep 1 2006, 11:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's an asshole. I could care less where he goes.</div>We dont want him in our division, especially to the Seahawks </div>Ha! plus it would be doubly good with having him playing his former team 2-3 times a year for NY. As long as we don't part with a 1st, or BOTH our 2nd's, I'm good.
I think giving one of our 2nds and McCareins would be a good deal. Because we still have another 2nd and McCareins isnt doing anything for us. And I heard it is true that we have already came to ana greement on the contract, but are having problems with compensation.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Street @ Sep 1 2006, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think giving one of our 2nds and McCareins would be a good deal. Because we still have another 2nd and McCareins isnt doing anything for us. And I heard it is true that we have already came to ana greement on the contract, but are having problems with compensation.</div>Of course we are, Pats want a 1st, and the Jets will not (better not) give up our 1st round pick for a 2nd teir WR.
New Wrinkle in the Story<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/56907/detail.htmlSources: Branch files grievance against PatsBy Tom CurranNBCSports.comNew England Patriots holdout wide receiver Deion Branch and his agent, Jason Chayut, have filed a grievance against the team with the NFLPA, sources tell NBCSports.com. They are asking a special master to hear the grievance in an emergency meeting today.The Patriots gave Branch until 4 p.m. today to negotiate a contract suitable to he and his New York-based agent. Although the Seattle Seahawks talked numbers with Chayut, the New York Jets wound up being the only team to talk to New England about what its contract demands would be.The Jets offer, the source said, was for six years and $36 million but it had a ?funky structure.?Chayut is alleging that there was a verbal agreement between he and the Patriots that New England would deal Branch if presented with a ?fair and reasonable? offer.Chayut alleges that the Jets presented New England with that offer but that the Patriots didn?t act on it.A ?special master? is an arbitrator that works for both the NFL and the NFLPA. He rules on whether or not grieved issues are in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.In this case, the definition of ?fair and reasonable? is so subjective, there?s little chance any ruling would go to Branch.It?s not known what the Jets offered or New England would have demanded.Branch, 26, signed a five-year deal in 2002 after being selected with the 65th overall pick. He quickly emerged as the team?s best receiver and won the MVP award for Super Bowl XXXIX. He?s on the books to make $1.045 million this season, a figure far less than what comparable players at his position make. The Patriots have made him two contract extension offers -- one for five years and one for three years. The three-year offer made in May was to pay Branch a $4 million bonus this season, a $4 million guaranteed option bonus next September and salaries of $1.4, $4.3 and $4.75 million. That averages out to more than $6 million per year over the life of the deal and makes Branch a free agent at the prime earning age of 29.But Chayut and Branch believe Branch should have already had his freedom. Chayut alleges the team originally was going to give Branch a four-year deal in 2002 but decided it wanted him on a five-year deal after watching him work out at the rookie minicamp. As a result of that, Chayut divides all extension offers the Patriots make to Branch by an additional year. So he views the three-year extension as a four-year offer and feels the offer is actually for less than $5 million per year. With Chayut pining for a contract like the one the Colts gave to free agent Reggie Wayne (6 years, $40 million with a $13.5 million bonus), his math says Branch is getting a below-market deal.The Patriots are able to fine him up to $14,000 per day dating to July 27. The tab as of today is $518,000.If Branch doesn?t report by the 10th week of the NFL season (by which time he could have rolled up $1.512 million in AWOL fines), he won?t get credit for the 2006 season and will still have a year left on his deal.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>New England is seeking a first-round pick and perhaps a middle-round choice as well. Smith reported that league sources have indicated that the Patriots are looking to receive two No. 1 draft picks for their leading receiver.</div>I just hope that we didnt give up any No. 1 draft picks. DONT TURN INTO THE KNICKS! PLEASE!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Street @ Sep 1 2006, 12:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>New England is seeking a first-round pick and perhaps a middle-round choice as well. Smith reported that league sources have indicated that the Patriots are looking to receive two No. 1 draft picks for their leading receiver.</div>I just hope that we didnt give up any No. 1 draft picks. DONT TURN INTO THE KNICKS! PLEASE!</div>Tangini isnt going to overpay, to be honest, I highly doubt we're even offering a Third Round Pick. We are just driving the price up in a game of cat-and-mouse for the Patriots.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ Sep 1 2006, 08:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, the 2nd round pick wasn't enough. Patriots are some stingy bastards.</div>Well, just look at all the wholes they need to fill because of retarded coaching and GM moves. All the players there are going to retire in the next 3 years, with exceptions for Brady, Wilfork, Seymour, Samuel, an a few others.
What are you talking about dude?New England has one of the best coaching staffs, and their front office rarely makes stupid moves.Yea, the Patriots have "holes" (not wholes), but even the great teams have to reload.New England may be a veteran team, but that doesnt mean their whole team is going to retire all at once within the next 3 years. New England has managed their cap well, it is why they have let players go, for example Ty Law. Instead of resigning aging players who demand huge contracts, they sign their draft picks, and go after cheaper but just as effective role players.On topic now...Personally, I wouldnt take a flier on Branch. Obviously he wants a big deal, but he hasnt shown that he is more than an average #2 passing option on most teams. He isnt very explosive and he isnt that big. He hasnt caught more than 5 TDs, and never had a 1,000 yard receiving year. Sure, I know, Tom Brady shares the wealth. But you would think that a star WR would have at least 1,000 yards and 8 TDs if the QB passed for over 4,000 yards and 26 TDs.Eddie Kennison is an excellent example of Branch. Nearly identical numbers, in a system that shares the ball, with a QB who throws for over 4,000 yards. Yet would you even consider trading a 2nd rounder for Kennison? Would you offer him a big contract deal? You would cry if your team did that...Basically, this whole Branch business doesnt make sense to me. I really think he is over-rated, and I will laugh at the team that gives Branch a contract similar to the one Reggie Wayne got...
Exactly though. Number 2 Option on MOST Teams. Coles is not a number 1 option and I would rather have Branch over him, and I would rather have Branch and Coles rather than Coles and a 2nd rounder. We can afford it too. And to be fair, Branch was only a couple catches away from 1000.
The Jets cannot afford to give up their 2nd rounder... The Jets have bigger problems than WR.Wouldnt you rather have a solid RT or RG?Wouldnt you rather get a solid passing and blocking TE?Wouldnt you rather have a RB?Wouldnt you rather have a QB?Wouldnt you rather have a DE?Wouldnt you rather have a DT?Wouldnt you rather have a CB?Rounds 1-4 is where you can find solid contributers. The rest of the draft is basically trying to find a diamond in the rough, but you shouldnt throw away draft picks especially if you need help in other areas.I dont understand why you would think giving up a 2nd rounder is worth Branch.I dont understand why the Seahawks are considering giving up their 1st round pick for Branch.Like I said, Branch isnt more than an average WR. The only difference between Branch and an average WR is that Branch has won a Superbowl MVP, and obviously feels like he should be paid like a top-tier WR.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Leftwich4MVP @ Sep 2 2006, 12:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Jets cannot afford to give up their 2nd rounder... The Jets have bigger problems than WR.Wouldnt you rather have a solid RT or RG?Wouldnt you rather get a solid passing and blocking TE?Wouldnt you rather have a RB?Wouldnt you rather have a QB?Wouldnt you rather have a DE?Wouldnt you rather have a DT?Wouldnt you rather have a CB?Rounds 1-4 is where you can find solid contributers. The rest of the draft is basically trying to find a diamond in the rough, but you shouldnt throw away draft picks especially if you need help in other areas.I dont understand why you would think giving up a 2nd rounder is worth Branch.I dont understand why the Seahawks are considering giving up their 1st round pick for Branch.Like I said, Branch isnt more than an average WR. The only difference between Branch and an average WR is that Branch has won a Superbowl MVP, and obviously feels like he should be paid like a top-tier WR.</div>Well, considering we have TWO 2nd rounders this upcoming draft, I think we can afford to give one away for a WR that we will have for six years.
Obviously you didnt understand my point. The Jets have numerous holes to fill.Not to mention, even if he signed for 6 years, what a waste of cap space.
