Patriots trade Deion Branch to Seattle
1:07 PM Mon, Sep 11, 2006 | Permalink
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The New England Patriots have traded disgruntled wide receiver Deion Branch to the Seattle Seahawks. In a statement, the club says that Branch has been traded for an undisclosed 2007 draft pick. ESPN has reported that the trade is for Seattle's first-round draft pick. Branch held out the entire preseason because he was unhappy with his contract, which is worth $1.045 million for this season. Branch, 27, played four seasons with New England. He was Tom Brady's best deep threat, and his absence seemed to leave the team noticeably short of downfield options in yesterday's opener. He had his best season last year, making 78 receptions for 998 yards and five touchdowns. The previous season, he was Super Bowl MVP as the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to win their third championship in four years. Branch had 11 catches in that game for 133 yards.
Read the Associated Press story 
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Hooray and Hallelujah!!!!!
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Let's see if he honors his full contract with the Seahawks.The Pats did the right thing,now him and his agent are Seattles'problem.Hope he likes rain!!!!
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Giving him the week to make a deal may not have been the wisest option because there are always one or two desperate, fiscally irresponsible teams willing to make outragegous offers. They usually don't make it to Super Bowls, certainly not multiple ones. Contrary to popular opinion, Deion is probably better than Reggie Wayne, especially in the New England offense. But he will take more of a beating without Brady's quick throws to him. Fortunately, Branch is not going to the Jets in order to help make them a contender in the division.
In a sens,e Deion and his agent beat the NFL by reducing a five-year contract to only a four-year one. But a first-round pick is a pretty good deal. A first and third would be better, considering what never materialized for the Patriots after the Curtis Martin trade.
But Deion, who has never been to a Pro Bowl, is not worth Richard Seymour kind of bonus money. Now Seattle has only to hope that he does not pull a hamstring immediately.
New England had better develop Chad Jackson in a hurry. He is bigger and faster than Deion, but will he be as productive? Often the departed David Givens would have hundred yard games during Deion's absence, and Caldwell is no Givens, who was only a 4.57 forty man anyway. Nevertheless, he could get open and catch better than the slightly faster Caldwell. It's too bad that Bethel Johsnon was a basket case who never understood the value of discipline and hard work.
Right now, except for Jackson, New England smply lacks great quickness and speed on the outside. And this is the greatest impediment in its returning to the Super Bowl.
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