Branch
The Pats finally got rid of disgruntled WR Deon Branch. Branch had outperformed his contract significantly, and wanted a big raise. Since the Pats had (have) no other decent NFL WR on their roster, it was a good bet that he'd get his way.
After all, as the perplexingly anti-Patriots local media will be quick to tell you, the Pats had lots of salary cap room. "Eleventy billion dollars" worth, according to one (no, not Ron Borges).
The spin on this is that Belichick was, once again, cold and heartless and business-first enough to cut off his nose to spite his face. He wouldn't pay Branch, even when he had no other football alternatives and lots of money. Bad Bill!
Now the precedent has been set that you can pout your way out of town. If you're a veteran with some juice, you can hold your breath until you turn blue and that will get you out.
But there are other precedents here that have been established. First, you can't tear up the final season of your contract with the Pats. They offered Branch an extension - that would have kicked in after the final year of his original deal. Branch said "nope." Pats said: "okey-doke."
The other precedent is that when the Pats want compensation, they get it or no deal. How many disgruntled players have walked away from their teams for nothing? Terrell Owens - what did the Eagles get for him? Nothing. Steve McNair - nothing. Most of the time, other teams realize that the original team is going to cut the guy anyway - so why trade? Just wait for him on the market.
The Pats will be okay without Branch this year. They'll have to play offense differently - more short TE/RB passes, more running game. And defenses will play closer and tighter, which will put more pressure on Brady and the running game. Defenses can play eight in the box and risk the downfield throw if there's no reliable deep threat.
But - and this is a big butt - rookie Chad Jackson and veteran Doug Gabriel will be available at WR this Sunday at NY. They may answer some questions.
But however it works out, Belichick and Pioli have set a tone for the future of the organization, and that's good. With an extra #1 pick, that's better.
After all, as the perplexingly anti-Patriots local media will be quick to tell you, the Pats had lots of salary cap room. "Eleventy billion dollars" worth, according to one (no, not Ron Borges).
The spin on this is that Belichick was, once again, cold and heartless and business-first enough to cut off his nose to spite his face. He wouldn't pay Branch, even when he had no other football alternatives and lots of money. Bad Bill!
Now the precedent has been set that you can pout your way out of town. If you're a veteran with some juice, you can hold your breath until you turn blue and that will get you out.
But there are other precedents here that have been established. First, you can't tear up the final season of your contract with the Pats. They offered Branch an extension - that would have kicked in after the final year of his original deal. Branch said "nope." Pats said: "okey-doke."
The other precedent is that when the Pats want compensation, they get it or no deal. How many disgruntled players have walked away from their teams for nothing? Terrell Owens - what did the Eagles get for him? Nothing. Steve McNair - nothing. Most of the time, other teams realize that the original team is going to cut the guy anyway - so why trade? Just wait for him on the market.
The Pats will be okay without Branch this year. They'll have to play offense differently - more short TE/RB passes, more running game. And defenses will play closer and tighter, which will put more pressure on Brady and the running game. Defenses can play eight in the box and risk the downfield throw if there's no reliable deep threat.
But - and this is a big butt - rookie Chad Jackson and veteran Doug Gabriel will be available at WR this Sunday at NY. They may answer some questions.
But however it works out, Belichick and Pioli have set a tone for the future of the organization, and that's good. With an extra #1 pick, that's better.
posted by fiduciary at 11:34 AM
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