One week after trading Randy Moss back to Minnesota, the New England Patriots re-acquired wide receiver Deion Branch, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The Patriots sent the Seahawks a 2011 fourth-round draft pick for Branch, who is expected to be in Foxboro, Mbutt., on Tuesday to begin preparations for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, the sources said. Branch grew close to quarterback Tom Brady during their time together in New England and the two remained friends after the Patriots traded Branch to Seattle for a first-round draft pick before the 2006 season after a contract dispute. Branch, who has 13 catches for 112 yards and one touchdown this season as part of a deep receiving corps in Seattle, played for the Patriots from 2002 to 2005 and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX after he caught 11 passes for 133 yards and no touchdowns. Seattle coach Pete Carroll gave Branch a "personal day" on Monday as the team returned from its bye week and later said he expected Branch back with the Seahawks on Wednesday. Source: ESPN Boston
A fourth would be too rich for my blood in this one....a fifth or sixth like I previously mentioned would've been a better deal and more accordingly to Branch's current value. At least New England gets someone who is familiar with the system so Branch shouldn't have a hard time re-acclimating.
It wouldn't have been wise for Branch to practice and risk injury while Seattle and New England were negotiating the trade.
New England trades Moss for a third and gives up a fourth for Branch? The Patriots had better days......
The fact that the Patriots would deal a 4th for Branch makes absolutely no sense at all. Seahawks had no intention of dealing him away prior to fielding a call from Bellichek and when they said they wanted Branch Carroll was determined to take a hard stand on the 4th rounder.
While it is too much, I'm not sure they even really need that pick lmao But bare in mind, you can fully anticipate Branch producing more in New England than he did in Seattle, so who knows how this plays out.
Ummm... are you saying the Seahawks weren't looking to rid themselves of Branch? Pretty sure they were. They were probably contemplating a release in the next couple of weeks if they couldn't get a pick for him. Essentially the Seahawks traded Branch for Marshawn Lynch. Not a bad deal at all. **********Automerged Doublepost********** True. That is, if he makes it on to the field.
Exactly! He had like one half decent year in 2005 and the Superbowl performance. that was it (I understand being Superbowl MVP is a big deal, but in the grand scheme of things...), ever since he's been a non factor in the league. Fourth Rounder is absurd, Pats got had in this deal.
No crap... I just looked at his career numbers... teh weak sauce. Didn't Balt. pinch Bolden for a 4th... and Jets snag smoker for a 5th, and Moss goes for a 3rd when Pats got him for a 4th with Branch at least being 2 levels below Moss which puts him at the 5-6 range. I guess the pats put the same value on Branch as they did when they picked up Moss. Strange.
Brady wanted him, so the deal was made. They had chemistry before, hopefully Branch can still play at that level. Time will tell.