Neon Deion

Seahawks:
To be honest, I don't see how Branch is going to help the Seahawks too much. They already have Jackson and Burleson. Since Jax is hobbled, it will help the depth sure, but I don't understand the benefit of giving up a first rounder for another wideout who isn't going to really improve your run based offense. Panic move by the Hawks.

Patriots:
First round pick is nice. Everyone points out that the Super Bowl losers this decade have failed to make the playoffs the following year. Deion was not coming back unless he got what he wanted, and the Patriots were not going to do that on moral and financial grounds. Rather than wait for some silly arbitrator ruling or wait til later in the year when Branch's trade value would decrease, New England pulled the trigger. As for the team this year, the Buffalo passing failures were attributable to the O-line not being able to handle the rush rather than Brady not having receivers open. Unlike Losman, Brady did not really experience times where he had to hold the ball for an eternity even with plenty of time from the offensive line. When he had time to pass he made the play.

The biggest worry from that game aside from the pass protection was the lack of depth of the wide receiver corps rather than the lack of talent from those wideouts. Fortunately, one has to believe that a good starting wideout will emerge from the duo of Chad Jackson and the underrated Doug Gabriel. When this team fields its entire WR group we can truly make a judgment as to whether the wideout losses have crippled this team.

Branch:
I don't agree with what he did, but he did it in a businesslike and professional manner and the Patriots handled it likewise. If Branch really wanted that money, he got it in a good situation. Good quarterback, good offense, good team, super bowl contender, long term rich contract. Good luck to him. But of course I hope Hasselbeck and Alexander get hurt this year...