Patriots' Branch set to miss start of training camp

[BlackNGold203]

Trouble in paradise????

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2530066

Branch, who is seeking a contract extension, has deliberated the last several days over his course of action, and decided that he will not report until his deal is upgraded.



hmmmmmm

[Jeremy]

It was going to happen to them sooner or later. No franchise can sustain the string of good luck they've seen over the last few years. First they lost the two best coordinators in football, they're having player holdouts, and their head coach was the other man in a messy divorce case.

But don't worry, Bob Craft will make sure everything stays nice and quiet in Boston.

[Ambridge]

Under a new twist in the extension to the collective bargaining agreement,
Branch can be fined a maximum of $14,000 per day. That is nearly triple the previous maximum daily fine of $5,000 that a team could levy against a player under contract who does not report to training camp.

Looks like New England has the leverage here.
I'd like to see how many $14,000 days Branch is willing to be fined??

OUCH!!

[SteelerFanInCA]

That's some crazy money. I wonder if it will influence his negotiating tactic any?

[Livinginthe past]

I have a feeling that alot of these holdouts are done for show.

I wonder if Branch really is being fined $14,000 for every day he misses - its in the Patriots interests to appear as if they play hardball with all their salary negotiations.

Even Seymour, who is one half of the Indispensibles, had to hold out for a period of time before he got his money.

As much as New England lack WR depth, they wont be bullied into making a financially unsound decison that will still be impacting them in years to come.

Oh and Jeremy, its Bob Kraft, and when there is only one player holding out - its a hold out, not holdouts.



NM

[Livinginthe past]

Here is a little more insight into what the Patriots (and probably all NFL teams) have to face when it comes to contract negotiations.

http://www.projo.com/patriots/conten...h.33b5c61.html

If the numbers being offered to Branch are correct then he should be biting the Patriots hands off to accept them.

I have to admit when I read on a seperate article that his agent said Branch would sign when he being treated 'fairly' it raised a few hackles.

Comments like that do nothing to help his client - the Patriots have shwon they wont bend to public opinion before - all it will do is p*ss off the F.O.

Anyone know a good agent?

NM

[Livinginthe past]

Thought i'd give this thread a little bump, even though nothing majorly newsworthy has happened.

Branch was interviewed and has expressed his understanding that the Patriots stance is one based upon business factors and nothing personal.

From what I understand, any small amount of sympathy Branch had from the fanbase at the beginning of this drawn out episode - he lost a couple of weeks ago.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2558415

Get a deal done and get your ass into camp, Deion.

NM

[SteelCzar76]

Originally Posted by Livinginthe past

Thought i'd give this thread a little bump, even though nothing majorly newsworthy has happened.

Branch was interviewed and has expressed his understanding that the Patriots stance is one based upon business factors and nothing personal.

From what I understand, any small amount of sympathy Branch had from the fanbase at the beginning of this drawn out episode - he lost a couple of weeks ago.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2558415

Get a deal done and get your ass into camp, Deion.

NM

Buisness,....is just that Pats. You know this is a numbers and leverage game. I don't think Branch is on some "F#ck You,....pay me". He just trying to insure his future while he has any kind of leverage to do so,......if your skills helped to make so many others so VASTLY wealthy,...wouldn't you want a reasonable cut ? Remember the league doesn't pay the same as many other less popular, less violent,...basically just lesser,...sport's.


"Hail Caesar,....Hail the Black and Gold"

[tony hipchest]

branch is screwed. 1st hes looking at what the rooneys did with hines ward. unfortunately for him he plays for r. kraft.

2nd hes looking for a huge payday just based on 3 games and being part of a superbowl team. thats done and over with.

3rd hes looking for reggie wayne type money. no matter if brady leads the league in all statistical categories branch's numbers will never match up with the colts number 2 option and he may never catch the 10 touchdowns b. stokely did as the #3 option.

4th he can be replaced by troy brown. whats that tell you.

5th hes small and fragile.

the pats will offer to waive his fines which are past a quarter of a mil and he will report before game one with his tail between his legs and a chip on his shoulder. brady will be instructed by the coach/gm to keep his numbers down, and branch can walk after the season and sign a semi lucrative deal with the 49ers.

[BlackNGold203]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

branch is screwed. 1st hes looking at what the rooneys did with hines ward. unfortunately for him he plays for r. kraft.

2nd hes looking for a huge payday just based on 3 games and being part of a superbowl team. thats done and over with.

3rd hes looking for reggie wayne type money. no matter if brady leads the league in all statistical categories branch's numbers will never match up with the colts number 2 option and he may never catch the 10 touchdowns b. stokely did as the #3 option.

4th he can be replaced by troy brown. whats that tell you.

5th hes small and fragile.

the pats will offer to waive his fines which are past a quarter of a mil and he will report before game one with his tail between his legs and a chip on his shoulder. brady will be instructed by the coach/gm to keep his numbers down, and branch can walk after the season and sign a semi lucrative deal with the 49ers.

Wow....I couldnt say it better....This guy is gonna get nothing and like it....