Do you think we can afford Branch?

Branch has been given one week to seek a trade. What do ya'll think our chances are? Slim to none? Is he worth the headache? Not to dis Walters, but that would be a darn good WR corp. Comments?

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NE/9619678

Until we see our passing game able to go through a progression where the #3gets a consistent look we should pass on investing any more dollars into WR.

Kaiser Toro said:

Until we see our passing game able to go through a progression where the #3gets a consistent look we should pass on investing any more dollars into WR.

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True, true. It just sounds so good though. They did say we were looking for another WR too. He might be wanting a little more than what we're willing to part with. Who knows?

HOU-TEX said:

True, true. It just sounds so good though. They did say we were looking for another WR too. He might be wanting a little more than what we're willing to part with. Who knows?

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I am really poo pooing on the price it would cost for that caliber of guy rather than wanting his obvious talent. If we already were a winning organization we might be able to get a sweetheart deal.

I don't think he'd want to be a #3 WR here. I'd love to have him, but I don't see it happening.

Kaiser Toro said:

Until we see our passing game able to go through a progression where the #3gets a consistent look we should pass on investing any more dollars into WR.

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This I agree with also. The one thing that is different with Walter is you have a YOUNG WR that plays 125% every time he is out there. He does not have this ME attitude and even though I am sure he would love to get to #2 some day, he is continuing to absorb from the veterans he lines up with and against and when you put him in there, he WILL perform.

On the other hand you could bring in a guy with a different attitude and start complaining to Carr a few games in about not getting the ball more. and then upsetting the continuity of the Offense.

We need to throw dollars at CB and LB before we start fixing things that aren't broken, even though I like Branch.

I don't think they will trade him. If they do they're dumb.

AFD1717 said:

We need to throw dollars at CB and LB before we start fixing things that aren't broken, even though I like Branch.

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QFT

HOU-TEX said:

Branch has been given one week to seek a trade. What do ya'll think our chances are? Slim to none? Is he worth the headache? Not to dis Walters, but that would be a darn good WR corp. Comments?

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NE/9619678

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We've got two solid WRs, and we have a pretty good TE squad.

No need to bring in a guy who wants #1 money. It'd be too many high profile WRs and only one football to throw each play.

None, Slim just left town....

This thread has some great quotes, the best I can remember in one single thread. I am surprised at some of the people I am agreeing with.

This is really good stuff and want to give some props.

All of these guys hit the nail on the head from different angles. There are others, but this is what I picked:

Kaiser Toro said:

Until we see our passing game able to go through a progression where the #3gets a consistent look we should pass on investing any more dollars into WR.

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AFD1717 said:

We need to throw dollars at CB and LB before we start fixing things that aren't broken, even though I like Branch.

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Titan "Tack" Fan said:

I don't think they will trade him. If they do they're dumb.

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gpshafer_1976 said:

We've got two solid WRs, and we have a pretty good TE squad.

No need to bring in a guy who wants #1 money. It'd be too many high profile WRs and only one football to throw each play.

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I think spending money on DBs may be more appropriate at this time if we are going to get a quality vet.

Or, let's leave some cap space for next year. We are going to need it!

hollywood_texan said:

I think spending money on DBs may be more appropriate at this time if we are going to get a quality vet.

Or, let's leave some cap space for next year. We are going to need it!

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Save money for whever we sign once players are cut to make the 53 man rosters. I'm sure the Texans will pick up at least one DB and maybe a LB.

hollywood_texan said:

I think spending money on DBs may be more appropriate at this time if we are going to get a quality vet.

Or, let's leave some cap space for next year. We are going to need it!

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Eggs-actly. We have plenty of dead cap space next year and this is year one the Kubiak Era.

I think all of you guys had great quotes, I'm to saying let's spend our money more in a needed area. The patriots are doing this to see what and how many players they could get in return. They casted the line and bait, and just seeing if any team would snatch on the hook.

McCleon was HURTING Rams players left and right: Curtis got smacked, and had to stay on the ground to catch his breath. He ran Holt's shoulder into the ground (perhaps Holt landed on the ball as the announcers opined), and Holt went to the sidleine unbuckling his chin strap and waving for a replacement to come in. IIRC, he came flying around the end of the line and smacked the QB pretty good.

I have been pleased with McCleon. McCleon, IMO, is proving to be a guy who wants everyone to know he's not done yet. He and Dunta could easily be a great CB tandem with Buchanon playing a role where he roams the field like a Troy Polamalu and takes chances by breaking on passes or rushing the QB or RB as he sees fit. I always felt that Buchanon was out of place by being singled up on a WR, I think he plays better when he can just pin his ears back and try to make a play each time...and you cannot always do that at CB, you've got to make a quick decision (on a dime) and think "Do I go for the interception, or do I just hold the WR to a catch and no Yards after Contact?" Dunta has that ability to make the most prudent decision based on what his instincts tell him. Buchanon, on the other hand, looks to me as if he's wanting to be a playmaker on every play...and hey, let him try to do it for ThreeToedPete's sake.

If we pick up another solid CB, LB, and RB, I will be happy. There's a distinct possibility that we look at a D Lineman, but I am failry satisfied with what we have now. Guess it comes down to who gets cut from other teams, too.

HOU-TEX said:

Branch has been given one week to seek a trade. What do ya'll think our chances are? Slim to none? Is he worth the headache? Not to dis Walters, but that would be a darn good WR corp. Comments?

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NE/9619678

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We've already got two ProBowlers, and a slew(I doubt that's how you spell it) of young speedy recievers........ and you still want Branch??

You seem to be star struck..... I'm starting to wonder about you.

gpshafer_1976 said:

McCleon was HURTING Rams players left and right: Curtis got smacked, and had to stay on the ground to catch his breath. He ran Holt's shoulder into the ground (perhaps Holt landed on the ball as the announcers opined), and Holt went to the sidleine unbuckling his chin strap and waving for a replacement to come in. IIRC, he came flying around the end of the line and smacked the QB pretty good.

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It also looked like he wasn't getting good coverage on recievers. Had that been a regular season game, Bulger would have torched us. He may be physical, but I hope he's a good cover corner also. But this is what preseason is for. He signed late with us and may become a good corner for us. I would still like more depth there though.

K.D. said:

I think all of you guys had great quotes, I'm to saying let's spend our money more in a needed area. The patriots are doing this to see what and how many players they could get in return. They casted the line and bait, and just seeing if any team would snatch on the hook.

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They don't want to pay him........

Branch thinks he's all that...... & he might be.... I don't know..... But he wants a bigger better contract....

They are letting him test the market to see if what they are offering him is fair..

TexanSam said:

It also looked like he wasn't getting good coverage on recievers. Had that been a regular season game, Bulger would have torched us. He may be physical, but I hope he's a good cover corner also. But this is what preseason is for. He signed late with us and may become a good corner for us. I would still like more depth there though.

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In our CBs' defense: They were still trying to play the run, and after getting thrown on for 9 consecutive passes, you can visibly see our CBs gradually inching up toward the WRs before the snap. It took way too long for the adjustment, but we did begin to lock down after those first nine passes.

You could see the body language after the eighth consecutive pass, our guys were like "Oh, OK. I see how it is. Let's roll then." And we stopped them on that series and forced a FG. The coverage got tighter, and the pressure also helped to make Bulger throw high or wide on those last few pass plays leading up to the FG.

I think the CB squad is beginning to gel a little. Don't get me wrong, it ain;t where it ought to be. But it's better than I thought it would be when we acquired a savvy vet in McCleon who I really didn't think could do much of anything. Well, he was laying the hammer down on those guys. That's for sure.

Branch deserves a bigger contract, but the Pats aren't giving it too him, and they obviously are going to extreme measures to not pay him. We don't need him, we are set at WR, and there are many other teams out there, like the Eagles, who need Branch way more than we do where he can go out and be a successful #1 or #2 WR, which he won't be here with AJ and Moulds. After reading what some Pats fans have said, they feel that he is worth a late first/early second round pick, which I feel, is way too much for us to go for considering we need that pick to fill needs, not to get a very solid #3 WR.

Heres the correct quote:

HomeBred_Texan said:

None, Slim just left town....

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While were at it why don't we throw stupid $$$ at Tom Brady & see if he'll come down to back up Sage. Basically the same train of thought (or lack of).

Well this is the mother of all useless threads. Branch is an overrated in his own mind WR and the Texans don't need a #1 or #2 WR, but otherwise, heck let's spend cap dollars we don't have.

I am not sure if he is having an attitude, OR is the money angle. He wants a long term deal with some money, also what will we have to give to New England (bearing in mind we play them this year..hate to see them take a player and use him against us).

infantrycak said:

Well this is the mother of all useless threads. Branch is an overrated in his own mind WR and the Texans don't need a #1 or #2 WR, but otherwise, heck let's spend cap dollars we don't have.

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I'd put the odds of him coming here at right around zero.

Vinny said:

I'd put the odds of him coming here at right around zero.

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He will be on the field with the Texans on 12/17 in Foxboro.

Branch is not worth the money, we really need more quality depth on the D

TexanSam said:

It also looked like he wasn't getting good coverage on recievers. Had that been a regular season game, Bulger would have torched us. He may be physical, but I hope he's a good cover corner also. But this is what preseason is for. He signed late with us and may become a good corner for us. I would still like more depth there though.

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Had that been a regular season game, McCleon wouldn't have seen so much field time......

Branch is a team player and is underrsted and the truth is the Pats need to step up and give this guy a bone. We do not need to get him because at best he is a #3 guy on our team and there is no need to throw #1 money at him if we would use him as a #3. The one thing you could say is he knows what it is to win and we need guys like that but at breaking the bank no way good luck to him one of the guys in the NFL.

TexanSam said:

I don't think he'd want to be a #3 WR here. I'd love to have him, but I don't see it happening.

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Based on accomplishments and stats he would be the 1st receiver. It would so rock if the Texans had the ability to pull off a trade. They have some pieces others would find interesting that are some what redundant on this roster. TE comes to mind.

AFD1717 said:

We need to throw dollars at CB and LB before we start fixing things that aren't broken, even though I like Branch.

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Agreed: Just as soon go with Dav Anderson as our smurf. May not be quite as fast but he has the hands and he's quick. All the guys lined up @ 4, 5, 6 WR look fine to me. All they need is PT.

Roughnecks said:

Branch is a team player and is underrsted and the truth is the Pats need to step up and give this guy a bone. We do not need to get him because at best he is a #3 guy on our team and there is no need to throw #1 money at him if we would use him as a #3. The one thing you could say is he knows what it is to win and we need guys like that but at breaking the bank no way good luck to him one of the guys in the NFL.

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Yeah well, if you ever wondered where that six dollar beer is coming from...this is it. Belichick is holding the line. We'll see if someone bites the apple in the next two weeks.

Seems to me like this is a sort of rehash of the Williams/Bush/Young thing.

I think the majority seem to think we need help at FB and the secondary in pass coverage. (Personally, I am hoping one the TE's can transition into the FB spot.) So rather than go for talent just for the sake of talent, IMO we should wait for the cuts to start and look for a quality pass defender in the secondary. I love the aggressive hard hitting way the current guys are playing back there, but still looks like we could end up giving up too many big pass plays with the current group. We may even luck out a find a great LB that is a fit.

threetoedpete said:

Yeah well, if you ever wondered where that six dollar beer is coming from...this is it. Belichick is holding the line. We'll see if someone bites the apple in the next two weeks.

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I would rather kill a 18 pack before the game any way just don't see getting a second job to drink a beer a the game pockets not that deep.