Deion Branch traded to Patriots
New England certainly didn't waste any time finding a replacement. Not long after shipping Pro Bowler Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings, the
Patriots acquired veteran receiver Deion Branch from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft. The trade was confirmed late on Monday night.
"I think it's a great move for the Patriots and a great move for Deion Branch," former teammate Troy Brown told SportsNet Central. "Again, another win-win situation for everybody involved in the
trade."
Coming off a bye week, New England needed to fill the void left by Moss and quickly nabbed Branch, the former Super Bowl MVP with the Patriots (back in 2006). Coach Bill Belichick is familiar with Branch,
so the transition for Branch should be a relatively smooth one. Branch fits Belichick’s offensive scheme and should address the need of a receiver who runs good routes.
Their offence is no longer based on the quick touchdown strike and driving the length of the field in only a few plays. New England wants to slow down the pace of the game, control the clock and steadily
move the chains. Branch adds that dimension to any team.
Belichick’s Patriots still have 12 games left in the 2010 regular season to find out if they made the right decision.
"It's a situation where the [Patriots] can use a route-running guy. Some of the younger guys have stepped up and done pretty well, but you still would like to have the veteran presence of a Deion Branch,
especially in clutch situations when they got to have a play made, somebody to run a nice route,” said Brown.
Branch will see his first action with the Patriots next Sunday, October 17, as New England prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens.
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