With just a nine-point offensive showing against the Lions yesterday and Darrell Jackson battling with chronic knee problems, the Seahawks traded a first overall pick in 2007 for former Patriots wide out Deion Branch.
The Seahawks, along with the New York Jets, had fashioned a contract agreement with Branch before the season, agreeing to a six-year, $39 million deal that would have paid him $13 million in combined bonuses and about $23 million in the first three years of the contract. Neither team, however, could satisfy the demands of the Patriots, who were seeking first- and middle-round choices as compensation at the time, and the deadline set by New England passed without a trade.
This was a deal that both teams had to make in my opinion.
Jackson has some durability issues for Seattle, but if he can get healthy, the Seahawks have a deep rotation at receiver. Even though Branch took some heat from the media for holding out, he is a strong locker room guy and a Super Bowl MVP. Seattle also has a solid possession receiver in Bobby Engram and acquired Nate Burleson in the offseason from Minnesota.
The Patriots have been known to let free agents in demand of a new contract walk because they seem to consistently get players who overachieve for less money. New England does a nice job of turning draft picks into starters and since the Patriots weren’t going to fork over a lot of money for Branch anyway, why not get a No. 1 pick? They were never going to get a first and middle-round pick for Branch.
