Branch/agent Playing Hardball

[CoachK]

http://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/56907/detail.html

This could get really ugly.

[ladypatsfan]

http://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/56907/detail.html

This could get really ugly.

He's messing with the wrong team. Branch is not a free agent or a restricted free agent. He hasn't even been franchised. He's UNDER CONTRACT!!

[Katzenboyer]

He's messing with the wrong team. Branch is not a free agent or a restricted free agent. He hasn't even been franchised. He's UNDER CONTRACT!!

And that's why nothing will come of this grievance.

[StanleySteamer]

Too late. No happy ending likely now. A player who files a grievance against a team is not coming back to that team. Branch cannot be made happy, and BB will not bring in an unhappy player.

[GuruGreg]

Talk about bringing a knife to a gunfight...:rolleyes:

[scolazz]

Bwahahahaha. Nice knowing you, Branch. Say hi to your friend Alvin Harper, ask him how well leaving a good team worked out.

Sayonara, we knew thee well...

[PatsAddict]

This might be the dumbest grievance ever filed in the history of grievances.

[lpetey3]

Jason Chayut is one of the biggest A-holes on the face of this planet. He's given his client bad advice all throught this process and legally, he doesn't have any leverage.
I work in Hollywood, and on a daily basis I deal with major studios and networks and if I behaved like Chayut I wouldn't have a job, or clients left.
This guy is Unreal.:mad:

[WhiZa]

I'm going to LOL when Branch fires his agent.

[Fumble]

This agent obviously doesn't read this board. His first mistake!

The "emergency" arbitrator is going to go over the paper work and tell both Branch and this agent that he is currently under contract to the New England Patriots and will advise them to go back to work.

Bogus claim. A player under contract has NO GRIEVANCES! Get the f... back to work you whinny little punk.

[SeanUrlacher54]

Branch has just really hurt everything anyone has ever known about him.

[DenverPatsFan]

http://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/56907/detail.html

This could get really ugly.
In that article it states that Chayut is upset that Branch was pushed into a 5 year deal instead of a 4 year deal initially, and therefore any offer that the Pats make gets divided by an additional year to make up for that extra initial year. Thus he doesn't think that we're anywhere close to FMV for my new most hated WR. :mad:

[Belisarius]

But Chayut and Branch believe Branch should have already had his freedom. Chayut alleges the team originally was going to give Branch a four-year deal in 2002 but decided it wanted him on a five-year deal after watching him work out at the rookie minicamp. As a result of that, Chayut divides all extension offers the Patriots make to Branch by an additional year. So he views the three-year extension as a four-year offer and feels the offer is actually for less than $5 million per year. With Chayut pining for a contract like the one the Colts gave to free agent Reggie Wayne (6 years, $40 million with a $13.5 million bonus), his math says Branch is getting a below-market deal.

Chayut is being willfully delusional. That's his right, but it's a pity that Branch is the one who suffers most.

He could take a page from Belichick. It is what it is, dude.

[kinky]

Here is a transcript of Belichick's conference call today at 4 pm.

I really feel sorry for the Patriots beat writers who have to go through this process every day - but I commend those who ask the questions and are doing their jobs !

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/?p=215

[hendersonsplow]

This agent obviously doesn't read this board. His first mistake!

The "emergency" arbitrator is going to go over the paper work and tell both Branch and this agent that he is currently under contract to the New England Patriots and will advise them to go back to work.

Bogus claim. A player under contract has NO GRIEVANCES! Get the f... back to work you whinny little punk.Brnach is argument is that the Patriots told him that if he could find a deal and work out a trade that is "fair and reasonable" then they would do that. Branch's argument will be that the NY and/or Seattle offer was "fair and reasonable". They'll probably point to the Stallworth and Walker deals as proof.

Now, imo, I can't see the Patriots or any team saying go out and find a trade that is "fair and reasonable" and we'll do it. I would think they'd have some caveat in their about reasonable to us or something.

I do think the pats mishandled this by not getting a clear, in writing, minimum requirement for compensation or have teams contact them first before they could negotiate with Deion.
That doesn't mean I think Branch is right and should win, I don't, I just think the Patriots should have planned ahead a little better.

[lpetey3]

Branch has just really hurt everything anyone has ever known about him.
I just read this about Dave Meggett getting arrested for raping his former girlfriend. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2569256
i'm not comparing rape to the idiotic actions of Branch and Chayut, but it's a slippery slope they travel upon.
Once a person begins to think that the laws, or in this case rules of law (contract) don't apply, how long will it be before this kind of thinking pervade every thought process and decision Deion makes?
Sometimes you don't get to make the sweetest deal and when that happens, you have to accept the hand that has been dealt you. In Meggetts case, when his girlfriend said "No", it means no, and he should have walked away.
Who would hire him as a coach now? In Branch's case, sure he might get a big contract, and although the NFL is famous for giving guys who have amazing talent second chances, the stigma of his irresponsible antics will always be with him on and off of the football field.
What happens when he's older and he's in a situation which requires some maturity and acceptance of responsibility if he still has the same "Me First" style of thinking?
I tell you what happens: Deion becomes another Dave Meggett. It's sad that his agent and everyone around him is encouranging this behaviour, because in the end, it's Deion that suffers while everyone else lines their pockets...

[townes]

If the Patriots didn't delineate the value they sought in advance then that's as piss poor as Chayut's representation of Branch is. There shouldn't be much debate on this issue, all they had to do was tell Chayut what they would take in value points and there could be no argument. He could cry foul, but they determine worth, not him or the rest of the league.

[biffman]

If the Patriots didn't delineate the value they sought in advance then that's as piss poor as Chayut's representation of Branch is. There shouldn't be much debate on this issue, all they had to do was tell Chayut what they would take in value points and there could be no argument. He could cry foul, but they determine worth, not him or the rest of the league.

We really don't know any of the details of the conversation or agreement. They wouldn't put a value on it, because that hurts their negotiating position.

[Gods_Other_Son]

If the Patriots didn't delineate the value they sought in advance then that's as piss poor as Chayut's representation of Branch is. There shouldn't be much debate on this issue, all they had to do was tell Chayut what they would take in value points and there could be no argument. He could cry foul, but they determine worth, not him or the rest of the league.

The "fool/tool" signed Branch to the 5 year contract. Done deal. Alleging coersion at this late date is BS. DB is still under contract for this year. Therefore the team, not him and his agent, still have the right to determine adequate compensation for a trade. Trying to play "free agent" while still under contract is delusional, and stupid. Their whole strategy has been inept.

[jjdche]

I still can't believe Branch turned down over 6mil a year. That's just dumb.

I still want Branch to come back, but I just don't understand what's going on with this negotiation.

[Katzenboyer]

If the Patriots didn't delineate the value they sought in advance then that's as piss poor as Chayut's representation of Branch is. There shouldn't be much debate on this issue, all they had to do was tell Chayut what they would take in value points and there could be no argument. He could cry foul, but they determine worth, not him or the rest of the league.

EXACTLY. The grievance is that the Pats promised to trade Branch if they received a reasonable offer.

THE REASONABLE OFFER IS THE PATRIOTS DISCRETION! Who cares if Chayut think that the deal was reasonable? If the Pats didn't, it's over, DONE WITH.

He's an idiot.

[townes]

We really don't know any of the details of the conversation or agreement. They wouldn't put a value on it, because that hurts their negotiating position.


How does telling opponents you won't take less than a first harm negotiating position?


The agent should get trade compensation done before negotiatring with the opposing team that wants him.

[Disgustipatex]

Bwahahahaha. Nice knowing you, Branch. Say hi to your friend Alvin Harper, ask him how well leaving a good team worked out.

Sayonara, we knew thee well...

I dont know that "Bwahahahaha" is a particularly reasonable response to the Patriots probabaly losing the one and only starting quality reciever they had on the team.

[biffman]

How does telling opponents you won't take less than a first harm negotiating position?


The agent should get trade compensation done before negotiatring with the opposing team that wants him.

Let's assume best case scenario is that "Team A" would give up a 1st and a decent player for Branch (I doubt anyone would, but just for argument's sake). If the Patriots say they won't take anything less than a first, Team A will now give up the first only, instead of the first and the player. It's the same if you were negotiating a monetary settlement. You know you will take nothing less than $100K, but you'd obviously want more. You'd never give them your rock bottom number, because that precludes you for settling at over $100K.

[Genus49]

wow...i can't believe the agent actually admits to subtracting the year in his head. If say the Jets offer him the same contract as the pats...does he not do that?

Say they offer equal contracts - 5 years 30 mil. In his mind are the Jets offering 5 years 30 mil, while the pats are offering 6 years 30 mil?

Wasn't this guy his agent during that initial signing?

[jjdche]

Wasn't this guy his agent during that initial signing?


That's the funny part. He got a "crappy" deal for his client (at least that's what he is claiming in hindsight), and now he's holding the Pats to the fire because he did a poor job the first time around (...and history repeats itself).

[townes]

Let's assume best case scenario is that "Team A" would give up a 1st and a decent player for Branch (I doubt anyone would, but just for argument's sake). If the Patriots say they won't take anything less than a first, Team A will now give up the first only, instead of the first and the player. It's the same if you were negotiating a monetary settlement. You know you will take nothing less than $100K, but you'd obviously want more. You'd never give them your rock bottom number, because that precludes you for settling at over $100K.




Except that everyone seems to think that the patriots "rock bottom" offer is way more than he's worth, although they are willing to pay him like he's worth it, which simply says that they want him cheap, which is why you tell his agent not to discuss contract unless you get at least a certain amount, at which point you still get to determine what offer is actually worth it. a first from the seahawks and a first from the jets are very different, as is the context you get them in, and anything less isn't worth talking about.


Basically, allowing Jason Chayut a role in determining trade value is a big mistake, and if they did that they should be b*tchslapped for it.

[Hawg #73]

It's all B.S.! the Pats did Branch a favor by allowing him to seek and negotiate a trade. They are well within their rights to determine what they believe is fair compensation. If they want a first, they want a first. Too bad if no team is willing to give the Pats that pick. Branch has 0 leverage. No one put a gun to his head and said sign a five year contract! The NFL had been using that contract prior to the Pats using it! So Deion can continue to sit out or he can try to negotiate a deal.

[Hawg #73]

Except that everyone seems to think that the patriots "rock bottom" offer is way more than he's worth, although they are willing to pay him like he's worth it, which simply says that they want him cheap, which is why you tell his agent not to discuss contract unless you get at least a certain amount, at which point you still get to determine what offer is actually worth it. a first from the seahawks and a first from the jets are very different, as is the context you get them in, and anything less isn't worth talking about.


Basically, allowing Jason Chayut a role in determining trade value is a big mistake, and if they did that they should be b*tchslapped for it.My guess would be the Pats told Chayut to find ateam that was interested in paying Branch what he wanted and would be willing to trade. I think the Pats then negotiated the trade part directly with the team. Why would they leave that piece up to the agent?

[CoachK]

My guess would be the Pats told Chayut to find ateam that was interested in paying Branch what he wanted and would be willing to trade. I think the Pats then negotiated the trade part directly with the team. Why would they leave that piece up to the agent?

Hawg, I think you have hit the nail on the head here. There is no way the PATs let Branch's agent (or any other agent) negotiate for them.

[DenverPatsFan]

The greivance is BS, because at this stage of the season, the Pats can easily come out and say that draftpicks do us no good - we needed a quality player who could replace Branch on the roster. I'd find it hard to believe that an arbitrator would tell us that we were being offered fair value, regardless of what we were actually offered.

IOW If we were offered a 2nd and a LB, the Pats could easily claim we don't want an LB we wanted a RB or a WR to replace Branch. If they were offered a WR or RB they just say we were hoping to get a LB for him.

[townes]

My guess would be the Pats told Chayut to find ateam that was interested in paying Branch what he wanted and would be willing to trade. I think the Pats then negotiated the trade part directly with the team. Why would they leave that piece up to the agent?


I wouldn't handle it that way hawg, i think it allows for exactly the disagreement arising now. Plenty of teams want him and would pay him just fine, but i'd limit the discusion to those willing to pay the price to get him, and not treat him as a free agent. i'm not suggesting chayut play a role in setting value, in fact, just the opposite, what i am saying is that he should have to meet their price, and not be open to dealing until that's met. Base it on draft points and make him reach that bar first, then deal.

[townes]

The greivance is BS, because at this stage of the season, the Pats can easily come out and say that draftpicks do us no good - we needed a quality player who could replace Branch on the roster. I'd find it hard to believe that an arbitrator would tell us that we were being offered fair value, regardless of what we were actually offered.

IOW If we were offered a 2nd and a LB, the Pats could easily claim we don't want an LB we wanted a RB or a WR to replace Branch. If they were offered a WR or RB they just say we were hoping to get a LB for him.


I haven't seen the language of the grievance, but can't imagine he's got any case at all in terms of value. chayut's the one saying he's worth franchise money, hard for him to argue that he's not worth the same compensation.

[Polythene Pam]

Honestly, Chayut saying "3 years is actually 4 years" is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen someone try to get away with in a professional setting.

[AZPatsFan]

Here is a transcript of Belichick's conference call today at 4 pm.

I really feel sorry for the Patriots beat writers who have to go through this process every day - but I commend those who ask the questions and are doing their jobs !

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/?p=215

The reporters are being ass clowns!

BB said all he was going to say on the subject. He told them there was a statement. Period. He said he would take no other questions on that subject. Threy wanted to ask no other questions on any other subject,when the final roster is being shaped. Why?

If they didn't want a press conference why ask for one? I admire Belichick for holding his temper, not exploding, and not saying I refuse to try to answer questions of the sort: "When did you stop beating your wife?"

And Tomase was the the worst of all... Go back to covering the Red Sux... you ignorant excuse for a reporter. Or better yet seek a job at Hollywood Photo Play where you canwrite headlines about Paris Hilton having a baby with two headed child molesters from Mars. That is much closer to your native talent.

[BillyB]

I haven't seen the language of the grievance, but can't imagine he's got any case at all in terms of value. chayut's the one saying he's worth franchise money, hard for him to argue that he's not worth the same compensation.
...while asking for the guarantee of NOT getting tagged as a Franchise Player. It seems that his wish for Branch to not be Franchised while retaining that same value is the same level of warped that allows him to think that just because a four year deal was discussed in the rookie contract negotiations it is now the reality despite the signing of a five year deal.
I can see it now:
"So, you think he's worth franchise money but not franchise compensation and he signed a five year deal that is actually only good for four? ....and how is this possible?"

[hendersonsplow]

The grievance could be just to keep the pressure on the Pats. He also has recent trades on his side but I still can't see an arbitrator steping in and forcing the Pats to trade him or anythign of the such.

I can't see Branch coming back though so hopefully the Pats can still work out a great deal.

[biffman]

Basically, allowing Jason Chayut a role in determining trade value is a big mistake, and if they did that they should be b*tchslapped for it.

I agree 100% with this. I would be shocked if they allowed that. I think it's chayut talking out of his @ss.

[FootballRules]

The grievance was a good move on the agents part. It doesn't make a difference if it has any merit or not. It continies to put pressure the Patriots to do something soon and this mess continues to be a distraction to the entire patriots organization and we know how much BB hates distractions.
Also it keeps the branch situation as front-page material in the nfl.

[patsfanbaz]

"Branch, 26, signed a five-year deal in 2002 after being selected with the 65th overall pick.......The three-year offer made in May was to pay Branch a $4 million bonus this season, a $4 million guaranteed option bonus next September and salaries of $1.4, $4.3 and $4.75 million. That averages out to more than $6 million per year over the life of the deal and makes Branch a free agent at the prime earning age of 29".

Great reporting in this article.

First, Branch is 27 now, not 26.
Second, the three year deal was an extension of the current deal. So Branch would be four years older than his current age.
Third, he would be 31 when he starts his first year with his new team.

Branch would NOT be a free agent at the prime earning age of 29.

If they can't get the basic facts correct why should we believe that they have real insight into this situation?

[DelPatsFan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-patriots-branch&prov=ap&type=lgns

The grievance alleges that in allowing Branch to work out a contract with another team, the Patriots agreed they would trade him if Branch was comfortable with that contract and the draft choice compensation for him "was commensurate with what has been the value of similar players," Berthelsen said in a telephone interview.

He said the New York Jets offered a second-round draft pick for Branch, which Berthelsen said was of commensurate value.

He noted that Branch was the 65th player drafted in 2002, one of the last in the second round, and that Miami sent a second-round pick to Minnesota before this season for quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
-Howard Ulman, AP.

So he's holding out because believes he's worth more than his 2nd round- rookie contract. But because the Vikes wanted tounload a QB coming off IR and a team-wide scandal the Patriots aren't allowed to value Branch at more just the 65th pick that he was when he was drafted?