Deion Is Back

Deion Branch played here from 2002-2005 before he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks after a contract dispute. He was traded for Seattle's 1st round pick in the 2007 draft. The Pats selected Brandon Merriweather with the pick as they had traded their own 1st away.

Branch is back here, but not to replace Randy Moss. Branch was always a possession receiver. I think the days of the Brady to Moss deep ball are gone.

It was so refreshing to see how humbled Branch is to be back here. This seems to be a great marriage between team and player. He really wants to be here. If he can stay healthy, he can help the team.

Branch was a 2nd round pick in 2002. That draft included TE Daniel Graham(1st), QB Rohan Davey and DE Jarvis Green on the 4th, RB Antwoine Womack and WR David Givens in the 7th.

Sometimes, I need to research to realize that Rohan Davey was the pick recived as compensation when the Past traded WR Terry Glenn to the Green Bay Packers after the 2001 season.

In a twist of irony, trading Branch brought Merriweather to the team, the only draft selection left from that year. Of course, we can't forget that a 2nd round pick was sent to Miami for Wes Welker and a 4th to Oakland for Randy Moss. That was not a bad use of draft choices.

The only other player to make the roster from the 2007 draft was CB Mike Richardson from Notre Dame who was the 2nd of their three 6th round selections. He played in 10 games over two seasons before ending his career after a marijuana bust two days after the Pats lost Super Bowl XII.