Last night, they finalized a deal with Seattle, sending a 2011 fourth-round pick to the Seahawks in exchange for the 31-year-old receiver, who left Foxboro in 2006 over a financial dispute. The pick will be either theirs or the one acquired from Denver in the Laurence Maroney [stats] trade, whichever is higher.
Branch, who has 13 catches for 112 yards and one touchdown this season, may not bring the same skill set as the departed Moss, and should not be viewed as a replacement for the future Hall of Famer, but he does fit into the offense, given the way it has evolved this season. He can play every receiver position.
In February, Branch talked to the Herald about the possibility of returning to the Patriots. At the time, Seahawks general manager John Schneider was not ruling out trading the veteran receiver, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX.
“(Going back to the Patriots) would be interesting to see. You know what, I talk to guys all the time. I never wanted to leave, nor did coach (Bill) Belichick and his staff and the organization want me to leave, either,” Branch said. “We just couldn’t get the contractual part down. We just couldn’t come to an agreement. And that stuff happens.
“I still love coach Belichick,” Branch continued, “and if the opportunity presents itself to come back, I would love to be there.”
Branch enjoyed a special chemistry with Brady. He had that rare, unspoken communication with the quarterback. He was Brady’s go-to receiver in those two Super Bowl wins, with 21 combined receptions.
When reached in February, Branch also expressed the desire to reunite with Brady, if it happened to work out that way.
“That would be the best. I still talk to Tom to this day,” Branch said. “And the crazy part is, you never lose that relationship with the guys, especially when you do something special, which is what we did in my first four years in New England.
“I still talk with half of the team. To this day, I still talk with half of the guys that were on the team with me. It’s a special bond. For us to reunite, I don’t know. I would probably be crying at the press conference, if it happens.
“Look, I’ve enjoyed my time with the Seahawks. I would love to stay in Seattle. But if it happens, if it presents itself, that would be great.”
Branch had a base salary of $5.47 million this year, and $5.95 million next year on the terms of the six-year, $39 million pact he signed in 2006 with Seattle, which acquired him from the Pats in exchange for a 2007 first-round pick (safety Brandon Meriweather).
His time in Seattle has been plagued by injury. Some critics believe the 5-foot-9, 192-pound receiver has lost some of his explosiveness and quickness due to the major knee surgery he underwent two years ago.
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