Deion Branch and seven other receivers on the New England Patriots current roster are competing to make the final 53-man cut over the next couple of weeks leading up to the 2012 NFL regular season.
On Thursday, Branch told reporters that head coach Bill Belichick hasn’t given him any indication about his status.
“My job is what I’ve got to do in the meeting room and on the football field, I think your job is just to critique, Branch said, via the Associated Press. ”I respect everybody’s opinion. We all do. But the person making the final decision is Coach Belichick.”
After the veteran receiver was re-signed in mid-March, he’s seen several guys come and go at the position in New England, including Britt Davis, who was just waived with an injury settlement in August after sustaining a preseason injury, as well as Tiquan Underwood, who was let go in early May after the team picked up Jabar Gaffney.
Photo Credit: Patriots.com
Chad Johnson (formerly Chad Ochocinco) and Anthony Gonzalez were also cut from the club and Jesse Holley signed in June. In addition, Donte’ Stallworth and Brandon Lloyd were both picked up by the Patriots earlier in March.
In 10 seasons in the league, Branch has never reached 80 receptions, 1,000 yards or six scores in a single season. The 5-9, 195-pound wide out caught 51 passes for 702 yards and five scores last season.
However, he was held without a catch in three contests and cleared 50 receiving yards just five times in 2011.
His overall numbers were almost identical in 2010, when he reeled in 48 receptions for 706 yards and five scores. That’s a sign of consistency, but Branch knows his best days are behind him.
The former 2002 second-round selection (65th overall) out of Louisville spent his first four seasons in New England before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks for just over four years before being traded back to the Patriots in 2010.
In addition to Branch, the Patriots’ WR corps currently features Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Jabar Gaffney, Jesse Holley, Brandon Lloyd, Matthew Slater and Donte’ Stallworth.
Verse of This Piece: “My son, keep your father’s commands, and don’t forget your mother’s teaching. Keep their words in mind forever as though you had them tied around your neck.”—Proverbs 6:20-21
Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He also writes for RantPolitical.com, where he reports on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyzes important issues in the liberty movement. Follow @_MichaelGartman, @RantPolitical and @GridironGrit on Twitter!
