Tag: Deion Branch

Deion Branch shared insight on growing bond between Patriots’ rookies

Deion Branch comments on the importance of team bonding, especially for NFL rookies

The bond between the New England Patriots offensive rookies is getting noticed by Patriots legends of the past.

It’s been well-documented throughout the course of OTAs that quarterback Drake Maye and wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have been developing a bit of a connection. Former Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch understands how important building that sort of connection is for a team.

Maye’s communication with the rookie receivers has been noticeable and evident. This has certainly excited Patriots fans, as the organization looks to find stability at the quarterback position for the first time in the post-Tom Brady era.

Branch spoke to ESPN’s Mike Reiss earlier this week, and he discussed how valuable the bonding of rookies and that communication can be early on.

“We were very tight. These are guys you can go through the rut with. ‘Hey man, I’m making mistakes today’ and your teammate, especially your draftmate, is going to pull you up,” Branch said. “You can lean on each other. Bounce ideas off each other. Study together. All these things, these young men will have the opportunity to do with one another. It’s magical if these guys buy into everything.”

Some of the biggest struggles a rookie quarterback can have is the ability to process the playbook, as well as adjust to the speed of the game. It seems as though Maye is taking on a bit of a leadership role, and his work ethic is clearly being noticed by the coaching staff.

The Patriots need to develop the young quarterback properly, if they truly hope he grows and becomes the future of the franchise.

Former Super Bowl MVP excited to celebrate Tom Brady induction

One of Tom Brady’s favorite receiving targets will be attending his Patriots Hall of Fame induction

Former NFL receiver Deion Branch is looking forward to legendary quarterback Tom Brady’s New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction on June 12.

Branch is obviously familiar with Brady, having been a teammate of the signal-caller’s for seven seasons. His best year statistically for the Patriots came in 2005. That year, he recorded 78 catches for 998 yards and five touchdowns.

However, it was the conclusion of the 2004 season that was perhaps the most memorable part of his career. He tallied 11 catches on 12 targets for 133 yards in Super Bowl XXXIX and was named the game’s MVP.

He is looking forward to honoring his former quarterback at the induction ceremony, as he told ESPN’s Mike Reiss earlier this week.

“There’s nothing like being around the guys that we did phenomenal things with, and most importantly, just to give congratulations to Tom. Celebrating this guy. He deserves it all,” Branch said.

It will certainly be fun to have former Patriots in attendance, as everyone, from former players to fans alike, celebrate the quarterback’s career.

Former Patriots legend Deion Branch thinks Bill Belichick will remain in New England

Deion Branch believes Bill Belichick will stay with the Patriots, and the team will be much-improved in 2024.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch believes coach Bill Belichick will remain with the organization. Not only does he believe Belichick will remain with the organization, but he believes the Patriots will be better in 2024.

Branch was a part of New England’s dynasty in the early 2000’s. He was one of the more productive receivers for New England, being named the Super Bowl XXXIX MVP. He recorded 328 catches for 4,297 yards and 24 touchdowns in seven seasons with New England. His best year came in 2005, when he recorded 78 catches for 998 yards and five touchdowns.

To put it simply, he knows what Belichick brings to the table, and he believes the Patriots will stand pat, via NESN.com’s Tim Crowley.

“Knowing Coach Belichick and the man and coach he is,” Branch told NESN.com. “The respect that he’s earned in the NFL and from the players on that team. Coach Belichick will be the head coach next season, and so on and so forth. I think that Coach Belichick and Mr. Kraft have an amazing relationship. …This will be a totally different team next season. They will get through this.”

There have been numerous theories about Belichick’s future following the season. The only certainty here is that it will remain one of the biggest stories of the offseason.

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Ranking the 8 greatest prodigal son returns for Patriots

Who were the top former player returns for the Patriots in the Bill Belichick era?

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick likes what he knows.

He isn’t the kind of guy always aiming to reinvent the wheel or create a massive shake-up. If something has worked for him in the past, there’s a good chance he’ll give it another try down the line.

That’s the basic philosophy behind the Patriots’ tendency to bring back past players in a pinch.

New England is a revolving door of past Patriots that have sought opportunities elsewhere, only to return to the same place where they made a name for themselves. In many ways, New England is a place where names are born, leave and come back to be recognized all over again.

Here are the top eight prodigal son returns for the Patriots in the Belichick era.

Joe Flacco is among 5 Super Bowl MVPs who were traded

The New York Jets traded for Super Bowl MVP QB Joe Flacco. How many other Big Game MVPs have been traded in NFL history?

The New York Jets are looking for help at quarterback, which means they did what any NFL team would do and trade for Joe Flacco.

Even if Flacco finished the year with the Philadelphia Eagles, he already had the distinction of being the fifth Super Bowl MVP that was traded. Here is a look at the others.

Honorable mention — Joe Namath was inevitably going to revitalize his career in Southern California. However, the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets couldn’t agree on an appropriate trade package. The Jets waived Namath, and he signed with Los Angeles in 1977. If not for that, Namath would have been the first Super Bowl MVP to be traded.

Deion Branch gives candid response to Cassius Marsh’s new criticisms of Patriots

Deion Branch responded to bold claims made by Cassius Marsh this week.

In light of linebacker Cassius Marsh’s comments about his time in New England, several Patriots players past and present have begun to respond. One of them was wide receiver Deion Branch.

Branch enjoyed a productive career with New England, one that saw him make two stops with the Patriots. He was drafted by New England in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and played with the organization from 2002-2005. He then was traded back to New England in 2010 for a fourth-round selection in the 2011 draft.

Branch had a thoughtful answer when asked about the comments on NBC Sports Boston’s Early Edition.

“New England isn’t for every player,” Branch said Tuesday on “Early Edition,” as transcribed by NBC Sports Boston. “New England is not the place you want to go and think you’re just gonna play first and you do your work later. No, it’s you work first and then we play. As far as playing the game in New England, I do not agree with him on that. I never had a situation where I felt myself or any of my former teammates felt like they were mistreated.”

With New England looking to contend in a crowded AFC East, the Patriots will certainly be working hard to prepare for the upcoming season.

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Why players return to the Patriots, according to WR Deion Branch

New England isn’t afraid to lose its top players. And in some cases, they come back.

The New England Patriots have never been afraid to let players depart in free agency. It’s a common theme for coach Bill Belichick, who is generally more interested in setting up players for a pay day by helping maximize their production, rather than granting that massive raise.

But if players don’t meet their billing in their next destination, the Patriots coach is quick to take some back. This year, he’s got an impressive class of returners: tackle Trent Brown (trade), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (free agency) and interior offensive lineman Ted Karras (free agency).

Deion Branch, a player who left New England in 2005 only to return for 2010, explained why it’s so common for players to come back.

“For me personally, being injected into that program, it fits me,” Branch told the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian. “I’m always about being a team player, and that’s what they focus on. If you’re selfish, that place isn’t for you. If it’s all about the team, then that’s the place for you. If you have any ‘I’ in your heart, that’s not the place for you.

“If you want to be a part of some sort of team camaraderie, where you put everyone else’s feelings and emotions before yourself, you’ll succeed in that building, in that organization … that’s the bigger picture.”

The Patriots’ list of returners is a long one: defensive lineman Andre Carter, running backs Brandon Bolden, LeGarrette Blount and Tebucky Jones, tight ends Martellus Bennett and Benjamin Watson, Safety Patrick Chung, linebackers Tully Banta-Cain and Jamie Collins, quarterback Doug Flutie and cornerback Otis Smith. Surely, the list will get longer in future years, so long as Belichick stays in coaching.

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Deion Branch explains how Patriots could have ‘great year’ with Cam Newton

This feels like the most accurate opinion on how things will play out with Cam Newton.

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Looking back at the 2020 New England Patriots — seven wins was an accomplishment.

Bill Belichick’s team had a league-high eight opt-outs, Tom Brady was gone for the first season and a handful of the team’s starters left in free agency. Julian Edelman barely played, COVID-19 wasn’t helping at all and the Patriots lost a few close games to extremely good teams (Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills for example).

Cam Newton rushed for the second-most touchdowns in his career (12), but had a difficult passing year due to circumstances. Jakobi Meyers and Damiere Byrd were the team’s best receivers and the running back corps deal with injuries and missed time.

Despite the noise, it’s hard to put the blame entirely on Newton for the losing season. But, Newton re-signed a one-year deal and has a shot at redemption with a roster that’s lightyears better than the 2020 squad. Through free agency, the returning opt-outs and Newton’s continued time to learn the playbook — things will look much different.

Patriots legend Deion Branch believes the 31-year-old quarterback will rise to the occasion and overcome last year’s difficulties, even if it isn’t at an MVP level.

“Given the offseason (he’ll have), I think we’ll see a better Cam,” Branch said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Everybody is always talking about the 2015 [MVP] Cam Newton, but I’d like to go back to just the 2018 (version) — 67.9% passing, 24 TDs, 13 interceptions. If they can get that type of performance, I think this will be a great year.”

The Patriots’ offensive line is improved and running back group appears to be healthy. Newton just has to play smart football and the talent around him will do the rest of the work.

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Patriots release All-Dynasty Team, and Deion Branch wasn’t happy to be snubbed

Deion Branch wasn’t happy he missed the cut.

Two decades of dominance for an NFL team can lead to forgotten players and personnel that made a huge impact over that time.

The New England Patriots sustained this dominance over the past 20 seasons with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick running the show. The two legendary figures collected six Super Bowls during nine appearances, along with countless other accolades.

The Patriots released an All-Dynasty Team to acknowledge some of the other players who were instrumental in the run. Names like Tedy Bruschi, Vince Wilfork, Ty Law, Rodney Harrison, Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski and Adam Vinatieri made the list.

Deion Branch, who won two Super Bowls and a Super Bowl MVP award, didn’t make the cut. The Patriots listed Moss, Julian Edelman, Wes Welker and Troy Brown as the receivers on the list — they even had Danny Amendola as an honorable mention.

But, no Branch? He simply went to Twitter and let the world know how he felt about the snub.

The original four on the list justifiably made their way onto it, but it’s hard to argue Amendola over Branch. Amendola has a career 230 receptions for 2,383 yards and 12 touchdowns in New England. Branch has 328 receptions, 4,297 yards and 24 touchdowns — that’s not counting the Super Bowl MVP and playoff impact he had.

Branch was upset about his snub, and it was rightfully so.

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