Pats make best of it, get maximum value for Branch

You gotta give the New England Patriots credit. If they weren't going to retain wide receiver Deion Branch, then they made the most of a sticky situation by acquiring a first-round pick for him from Seattle.

Deion Branch's numbers have not been exceptional in his first four pro seasons. (AP)

Listen, I think the Patriots need Branch, too. There's something about having Troy Brown and Reche Caldwell as your starting wide receivers that should make a coach nervous. But the Patriots weren't interested in capitulating to Branch's demands, and he wasn't interested in the money they were offering.

That's what you call a stalemate, and it reminds me of what Tampa went through two years ago with Keenan McCardell and what Denver endured this summer with Ashley Leslie. Only with one difference.

The Patriots gained a first-round draft pick.

To me, that's a steal. I know Seattle is hot to trot over Branch and thinks he's a perfect addition to a stable of wide receivers that includes Darrell Jackson, Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram. But look at what he's done: He never had a 1,000-yard season, and he never scored more than five times in a year.

And now he's worth a first-round draft pick?

McCardell commanded a third and a sixth from San Diego; Lelie commanded a third from Atlanta. Hey, when Philadelphia acquired Terrell Owens in 2004 the Eagles paid a fifth-round draft pick and defensive end Brandon Whiting.

Owens had 85 touchdowns at that point; Branch has 14.

So Branch was a Super Bowl MVP. So were Larry Brown and Dexter Jackson. Would you spend a first-round draft pick to have them play for you? I didn't think so.

Now let's get something straight: I think Deion Branch makes Seattle better. I think he becomes a favorite target of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. I think this is another reason to like the Seahawks in the NFC. But I know I wouldn't surrender a first-round draft choice for him, and I'm surprised the Seahawks did.

Not only did they spend heavily to acquire Branch, they'll have to spend heavily to keep him. Remember, that's why he was on the market in the first place. He's in the last year of a five-year contract and wants Reggie Wayne money.

Sure, New England will miss Branch this year, but the Patriots probably weren't going to have him, anyway. With this move they gained more than they imagined from an intractable situation. I don't like losing Deion Branch, but I sure like what New England got.