D. Branch Seems Likely to Stay Put

There doesn't appear to be much of a market for Deion Branch, the wide receiver who's holding out and has been granted permission by the New England Patriots to seek a trade until Friday.

Interested teams seem convinced that the Patriots have little or no intention of actually dealing Branch and gave him permission to explore the trade market merely so he would realize that he's not going to get a more lucrative contract from another club than New England has been willing to offer him.

The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings have been mentioned as possible suitors for Branch. But the Patriots are thought to be seeking at least a second-round draft pick, or perhaps a first-rounder, to even consider making a deal. That's a hefty price considering that the New Orleans Saints only got linebacker Mark Simoneau and a fourth-round choice next year (which has the possibility of becoming a third-rounder) in Monday's trade that sent wideout Donte Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles' acquisition of Stallworth also eliminated them as a bidder for Branch, further increasing the already strong likelihood that Branch will remain with the Patriots.

By Mark Maske |  August 29, 2006; 8:32 AM ET  | Category:  Patriots
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