Between now and Saturday evening, more than 30% of the NFL’s playing workforce will be fired. Final cuts aren’t due for five days, but they always include some surprising names.
So that means this is a good week to speculate what big names could get a visit from “The Turk.”
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks that Deion Branch could be one of those names. While Williams thinks Branch is “likely” on the team, he points out that the former Super Bowl MVP will earn $5 million this year . . . to be Seattle’s third receiver.
Nate Burleson is expected to start opposite T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and rookie Deon Butler looks like he’ll help the team. Seattle is reasonably deep at wideout, and carrying such an expensive third receiver is a luxury since the team isn’t expected to use as many three and four receiver sets under Jim Mora.
Like Branch, Burleson is a big injury risk, so the Seahawks may decide that keeping both players is safer, if costly.
If Seattle decides Branch isn’t worth it, there will be some former Belichick staffers around the league happy to buy low on the intelligent former Patriot. (Assuming Belichick isn’t interested himself.)
