Deion Branch: Bring ’em on
WR ready if Jets corner market
Credit: Chitose SuzukiROUTE MARKER: Receiver Deion Branch runs through a drill during the Pats’ first training camp practice yesterday in Foxboro.
FOXBORO — Deion Branch didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. He just smiled when asked about the possibility of having to face both Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha in the New York Jets secondary.
Gang Green are in the Asomugha sweepstakes along with the Houston Texans. They’re in the running for the Pro Bowl cornerback’s services.
“That’ll be good if that happens for them,” Branch said of the potential Jets dream-team secondary. “But until it happens, it’s just a bunch of rumors.”
And what if those rumors come true? What if the Jets manage to land the top free agent in the market in Asomugha and pair him with Revis?
“I’d love it. I love the competition,” Branch said of going toe-to-toe with two of the game’s premier shutdown corners. “I enjoy the game. I love to compete each and every day. Once I lose that, then I stop playing.”
It could have been snowing yesterday, as opposed to a perfect 80-degree afternoon, and Branch wtill would have been smiling and pumping up the game he loves.
Whether the question involved a potential new wrinkle with the rival Jets defense or a knock on the Pats offense, Branch took it all in stride. He was just glad the lockout was finally finished so he could get back to work with his teammates.
Branch indicated he had met up a few times with quarterback Tom Brady the past few months to get in some work, although he didn’t want to divulge all their trade secrets.
“We did a couple things. I don’t want to say everything we did,” Branch said following the team’s morning walkthrough. “I think we did a great job of getting together, all the guys, trying to get a little work in.”
Last season, Branch didn’t arrive until being traded from Seattle in October. He didn’t have the benefit of a camp to touch on all the nuances of the playbook, so he’s glad he’s here from the opening gun.
“I feel good, real good,” Branch said. “I’m excited. I’m glad to be back, glad to have a full training camp with the team instead of coming in in October. I’m excited for the opportunity and what we have going this year.”
Branch, who caught 48 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns after coming over from the Seahawks, will take the Patriots offense with Brady at the helm against all comers. And that was before the team acquired colorful wideout Chad Ochocinco last night.
“I can’t remember what the stats were. I think we did OK last year,” Branch said. “Now we just got to continue to improve. So whatever coach (Bill) Belichick brings in, or if we roll with the guys we have, we’re going to make the best of it.”