Seahawks Trading Deion Branch? Not Going to Happen

There have been a few people looking into the completely inaccurate opinion of Michael Lombardi and a trade that would send Branch to the Jets for Thomas Jones.

I respect Lombardi but in this case I really have to disagree with him. There are many reasons why this trade doesn’t make sense from a realistic standpoint.

Now something that people need to notice about Lombardi’s article is that he didn’t say this is close to happening or a possibility, it’s his own opinion.

“If I were working for the Seahawks, I would call the Jets about the availability of running back Thomas Jones.”

What he’s saying is that if he was running the Seahawks that’s what he would do but he’s not running the Seahawks.

Five good reasons why a trade (Jones for Branch straight up) doesn’t make any sense.

1. Thomas Jones is looking for a new contract from the Jets, along with Leon Washington. They’re looking for 6-7 million per year.

The Seahawks have around $7 million in cap room and just got an additional $5 million from the cap raise. So they have about $12 million in cap room.

The Seahawks won’t spend $7 million on a running back who is 31 years old and is demanding a new contract at that age.

Now granted, Jones has earned that right for a new contract, but I don’t see him getting what he wants which is $6 million-$7 million per year.

2. The Seahawks already have a lot of talented running backs who fit the zone blocking scheme.

Julius Jones (27, four years younger than his brother and also half the price), T.J Duckett (led the Seahawks in rushing TD’s last season), Justin Forsett (who the Seahawks are very high on) and rookie Devin Moore (23).

Why would they want to add another RB when they already have four that they are very high on. It doesn’t make any sense, and that’s why this won’t happen.

3. Ruskell is not going to trade Branch because of how much he shined last season. Branch only played eight games last season.

His best two games were week 14 vs. New England, where he had four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Both were top class catches. 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80d24791/Deion-Branch-Highlight-WK-14-vs-Patriots-2008

The second touchdown really showed that he really can still play at a high level. It also shows his heart for the game and the Seahawks. They were already way out of it and yet he still laid himself out for the catch and touchdown.

4. Branch has a lot more value to the Seahawks and can be a great slot WR for Hasselbeck this season. Branch has play-making speed and ability and can have a huge impact for the Seahawks this season and beyond.

Branch has more value to the Seahawks than Thomas Jones would be a wide margin.

5. If the Seahawks are going to make any trade that would actually be logical would be a Larry Johnson (29, the same age as Branch) trade.

The Seahawks could use a top back that can handle being a feature back for the Seahawks, unlike Jones.

The trade would look like this. Julius Jones (would be a great addition to a young KC offense) and a second-round pick for Larry Johnson.

Johnson can be able to take the load off of Hasselbeck for a week for two so he doesn’t have to work to the point of injury (god forbid).

So the Michael Lombardi piece is just his opinion with no facts other than what they want in their contracts. The Seahawks will not trade Deion Branch, period.

The Seahawks need all the talented WR’s they can get, so they wouldn’t trade one of them away for an old running back.