FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Aug. 25, 2006) -- The New England Patriots gave star receiver Deion Branch a week to seek a trade as his holdout entered its 29th day.
Branch, the 2005 Super Bowl MVP, can try to find a new team and negotiate a contract with the club until Sept. 1, the team said. The Patriots did not say whether Branch requested permission.
Branch is in the final year of a five-year contract, but he wants a new deal. He refused to report to the Patriots' mandatory minicamp in June and the team workouts since training began July 28. He is subject to a $14,000 fine for each day he holds out.
His agent, Jason Chayut, did not return calls.
Coach Bill Belichick repeatedly has declined to discuss Branch, saying he'll talk about only players who are with the team. But quarterback Tom Brady has made it clear he wants Branch back and expected him to return.
"It's so labored for the players and for me talking about it," Brady said Aug. 24, two days before the Patriots' third preseason game, at home against Washington. "Hopefully, this situation comes to an end. We have our full team here and we put guys on the field, the most capable guys that we have."
On the day training camp began, Brady said he expected Branch to be back with the team at some point.
"Deion's a very unique player. When he shows up he'll be ready to go," Brady said then. "I love Deion and he's such a fun guy to be around. You definitely realize when he's not here. Like I said, it's not in my control."
In four seasons together, Brady and the 5-foot-9 Branch, who is well liked by teammates, have developed a keen sense of timing.
Last season, Branch caught 78 passes for 988 yards and five touchdowns, all career highs. In his five seasons, he has 213 receptions for 2,744 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was Super Bowl MVP after the 2004 season with 11 catches for 133 yards against Philadelphia as the Patriots won their third championship in four years.
Branch smiled and appeared optimistic during a television interview Aug. 22.
"I have a great feeling, you know, that we're both going to do what's right and make sure everything works out," Branch said on CBS4. "They're going to do what's best for the team, you know, I'm going to do what's best for me."
He said he has talked with teammates, including Brady, and was working out daily.
The Patriots are without their top two receivers from last season. David Givens signed with Tennessee as a free agent.
He and Branch were drafted in 2002. Givens, taken in the seventh round out of Notre Dame, received a four-year contract, allowing him to enter free agency and get a big contract a year earlier than Branch, who was drafted in the second round out of Louisville.
New England also has been missing rookie wide receiver Chad Jackson, its second-round draft pick. He began training camp on the physically unable to perform list and has practiced sparingly since being removed from it on Aug. 1. Reche Caldwell, who played for San Diego last year, and Troy Brown are the team's most experienced receivers.
Last year, All-Pro defensive lineman Richard Seymour skipped the mandatory minicamp and part of training camp. He got a raise before the season and was chosen for his fourth Pro Bowl in six pro seasons. Last April 12, he received a four-year contract.
"Each situation is different," Seymour said during minicamp this year. "I always remained optimistic and hopeful that it would get done, but I can't speak for anybody else."
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