Not trying to be negative, but why do I have the feeling.......

**Hoss** · 07-13-2012, 05:43 PM

That we won't get a deal done with Branch and he will end up playing out the year on the franchise tag? It just seems like we haven't been too successful signing our franchise players to long term deals ie Namdi and Woodson. Anyone else have that feeling?

**MileHighRaider** · 07-13-2012, 05:50 PM

No I think we'll get something done. But that said not stressing about it. We can franchise him again next year of need be. Both sides reportedly want a deal so to me the big downside is not having the cap room to look at Benson and other options.

**kinz** · 07-13-2012, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by MileHighRaider

No I think we'll get something done. But that said not stressing about it. We can franchise him again next year of need be. Both sides reportedly want a deal so to me the big downside is not having the cap room to look at Benson and other options.

Saw something about franchising a second time. Thought it was that the second franchise tag was at least 144% of the first. I could easily be wrong about that as I read it quickly before, and its just memory. If this is true, a Franchise on Branch next year would be around 9 mil. I see no way we pay that.

**B. anthracis** · 07-13-2012, 05:58 PM

It'll get done. But I don't care either way. I'm still not over how sh!tty the D was last year, so if another guy from last year's unit isn't on the team this year, oh well.

**acidwash** · 07-13-2012, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by kinz

Saw something about franchising a second time. Thought it was that the second franchise tag was at least 144% of the first. I could easily be wrong about that as I read it quickly before, and its just memory. If this is true, a Franchise on Branch next year would be around 9 mil. I see no way we pay that.

Thats not entirely correct, its the 3rd franchise that skyrockets up. So the ability to franchise him next year is still there without it getting out of control.

**kinz** · 07-13-2012, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by acidwash

Thats not entirely correct, its the 3rd franchise that skyrockets up. So the ability to franchise him next year is still there without it getting out of control.

Thanks, couldn't find the place where I read it and hoped someone would know. Appreciate the correction.

**StickShift** · 07-13-2012, 07:36 PM

Franchised players near deadline; Brees, Forte, Branch might get deals - NFL - CBSSports.com

Raiders safety Tyvon Branch is the closest of all this group to a deal, with league sources saying major progress was made late last week. It's a matter of when, and not if, he gets a new deal. The timing of that deal could spur 49ers safety Dashon Goldson to a new deal as well, especially should Branch sign in time because his contract figures to be used as part of Goldson's template.

**The AzzAzzin** · 07-13-2012, 07:41 PM

Well Brees got a deal before branch, so thats that.

**Raider Ran** · 07-13-2012, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by kinz

Saw something about franchising a second time. Thought it was that the second franchise tag was at least 144% of the first. I could easily be wrong about that as I read it quickly before, and its just memory. If this is true, a Franchise on Branch next year would be around 9 mil. I see no way we pay that.

The second tag is 120% the 3rd is 144%. I believe I posted that incorrectly. Branch will be signed long term by Monday bank on it. Our season and draft choices depend on it. RM is not an idiot we need additional help before camp.

**kinz** · 07-13-2012, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Raider Ran

The second tag is 120% the 3rd is 144%. I believe I posted that incorrectly. Branch will be signed long term by Monday bank on it. Our season and draft choices depend on it. RM is not an idiot we need additional help before camp.

Hope this is right and we sign him long term, as long as we don't go too overboard with the contract. I'd say 6 mil a year for 4 years with 10 mil guaranteed or something is worth our doing. I hope we don't go up to 8 or 9 mil a year for him, he just hasn't made an impact in the pass game to justify that kind of thing.

Freeing up 4 mil in cap space would let us sign our draft picks, get a backup RB, TE and another vet CB when cutdown time comes. These things would go a long way to improving the overall result this year I think.

**dmauke** · 07-13-2012, 09:26 PM

I'd like to see him stick around for a few years, but not at the cost i think it will be in order for that to happen. I curious to know how the current coaching staff views him in this new defense. Has Branch truly earned a long term commitment from the Raiders? I'm not so sure at this point. I am looking forward to watching him this year, hoping he lives up to the fan bases expectations.

**rayderguy** · 07-13-2012, 10:31 PM

Titan's safety Michael Griffin just signed a 5yr contract $ 35 mill w/$15mill guaranteed .
You gotta figure that Branch's agent is gonna use this as a bench mark.

**R8rHead** · 07-13-2012, 11:08 PM

Its amusing that people cannot grasp that we now have NEW MANAGEMENT

**imthedan** · 07-14-2012, 01:49 AM

I'm probably in the minority here, but I'd be fine with Branch walking. He's going to want too much money for a player that doesn't bring all that much. He doesn't force turn overs the way a safety that is (presumably) paid as much as he wants. He is a tackling machine, but that's simply because our defensive line and linebacker core are terrible against the run. Branch is terrible in coverage, getting burned by TE and RBs all the time... and God help us if he gets matched on a receiver. If Coach Allen comes in with Coach Tarver to get the first two lines of defense to stop the run, then Branch will be a ~$8-9 million paper weight.

I'd take Branch, but he would have to come substantially cheaper than what he wants. I'd take him at around 3-4 mil a year.

**cheapshotartist** · 07-14-2012, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by B. anthracis

It'll get done. But I don't care either way. I'm still not over how sh!tty the D was last year, so if another guy from last year's unit isn't on the team this year, oh well.

I concur our defense sucked as a group, no ones job should be safe.

Originally Posted by dmauke

I'd like to see him stick around for a few years, but not at the cost i think it will be in order for that to happen. I curious to know how the current coaching staff views him in this new defense.

I agree he has not earned a "big" contract, what has he done? I'd give him a raise but IMHO he is not worth our franchise tag.

Originally Posted by rayderguy

Titan's safety Michael Griffin just signed a 5yr contract $ 35 mill w/$15mill guaranteed .
You gotta figure that Branch's agent is gonna use this as a bench mark.

IMHO Griffin is a far better player than Branch so Branch should not get the same contract.