HOLDOUT: Deion Branch
Barring a last-minute change, the Patriots will open training camp Friday without one of their most significant players for the second year in a row. After mulling his options for several days, No. 1 WR Deion Branch decided last night he will not report to camp despite facing a $14,000-per-day fine. A year ago, Richard Seymour sat out of camp until the Patriots agreed to bump up his contract by more than $1 million before making him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive linemen this past offseason. "Deion will not be in camp until he feels he's being treated fairly," said Branch's agent, Jason Chayut. Branch, who has a year remaining on his rookie contract, which was signed in 2002, has yet to comment publicly on his situation. He did not attend the team's mandatory minicamp and now says he won't be at the opening of training camp.
Fantasy Alert!
Watch out with Branch. Preseason holdouts usually lead to declines in performance although it's hard to say that when Tom Brady is on the other end of the pass. Off the holdout news, watch for Branch to drop slightly in overall fantasy rankings from 59 down to 66 behind Lee Evans.
