There has been a lot of talk about the rapport that was missing last season between Matt Hasselbeck and Deion Branch, and probably even more regarding how the unspoken connection needs to improve now that Branch is the Seahawks' go-to receiver.
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Too much, according to Hasselbeck's body language.
The Seahawks quarterback didn't exactly embrace the subject Monday after the second day of the team's training camp, perhaps because coach Mike Holmgren is tired of the topic.
"I know Mike doesn't want too much conversation," Hasselbeck said. "One time, Deion and I were talking about something and Mike said, 'I know what the problem is, you're talking too much.' "
He's right. The time for talking has passed. The time to start doing it has arrived.
With leading receiver Darrell Jackson jettisoned to the 49ers in a draft-day trade, Branch has inherited the featured flanker spot in Holmgren's hybrid of the West Coast offense.
It's the position that was filled by Jerry Rice while Holmgren was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco, Sterling Sharpe and Antonio Freeman during his tenure as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, and Jackson, when he caught a franchise-record 87 passes in 2004.
It's also a position that should allow Branch to better showcase his talents, after spending last season as the split end following his September arrival in a trade with the New England Patriots.
Not, however, if Hasselbeck and Branch aren't on the same page when that page is suddenly crumpled by the opposing defense.
While it's one thing to know the routes as they're diagrammed in the playbook, it's the ability to improvise and still connect when those plays break down that allows Hasselbeck and the passing game to be at their best.
That's why the three weeks leading up to the start of camp were so important for Hasselbeck and Branch. On days when they could have been coveting what little free time they had left, Hasselbeck and Branch were on the practice field.
Not just running routes, but delving into what goes into those routes. What is Hasselbeck thinking on a certain play? In a certain situation? What will Branch do if he's unable to run the route as it's designed? Or, Hasselbeck simply doesn't have the time to wait for the route to develop?
"We talked through a lot of stuff, versus coming out and running a route," Branch said. "We all know how to run a route. Now, it's all about: 'Where do you want me to be? What are you thinking? Here's what I'm thinking.'
"That's the only way to get that communication, get on the same page."
Branch didn't have a bad season in 2006, catching 53 passes for a 13.7-yard average and four touchdowns -- especially considering that he was playing without the benefit of a training camp after a prolonged holdout that prompted his trade.
But this is a bottom-line league, and Branch's bottom line included no touchdowns and no more than 61 receiving yards in the final six regular-season games.
It just wasn't enough considering the price that was paid to acquire Branch (a first-round draft choice and his six-year, $39 million contract).
It's difficult to pick up a preview magazine or click on any NFL-related Web site without seeing Branch's name listed among the players under pressure to produce this season. The team needs more. Branch wants more.
"I don't think that way," he said. "But that is expected, by myself, by my teammates, by my coaches. If I believe I can go out and do it, everything else will be OK."
Maybe then there will be less talk about what it's going to take to do it.
Branch is a very good WR, but he is not Darrell Jackson and was NOT worth giving up a 1st rounder for. What I see him more doing is providing an occasional deep threat that also spreads the defense out to allow for short-yardage completions to guys like Hackett and Engram, who specialize in not running very far. Hasselbeck is also NOT Tom Brady, so that coupled with Holmgren's "true" WCO means that while Branch is done putting up big numbers, he will be an asset to the Seattle offense as a whole.
Branch is going to surprise some people, he has excellent skills and is not afraid to go over the middle, with engram and hackett and burleson he should have enough protection, the thing that will hurt him the most is the loss of a dependable TE in stevens
Branch is going to surprise some people, he has excellent skills and is not afraid to go over the middle, with engram and hackett and burleson he should have enough protection, the thing that will hurt him the most is the loss of a dependable TE in stevens
For a guy that's dependable, he sure did drop some big passes last year..
I have no clue what to make of Branch, i'm just going to wait till the season to judge his abilities..
Seahawks' Branch, QB must connect now
Seahawks' Branch, QB must connect now
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