Official Website of the New England Patriots

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 6 Team: Players Overview Players Index Managers/Executives Coaches History Past Rosters Lauren Next: "Patriots Monday" 8:00 AM 83 Deion Branch WR 9/11/2006 Patriots Today - Branch Traded; Bills-Pats Highlights, Post-Game Reax Details Stream Personal Height: 5-9 Weight: 193 Year: 5 Yrs/Pat: 5 Acquired: D2-02 (65th overall) School: Louisville Major: Communications Born: Jul 18, 1979 Albany Georgia Anthony Branch was born on July 18, 1979 Lettered in football and track at Monroe (Albany, Ga.) High Participated in indoor track at Louisville in 2001 Competed in the 60 meter dash (7.1) Also performed on the outdoor squad in the 60 meters, 100 meters and 4x100 relays Besides football, also enjoys soccer Majored in communications. Career Transactions Deion Branch was drafted by the Patriots in the second round (65th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft Signed with the Patriots (07/23/02). Traded to the Seahawks on Sept. 11, Career Statistics On guard Pats covered with durable tandem Regular Season Receiving Rushing Kick Returns Punt Returns Year Team G/S No Yds Avg Lg TD No Yds Avg Lg TD No Yds Avg Lg TD No FC Yds Avg Lg TD 2002 Patriots 13/ t Patriots 15/ t Patriots 9/ t

2 Page 2 of 6 Pats on the right schedule Wright on track Losman takes the lead for now Pats vs. Bills: Scouting the Matchups 2005 Patriots 16/ Totals 53/ Career Highlights Ask the writers of PFW your questions Read all of the AskPFW Responses PFW Picks Contest Career GP/GS: 53/42 (8/8) Branch was awarded the Pete Rozelle Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXIX. His 11 receptions in the game tied the Super Bowl record, also achieved by Jerry Rice and Dan Ross. Branch has turned in his biggest performances on the greatest stage in sports, leading all receivers in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX. He recorded a combined 21 receptions in the two games and owns two of the top seven receiving performances in Super Bowl history. His career reception total in the Super Bowl ranks third alltime, trailing only Jerry Rice (33) and Andre Reed (27). In 2005, Branch led the Patriots with career highs in three categories: receptions (78), receiving (998) and receiving touchdowns (5). Branch's 78 receptions in 2005 were the most by a Patriots player since 2002, when Troy Brown grabbed 97 passes. In the Patriots' 2005 divisional playoff game at Denver, Branch set a team playoff record with 153 receiving yards on eight catches. Branch also grabbed a 73-yard completion in the game, establishing the longest reception in Patriots playoff history. Branch was the NFL's leading receiver in the 2004 playoffs, pacing the league in receptions (16) and receiving yards (264). In addition to being named Super Bowl XXXIX MVP, he was selected as the NFL's Offensive Player of the Week following the AFC Championship Game (1/23/05), when he led all receivers with 116 yards, including a game-breaking 60-yard touchdown grab. Branch finished third on the team in the 2004 regular season with 35 receptions and 454 receiving yards despite playing in just nine regular-season games. Branch led the Patriots in 2003 with 57 receptions and 803 receiving yards, with both figures establishing career highs. Branch was the leading receiver in Super Bowl XXXVIII, grabbing 10 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers. Branch's 143 yards set a Patriots postseason record and established a career high. Branch gained a first down on 70.2 percent of his catches in 2003 (40 first downs on 57 receptions). He was a particular threat on third down, finishing sixth in the AFC in third-down receiving (24 rec, 362 yds, 2 touchdowns). During his rookie season in 2002, Branch finished second among AFC rookies with 43 receptions and third with 489 yards receiving despite missing the fi nal three games due to injury. Branch earned Rookie of the Month honors for September, 2002 after recording 28 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Branch established his career high for receptions with 13 catches against the San Diego Chargers (09/29/02). It tied the second highest single-game reception total by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history. Wide receiver Don Looney established the mark of 14 catches on Dec. 1, It also tied the second-highest reception total by a Patriot, equaling the mark set by Terry Glenn on Oct. 3, Branch also led all AFC rookies and finished sixth among all AFC kickoff return men with a 24.0-yard average in Season 2005 (16/15/0/0): Led the team with a career-high 78 receptions and 998 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions... Has recorded at least one reception in each of the last 47 games in which he has appeared, including the playoffs... Including the playoffs, has eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark six times with one coming in Oakland (9/8): Led the team with seven receptions and 99 receiving yards in the Patriots' victory over the Raiders on opening night... Collected three receptions for 57 yards during the Patriots' first touchdown drive of

3 Page 3 of 6 the evening... Kickstarted the drive with a 29-yard reception along the sideline... Gave the Patriots a 10-7 lead with a 18-yard touchdown grab with 2:05 remaining in the first quarter. at Carolina (9/18): Led the team with eight receptions for 60 yards... Extended the Patriots' second scoring drive with a 5- yard catch on third-and-three in the third quarter. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Snared six receptions for 78 yards in the Patriots' victory over the Steelers. San Diego (10/2): Grabbed one reception for six yards. at Atlanta (10/9): Led the team with eight receptions for 107 yards in the Patriots' win over the Falcons... Extended the Patriots' first touchdown drive of the afternoon with a 51-yard grab down the sideline on a third-and-two play in the first quarter... Drew a critical pass interference penalty on a first-and-20 during the Patriots' game-winning drive... Set up Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal with a 9-yard catch along the sideline on a third-and-four late in the fourth quarter. at Denver (10/16): Tied for the team lead with seven receptions for 87 yards... Grabbed an 11-yard pass on third-and-eight in the fourth quarter. Buffalo (10/30): Led the team with 92 receiving yards on three catches in the Patriots' victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football... Gave the Patriots a 7-3 advantage with a 33-yard touchdown reception down the left sideline in the third quarter... Set up the Patriots' second touchdown with a 37-yard reception in the fourth quarter... Set up the game-winning touchdown with a 22-yard reception down to the Patriots' 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/7): Tied for the team lead with five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown... Tied the score at 7-7 by getting open in the corner of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. at Miami (11/13): Led the team with five receptions and 82 receiving yards in the Patriots' road victory over the Dolphins... Set up Adam Vinatieri's first field goal of the afternoon with a 13-yard reception with seven seconds remaining in the first half... Grabbed a 30-yard reception in the third quarter... Set up the Patriots' first touchdown of the afternoon with a 17-yard reception late in the third quarter. New Orleans (11/20): Led the team with five receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' win over the Saints... Extended the Patriots' opening touchdown drive with a 6-yard reception on thirdand-three in the first quarter... Opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown reception on a play-action pass with 2:30 remaining in the opening stanza. at Kansas City (11/27): Tied for the team lead with five receptions for 49 yards... Snared a 5-yard reception on fourth-and-two in the fourth quarter. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Tied for the team lead with five receptions for 44 yards in the Patriots' 16-3 victory over the Jets... Extended the Patriots' first scoring drive with a 13-yard reception on third-and-six in the second quarter... Kept the Patriots' first touchdown drive alive by hauling in a 10-yard pass along the sideline on thirdand- six in the third quarter. at Buffalo (12/11): Led the team with 83 receiving yards on five catches in the Patriots' commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills... Made an acrobatic 22-yard reception over the middle on the Patriots' first scoring drive of the afternoon... Grabbed a 28-yard reception over the middle in the third quarter. Tampa Bay (12/17): Grabbed two receptions for 27 yards in the Patriots' 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers... Kickstarted the Patriots final touchdown drive with a 19-yard grab early in the fourth quarter. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Played in a reserve role at wide receiver as the Patriots opened the game in a three tight end formation... Tied for the team lead with four receptions and led the team with 69 receiving yards in the Patriots' victory over the Jets... Extended the Patriots' final touchdown drive with a 22-yard reception in the third quarter... Converted another third down on the drive by hauling in 5-yard pass on third-and-three... Converted a third-and-12 with a nifty 22-yard catch-and-run during the Patriots' final scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Miami (1/1): Grabbed two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown... Gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead with an acrobatic, leaping 11-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone with 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter Postseason (2/2/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Snared two receptions for 36 yards in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars... Snared a 20-yard reception on third-and-13 in the first quarter. at Denver (1/14): Led the team with eight receptions and a Patriots' playoff record 153 receiving yards... Kept the Patriots' second drive alive with a 10-yard catch on third-and-five in the third quarter... Got open over the middle and hauled in a 73-yard reception in the fourth quarter season 2004 (9/9, 3/3): Started nine regular-season games and all three playoff contests...tallied a career-high four touchdown receptions... Finished third on the team with 35 receptions and 454 receiving yards... Led all NFL receivers in the playoffs with 16 receptions for 264 yards... Exceeded the 100-yard receiving mark against the Chiefs (11/22)... Named NFL Offensive Player of Championship Sunday following the AFC Championship victory (1/23/05)...Named Super Bowl MVP after tying a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions (2/6/05). Indianapolis (9/9): Started at wide receiver and tied for the team lead with seven receptions and 86 receiving yards in the Patriots' victory over the Colts... Hauled in a 21-yard reception from Brady in the first quarter... Snared the Patriots' first touchdown of the season on a 16-yard pass play from Tom Brady in the second quarter. at Arizona (9/19): Started at wide receiver and made one reception for seven yards in just one half of action... Extended the Patriots' first touchdown drive with a 7- yard grab on third-and-seven in the first quarter... Pounced on a Patrick Pass fumble in the first quarter which allowed the Patriots to maintain possession and score the opening touchdown of the game two plays later. at Buffalo (10/3): Inactive. Miami (10/10): Inactive. Seattle (10/17): Inactive. N.Y. Jets (10/24): Inactive. at Pittsburgh (10/31): Inactive. at St. Louis (11/7): Inactive. Buffalo (11/14): Inactive. at Kansas City (11/22): Returned to action and led the team with six receptions and 106 receiving yards and a

4 Page 4 of 6 touchdown in the Patriots' Monday Night victory over the Chiefs... Extended the Patriots' initial scoring drive with a diving 17-yard catch on third-and-15 in the first quarter... Snared a 26-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady on a nice catch-and-run to give the Patriots a lead with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter... Grabbed a 22-yard reception on third-and-10 in the fourth quarter. Baltimore (11/28): Led the team with 51 receiving yards on four catches in the Patriots' 24-3 victory over the Ravens... Extended the Patriots' first touchdown drive of the afternoon with a 15-yard catch on third-and-six in the third quarter. at Cleveland (12/5): Caught one pass for 13 yards in the Patriots' victory over the Browns... Extended the Patriots' second touchdown drive by snaring a 13-yard reception on third-and-nine in the second quarter. Cincinnati (12/12): Hauled in three receptions for 44 yards in the Patriots' AFC East clinching victory over the Bengals... Grabbed a 23-yard reception from Tom Brady on the Patriots' first play from scrimmage. at Miami (12/20): Caught three passes for a team-leading 44 receiving yards... Grabbed a 23-yard reception from Tom Brady in the third quarter... Extended the Patriots' final touchdown drive with an 11-yard grab on third-and-three in the fourth quarter. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Lead the team with seven receptions and 82 receiving yards with a touchdown in the Patriots' 23-7 victory over the Jets... Extended the Patriots' first touchdown drive of the afternoon with an 11-yard grab on third-and-seven in the second quarter... Hauled in a 10-yard reception on third-and-nine in the third quarter... Got open in the corner of the end zone and snared a 6-yard touchdown toss from Tom Brady to give the Patriots a 23-0 lead in the fourth quarter. San Francisco (1/2): Collected three receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 21-7 victory over the 49ers... Gave the Patriots a 14-7 lead with an 8-yard touchdown grab from Tom Brady in the third quarter. Indianapolis (1/16): Recorded 1 catch for 15 yards and carried the ball once for 4 yards. Pittsburgh (1/23): Named NFL Offensive Player of Championship Sunday after recording a team-high 116 receiving yards on four receptions and a touchdown in the Patriots' AFC Championship victory over the Steelers... Carried the ball twice for 37 yards and a touchdown... Scampered for a 14-yard gain on a reverse on the Patriots first play from scrimmage... Got open down the middle of the field and hauled in a 60- yard touchdown bomb from Tom Brady to give the Patriots a 10-0 lead with 6:49 remaining in the first quarter... Set up the Patriots second touchdown of the evening with a 45-yard reception down the middle of the field in the second quarter... Sealed the trip to the Super Bowl with a 23-yard touchdown run off of a reverse in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia (2/6): Named Super Bowl MVP after tying a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions in the Patriots' victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX... Registered a game-high 133 receiving yards... Extended the Patriots' first scoring drive with a 7-yard grab on third-and-three late in the second quarter... Extended the Patriots' second touchdown drive with a pair of third-down receptions in the third quarter... Snared a 27-yard catch on third-and-six and then a 15- yard grab on third-and-10 during the drive... Grabbed four receptions for 71 yards during the Patriots' scoring drive to open the third quarter Season 2003 (15/12, 3/3): Started 12 of 15 games at wide receiver Led the team with 57 receptions and 803 receiving yards Gained first-down yardage on 40 of his 57 catches Recorded 24 third-down catches that gained first downs. Philadelphia (9/14): Caught six passes for a game-high 89 yards Hauled in his first touchdown grab of the season on a 26-yard play-action pass from Tom Brady Made a clutch 15-yard catch on third-and-11 to extend the Patriots first scoring drive that resulted in an Adam Vinatieri 27-yard field goal. Tennessee (10/5): Registered team highs in receptions (5) and receiving yards (68) Set up the Patriots second score with an 18-yard reception to the 1-yard line Hauled in a key 17-yard reception over the middle on third-and-10 in the third quarter continuing a drive which eventually led to Michael Cloud s one-yard touchdown splash Made a critical third-down catch on third-and-18 in the fourth quarter, catching a quick out and beating the defender for a 23-yard gain down the left sideline. Miami (10/19): Tied for the team lead with six catches Hauled in two third-down catches during the Patriots first touchdown drive of the afternoon Got open over the middle just as Tom Brady eluded the Dolphins pass rush and caught a key 11-yard reception on third-and-six that extended the Patriots drive that ended with touchdown that tied the score at 13. Denver (11/3): Registered a game- and regular season-high 107 yards receiving on three catches Got open behind the Broncos secondary and hauled in a career-long 66-yard touchdown reception from Tom Brady to even the score at seven Made a nice grab off a deflected pass for a 30-yard reception. Dallas (11/16): Got open over the middle and hauled in a key third-down reception to extend the Patriots initial scoring drive in the first quarter on a catch-and-go pass play went for 46 yards Hauled in another third down reception with a 23-yard catch on third-and-10 in the second quarter. Houston (11/23): Caught five passes for 52 yards Hauled in a 13-yard reception to help set up Adam Vinatieri s game-winning 28-yard field goal in overtime. Indianapolis (11/30): Snared in a teamhigh six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown Hauled in the game-winning touchdown with a 13-yard grab on third-and-seven with 8:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. Miami (12/7): Led the team with 93 receiving yards on six catches Grabbed a 16-yard reception on third-and-six in the first quarter Snagged a 13-yard catch on a third-and-12 Snared yet another third-down reception with an 18-yard catch on a third-andseven. Buffalo (12/27): Grabbed six receptions for 58 yards Caught a 30-yard reception from Tom Brady in the third quarter. Indianapolis (1/18): Caught two passes for 23 yards in the Patriots AFC Championship victory over the Colts Hauled in two third-down receptions to extend the Patriots first scoring drive of the afternoon that concluded with a David Givens seven-yard touchdown reception. Carolina (2/1): Tallied a game-high 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers Hauled in the Patriots first touchdown with a 5-yard reception from Tom Brady with 3:05 remaining in the second quarter Helped set up the Patriots second touchdown by getting behind the defense and hauling in a 52-yard reception Kick-started the Patriots third scoring drive of the afternoon with 16-yard catch in the third quarter Set up Adam Vinatieri s game-winning field goal with a 17-yard reception on third-and-three with just nine seconds remaining in the contest Season

5 Page 5 of (13/7): Finished his first NFL season ranked second among all AFC rookies with 43 receptions and tied for third with 489 receiving yards despite missing the final three games due to a leg injury... Set a Patriots single-game rookie record by hauling in 13 passes at San Diego (9/29) and tied the second highest total by a rookie in NFL single-game history... Led all rookies and ranked sixth in the AFC with an average kickoff return yardage of Had 12 receptions on third down, good for 153 yards and two touchdowns... Returned five kickoffs for 31 yards or more, including a long of 63 yards at Detroit (11/28). Pittsburgh (9/9): Snared six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown to lead the team in receiving in his NFL debut as the Patriots defeated the Steelers, Hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the third quarter for the first touchdown of his professional career... Threw a solid block on safety Lee Flowers to pave the way for Donald Hayes' 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter. N.Y. Jets (9/15): Hauled in a 49-yard touchdown pass from Brady in the Patriots 44-7 win over New York... Tied for second on the team with 65 receiving yards. Kansas City (9/22): Started his first professional game at wide receiver and caught six passes for 33 yards as the Patriots upended the Chiefs, in overtime... Set career highs with seven kickoff returns and 201 return yards... His 201 kickoff return yards are the third most in Patriots history, behind Kevin Faulk's 220 vs. N.Y. Jets (12/22/02) and Allen Carter's 206 yards at Baltimore (12/21/75)... His seven kickoff returns rank second to Willie Porter's eight returns in a game against the N.Y. Jets (9/22/68). San Diego (9/29): Set a Patriots rookie record by hauling in 13 passes and recorded his first career 100-yard receiving day, amassing 128 yards receiving... His 13 receptions tied for second place on the NFL's single-game rookie receptions list and also tied Terry Glenn (10/3/99 vs. Cleveland) for second place on the Patriots single-game receptions list... His 128 yards were the most by a Patriots rookie since Hart Lee Dykes had 130 yards at Pittsburgh (12/17/89). Green Bay (10/13): Tied for the team lead with five receptions for 38 yards. Denver (10/27): Kick-started a Patriots touchdown drive with a 40-yard punt return to Denver's 35-yard line late in the third quarter. Chicago (11/10): Equaled his career-high with seven kickoff returns, totaling 156 yards, in the Patriots win over Chicago. Detroit (11/28): Returned a kickoff 63 yards in the first quarter of the Patriots win over the Lions on Thanksgiving... Returned a total of five kickoffs for 141 yards. Buffalo (12/8): Snared a 41-yard bomb from Tom Brady on the first play from scrimmage in the Patriots win over the Bills. College Branch hauled in 143 passes for 2,204 yards (15.4 avg) and 18 touchdowns while at Louisville ( ) His 143 catches rank sixth on the school s career-record list while his 2,204 yards are topped only by Miguel Montano (2,305, ), Ibn Green (2,830, ) and Arnold Jackson (3,670, ) in Louisville annals Only Anthony Cummings (25, ), Green (33) and Jackson (31) have more touchdown catches in a career for the Cardinals Became only the second player in school history to record multiple 1,000 yard receiving seasons, joining Jackson (1,209 in 1999 and 1,165 in 1998) Earned team MVP honors following the 2000 season Began his collegiate career at Jones County Junior College (Senior): Elected one of the Cardinals four captains for the 2001 season All-Conference USA first-team selection Led the team with 72 receptions for 1,188 yards (16.5 avg.) and nine touchdowns Only Arnold Jackson (90 in 1998 and 101 in 1999) had more receptions in a season for the Cardinals His 1,188 yards rank second only to Jackson s 1,209 in 1999 on the school s season-record list Led Conference USA with 1,188 receiving yards and ranked second with 72 receptions Recorded seven 100-yard receiving games during the season Returned 10 punts for 112 yards (11.2 avg.), including a 61 yard return for a touchdown Added 24 yards on six carries (4.0 avg.) Opened his senior campaign with five catches for 109 yards and a pair of scores and help lead the Cardinal to a win over New Mexico State Gained 82 yards on six catches and rushed for 16 yards on four carries in a victory over Kentucky Returned a punt 61-yards for a touchdown and also snared eight passes for 93 yards against Western Carolina Hauled in nine passes for 174 yards against Illinois Followed with five catches for 134 yards and two scores against Memphis Gained 116 yards on nine receptions against Tulane Added another nine receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns in victory over Houston Recorded a season-high with 10 catches for 161 yards and a pair of scores in victory over East Carolina Caught seven passes for 133 yards and a 78-yard touchdown reception against Texas Christian Closed out his career with six receptions for 88 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown in their victory over BYU in the Liberty Bowl (Junior): All-Conference USA first-team choice Voted Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Offensive Performer for the Cardinals Started ten games and led the squad with 71 receptions for 1,016 yards (14.3 avg.) and nine touchdowns Recorded five 100-yard receiving games and caught at least eight passes in six games during the 2000 season Ranked 13th in the nation with an average of 6.45 catches per game Carried four times for 12 yards (3.0 avg.) Started his Cardinal career with nine receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a overtime victory over Kentucky Added a pair of touchdowns among his three catches for 73 yards against Grambling State Led all receivers with nine receptions for 116 yards in the Cardinals victory over Connecticut Recorded a game-high eight receptions for 78 yards, including a 24-yard score in victory over Alabama-Birmingham Gained a career-high 194 yards receiving on eight receptions, including a 45-yard touchdown vs. Cincinnati Led all receivers with eight catches and 131 yards against East Carolina Snared six receptions for 62 yards in victory over Tulane Recorded seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Southern Mississippi Grabbed five passes for 72 yards and a score at Houston Tied a Liberty Bowl record with 10 receptions for 170 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown reception and was named Offensive MVP against Colorado State in the Liberty Bowl. Junior College: Earned second-team All-America honors at Jones County (Ellisville, Miss.) College following the 1998 season Caught 69 passes for 1,012 yards (14.7 avg.) and nine scores and helped JCC to a 12-0 mark and a victory in the Golden Isles Bowl... Returned 15 punts for 12.8 yard average and 17 kickoffs for 19.6 yard average Grabbed 37 passes for 639 yards (17.7 avg.) and five touchdowns as a freshman... Returned 14

6 Page 6 of 6 kickoffs for a 23.6 yard average in Extra Points On the day of Super Bowl XXXIX, Deion called a dozen of his former football coaches to thank them for the support that they gave him throughout his high school, junior college and college careers. Hours after talking to his coaches, he tied the Super Bowl record with 11 receptions and was named MVP of the game. Deion is one of just five wide receivers in NFL history to be named Super Bowl MVP, joining wideouts Jerry Rice, Lynn Swann, Fred Biletnikoff and Hines Ward. Printer Friendly This website is the only official website of the New England Patriots and is Copyright New England Patriots (the "Club"). Commercial reproduction, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this website or any information contained therein by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of the Club is not permitted. For the full terms of use of this website please click here. To send your feedback please click here. Patriots.com developed in partnership with Internet Commerce Company.