Deion Branch hasn’t found a new NFL home since the Patriots cut him on August 31, but he’d love to find himself back in New England.
Branch, who attended the Patriots Hall of Fame induction of former teammate Troy Brown today, told ESPNBoston.com that he hopes the Patriots find a spot for him at some point this season.
“If I’m there, I’d love to be back. I’d embrace it and pick up right where I left off at,” Branch said.
The Patriots don’t have much of a need for Branch right now -- their offense looked just fine in Week One -- but if one of the starting receivers, Wes Welker or Brandon Lloyd, were to suffer an injury, it’s possible they could decide to give Branch a call. Branch said it surprises him that he’s not on the Patriots right now, but he also realizes that Bill Belichick isn’t going to keep him on the roster for sentimentality.
“I think all of us are surprised,” Branch said. “But it’s the nature of the business, it’s part of the business. . . . I think the organization is going to do what’s best for the team, whatever they feel is best for the team, and you have to respect that, and I do.”
There was a time when Branch was eager to leave New England, and he got his wish in 2006 when the Patriots traded him to Seattle. Now that his second stint with the Patriots has come and gone, he realizes there’s no place he’d rather play.