Deion Branch has earned two Super Bowl rings and one MVP award with the Patriots, but he’s not interested in talking about past Super Bowls this week.
And Branch, who left to sign with the Seahawks and wasn’t around for the Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLII, says his teammates really aren’t interested in talking about that Super Bowl this week.
“This team doesn’t talk about the past,” Branch said. “Since the day we knew we were going to the Super Bowl, in the locker room nothing was spoken about Super Bowl XLII. It’s behind those guys. They lost the game. It is what it is. They didn’t play good football and they lost. This is a different game, different team, different players, and it’s going to be a different game Sunday.”
Branch also said that while he likes talking to younger players about his experiences, he doesn’t think he has any particular wisdom to impart.
“I truly enjoy sharing the knowledge with the younger guys in our group and talking to the guys about the experience in the past, but as far as talking about what we did in the Super Bowls in the past, those guys watched the game,” Branch said. “I’m pretty sure they’ve seen the highlights that have been shown on the NFL Network and ESPN and all that stuff. I’m not treating it any different. Practicing hard, doing everything we’ve been doing all year long.”
At his press conference today, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked whether Branch is overlooked in the Patriots’ passing game, and Belichick went on at length about all the ways Branch contributes to the team. Branch’s contributions to past Super Bowls may not be relevant, but Belichick clearly sees a lot of benefits Branch can bring to the Patriots this Sunday.