Deion Branch posturing, Ruskell resurfacing?

Published Feb. 17, 2010 at 12:46 a.m.

On the docket this morning, some posturing regarding the future of Deion Branch in Seattle and a potential landing spot for Tim Ruskell in Chicago. Those two facts are not related though Branch is one of the single most identifying personnel decisions Ruskell made in his five years as Seahawks general manager and president.

Branch's future is coming into question. He is signed for two more years in Seattle, and is scheduled to make $5.47 million next season according to the NFL Players Association database.

Many -- including this reporter -- have suspected Branch is a candidate to be cut. Not so fast. Now, this gets a little convoluted, but here's a report from Tom Curran, who covers the Patriots for Comcast. He cites information from another reporter, Dan Pompei of The Chicago Tribune:

But Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune recently spoke to Seattle's new GM John Schneider and was told that the Seahawks aren't planning to release Branch. According to Pompei, Schneider believes Branch will work well in the system hatched by new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, which will be identical to the Mike Shanahan system used in Denver.
   -- Tom Curran, CSNNE.com

Hmmm, interesting. Sounds like the Seahawks aren't going to give Branch away if there's a market out there for his services. New England would be a likely place to covet Branch given his success with the Patriots. While a holdout led to his trade, Branch professed no hard feelings, thanked Bill Belichick upon his arrival and later recommended that Donte Stallworth sign with the Patriots.

The Denver Broncos are also considered a potential suitor for Branch. Josh McDaniels, now the Broncos coach, is a former Patriots coach.

Which brings us to the mention of Branch in the Chicago Tribune in an "Around the Town" item:

Friday night, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch was at Joe's, and sources tell us he wants to sign with the Bears. Branch had 45 catches for the Seahawks last season.
   -- Around the Town, Feb. 15
   The Chicago Tribune

So what do you make of all that conflicting information? Well, at the very least, it sounds like Seattle wants to at least see if there's a market for Branch's services, attempt to extract something in exchange for his services. It's also possible Seattle has plans for Branch, and there's not exactly a wealth of depth at wide receiver.

As for Branch wanting to sign with Chicago? Passing along gossip from a guy when he's in town and under contract with another team isn't exactly a hard-and-fast news report.

Update: Gregg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com has tapped into his G.M. translator to give us a more insightful look into John Schneider's thinking:

"Our G.M. translator says: 'We don't have to worry about Branch's salary until September because of the uncapped year, so let's see if we can find a sucker willing to cough up a late-round pick.'
   -- Gregg Rosnethal, ProFootballTalk.com

Ruskell resurfacing in Chicago?

Tim Ruskell may rejoin one of his former mentors in Chicago as The Chicago Tribune reports he is considered a leading candidate to be added to the Bears front office under general manager Jerry Angelo.

The Bears fired Bobby DePaul, their director of pro personnel Monday, which leaves the vacancy.

"Ex-Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell is believed to be a candidate to be hired. He was let go before the season ended in Seattle and worked previously with Angelo in Tampa Bay."
   -- Brad Briggs, The Chicago Tribune

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