Deion Isn't Randy. So What?

As Deion Branch checked in with the New England Patriots today for his first Belichick practice since 2006, the receiver was all smiles and clearly very excited to be back in Foxboro again. Donning the number 84, Branch is ready to contribute whatever he can to the team this time around, calling himself "a piece to the puzzle" and nothing more.

Oh, and one more thing. Branch managed to explain, "I'm not here to replace Randy [Moss]."

Can you all understand that? Cram that into your skulls somehow? There was a segment on PTI today during which Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser made fools of themselves debating this topic. Both guys agreed that Branch is nowhere near the caliber of Randy Moss and that he doesn't come close to replacing him. This is true, but let me go on. Wilbon claimed that the acquisition of Branch was simply appeasement to keep Tom Brady happy until the Patriots figure out who their next big star receiver will be.

Hello? Are you totally blind to the messages being sent by Bill Belichick and the Patriots? They don't care about big stars. They don't necessarily want a true replacement for Randy Moss. The Patriots want winners, clutch performers, characters. Veteran leaders. Deion Branch, despite lacking the tremendous physical talent that Randy Moss has, edges Moss in each of the categories I just named. It's easy to write off Branch as a washed up receiver who can't help this team. But let's make sure we take in all the evidence. You can't undervalue the fact that he's one of Tom Brady's favorite targets. He's a guy who was here during our Super Bowl runs, and the number of guys like that on this team has diminished over the years. He's a guy with a lot of character, heart, and soul -- and he just wants to win. Branch is likely more motivated than ever having been given this second chance. After brutal years in Seattle without true winning football, he clearly can't wait to jump back into Patriot football. And it seems that Bill Belichick also wants to get back to Patriot football. Despite the phenomenal talent he is, Randy Moss doesn't embody Patriot football. So please, ESPN -- spare me the comparisons between Deion Branch and Randy Moss. Branch isn't Moss. He never has been, and he never will be. But like I said before -- Randy Moss never won us a Super Bowl. Deion Branch was a Super Bowl MVP.

He was a Super Bowl MVP. Having said that, we can only wait and see not whether Branch is the answer -- that isn't the question -- but rather, whether or not he can be a fitting piece to a championship puzzle.