
710 ESPN Seattle
Updated Nov 5, 2009 - 1:16 am
Branch: "I just want to win, I just want to play"
By Matt Pitman
Thought I'd pass a long some more sound from after practice today. Deion Branch, Marcus Trufant and Greg Knapp.
Deion Calls it a 'Big Misunderstanding'
"Y'all come find me. Anybody who want me, come find me."
It's what Deion Branch had to say after his first touchdown grab of the season, this past Sunday in Dallas. But it's the meaning behind it that has everyone talking. Was it a player pumped up after beating the defense to score a touchdown...a challenge to the defense as if to say 'try and stop me?' Or was it an invitation for teams looking for a wide receiver to 'come find him' via trade inquiries at seasons end?
Deion Branch addressed the media about the quote Wednesday, at first it sounded like a round about vague apology, without ever saying an I'm sorry or an I was out of line. Branch says it was just his way of saying that he wants to win.
Click here to listen to Deion Branch discuss his "come find me" statement with the media after practice.
"Big misunderstanding. What you all hear is not what's coming from me. I just want to win, I just want to play. When you're 2 and 5, a lot of stuff you hear it may sound different but the meaning of it is not that," Branch said.
Branch added that he has accepted his role as the Seahawks number three receiver, even though it has meant less time on the field, and less balls thrown his way. "I've been accepting my role. Trust me, if I wanted to start something I would have done it in mini camp. That's not me. I wouldn't say those type of things," he said. He has two years remaining on his contract.
Trufant on Roster Moves, Secondary Changes
Marcus Trufant heard Jim Mora's message about overcoming adversity and individual accountability loud and clear, and says everyone else on the team did as well. "Everyone has to look themselves in the mirror. That was his speech. Everybody look at themselves, everybody fix themselves and we can get it turned around," Trufant said.
Click here to listen to Trufant speak with reporters after practice Wednesday.
Trufant has seen two of his Seahawks secondary mates lose their jobs this week, with the release of C.J. Wallace and Travis Fisher. Now Roy Lewis and Jamar Adams step in from the practice squad. Can that injection of young, hungry players who have had to battle just to keep a job on the practice squad be an injection of energy to the defense? Tru believes it will, saying "When you've got guys who are fighting for a spot on the team, they're fighting hard to get some playing time, that's going to pick everybody up and that can spread throughout the team."
Coaches Feeling the Pressure Too
Players aren't the only ones who are feeling the sting and scrutiny of a 2 and 5 record as the team hangs on, on the brink of another lost season.
Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp had a great quote about the coaches feeling the heat and heeding the words of Jim Mora.
Click here to listen to Greg Knapp's quote.
Click here to listen to the full audio of Greg Knapp with reporters discussing the release of Edgerrin James, the tailback rotation, the T.J. Houshmandzadeh rants, and more.
Leave your comments below.
Matt Pitman covers the Seattle Seahawks for 710 ESPN Seattle
and MyNorthwest.com. Matt has reported on Seattle sports
since 2000 and is the host for the Mariners pre and post game
shows on 710 ESPN Seattle. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattpitman
For the past 5 years, David Wyman has been a part of the
Seahawks pre and post game team on KIRO-AM and KIRO-FM. Dave
is a former NFL linebacker. He was a 2nd round draft choice
of the Seattle Seahawks in 1987 and was a 5-year starter for
the Hawks before signing a free-agent contract with the
Denver Broncos in 1993.Copyright © 2010 Bonneville International. All rights reserved.