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Wysłany: Czw 11:26, 21 Paź 2010 Temat postu: and now on Monday |
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Nate Burleson left in free agency (signing with the Detroit Lions), T.J. Houshmandzadeh Jersey was released prior to the start of the season (signing with the Baltimore Ravens), and now on Monday, Branch was shipped to the New England Patriots.
And just like that, gone are the three players who accounted for 187 of the 206 catches and 2,160 of the 2,319 yards compiled by Seahawks receivers in 2009.
When T.J. Houshmandzadeh Jersey was cut loose, it meant a promotion for Mike Williams, and now with Branch gone, Deon Butler, in his second NFL season, becomes the starting flanker.
Last season, the third-round pick from Penn State played sparingly, catching 15 passes for 175 yards. Considering that the Seahawks brought in a new coach and general manager in the offseason,NCAA Jerseys, and that Pete Carroll is known to prefer big receivers, there was some speculation that the 5-foot-10, 182-pound Butler could end up a casualty of the regime change.
Butler promoted to starting flanker after Branch traded to Pats
Seahawks notes: Deon replaces Deion
RENTON — With this week's trade of Deion Branch, Seattle's roster overhaul at wide receiver is now pretty much complete.
“It definitely feels good to know that the hard work that I've been putting in on the field and in the weight room and the classroom, everything, it hasn't gone unnoticed,” he said. “The coaching staff said they would be fair, they would give us a shot. Coming in, there was all this talk about big receivers, this and that, so I really wasn't sure, but it just feels good to know that the coaching staff stuck to their word and they said, ‘Look, we're going to give everyone a shot and if you go out there and make plays, you'll be rewarded.' I feel pretty good right now.”
It won't just be Butler who benefits from Branch's departure. Ben Obomanu, who previously did most of his work on special teams, will see a bigger role in the offense, as will rookie Golden Tate and Brandon Stokley, who the Seahawks signed prior to their last game.
“It shows faith in Deion Butler and Ben Obomanu to step up,” Carroll said of the Branch trade. “And all of our guys, and of course Stokley.”
As for the trade itself, Carroll said it only came about because of New England's strong interest in Branch.
“New England came after him aggressively,” Carroll said. “We didn't have any intention of trading him at the time. ... And without Brandon Stokley coming here, we never would have thought about it.”
Instead, he impressed his coaches enough to not only win a starting job, but to give them the confidence to trade away a starting receiver.
“It just feels good that they're confident in me to be able to slide me into that spot,” said Butler, who has eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown this season. “Now I've got to go out and produce. Everyone started at this point at sometime. Talking to those guys, T.J., Deion, they were backups. Then at some point their time came, and right now for me the opportunity is presenting itself.
“Just being able to help replace him (Branch) is definitely something that I'm excited for and I'm looking forward to the opportunity.”
Butler says the promotion doesn't change the way he goes about his business, but that it is rewarding. |
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