The cost of a Branch

Viking fans are doing the math: Minus No. 1 receiver (Koren Robinson), add the best available one (Deion Branch).
But the problem isn't that simple, because adding a Branch would cost the Vikings the NFL equivalent of a Northern California redwood. And beyond the draft pick(s) and the long-term contract, the Vikings also would have to consider the impact of trading for Branch on the team chemistry.
While he does not have a lengthy rap sheet, Branch is holding out because he believes he's underpaid. Due to make $1.045 million in the final year of his rookie contract, Branch is seeking a significant pay raise. Exactly how much is unknown. But there have been several reports that Branch turned down two offers from the Patriots that each included at least $8 million in guarantees.
There's no question that Branch is a talented player, and he certainly would fit into the West Coast offense. Branch, who is 5 foot 9, has good hands, and he excels in gaining yards after catch.
But Branch, the Super Bowl XXXIX MVP after catching 11 passes for 133 yards, has never topped 1,000 yards, although he was only two yards short last season, and he has a modest 14 touchdowns in his four NFL seasons.
It is believed Branch is looking for Reggie Wayne money (six years, $40 million, with $13.5 million in guarantees).
Even if the Vikings were willing to give him that kind of contract, they'd also have to compensate the Patriots. While the club has been mum about their asking price, I would guess the club wants at least a pick in the round they originally acquired Branch, a second.
Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady has spoke glowingly of Branch. But perhaps the Patriots are tiring of this distraction. Patriots coach Bill Belichick has built a culture where team is more important than self, and players like Ted Bruschi and Brady have bought into that philosophy. They both accepted below-market deals to remain with the Patriots.
Has Branch worn out his welcome in New England, and do the Vikings want to welcome him here?
All of this compelled me to wonder: Would Branch even be attractive if the Vikings had kept Nate Burleson?
Instead of giving him a first-round tender, which would have at least netted them a first-round pick if he signed elsewhere, the Vikings in March gave Burleson the lowest qualifying tender equivalent to the round in which he was picked, the third. The moved saved the Vikings $840,000 but cost them infinitely more.
Burleson is starting in Seattle, and he is developing a nice rapport with Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. While he had a disappointing season in 2005, Burleson topped 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2004, including one on a punt return.
The price deemed too steep to Burleson: a heavily back-loaded seven-year contract worth $49 million. For all intents and purposes, the Seahawks signed Burleson to a modest four-year, $14.5 million contract. The prospect of returning home to Seattle and not feeling the love from the Vikings made Burleson's decision easy.
Now, the Vikings are left scrambling. If they want to trade for Branch, they have to hurry. The Patriots have imposed a Sept. 1 deadline to make a deal.