National Football League

A sort of homecoming;Branch glad to be back

Published Oct. 13, 2010 10:06 p.m. ET

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FOXBORO - Over the previous 72 hours, Deion Branch had boarded three flights, been on two teams, and participated in one grueling practice.

''Today was pretty rough for me,'' Branch said.

Yet the receiver was all smiles behind the podium at Gillette Stadium yesterday. The more Branch has changed, the more he's remained the same.

Four years after Branch forced a trade and landed in Seattle because of an acrimonious contract situation, he was back singing the praises of the Patriots. The former Super Bowl MVP who thought he'd never again play for coach Bill Belichick's team is hoping to do exactly that Sunday vs. the Ravens.

He's the same person on the same team, yet a different player in a different situation. Branch, who was traded for a fourth-round pick Monday, embraced it all.

''It'll really set in probably (on) gameday,'' said Branch, whom the Patriots drafted in the second round in 2002. ''But I do feel like I'm back at home.''

Future Hall of Famer Randy Moss was sent to the Vikings last week, and Branch took his spot on the roster. Yet the 5-foot-9 Branch, who had 13 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown this season for the Seahawks, has no plans to do what the 6-4 Moss did.

''I'm not here to replace Randy,'' said Branch, who had 78 catches for 998 yards and five scores in his best year, 2005. ''I'm not Randy Moss. I wasn't Randy Moss when I was here. I'm just a piece of the puzzle.''

Branch, the do-everything receiver, has suffered through several surgeries since he left the Patriots.

During a tough Seattle tenure, his name was always in trade talks. But how did he end up back here, of all places? Because Branch said it was never personal with Belichick.

''I wasn't mad at coach, he wasn't mad at me,'' Branch explained. ''We just couldn't come to an agreement and that stuff happens. I wish it never happened, but no regrets. We talked during the course of that year.''

This time, Branch is open to reworking a contract that is slated to pay him $5.47 million in 2010 and $5.95 million in 2011. He's hoping to stay around, even though he just sold the condo that former defensive end Derrick Burgess had been renting.

Teammates were thrilled to see Branch back, remembering his 11-catch performance in Super Bowl XXXIX vs. Philadelphia.

''He's made a lot of plays for us in some big-time games,'' center Dan Koppen said. ''You want those type of players on your team.''

Branch has changed. Gone is some athleticism, but he's added some knowledge and experience.

''I understand the game of football and how to study people,'' he said. ''My first four years here I was just playing off all athleticism, and I was getting away with it for a little bit.''

When Moss left, the Patriots lost their most devastating deep threat.

Quarterback Tom Brady wouldn't say specifically if Branch would fill the void, but he was hopeful that his former go-to receiver would catch on quickly enough to have a chance to do so.

''I'm not sure how much Deion has retained over the years,'' Brady said in his weekly interview on WEEI. ''Deion's a very smart player. He's going to have certainly his work cut out for him. I wouldn't say things are exactly the way they were when he left. We've evolved quite a bit. So I'm sure there will be a pretty steep learning curve for him. Hopefully, he gets up to speed as quickly as possible. Because we'll need him this week.''

Branch walked out to practice with Brady, as the quarterback peppered him with questions and formations. Branch remembered some plays, but joked that the coaches didn't run them yesterday.

The playbook has changed, but the terminology hasn't. Branch aims for a quick acclimation process.

''We're moving pretty fast,'' he said. ''Hopefully we can just show it on the field.'' - irapoport@bostonherald.com

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