The Facts: Two sources close to Branch said the team's top wide receiver will not report to the mandatory mini-camp that begins this morning at Gillette Stadium. Branch, who is in the final year of a five-year contract, hopes to sign a lucrative extension before the season and is dissatisfied with the status of talks.
Diehards Line:A number of receivers have signed new contracts recently, including Reggie Wayne (six years, $39 million), and two players drafted before Branch in 2002: Javon Walker (five years, $40 million with Denver) and Antwaan Randle El (seven years, $31 million with Washington). Randle El has never had more than 47 receptions in a season while Branch, who has clearly developed into Tom Brady's favorite target, is coming off his best season (78 receptions for 998 yards). ... Stay tuned. We haven't heard the last of this one.