Deion Branch re-ups with Patriots

The Patriots have reached a new 1-year deal with WR Deion Branch.  It's the best-case scenario for the player.  Branch will be 33 years old when the 2012 season kicks off and is a below-average NFL receiver at this point of his career.  But he knows New England's offense and has QB Tom Brady's trust.  He'll have even more competition for targets this year, though, after the Pats added free-agent WRs Brandon Lloyd, Anthony Gonzalez, and Donte Stallworth.  Without injuries ahead of him on the depth chart, Branch will be nothing more than a bye-week fill-in.