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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Wide receiver Deion Branch was traded to the Seahawks by the Patriots following a contract dispute in 2006.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, December 4, 2008 Branch has no grudge with Pats By Scott M. Johnson Herald Writer RENTON -- While preparing for his first game against his former team, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch said that he holds no animosity after the way things ended for him in New England. "It was very understanding and it was very business-like," Branch told New England-area reporters on Wednesday, as the Seahawks geared up for Sunday's game against the Patriots. "Both sides respect each other. I respect coach (Bill) Belichick. I respect everything he did. I am pretty sure he respects me and what I did. I think each party had to do what was best." Branch was traded to the Seahawks in 2006 after a contract dispute with the Patriots. Seattle eventually gave up a first-round pick for Branch, then signed him to six-year, $39 million deal. Injuries have limited Branch's contribution in Seattle, so to this point the trade has not been as rewarding as the Seahawks would expect. He has caught 115 passes and scored eight touchdowns in 29 games with Seattle. "Certainly, we needed someone to step forward and kind of be the leader of the group, and he never really got the chance to," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday. The man New England drafted with Seattle's first-round pick, Brandon Meriweather, is the Patriots' starting strong safety and leads the team in interceptions (four) while ranking fifth in tackles (55). "He's doing a good job for us," Belichick said during a Wednesday conference call. Spencer done: The Seahawks placed center Chris Spencer on injured reserve Wednesday, ending the veteran's season. Spencer said Wednesday afternoon that a herniated disk in his back was the reason he landed on IR. Spencer added that he developed a bulging disk in training camp and that the injury progressed to a herniated disk sometime last month. He estimated that he played "three, four" games with the herniated disk before succumbing to the injury. "It was bad," he said. "I tried to go as long as I could, but when it got to the point where I couldn't feel my toes, I couldn't anymore." Spencer added that he hopes he won't have to undergo surgery. Steve Vallos takes over as starter for the remainder of the season. Guard Mike Wahle has not been placed on IR, but Holmgren said that could still be a possibility. Wahle, who is nursing a shoulder injury, was one of six Seahawks who did not practice Wednesday. Holmgren said Wahle and starting linebacker Leroy Hill (neck stinger) are likely to miss Sunday's game. Tackle Walter Jones (leg), wide receiver Koren Robinson (knee), safety C.J. Wallace (hamstring) and defensive tackle Red Bryant (ankle) watched the session but are expected to practice later in the week and should be available for Sunday's game. Cross country runners: The Patriots have found a somewhat unique way of dealing with long-distance travel, adopting a system that involves staying on the West Coast for a week between back-to-back games. New England spent a week in October in California between games at San Francisco and San Diego, and now the Patriots will stay on this side of the country because of back-to-back games at Seattle and Oakland. "We felt like, logistically, it went well," Belichick said of the October week spent on the West Coast. "We had a good week of practice and preparation while we were out there, and it saved us crisscrossing the country a couple times." The Patriots are not the first team to employ the strategy. The Arizona Cardinals did it earlier this season during an East Coast trip but lost both games. In 1995, the Seahawks played back-to-back games in Jacksonville and Washington and stayed on the East Coast. Seattle won both games. Holmgren has yet to employ the strategy as Seahawks coach. Morris to start: After one game as a backup halfback, Maurice Morris will return to the starting lineup Sunday. Holmgren said that Morris will get the nod over Julius Jones, who started against Dallas last Thursday but had just 37 yards on 11 carries. In his past seven starts, Jones has averaged just 40.0 yards per game and 3.9 per carry. "Mo Morris is going to start the game and then we'll sprinkle in Julius and (T.J.) Duckett," Holmgren said. Quick slants: Seattle signed tackle Na'Shan Goddard from the New York Giants' practice squad on Wednesday. Goddard, who came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2006, will take the roster spot vacated when Spencer went on IR. ... Quarterback Travis Lulay was released from the practice squad. Seattle signed guard Erik Robertson to its practice squad. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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