Deion Branch on D&C: ‘We just didn’t execute’

Deion Branch

Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch joined Mut & Merloni at Gillette Stadium Monday morning for his weekly discussion about the team. The Patriots dropped their second straight game Sunday, a 24-20 loss to the Giants.

The Patriots failed to score on their first nine drives Sunday, but Branch said the Giants defense did not do anything the Patriots weren’t expecting.

“No, no surprises. Everything they did was pretty much what we game-planned for,” he said. “We just didn’t execute. No excuses at all. None. No excuses.”

Added Branch: “I honestly know that we were prepared to play this game. We just didn’t go out and do it.”

After a scoreless first half, the Patriots still could not get on track at the start of the third quarter. That’s something Patriots fans aren’t used to seeing.

“We preach and harp on starting fast. The last two weeks we haven’t,” Branch said. “For whatever reason, it is hard right now. … That’s our goal each and every game: Start fast, start fast after halftime. The last couple of weeks, we haven’t been doing it.”

Following are more highlights from the conversation. To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page.

On second-year receiver Taylor Price: “He has great potential. He has a lot of potential. He has all the attributes as a receiver — the height, speed, size, all that stuff. And he’s a great practice player. So, he’s doing the things. It’s just all about getting over that little, small hump. He’s fighting [a hamstring injury]. This guy’s battling. He’s doing a great job. He’s doing everything the coaches ask of him. He’s not complaining at all. He’s fighting. And trust me, all the guys are pulling for him. The coaches are, too. There’s a reason they brought him here, because they know what type of talent he has.”

On the Jets’ improvement since the last time the teams met: “It’s a different team. As the weeks go on, some teams get better, some fall off.”

On Jets week: “It’s always good playing those guys. There’s a lot of entertainment that leads up to the game, and then the game is always good. … We’ve got to get a win. That’s the only thing that matters.”