Branch an MVP addition

KIRKLAND — Deion Branch's speed is what made the strongest impression on Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

But it's how quickly Branch can contribute that was the biggest reason the Seahawks acquired him from New England on Monday in exchange for Seattle's first-round pick in next year's draft.

"This is a known commodity that we know fits our system," Seahawks president Tim Ruskell said of the receiver. "He's going to be a good player for us, going to fit with our guys, going to be good for our quarterback, who's in his prime.

"We want to give him as many tools as we can to help him."

First-round picks are something general managers like Ruskell treat like manhole covers. They're not to be tossed around casually.

But the Seahawks were willing to give up next year's pick and a good deal of cash to add a marquee receiver to the offense that led the league in points last season.

"We'll live by the draft," Ruskell said. "But this was a known commodity for this team in a period where we have this quote-unquote window and felt this was a good step."

Branch's full sticker price will include a long-term extension, and the parameters of that deal are already established, said Ruskell. He did not give any details.

The trade ends two months of arm wrestling between Branch and the Patriots. He had been holding out for a new deal, and hasn't played yet this season.

Branch is 27 years old and coming off his best season. He caught 78 passes for 998 yards and five touchdowns in 2005, his follow-up to being named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, when he caught 11 passes. Branch, a second-round pick in 2002, was playing the final year of the contract he signed as a rookie and was scheduled to make just more than $1 million after his performance triggered an escalator clause.

"Adding a guy like that to our team is exciting," Hasselbeck said. "And it's going to be that much harder to defend our offense now."

Wide receiver Darrell Jackson was asked about his reaction to the acquisition.

"I don't have a reaction at this time," Jackson said.

Does it make the team better?

"Yeah, any time you get a player of his caliber, it definitely makes you a better team," Jackson said.

Tackle Walter Jones hadn't heard of the trade until after Monday's practice.

"That's the first time I've heard that," he said. "Anybody that can come in here and help this team win, I look forward to it."

That was the gist of the reaction from the Seahawks: A great deal of long-term optimism but not much in the way of short-term logistics.

"We have good receivers on the football team right now," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. "This certainly gives us a lot of flexibility to use different packages, more wide receivers in certain packages."

The Seahawks requested and received a two-week roster exemption, which will allow Branch to become acclimated to the team. Branch can be activated at any point, but the team has up to two weeks to decide when he will go on the 53-man roster and who would be cut to make room for Branch.

Branch held out of the Patriots' training camp, which began July 28. He was subject to a fine of $14,000 for every day he missed.

New England gave Branch permission to inquire about a trade on Aug. 25, and a week later the Seahawks were one of two teams that had agreed to the parameters of a contract extension. The Jets were reportedly the other team. It took 10 more days for the Seahawks and Patriots to reach an agreement on a first-round choice.

Ruskell said the team's rationale took into account the unpredictability of a first-round choice, estimating about half turn out to be busts. Not only that, but Seattle may have had to wait a couple of years for that prospect to contribute. No need to wait on Branch.

"It's not going to be a period of development," Ruskell said. "He's ready to go."

The only question left is how quickly that will happen.

"From everything I've heard, he's a quick study and he's a diligent worker," Holmgren said. "I would say sooner than later."

It's Branch's quickness, after all, that made him a target for Seattle in the first place.

Seattle Times reporter José Miguel Romero contributed to this report.