The Patriots have found what they hope will be the replacement for Randy Moss, and it's a familiar face: Deion Branch is headed back to New England after the Patriots reached a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The deal comes just a few days after rumors began to fly that New England had its eye on Branch following their trade of Randy Moss to the Vikings, and on the same day that Branch was held out of Seattle's practice due to a "personal day."
In four games with Seattle this season, Branch has 13 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks are coming off their bye week -- the same as the Patriots, conveniently enough.
Branch spent the first four seasons of his career with New England (he was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 Draft) before being traded to the Seahawks in 2006. He was a key member of the teams that won Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX.
It's worth noting that Branch hasn't played a full season since his last year with the Patriots (2005-06 -- the only time in his career he's played 16 games), and his yards-per-catch average is a career-low 8.6.
For more on this trade, visit Pats Pulpit.