Agents are the most maligned group of people in the realm of professional sports; however, in most instances they are looking out for the best interests of their client. Take two examples from Boston sports this year. Last spring Bronson Arroyo signed a contract with a hometown discount against his agent’s wishes. The Red Sox awarded Arroyo’s loyalty by shipping him off to Cincinnati. Now we come to Deion Branch. The Patriots tried to sign him for under market value (inexplicably while having 13 million dollars under the salary cap) Branch’s agent correctly convinced Branch to hold out from the Pats for a better deal or a trade to a team that would pay him is market value. Occasionally you hear the talk show idiot caller lambasting Branch for holding out and not honoring his contract. Why should Branch honor his contract, when the Patriots can cut him at any point in time? Eventually Branch got shipped off to Seattle where he got contract with a lot bigger signing bonus and guaranteed cash. Branch’s agent Jason Chayut did a great job in securing the financial future of his client. Here is hoping that Chad Jackson or Doug Gabriel can rise to the task of fulfilling Branch’s shoes. To those who say, Branch never had the numbers of an elite wide receiver, neither did Troy Brown. I d rather have a wide receiving core of the Troy Brown and Deion Branches of the world vs. the Terrell Owens and Randy Mosses.