If anyone knows what Asante Samuel?s going through, it?s Deion Branch. A year ago, the wide receiver was preparing to hold out for a long-term contract from the Patriots. He was traded instead to the Seahawks, and the fallout continued reverberating this winter, when the Patriots signed a slew of wideouts in what amounted to a tacit acknowledgement they never should have let Branch leave. ?We?ve spoken,? Branch said yesterday from Seattle after spending the majority of his offseason in Boston. ?Our situations are the same as far as holding out, but they?re two different examples. I was due about $1 million. He?s due $7.8 million. The most important thing I tell him is to do what?s in his heart. If he feels holding out is the right thing, then that?s what he should do.?