Jeremy Branham took on some friendly fire this week. The ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 mid day host brought an interesting idea to the table when it comes to the often discussed trade of DeShaun Watson. Branham said on Monday that he would trade the quarterback to the Tennessee Titans simply to get the name, colors and logos from the Houston Oilers back.
Many in Houston have crowed about a trade for Watson having to include three first round picks. That may be a pie-in-the-sky kind of dream. Would any team give up that much to bring in a quarterback with the kind of baggage and unknowns that Watson has attached to him? Maybe not, but the expectation is clear. If the Texans are going to trade Watson, it better be for a package that helps them press fast forward on their rebuild.
Branham’s partner on The Killer Bs, Joel Blank, didn’t hate the idea of having the oil derricks and “love ya blue” back in Houston, but he wasn’t sold on it being enough compensation to part with Watson.
That was about the nicest reaction the idea received. The next two days were filled with co-workers questioning Jeremy Branham’s sanity and priorities.
It started with Cody Stoots, co-host of the station’s afternoon show The Wheelhouse. He joined The Killer Bs immediately on Monday to tell Branham “that’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said.”
The drubbing continued Tuesday morning. A caller named Rolando asked John Granato and Lance Zierlein what they thought of the idea.
“Yeah no,” Granato answered. “I’d much rather have players than a name.”
Zierlein was less reserved. He started out by mocking the idea that memories of the Oilers were even valuable. He noted that there is a large segment of adults with little to no memory that there was professional football in Houston before the Texans.
“If you’re 25, you know what you’re saying? ‘No! I want the picks! I wasn’t even alive when they left,’” he said.
He also added that not every native or long-time Houstonian feels the way Branham does about the Oilers. Zierlein characterized his memories of the team as “all fine and good” but notes that those days are over and he has moved on.
Branham didn’t get much support for his idea, but he certainly created a conversation.
