Seahawks coach Pete Carroll again talked up wide receiver Deion Branch after Thursday’s minicamp practice.

Via Greg Johns:

“Deion Branch had a very good three days,” Carroll said. “He showed up and showed off a little bit today. He was making plays. He had a good time playing with us. He’s going to have a big role in the offense and I think he recognizes that and really embraces it and is excited about what is going on.”

Branch had 45 catches for 437 yards and two touchdowns for Seattle last year. His best season with the Seahawks was in 2006, when he caught 53 passes for 725 yards and four touchdowns.

Carroll earlier spoke glowingly about Branch at the NFC coaches breakfast in March.

From Mike Reiss:

“He’s a big-time player,” Carroll said this morning at the NFC coaches breakfast. “I’ve seen him now on the field, [catching] the ball with some of the guys out there, and he’s gifted. He’s a natural player with terrific quickness. He has all the instincts, terrific hands, and with a good personality to go along with that. They are the kind of things that you might expect to see on a guy who has played at that caliber.”

There have been rumors that Branch would be moved by Seattle this offseason. Branch told the Boston Herald in February that he would be excited about a possible return to the New England Patriots. He spent the first four seasons of his career in New England.