Long before he was busted for a DWI in late August, the writing was on the wall for Alan Branch. Following former Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s departure to the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo quickly hired former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz to fill the void. With that coordinator change came a subtle but important scheme alteration that greatly impacted Branch’s fit within the defense...
For the 2014 preseason, Branch was demoted to the third string defense, often not entering the game until the 4th quarter. The DWI arrest, it would appear, cemented his position on the chopping block as final cuts neared.
The 29-year-old Branch was a reasonably effective player a year ago, starting 13 games and playing in 52 percent of the team’s total defensive snaps. Head coach Bill Belichick now needs to determine whether Branch was a victim of an unexpected scheme change, whether his decline was exacerbated by off-field issues, or if he no longer has the speed and strength to compete in the NFL.
A case for the Patriots to make it official and bring aboard Alan Branch. Please read here.