Grabbing A. Branch? Patriots Add Much Needed Run Stuffer
- Thread starter nazz45
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https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/527475109934944257
Patriots finalized agreement with free-agent DL Alan Branch this morning, per @MikeReiss.
Patriots finalized agreement with free-agent DL Alan Branch this morning, per @MikeReiss.
If they don't go deep in the playoffs its not for lacking aggression in attempting to improve the team in season. I'm excited about his potential contribution. how funny would it be if say two of Branch, Ayers or Casillas (unlikely but who knows) provide real positive value?
bradmahn said:
The earlier Talib and Siliga moves seem to reflect more mid-season tinkering than is the NFL norm.
Am I right that the window is now open to re-acquire Steve Beauharnais, assuming both parties were so inclined?
Developing pretty nice depth at DT--when Siliga returns (Detroit game?) it'll be him, Vince, Branch, Casey Walker, Chris Jones, and Easely.
I saw Branch play for Michigan from 04-07. He was obviously a very disruptive player and IIRC, was drafted in the high 2nd round by the Cards. I think he did OK there, before moving onto Seattle. Stats remained pretty steady, but unspectacular. Played for Buffalo last year and had a solid campaign in line with career averages. Since 2009, has played in at least 15 games each season. Color me excited.
Yes it would be in a 4-3, but Branch can play DE in a 3-4 better than Easley or Jones can simply because of his size.Tony C said:
Anyone thinking we'll see the Pats play a sub defense full-time against the Broncos, but with an extra big line? Something like Wilfork, Walker, Branch, Easley?
MainerInExile said:
That's probably a little bigger than I'd prefer and too light on pass rush. Shift Wilfork inside, sit Walker, and play Nink at DE and I think there's plenty beef with enough maneuverability from the linebackers to have a solid pressure scheme. Reduce Easley inside and sit either Wilfork or Branch in favor of Ayers once you're up a few TDs and you've got the makings of a passable 4-2 front even if Cha. Jones doesn't get back to full health this season.
Or you can try a 3-4 with Branch - Wilfork - Walker/Chr. Jones/Moore/Siliga upon return with Nink - Hightower - Collins - Ayers/Cha. Jones if healthy. They definitely have more options today than they did last week.
On 1st and 2nd downs, I'd like to see a bigger DL in there with Chung playing in the box. A huge key this weekend is to limit their ground game. As we remember in the two matchups last year, the running game played a bigger part than we like to think it would against a Peyton Manning-led team. We have to force Manning into 2nd and 3rd and long or we lose by a lot. Last year's regular season game was an anomoly. We can't expect to win while giving up over 200 yards on the ground.
Pass D was really good in the regular season game, run D atrocious. That was without Wilfork though, and Siliga hadn't emerged yet. In the playoffs, run D was OK but the pass D was miserable. They need to limit the passing game first and foremost, but can't abandon the run D entirely. Easier said than done.RedOctober3829 said:
SeoulSoxFan said:
Jeff Demps 5'7 174 pounds
Alan Branch 6'6 300 and who the hell knows how many pounds
I see an opportunity for a new Buddy Comedy!
Jeff Demps is 5'7" 174??? Wow, no wonder they guy chose track over playing RB or returning kicks in the NFL. At that size he would have gotten broken in half by the end of a full season.( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) said:
Reiss just published one his "Football Journey" bits with Alan Branch, and it is unintentionally hilarious.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4772119/patriots-football-journey-dt-alan-branch
I love it. Aside from not knowing what he brings to the team and that his career consists of catching himself before he goes for a full header, the mixed metaphors are just phenomenal. Did anyone test him for a DUI after this interview?
I have a new favorite player....
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4772119/patriots-football-journey-dt-alan-branch
I love it. Aside from not knowing what he brings to the team and that his career consists of catching himself before he goes for a full header, the mixed metaphors are just phenomenal. Did anyone test him for a DUI after this interview?
I have a new favorite player....
With Siliga due back soon, I suspect Reiss figured he had better hurry up with this one, just in case.
There's room for Siliga and Branch on this team. In fact, having the two of them would mean they actually have the personnel to play a beefy, competent 3-4 DL: Vince at one end, Branch at the other, and Siliga in the middle.
Casey Walker is much more likely to be cut when Siliga returns.
Casey Walker is much more likely to be cut when Siliga returns.
Has anyone looked more closely at Branch's level of play? I've noticed Vince, Nink, Ayers, and the two-headed LB monster of Collins/Hightower, but I can't say I've noticed anyone else in the front.
With Chandler and Siliga due back soon, where are we on the DL going forward?
With Chandler and Siliga due back soon, where are we on the DL going forward?
I thought Branch looked solid yesterday. Holds the point of attack and pursues down the line with surprising speed. I see a 3-player rotation in the middle among Branch, Vince, and Siliga once Silga returns -- Chris Jones gives competent depth. Very comfortable with that. No idea if/when Chandler Jones returns, but it seems, similarly, we could see a 3-player rotation among he, Nink, and Ayers at the ends (though it's more complex in that those guys figure into the LB rotations, too -- and Easley seems better at end than in the middle, so he has to be figured in, too). The Ayers and Branch pick-ups have been huge. Hell, even Casillas looks competent and is seeing a surprising number of snaps for a guy who was assumed to be a pure Special Teamer.
I don't think anyone thought of the DL as a position of depth at the start of the year, but assuming Siliga and Chandler J return, it's evolved into that. Similarly great depth in the secondary. The injury that would kill is to either Collins or Hightower, not sure what the hell they'd do without even one of them.
I don't think anyone thought of the DL as a position of depth at the start of the year, but assuming Siliga and Chandler J return, it's evolved into that. Similarly great depth in the secondary. The injury that would kill is to either Collins or Hightower, not sure what the hell they'd do without even one of them.
To partially answer how Branch played on Sunday, here's a couple of clips from the game that speak for themselves (not sure how to embed dropbox videos):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0hga6wq5b5nbtly/Branch%20Mode.mov?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyvef20twwrwz8d/Branch%20Mode%202.mov?dl=0
Of course, Branch gets zero credit in the box score for either. His pancake of Raiola sure is fun to watch, though.
Joique Bell's best stretch of runs (6 yards, 5 yards and 4 yards - all in a row) came late in the 1st quarter with Branch out and Chris Jones in. All the runs were to Jones' side.
Branch was also the impetus behind Ninkovich's sack with 7:27 left in the 1st quarter. Not sure if it was a pre-planned game between he and Ninkovich or good awareness, but Branch slants down into the gap between the tackle and guard, taking them both on, and Ninkovich loops around Branch to the inside for a free rush on Stafford.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0hga6wq5b5nbtly/Branch%20Mode.mov?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyvef20twwrwz8d/Branch%20Mode%202.mov?dl=0
Of course, Branch gets zero credit in the box score for either. His pancake of Raiola sure is fun to watch, though.
Joique Bell's best stretch of runs (6 yards, 5 yards and 4 yards - all in a row) came late in the 1st quarter with Branch out and Chris Jones in. All the runs were to Jones' side.
Branch was also the impetus behind Ninkovich's sack with 7:27 left in the 1st quarter. Not sure if it was a pre-planned game between he and Ninkovich or good awareness, but Branch slants down into the gap between the tackle and guard, taking them both on, and Ninkovich loops around Branch to the inside for a free rush on Stafford.