Patriots sign DL Alan Branch, and release LB Deontae Skinner

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...-to-begin-practicing-with-patriots-wednesday/

Oops... Deontae...

I wonder how quickly Branch will be ready to play, even if it's just a handful of snaps. We're going to need his services against the run, going forward, until Siliga is back.

He could be a good acquisition. After a couple of decent games, Casey Walker showed he's not really a starting-caliber lineman. A big body and little else, his lateral movement was completely non-existent.

No more Skinner...thank God.

primetime said:

He could be a good acquisition. After a couple of decent games, Casey Walker showed he's not really a starting-caliber lineman. A big body and little else, his lateral movement was completely non-existent.

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Think he get cut when Siliga returns

The lack of depth at LB continues to be a real challenge.

There seemed to be a plan that James Anderson would be a viable fourth LB, and hopes that Fleming or Beauharnais would be a solid fifth. Anderson and Beauharnais didn't work out, none of the udfa's really stepped up, and Fleming has been back and forth on the practice squad. Then remove Mayo and it's real trouble. I guess the hope is now that Casillas can contribute more in New England than he did in Tampa Bay.

The team continues to miss a real middle linebacker.

Luxusdk said:

Think he get cut when Siliga returns

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If he plays well, I don't think you can ever have too many big bodies up front, especially with our problems in stopping the run.

I think this gives us a decent rotation of big guys would be surprised to see the Broncos gash us up the middle.
Walker can come in on third and longs and supply a energized rush the the QB.
Would like to see a package against the Broncos that looks like Wilfork and Branch with Easley and Ninkovich On the ends.
Make Julius Thomas the Main guy to lock In on hit him at the line don't allow clean releases hit him when he's not involved in the play Let Browner, Collins, Chung take turns teeing off on him.
Lock Revis on D Thomas
Cover E Sanders with a rotation of Dennard and Logan Ryan.
Putting Arrington on Welker.
Don't Blitz Manning we need these guys in coverage.
If a Blitz is coming from the Secondary it needs to be a very delayed Blitz from the likes of Patrick Chung or Tavon Wilson.
Maybe even newcomer Castilla can make his presence felt on one well timed delayed blitz.
Mccourty needs to stay back and read the Quaterback all day this is what he excels at.
The key is to stay healthy during this game we need our best cover corners this game to upset yes upset the Darling Broncos this game could be for homefield in a possible championship game.
To elaborate on Emanuel Sanders he needs to be redirected at the line maybe even switch coverages on him play after play its Tempting to sick Browner on him with Mccourty help.
But I think you are most successful against him with rough play at the line chipped and In a hard zone I mean almost spying him from the Weak Linebacker position.
Tackling will be paramount soon If the Thomas's or Sanders breaks a tackle they are off to the races.
Do not let Peyton take over this game keep him in third and longs and no hits on him.
It will be called no matter how legal it is.
A 15 yard penalty is like giftbagging a score to this team.

ashley1992 said:

If he plays well, I don't think you can ever have too many big bodies up front, especially with our problems in stopping the run.

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Problem is Walker is doing very little to help that. He doesn't demand double teams. As a matter of fact, even worse, he gets taken out of the play by a single blocker most of the time. I think Branch can be an improvement over him once he gets his wind up.

Hopefully Branch will stop up and contribute as a rotation guy on the DL.
As for Skinner maybe he makes it back down to our practice squad.
Clearly Casillas made Skinner expendable and we needed a roster spot for Branch.

Just get that HUGE body in the way against the run, and Branch will be a good signing. Wilfork and Branch clogging the middle on running plays should be very helpful.

KontradictioN said:

Problem is Walker is doing very little to help that. He doesn't demand double teams. As a matter of fact, even worse, he gets taken out of the play by a single blocker most of the time. I think Branch can be an improvement over him once he gets his wind up.

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He is a rookie; need to give him a little more time to develop. He comes from OK, different defensive philosophy than we have here.

Alan Branch = Mount Washington II him and Wilfork inside should make it quite easy on our LB's. Lets hope our DE's ends can set the edge.

Closed the other Brach thread as this is now a signing.

oldrover said:

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...-to-begin-practicing-with-patriots-wednesday/

Oops... Deontae...

After a week of speculation and workouts, the Patriots have finally reached a deal with defensive tackle Alan Branch. The Patriots announced the move late Wednesday morning before practice. To make room on the roster, the team released rookie linebacker Deontae Skinner, who had been seeing more action lately with the season-ending injury to Jerod Mayo.

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I got a worried call from "Deontae Hightower" who asked me to edit the thread title.

Done.

Very thin at LB.... Hoping Branch is a game changer (as much as you can be "off the street").

he should help shore up the run defense.

im also really liking Easily at DE while jones is out...he had a real good game this past sunday rushing the QB.

PATSNUTme said:

Closed the other Brach thread as this is now a signing.

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I was just starting to have fun in there.

Branch is a fairly proven run stuffer so I feel confident he will contribute immediately in that area. If not for a DUI he would not have been available.

Right now I would expect Branch-Wilfork while in a nickel to for most of the game against Denver. That would allow you to stop the run the run fairly well as well as pass defend. The pass rush will be lacking but without Jones I am not expecting much of a pass rush anyway so may as well go heavy.

I hope Easley can build off the Bears game and hold the edge.

BobDigital said:

Branch is a fairly proven run stuffer so I feel confident he will contribute immediately in that area. If not for a DUI he would not have been available.

Right now I would expect Branch-Wilfork while in a nickel to for most of the game against Denver. That would allow you to stop the run the run fairly well as well as pass defend. The pass rush will be lacking but without Jones I am not expecting much of a pass rush anyway so may as well go heavy.

I hope Easley can build off the Bears game and hold the edge.

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I thought Branch avoided the suspension..?