Alan Branch impact on DL

I have noticed a significant improvement in our run defense with Branch and Big Vince on the field. Anyone else seeing the same thing?

Not only run defense, but he's been pushing the pocket in passing situations very well. Dude collapsed the hell out of it yesterday. Very impressed. Seems like all our in season signings and our FA signings are having major impacts. Kudos to BB.

The Pats have given up 149 rushing yards per game in 3 games since Branch arrived, for an average of 50 YPG. In the 8 games prior to Branch's arrival, the Pats gave up more than 149 yards in half of them (218 to the Jets, 207 to the Chiefs, 191 to Miami and 153 to the Bears).

Taking away the run makes teams more one dimensional. With our secondary, as soon as you do that, it's pretty much game over.

SONS_OF_BELICHICK said:

I have noticed a significant improvement in our run defense with Branch and Big Vince on the field. Anyone else seeing the same thing?

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I think he is a factor, but I wouldn't say a difference maker based on the number of snaps he is playing.
When you take out QB runs (which really isn't run D) this is the recent Patriots run D #s.

Detriot 22-73 3.3
Indy 13-4 0.3
Denver 15-40 2.7

Total 3 games 50-117 2.3 average of 39 yards per game.

Indeed, his play yesterday was excellent. Individually, Wilfork and Branch are a load and can cause havoc when they are out there together.

This good, very good, as we move towards the playoffs.

Agreed. I was thinking of the guy as a fill-in until Silga returned but he was pushing the pocket yesterday which in my opinion is a more effective pass rush than the typical edge rusher.

SacPete1 said:

Agreed. I was thinking of the guy as a fill-in until Silga returned but he was pushing the pocket yesterday which in my opinion is a more effective pass rush than the typical edge rusher.

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plus he was demanding double teams like all day. freed up nink and ayers to get to the passer. If Jones can make it back for the playoffs to add to Branch and Siligia, this dl should be able to do some damage.

I'm hoping we can put Wilfork on a pitch count once Siliga gets back.

When (and if) Siliga is able to participate at 100%, I suspect that he'll be a backup. Wilfork-Branch is a really awesome combination in the middle.

With regard to run-defense, I would also give some credit to Casillas, our new linebacker in the base.

We would do well to re-sign our in-season rent-a-players: Branch, Ayers and Casillas. They have made a major difference to the defense. One can certainly argue that we are playing better with these 3 than we were playing with Siliga, Jones and Mayo. I am not saying that these three are better, just making a comment on the obvious improvement in the defense since they arrived. Clearly, having Browner integrated into the defense has also helped a lot.

mgteich said:

With regard to run-defense, I would also give some credit to Casillas, our new linebacker in the base.

We would do well to re-sign our in-season rent-a-players: Branch, Ayers and Casillas. They have made a major difference to the defense.

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I agree with this. I very much hope the Pats re-sign Branch, Ayers and Casillas. That is the best rotational depth that I can remember having, especially when Jones is back and next year when Mayo returns.

A 2015 defensive front 7 like this:

DT: Wilfork, Easley, Branch, Siliga, Chris Jones
DE: Chandler Jones, Ninkovich, Ayers, Moore, Buchanan; Hightower and Collins can take snaps at DE, too
LB: Mayo, Hightower, Collins, Casillas; Ninkovich and Ayers can take snaps at LB, too

That would be an impressive group, and it should get better with continuity and development of the youngsters.

mgteich said:

Clearly, having Browner integrated into the defense has also helped a lot.

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The defense has averaged 19.5 PPG since Browner came off of suspension. That would be #5 in scoring defense so far if projected over an entire season. I don't believe any stat necessarily reflects the play of the defense, but Browner's physicality, attitude, and matchup capability have definitely translated to the play of the defense as a whole, and it shows.

AndyJohnson said:

I think he is a factor, but I wouldn't say a difference maker based on the number of snaps he is playing.
When you take out QB runs (which really isn't run D) this is the recent Patriots run D #s.

Detriot 22-73 3.3
Indy 13-4 0.3
Denver 15-40 2.7

Total 3 games 50-117 2.3 average of 39 yards per game.

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Yep- hes played 56 snaps in 3 games. A decent sampling size but not enough to say hes the man responsible for a stout run D.

He will be a big part of stopping lacy this week up the middle

I have been really impressed with Moore. He comes out of a small school and is getting playing with the Pats. I think the Pats found a real keeper in this kid.

For starters, Vince is playing Front Four as his resurrection continues, and Hightower/Collins behind him are the biggest reasons for our success against the run. To my eye Branch was a positive factor and has been showing steady improvement. Big, strong presence in the middle of the line with length to disrupt passing. I like Moore but he whiffed badly on a clean shot at Stafford yesterday and despite his DT/DE versatility, I did not see any real positives in limited (15?) snaps, but I did not review film either. Health is now an issue on the DL with Chandler Jones out indefinitely, Siliga not yet ready to return and with the clock ticking, and Easley inactive and trending in the wrong direction with his knee injury. Would love to see Siliga and/or Easley return to practice this week. Defense will have a full plate with Lacy and Rodgers on Sun.

Julius said:

I'm hoping we can put Wilfork on a pitch count once Siliga gets back.

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Judging by the Indy game, that was already the plan. NE just ran into a shortage of DTs this week with the Blount opportunity and Easley being inactive. Even then, they found 18 snaps to rest Wilfork, which is about 10 more than they'd been doing the past few years.

mayoclinic said:

The defense has averaged 19.5 PPG since Browner came off of suspension.

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Since Browner was inserted into the starting defense, NE has held four teams averaging 25ppg to 18.3.

Branch is not comparable to Wilfork. But he is an excellent Run stuffer who can control the Run by himself, with a good ILB.

But in conjunction with Vince, Alan can form a league leading anti-Run Defense, making the Run an unattractive option for opponents. He is not yet fully integrated into the Defense yet, but by the Playoffs, watch out.

they need to reup his contrqact. He is a beast.

Obviously an excellent addition.

Bombdog said:

I have been really impressed with Moore. He comes out of a small school and is getting playing with the Pats. I think the Pats found a real keeper in this kid.

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Agreed. Hes getting good experience and while not spectacular is filling a need. Hes doing OK.