Patriots expected to sign DL Alan Branch

[Mack Herron]

TA-DA!

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 1m1 minute ago
Free-agent DT Alan Branch is here at Gillette Stadium. Look for him to practice today and an official signing to be announced by Patriots.

 

[DefenseRules]

TA-DA!

Strangest transaction that I have ever witnessed

 

[JMC00]

Not sure why people questioned if he was really gonna sign. Pats don't allow unsigned guys to walk freely around Gillette nor do they give them a jersey number

 

[Mack Herron]

Was truly odd. Someone will need to be released today as well.

 

[JMC00]

Strangest transaction that I have ever witnessed

Nah not really. He wasn't gonna play against Chicago and there wasn't practice Monday or Tuesday. So it made no sense to cut a guy until Branch was actually gonna practice.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Not sure why people questioned if he was really gonna sign. Pats don't allow unsigned guys to walk freely around Gillette nor do they give them a jersey number

 

[dales804]

View attachment 7222

When did they release Brandon Bolden?

 

[Oswlek]

Strangest transaction that I have ever witnessed

Branch hinted that it would be.

 

[tmajr3]

If he plays Sunday, it will definitely help our run D, lots of big bodies in there

 

[Oswlek]

If he plays Sunday, it will definitely help our run D, lots of big bodies in there

Doesn't he still need to serve a two week suspension?

 

[Joey007]

So who gets cut now?

 

[OhExaulted1]

Are we sure it's Allan Branch or is it really the ghost of Uncle Phil from the Fresh Prince?

 

[mayoclinic]

http://nesn.com/2014/10/report-alan-branch-finally-signs-with-patriots-will-practice-wednesday/

I expected this. Don't know why there was a blip, but I didn't expect it to be permanent.

Branch, Ayers and Casillas. Nice mid-season infusion on defense, at extremely low cost and likely cap hit.

 

[BelichickFan]

Doesn't he still need to serve a two week suspension?

Don't think so, his DUI was when the old agreement was in place which has no suspension for first offense. Also, if he were to be suspended you can bet he would have been signed earlier to start the suspension earlier.

 

[Oswlek]

Don't think so, his DUI was when the old agreement was in place which has no suspension for first offense. Also, if he were to be suspended you can bet he would have been signed earlier to start the suspension earlier.

That was my thinking as well, and a reason for my mild confusion.

 

[meatface]

Strangest transaction that I have ever witnessed

what about everything with Brian Waters? That was crazy

 

[dales804]

Curious to see if and how he's used out there on Sunday. As noted before, he should help with the run defense.

 

[BelichickFan]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN43 secs44 seconds ago
It's finally official. RT @Patriots: #Patriots sign DL Alan Branch; release LB Deontae Skinner

 

[DefenseRules]

what about everything with Brian Waters? That was crazy

Yeah. I forgot about that one.

 

[Deus Irae]

Patriots formally announce Alan Branch signing. Team releases rookie LB Deontae Skinner.

https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/527486434802814976