Mike Reiss: Alan Branch didn't make the trip to TB

[maineman209]

Cliff.

Cliff who?

 

[PatsBoy12]

He was our most consistent defender last season, but he definitely has played nowhere near that level to this point in 2017. It's such a disappointment because I thought he was a critical re-signing in the off season.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I said it somewhere else... avoid key injures and win the game.. personally for me in that order. Everything else I dont care..

I'd agree with this sentiment.
At this point given a pretty bad performance just 4 days ago, it's hard to imagine many things were fixed in this brief period. So just eke out a win without any major injuries, use the added film and extra days to work out issues before gameplan practice for next opponent.
If issues remain, with the Bye 3 games away after tonight, this 'just get the W with few injuries' may be the hope until then. With two of the three games before the Bye not against top competition (Jets and Chargers), get Ws and get to that extra week where study/practice can be nearly all about self scouting and systemic issue correction. An extra week of general practice versus gameplan practice is needed.

 

[maineman209]

Branch was on PUP for the first two week of Camp. Perhaps his poor performance is at least partly due to an undisclosed health issue?

I keep feeling like there's a significant roster move or two imminent. The team seems to be short on DL fatties, short on LBs and short on safeties.

But then, I consider that the Pats only have about $5.1M of cap space left to work with. And then, McClellin is eligible to return after only three more games (after tonight).

OTOH, I don't think that Valentine is eligible until week-12 or 13.

Maybe if HT can go at 100% and the guys in the secondary can get on the same page tonight, things will look better in the morning.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Branch was on PUP for the first two week of Camp. Perhaps his poor performance is at least partly due to an undisclosed health issue?

I keep feeling like there's a significant roster move or two imminent. The team seems to be short on DL fatties, short on LBs and short on safeties.

But then, I consider that the Pats only have about $5.1M of cap space left to work with. And then, McClellin is eligible to return after only three more games (after tonight).

OTOH, I don't think that Valentine is eligible until week-12 or 13.

Maybe if HT can go at 100% and the guys in the secondary can get on the same page tonight, things will look better in the morning.

If they give up 30 tonight and or lose.........consider significant changes to the lineup and roster imminent.

 

[50-yard-line]

Ya that was confusing on my part, when I said "guy" I was referring to Branch, as in "that guy", didn't mean for it to come off as meaning Lawrence Guy

Not very wise of you.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Perillo just said on 98.5 that there is a report floating that we may have seen the last of Branch in a Patriots uniform. I apologize I have no links and I'm not saying I read this myself.

 

[Joey007]

I've loved what Branch has given us the last few years, but make the changes you deem necessary for this defense, BB.

Changes would be good considering how they've looked so far.

 

[Wheelman]

That happened to me once. I had a window seat on a flight to SFO and this skinny college kid in the middle seat kept farting in his sleep. Turned out he had a gastro thing going and kept going to the can and pissing off the old guy in the aisle seat trying to sleep. After about 45 minutes I couldn't take it anymore and I hit the call button and asked to change seats.

They put me in first class thank god. Man that kid stunk.

What I want to know is how the kid reacted to you asking for a change of seats.

 

[RobertWeathers]

What I want to know is how the kid reacted to you asking for a change of seats.

Well, when I hit the call button I started looking around for a FA to arrive. Once I saw someone I got up and motioned the FA to the galley to discuss the problem in private. I explained the situation and they moved me to an empty seat in 1st class.

I'm sure the kid figured it out but he was 1/2 asleep so not 100% sure he did at the time. It was early in the morning. The old guy stayed I think. I don't know how he did it as we had 4 more hours of flight time.

 

[kennyb]

They could just cut him. But using that logic, they should cut gilmore too right? Horrendous signing, maybe a trade? We take the huge signing bonus hit, that's got to be worth something.

I think tampa bay, at home, smokes them. Worst d in the league by a country mile.

I'm going to tape the game. If they win, i'll watch it. If they lose, i just erase it. Not letting the pats make a fool out of me by getting my hopes up during the game. How many 3rd downs the pats allow last week? 12 out 13 or something? Imagine getting all excited for the big stop and they lay eggs 12 out of 13 times. Disgusting!! Emotional abuse.

 

[Wheelman]

Well, when I hit the call button I started looking around for a FA to arrive. Once I saw someone I got up and motioned the FA to the galley to discuss the problem in private. I explained the situation and they moved me to an empty seat in 1st class.

I'm sure the kid figured it out but he was 1/2 asleep so not 100% sure he did at the time. It was early in the morning. The old guy stayed I think. I don't know how he did it as we had 4 more hours of flight time.

Well that was polite of you! And a disappointment to us. Would have been much more interesting had you done it right at your original seat. lol

 

[captain stone]

Whatever money had been earmarked for Branch should've been given to Akeem Hicks.

And to think that Ahtyba Rubin was on the street for nearly 2 weeks before he signed with the Donkeys.

#Bill'sWorstDraft&OffseasonEver

 

[RobertWeathers]

Well that was polite of you! And a disappointment to us. Would have been much more interesting had you done it right at your original seat. lol

That would have been funny.."Hey! This guy is farting nuclear waste!".

Yea it was like 7am and I wasn't in the mood to make a big scene and that's not my thing anyway. Just politely make my appeal it in private, calmly and respectfully and hope for the best. I just wanted to go to sleep.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm going to tape the game. If they win, i'll watch it. If they lose, i just erase it. Not letting the pats make a fool out of me by getting my hopes up during the game. How many 3rd downs the pats allow last week? 12 out 13 or something? Imagine getting all excited for the big stop and they lay eggs 12 out of 13 times. Disgusting!! Emotional abuse.

. . . what is wrong with you?

This is why I'm not going to participate in the game day thread once the game starts. The amount of ridiculousness is more than I can handle. Be a fan; don't wimp out.

 

[Onedaful]

. . . what is wrong with you?

This is why I'm not going to participate in the game day thread once the game starts. The amount of ridiculousness is more than I can handle. Be a fan; don't wimp out.

Good idea. The game day thread is a complete, utter **** show filled with chicken littles.

 

[Kontradiction]

Not so sure. Mike seems to be hinting otherwise.

That and he ran his mouth this week about not being happy with his playing time. Smells like the doghouse to me.

 

[zoostation]

If they are not going to play him why dont they cut him?

Because he's very good when he gives 110%. Problem is he thinks he's just as good when he gives 85% effort. And maybe he is. But as soon as BB let's him skate.... season over. TB12 will take you to the playoffs, but ALL have to buy in to the system or its a division or AFCCG loss. See 2009 season (as mentioned earlier in this post).

So moral is....BB NEEDS all players to buy into the proven system. And when they do, the system (along with the GOAT) will take care of the rest.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Cliff who?

 

[archstanton543]

So moral is....BB NEEDS them all drinking the kool-aid. And when they do, the system will take care of the rest.

I hate this metaphor. A lot of people including kids died in Jonestown.