DT Alan Branch Re-Signed to 2-Year Contract

[IllegalContact]

Malcom Brown regressed late year which was kinda dissapointing for a second year player. Valentine played better than Brown when it mattered thank goodness we had Branch.

ya....that must be why Valentine played 13,10,6 snaps in the playoffs/superbowl

Brown is the one who is double teamed regularly and still made more plays

you should go back and check yourself.....learn to look past the highlights

 

[AtomicDawg]

 

[RayClay]

I hope he has 2 years left. At least 1. He does well stopping those runs up the middle. I think Brown/Valentine will improve and make us very hard to run on up the middle. I am curious what the incentives are. He is not making the probowl and he is unlikely to play more than 60% of the snaps you would think.

He played exactly 60.02% last year. Hard to think he plays more than that going forward.

Why couldn't he make the pro bowl? Should have at least been in consideration last year.

 

[RayClay]

So with Branch, Harmon and maybe Blount coming back, the only question marks are what's going to happen with Butler and Hightower and a pass rusher. Does that sound about right?

Running back. Blount, FA, draft?

 

[manxman2601]

Running back. Blount, FA, draft?

There aren't many Blount type RBs in the draft. It might need a slight change of focus to the running game. Samaje Perine and James Conner might be Blount type guys. I wouldn't discount Gaffney. Obviously he can't be relied upon but he could compete for a role next year.

 

[RayClay]

Don't underestimate how Branch is loved in the locker room. Case in point:



He does look like Uncle Phil too:

Don't underestimate the importance of team chemistry. Free spirits like Branch Gronk and Marty [gone] can be cancer, or they can really lighten the mood. All boy scouts can lead to a dead locker room. This team seems to really have fun and like each other. That's important because complacency is their biggest enemy now and the most talented team doesn't always win. BB has his rules for practice and focus in games. doesn't seem to worry about fun wisecracking, dancing etc. if you take care of the first two.

 

[RayClay]

There aren't many Blount type RBs in the draft. It might need a slight change of focus to the running game. Samaje Perine and James Conner might be Blount type guys. I wouldn't discount Gaffney. Obviously he can't be relied upon but he could compete for a role next year.

I doubt they go into the season with no power back. Not a big need, but Lewis and White can't carry that load. Obviously, don't need a 240-250lb back like Blount. I think Gaffney would come up short in a game we need that and this team is a game plan team.

 

[manxman2601]

I doubt they go into the season with no power back. Not a big need, but Lewis and White can't carry that load. Obviously, don't need a 240-250lb back like Blount. I think Gaffney would come up short in a game we need that and this team is a game plan team.

I think the one thing we can say with certainty about this offense is that it can adapt to the personnel. Personally, I think they bring Blount back. He seems happy here, fits in, knows the system and he's not that pricey. Not too many downsides to bringing him back.

 

[RayClay]

I think the one thing we can say with certainty about this offense is that it can adapt to the personnel. Personally, I think they bring Blount back. He seems happy here, fits in, knows the system and he's not that pricey. Not too many downsides to bringing him back.

I think they will too. seen some articles saying otherwise, so it depends, as always, how much they want him and how much he wants back in. There is a dollar figure that could be too high for one, too low for the other, though. that's just business.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Why couldn't he make the pro bowl? Should have at least been in consideration last year.

Because the pro bowl is a popularity contest and most general fans outside of NE fans know nothing about him. General fans only know the names of players the major networks jock all the time.

 

[RayClay]

Because the pro bowl is a popularity contest and most general fans outside of NE fans know nothing about him. General fans only know the names of players the major networks jock all the time.

He won a Super Bowl. Who are all these glamorous household names at big tackle? I agree that all pro bowls and halls of fame are political/popularity.

 

[PatsBoy12]

He won a Super Bowl. Who are all these glamorous household names at big tackle? I agree that all pro bowls and halls of fame are political/popularity.

Whoever is being talked about. I don't know and I don't care, as I generally watch only my team now thanks to the ridiculousness of the NFL. But that's also why I don't vote. Whoever made the pro bowl at Branch's position would probably be the most obvious answer to your question, I guess. The votes and the game both happen before a SB winner is determined. In my mind, Branch should have probably received All-Pro consideration.

 

[RayClay]

Whoever is being talked about. I don't know and I don't care, as I generally watch only my team now thanks to the ridiculousness of the NFL. But that's also why I don't vote. Whoever made the pro bowl at Branch's position would probably be the most obvious answer to your question, I guess. The votes and the game both happen before a SB winner is determined. In my mind, Branch should have probably received All-Pro consideration.

My post was in response to "Branch will never make a pro bowl" this year. As a super bowl winner, he likely could by playing as well as he has already.

 

[PatsBoy12]

My post was in response to "Branch will never make a pro bowl" this year. As a super bowl winner, he likely could by playing as well as he has already.

Oh, but I never said that so I guess that's why I was a bit confused. I don't know. I stopped caring about 2006ish.

 

[RayClay]

Oh, but I never said that so I guess that's why I was a bit confused. I don't know. I stopped caring about 2006ish.

I was responding to another poster.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I was responding to another poster.

Gotcha