Alan Branch dropping. . . (Has a stress fracture)

[Requiem]

According to Dan Pompei on Cold Pizza this morning, Michigan DT Alan Branch's draft stock is slipping because he has stress fractures in his leg and teams are taking him off their boards completely because they are unsure if he can hold up through a whole season.

Someone posted this on Broncomania.

Weird.

[BroncoFiend]

I'd take a flier on him in the 7th:P

[Steve Prefontaine]

Someone posted this on Broncomania.

Weird.

Wow. Big news. Thanks for the info Req.

[U GOT JACKED UP]

I don't think I would take a shot on him in round one with that news.

[goldengopher1976]

My first inclination was to wonder what team was putting this info out there and if it is designed to devalue him hoping he'll reach a certain point in the draft. I don't question Requiem's integrity at all, and perhaps it is all that it appears at face value, but I'm suspicious. heh.

[Rohirrim]

First the marijuana stories and now this. Sounds like some of the scouting departments of teams with later picks are leaking damaging info. Naw! They'd never do that! That would be unscrupulous. ;D

[Barry Ramey]

As big a guy as he is, that's not good if true.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

My first inclination was to wonder what team was putting this info out there and if it is designed to devalue him hoping he'll reach a certain point in the draft. I don't question Requiem's integrity at all, and perhaps it is all that it appears at face value, but I'm suspicious. heh.

If teams are spreading bad info, I kind of doubt their tactic would be to use someone like Req to post it on fan boards. :) The scouts are all out there trying to get one another drunk to pry info or spread bad info.

Depends on where the stress fracture is, but even with it, taking a chance at 86 could pay off.

[mattob14]

Apparently Kiper mentioned this yesterday and has moved Harrell above Branch on his board. I doubt he falls all the way to #86, but he could have a similar fall to Shaun Rogers a few years ago. If so, #56 could be a possibility.

[NFLBRONCO]

One less player we expected at 21. Harrell is going to make millions on this development. I hope we DEFINATELY move down.

[ludo21]

Get him, get him, get him!!!

Guy will be a terror in the league!!

[broncs2bowl]

Hmm I sure hope he can fall to 56 but really do any of you still think he will actually fall out of the first. With this he will def fall to 21 but out of the first? I dont know if I want an injured Branch at 21 rather than taking a vey slight rist on Jenkins with our 2nd(although not as good as before, still VERY good)

[mattob14]

Hmm I sure hope he can fall to 56 but really do any of you still think he will actually fall out of the first. With this he will def fall to 21 but out of the first? I dont know if I want an injured Branch at 21 rather than taking a vey slight rist on Jenkins with our 2nd(although not as good as before, still VERY good)

Come draft day, it's anyone's guess. I do know his film hasn't lived up to the hype, during his personal workout he tired quickly, which raised questions about conditioning and motivation, and now the injury. Any other year, I would say he's out of round 1, but with a weak crop this year, I could see him anywhere from the end of the first to the end of the second.

[Victor]

Excellent news...Shanny loves injured players. Branch is as good as ours. If only he had a bad knee as well it would be a lay up.

[chaz]

we can't afford one of our first two picks to pull a hixon and sit out year one while the stress fractures heal...we need some impact players...i'd be very happy with harrell and harris in 1 and 2

[Dukes]

i'd be very happy with harrell and harris in 1 and 2

That's a big IF, as in if both are available. But I do agree, those two would be excellent picks

[Paladin]

Is Jamaal Anderson dropping? I have been to several sites but I get just hints that he might be available at 21.

[chaz]

That's a big IF, as in if both are available. But I do agree, those two would be excellent picks

ya...i think harrell will definitely be there at 21, some might even call it a reach although he'll move up even further if branch really does fall as far as some say. the wild card is harris, im hopeful...nfldraftcountdown had him going 57

[Kaylore]

Is Jamaal Anderson dropping? I have been to several sites but I get just hints that he might be available at 21.

My prayers are being answered, my friend!:thumbs:

[Play2win]

I hate the ideal of trading down, BUT what about the idea of getting Harrell and Branch to solidify our interior!!!

[Darkhawk24]

Branch will still go first round. There is still too much talent there. A team like NE who is already stacked and has two first rounder's could easily take him and tough out the first year.

[Paladin]

I saw a couple of other mocks where Anderson would be available to Denver at 21. If the Broncos were able to corral Jenkins (or maybe Scott?) and draft Anderson, I would think the Dline would be "moving in the right direction", as they say. If that were the case, then I would think the hope would be for Harris in the second (maybe Black of NM), and a S or another DT in the later third pick.

That would put an exclamation point on the off-season!

[Dukes]

I saw a couple of other mocks where Anderson would be available to Denver at 21. If the Broncos were able to corral Jenkins (or maybe Scott?) and draft Anderson, I would think the Dline would be "moving in the right direction", as they say. If that were the case, then I would think the hope would be for Harris in the second (maybe Black of NM), and a S or another DT in the later third pick.

That would put an exclamation point on the off-season!

That would be a dream come true. If we got both Jenkins and Anderson our Dline just went from the weakest part of the team to a strength IMO

[TheDave]

IF this is true... and thats a big IF. I would take Branch @ 21 in a heart beat. Barring a very strange set of circumstances a stress fracture will easily heal in time for camp.

IMO there is simply no way this guy falls out of the 1st.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

The rumor, which is now being denied, is that he has stress fractures in both tibias. We need a doc in here to tell us the implications, but it would put a big question mark in my mind.

[TheDave]

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=46

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is an overuse injury. It occurs when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.

What causes a stress fracture?

Stress fractures often are the result of increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too rapidly. They also can be caused by the impact of an unfamiliar surface (a tennis player who has switched surfaces from a soft clay court to a hard court); improper equipment (a runner using worn or less flexible shoes); and increased physical stress (a basketball player who has had a substantial increase in playing time).

One of the most common injuries in sports is a stress fracture. Overcoming an injury like a stress fracture can be difficult, but it can be done.

Here are some facts about stress fractures from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is an overuse injury. It occurs when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.

What causes a stress fracture?

Stress fractures often are the result of increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too rapidly. They also can be caused by the impact of an unfamiliar surface (a tennis player who has switched surfaces from a soft clay court to a hard court); improper equipment (a runner using worn or less flexible shoes); and increased physical stress (a basketball player who has had a substantial increase in playing time).

Are women more susceptible to stress fractures than men?

Medical studies have shown that female athletes seem to experience more stress fractures than their male counterparts. Many orthopaedic surgeons attribute this fact to a condition referred to as "the female athlete triad"-eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia), amenorrhea (infrequent menstrual cycle), and osteoporosis. As a female's bone mass decreases, the chances of getting a stress fracture increase.

Where do stress fractures occur?

Most stress fractures occur in the weightbearing bones of the lower leg and the foot. More than 50 percent of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg.

What activities make athletes most susceptible to stress fractures?

Studies have shown that athletes participating in tennis, track and field, gymnastics, and basketball are very susceptible to stress fractures. In all of these sports, the repetitive stress of the foot striking the ground can cause trauma. Without sufficient rest between workouts or competitions, an athlete risks developing a stress fracture.

How are stress fractures treated?

The most important treatment is rest. Individuals need to rest from the activity that caused the stress fracture, and engage in a pain-free activity during the six to eight weeks it takes most stress fractures to heal.
If the activity that caused the stress fracture is resumed too quickly, larger, harder-to-heal stress fractures can develop. Reinjury also could lead to chronic problems where the stress fracture might never heal properly.

Here are some tips developed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to help prevent stress fractures:

Slowly increase any new sports activity. For example, do not immediately start running five miles a day; instead gradually build up your mileage on a weekly basis. Running also can be done on alternate days. Try alternating the days you run on a weekly basis.

Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure you incorporate calcium-rich foods in your meals.

Use the proper equipment. Do not wear old or worn running shoes.

If pain or swelling occurs, immediately stop the activity and rest for a few days. If continued pain persists, see an orthopaedic surgeon.

It is important to remember that if you recognize the symptoms early and treat them appropriately, you can return to sports at your normal playing level.


JMO but there is no way in he11 this type of injury would cause him to drop more than a few spots let alone falling out of round one.

[Mediator12]

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=46

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is an overuse injury. It occurs when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.

What causes a stress fracture?

Stress fractures often are the result of increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too rapidly. They also can be caused by the impact of an unfamiliar surface (a tennis player who has switched surfaces from a soft clay court to a hard court); improper equipment (a runner using worn or less flexible shoes); and increased physical stress (a basketball player who has had a substantial increase in playing time).

One of the most common injuries in sports is a stress fracture. Overcoming an injury like a stress fracture can be difficult, but it can be done.

Here are some facts about stress fractures from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is an overuse injury. It occurs when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.

What causes a stress fracture?

Stress fractures often are the result of increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too rapidly. They also can be caused by the impact of an unfamiliar surface (a tennis player who has switched surfaces from a soft clay court to a hard court); improper equipment (a runner using worn or less flexible shoes); and increased physical stress (a basketball player who has had a substantial increase in playing time).

Are women more susceptible to stress fractures than men?

Medical studies have shown that female athletes seem to experience more stress fractures than their male counterparts. Many orthopaedic surgeons attribute this fact to a condition referred to as "the female athlete triad"-eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia), amenorrhea (infrequent menstrual cycle), and osteoporosis. As a female's bone mass decreases, the chances of getting a stress fracture increase.

Where do stress fractures occur?

Most stress fractures occur in the weightbearing bones of the lower leg and the foot. More than 50 percent of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg.

What activities make athletes most susceptible to stress fractures?

Studies have shown that athletes participating in tennis, track and field, gymnastics, and basketball are very susceptible to stress fractures. In all of these sports, the repetitive stress of the foot striking the ground can cause trauma. Without sufficient rest between workouts or competitions, an athlete risks developing a stress fracture.

How are stress fractures treated?

The most important treatment is rest. Individuals need to rest from the activity that caused the stress fracture, and engage in a pain-free activity during the six to eight weeks it takes most stress fractures to heal.
If the activity that caused the stress fracture is resumed too quickly, larger, harder-to-heal stress fractures can develop. Reinjury also could lead to chronic problems where the stress fracture might never heal properly.

Here are some tips developed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to help prevent stress fractures:

Slowly increase any new sports activity. For example, do not immediately start running five miles a day; instead gradually build up your mileage on a weekly basis. Running also can be done on alternate days. Try alternating the days you run on a weekly basis.

Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure you incorporate calcium-rich foods in your meals.

Use the proper equipment. Do not wear old or worn running shoes.

If pain or swelling occurs, immediately stop the activity and rest for a few days. If continued pain persists, see an orthopaedic surgeon.

It is important to remember that if you recognize the symptoms early and treat them appropriately, you can return to sports at your normal playing level.


JMO but there is no way in he11 this type of injury would cause him to drop more than a few spots let alone falling out of round one.

Stress Fractures are not career threatening or anything, but the guy has a motivation problem and is not able to stay healthy while being underconditioned to play in the NFL for a full season. The reason he will drop is the combination of factors.

This is why he reminds me of Johnathan Sullivan of the Saints. He is a massive individual who has never really had to work hard to succeed as his natural abilities have made him physically dominant until now. He is facing wear and tear injuries pre-NFL offseason and season. It took Sullivan four years to contribute to the Saints and even then he was just an Average level NFL DT with a weak motor.

Having this kind of injury before your NFL career along with a motivation Red Flag will drop him, but the question is how much? You know there are teams like DEN who risk a lot by taking injured players like Bill Walsh used to with SF.

[TheDave]

Stress Fractures are not career threatening or anything, but the guy has a motivation problem and is not able to stay healthy while being underconditioned to play in the NFL for a full season. The reason he will drop is the combination of factors.

This is why he reminds me of Johnathan Sullivan of the Saints. He is a massive individual who has never really had to work hard to succeed as his natural abilities have made him physically dominant until now. He is facing wear and tear injuries pre-NFL offseason and season. It took Sullivan four years to contribute to the Saints and even then he was just an Average level NFL DT with a weak motor.

Having this kind of injury before your NFL career along with a motivation Red Flag will drop him, but the question is how much? You know there are teams like DEN who risk a lot by taking injured players like Bill Walsh used to with SF.


Completely agree with the "motor" issues... But this is the type of player that is simply to physically gifted to not take a chance late in round one. His ability to clog up the middle in a bates scheme would do wonders for our DE's... and honestely at this point "average" would be an upgrade from the collection we currentley have playing DT.

Unfortunately this is all a moot point... I just do not see any way this guy slides to #21

[Mediator12]

Completely agree with the "motor" issues... But this is the type of player that is simply to physically gifted to not take a chance late in round one. His ability to clog up the middle in a bates scheme would do wonders for our DE's... and honestely at this point "average" would be an upgrade from the collection we currentley have playing DT.

Unfortunately this is all a moot point... I just do not see any way this guy slides to #21

I think people are missing the chance part of this. To use a draft pick on a guy who may have a season like Warren did last year due to lingering injuries and even have him miss 5-8 games would be a heavy risk. Sure he may get over it and play 16 games, but the risk is that he never plays healthy and will wear down even worse as the season progresses. He is getting a reputation as an underachieving injury risk.

That is something DEN's DL has always failed to do. Stay Fresh and Healthy down the second half of the season. In order to be a difference maker, he needs quality players around him and someone to spell him often. They have acquired athletes without endurance to last a whole NFL season and lack toughness to play through the owies on the lines. Getting a potential guy like Branch who has never actually had solid production when things were going right might be just what Shanahan does though. He likes to go after potential despite the risk in the late first.

[Odysseus]

I would like the Broncos to stay away from low motor damaged and focus on high motor and IMPACT. I hope the Broncos go for value instead of POTENTIAL. We don't need any more POTENTIAL on the team right now. We have enough.

[TheDave]

I think people are missing the chance part of this. To use a draft pick on a guy who may have a season like Warren did last year due to lingering injuries and even have him miss 5-8 games would be a heavy risk. Sure he may get over it and play 16 games, but the risk is that he never plays healthy and will wear down even worse as the season progresses. He is getting a reputation as an underachieving injury risk.

That is something DEN's DL has always failed to do. Stay Fresh and Healthy down the second half of the season. In order to be a difference maker, he needs quality players around him and someone to spell him often. They have acquired athletes without endurance to last a whole NFL season and lack toughness to play through the owies on the lines. Getting a potential guy like Branch who has never actually had solid production when things were going right might be just what Shanahan does though. He likes to go after potential despite the risk in the late first.

Normally i would agree with you, but Branch's upside is way to high to pass on @ 21. If the grand sum of his current injuries are stress fractures... He will be fine with a month or two of rest. Plenty of time for camp, preseason, and forward. As for the motor issue, this concerns me the most... But IMO if Bates can get Big Daddy to play he can get anyone to play.

[Kaylore]

I would like the Broncos to stay away from low motor damaged and focus on high motor and IMPACT. I hope the Broncos go for value instead of POTENTIAL. We don't need any more POTENTIAL on the team right now. We have enough.

I think we can gamble on some potential picks on offense, particularly at wide receiver, but there will be plenty of options to do so in later rounds. I agree that on defense we should stick with the safer choice.

[Kaylore]

Why are there two threads on this?