Alan Branch - The Orange Mane

Traveler · 05-11-2009, 07:29 AM

Back in early April, word out of Arizona from HC Ken Whisenhunt was this is a "make or brake" season for Branch. He hasn't lived up to expectations thus far.

I'm only speculating here, but, I wonder if he would fit into the teams plans, were he to become available?

Cardinals | Branch entering make-or-break year
Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:32:26 -0700

Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic, reports Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said DT Alan Branch is entering a "make-or-break" year with the team. Branch said, "It's a huge year, first of all, just in terms of if you want to stay in this league or what type of player you are going to be viewed as. This year, if I don't bring what I'm supposed to bring to the table, that could secure you a backup role the rest of your career."

http://www.kffl.com/player/16136/NFL

SureShot · 05-11-2009, 07:35 AM

If he is released we should sign for sure, he would brake off 2k in our system.

Drek · 05-11-2009, 07:39 AM

Branch is a great example of why none of us actually know much of anything about the draft. Most professional analysts thought he was a top 20 lock, and a borderline 10-15 guy. No one thought we'd even get the chance to pick him. But not only did he slide out of the top half of the first round, he slid out of the first completely.

Character? Injury? None of us knew for sure leading up to the draft, but apparently every NFL team knew something all the analysts didn't and Branch hasn't really proven the teams themselves wrong for passing on him to date.

Traveler · 05-11-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drek

Branch is a great example of why none of us actually know much of anything about the draft. Most professional analysts thought he was a top 20 lock, and a borderline 10-15 guy. No one thought we'd even get the chance to pick him. But not only did he slide out of the top half of the first round, he slid out of the first completely.

Character? Injury? None of us knew for sure leading up to the draft, but apparently every NFL team knew something all the analysts didn't and Branch hasn't really proven the teams themselves wrong for passing on him to date.

It was shocking to a lot of folks that he lasted until the second round. If I remember correctly, BPC was one of his biggest supporters. As you say, it just goes to show that what we see and hear may not contain all the data made available to all the teams in the league.

From what I've read, he has that "constant injury bug" issue same as Torain. Wonder if that's what has been holding him back? Maybe a change of scenery might help. He seems to posess all the physical traits required to play in Nolan's 3-4 defense.

BTW, it the slow part of the NFL year, just wanted to talk a little "what if" type of stuff.

Borks147 · 05-11-2009, 08:03 AM

DTs have such a high bust ratio.

Traveler · 05-11-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborquez147

DTs have such a high bust ratio.

True. Look at the kid from Philly (Bunkley). I think he's just starting to justify his 1st round selection.

Pseudofool · 05-11-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborquez147

DTs have such a high bust ratio.

That's why it's smart to spend as many high round picks as possible on them.

Broncos_OTM · 05-11-2009, 08:46 AM

Guy looks like tarzan plays like jane. I dont know how you all took that article. But shoting for a back up role. doesnt overwhelm me with confidence that he wants to dominate. much less start. he was never known to be a hardworker. and got by on his size in college. He doesnt want it and wil get canned. i hope Denver DOES NOT go after him if released i would rather have some over achiever midget playing nose

MileHighMagic · 05-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Branch went to h.s. right down the road at Cibola High. Good friend of a buddy of mine. I would take a shot on him if the price is right. Plus I would get hooked up with tix.

400HZ · 05-11-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traveler

True. Look at the kid from Philly (Bunkley). I think he's just starting to justify his 1st round selection.

Bunkley was awesome for Philly last year. DT's just need a few years to get used to playing with NFL-level technique and to develop some old man strength.

BabyTO · 05-11-2009, 10:23 AM

i watched him play last season and he's pretty dominant on the field. but he always shows up overweight which is why they won't let him on the field. but once he gets in shape he can be a difference maker. would be cool if we could trade a late round pick for him or something.

but i have faith in chris baker as well. he can be a starter in this league and he's in the right spot right now with us. the starting job is available, he just needs to show that he can be a starter

Traveler · 05-11-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400HZ

Bunkley was awesome for Philly last year. DT's just need a few years to get used to playing with NFL-level technique and to develop some old man strength.

That's what I meant when I said he's just starting to prove his worth. Last year was when he began to pay dividends. As you said, it might be most DL need time to adjust to the game at the pro level.

oubronco · 05-11-2009, 11:06 AM

they are trying to light a fire under his ass

BroncoBuff · 05-11-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SureShot

If he is released we should sign for sure, he would brake off 2k in our system.

At the very least, he could be our short yardage back. If Torain gets injured again I mean.

Killericon · 05-11-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drek

Branch is a great example of why none of us actually know much of anything about the draft. Most professional analysts thought he was a top 20 lock, and a borderline 10-15 guy. No one thought we'd even get the chance to pick him. But not only did he slide out of the top half of the first round, he slid out of the first completely.

Character? Injury? None of us knew for sure leading up to the draft, but apparently every NFL team knew something all the analysts didn't and Branch hasn't really proven the teams themselves wrong for passing on him to date.

It was an injury...There was a lot of talk just before the draft that he had stress fractures in his shins, and shin splints.

footstepsfrom#27 · 05-11-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drek

Branch is a great example of why none of us actually know much of anything about the draft.

I read stuff like this frequently, but I rarely read anything said about fans being right about a player, which they often are.

Quote:

Most professional analysts thought he was a top 20 lock, and a borderline 10-15 guy. No one thought we'd even get the chance to pick him. But not only did he slide out of the top half of the first round, he slid out of the first completely.

Character? Injury? None of us knew for sure leading up to the draft, but apparently every NFL team knew something all the analysts didn't and Branch hasn't really proven the teams themselves wrong for passing on him to date.

Actually I recall reading several things that were said about his work ethic and him being lazy...so this is not that big of a surprise. At the time some people dismissed it as "most big guys get that rep"...an excuse that seemed like a poor one.

I wouldn't be interested in Branch. We've seen to many of those kind of players here.

Orange_Beard · 05-11-2009, 11:38 AM

1s t rounders bust out at 50%. This happens every year.

At this point we need to take a shot at him if he is free. You never know if a guy gets with the right coach, he could turn it around.

cutthemdown · 05-11-2009, 12:05 PM

DT go from studs to duds pretty quickly. Brace and Branch to me are a lot alike.

Big, played decent in college, but lack the wow factor when it comes to being a football player.

Broncos have big bodies to work with I doubt Branch would be much different.

05-11-2009, 07:29 AM	#1
Traveler Traveling Man! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,411 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ryan Clady	Alan Branch Back in early April, word out of Arizona from HC Ken Whisenhunt was this is a "make or brake" season for Branch. He hasn't lived up to expectations thus far. I'm only speculating here, but, I wonder if he would fit into the teams plans, were he to become available? Cardinals \| Branch entering make-or-break year Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:32:26 -0700 Kent Somers, of The Arizona Republic, reports Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said DT Alan Branch is entering a "make-or-break" year with the team. Branch said, "It's a huge year, first of all, just in terms of if you want to stay in this league or what type of player you are going to be viewed as. This year, if I don't bring what I'm supposed to bring to the table, that could secure you a backup role the rest of your career." http://www.kffl.com/player/16136/NFL Last edited by Traveler; 05-11-2009 at 07:48 AM..

05-11-2009, 11:38 AM	#17
Orange_Beard Over Jay Cutler Todd Snider Rules! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 7,836 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tony Scheffler	1s t rounders bust out at 50%. This happens every year. At this point we need to take a shot at him if he is free. You never know if a guy gets with the right coach, he could turn it around. Last edited by Orange_Beard; 05-11-2009 at 11:43 AM..

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05-11-2009, 07:35 AM	#2
SureShot Te-believer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Paradise Divide Posts: 5,996 Adopt-a-Bronco: Matt Russell	If he is released we should sign for sure, he would brake off 2k in our system.

05-11-2009, 07:39 AM	#3
Drek Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 12,321	Branch is a great example of why none of us actually know much of anything about the draft. Most professional analysts thought he was a top 20 lock, and a borderline 10-15 guy. No one thought we'd even get the chance to pick him. But not only did he slide out of the top half of the first round, he slid out of the first completely. Character? Injury? None of us knew for sure leading up to the draft, but apparently every NFL team knew something all the analysts didn't and Branch hasn't really proven the teams themselves wrong for passing on him to date.

05-11-2009, 08:03 AM	#5
Borks147 the dude abides... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hanover NH Posts: 1,845	DTs have such a high bust ratio.

05-11-2009, 08:46 AM	#8
Broncos_OTM Born Again HOOLIGAN Broncos Over All Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,544 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	Guy looks like tarzan plays like jane. I dont know how you all took that article. But shoting for a back up role. doesnt overwhelm me with confidence that he wants to dominate. much less start. he was never known to be a hardworker. and got by on his size in college. He doesnt want it and wil get canned. i hope Denver DOES NOT go after him if released i would rather have some over achiever midget playing nose

05-11-2009, 09:35 AM	#9
MileHighMagic Ho-Slayer Rise and grind! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 1,436 Adopt-a-Bronco: Dave Logan	Branch went to h.s. right down the road at Cibola High. Good friend of a buddy of mine. I would take a shot on him if the price is right. Plus I would get hooked up with tix.

05-11-2009, 10:23 AM	#11
BabyTO Perennial Pro-bowler ^ Winner Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 791 Adopt-a-Bronco: Timmy	i watched him play last season and he's pretty dominant on the field. but he always shows up overweight which is why they won't let him on the field. but once he gets in shape he can be a difference maker. would be cool if we could trade a late round pick for him or something. but i have faith in chris baker as well. he can be a starter in this league and he's in the right spot right now with us. the starting job is available, he just needs to show that he can be a starter

05-11-2009, 11:06 AM	#13
oubronco John Foneco !! Mile High Magic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sooner Country Posts: 20,604	they are trying to light a fire under his ass

05-11-2009, 12:05 PM	#18
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,533	DT go from studs to duds pretty quickly. Brace and Branch to me are a lot alike. Big, played decent in college, but lack the wow factor when it comes to being a football player. Broncos have big bodies to work with I doubt Branch would be much different.