OT: Colts-Cardinals and Alan Branch
Thought I might as well toss an up an open thread for the NFL Sunday Night game, especially since there's alot of Michigan talent playing tonight. Stevie B and Alan Branch for the Cardinals plus Marlin Jackson for the Colts (that I know of).
Alan Branch came in for the Cardinals starting DT and has looked damn good. Got great penetration to hold a 3rd and short, and then just slithered by his blocker a couple of plays ago to get a hand on Manning's arm as he threw. That ball Sheridamnit'd up the field to get picked off.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
I'm watching this one too and is nice to see him take advantage of this big stage. He's always had such potential, that picture of him walking away from Morelli is probably my favorite Michigan picture of all time.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
Gabe Watson in there too.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:14 PM ^
Will Hagerup just commited
September 27th, 2009 at 9:18 PM ^
"The last horse finally crosses the finish line."
September 27th, 2009 at 9:34 PM ^
(FYI, I didn't neg you... but I reserve the right to mock you until my throat is sore)
September 27th, 2009 at 9:16 PM ^
Also playing tonight
EDIT: Oops... had a hiccup on the computer and then noticed Gabe was just mentioned. Sorry for wasting everyone's time/space.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^
Nice header by AB.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
Go Colts
September 27th, 2009 at 9:37 PM ^
That dude is consistently dirty, one of the best.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
Getting some love from the NBC team.
September 27th, 2009 at 10:00 PM ^
What was up with Collinsworth's comment about Branch, though? "Boy, he's sure come a long way since I saw him play in college." You mean since he was first team All-Big Ten and generally terrorizing anyone in an opposition jersey?
September 27th, 2009 at 10:05 PM ^
I'm not sure what Collinsworth was hinting at. My assumption was that he meant that AB was doing better since being FRESH out of college.
September 27th, 2009 at 10:06 PM ^
But he didn't play in the EES EEE CEE... and was therefore not a real football player.
September 27th, 2009 at 11:13 PM ^
I don't get it either. That is what happen when you get to the NFL. You get older, more mature, bigger, faster, and stronger. If you don't, you are out of the league.
To say he is better now is almost common sense
September 27th, 2009 at 11:20 PM ^
I remember a lot of doubting about Branch around the time he was drafted, too. It was really weird because Branch was easily the most dominant DT (and probably d-lineman) I've ever seen at Michigan and it seemed like his game would translate well to the NFL.
see:
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:vUwZAa3cLoUJ:espn.go.com/sportsnat…
Nick (Bensalem, PA)
If Okoye were gone, would Alan Branch be able to play in Buffalo's Cover 2?
Mel Kiper
(1:53 PM)
First of all, as far as the DT, Alan Branch is a very versatile athlete. You think he's just a space eater, but he's a very athletic kid. He did 33 reps at the combine, ran just over 5.0 at the combine. The only reason he's not a top 10 pick is because of his production. He did not make enough plays to guarantee him a spot in the top 15. He needed to dominate against the run more than he did. The production just wasn't there. You kept waiting for it, but the production never matched the physical ability. His performance put him between 15 and 25.
really? his production wasn't there in college?!
September 27th, 2009 at 11:34 PM ^
I remember reading that Kiper comment and being befuddled. I still have no idea what he was talking about. IIRC Branch spent most of his senior season crushing various Penn State QBs, stuffing the run and drawing a double on every play.
September 27th, 2009 at 10:51 PM ^
Marlin Jackson with the gimme pick of Warner.