Alan Branch ready to go? Slimmed down!

[82CardsGrad]

Whatever was going on with the guy last year, we really don't know what his level of play would've been because he really had no opportunity to show it during the regular season. I'm not saying the coaches got it wrong, just that we really can't say how he would've matched up over the course of a season.

Not sure what you saw but I can confidently say that when he was in games, he flat out SUCKED!
I think it's safe to say that he sucked as much in practice, which kept his fat-ass out of the starting line-up...

 

[ajcardfan]

Not sure what you saw but I can confidently say that when he was in games, he flat out SUCKED!
I think it's safe to say that he sucked as much in practice, which kept his fat-ass out of the starting line-up...

He was active in one regular season game and I saw what you saw. He barely played. Again, I'm not saying the coaches were wrong. There's just no way to know exactly what he would've done last year had he had Robinson's snaps, for example. My guess is he probably would've died from exhaustion.

The only thing I remember him getting ANY praise for was how he did in the first preseason game against the Saints. I remember driving home and Wolfley and Bill Lewis going on about him. After that, he fell off the face of the earth.

 

[82CardsGrad]

He was active in one regular season game and I saw what you saw. He barely played. Again, I'm not saying the coaches were wrong. There's just no way to know exactly what he would've done last year had he had Robinson's snaps, for example. My guess is he probably would've died from exhaustion.

The only thing I remember him getting ANY praise for was how he did in the first preseason game against the Saints. I remember driving home and Wolfley and Bill Lewis going on about him. After that, he fell off the face of the earth.

I can't recall if he got hurt last season?? Maybe not. But I know I saw him in more than one game... Not a lot of course, but more than one.
Based uopn what I saw, I have no doubt the coaches made the right choice...

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Not sure what you saw but I can confidently say that when he was in games, he flat out SUCKED!
I think it's safe to say that he sucked as much in practice, which kept his fat-ass out of the starting line-up...

Well, I can "confidently say" having watched tape, that he played quite well in the Miami game, before he got nicked... and quite well in the Seattle game at end of year.

And it is "safe to say" according to an Urban report, that it was his weight, not his play in practice, that kept him out of the lineup. So says, Coach Whis.

 

[Carddan]

I disagree. Dykes is a DE first, and second we will carry 7 D-lineman anyhow.

Dockett
Campbell
Watson
Iwebema
Robinson
Dykes
Branch

If I had to predict, I would agree exactly. 7 DL on the 53 and these are the 7.

 

[cardsfanmd]

If I had to predict, I would agree exactly. 7 DL on the 53 and these are the 7.

great minds...

 

[conraddobler]

He has another year on his contract.

Yes he does but if he dosen't do something drastic this year he won't see that one.

IMO it's the same thing just accelerated a bit because I think he knows what kind of enviroment he's in and that he's being watched.

It's all good that we motivate players as much as possible of all kinds of personalities, I was just saying I wouldn't buy his transformation myself.

 

[lauraw]

How did Branch do in the OTA's and offseason stuff? That would be more of a barometer than just the weight.. does anyone know?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Well, I can "confidently say" having watched tape, that he played quite well in the Miami game, before he got nicked... and quite well in the Seattle game at end of year.

And it is "safe to say" according to an Urban report, that it was his weight, not his play in practice, that kept him out of the lineup. So says, Coach Whis.

Hey - that's your opinion... My opinion is that when I saw him play (in person), he got pushed all over the field and generally sucked.

And, you seem to believe that while he was playing "quite well", that only because of his weight did he not see more playing time. Whereas I believe his weight was merely a manifestation of his lack of discipline and desire - which translated to crappy practices and sucky game performances...

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Hey - that's your opinion... My opinion is that when I saw him play (in person), he got pushed all over the field and generally sucked.

And, you seem to believe that while he was playing "quite well", that only because of his weight did he not see more playing time. Whereas I believe his weight was merely a manifestation of his lack of discipline and desire - which translated to crappy practices and sucky game performances...

Coach Whis said it was weight, not his work at practice that was the issue.

Did you attend practice, too?

Further, the fact that Robinson could play 3 positions on the line, probably had some bearing on the game day decisions as to who played.

Again, check out the Miami and Seattle game tape, you maybe pleasantly surprised.

 

[CardLogic]

Branch can play, there is no question about that. The thing is, how much does he really want to; that is what will make the difference.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

edit: what are the odds he is getting lapped there?

i just spit out half my sandwich all over my desk!