azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Kate Brandt
azcardinals.com
At any level of football, a successful defense is often determined by the play of the interior line—the trenches—where the “Big Boys” reside. The Cardinals currently have seven defensive tackles on the roster, and two of those “Big Boys” played their college games in the “Big House” at the University of Michigan.
Both Cardinal draft choices, Gabe Watson (fourth round, 2006) and Alan Branch (second round, 2007) may find comfort in having a familiar face in the meeting rooms and on the field, but they also know they will be battling each other for playing time in 2007.
“My main focus is really to learn the plays,” admitted Branch. “There are a lot of new plays that I haven’t even experienced before and it’s a new defense, so I’m trying to go out there and do my best at not making that many mistakes.”
As the NFL Draft approached last April, Branch was considered by many media outlets to possess first-round talent. And it was no surprise when the Cardinals traded up to nab him with the 33rd overall selection.
Although Branch will have to wait until training camp to fully showcase his talents, he knows his performance in the mini-camps and weekly Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are a vital piece to his future.
“I want them to think that I’m a smart player,” Branch explained of the impression he wants to make with the Cards staff. “There’s not much you can do physically at practices like these because we don’t have pads on, but I want them to come out thinking, ‘Yeah, Alan, he’s a football player. He’s a student of the game.’”
And by his side, helping him every step of the way, will be his former Wolverine teammate Watson.
“Me and Gabe were really close when he was at Michigan,” Branch acknowledges. “Just having him right there next to me, walking me through the steps is helpful. He’s making sure that I understand the drills completely. It’s great to know that you have friends on the team that got your back like that even though you are in competition.”
Watson agrees. “It’s competition and any kind of competition is going to make every guy better,” Watson pointed out. “Depth is good for the team and whoever is going to end up in there starting at whatever position, offense or defense, there can’t be a drop off. That guy has to come in with the same intensity as the guy that was starting.”
The importance of maintaining a high level of play and consistency when called upon is something Watson is well aware of after appearing in 12 games with five starts last season. The second-year Watson made his first career start in week six against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football while filling in for the injured Kendrick Clancy, and recorded his first career sack the following week at Oakland.
Watson, 35 pounds lighter this year, is taking the lessons he learned throughout his rookie campaign to help his former teammate.
“Really just focus on the day, just do what coaches ask of you,” Watson adviced Branch. “Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.”
“That’s what I have been doing,” confirmed Branch. “I’m taking it one day at a time.”
http://azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1728
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At any level of football, a successful defense is often determined by the play of the interior line—the trenches—where the “Big Boys” reside. The Cardinals currently have seven defensive tackles on the roster, and two of those “Big Boys” played their college games in the “Big House” at the University of Michigan.
Both Cardinal draft choices, Gabe Watson (fourth round, 2006) and Alan Branch (second round, 2007) may find comfort in having a familiar face in the meeting rooms and on the field, but they also know they will be battling each other for playing time in 2007.
“My main focus is really to learn the plays,” admitted Branch. “There are a lot of new plays that I haven’t even experienced before and it’s a new defense, so I’m trying to go out there and do my best at not making that many mistakes.”
As the NFL Draft approached last April, Branch was considered by many media outlets to possess first-round talent. And it was no surprise when the Cardinals traded up to nab him with the 33rd overall selection.
Although Branch will have to wait until training camp to fully showcase his talents, he knows his performance in the mini-camps and weekly Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are a vital piece to his future.
“I want them to think that I’m a smart player,” Branch explained of the impression he wants to make with the Cards staff. “There’s not much you can do physically at practices like these because we don’t have pads on, but I want them to come out thinking, ‘Yeah, Alan, he’s a football player. He’s a student of the game.’”
And by his side, helping him every step of the way, will be his former Wolverine teammate Watson.
“Me and Gabe were really close when he was at Michigan,” Branch acknowledges. “Just having him right there next to me, walking me through the steps is helpful. He’s making sure that I understand the drills completely. It’s great to know that you have friends on the team that got your back like that even though you are in competition.”
Watson agrees. “It’s competition and any kind of competition is going to make every guy better,” Watson pointed out. “Depth is good for the team and whoever is going to end up in there starting at whatever position, offense or defense, there can’t be a drop off. That guy has to come in with the same intensity as the guy that was starting.”
The importance of maintaining a high level of play and consistency when called upon is something Watson is well aware of after appearing in 12 games with five starts last season. The second-year Watson made his first career start in week six against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football while filling in for the injured Kendrick Clancy, and recorded his first career sack the following week at Oakland.
Watson, 35 pounds lighter this year, is taking the lessons he learned throughout his rookie campaign to help his former teammate.
“Really just focus on the day, just do what coaches ask of you,” Watson adviced Branch. “Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.”
“That’s what I have been doing,” confirmed Branch. “I’m taking it one day at a time.”
http://azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1728
