midwestpatsfan
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
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I hope the title does not bring up bad memories from the Derek Wolfe thread, and I hope this thread can stay more on point, but I wanted to see everyone's thoughts on this guy.
I watched the VT vs. Clemson game last night (took forever, lot of prospects in that game) but wanted to focus on Branch for right now.
My take
Positives-off the field: Has the HT. WT. SPD. that BB seems to want from his OLB's. Was a team captain. I couldn't find anything about him getting in trouble and did find one article about how he is a weight room rat, didn't see anything about his film work ethics.
on the field- Played with his hand in the ground and upright, so he is scheme diverse. Has a good first step and explodes off the line. Stays disciplined on plays away from him, seems to not take plays off, at least in the game I saw. I think his best attribute is his lean. Mayock always loves to talk about pass rushers lean and I counted 9 plays in that game where he leaned under the O-lineman at a crazy angle and did not lose speed. On everyone of those leans he made some sort of positive play, be it a sack, a takedown in the backfield, a forced fumble. Made some nice open field tackles.
negatives: I think he sets the edge okay, but he could stand to get a little stronger at the point of attack. I only saw one play that he dropped back into coverage and he actually made the play, but he is a little stiff out there and can improve there as well. I did not see a bunch of different pass rush moves, uses more of his god given talent than technique to get to the QB, might not be as effective in the NFL without learning some technique. Did not see him against any double teams because Thompson was getting most of those so I am not sure how he would handle that against the run, not really a negative but something he may not have had to deal with in college that he could in the Pro's.
I could see him as a patriots possibility at the end of round 1 or middle of round 2 if he lasts that long, which I do not think he will.
I watched the VT vs. Clemson game last night (took forever, lot of prospects in that game) but wanted to focus on Branch for right now.
My take
Positives-off the field: Has the HT. WT. SPD. that BB seems to want from his OLB's. Was a team captain. I couldn't find anything about him getting in trouble and did find one article about how he is a weight room rat, didn't see anything about his film work ethics.
on the field- Played with his hand in the ground and upright, so he is scheme diverse. Has a good first step and explodes off the line. Stays disciplined on plays away from him, seems to not take plays off, at least in the game I saw. I think his best attribute is his lean. Mayock always loves to talk about pass rushers lean and I counted 9 plays in that game where he leaned under the O-lineman at a crazy angle and did not lose speed. On everyone of those leans he made some sort of positive play, be it a sack, a takedown in the backfield, a forced fumble. Made some nice open field tackles.
negatives: I think he sets the edge okay, but he could stand to get a little stronger at the point of attack. I only saw one play that he dropped back into coverage and he actually made the play, but he is a little stiff out there and can improve there as well. I did not see a bunch of different pass rush moves, uses more of his god given talent than technique to get to the QB, might not be as effective in the NFL without learning some technique. Did not see him against any double teams because Thompson was getting most of those so I am not sure how he would handle that against the run, not really a negative but something he may not have had to deal with in college that he could in the Pro's.
I could see him as a patriots possibility at the end of round 1 or middle of round 2 if he lasts that long, which I do not think he will.