ALAN BRANCH

Houligan26 · Post by **Houligan26** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:46 am

I like most of you can't stop thinking about the draft. I think I have finally made up my mind on who I want. Yes I love the idea of having a pass rushing defensive end but I want a gigantic man clogging holes. 6-6, 331 lbs (espn). I went to Michigan, I saw him play his whole career there and I think he is exactly what we need. You watch guys like Richard Seymour, Pat and Jamal Williams and it seems as if they make the whole defense so much better. They free up LBs to make tackles and they just fluster o lineman. I think Branch can do that plus he is extraordinary at batting passes. Again, I would love a devastating pass rusher but Branch is the type of guy that can make us one of the better run defenses for many years. So my choice is Branch because there is nothing in football more frustrating than watching your team get run all over, you feel hopeless. I have flip flopped on who I want but now I am sticking to it. I would love to hear some feedback

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:50 am

Hey man, you posted this twice, I deleted the extra post.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:24 pm

There is no question Branch is a great player and could make a huge impact for our defense. I have argued for drafting a DE, as I believe the DE position to be a greater need for the Skins right now. But, I like hearing some insight from someone like yourself that has spent a lot of time watching Michigan and has first hand knowledge of Branch's skills. Thanks. I agree that he would be a great guy to have on our team.

Houligan26 · Post by **Houligan26** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:53 pm

In college he literally looked like shaq playing against some of the weaker Big Ten teams. The truth is even by NFL standards he is gigantic. 6'6 330 is just mammoth. Going to games and seeing him on the sideline next to fellow soon to be nfler Lamar Woodley was funny. Lamar looked like his son. Plus anyone that bears a striking resemblence to Suge Knight is going to intimidate people.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:03 pm

I wouldn't mind if we got branch. But like SkinsFreak I'm thinking defensive end is a bigger need........but having that big guy in the middle would also fill a hole in our team. Either way I'd be happy!

I think we'll know better come March 3rd. If we pick up a defensive end in free agency then its a know brainer who we're getting in the draft!

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:45 pm

Make the defensive line better by drafting the best lineman available. End is the glamour position, but I'd be happy to see some fresh legs at the heart of the line.

Houligan26 · Post by **Houligan26** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:00 pm

I think we'll know better come March 3rd. If we pick up a defensive end in free agency then its a know brainer who we're getting in the draft![/quote]

We just gotta hope he is there, unfortunately we aren't the only ones eyeing him

Cooley47 · Post by **Cooley47** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:52 pm

Alan Branch has been the player I have wanted since about December. He is SOOOO good. He could plug the middle for years and years. With him in the middle we will have a pass rusher, teams will have to double team Branch leaving Carter and some other DE's and LB's to rush the gaps. Also, with Branch there will be no more cutback runs and no more HB up the gut.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:10 pm

Alan Branch looks great quite honestly... but ever since a couple years ago when I wanted Kellen Winslow Jr. and we got ST instead (good move in hindsight) I can't get myself excited about the draft...

I mean, I want one player... we don't get him, and I'm disappointed... I will just bask in the post-draft afterglow.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:36 am

Seriously Branch might be the player to put us back to stellar defense. At 6-6 320 plus he is a force to be reckoned with. Him along side Griff would give us a very stout run defense. I think we should trade away next years number one to get another pick this year in the first round and get Branch and either Jamal A. or Gaines Adams. Who knows when there will be talent this deep on the defensive line again. We have to get Branch and one of the stud D ends. This would really solidify our defensive front and the rest of our D will start to improve.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:54 am

HEROHAMO wrote:Seriously Branch might be the player to put us back to stellar defense. At 6-6 320 plus he is a force to be reckoned with. Him along side Griff would give us a very stout run defense. I think we should trade away next years number one to get another pick this year in the first round and get Branch and either Jamal A. or Gaines Adams. Who knows when there will be talent this deep on the defensive line again. We have to get Branch and one of the stud D ends. This would really solidify our defensive front and the rest of our D will start to improve.

While we're at it, let's trade away 2009's 1st rounder for Peyton Manning, and then 2010's 1st rounder for Shaun Merriman!

To get a top 10 pick using next year's draft, we'd have to give away our entire next year's draft. A first round pick from next year is worth about the same as a second rounder this year according to the value chart.

CPallDAY08 · Post by **CPallDAY08** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:42 pm

PulpExposure wrote:
HEROHAMO wrote:Seriously Branch might be the player to put us back to stellar defense. At 6-6 320 plus he is a force to be reckoned with. Him along side Griff would give us a very stout run defense. I think we should trade away next years number one to get another pick this year in the first round and get Branch and either Jamal A. or Gaines Adams. Who knows when there will be talent this deep on the defensive line again. We have to get Branch and one of the stud D ends. This would really solidify our defensive front and the rest of our D will start to improve.

While we're at it, let's trade away 2009's 1st rounder for Peyton Manning, and then 2010's 1st rounder for Shaun Merriman!

To get a top 10 pick using next year's draft, we'd have to give away our entire next year's draft. A first round pick from next year is worth about the same as a second rounder this year according to the value chart.

Agreed. Herohamo you really need to be more realistic. This isnt Madden. This is real life.

JPM36 · Post by **JPM36** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:06 am

I've been saying this for a while.

Couldn't agree more.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:01 pm

Not having to worry about runs up the middle makes EVERYTHING else work better... for a decade, the 'skin's D was made outstanding by the presence of one man... Dave Butz. Everything else was improved by the flexibility provided by knowing that the middle was already handled.

I could live with an outstanding pass rusher off of the corner... but this stud tackle would pay off with bonuses all over the d.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:15 pm

CPallDAY08 wrote:
PulpExposure wrote:
HEROHAMO wrote:Seriously Branch might be the player to put us back to stellar defense. At 6-6 320 plus he is a force to be reckoned with. Him along side Griff would give us a very stout run defense. I think we should trade away next years number one to get another pick this year in the first round and get Branch and either Jamal A. or Gaines Adams. Who knows when there will be talent this deep on the defensive line again. We have to get Branch and one of the stud D ends. This would really solidify our defensive front and the rest of our D will start to improve.

While we're at it, let's trade away 2009's 1st rounder for Peyton Manning, and then 2010's 1st rounder for Shaun Merriman!

To get a top 10 pick using next year's draft, we'd have to give away our entire next year's draft. A first round pick from next year is worth about the same as a second rounder this year according to the value chart.

Agreed. Herohamo you really need to be more realistic. This isnt Madden. This is real life.

I just feel we need to make drastic moves. Why not give away next years first and second. That would be worth a number 11-30 pick in the first round. What is not realistic about that? Anything is possible. Dont think mediocre. Think like a champion.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:08 am

Branch for the Redskins makes sense.

C. Griffin has a couple of good years left but injuries are beginning to take a toll. I like Salave'a a lot but he has also been injured a lot. It all starts at the DL.

In fact, it makes so much sense that you and I know that Vinny Cerrato will suggest something different. :evil:

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:22 pm

^I agree. After watching the Super Bowl last night, it sure looked like the Bears could've used the talants of Tommy Harris, especially with all of those runs right up the middle.

Houligan26 · Post by **Houligan26** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:41 pm

I know not everyone here is sold on Branch. There is a sportscenter special on him today at 6pm. I for one am excited

CcHhDd · Post by **CcHhDd** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:07 pm

This isn't madden but I wouldn't put it past the skins trading picks next year for another first rounder this year. See Jason Campbell.

Me personally, I would love it if we picked up Branch. Griffin had a great season two years ago. This year I think he was hurt most by the fact that there was no salvea to help keep him away from being double-teamed. If you look at our playoff season, we had an outstanding record when griffin played but were really hurt when we didn't.

I think our biggest weakness this year was that we couldn't stop the run. It put us in 3rd and 5 or below situations. That makes it harder for us to blitz because a short pass picks up the first down. Go back during the playoff season and nobody could run on us towards the end of the year. That's what made us good.

So I would LOVE to see us draft branch at 6. Then trade a first and second next year to draft Patrick Willis. That way we can move Marshall back to WLB.

This would only be done if we cannot get London Fletcher in free agency.

Add a rodderick hood and fred smoot. Get back a healthy shawn springs and pierson preillo and we're set on D. Release wynn to create cap space. Keep daniels and have him and evans compete for the starting defensive end spot.

Cheap players that don't break the bank and a better defense for 2007.

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:27 am

Fios wrote:Hey man, you posted this twice, I deleted the extra post.

Fios, where are the Arrington posts?

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:31 am

HEROHAMO wrote:Seriously Branch might be the player to put us back to stellar defense. At 6-6 320 plus he is a force to be reckoned with. Him along side Griff would give us a very stout run defense. I think we should trade away next years number one to get another pick this year in the first round and get Branch and either Jamal A. or Gaines Adams. Who knows when there will be talent this deep on the defensive line again. We have to get Branch and one of the stud D ends. This would really solidify our defensive front and the rest of our D will start to improve.

The perfect deal, but impossible to make.