DB Lions coach is satisfied with the play of rookie Brian Branch..
Rookie defensive back Brian Branch returned to the Lions’ lineup Sunday at Baltimore and picked up where he left off before the ankle injury suffered late in Detroit’s Week 4 win at Green Flying only caused him to miss two games..
Branch allowed two receptions for a total of 15 yards against the Ravens and had a pair of tackles and tackles for loss..
From his first day in Detroit, after the Lions advanced to the second round of this year’s NFL Draft to select the No.. 45 overall pick, it was difficult for coaches to draft him off the field.. It’s clear that Branch OTA is an instinctive player at such a young age.. He quickly established himself as the best cornerback on the roster..
He is an elite defender, he has good man coverage ability and in 5 games he has amassed 27 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended and one interception which he returned for a touchdown..
“He continued to learn the playbook and understood that now that he understood his mission, he could spend more time predicting upcoming offensive ideas,” Duker said..
Branch’s football intelligence and instincts are very high and that’s why he plays so fast and makes so many plays every week.. As he continues to understand offensive concepts and how teams look to attack him, he will be better equipped to counter and his game will continue to develop..
Branch has a calm and serious personality.. Duker joked Wednesday that he sometimes has to chase rookies to be louder and more expressive in certain defensive calls and forechecks in certain situations..
Branch has become a key player in Detroit’s defense and coaches like Duker see the sky as the limit for how well he can play, the more he sees the field and understands how teams tried to attack him and the Lions’ defense..
About The Author
Leave a Reply