Loading ...And Then There Was One: Cards ink Branch to deal
Alan Branch, the second round draft pick (33rd overall pick) for the Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms on a 4 year deal according to team sources. Per the club’s policy, the terms were not disclosed. This now leaves only Levi Brown, the Cards first round selection (5th overall pick), as the only remaining unsigned player. “Positive talks” continue with Brown’s agent, as both sides have agreed on the structure of the contract, but are still haggling over exact dollar amounts, including guarantees. The players report to camp this Friday, July 27th, and the first practices begin on July 29th.
Bottom Line:
Getting this deal done prior to the start of Training Camp is going to pay huge dividends for the Defense. With the team switching to the 3-4 scheme, Branch gives the team a solid option at the now essential nose tackle position along with a newly slim Gabe Watson. Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast needs all of his weapons in camp from Day 1 in order to make this transition work, and now that Branch has signed he has just that. A lot of people criticized Branch for being lazy, or taking plays off, but let’s be honest here; How long can a 300 lbs guy go at 100 MPH? He can’t!! He needs quality depth behind him, he needs to be rotated in and out on known passing situations sometimes, and that is not what he got from the coaching staff at Michigan. Watson and Branch should become an effective 1-2 punch, but now it’s time for the boys from Ann Arbor to clog up that D-Line and be the players we drafted them to be.
Mike Duggan
AZCardsfan4life
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July 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm