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[TNT] Branch looking "explosive" in practice (1 Viewer)

countingcrow

Footballguy
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2..._morris_returns

The Seahawks practiced for about 90 minutes this afternoon. Veteran receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram both got extensive work during individual and team drills, and both looked ready to go.

In particular, Branch looked explosive and nimble, tight roping the sideline after making a nice catch on an out route, and showing an extra gear as he caught up to a deep ball from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

"I yell at them all day," joked receivers coach Keith Gilbertson on his handling of Engram and Branch. "We’ve got to be smart. But at the same time they look good to me, so it’s not like they’re out there limping around. I mean they look good, and they look ready to go.

"And those guys are professionals and they’re very experienced. So they know when it’s time to throttle up, and when it’s time to pull it back a little bit.”

Branch ran at flanker with the starting unit, with Billy McMullen filling in at split end and Engram working at the slot during three-receiver sets.

Koren Robinson still appeared slowed by an ailing knee and still doesn't appear ready to go at this point.

Free agent pick-up McMullen continues to play well and looked good in practice. Gilbertson said McMullen gives the team and added element with his size.

"We don’t have a lot of big-body receivers," Gilbertson said. "We’re probably smallish in terms of around the league when I see some other teams. His size has helped him on a couple of occasions where he was pressed and he had to come out of a route and his size has been a plus for him."

Holmgren said he will not make a decision on which receivers to activate until later in the week. Who returns punts also will play a role in Holmgren's decision. Holmgren said Michael Bumpus, Seneca Wallace and Bobby Engram are could return punts.

Running back Maurice Morris looked good both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield in his first day back after suffering a sprained knee injury against Buffalo a month ago.

 
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2..._morris_returns

The Seahawks practiced for about 90 minutes this afternoon. Veteran receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram both got extensive work during individual and team drills, and both looked ready to go.

In particular, Branch looked explosive and nimble, tight roping the sideline after making a nice catch on an out route, and showing an extra gear as he caught up to a deep ball from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

"I yell at them all day," joked receivers coach Keith Gilbertson on his handling of Engram and Branch. "We’ve got to be smart. But at the same time they look good to me, so it’s not like they’re out there limping around. I mean they look good, and they look ready to go.

"And those guys are professionals and they’re very experienced. So they know when it’s time to throttle up, and when it’s time to pull it back a little bit.”

Branch ran at flanker with the starting unit, with Billy McMullen filling in at split end and Engram working at the slot during three-receiver sets.

Koren Robinson still appeared slowed by an ailing knee and still doesn't appear ready to go at this point.

Free agent pick-up McMullen continues to play well and looked good in practice. Gilbertson said McMullen gives the team and added element with his size.

"We don’t have a lot of big-body receivers," Gilbertson said. "We’re probably smallish in terms of around the league when I see some other teams. His size has helped him on a couple of occasions where he was pressed and he had to come out of a route and his size has been a plus for him."

Holmgren said he will not make a decision on which receivers to activate until later in the week. Who returns punts also will play a role in Holmgren's decision. Holmgren said Michael Bumpus, Seneca Wallace and Bobby Engram are could return punts.

Running back Maurice Morris looked good both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield in his first day back after suffering a sprained knee injury against Buffalo a month ago.
Yeah I am wondering how good of a start he would be this week. I think I am going to start him as wr4 in a league. If he is healthy enough to play he should atleast get 6+ targets. Anyone else looking to start him?
 
Yeah I am wondering how good of a start he would be this week. I think I am going to start him as wr4 in a league. If he is healthy enough to play he should atleast get 6+ targets. Anyone else looking to start him?
I have a vagabond receiving crew that is up in the air every week. Lately I have picked the wrong two to play as I have been playing two tight ends but can play three wide instead. Not sure I would throw Branch in there this week but you never know. Here are my vagabonds:Branch, Deion Crayton, Patrick Ginn Jr., TedLloyd, Brandon Muhammad, Muhsin Randle El, Antwaan Reed, Josh Williams, Roy
 
So, who would you drop for Branch?

A. Bryant?

Bryant Johnson?

Brandon LLoyd?

B. Berrian?

Anthony Gonzalez?

 
Branch 7 seasons..22 TDs..enough said? The guy is a very overated. Always has been.

 
Branch 7 seasons..22 TDs..enough said? The guy is a very overated. Always has been.

[/quote

Yes he is overrated for sure but if he is on the waiver wire in a league he should be picked up. He would have to be the best option by far on the wire. In this offense he should get a lot of targets and be the #1 wr, so overrated or not he is a good option to have on your roster.
 
Is Branch a better pickup than Bobby Engram?Also, do you think Branch can have an impact in his first game?
PPR IT WOULD BE CLOSE. I think Engram will be more consistent but Branch will be the more explosive scorer. In a non ppr Branch is the way to go for sure. Pay close attention to how he does in practice the rest of the week (no set backs) If there are none I would think he would be a good bye week flex option. I am sure he will be outa shape to a degree so he might be off the field a bit more then once he is in there and practicing for a few weeks.
 
What position did Engram play last year when he put up his big numbers? Was he in the slot then or did he play flanker?
He "started" at flanker in the games but was moved around a lot, mainly to the slot, when they went 3WRs. Not sure they'll do as much 3WR as last year since they seem to have a decent enough running game this season. But Bobby is a monster for Hass in the slot and will play there a lot.
 
I'd take Engram in PPR's. Guy is straight $$ in the bank here. I think you'll see him move around quite a bit and a lot of 3 wide sets.

 
just picked him up in another league mainly to stash just in case he does well.
just to clarify, i ended up releasing him already for ryan torain. i would have felt a lot worse had someone gotten torain as opposed to getting branch, but i would like to try to get branch if no one else picks him up and i could use another WR.
 
High hopes as Seahawks receivers return

Engram, Branch raise expectations for revival of Hawks passing game

By CLARE FARNSWORTH

P-I REPORTER

RENTON -- During the Seahawks' false start to their 2008 season, the post-bye return of leading receiver Bobby Engram has been looming -- dare we say -- like the arrival of a sure-handed savior for a short-handed and dysfunctional passing game.

SEAHAWKS AT GIANTS

WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, 10:05 a.m., Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

TV/RADIO: KCPQ/13; KIRO-AM/710

Is that expecting too much from a player who is 35, has not played since cracking a bone in his right shoulder in the preseason opener and just returned to practice this week?

"No," Matt Hasselbeck said Wednesday before hearing the entire question.

It was a fitting reaction, because no one has missed Engram more than Hasselbeck, a Pro Bowl quarterback whose completion percentage (.485) and passer rating (60.1) have plummeted while his receivers have been dropping like the stock market.

Catching himself, Hasselbeck added, "In a sense, yes. But at the same time, it's great to have Bobby back."

As well as flanker Deion Branch, who last played in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in January, when he tore a ligament in his left knee.

Engram and Branch are expected to play in Sunday's crucial game against the New York Giants, but even ever-the-optimist coach Mike Holmgren is firing a warning flare above all the excitement that is seeing both receivers back running routes and catching passes in practice.

"To think it's going to be Star Wars out there, that's probably not the way it works," Holmgren said. "Bless their hearts, they're coming back. They've been hurt and it's nice to have them back.

"But I told the team this morning, Anyone thinking, 'OK, now we don't have a care in the world because these guys are back' ... it will take them a while to get in form."

Just don't tell Engram, who caught a franchise-record 94 passes last season and then pulled a brief no-show this offseason in an attempt to get a contract extension.

Asked what would be expecting too much from him against the Giants, Engram said, "I'm not sure if there is such a thing. I mean, I expect a lot of myself. What I'm really expecting is to go out there and just help this team win. That's the No. 1 goal."

Having Engram back definitely can't hurt, even in a game where the Seahawks are seven-point underdogs to the defending Super Bowl champions.

The rapport he and Hasselbeck have developed was evident on the practice field Wednesday, and will be imperative Sunday against a Giants defense that likes to blitz -- even if it means leaving areas of the field uncovered.

Those are the creases and seams that Engram is so good at exploiting while working from the slot in the three- and four-receiver sets.

"They're a physical defense," Engram said of a Giants unit that collected 13 sacks during its 3-0 start. "They're going to give you multiple looks. Obviously, they're going to bring a lot of pressure, so we've got to be able to handle their pressure and counterpunch what they're trying to do to us."

Two of the best counter moves will be slant patterns, which Branch excels at from the flanker position because of his quickness; and using a hot-read receiver, where Engram is Option One coming out of the slot because of his recognition skills and dependability.

In the Giants' pre-bye overtime win against Cincinnati, the Bengals used their hot-read receivers to sustain drives.

"If you talk to most quarterbacks, they would say in a situation like that it's important to have a guy inside -- a tight end or slot receiver -- you trust and you feel good about," Hasselbeck said. "We have both of those right now."

John Carlson, the rookie tight end, leads the team with 12 receptions, and Engram works the slot like few receivers in the league.

"I think teams have to account for me in the slot," Engram said.

"I'm out there and I want to win at all costs."

The Seahawks are not counting on Engram and Branch to play an entire game after being out for almost two and eight months, respectively. But they are being counted on to make some plays.

"I'm pushing them," receivers coach Keith Gilbertson said. "We've got to be smart. But at the same time, they look good to me. It's not like they're out there limping around. They look good and ready to go."

He'll get no argument on that from Hasselbeck.

 
Question: how many WRs have been significant fantasy producers within 9 months of tearing their ACL?
The most recent example is Javon Walker in 2006. He was a top-10 WR that year and was on a similar pace before suffering another knee injury last season. Is Branch as talented as Walker was? Probably not, but he's also got a better QB and is in more of a passing offense and relies more on route running than athleticism when compared to Walker.

I think he'll be a top-30 WR from here on in with an outside shot of top-20 if olmgren gets pass happy again.

 
What position did Engram play last year when he put up his big numbers?
I want to know when Branch ever put up BIG numbers? I must have missed that :rolleyes:
You must have missed the Super Bowl he won the MVP in, huh? :heart:
Branch will look good in spurts. He's a quick receiver, but he doesn't stretch the field, he struggles against top coverage, and really doesn't beat doubles. In the right offense, he can use his quickness to get seperation, and with the right QB, will have some big games. In his NE years, he appeared to be a momentum player, likely to have a big day or disappear to the tune of 2/20/0. He is not a typical #1 WR, and hasn't shown the ability to produce consistent top scoring games.I won't be surprised when Branch has a 8/120/1 game, nor will I be surprised when he has his 2/18/0 games. He's still the best WR on that team, although I think Engram will post more consistent ( PPR scoring ) numbers weekly.
 
Branch 7 seasons..22 TDs..enough said? The guy is a very overated. Always has been.
I agree, but you can probably get him for nothing right now off of the waiver wire in most leagues, so he is definitely worth taking a shot at. He could be a decent fill-in when a starter is on a bye week. Branch will usually have several good games a year, so the hope then is that he has one of those weeks when you start him. Just don't pick him up expecting him to be an every week starter.
 
Branch will look good in spurts. He's a quick receiver, but he doesn't stretch the field, he struggles against top coverage, and really doesn't beat doubles. In the right offense, he can use his quickness to get seperation, and with the right QB, will have some big games. In his NE years, he appeared to be a momentum player, likely to have a big day or disappear to the tune of 2/20/0. He is not a typical #1 WR, and hasn't shown the ability to produce consistent top scoring games.I won't be surprised when Branch has a 8/120/1 game, nor will I be surprised when he has his 2/18/0 games. He's still the best WR on that team, although I think Engram will post more consistent ( PPR scoring ) numbers weekly.
:goodposting: nicely done.That's Branch right there.he's an asset in real football, he's a good locker room guy and makes plays for his QB.but he's not a #1, can't handle double coverage, and his production will greatly depend on what the opposing defense decides to do to him. He can very easily be taken out of a game.Branch is not a flat out burner. He works the seems and cracks best using his quickness and elusiveness to get open and shake for YAC yards. But this is also why he's always getting creamed.In real football, Deion Branch is a valuable guy for his team.In fantasy football, not so much.
 
TD Ryan said:
Road Warriors said:
Branch will look good in spurts. He's a quick receiver, but he doesn't stretch the field, he struggles against top coverage, and really doesn't beat doubles. In the right offense, he can use his quickness to get seperation, and with the right QB, will have some big games. In his NE years, he appeared to be a momentum player, likely to have a big day or disappear to the tune of 2/20/0. He is not a typical #1 WR, and hasn't shown the ability to produce consistent top scoring games.

I won't be surprised when Branch has a 8/120/1 game, nor will I be surprised when he has his 2/18/0 games. He's still the best WR on that team, although I think Engram will post more consistent ( PPR scoring ) numbers weekly.
:goodposting: nicely done.That's Branch right there.

he's an asset in real football, he's a good locker room guy and makes plays for his QB.

but he's not a #1, can't handle double coverage, and his production will greatly depend on what the opposing defense decides to do to him. He can very easily be taken out of a game.

Branch is not a flat out burner. He works the seems and cracks best using his quickness and elusiveness to get open and shake for YAC yards. But this is also why he's always getting creamed.

In real football, Deion Branch is a valuable guy for his team.

In fantasy football, not so much.
However, given he's on a bunch of waiver wires right now, he's probably the best available WR FA you could find. He'll be good for WR2/3 type numbers, so he's still a nice pickup now. Just temper expectations a bit.
 
travdogg said:
[scooter] said:
Question: how many WRs have been significant fantasy producers within 9 months of tearing their ACL?
The most recent example is Javon Walker in 2006. He was a top-10 WR that year and was on a similar pace before suffering another knee injury last season. Is Branch as talented as Walker was? Probably not, but he's also got a better QB and is in more of a passing offense and relies more on route running than athleticism when compared to Walker.

I think he'll be a top-30 WR from here on in with an outside shot of top-20 if olmgren gets pass happy again.
Jerry Rice tore his ACL and MCL in Week 1 in 1997.....and came back for Week 15.....only to get re-injured.
 
TD Ryan said:
Road Warriors said:
Branch will look good in spurts. He's a quick receiver, but he doesn't stretch the field, he struggles against top coverage, and really doesn't beat doubles. In the right offense, he can use his quickness to get seperation, and with the right QB, will have some big games. In his NE years, he appeared to be a momentum player, likely to have a big day or disappear to the tune of 2/20/0. He is not a typical #1 WR, and hasn't shown the ability to produce consistent top scoring games.

I won't be surprised when Branch has a 8/120/1 game, nor will I be surprised when he has his 2/18/0 games. He's still the best WR on that team, although I think Engram will post more consistent ( PPR scoring ) numbers weekly.
:thumbup: nicely done.That's Branch right there.

he's an asset in real football, he's a good locker room guy and makes plays for his QB.

but he's not a #1, can't handle double coverage, and his production will greatly depend on what the opposing defense decides to do to him. He can very easily be taken out of a game.

Branch is not a flat out burner. He works the seems and cracks best using his quickness and elusiveness to get open and shake for YAC yards. But this is also why he's always getting creamed.

In real football, Deion Branch is a valuable guy for his team.

In fantasy football, not so much.
However, given he's on a bunch of waiver wires right now, he's probably the best available WR FA you could find. He'll be good for WR2/3 type numbers, so he's still a nice pickup now. Just temper expectations a bit.
Or just pick him up and hope for a big game and then off him for a solid RB1/2
 
[scooter] said:
Question: how many WRs have been significant fantasy producers within 9 months of tearing their ACL?
braylon edwards tore his acl late in 2006 (week 14?) and pwned 2007.
 
tgt rec yds tds13 7 122 07 6 77 110 7 130 03 2 14 07 4 31 010 5 92 110 5 40 04 3 52 112 8 79 16 2 24 0This looks reasonable to me for a 10 game stretch. These are Branches 2007 receiving stats. There are only two weeks in there that look bad. I would take that as a #3 WR for sure with possibility of a #2. TD's are variable remember.

 
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tgt   rec	 yds  tds13	7	122	07	 6	77	110	 7	130	03	 2	14	07	 4	31	010	5	92	110	5	40	04	 3	 52	112	8	79	16	 2	  24	0
This looks reasonable to me for a 10 game stretch. These are Branches 2007 receiving stats. There are only two weeks in there that look bad. I would take that as a #3 WR for sure with possibility of a #2. TD's are variable remember.
More up games than down, and better than I recall his recent play. In a PPR scoring this translates to 19,19,20,3,7,20,9,14,21,45 games are 19+, which are WR1/2 type numbers. a couple of WR2/3 games and 3 you wish you didn't start him. About what was being said, although I, without going back to review stats, thought it would be 3 big games and 5 small ones. He could be interesting if he's all the way back.
 
since joining Seattle two years ago, Branch has 104 catches, 1386 yards, and 8 tds to his name..

or

4/55/.3 per game..

in other words

:bow:

not sure we need a thread on this guy...

 
since joining Seattle two years ago, Branch has 104 catches, 1386 yards, and 8 tds to his name..or 4/55/.3 per game..in other words:yawn:not sure we need a thread on this guy...
Interesting. I'm not a big fan, but those numbers are actually better than I thought they would be considering how often he is hurt. What do those stats translate to in games he's actually PLAYED in? Just curious...
 
since joining Seattle two years ago, Branch has 104 catches, 1386 yards, and 8 tds to his name..or 4/55/.3 per game..in other words:yes:not sure we need a thread on this guy...
This is why people get excited about him. Three game stretch last year before missing time with a sprained foot:
Code:
7	  122  17.4 	0  6 	77 	12.8 	1 7 	130 	18.6 	0
Then he came back and had some good games (3) and some mediocre games (2, although PPR would have been ok) before tearing his acl.
 
Question: how many WRs have been significant fantasy producers within 9 months of tearing their ACL?
braylon edwards tore his acl late in 2006 (week 14?) and pwned 2007.
Edwards tore his ACL in game 13 of his rookie season of 2005. He returned for game 1 of 2006 and produced a solid but average statistical season (60/879/6 TD). By all accounts he played slower during the first part part of 2006 and started looking better towards the end of the season. His breakout season in 2007 was over a season removed from his injury.
 
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