Observer: Branch stepping up

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/12385688.htm

Posted on Mon, Aug. 15, 2005


Branch won't let go of starting position
Safety trying to hold off 1st-round pick Davis
PAT YASINSKAS

Staff Writer

SPARTANBURG - Colin Branch was in the starting lineup when the Carolina Panthers opened the preseason Saturday against the Washington Redskins. That's precisely one more start than conventional wisdom had been giving the third-year safety for the past few months.

Branch's place in the starting lineup is likely temporary. He could walk on the practice field today or next week and see what seems inevitable: First-round draft pick Thomas Davis lining up with the first team as the strong safety.

However, for at least two weeks of training camp and the first exhibition, Branch has been the starter.

"I'm realistic and I know there might be a bump down the depth chart," he said. "But who knows what's going to happen during the season? I'm just going out there like, `I'm the starter and I'm starting every day.' "

Branch has been starting for more days than anyone expected. He appeared ticketed for a backup role after the Panthers put an emphasis on improving their safety positions in the offseason. Davis was drafted with the 14th overall pick and the team signed veteran free agents Idrees Bashir and Marlon McCree, who had been starters elsewhere.

Branch's position became more tenuous when the Panthers shifted veteran strong safety Mike Minter to free safety. That's the position Branch held last year, and he struggled with consistency in a season in which he played several games with a cast on a broken hand.

Minter was likely moved to clear the strong side for Davis. Branch shifted to strong safety, and most observers have been waiting for Davis to move past him. That hasn't happened, and there's a glimmer of hope for Branch because Davis also has been getting increasing practice time at outside linebacker.

"All you can control is what you're doing," Branch said. "I just take the attitude that ... I'm going to do my best to make sure the coaches are confident enough in my ability to put me on the field."

That confidence might have wavered last year, but a strange thing has happened as Branch has worked in a role that's supposed to be only temporary.

"Colin's done a great job getting better in some of the things we thought he was lacking in," defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac said.

"When something like this happens where you bring in more guys at a position, the guy that's been there can do one of two things. He can pout or he can go out and play his butt off. Colin has played his butt off. He's done a great job in the practices and that's what's important. But the (exhibitions) are going to tell the story as to how things sort out."

 

Magnus = :banginghe

 

See the thing is, I've always though Branch was more suited for SS. So by him moving there I felt it would be easier for him to excel. So this isn't exactly shocking.

 

plus he doesnt have a cast on his hand...

 

If he's performing as they want, great. I wanted him replaced, and I still feel like that's going to happen, but in the end, if he can beat some competition, it's a lot more than he did to win last year's job.

 

I think Branch owes Brandon Short the dinner of his choice. Shorts injury causing Davis to be tried at LB.

 

SSLB?????