Andre Branch Nice Find In Bargain Bin
Andre Branch has over taken Williams as the Defensive End starter.
Andre Branch has not only rushed the passer, but been a run-stop upgrade.
Mike Tannenbaum has taken heat, and rightly so, but he may have hit a triple with Andre Branch.
A lot of fans were disgusted that Olivier Vernon was released, even though he commanded a mega $85 million dollar contract with $52.5 million guaranteed.
Branch was signed soon after for a 1 year 2.7 million dollar in comparison.
Vernon has compiled 15 hurries, 23 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in 8 starts; and Branch has had 9 hurries, 17 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 2 starts.
To be fair, this is a small sample size and is by no means indicative of each players production for the season or career arc: Vernon might very well outpace Branch by a great degree in one or both. But will Vernon outpace Branch by an extra 12 million dollars for this season? That isn’t likely to happen.
So it would seem that for a single season,from a Front Office stand point, Tannenbaum has won in the trade off and shocked many of the best pay per head fans.
Look at the other starters on the Dolphins roster, some of whom are stars and paid a premium: Wake 3 sacks & 10 hurries, Suh 3.5 sacks & 11 hurries, Williams 1 sack & 7 hurries, and Phillips .5 sacks and 10 hurries.
Branch fits right in statistically as a major contributor. And if you recall, it was as soon as Wake and Branch were inserted as starters that their edge presence was felt, and the run defense as a whole seemed to flip a switch.
Branch has only started 2 games but has had excellent production.
If Branch continues to shine like this it will be a major cog to the Dolphins success in 2016, and just maybe, a factor to the success of future seasons.
Tannenbaum has missed in F.A. to a degree with Williams, Foster, and Jones, so this isn’t a love feast piece. Although, some of his ‘seeming misses’ are picking up their game and might redeem themselves: Maxwell, Alonso, and Quddas. But, if you add them to Gray, Steen, Urbik, Butler — all of which were acquired reasonably — you have a nice F.A group for 2016.
Yes, his 2016 Draft is still a question mark and it will take time to figure out it’s grade. But as far as F.A. goes you can’t complain much. And if the Dolphins continue to rise and both the draft picks and the free agents bloom, Tannenbaum might just have the last laugh after all. Time will tell. Go Fins!!!
…not so sure Stills is gone in 17
…so far this season, he has played up to and above his pay …he’s developed into a true deep threat which will require dbs to respect him, that in turn keeps them from crowding the run …neither Caroo or Parker have challenged him for a starting slot …and if TH stays, I’d bet he pushes to keep him as well …they have shown serious chemistry of late
…if he continues to play well and the fins continue to win, he’ll want to be paid …so would I
…but if he is comfortable with the fins and believes we’re playoff bound, the fins might be able to keep him w/o breaking the bank …not easy, but doable …and so far, worth considering
…there are a lot of miles between here and there …but I don’t think its an automatic that he’ll be gone
…I’m about done with the Jordan tease
…as for Branch, we have to hit on one worthwhile FA every once in a while …he looks like this year’s candidate
…not yet ready to give up on Williams …the talent is there, Gase has to get it out
…Wake has been a force since they started him …but he’s old to be taking 40 snaps a game, we’ll see if he has any gas left come December …hate to see him falter and play his last games elsewhere …but its a tough business and his cap has no sentiment in it
…on another matter, our OL depth is a major concern …literally everything depends on the starters staying healthy …and that just isn’t likely
I hear and agree Lem on Stills, just that this will be Stills first contract following his rookie deal, which usually means they take the biggest offer, and I don’t see (or think) Miami will match said offer. Credit to the F.O. for thinking ahead if that was the case w the Carroo draft.
I am fed up w the Jordan tease already, we need to see something. It has always been one thing or another with him thus far. Third overall pick to boot, ouch!
Williams could learn a few things from Branch, mainly desire and/or effort. Williams has lost a step but offers flexibility now that he has taken snaps at DT as well. The defense will get a boost w the return of Mitchell, supplying more depth and the ability to give Suh a much needed breather. Williams will lose snaps due to his return as well.
Wake and Branch combo supply’s much more energy and enthusiasm than any other DE combo. Though I believe Wake needs to have his snaps monitored, especially if we are still in the playoff hunt come December, we need him badly, he is a game changer, period!
Just like any other team, especially in our case, health is the key come December and beyond. If our O-Line stays healthy, I predict a playoff berth. Crap shoot if not.
I am so curious to watch Sundays game….. Do we panic and get away from the run if not successful early? Do we carry the ball 25+ times regardless. I believe the return of Sims is going to a BIG factor. We can continue to run our 2 TE sets without having to bring in S.Young to give one of our TEs a breather, now we will have a 3 man rotation if needed. Plus, Sims is an even bigger threat down field than Gray or Jones. What wrinkle (if any) has the staff implemented with the 2 weeks off? Let the sun shine bright and allow our true home field advantage (finally) be a factor!!!
Free agent signings have been a hit/miss thus far. However, there is time for said players to do exactly that: Hit or Miss. I will say that I do like the current ’16 draft class. 2 immediate starters in Tunsil and Howard, Carroo will step in for Stills next season, like what I have seen from Drake thus far, Grant does give our special teams the homerun threat that we’ve lacked in awhile, others are still with us and developing.
Tannenbaum will earn his money in this upcoming off season. There is a handful of high contracts that decisions need to made upon about their future with this team, and if so at what cost? Decision on our future QB, is he or isn’t he the guy, this is the season that a true decision has to made about his future w the team.
I think Williams has lost a step. But, due to his size he can play inside in the nickel and contribute as a de. This is only possible if Branch continues to play like he has. Dude is big ..near 6’5”. He is almost a clone of D. Jordan. This leaves me to believe Jordan will have a place and a tutor / role model when he returns. Not sure if Jordan will make it, but he can’t say it’s based on lack of size. Also, Branch offers a decent price FA who is young who might return. We’ll see if it continues, but I expected more from Jones and Williams and less of Branch. Nice little surprise…so far.