DL Alan Branch finally having impact for Cardinals

By BOB BAUM
AP Sports Writer

TEMPE, Ariz.(AP) — The Arizona Cardinals coveted Alan Branch so
much that they traded up to get him with the first pick in the
second round of the 2007 draft.

He’s been a big, literally too big, disappointment – until this
season.

The coaching staff challenged the former Michigan standout to
show up weighing less and in better shape, and Branch complied.
That gave him his chance, and he’s earned a backup role at nose
tackle and defensive tackle.

In last Sunday night’s 24-17 road victory over the New York
Giants, Branch got the first two sacks of his pro career.

“I feel good. I’m at home,” Branch said. “I’m actually feeling
like I’m more part of the team.”

The 6-foot-5 Branch reportedly lost about 25 pounds to meet
coaches’ demands that he come to training camp at about 335
pounds.

“He had to come in with a specific weight and if he did or
didn’t, it was going to tell us everything,” defensive
coordinator Bill Davis said. “He didn’t have to say one word.
That was going to tell us his commitment – and he came in and he
made weight.”

Then Branch passed the run test, something he had struggled with
the previous year.

“So all of a sudden he starts sending us messages as a coaching
staff that, ‘I want this, I’m ready to commit to working hard
and working consistently,”’ Davis said.

Branch, from Rio Rancho, N.M., left Michigan after his junior
season after being a big part of a Wolverines defense that led
the nation in allowing 43.3 yards rushing per game.

He played in 11 games as a rookie, but found himself in the
coaches’ doghouse after showing up so heavy for the 2008
training camp. He was inactive for 12 regular season games and
all four playoff contests.

There was widespread speculation that Branch might be released.
He said he never thought that would happen.

“I never thought for a second that they would cut me but it
seems like everybody and their mom thought I’d get cut by after
training camp,” Branch said. “Here I am now doing OK. Maybe
later on I can do great and get a little more playing time out
there, so we’ll see.”

Coach Ken Whisenhunt wouldn’t say the team was close to giving
up on Branch.

“I think our frustration level was higher with Alan at times
because we always thought that he could play like he’s playing
now,” Whisenhunt said. “You always would like to see it happen
earlier in his career because of where we drafted him. But I
can’t say now that I’m disappointed at all. We still have
aspirations of Alan improving.”

Branch is listed as the No. 3 nose tackle behind starter Bryan
Robinson and backup Gabe Watson. But he’s also seeing time at
tackle behind Darnell Dockett, a position he prefers.

He said he’d never played nose tackle before coming to Arizona,
and he likes the freedom of playing outside on the line.

“You can go either side of the guard. You can do different
moves,” Branch said. “When you’re on the nose, you’re like three
inches away from the center so you’ve got to react to that.”

Davis said Branch needs to lose even more weight if he wants to
be consistently effective on the outside of the line.

So far, Branch has kept his weight consistent.

“He is a guy that for whatever reason the lights came on and he
realized certain things that we expected of him in order for him
to play,” Davis said. “And then when he got his chance to play
at the weight we know is best for him, his athleticism comes
out.”

Branch is just finally glad to be a contributing member of the
team.

“I just wanted to make sure they could trust me this year,” he
said, “they’d know that I’m working hard really to just get my
shot on the field.”

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