@humboldt420 Branch has sub-4.3 speed. He ran an official 4.31 at the Combine a few years ago, but some scouts had him at as low as 4.27s. I believe branch is miscast as a SS. Because he is a good tackler, he is in the box often. I think he could be one of the best FS in the league if he were moved there. In pass coverage he plays more like a linebacker because when the ball is snapped he plays the run first and sometimes it allows the WR to get a step on him and he struggles to once that happens (he needs to work on that). Mike Mitchell is just as good a tackler and is a more natural SS and is currently wasted on the depth chart. Huff should be moved to Nickel Corner in my opinion.
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Excellent post, crazyphatdude.

I’ve been waiting for Huff to be moved to CB since he arrived, he’s a natural CB.

Couldn’t agree more with Branch playing FS, he’s a natural there too.

I’m not completely sold on Mitchell yet, we’ll see how much he progresses this year.

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Lol- you effing donkey. Have a clue before you speak. Willie Brown, Jack Tatum, blah, blah , blah. Haters need not speak about the RAIDERS because they have no clue as to what they are talking about. They are weak-minded individuals who allow emotion to cloud their judgement. Bunch of simpletons.
Nice handle donkey, way to think outside of the box. You absolute kook.

Can’t wait to see who the raiders sign when all these teams that had 10 picks in the draft, have to make cut the rosters. There will be some marquee names out there no doubt about it.

Branch wants just way too much money and I don’t blame Reggie for not giving it to him really, he has some talent but he is NOT the best safety in the NFL, in fact he is not even in the top five imo!! (snip)

Yeah, that’s why they tagged him. McKenzie thinks he’s overrated.

@gitchogameon Veldheer is absolutely a Franchise Left Tackle. He single handedly held Jared Allen out of the backfield the entire Viking Game. Not to mention he only keeps getting better every year. He was an absolute STEAL in the 3rd round.

Coming out of UConn as a cornerback, Branch was projected as a standout special teamer due to his sub 4.40 speed.

It’s nice to see him blossom into a sure-tackling safety for the Raiders.

The reason I am interested to see what Allen and Lopez can do with Branch is in the pass coverage area. Branch is a solid in-the-box safety, but the pass coverage element is where he is lacking.

With that said, Al Davis struck gold on Branch in the 4th round and Oakland would be wise to lock him up long term.

I’m seriously hoping we keep this guy for the long haul.

As much grief as Al Davis got for draft picks, Branch was snagged in the 4th round, Veldheer (our franchise? (lol) LT) in the 3rd, Jacoby Ford in the 4th, Louis Murphy in the 4th, Denarius Moore in the 5th. Even more may mature into their roles, but that’s not bad value in the past few years.

*fixed that ish for you!*

racerx1225 says: May 7, 2012 1:05 PM

Nnamdi was a late round pick, 4th maybe 5th or even a 7th and was a S converted to CB.

Hmmm, let me google that for you as well….

Nope, he was a 1st round pick numbnuts.

http://lockerz.com/s/203655733

This guy is as talented as they come. He has tremendous speed and he brings one hell of a load too.

Dude just loves to play football.

Yes? No?

while the rest of the world is blinded by mannings shift to denver

the raiders are coming for the sneak attack on the afc west

For teams that have franchise players, the amount of the franchise tender is counted toward the cap whether the player has signed the tender or not. Branch signing the tender has no effect on the amount of cap space the Raiders have.–MDS