Alan Branch
{{Short description|American football player (born 1984)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image = Alan Branch 2015.JPG
| caption = Branch with the New England Patriots in 2015
| number = 78, 99, 97, 90
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|12|29|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Rio Rancho, New Mexico, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 350
| high_school = Cibola {{nowrap|(Albuquerque, New Mexico)}}
| college = Michigan (2004–2006)
| draftyear = 2007
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 33
| pastteams =
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2007}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2012}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2013}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI)
- Second-team All-American (2006)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2006)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 284
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 10.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 4
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 14
| pfr = BranAl99
}}
Alan Keith Branch (born December 29, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots.
Early life
Branch attended Cibola High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.{{Cite news |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/998262/cibola-welcomes-alan-branch-back-home-inducts-him-into-athletic-hall-of-fame.html |title=Cibola welcomes Alan Branch back home, inducts him into athletic hall of fame |last=Yodice |first=James |work=Albuquerque Journal |access-date=December 29, 2017 |language=en-US}} In addition to playing on the defensive line, Branch also played tight end as well as running back and punt returner in high school. He scored three rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in his senior season and five punt return touchdowns for his career.
Branch was a fairly highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranked as high as #6 nationally among defensive tackles.
Branch was also a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team, earning all-district honors as a sophomore and was second-team all-state as a junior.
;High school awards
- Selected to play in 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
- Gatorade Player of the Year in New Mexico
- All-State as a junior and senior
- On May 3, 2017, Branch was inducted to the Cibola High School Hall of Fame
College career
Branch, along with fellow defensive all-star LaMarr Woodley, anchored one of the best defenses in college football in 2006. He had 57 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks in 35 career games at Michigan.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/alan-branch-1/gamelog/ |title=Alan Branch Career Game Log |website=Sports Reference |language=en |access-date=December 29, 2017}} He had his first interception and a fumble recovery against Ohio State on November 18, 2006.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-11-18-ohio-state.html |title=Michigan at Ohio State Box Score, November 18, 2006 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |access-date=December 29, 2017}} Branch played both defensive tackle and defensive end at Michigan.
He earned the following accolades while at Michigan:
- 2006 ESPN.com All-American Team
- 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First-team (coaches and media)
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 6
| weight = 324
| dash = 5.07
| ten split = 1.75
| twenty split = 2.92
| shuttle = 4.79
| cone drill = 7.56
| vertical = 27 1/2
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 11
| bench = 33
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 34 1/8
| hand span = 10}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
Branch was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. The Cardinals acquired the pick from the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/draft.htm |title=2007 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |access-date=December 29, 2017}} In the 2008 NFL season, the Cardinals reached Super Bowl XLIII, but lost 27–23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLIII - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals - February 1st, 2009 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200902010crd.htm |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
The Seattle Seahawks signed Branch to a two-year contract on July 28, 2011.[http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2011/07/28/confirmed-seahawks-agree-to-terms-with-dt-alan-branch/ Confirmed: Seahawks agree to terms with DT Alan Branch]
=Buffalo Bills=
Branch signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on April 2, 2013.{{Cite web |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/DT-Alan-Branch-signs-with-Buffalo/f596576c-777e-49aa-84c4-3e0642331bc7 |title=DT Alan Branch signs with Buffalo |access-date=April 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406011342/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/DT-Alan-Branch-signs-with-Buffalo/f596576c-777e-49aa-84c4-3e0642331bc7 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/alan-branch-signs-one-year-contract-with-buffalo-bills-0ap1000000156650|title=Alan Branch signs one-year contract with Buffalo Bills|first=Dan|last=Hanzus|date=April 2, 2013|access-date=July 25, 2014}}
On December 23, 2013, Branch signed a multi-year contract extension with the Bills.{{Cite web |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/DL-Alan-Branch-signs-extension-with-Bills/72db05dd-5f02-4b23-828b-cc5d75f28094 |title=DL Alan Branch signs extension with Bills |access-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103827/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/DL-Alan-Branch-signs-extension-with-Bills/72db05dd-5f02-4b23-828b-cc5d75f28094?campaign=tw_buf_article |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
On August 24, 2014, one day after being arrested for a DUI, Branch was cut from the team.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bills-cut-dt-alan-branch-one-day-after-dui-charge/ |title=Bills cut DT Alan Branch, one day after DUI charge |last=Breech |first=John |website=CBSSports.com |date=August 24, 2014 |language=en |access-date=December 29, 2017}}
=New England Patriots=
On October 21, 2014, it was reported that Branch had signed a 1-year deal with the New England Patriots. The team officially announced the signing on October 29.{{cite web | title=Patriots sign veteran defensive lineman Alan Branch | website=SI.com | date=2014-10-29 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/10/29/new-england-patriots-sign-alan-branch | access-date=2024-12-23}} On February 1, 2015, Branch won his first Super Bowl, defeating his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, by a score of 28–24.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201502010sea.htm |title=Super Bowl XLIX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 1st, 2015 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |access-date=December 29, 2017}}
On March 15, 2015, Branch re-signed with the Patriots on a two-year deal worth a maximum of $6.6 million.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |last2=Yates |first2=Field |date=2015-03-15 |title=Source: Pats re-sign DT Branch to 2-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/12484955/new-england-patriots-re-sign-alan-branch-2-year-deal |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
On November 21, 2016, Branch was notified that he was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on substance abuse but did not have to serve any games after the league rescinded the suspension before his appeal was even heard.{{cite web|title=Patriots' Alan Branch facing four-game suspension|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-alan-branch-facing-four-game-suspension-0ap3000000744008|author=Shook, Nick|website=NFL.com|date=November 21, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Patriots' Alan Branch has suspension rescinded|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000750110/article/alan-branchs-suspension-rescinded|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207173655/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000750110/article/alan-branchs-suspension-rescinded|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2016|author=Shook, Nick|website=NFL.com|date=December 3, 2016}} Branch helped the Patriots win 14 games and earn the top seed for the AFC playoffs.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2016.htm |title=2016 New England Patriots Statistics & Players |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |access-date=December 29, 2017}}
On February 5, 2017, Branch was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm|title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=September 2, 2017}} The Patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter, but rallied all the way back to win the game, which featured the first overtime game in Super Bowl history and the largest comeback in the Super Bowl. Branch recorded three tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a crucial fumble recovery in the game.{{cite web|last1=Wesseling|first1=Chris|title=New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li-0ap3000000783692|publisher=NFL|access-date=February 5, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/sites/patriots.com/files/20170205_gamebook_v2.pdf|title=Super Bowl LI - National Football League Game Summary|work=National Football League|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807031311/http://www.patriots.com/sites/patriots.com/files/20170205_gamebook_v2.pdf|archive-date=August 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}
On March 9, 2017, Branch signed a two-year, $12 million contract extension with the Patriots.{{cite web|title=Patriots check off important part of to-do list with Alan Branch deal|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4801614/re-signing-alan-branch-helps-patriots-check-off-important-part-of-to-do-list|author=Reiss, Mike|website=ESPN.com|date=March 9, 2017}} Branch played 12 games in the 2017 season and recorded 12 tackles. Branch was inactive for the playoffs, but the Patriots still made it to the Super Bowl without him only to fall to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.{{Cite web |title=Alan Branch 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BranAl99/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On March 6, 2018, the Patriots declined the option on Branch's contract, making him a free agent in 2018.{{cite web|title=Patriots Won't Pick Up Alan Branch's Contract Option, Freeing Up Cap Room|url=https://nesn.com/2018/03/patriots-wont-pick-up-alan-branchs-contract-option-freeing-up-cap-room/|author=Kyed, Doug|website=NESN.com|date=March 6, 2018}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | GP | Comb | Solo | Asst | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 || ARI
| 11 || 9 || 8 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2008 || ARI
| 4 || 6 || 5 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2009 || ARI
| 16 || 18 || 14 || 4 || 2.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 || ARI
| 16 || 35 || 27 || 8 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2011 || SEA
| 15 || 34 || 21 || 13 || 3.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 || SEA
| 16 || 29 || 16 || 13 || 1.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 || BUF
| 16 || 39 || 21 || 18 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 || NE
| 8 || 13 || 8 || 5 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015 || NE
| 16 || 35 || 22 || 13 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 || NE
| 16 || 49 || 26 || 23 || 1.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 || NE
| 12 || 12 || 12 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BranAl99.htm Career] || 146 || 279 || 180 || 99 || 10.5 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 15 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
{{footballstats|pfr=B/BranAl99}}
{{Cardinals2007DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XLIX}}
{{Super Bowl LI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, Alan}}
Category:People from Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Category:Players of American football from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Michigan Wolverines football players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Seattle Seahawks players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen