Brian Branch has already established himself as one of the most versatile defensive weapons in the NFL over his first two seasons.
Branch is coming off a season where he recorded 109 tackles, defended 16 passes, had eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble. He is just the third defensive back in the NFL since at least 1999 to post 100 tackles, 15 pass defenses and five TFLs in a season, alongside Ronde Barber (2006) and Rodney Harrison (2000).
He's one of the best blitzing defensive backs in the league and has played safety and nickel corner. He could probably play linebacker and outside corner too, if the Lions needed him to.
Heading into his third season, Branch has become one of the most important players on Detroit's defense and arguably one of its best, but Branch still thinks there's more meat on the bone to his game. No. 1 on his priority list is better consistency.
"I feel like toward the end of the year, even though I switched back from nickel (to safety), I felt like my consistency wasn't there," Branch said Monday. "I feel like that's the main key this year."
It's just the first week of training camp but Branch and the Lions secondary have really stood out. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said last week the secondary might be one of the biggest strengths on the entire team. It's certainly looked that way through seven training camp practices.
"This year our chemistry is at a whole other level," Branch said. "That alone is scary."
It's certainly been a playmaking unit for this team early on and Branch and Co. are hoping that transitions right into the regular season and they can be one of the league's best units led by the best safety duo in the NFL in Branch and Kerby Joseph.
EASY DECISION
Veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick said it was an easy decision to re-sign with the Lions this offseason in free agency. He named Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams as the biggest reasons why.
"My job is going to be easy," Patrick said. "I've got to beat what the No. 4 cornerback. I should win that every time."
Patrick admitted he's had a little bit of a slow start to camp but he was emphatic he'd be a well-oiled machine by the start of the regular season. He finally had an offseason where he wasn't rehabbing a major injury and will continue to be a key part of this offense because of his size, catch radius and savviness. Patrick caught 33 passes with five touchdowns in his first season with Detroit after coming over right before the season started.
"I feel great," he said. "That's why I'm just frustrated it's not showing right now because in OTAs, it did. Training camp is a little different. I've got to pick this (expletive) up."
Patrick said Campbell runs the hardest training camp he's ever been a part of over his seven-year career and the work they are putting in now is going to pay off later. Patrick might not be making enough plays for his liking over the first week of camp, but he's proven to be a reliable weapon for Goff and that's not likely to change anytime soon.
GRUDEN ON MORTON
New Lions offensive coordinator John Morton cut his teeth in coaching under Jon Gruden with the Raiders.
Gruden was at the Meijer Performance Center Monday to take in practice, and he couldn't say enough good things about the coach the Lions are getting in Morton.
"I've always enjoyed watching coaches coach during this time of year. This is the coaches' time," Gruden said. "I know he's having to learn what they did last year and there is part of that involved. He's also got to add some of his stuff. It's just a process and I'm here to support him.
"He is a hard-working guy. For all of the Detroit fans what you don't see is the work ethic that you're getting. This guy is nuts. People thought that I was nuts this guy is freaking nuts, man. He loves it, he's a creative guy and he's a great competitor. I can't wait to see the Lions open up the season."
Gruden said knowing Morton the way he does, the letters R-C-E will be ingrained into the players. They stand for recognition, communication and execution.
"Jared's going to do a lot at the line of scrimmage and you're going to hear R-C-E a lot," he said. "I used to have hats made. Recognition leads to communication and if you can do that we're going to execute at a high level. I think RCE is the slogan you're going to hear a lot around here. You're going to see a lot of pre-snap movement when you're trying to recognize what's going on and you're going to see communication and then you'll see (Jahmyr) Gibbs, St. Brown and Sam (LaPorta) execute at a high level."
