I agree. The only issue I had with him is his way of tackling. I always called him ‘the missile’ because of how he would launch himself to make a tackle and ended up injuring himself that way IIRC.
I’ve always had this love/hate thing with Bennie. So many times that he could have had interceptions or break-up passes and all he would care about was the big-hit…which coincidentally often broke-up passes. I just always thought an interception would help the team more than a big hit and wished he would have focused on the interceptions more.
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While there is definitely true to that, it definitely affects the psyche of most receivers, knowing that big angry son of a bitch is coming over the middle
Impossible to know how many people dropped passes because they” heard footsteps”. LoL.
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I think branch is the best safety, and it’s very close between him and Kirby
I love how well branch times his hits, and I think something that goes unnoticed about him, is how he times his blitzes, often times coming through untouched because he disguises it well
One of the best tackling safeties ever
When you watch the breakdowns of film, that guy is beating a lead blocker and still making the tackle… He almost always tackles outside in… The dude is amazing, in terms of athleticism, intelligence, fundamentals, instincts, intensity… And a great teammate
He will grow professionally, and that’s the biggest area of need for him to grow in… I believe he will
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But the receivers treaded lightly after that hit.
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I’m with you Natty. I’m surprised Branch is a distant third at this point. I’m sure there’s some recency bias going on with his suspension, but that guy is a stud. Personally I think he is neck and neck with Kerby Joseph. I’m also surprised that Benny Blades has pulled into a tie for first place. He was good, but for the life of me I can’t remember him making an interception (of course I know he did).
I looked up Benny Blades stats. In the 8 seasons he was with the Detroit Lions he had 4 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 14 interceptions and one touchdown. I know he was a big hitter and I also know he made three all pro teams, but these stats are rather pedestrian in my opinion. I would be disappointed if he ends up being voted as our top safety of all time.
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I mean it is hard to give Branch a grade when he has not even made it to a second contract.
Does he seem great - Yes
Does he track to be All Pro - Yes
But the guy is still early into his career.
Yes. I liked Delmas but boy did he miss a lot of tackles trying to lay the wood. Branch and Kerby are miles ahead of him.
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That’s not true. I’m pretty sure @Sofatso fought with him in the Dinosaur Wars.
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I voted Blades and Branch, mostly because I like big hitters.
I realize that Branch is largely projection at this point.
Loved all of those guys, though.
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Yes, I watched Night Train with the Lions in the early 60s. I think he played in every Runner-Up Bowl victory we had. As I recall, they retired that Loser Bowl game because we had it on lockdown.
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which means, barring injury…he gets BETTER!!
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Given I’ve only been a fan 12 years ive got to go with Kerby. Keen to find more stuff on lions history so if anybody can send a recommendation my way id appreciate it.
I only voted for Kerby and I don’t think it’s relatively close. Guy has done things we’ve only seen since Ed Reed. Ed Reed also thinks he is the best safety in football, so that’s enough for me.
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Kerby and branch for sure. I may be dating myself a bit but was a fan of Jimmy Allen
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Got to take into account that is was less of a passing league when Blades played. That said, modern rules give offensive players the edge today.
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I went back and looked and passing attempts per game really haven’t changed that much over the last 35 years - 1989 (30 PA/G) versus 2024 (33 PA/G). Rules have made it easier for offensive players for sure… which intuitively should make interceptions slightly more difficult today than when Benny Blades played. Interception leaders since 1989 typically had between 7 and 10 interceptions per year, with 9 or 10 being the most prevalent. I would also say that passing game schematics have really improved over the past decade, again potentially making interceptions more difficult now.
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