Branch to Safety, Rakestraw to NB?

Looks like something we could see in the future…

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Either that or just the usual training camp cross training for depth purposes.

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That’s kind of where I thought they were going. Rakestraw as the nickel when Branch moved to safety. Arnold, who can also play nickel, mixing it up on the outside with CDIII, Robertson, and Moseley

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That would mean either Melifonwu or Joseph would sit. I’m guessing Iffy because he’s more of a traditional strong safety and Joseph, a free safety, but I suspect Branch would eventually excel at playing more of a centerfield position.

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My (half baked) theory is that they are going to use Branch in the nickel, but, if one of the two starting S get hurt, they can rotate him to S and let Rakestraw play the nickel.

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I think they are just ensuring Branch has a spot no matter the offensive formation. He missed a lot of snaps on field cause they didn’t need the nickel. They want him on field 100% of time.

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Brad already said that is the case and a writer decided to twist his words to say the opposite.

Branch’s focus is NCB. When they tried to diversify and put him at safety mid 2023, his play suffered. Brad said while he will eventually get more cross training, but his focus is still in the slot. It is his best natural position. They will only play him out of position in case of injury.

I was actually mad when an article came out saying the lions are going to play him more at safety. I thought: “Jack ass! That is the opposite of what Brad just said in the interview you quoted! ■■■■■■■ liar.”

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Ive been saying this all offseason season. Branch to S.

CB1 Davis, Dorsey
CB2 Arnold, Moseley
NB Robertson, Rakestraw
SS Branch, Iffy
FS Kerby, CJ

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Yup that’s the rub which is actually pretty fantastic considering where we were at this time last year. I don’t think he’ll be going to safety full time, but there’s definitely a lot of really nice personnel packages they can use.

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I think that many of our DBs are going to play many snaps and many different spots, such that who starts where won’t mean anything.

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That makes complete sense. Starting nickel and backup safety. Just like how Sewell starts at RT but he is the backup left tackle. And GG starts at guard but is the backup center.

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On paper yes, but we’ll run 3 Safety sets, Iffy will get some time at LB in passing situations etc. Also it puts pressure on Kerby as he has been a little hot and cold and Iffy was really coming into his own last year, so it may end up Branch and Iffy with Kerby as the top reserve. Any way you slice it, it’s a good problem to have because guys get hurt. See Vildor starting in the NFCC which cost us the NFCC…

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Exactly. Depth is critical. Iffy has been banged up a bunch in his career. Going to be plenty of playing time for everyone.

Who backs up Branch at Nickel? We have a glut of CB options now with David, Arnold, Rakestraw, Robertson, and Moseley. Only two outside CBs see the field on a play. Who plays on dime packages? It only makes sense to give Rakestraw time there as that is where he has the best chance at seeing playing time.

Even after Iffys emergence, we were giving three safeties significant snaps once CJGJ came back. My guess is Branxh enters that rotation along with NB duties and they need someone who can play nickel when that happens.

I probably shouldn’t comment on this thread.

Nothing To See Here GIFs - Find & Share on GIPHY

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Wait until you hear James Houston is moving to Nickel. :joy:

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Here is the issue IMO. If you are going to live and die in man you have to have a safety (or both) that can roll down outside when the offense inevitably uses pre snap motion/alignment to isolate safeties in man. Bc that’s going to be one of if not the first plan of attack by opposing OCs. So move Branch there and you have a coverage stud back there.

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Opponent - Motions to isolate their primary target on our Safety.

Brian Branch as the Safety that was just isolated:
Come Here Lets Go GIF

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Precisely. And worse case they get Kerby who did it last year. Not that h: great at it but I think with his length and ball skills he’s okay.

I think Rake is just too small for SlotCB