The Detroit Lions lost a key component of their defense last week in Green Bay when safety Brian Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton along the sideline.
The Lions’ defense overcame Branch’s absence and beat the Packers, 24-14, but the second-year safety doesn’t plan on putting his coaches and teammates in that situation again.
“I most definitely agree with the call,” Branch said Wednesday. “I felt like my target was obviously high. But it was never my intention to aim for the head. Moving forward I do have to move my target down.”
It’s certainly something Branch will have to be cognizant of as he’s now on the league’s radar. This Lions defense is at its best when he and Kerby Joseph are on the field together.
Branch also joked Wednesday that he doesn’t want Joseph stealing anymore of his potential big plays. The Joseph blitz that resulted in his interception and pick-six at the end of the half was actually a blitz call for Branch had he not been ejected.
“But Kerby came and conquered,” Branch said. “Big time players make big time plays. He’s well aware (that’s my blitz). I congratulated him on it.”
Branch and Joseph make up arguably the best safety duo in football and having them on the field together is quickly becoming nightmare for opposing defenses.
Joseph (6) and Branch (4) are the only set of teammates in the league to each have at least four interceptions this season. Detroit’s only allowed six passing touchdowns, their fewest through the first eight games of any season since 1986, and Joseph and Branch are a big reason why.
“It allows AG (DC Aaron Glenn) to be really creative,” defensive assistant Jim O’Neil, who works with the safeties, said Wednesday of Branch and Joseph on the field together. “Most coordinators attack schemes with scheme. AG attacks scheme with personnel. I think that’s why we’re having the success that we are on defense.
“Both have the ability to blitz. Both have ability in the deep part of the field. Obviously, BB has an unbelievable ability to play man coverage against slot receivers. Kerby can play man coverage against tight ends. There’s a lot of things you can do with those guys.”
O’Neill on safety production
As the year started, Joseph played the deep part of the field about 80 percent of the time. That number is now around 60 percent, according to O’Neil, which leaves offenses guessing which safety will be where with what responsibility.
“It just shows how versatile we are,” Branch said. “Coach believes in us to put us in that situation, so we just have to keep on doing what we’re doing.”
Last week was a teaching moment for Branch. He said he isn’t going to lose any of the aggressiveness that’s made him one of the best safeties in the NFL in his first season playing the position. He just plans to take the helmet out of his game and lower his target.
