Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Brian Branch feels he has left a lot of plays out on the field.
After bursting onto the scene, Detroit's talented defensive back is focused on improving.
"I feel like it's been okay," Branch told All Lions about the first half of his rookie campaign. "I have a lot to improve. I just have to focus more on the little things, a lot more plays I should've made. But overall, it's been a good start."
Early in his career, the former Crimson Tide defender has recorded 26 solo tackles, four passes defensed and a pick-six interception.
But it is not the plays that helped the team that stay on the top of the second-round picks mind, it is the plays that could have been made that weren't that fuel the talented nickel cornerback.
"Just looked at the previous games, looked at the stuff I did wrong," Branch explained. "The stuff that I was, plays I should've been able to make. Stuff like that."
With Detroit beginning their push for the postseason, no player on the roster feels the team has all of a sudden arrived.
The team still has lofty goals in front of them, including hosting home playoff games at Ford Field.
"Just know that you can't be satisfied," Branch noted. "That's our biggest thing. Can't get too comfortable. It's still a long season, can't be satisfied."
Part of the reason Detroit's defense has had success this year has been the secondary gelling.
"The secondary alone, I feel like, is playing pretty damn good. Everybody is really doing their job," Branch said. "We're all clicking and we're gelling together. That's a thing that you want in a secondary, is everybody being on the same page. I feel like that's helping us."
This week on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, the secondary again faces the challenge of limiting a veteran and experienced wideout.
"I feel like, shoot, (Keenan) Allen alone is a lot to handle. But, overall, I feel like they have a good receiving corps, a good quarterback, also a good running back. Our hands are gonna be full this game. Can tell you that. Everybody has to do their job."
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn provided his assessment this week of the challenges the Lions next opponent presents.
"Well, (wide receiver Jalen) Guyton’s coming back who is a speed guy for them. So we have to be aware of him," said Glenn. "And you look at this tight end, (Donald Parham Jr.) 89 I mean in the red zone, he’s playing basketball out there, so he’s catching touchdowns like crazy. And I’ve always had respect for the tight end, number seven (Gerald Everett). Man, he’s a really, really good athlete and his ability also to make plays. You watch him when guys are trying to tackle him, he’s breaking a lot of tackles also.
"So, they have weapons, and you can never forget about the running back (Austin Ekeler). I mean not only can he run it, but his ability to catch these screen passes and make explosive plays, with screens and with checkdowns, that you have to be aware of where he’s at," Glenn explained further. "So, they have weapons. Regardless of who’s out, they still have them.”
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