Brian Branch is currently playing the best football of his young career for the Detroit Lions, but even he knows he can't do it alone.
So far, Branch has collected 32 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble. He is currently playing at a Pro Bowl, or truly an All-Pro, level. The reason for that might be defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn putting him in quality positions everywhere on defense.
Eric Woodyard of ESPN spoke with Branch, and asked about where he stands with his play. Quickly, he gave the majority of the credit to Glenn.
#Lions’ Brian Branch said he feels like he’s in one of the best grooves of his young NFL career. “Just finally feel like I’m kinda playing back in high school,” he said. “And also AG (Aaron Glenn) is putting me in hella positions to make plays so it’s really 70% him and 30% me.” pic.twitter.com/TWzGZazv46
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) October 21, 2024
"Finally feel like I'm kinda playing back in high school and also, Aaron Glenn is putting me in hella positions to make plays. It's really 70% him and 30% me. We knew coming into (Week 7) (Aidan) Hutchinson is a big piece for us and everybody's got to pick up the slack. We're going to have to do that for the rest of the season. Hutchinson is not just out two (or) three games, he's out for the whole season. It's going to have to be like that the whole season."
No matter what the Lions do to try and replace Hutchinson, Branch's statement is true. It's going to be mostly about scheme and coming up with ways to maximize talent. That's where Glenn has impressed this season, as he further bolsters his head coaching resume.
In addition to the players, Campbell understands he is blessed to have assistant coaches that are at the top of their game. To the head coach, that was proven by the performance that was put together in Minnesota.
Campbell praised the work of all his coaches for their role in the victory over the Vikings in Week 7, and sounded very impressed with what Glenn was able to get done.
#Lions' coordinators were hoopin' on Sunday pic.twitter.com/EVyK9gQPZP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 21, 2024
"I thought the coordinators did an outstanding job, all three of them. They were on top of their game and I thought Ben (Johnson) had a great game plan. I thought he was on it the whole game. I thought (Dave) Fipp developed a great plan. Those guys were humming. Lastly, I thought (Aaron Glenn), everything that we went in saying we had to do and the way we had to play, it wasn't perfect, but my God, those guys competed and gave us a chance. They executed at a high level."
Not only is Branch having a career season, but Glenn is putting him and others in a position to dominate.
