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Lions’ Brian Branch agrees with the punishment and apologizes for his actions

Lions’ Brian Branch agrees with the punishment and apologizes for his actions

Allen Park – Like Lions Safety Brian Branch was about to talk to reporters when a teammate ran by and made a quick joke.

“Throw ’em up, BB!” the teammate shouted, referring to the double middle fingers Branch showed after being kicked out of jail. Sunday 24-14 win over the Packers on Lambeauveld.

Branch smiled sheepishly before addressing himself the incidentexplaining that he did not want to be known for that action.

“That was just the hottest part of the day for me, and I apologize to anyone who saw that,” Branch said. “That won’t happen again.”

There were about six minutes left in the second quarter when Branch delivered a big hit on Green Bay’s Bo Melton. Quarterback Jordan Love tried to hit Melton with a deep shot. The ball hit the receiver’s hands, but he dropped it while trying to adjust.

Branch either didn’t see Melton drop the ball or stop himself in time. He made contact with Melton’s head and neck area, prompting the initial penalty for unnecessary roughness. Lambeau field officials then discussed the goal with the league office in New York. According to vice president of officiating Perry Fewell, the decision to eject Branch was made “in consultation” with Lambeau officials and the league office.

“I absolutely agree with the call,” Branch said. “I feel like my aim was obviously high. But that was never my intention to aim for the head. Looking ahead, I do have to move my aim down.”

Fewell explained in a pool report that officials felt Branch had an opportunity to “make a different choice” and avoid Melton’s head and neck. This is the second time this season that Branch has gotten in trouble for the way he tackled someone. He was fined for a Week 3 collision with Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, a hit that ultimately put Branch in the concussion protocol.

“The easy answer is, ‘Hey, lower your target,’” safeties coach Jim O’Neil said. “But if you’re running at full speed and another guy is running at full speed and suddenly his weight drops and the angle changes, it’s difficult. Because you don’t want to suddenly say to guys, ‘Hey, now.’ go down on their knees.’ So we try to sink their target in the sternum, but it’s a cracker. I don’t think he had any bad intentions. But that’s how we coach it.”

O’Neil added about Branch: “I think he’s a very aggressive player. I think we’re a very aggressive defense. I think he’s playing exactly the way we want our guys to play. I believe (by the competition) is that he That Arizona thing, I would have to ask him that. But I think these were both situations where the receiver followed the ball and at the last second, at full speed, changed the target.

“His target was the sternum, and when the ball carrier or the receiver falls, that sternum now goes higher in the head or neck area. I think that’s part of the game. There were probably four or five hits that were very similar. ” “I think the defensive players have done a great job over the last few years at taking these kinds of goals out of the game and I understand the consequences.”

The Lions held the Packers to 11 points after Branch was ejected, and they led by two possessions at halftime. Part of that lead was thanks to fellow safety Kerby Joseph, who intercepted a pass just before the end of the second quarter and returned it 27 yards for the first pick-six of his career.

Joseph flashed towards the play, but showed enough strength to get the ball as it came towards him. Branch revealed that it was actually his blitz that Joseph took advantage of. Joseph has six interceptions this season and Branch has four.

“I’m coming,” Branch said. “I told him I’m going to get him back.”

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