There has been a mounting level of concern around Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, who plays on the edge. What has made the defensive back so able to play at a high level is the incredible focus and violence with which he plays. However, this is a fine line to walk and obviously went too far on Sunday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, after initially speaking out against the safety's actions, head coach Dan Campbell came to his player's defense as Branch is appealing the one-game suspension that the league levied.
""I saw him yesterday before all of this came down. He knows he can't react that way. He'll learn from this. He's an outstanding young man. He really is. He's got a big heart. He made a mistake.""Dan Campbell
This isn't the words of a coach that is pushing the gravity of the situation, but has switched to having his players' backs. It is important to note that Campbell did make it clear that the fight was a mistake and that things went too far. However, it is more than fair to wonder if the in-building changes and talks with Branch will have a different attitude.
Lions Fans Should Feel Uneasy After Odd Response to Brian Branch's Late-Game Scuffle
As much as it might pain Lions fans to admit, the safety deserves the one-game suspension and doesn't have a leg to stand on during an appeal. You bloodied the face of a receiver on the AFC's defending champ after the whistle. Yes, Patrick Mahomes taunted the defender, and JuJu Smith-Schuster hit the defensive back from behind earlier in the game. Still, you have to have the poise to get your revenge in between the whistles.
Doing it at some a moment with America watching is going to push your decision-making and standing in the organization into question. For the Lions, it is important to have a strong united front on the fact that this isn't what the organization is about.
Campbell's tough-nosed approach is defined by wearing the opposing team out playing good, clean football in between the whistles. For a team that has previously been the league's darling underdog story, now you're dealing with a problem that throws Detroit fans back to the days of Ndamukong Suh, who was noted for his antics and lack of ability to control emotions in the heat of battle.
For Branch, there isn't a long history of this type of behavior, with the edgy play only resulting in fines. While you still don't want to see this happen, it isn't as if it has become a distraction to the team or dangerous for other pieces. No question, Detroit needs a healthy level of concern with this development and cannot afford to overlook the recent trends.
The safety is incredibly important to set the defensive tone, but must do a better job of keeping a measured approach. For the Lions, there should be a stronger response and an understanding that no matter what led up to the fight, the one-game suspension was frustratingly earned.