Branch-to-Pro-Bowl train picking up speed

The Tyvon Branch-to-the-Pro Bowl bandwagon is picking up passengersand speed."Tyvon is, in my mind, a Pro Bowl player, without a doubt," Raiders defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said this week of his strong safety. "This is a guy who, every game, he comes with his 'A' game. Effort wise, tenacity wise, playing physical and doing what you ask him to do. And we do move him around."He plays safety in base, he plays nickel in nickel, he plays in a corner position in our big package against big personnel. He does anything we ask him. He never says a word. He comes out and practices a thousand miles-an-hour every day at practice."He is the epitome of a Pro Bowl player in my mind."Apparently, fans have noticed as well, even if the fourth-year defensive back from UConn does not have the cachet of say, a Troy Polamalu. In fan voting for the Pro Bowl, Branch is third among AFC strong safeties, behind Polamalu and Buffalo's George Wilson.Branch's 88 tackles are the most by any strong safety in the NFL, nine more than Wilson, and are seventh-most of any player in the AFC. Plus, Branch has a sack, a fumble recovery, three passes defensed and an interception. He also dabbles in being the gunner on the punt team.So how does it feel to be in so many Pro Bowl conversations?"Man, I just want to get to the playoffs," Branch said. "That's what I tell people. I'm doing my part to try to get us to the playoffs. And whatever comes of that, it just happens."Sunday, he'll have an opportunity to show his skills against the unbeaten and untied defending Super Bowl champions in Green Bay.So what jumps off the film at Branch, a fourth-round draft pick in 2008?"It's crazy, because when you think about them you think they're doing something crazy, but they really just have a basic offense," Branch said. "They just line up and think that their guys are better than yours, and that Aaron Rodgers is going to put the ball on the money. And you know, he does it consistently. That's their game plan -- my guy is better than yours."It's worked for 18 straight games for the Packers.And a Pro Bowl nod might be solidified for Branch with a big game at Lambeau Field. Especially if he can pick off Rodgers. Twelve strong safeties in the NFL have more interceptions than Branch.More picks would mean more recognition."I think especially with fan voting and all that," Bresnahan said. "Just the name, the household name, you have to get it out there a little bit. But I think his peers know. The guys that watch him play or play against him every Sunday know what Tyvon Branch does. It clearly shows on film."Anybody that knows football, sees the impact that he has on a game."Besides, Branch hopes to not be in Honolulu for the Pro Bowl. Not with the two conference champion teams preparing for the Super Bowl that day."Exactly," he said.