FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It has been one of the top storylines with the New England Patriots in 2016: The veteran with double-digit years of experience -- most often aligned closest to the center -- showing that one can age into his 30s and still be playing a high level of football. Maybe, in fact, the best football of his career.
Tom Brady? Sure.
But this story also applies to defensive tackle Alan Branch, now in his 10th NFL season and the unquestioned rock in the middle of the Patriots' D.
The Patriots have asked more of the 6-foot-6, 350-pound Branch this season, and Bill Belichick has been impressed with how he's responded.