Tyvon Branch is one of those underrated safeties who probably doesn't get enough credit for his work on the football field. Branch has been with the Oakland Raiders for four years after being drafted out of UConn and has gotten progressively better year after year. He has been averaging over 100 tackles the past three seasons, and along with free safety Michael Huff and cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Stanford Routt combine to form one of the most talented backlines in the NFL.

Branch is going to be rewarded handsomely for his good works.

Raiders have informed S Tyvon Branch he will be franchised. #insideslant

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 1, 2012

Remember Oakland is well over the cap, so they need to figure out who they're planning to cut to get the team back in financially stable mode. But it appears Branch is too valuable to the future of the Raiders defense to let loose to free agency.

To discuss Branch and the Raiders, head on over to Silver and Black Pride.