Ron Brace

[TheCount]

Analysis: Ron Brace waived

December, 29, 2012
Dec 29

4:45

PM ET

By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com
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When the Patriots selected defensive lineman Ron Brace in the second round of the 2009 draft, they naturally liked his physical traits. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Brace was one of the bigger, more powerful defenders available that year.

The Patriots had success in past years going that route with early-round picks, with Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork reflecting their best work with big defensive linemen.

But Brace, who grew up in Massachusetts and attended Boston College, never emerged as he or the team hoped. It is a reminder that size is a good place to start along the d-line, but more needs to come together (e.g. technique, footwork) in a player's development.

As a rookie, Brace worked as a backup nose tackle in the 3-4 alignment behind Wilfork, who was in the final year of his contract. Initially, Brace was viewed as insurance in the event Wilfork departed as a free agent.

But by the end of the year, the Patriots knew that Brace, who played 4-3 defensive tackle at BC, wasn’t a fit on the nose (he seemed to play too high at times). That tilted some leverage in favor of Wilfork at the negotiating table as he signed a five-year, $40 million deal in 2010.

In his second season, Brace was used at left defensive end in the 3-4, and it was the spot in which he made his most significant contributions, although he never carved out a full-time role.

But by his third season, Brace was passed by 2010 rookie free agent Kyle Love on the depth chart.

And with the team shifting to more of a 4-3 this year, Brace returned to the defensive tackle position but couldn’t break through, playing just 92 snaps.

In all, he played in 39 regular-season games (7 starts). He was scheduled for free agency after the season and it was unlikely that he would have been back in New England.

The Patriots have Wilfork, Brandon Deaderick and Love as their top three interior defensive linemen, with Marcus Forston on the practice squad. This is an area the club is likely to address in the offseason, via free agency or the draft.

Cliff Notes: Ron Brace isn't very good.

 

[braw]

Cliff Notes: Ron Brace isn't very good.

HE is not a NT either. what do NT mean?

 

[TheCount]

HE is not a NT either. what do NT mean?

Oh, I get it, I hurt your feelings. I apologize.

Doesn't change the fact that he's not a DE though.

 

[RS12]

I like what we did with our LB group. We saw the weaknesses James and Brooking provided... And added speed and athleticism inside with Carter and Lee.

We need to do the same upfront. We have run cloggers line Spears, Coleman (prior to injury), Brent (well....), etc.

What we lack is pass rushing from the DL. Thats what we need to acquire. Not more run stopping guys who generate a pass rush as often as the semi annual Victoria Secret sale.

Richardson is the guy for the DL job. Moore would be a great get but he'll be long gone and more of D Ware type.

 

[Vanilla2]

They also have a winning record and are a threat to go to the Super Bowl every year. They are much like the Cowboys teams of the 70s. Even when Brady was injured for a year, they still won games. I have all the respect in the world for what they have been able to do.

Sounds like someone should go out and buy some patriots gear.

That is if you don't already own some.

 

[supercowboy8]

No to ton brace, hasnt proved anything.
Also Slyvester Williams is jot a NT, he is a 4-3 gap shooting DT.
John Jenkins sucks, I have watched every Georgia game last two years and he makes flash plays like the sack vs Bama in the SEC championship, but then he just roles over. Dallas Thomas, Bama and SC all handled him on the run game, which is not what you want to see from your NT.
Jesse Williams has ton a upper body strength but not much lower body strength and gets pushed up and over a lot.
I really like Brendon Williams, I know he is raw but he will work hard and learn fast.
We need a day one NT, go FA Terrence Knighton or Sammie Lee Hill.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

id bring him in, i liked him coming out of BC

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I'd bring him in for no other reason than we don't have a NT that is on the roster. Lissimore is doing okay, but I'll take Brace over Calloway anyday in a rotation.

Assuming we win. If we don't, it doesn't matter to me.

 

[jnday]

Sounds like someone should go out and buy some patriots gear.

That is if you don't already own some.

I dislike the Pats as much as any team in the league, but I have no problem giving them credit when it is due. To make myself clear, I don't buy gear from any team. I did at one time, but I don't buy any now.

 

[slomoxn]

I dislike the Pats as much as any team in the league, but I have no problem giving them credit when it is due. To make myself clear, I don't buy gear from any team. I did at one time, but I don't buy any now.

If you have read any of the other posts you should know it is taboo to say anything positive about another team on here. Feeling get hurt fast...

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

How many draft busts have has Bellicheck had in recent years and managed not to get called out on?

They squandered most of those numerous 2nd round picks they kept trading back to accumulate.

Oh I know. And you know Cowboy fans rag on Jerry and this team for their scouting of young players but let me tell you there is some bad scouting in this league. Atleast we hit on our 1st round picks. There are some teams like the Eagirls, vaGiants, Pat's....there are some teams who miss even harder then us.

 

[Muhast]

Draft Georgia's John Jenkins or Bama's Jesse Williams (benches 600 pounds).

I'm a UGA fan and I don't want him. People fall in love with his massive size and big play here and there, but he gets stone walled way to often.

If any of you watched the SEC championship he was absolutely bullied by Bama's O-line(then again that line has multiple first round pick prospects) most of the game.

To me he was a huge disappointment. The 3 guys worth a crap on that defense are Jarvis Jones(top 10 pick) Alex Ogletree(late 1st) and Bacari Rambo(2nd round).

 

[StarMan2112]

Oh I know. And you know Cowboy fans rag on Jerry and this team for their scouting of young players but let me tell you there is some bad scouting in this league. Atleast we hit on our 1st round picks. There are some teams like the Eagirls, vaGiants, Pat's....there are some teams who miss even harder then us.

What a ridiculous statement. Since 2001, New England has 5 Super Bowl appearances - winning 3. Their worst record in that time span is 9-7 in 2002. Yeah, I'll take Jerry & Co. every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[jterrell]

Draft Georgia's John Jenkins or Bama's Jesse Williams (benches 600 pounds).

We arent bad enough to draft Jenkins. Very unlikely we trade up high again two years in a row. He is certified top 10 provided nothing crazy happens in the draft process. He really doesn't need to workout even.

Jesse Williams is interesting but every Bama prospect goes about 5 spots too high. Not sure drafting a run stuffer that will play only two downs is worth our r1 pick and he'll definitely be gone before we draft in r2.

I like the Brace option better even though he is a lesser player with no upside. We'd be paying for a 1 or 2 down player at a cheap rate.

Brace was Jesse Williams coming out of college. Massive run plugger who couldn't be moved.

 

[jterrell]

I'm a UGA fan and I don't want him. People fall in love with his massive size and big play here and there, but he gets stone walled way to often.

If any of you watched the SEC championship he was absolutely bullied by Bama's O-line(then again that line has multiple first round pick prospects) most of the game.

To me he was a huge disappointment. The 3 guys worth a crap on that defense are Jarvis Jones(top 10 pick) Alex Ogletree(late 1st) and Bacari Rambo(2nd round).

Bama double-teamed him much of the day with Barrett and an OG. He certainly did wear down and look slow and sluggish as the game wore on though. Was single-blocked at the end and getting moved by guys who couldn't handle Shelden Richardson or the TAMU DT.

He is definitely a top 10 pick though. Closest thing to Ngata that exists physically. I agree with you that he lacks Ngata's motor or desire but he'll go very high all the same as some team hopes to push him to that next level. A clear physical freak.

 

[jterrell]

I dislike the Pats as much as any team in the league, but I have no problem giving them credit when it is due. To make myself clear, I don't buy gear from any team. I did at one time, but I don't buy any now.

In all fairness to everyone let's frame the discussion.

The critique was of the Pats drafts which have definitely been spotty.

The Dallas drafts have been strong recently but certainly have been abysmal plenty of times.

The coaching in NE has definitely outperformed anything in Dallas. And they do have that unheard of Tom Brady guy.

From a front office stand point what the Pats have done far better than Dallas (beyond hiring the best coach even at the expense of draft picks) is let go of talent before it was severely overpaid.
For instance I fully believe they would have traded TNew a couple years ago and Felix Jones last year. They tend to stay a year ahead and we do not.

But draft wise the Pats have done some questionable things and taken guys who flat couldn't play fairly high. They win enough to be excused for it except by their own fans who do question many of those moves.

The Pats have won 10 or more games every year since 2003. They won back to back SBs in 2003/2004 but alas even with very strong regular seasons have not won a Super Bowl since then. They also have the benefit of being in a fairly terrible division. So they are probably open to critique all while being vastly better than the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[PullMyFinger]

I'd love either of those guys or Sharif Floyd.

Where do people come up with these names for their kids?

 

[PullMyFinger]

I seem to recall one of the beefs vs Brace was that he already had back issues.

In any case, I'd imagine the Cowboys' Pro Scouts have a file on him, and can deliver the pertinant opinion.

An injury waiting to happen? He would be perfect for the Cowboys then

 

[AbeBeta]

Dumb in school doesn't mean dumb at football though.

True. Not like he's flunking out of Arizona State or anything.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I'm a UGA fan and I don't want him. People fall in love with his massive size and big play here and there, but he gets stone walled way to often.

If any of you watched the SEC championship he was absolutely bullied by Bama's O-line(then again that line has multiple first round pick prospects) most of the game.

To me he was a huge disappointment. The 3 guys worth a crap on that defense are Jarvis Jones(top 10 pick) Alex Ogletree(late 1st) and Bacari Rambo(2nd round).

Don't forget Abry Jones-big loss for them when he got hurt.

I think Brace would be a nice pickup as a short term run stuffer-think he got screwed with the scheme change in New England.