PennSkinsFan
02-14-2013, 11:00 AM
The Redskins have signed NT Ron Brace. Brace was released by the New England Patriots on 12/29/2012. He was a second round pick of the Pats in 2009.
Here is an explanation (http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4737515/analysis-ron-brace-waived) of Brace's release from the Pats.
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.
Redskins seem to be giving chances to draft busts. Earlier, the Redskins signed former second rounder Phillip Merling.
Here is an explanation (http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4737515/analysis-ron-brace-waived) of Brace's release from the Pats.
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.
Redskins seem to be giving chances to draft busts. Earlier, the Redskins signed former second rounder Phillip Merling.