What does Brace tell us about the Wilfork contract?

[Ochmed Jones]

Is this an indication that BB does not think they can resign Wilfork? Or is BB just trying to finally fill the backup NT spot?

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

Never a bad thing to have a safety net.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think this is BB filling a position that he's wanted to fill. It also solidifies a part of the team that wasn't great last year and that is the short yardage defense. The Pats will be able to put Brace and Wilfork out there on short yardage and on goal line packages and really do a number on the opposing team.

 

[JackBauer]

Not much, to be honest.

I'll eat my hat if VW is not resigned. But this gives us excellent depth at a critical position.

 

[BelizePats]

I think it says that we now have a good back up for Vince. This draft has really improved over team depth as we will see when cuts are made during training camp!

 

[Tyler.Durden]

Wilfork is every bit as good as haynesworth if not better and we aren't going to give him 7/100 million samolies. He worth it, but it will blow our wage structure. Who knows how a uncapped year will affect the situation.

 

[eom]

vince sounds like he plans on sticking around, and that 7/100 figure on haynesworth is a crock, so I wouldn't get too excited about it just yet.

worry about week 1.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I am not familiar with Brace and his physical makeup,If Seymour leaves can Brace play DE or has he ever played there in College?

 

[upstater1]

This is backup and insurance.

Look at the top NTs in a 3-4 over the years. Look at Ted Washington. It's a tough position, hard on your knees. A lot of players have had good longevity.

But you're tempting fate if you believe a guy like Wilfork is indestructible. So much wear on those NT bodies.

 

[Fencer]

Is this an indication that BB does not think they can resign Wilfork? Or is BB just trying to finally fill the backup NT spot?

The latter.

Even if he was speaking loosely, Wilfork did say publicly he'd like to see Raji drafted. Brace is a cheaper version of the same idea.

 

[Dagg]

Im not a huge fan of DT in round 2, I think they should have waited maybe another round for DT depth. Guy is fairly slow compared to elite DTs (wilfork) and even his old teamate raji. I just think we could have gotten starting help at other positions where this is a pure backup pick.

 

[Brarrell]

Im not a huge fan of DT in round 2, I think they should have waited maybe another round for DT depth. Guy is fairly slow compared to elite DTs (wilfork) and even his old teamate raji. I just think we could have gotten starting help at other positions where this is a pure backup pick.

Brace is a pretty good player het gets to come in learn the system with a lot very talented players around him. I personally think there going to use Vince more on 3rd down rushing the passer from the end position something he did alot of at UM.

 

[State]

I think it says more about Wright being the backup NT. We've got to have a force at NT and Wright is obviously more suited as DT/DE.

So it's an immediate worry about a possible injury to Wolfork. He could, G-d forbid, be our Matt Cassell this year.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Does anyone think this means more 4-3 this year? Brace was mentioned in the Jax Henderson/Stroud sphere of tackles.

Maybe this could be the end of Jarvis Green?

 

[Pats726]

It says that the team needed a real backup in case Wilfork gets injured...THAT has always been a concern. It also means that Wilfork will be stronger in some games, as they can use Brace instead of him...resting him here there if needed. As Brarell pointed out possibly using Vince at an end position on third down. As far as Wright is concerned..he is a good NT at times..but CLEARLY not the same type NT that Vince is. Vince and Brace are similar and with both playing on short yardage situations..will make it harder for a team to score. Wright is the Ray Hamilton type of NT..faster quicker type. At those times they had Bishop/Moore to really wear out the line...and then having Hamilton in...was a different way of rushing in..That is similar in how Wright is used. But with Brace, they have the true backup. A great selection.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I think this is BB filling a position that he's wanted to fill. It also solidifies a part of the team that wasn't great last year and that is the short yardage defense. The Pats will be able to put Brace and Wilfork out there on short yardage and on goal line packages and really do a number on the opposing team.

I was talking to my uncle about that last night. Though he's a lifelong Jet's fan, he is really knowledeable about the draft, and of course being my uncle, he was very happy for me and my teams picks. We were talking about how the Pats can put Brace in the middle with Wilfork when they go to a 4-3 set, and he said, "There is no way teams can run on the Pats with those guys in the middle and Mayo smacking guys around". He really said he thought 3 of the 4 picks were excellent (Vollmer was a shock to both of us). Also, we were on the phone while the first round was on, watching highlites when Raji was picked, and he said "Brace was even better than Raji at times last year, he helped Raji out a lot", and that was before we got him, lol. Anyway, besides possible contract problems with Wilfork, if we keep Wilfork, we can rotate him and Brace to keep them fresh, and that would make them very tough to handle.

 

[PATSNUTme]

This tells me nothing about Big Vince's contract. What it tells me is that we MIGHT see a lot 4-3 this year. Remember that in 2001, one of the turn arounds for the team was when they went to more 4-3.

If you don't have the horses to run the 3-4 effectively then I don't BB's feet are in cement and he will adapt to his players.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Three words:

Leverage

Leverage

Leverage

But try not to read too much more into it than that for now.

Much depends on how well Brace plays. As it stands I think its clear they were considering franchising him next season (when they'll have two tags to use).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Brace creates depth at all three DL positions, not as a DE himself, but he frees up Vince to slide out to DE should Sey or Ty need spelling or there be roster challenges from the uncapped season and the scheduled multiple UFA/RFA burden. I see no reason beyond depth to consider when assessing his selection.

 

[scout]

I laughed at this pick, not because of the talent but because nobody had him in any discussion (that I was aware of). I like the pick.