Another Perspective on the Ron Brace selection

[Bring Back Antowain!]

Yeah, I liked the Ron Brace pick. Solid nose tackle who can keep Wilfork rested and is a fallback plan if they don't get his extension worked out blah blah blah.

But, I was thinking even more about it.

This year, tons of NFL teams are switching to the 3-4.

Teams like the Broncos, Dolphins, Chiefs all need a nose tackle.

Ron Brace was the 2nd best nose tackle in the draft.

The 49ers were sitting there at 43 in need of a nose tackle. The Dolphins at 44 (I thought they would consider him at 25). Then, the Broncos were sitting at 48, and could have easily leap-frogged the Pats.

Instead, the Patriots moved up to 40, leapfrogging 3 potential suitors for Brace, and as a result:

Blocked several new 3-4 teams from getting their nose tackle.

I wonder if blocking these teams had any bit to do with the Ron Brace selection. I'm not saying it had a lot to do with it, but I wonder if it crossed Belichick's mind.

Thoughts?

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Interesting and I am sure it crossed BB mind (he does cover every angle). With taking three DT in this years draft really has me thinking also and to tell you the truth if we did not get Brace in the second I was still happy with the two guys they got later on day two Richard and Prior. I really think that the DL is going to be in the spotlight over the next year until they decide what they are doing with Seymour and Wilfork.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I consider the drafting of Brace to be directly related to the Wilfork situation which unless the franchise tag is used is probably not going to end with Wilfork in a Pats uniform.

I think you are correct in that BB jumped up to take him then, because one of those other teams would have grabbed him.

I do not think BB was blocking them as much as beating them to the punch.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I think BB knew that they would be drafting him, so he took him. I think the fact that it hurt other teams was just an added bonus.

 

[patchick]

The 49ers were sitting there at 43 in need of a nose tackle. The Dolphins at 44 (I thought they would consider him at 25). Then, the Broncos were sitting at 48, and could have easily leap-frogged the Pats.

Instead, the Patriots moved up to 40, leapfrogging 3 potential suitors for Brace, and as a result:

Blocked several new 3-4 teams from getting their nose tackle.

Well, strictly speaking they only blocked one other team from drafting Brace. But yes, the move up was clearly done with an eye to the 3-4 teams following. An odd side note is that the two most-mentioned remaining NT candidates (Knighton & Hill) were "overdrafted" according to consensus rankings...by 4-3 teams.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Chargers reached for athletic but raw Vaughn Martin from Canada in the 4th round. He may develop into a long term replacement for Jamal Williams at NT, but he has a long way to go. The Broncos signed Chris Baker from Hampton as a UDFA, who was ranked as high as a 2nd round pick on some boards but slipped all the way through the draft due to character issues.

 

[Synovia]

Blocked several new 3-4 teams from getting their nose tackle.

Absolutely not. You don't pick players to keep other teams from having them. The fact that other teams needed one may have affected which pick they used, but they absolutely did not pick him to block other teams.

 

[patchick]

The Chargers reached for athletic but raw Vaughn Martin from Canada in the 4th round. He may develop into a long term replacement for Jamal Williams at NT, but he has a long way to go. The Broncos signed Chris Baker from Hampton as a UDFA, who was ranked as high as a 2nd round pick on some boards but slipped all the way through the draft due to character issues.

Wow, I totally missed the Martin pick! That's remarkable...toss in Knighton in the 3rd and you see how starved the league is for widebodies. Makes the Brace move look savvier and savvier.

BTW, didn't a poster here from Martin's school have some unsavory things to say about his personality? Should fit right in with the Chargers.

 

[billdog3484]

Absolutely not. You don't pick players to keep other teams from having them. The fact that other teams needed one may have affected which pick they used, but they absolutely did not pick him to block other teams.

I agree 100%. Why would you draft a player to keep him away from another. You worry about building your own team not others. Now, maybe we reached to get him, fine,I can accept that. We obviously coveted the player and didnt want those other teams to take him because WE wanted him.

Also, few things I noticed about Brace. He seemed to get a lot of the double teams from the OL, not Raji. That was a little surprising. Also, he seemed to be able to hold the line of scrimmage, and even though hes clearly not a pass rushing DL, thats ok, he has a good solid base. Three, I guess a negative, is that looking at the little video of him that there is out there, he seems like hes on the ground a lot. Im sure thats something the coaching staff will be looking to improve upon.

 

[cstjohn17]

I see it as more of a move to have insurance for big Vince, both in 2009 (injury) and 2010 free agency. Backup NT is a tough position to have on a 53 man roster, Brace is so one dimensional and has almost no utlity on special teams. If things go well he is on the 53 man roster and never makes the 45 man game day roster. Maybe he can hit the gym too, he looks pretty fat, even for a NT.

Smart move for the Patriots as all the teams in the division will be run first, a rotation along the D line can never hurt.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Absolutely not. You don't pick players to keep other teams from having them. The fact that other teams needed one may have affected which pick they used, but they absolutely did not pick him to block other teams.

Your right. If you pick players just to keep them away from somebody else, you're asking for failure.


Here's another perspective on the Ron Brace selection. Maybe BB felt that Wilfork wasn't as effective playing the majority of their games. I think by rotating Brace with Wilfork will allow Wilfork to rest on some downs (or maybe a couple of series) to ensure their run defense stays strong all game long.

 

[patchick]

Your right. If you pick players just to keep them away from somebody else, you're asking for failure.

But...but...the Vikings snatched Percy Harvin from under Belichick's nose!!

I think by rotating Brace with Wilfork will allow Wilfork to rest on some downs (or maybe a couple of series) to ensure their run defense stays strong all game long.

Absolutely, a legitimate #2 NT was high on many of our lists this offseason, even assuming Wilfork re-ups.

 

[DaBruinz]

Absolutely not. You don't pick players to keep other teams from having them. The fact that other teams needed one may have affected which pick they used, but they absolutely did not pick him to block other teams.

That's why the Patriots didn't sign Wes Welker.. Oh wait..

That's why the Patriots didn't trade for Randy Moss.. Oh Wait..

Sorry, but you DO pick players to keep other teams from having them IF and only IF there is the need on your team. Its an added bonus.

 

[MetalBleachers]

That's why the Patriots didn't sign Wes Welker.. Oh wait..

That's why the Patriots didn't trade for Randy Moss.. Oh Wait..

Sorry, but you DO pick players to keep other teams from having them IF and only IF there is the need on your team. Its an added bonus.

Agreed, although I think this is a case of BB wanting Brace and seeing his chances of getting plucked that led him into action. In other words, he wanted Brace more than he wanted other teams to not have him, if that makes sense.

 

[Water Boy]

Y

I wonder if blocking these teams had any bit to do with the Ron Brace selection. I'm not saying it had a lot to do with it, but I wonder if it crossed Belichick's mind.

Thoughts?

There is no denying that Brace would have been snatched up in the second round by another 3-4 team. I loved the pick for the vaule he brings for this team. The fact that he has been kept away from other teams in dire need of a 3-4 NT is a bonus.

The interesting hypothetical question is would BB have drafted Brace if Wilfork and the Pats had come to terms on a new contract. Unfortunately I think the answer is no.

 

[Isaac]

Could just be great long-term value, nothing more. Maybe Brace plays for 3 years as a cheap NT backup (goal-line, etc.), then he's traded to a 3-4 NT-needing team for a 2nd round pick (no net long-term loss of a draft pick).

That is the epitome of value.

 

[Ungeheuer]

Everybody assumes that Brace can only play the nose. But this guy played over the guard quite a lot in college. He's not completely slow out there, and he's got good height and wingspan. He can probably play 3-4 end. I see Brace as insurance not only for Wilfork but for Seymour.

 

[bakes781]

I didn't consider Brace to be much of a reach at all. In fact I was surprised the Lions didn't take him at #34.

Supply and demand

 

[JoeB]

I don't think BB drafted him to keep him away from other teams but as insurance for wilfork just in case he doesn't sign. But also now they can take wilfork out on third downs to keep him fresh and play this massive guy. Great pick. As everyone knows we have a ton of depth everywhere and a ton of versitle guys. I'm still hoping harrison comes back.

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't think BB drafted him to keep him away from other teams but as insurance for wilfork just in case he doesn't sign. But also now they can take wilfork out on third downs to keep him fresh and play this massive guy. Great pick. As everyone knows we have a ton of depth everywhere and a ton of versitle guys. I'm still hoping harrison comes back.

I don't think anyone thinks BB drafted Brace mainly in order to keep him away from other teams. But clearly there is a paucity of players who can play 3-4 DT compared to the number of teams needing them. We now have 2. I figured we would take one of the developmental widebodies, but instead BB got one of the premium guys. That gives us quality depth at the most critical position to the 3-4, and takes another 3-4 DT away from teams.