Brace's First Game

[mgteich]

Many of you were having Brace as a starter with Wilfork inside in the 4-3. Others thought that Brace would have a major role in our defense even in the beginning of season.

Where was Brace in the Buffalo game and why?

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Been trying to figure that out since Monday night. A little surprised Reiss or someone else hasnt explored why.

 

[mosslost]

Many of you were having Brace as a starter with Wilfork inside in the 4-3. Others thought that Brace would have a major role in our defense even in the beginning of season.

Where was Brace in the Buffalo game and why?

Weren't they showing a lot more 3-4 looks than 4-3? Using 3-4 since the Bills have had the history of struggling against it? I think we'll see more 4-3 against the Jets using Brace next to Wilfork. Who am I though?

 

[patman12]

Weren't they showing a lot more 3-4 looks than 4-3? Using 3-4 since the Bills have had the history of struggling against it? I think we'll see more 4-3 against the Jets using Brace next to Wilfork. Who am I though?

They were 3-4 until Mayo went out and then went 4-3.

 

[mosslost]

Then again I can't remember this morning, so.

 

[Deus Irae]

Brace was unstoppable. I believe he recorded a tackle on every defensive snap he played.

 

[mgteich]

100%.........

brace was unstoppable. I believe he recorded a tackle on every defensive snap he played.

 

[magicianmerl]

I think Pryor is actually ahead of Brace on the depth chart.

 

[QB12]

Many of you were having Brace as a starter with Wilfork inside in the 4-3. Others thought that Brace would have a major role in our defense even in the beginning of season.

Where was Brace in the Buffalo game and why?

Why do I think we're saving Brace and Pryor for the Jets? By not playing them against the Bills, there's less film to watch on them.

QB12

 

[IcyPatriot]

I would like to see a different look once in a while of Burgess, Wright, Brace and Green when Wilfork and Warren are getting a breather. I would like to see what Brace and Wright could do together. Mike brought a lot of energy to the line ... him and Brace would be a good change of pace. No need to overexpose Brace right now which is a luxury.

 

[mayoclinic]

Many of you were having Brace as a starter with Wilfork inside in the 4-3. Others thought that Brace would have a major role in our defense even in the beginning of season.

Where was Brace in the Buffalo game and why?

Brace obviously didn't play much in the Buffalo game. I thought he would play much more. I think we would have done better if he had played more. Not sure what your point is with this.

Jarvis Green did not impress, and the DL did not play up to its usual standard. Everyone lamented the loss of Seymour, but to me replacing Seymour with Green and Wright has never been a long term option - they are not in the same league. Brace at least has the potential to be a stud on the DL. I hope we start easing him in more over the course of the next few games.

 

[Ricey]

In his defense the Jills did run alot of no huddle, kinda hard to substitute guys in and out. On another note I cant wait to see Pryor play...We didnt get much pressure up the middle and maybe Pryor could provide some of that.

 

[mgteich]

Brace is our future star defensive lineman and certainly a key in the 4-3. Surely once we switched to the 4-3, he was ready enough to play one play.

 

[mgteich]

The point is that he didn't play. The reason is likely that Belichick didn't think that he would add anything if he were in there. I'm fine with that. Players have different learning curves.

You seem to think that Brace is the next Richard Seymour and will be seen to be a better option than Wright and Green in the next few games. The point of the thread is to highlight this very point. I have a very different view of Brace (and Chung).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Brace inactive next week, especially if Pryor is ready to go. Until I see otherwise, I see Brace as a developmental prospect who we hope will be good enough by next year to play NT if Wilfork doesn't stay.

I do hope that Brace will develop enough this year to be able to be a better option than Wright in short yardage situations. That remains to be seen. Wright is fine.

As far as Wright and Green, I believe that Belichick had a plan for the 2009 DL when he traded Seymour, and that plan was NOT to replace Seymour with Brace. I believe that Belichick has confidence in both Wright and Green, especially Wright who was given a bonus and contract extension.

Brace obviously didn't play much in the Buffalo game. I thought he would play much more. I think we would have done better if he had played more. Not sure what your point is with this.

Jarvis Green did not impress, and the DL did not play up to its usual standard. Everyone lamented the loss of Seymour, but to me replacing Seymour with Green and Wright has never been a long term option - they are not in the same league. Brace at least has the potential to be a stud on the DL. I hope we start easing him in more over the course of the next few games.

 

[cstjohn17]

Many of you were having Brace as a starter with Wilfork inside in the 4-3. Others thought that Brace would have a major role in our defense even in the beginning of season.

Where was Brace in the Buffalo game and why?

I think he will play, ready or not against the Jets. It is quite a test, the Jets interior offensive linemen are excellent.

First and foremost the Jets are a power running team which will force the Patriots to go BIG on the defensive line. Unless it is an obvious passing situation I doubt that TBC and Burgess will ever be on the field at the same time, they are just too light and will get manhandled. The problem is that it may leave Washington and / or Keller in 1:1 matchups with a Patriots LB. This favors the Jets.

Everything points to the Jets, thats why I say Patriots by 14! It is kind of fun to be the underdog, what is the line anyway?

 

[mgteich]

The patriots are favored by 3.5

I think he will play, ready or not against the Jets. It is quite a test, the Jets interior offensive linemen are excellent.

First and foremost the Jets are a power running team which will force the Patriots to go BIG on the defensive line. Unless it is an obvious passing situation I doubt that TBC and Burgess will ever be on the field at the same time, they are just too light and will get manhandled. The problem is that it may leave Washington and / or Keller in 1:1 matchups with a Patriots LB. This favors the Jets.

Everything points to the Jets, thats why I say Patriots by 14! It is kind of fun to be the underdog, what is the line anyway?

 

[mayoclinic]

The point is that he didn't play. The reason is likely that Belichick didn't think that he would add anything if he were in there. I'm fine with that. Players have different learning curves.

You seem to think that Brace is the next Richard Seymour and will be seen to be a better option than Wright and Green in the next few games. The point of the thread is to highlight this very point. I have a very different view of Brace (and Chung).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Brace inactive next week, especially if Pryor is ready to go. Until I see otherwise, I see Brace as a developmental prospect who we hope will be good enough by next year to play NT if Wilfork doesn't stay.

I do hope that Brace will develop enough this year to be able to be a better option than Wright in short yardage situations. That remains to be seen. Wright is fine.

As far as Wright and Green, I believe that Belichick had a plan for the 2009 DL when he traded Seymour, and that plan was NOT to replace Seymour with Brace. I believe that Belichick has confidence in both Wright and Green, especially Wright who was given a bonus and contract extension.

I don't think Brace is the next Richard Seymour. Far from it. Seymours are few and far between - even Wilfork came along slowly his rookie year - and besides, Brace is a totally different kind of player. I do thing Brace is a different level of talent from Mike Wright and Jarvis Green, fine players who deserve credit for having made the most out of their talents but who are limited.

I think Wright and Green are James Sanders-type players - adequate, but not more. Can they hold the fort for a while? Yes. Are they long term starting level studs on the DL? No. Is one of them going to elevate his game to a level comparable to Wilfork or Warren on the DL? No. So I would hope to see Brace eased in sooner rather than later. Obviously, if BB doesn't think he's ready, then I defer to his judgment, though BB tends to be conservative in playing rookies relative to many other coaches. My guess is that if Brace were inserted instead of Green or Wright that we would see an improvement in the DL, especially in the run defense and holding the edge.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with all your comments other than the one about the one about Brace holding the edge better than Green. But, thanks; it's not often that a post causes me to laugh out loud.

You do understand that Brace is likely the slowest DE in the entire league. People have convinced me that this doesn't make any difference when he plays DT or NT. But I do think that it is important if you expect the DE to hold the edge (along with the OLB).

I don't think Brace is the next Richard Seymour. Far from it. Seymours are few and far between - even Wilfork came along slowly his rookie year - and besides, Brace is a totally different kind of player. I do thing Brace is a different level of talent from Mike Wright and Jarvis Green, fine players who deserve credit for having made the most out of their talents but who are limited.

I think Wright and Green are James Sanders-type players - adequate, but not more. Can they hold the fort for a while? Yes. Are they long term starting level studs on the DL? No. Is one of them going to elevate his game to a level comparable to Wilfork or Warren on the DL? No. So I would hope to see Brace eased in sooner rather than later. Obviously, if BB doesn't think he's ready, then I defer to his judgment, though BB tends to be conservative in playing rookies relative to many other coaches. My guess is that if Brace were inserted instead of Green or Wright that we would see an improvement in the DL, especially in the run defense and holding the edge.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i think us as pats fans are kinda spoiled because the pats have drafted so will in the past

we think every rookie will be a big time player for us

but im starting to learn that if its not a corner or a top 10 pick they are just not going to play much

this team likes vets and if the play at that spot is even the vet will win every time

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree with all your comments other than the one about the one about Brace holding the edge better than Green. But, thanks; it's not often that a post causes me to laugh out loud.

You do understand that Brace is likely the slowest DE in the entire league. People have convinced me that this doesn't make any difference when he plays DT or NT. But I do think that it is important if you expect the DE to hold the edge (along with the OLB).

Glad to make you laugh.

I'm fully aware of Brace's combine numbers suggesting that he is slow as molasses. I'm also aware that he demonstrates better burst and agility on film than his numbers would suggest. I'm also aware that his lateral movement is relatively good compared to his straight line speed, as Nolan Nawrocki pointed out last April, suggesting that he was a good deal more mobile and agile than his 40 time suggested:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...gility-interesting-read-nolan-nawrocki.html

Green's not strong enough to man the point of attack. Brace is. He may not be agile enough, but I'm not so arrogant that I wouldn't like to give him a chance before laughing out loud at the thought.