There's plenty of time yet for Brace, but the string of inactive games certainly isn't a GOOD sign.
That's taking the negative potential of the situation a bit too firmly to heart for me. Prior to Training Camp, if one had to assess areas Brace could most greatly improve, what might those be? For my guess I'd say:
-- Conditioning
-- Quickness
-- Technique
PatfanKen noted how Brace was getting off the snap slower a couple days into Training Camp. At Training Camp speeds he was adequate, but he clearly needed better conditioning and while your at it, let's see what can be done to improve his burst (quickness + power off the snap for those who may not be following this too closely). In a "normal" year Brace might rotate with Wilfork, but let's face it, this is not a normal 3-4 season, it's more hybrid between 3-4, 4-3, Nickel, & Dime - obviously there's been a slightly greater emphasis on pass defense with a DL emphasis on collapsing the pocket rather than sprinting off the edge.
While it might be nice to get Ron on the field taking a few snaps, someone needs to be inactive each game. If he's working with Coaches Woicik and Nash on strength, conditioning, speed, quickness, and flexibility, and he's working with Coach Johnson on technique, reading blocks, and understanding how the different blocking techniques and assignments relate to the types of plays he's defending...I call that good for NE, and himself - long term.
Coming into the draft Brace was considered one dimensional, a run stuffer with limited mobility to move laterally and no penetration of the backfield to disrupt passing plays. BB prefers DL who can play a more flexible game - recall the surprise on this forum when Training Camp reports noted Brace lining up at DE in the 4-3. You have to think he might be trying to learn a bit more than NT duties.
At #40 a number of "experts" felt Brace might be overdrafted, but just as drafting a rehabbing Tate was an exercise in patience, so too might have been drafting young master Brace. Myron Pryor has been a very pleasant surprise, most of us felt he was destined for the Practice Squad if he even was retained. His success creates a different measuring stick - Marquis Hill drafted #63 overall played in one game his rookie season, I think we can give fellow second rounder Brace a little more benefit of the doubt.
Brace has been active for 3 games, he has one tackle. His more highly touted counterpart at BC has been active for 5 games, he has eight tackles. I think the dollar to tackle ratio might be equal.