Ron Brace at LDE for AM walkthrough

[RayClay]

I agree with everything that you say. BTW, I have no fear with our up the gut defense this year. I do worry about our OLB's setting the edge.

That too. We have a lot of talent, but its not going to all mesh. I'll take that over a lack of talent and one over the hill vet with a bad attitude, though.

We are likely to have even more athleticism at ILB than we ever had when Bruschi was back there. Obviously, I'm only comparing in terms of athleticism, but I'm pretty psyched about our overall potential at LB.

 

[efin98]

Gee what a shock...the two biggest complainers about Brace haven't posted a single comment yet


The wall of flab on our D-Line will make the RBs on running play move to the outside...I am OK with this. If they have improved the outside run defense with the three bodies clogging up the O-Line this should allow the OLBs more freedom to move outside to stop the run for short or no gains.

 

[patchick]

Re: Ron Brace at LDE or walkthrough

Unidentified player was an OL.

PFW identifies him as UDFA guard Brian Simmons of Oklahoma. From about 30 seconds of digging: Simmons stands 6'4" 314, played at both LG and RG at Oklahoma, and put up good quickness & explosiveness numbers at his pro day.

 

[Ring 6]

Brace, Big Vince and GWarren would suit me just fine, 3 big physical run stuffers to free up Mayo and Spikes.

I still have faith in Brace, I thought he improved as that Buffalo game went on, I know he got his arse blownout on the first few series, but he got himself together and remained stoubt in there. Ron Brace will be a player if he stays healthy. Now he just needs to get his old number back

That is a monstrous DL. Possibly over 1000 lbs.

 

[Ring 6]

You do realize that the defensive lineman in a two gapping 3-4 are not responsible for the pass rush, right? In the event that the offense audibles on every single down that Brace is in there, we will hope that he holds up two blockers at the line of scrimmage (his primary job on passing plays) and hope that the OLB can provide a pass rush behind him.

Well, they are responisible to rush the passer, but are handicapped in doing it compared to a one-gap system.
Otherwise I agree with your geberal thoughts.

 

[Kontradiction]

Well, they are responisible to rush the passer, but are handicapped in doing it compared to a one-gap system.
Otherwise I agree with your geberal thoughts.

Of course they SHOULD rush the passer, but that isn't their primary duty. If we can get a DE that can hold up two blockers at the point of attack to let the OLB operate and still get a push toward the backfield (Brace?), then that would be ideal.

 

[Patspsycho]

Re: Ron Brace at LDE or walkthrough

PFW identifies him as UDFA guard Brian Simmons of Oklahoma. From about 30 seconds of digging: Simmons stands 6'4" 314, played at both LG and RG at Oklahoma, and put up good quickness & explosiveness numbers at his pro day.

The knock on him is that one of his feet is size 15, the other size 18. Otherwise, his smarts, ethics, and athletics are top of the chart or off it.

 

[patchick]

Re: Ron Brace at LDE or walkthrough

The knock on him is that one of his feet is size 15, the other size 18. Otherwise, his smarts, ethics, and athletics are top of the chart or off it.

Thanks for the info -- sure enough, a clubfoot seems to be the issue. Here's a little more background:

Boomer and Sooner | Brian Simmons: A Sad Ending to A Great Career

 

[Ring 6]

Of course they SHOULD rush the passer, but that isn't their primary duty. If we can get a DE that can hold up two blockers at the point of attack to let the OLB operate and still get a push toward the backfield (Brace?), then that would be ideal.

Yes, there run D is more critical than their pass rushing.
The real key is being able to play 2 gap on a T (our DEs are almost never doubled in the running game) and not be blown back to create a seam.
Most runs that come in their direction are either inside of them or a stretch type of play. If they simply hold the los on the runs inside, everyting gets nicely jammed up.
On the stretch play, when our D is working properly, the DE controls the T, and forces the back to continue laterally, then the OLB does the same, and the play is made at the boundary for short yardage.
Thats the thing, making plays is nice, but just being difficult to move off the spot is enough.
If Brace plays like that on first down and short yardage 2nd and 3rd, he doesnt need to sniff the QB all year to be an effective player for us, but getting some rush would be a nice bonus.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: Ron Brace at LDE or walkthrough

Thanks for the info -- sure enough, a clubfoot seems to be the issue. Here's a little more background:

Boomer and Sooner | Brian Simmons: A Sad Ending to A Great Career

Usually these "why didn't they get drafted or signed as a UDFA" guys get cut a few days later; this guy is a little interesting though as he supposedly didn't have a negative performance due to this. Best of luck to him, at least he's getting a chance.

 

[Patspsycho]

Re: Ron Brace at LDE or walkthrough

Thanks for the info -- sure enough, a clubfoot seems to be the issue. Here's a little more background:

Boomer and Sooner | Brian Simmons: A Sad Ending to A Great Career

Hopefully that article ends up being wrong. He deserves a shot and hopefully will get it.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yes, there run D is more critical than their pass rushing.
The real key is being able to play 2 gap on a T (our DEs are almost never doubled in the running game) and not be blown back to create a seam.
Most runs that come in their direction are either inside of them or a stretch type of play. If they simply hold the los on the runs inside, everyting gets nicely jammed up.
On the stretch play, when our D is working properly, the DE controls the T, and forces the back to continue laterally, then the OLB does the same, and the play is made at the boundary for short yardage.
Thats the thing, making plays is nice, but just being difficult to move off the spot is enough.
If Brace plays like that on first down and short yardage 2nd and 3rd, he doesnt need to sniff the QB all year to be an effective player for us, but getting some rush would be a nice bonus.

That's what I think OldNE is missing. We don't operate in a system where our front three or front four pin their ears back and rush the passer. Their job is much, MUCH different, as you just highlighted.

 

[efin98]

Re: Ron Brace at LDE or walkthrough

Usually these "why didn't they get drafted or signed as a UDFA" guys get cut a few days later; this guy is a little interesting though as he supposedly didn't have a negative performance due to this. Best of luck to him, at least he's getting a chance.

He wasn't invited to the combine so he wasn't able to really get a good look by the scouts and have comparisons against other players.

From the article...

That said, I understand why he wasn’t drafted. In the one year he did play full time as a starter, he hurt his knee and missed five games. Before that, he’d been the 3rd guard in the rotation, and the 1st to come off of the bench if a starter needed a breath.

This point works alongside the non-invite to the combine and the questions about his club foot which explains why he wasn't drafted....

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yes, there run D is more critical than their pass rushing.
The real key is being able to play 2 gap on a T (our DEs are almost never doubled in the running game) and not be blown back to create a seam.
Most runs that come in their direction are either inside of them or a stretch type of play. If they simply hold the los on the runs inside, everyting gets nicely jammed up.
On the stretch play, when our D is working properly, the DE controls the T, and forces the back to continue laterally, then the OLB does the same, and the play is made at the boundary for short yardage.
Thats the thing, making plays is nice, but just being difficult to move off the spot is enough.
If Brace plays like that on first down and short yardage 2nd and 3rd, he doesnt need to sniff the QB all year to be an effective player for us, but getting some rush would be a nice bonus.

Andy, work w/me here - since we've lost both the "trademark" DEs, and have guys reputed to be better at attacking-style D than the 2-gap 3-4 we've all come to know and love, do you see any possibility of a different style of play, or do you see this as ending up a coaching-up exercise, whereby the Braces and Wrights of the world become to the 2-gap guys we must have to run this system? IOW, do you see a way to get the aggressiveness in there yet plug the gaps remaining, making best use of the talents these guys have?

Seems like the current system is predicated on least-bad outcomes (leading to the usual charges of blandness etc.) I have no problem with least-bad outcomes, since defenses are responsible for making the least possible bad things happen. But can you see adjustments in scheme that rather than compensate for the personnel deficiencies simply by plugging in other personnel, would adjust for those players' talents, and still get the job done?

If it's a dumb question I can only say I'm always learning. Thanks.

 

[Goal_Line_Stand]

Maybe they should bring in Rosie O'Donnell for a look...

Only if we can watch Vince or Spikes poke her in the eye!!!