Ron Brace analysis

i get the reasoning but I would have loved Barwin or Gilbert here. Steep price to pay as well to move up just 7 spots.

Love this pick, fits perfectly in the middle for spot duty and to keep Wilfork fresh!

Time to go to a 4-3 and then see if anyone can run against us. @ big DT's in the middle, Wilfork and Brace. That would allow Seymore and Warren to blitz more.

Then with AD on one side Mayo in the middle, and Crable, Bantcain, Woods, Alexander, or one of the other OLB's on the roster to play the other side.

This guy is in no way shape or form going to be a nose tackle in the NFL. He doesn't have the size, strength, or moves for it. I'm not sure if I like this pick at all, especially what they gave up to move up 7 spots to get him. I'm not sure what they think is so special about this guy but he doesn't show up against good O lines, I watched him enough this year and last.

DTs are hard to come by. Might be a good developmental player and if Wilfork decides he wants mad cash they can play out the string with him. Franchise him then trade him for a #1 pick in 2010 draft.

They have gotten younger and faster in the secondary the past two drafts. Won't have to address this in the next few drafts.

Still wondering what they are going to do with ILB and OLB positions though.

Thanks Steve, maybe next year Belichick will ask you to join the front office so you can let him know how to do his friggin job..

"This guy is in no way shape or form going to be a nose tackle in the NFL. He doesn't have the size, strength, or moves for it."

Steve, Ron Brace is 6'3'' 330 lbs so that pretty much debunks your theory about size limitations..

LOL at Brace not have size or strength. Idiot.

Brace is one of the steals of this draft.

BB has never, ever, messed around when picking a defensive line. Brace at least has a possibility of filling the bill.

Great. A 330-pounder with recurring back problems. Good thing back problems don't get worse when you're a 330-pounder and play a contact sport.

Yeah, I mean BB's horrible record on the D-Line.....(sarcasm).

Give him the benefit of the doubt. They don't trade up for fun. They wanted him and believed that he wouldn't be there when they were going to pick next.

Is Everetter Brown going to appear on this week's episode of "To Catch a Predator"? If not, I have no idea why we didn't take him at 23, nevermind 34. 13.5 sacks, smart, high character. Let's get a fat, underachieving nose tackle to replace our best player on the d-line instead though. Neither the Pope nor Belicheck is infallible, please keep that in mind. This is our third mediocre draft in four years (last year being the lone exception).

Vince WIlfork is 325, there is no way that Brace is 330.

Nick - Be careful.

Brace has reoccuring back problems? Says who Mel KIper? For christ sake every player that was drafted he said was questionable because of durabilty issues. This isn't checkers, its football and people get hurt. We stunk to high heaven last year on defense. Seymour and Jarvis Green are not the players they used to be. Warren is starting to slow down too. When you get the chance to take a run stopping DL prospect you take them.

CJ - Yo act like BB is a draft wizard. He's made good picks, don't get me wrong, but he's made more that didn't pan out than he has ones that have. Thats the reason they are in a tight spot with the defense. And it's also the reason they needed to go out and get Moss and other receivers, their drafts were busts on WR. Just like they have been a bust for TE and running backs.

Brace's true value can only be judged when you look at what Raji had to say about the team in his absence--"it was very humbling to realize they could win without me-"

Ron Brace is 6'3 and weighs almost 330 pounds, he clearly has the size and power to be an effective DT in the NFL. The question on him is technique, which can be taught. Otherwise he was terrific. Brace had 1 season where he struggled with a sore back. And as memory serves he only missed 2 games as a result of it in 4 years. Yeah, that certainly indicates recurring back problems. People, please don't comment on players who you haven't watched. While BJ Raji was out on academic suspension in 2007, BC was the #2 ranked run defense in THE COUNTRY. I'll give you 1 guess who anchored the D-Line that season. Brace is a tremendous addition to the team...

Hi Steve

Bethel Johnson and Chad Jackson?

Deion Branch and David Givens say hi.

Step away from the interweb.

They gave up very little to move up for him. In fact, I'm surprised they did not trade up for a LB at any point. Certainly they could have offered more than other teams that traded up did. Still, getting the best pure nose tackle in the draft as insurance is wise. Everything starts with the DL on the Patriots defense. They need to protect against injury and Wright is just passable.

I don't get this pick at all. Wilfork is arguably the best Pats defender. OLB is a huge need. Seymour's and Wilfork's contracts are both up next year and you look for leverage on Wilfork or to let him go? Are you nuts? I love the Butler pickup. Chung fills a potential need and should be an upgrade over Sanders. But BRACE over Barwin? Or countless other options and to move up to get him? After walking away from a chance at Laurinaitis at 23 or 26? Sigh... Guess we miss Pioli more than I expected. I HATE THIS PICK

Wilfork will be be next year and wants Haynesworth money. This is more than just keeping Vince fresh. Good pick...but what are they going to do about the OLB position?

How can any of you really believe that you know more about drafting players than Coach BB? If four SB appearances with three wins and an undefeated season haven't convinced you, I can't imagine what would. Trading down into the second round and still picking up solid players means that the Pats will have that much more cap space to resign guys like Wilfork. Of course if Wilfork proves to be too expensive, then Brace can fill the spot at a lower cost. Considering how difficult it'll be for a rookie to crack the current line-up, all of these picks represent future insurance against injury and free agency at a much lower cost than picking a player in the first round without 1st round talent.

Rick ...Well said....Pats need to have an eye on the big picture here when it comes to next years free agents....This is a "great value" move for the NE Patriots. As far as everyones concerns about OLB...We have 3 solid options that could turn out to be better then average NFL OLB's...Crable has to be comparable to Barwin...Redd looks to be very promising and probably not much value difference between him and a Brown from Fla State. I think we will see one of those 2 emerge as significant contributors this year barring injury...Do not think Banta-Cain will make the team when all is said and done

How do you say Ron Brace? Mike Ruth!

What is wrong with some of the people here? the 3-4 defense is about DL holding up two gaps so LB can run around and be playmakers. In that mold Brace is an excellent pick. Darius Butler has shut down corner potential that was taken in the 2nd round. And to compare Brace to Mike Ruth is idiocy! Brace is a much bigger man, ready-built for the NFL. Ruth was undersized with stubby arms..

Brace is a true monster in the middle, and a VERY smart guy to boot (went to school with him). Prototypical nose tackle; I don't see him playing a lot next year, but BB is always looking to the future. I think the Pats got a steal here. Obviously Wilfork's contract looms over this pick, but considering NT is a much easier position to pick up than the Pats LB schemes (look at Wilforks rookie and 2nd year production), we may not have to pay big bucks to get the same production in 2011.