Ron

Brace

The expectation is that the Brace will suit up against the Giants but a decision has yet to be made. In what would appear to be a telling move, the Patriots released Ross Ventrone on Thursday to create a roster spot. With Albert Haynesworth limited with a back injury and Shaun Ellis a gametime decision, they could certainly use the depth.

It looks like he’ll suit up immediately, providing backup depth behind banged up Albert Haynesworth (back) and Shaun Ellis (ribs). Ellis is a game-time decision on Sunday. A mammoth run-stopper at 6-foot-3, 330, Brace missed the first eight weeks of the season due to extensive offseason elbow surgery.

The 40th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Brace has shown little playmaking ability as an interior lineman while failing to secure a consistent early-down job. Just a role player lacking upside, Brace appears to be the Pats’ No. 6 defensive tackle at this point, behind Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, Myron Pryor, and Gerard Warren. We wouldn’t bet on Brace making the team.

Brace was a major disappointment and draft mistake since the Pats took him in the second round out of Boston College in 2009. In 39 career games, Brace has recorded just 39 tackles and zero sacks. He is purely a rotational lineman.

The Patriots gave up on their 2009 second-round pick, waiving Brace just before Week 17. Despite ideal size at 6'3/330, he struggled with conditioning early in his career and failed to crack the defensive line rotation in either of the last two seasons. It’s a low-risk signing for the Redskins as they’ll find out if a fresh start can spark Brace’s career. He’ll be battling for a roster spot behind starting nose tackle Barry Cofield.

Brace, the 40th overall pick in 2009, appeared in just eight games during his rookie campaign. With Vince Wilfork getting a new five-year deal in March, Brace will be a backup for the foreseeable future.

A former second-round pick of the Patriots, Brace was beaten out for a roster spot by former Vikings second-rounder Phillip Merling.

In other words, it was of natural causes and not any suspicious activity. Brace was just 29 years old when he passed away back in April. The former 40th overall pick in 2009 fell out of the league after four years in New England.

Vince Wilfork insurance. With their premier run stopper headed for a contract year, Brace will back him up and occasionally play next to him when the Patriots go to a 4-3 look. Brace may have looked better playing next to B.J. Raji, but he’s known as a try hard guy who fits well in a rotation. He could potentially also learn to back up at DE.

The maximum value of the deal is $4.5 million, according to Profootballtalk.com. There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding massive starting nose tackle Vince Wilfork. He’s in the last year of his deal and is seeking a new contract. It’s unlikely the Patriots will give Wilfork a long-term deal, so this could be his last season with the team. Brace is Wilfork insurance.