Picked-up pieces from 1st quarter review

Brace has been getting some praise this morning. He didn’t jump out initially at me so I’ll have to take a closer look at what he did.

Patriots defensive lineman Ron Brace, who was aligned over right guard Danny Watkins (a 2011 first round pick), got off on a great first step, locked his arms out on Watkins, and rode him laterally down the line before eventually knocking him on his behind. That play was a microcosm of the unique skills and overwhelming strength Brace brings at his size (some 330 pounds), and was very sound technique. The Patriots relied on defensive linemen gaining control of their blockers and being able to engage them towards the action of the football more often in their 3-4 system, but there’s still a place for it in the team’s now four-man front based defense. Just two plays later, Brace collapsed the pocket against Watkins, and bear hugged Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to the ground. The officials ruled that Foles was able to flick the ball out of his hands just in time to prevent a sack. More plays like that from Brace could result in both a spot on the roster and extended playing time.