As we all know the Patriots still have a huge void in the defensive line left by Richard Seymour. Ray Rice is still running from holes created in the right part of the Patriots defense (see Gary Guyton Jr. and Jarvis Green fka Pass Rush Specialist) . Brandon Spikes or Tyrone McKenzie should be the run stopping fix for Guyton. But who will be lining up are our run stopping right defensive end?
Let’s meet the candidates, from lightest to heaviest.
Brandon Deadrick 6’4" 287
Brandon is rookie from Alabama who likes all you can eat bbq, and playing in games a week after he’s been shot. He played the same system the Patriots play in college, that could give him an advantage but he’s still light. We call him The Practice Squadder.
Mike Wright 6’4" 295
You all know Mike, he’s our resident white defensive lineman. Better known as a sub-rusher Mike has played all spots on the line. His experience and versatility will ensure he’s involved even if he is not starting at RDE. He’s The Favorite.
Damione Lewis 6’2" 301
A former Carolina Panthers Damione is coming off a career high in tackles. He was more of a 4-3 interior lineman, will have to adjust to two-gapping style. We call him The Project.
Myron Pryor 6’1" 310
You might remember Myron from being a surprise 6th rounder who got time as an interior rusher last year. He might’ve played more than Brace, but they are different players. It looks more likely that he’ll win the Replace Jarvis Green Contest.
Kade Weston 6’5" 316
Kade’s a 7th rounder out of Georgia and played 48 games in the tough SEC conference. He has good size, and it looks like he can stay healthy. The Dark Horse perhaps?
Ron Brace 6’3" 330
Springfield’s own Ron Brace was somewhat of a disappointment in 2009, and he admitted his head was spinning in his first year as a pro. Did Brace figure it out? We’ll see. But as we saw with Vince Wilfork this year, you don’t have to be 6’6" to play RDE. If Mike Wright’s the favorite, Ron Brace has to be The Challenger.
Gerard Warren 6’4" 330
Gerard is a 32 year old, overweight free agent tackle from the Raiders. He’s The Long Shot.
And the winner is:
Ron Brace.
Brace nails down an early down run-stopper role at RDE, joining Wilfork and Warren, and allowing Wright, Lewis and Pryor to be the sub-package interior rushers. Weston and Deadrick should battle for the last spot with the loser headed to the practice squad.