Former Patriots Defensive Tackle Ron Brace Dies
Former Patriots defensive tackle Ron Brace has died from an unknown cause, Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com reports. Police recovered the body on Saturday night after being dispatched to Brace’s Springfield, Mass., home for an unattended death. He was 29.
The cause of Brace’s death was not deemed suspicious, Police Capt. Robert Strzempek told Duffy. The Hampden County Medical Examiner’s Office is now in charge of the case, Duffy reports.
A Springfield native, Brace played four seasons for his local team after the Patriots selected the 6-foot-3, 330-pound nose tackle in the second round of the 2009 draft.
Brace played in 40 games with the Pats, including the 2011 AFC championship game against the Ravens. He played his entire football career in Massachusetts, including a standout stay at Boston College from 2005-08. Once with New England’s professional franchise, Brace started seven games in 2009-10 before serving as a depth player in the following two seasons.
Brace finished his Boston College career with 22 tackles for loss and five sacks.
“We were deeply saddened to hear the news this morning of Ron Brace’s death,” a statement released by the Patriots late Sunday afternoon said. “Seven years ago tomorrow (4/25/09), we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College. During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass.
“It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ron’s family, friends and the many former teammates who will mourn Ron’s passing.”
Falcons quarterback and Brace’s former Boston College teammate, Matt Ryan, also offered his condolences (on Twitter).
We at PFR offer our thoughts and condolences to Brace’s family and friends.
Reiss: Patriots Trading Up To First Round Seems Unlikely
- While the Patriots could use their back-t0-back second rounders to move into the first round, Mike Reiss sees that as unlikely. Rather, the writer could envision the organization using a sixth-round pick to move up in the second round.
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Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/16
Here are Friday’s minor moves from around the NFL:
- The Patriots have signed linebacker Tony Steward and long snapper Christian Yount, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Steward, whom the Bills released earlier this week, appeared in seven games and made two tackles as a sixth-round rookie last season. Yount, on the other hand, has 60 NFL games under his belt, including 48 in a row with the Browns from 2012-14.
- The Eagles have signed wide receiver T.J. Graham to a one-year contract, according to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Graham, who worked out for the Eagles earlier this week, came into the league as a third-round pick of the Bills in 2012 and has also logged regular-season action with the Jets and Saints. The 26-year-old caught four passes in as many games for New Orleans last season, giving him 61 receptions in 47 career contests.
- The Falcons have reached injury settlements with tight end Beau Gardner and guard Adam Replogle, both of whom had undisclosed injuries, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Gardner joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent from Northern Arizona last year, but he didn’t suit up in any games for the team. Replogle entered the league undrafted out of Indiana in 2013 and has spent his entire pro tenure with the Falcons, though he never appeared in a game with the organization.
Patriots Showing "Steady Interest" In Eric Lee
Patriots Met With Miles Kennebrew
- Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew had a private workout with Buccaneers secondary coach Brett Maxie, according to Jenna Laine (Twitter link). Killebrew has had a busy schedule, as he’s had workouts with the Patriots, Cardinals, Titans, Panthers, and Browns, per Laine (Twitter link).
Kenneth Dixon Met With Pats
- Louisiana Tech Kenneth Dixon spent Wednesday with the Texans, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He has also had pre-draft visits with the Ravens and Patriots, Rapoport adds. As previously reported, Dixon also met with San Francisco.
- Northwestern fullback Dan Vitale is drawing the most interest from the Buccaneers, Patriots, and Bears, freelance reporter Jenna Laine tweets. Vitale has drawn interest because of his ability to play fullback, H-back, and tight end.
Patriots Worked Out Lawrence Thomas
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press provides a couple updates on local prospects, tweeting that Michigan State defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas has worked out for the Lions, Patriots, Falcons, and Titans, and adding (via Twitter) that Central Michigan tight end Ben McCord has previously visited the Dolphins. McCord is participating in the Lions’ local workout day, while Thomas isn’t.
Patriots Draft Notes: Vannett, Lucien Lewis
- Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett worked out for and/or visited the Panthers, Titans, Falcons, Patriots, Chargers, Packers and previously reported Jets, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Arizona State receiver Devin Lucien visited the Bengals on Tuesday, per Getlin, who notes that he has also visited with/and or worked out for the Cardinals, Patriots and Rams (via Twitter).
- Bowling Green receiver Roger Lewis has visited with or worked out for the Bengals, Cowboys, Patriots, Seahawks, Vikings and Chargers, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Lewis is a potential third- or fourth-round pick, notes Caplan.
Branch: Easley Wasn't Bad Locker Room Presence
- Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch doesn’t agree with the notion that his former teammate Dominique Easley, who was cut by New England last week, was a problem in the locker room, as Chris Mason of the Boston Herald details.
Patriots Shifting Back Toward Bigger DTs?
- The Patriots cutting Dominique Easley also could be signalling a move away from traditional 3-technique tackles, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. New England also waiving Chris Jones, who also profiled as a better fit in a 4-3 scheme represents a philosophical shift back toward bigger nose tackle-type players, a source tells Reiss. The Pats’ signing of Terrance Knighton falls in line with this rejiggering of sorts. Jabaal Sheard‘s ability to rush from an inside position on passing downs contributes to the team’s thinking here, per Reiss.