Roster Changes Coming: Brace, Farnham at Practice

by Greg Knopping on Aug 15, 2010 12:08 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

Defensive lineman Ron Brace made a big step towards returning today, taking part in the team's morning walkthrough. This indicates that he should be officially activated before the afternoon's practice session.

Also on the field for the Patriots was rookie free agent wide receiver Buddy Farnham, who was released just last week. There was also an unknown player working with the offensive line.

Right now, the Patriots are at the maximum of 80 players, meaning, that the Patriots had to let go two players to have Farnham and the unknown offensive lineman on the roster.

What I'm about to suggest is pure speculation, and I have nothing to back it, except well, speculation. In his recap of the morning's practice, Ian Rapoport noted the following on wide receiver Torry Holt:

Among the missing for the walkthrough were wide receiver Torry Holt, rookie linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, and rookie defensive back Ross Ventrone. The latter was injured during the Saints game. Holt has been nursing an injury, but has been present for workouts, so his absence is a bit of a mystery. Cunningham appeared to get hurt on the final workout against the Saints prior to the game.

Could this mean that Torry Holt was released? Probably not, but think about it. If Belichick doesn't think Holt will make the roster and plans on releasing him, he would probably respect the player by giving him a few weeks before the start of the regular season to catch on with another team. He's done this type of thing in the past, so it wouldn't really be a surprise if it happened here. Of course, now that I'm suggesting Holt may be released, this probably means that Torry Holt is going to catch 50 passes this season for the Patriots. Still, I just thought this was an interesting thing to note, as the team will be parting with two players today.

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Has Ron Brace been a dissapointment?

I remember I was high on him for the Raiders to take, but I hear that he sucks.
Did he play in his rook year?

The RaiderLaker

by JaggerJaw on Aug 15, 2010 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

Brace was a disappointment his rookie year, barely played (and wasn't affective when he did)

But I think we were all willing to give him another chance.

During the offseason and mini-camps, we continued to hear great things about Brace.

Then, he shows up to training camp out of shape and unable to pass his physical, and we’re not sure what to think.

I don’t know if this is his last chance, but he’s getting really close for a 2nd round pick.

by Greg Knopping on Aug 15, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't say "out of shape"...

…as much as “he’s as slow as molasses.” His 40 time in the combine was over half a second slower than Wilfork- and then you’re asking him to run that distance numerous times, at the same pace as Wilfork? He’s not making that. So Brace could be world class in every other department, but he was just so damn slow they couldn’t let him on the field.

But now, I hope he’s picked up his speed. It will be needed.

Pats Pulpit

by Richard Hill on Aug 15, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought that, too

he’s definitely slow, but by the same token, he must’ve passed the same test last year. So unless he was on the ‘good’ side of the knife edge last year and only just on the ‘bad’ side this year, he’s presumably suffered a drop in athleticism or somesuch in 2010. That can’t be a good thing – he wasn’t exactly stellar in 2009.

I haven’t seen any reports saying he’s 50lbs bigger or anything, so I’m not exactly thrilled with the prospect of him being less athletic than during his underwhelming 2009 campaign.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 16, 2010 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions

K, thx for the feedback guys.

I guess Brace just needs to step up and be in tip-top shape.

The RaiderLaker

by JaggerJaw on Aug 16, 2010 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions

was it actually because

a) he was injured.

b) he was out of shape.

it was my understanding that it was because of (a)

(b) would indicate he has severe obesity problem

i can’t believe he wouldn’t at least TRY to keep in shape

by prioris on Aug 15, 2010 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Did someone run backwards in front of Brace w. a twikie for him to pass his test?

Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life

by NinjaZX6R on Aug 15, 2010 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

Ross Ventrone did

and got bite-related injuries, which is why he wasn’t on the walk-through.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 15, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

There is a story that hasn't been told yet here...

Think about it, even in an area even thinner than DL, when Crable turned up out of shape, he was just let go.

The fact that Brace hasn’t just been let go leads me to believe there is more to this story just than Brace being out of condition. Not sure what it is yet but I am holding my breath on this one…

by buachz on Aug 15, 2010 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

i don't think crable was out of shape

i think he never completely healed

i think many older nonathlete could pass that run test given a couple weeks of training

by prioris on Aug 15, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

They need BRACE and every other lineman.

The injuries in the trenches are ongoing. I would keep as many lineman as possible. In fact, I would only keep 4 RB’s and add a lineman with that roster spot.

Faulk, Maroney, BJGE, and pick one … will be fine for this season. I really like BJGE. He pounds into the hole without hesitation. The guy is a player. He should be used far more often this year. A nice shared rotation at RB would be my choice to save bodies and to vary the RB attack. They all run a little differently.

by couchpotato on Aug 16, 2010 8:41 AM EDT reply actions