New England Formation (1 Viewer)

[Uncle Humuna]

There was a comment in the Assistant Coach that NE might go toward playing more 4-3 with Mayo and Bruschi rotating in.

Looking for confirmation, links, comments and/or beer recommendations.

TIA

UH

 

[Jene Bramel]

There doesn't appear to be a clear consensus. I haven't seen the highlights yet, but Pierre Woods and Mike Vrabel apparently played outside in the 4-3 looks the Pats showed last week. Mayo only missed six defensive snaps, however, so he's the odds-on favorite to stay at MLB if they run that way. If they don't see Woods as an every-down guy, Mayo probably shifts to WLB with Bruschi inside on base downs.

With Belichick, however, unless there's another OLB injury, the 3-4, 4-3 base defense probably remains a situational and matchup issue. Against the Jets, I think it could go either way. Ultimately, though, the only player this likely affects in a big way is Jarvis Green. I doubt Pierre Woods has much value either way and I don't think you'll see Bruschi getting more snaps than Mayo, if he bumps him at all.

 

[-baller]

if you don't do so already, keep an eye on the always most excellent mike reiss:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

A look at the snaps played by Patriots defensive players in the team's 20-10 win over the Bills, which can sometimes add more insight as to the team's strategy:

CB Ellis Hobbs -- 43 of 43

S Brandon Meriweather -- 43 of 43

CB Deltha O'Neal -- 43 of 43

S James Sanders -- 43 of 43

LB Mike Vrabel -- 40 of 43

LB Jerod Mayo -- 37 on 43

LB Pierre Woods -- 31 of 43

DE Ty Warren -- 29 of 43

LB Tedy Bruschi -- 26 of 43

DE Richard Seymour -- 25 of 43

NT Vince Wilfork -- 24 of 43

DE Jarvis Green -- 23 of 43

NT Mike Wright -- 19 of 43

LB Gary Guyton -- 17 of 43

LB Adalius Thomas -- 16 of 43

CB Jason Webster -- 12 of 43

DE Le Kevin Smith -- 2 of 43

ANALYSIS: The 43 plays defended were easily a season low, a result of the Patriots' offense holding the ball for 37:40 and the defense coming up with two turnovers and a few timely third-down stops. ... Accounting for penalties, the previous season low in plays defended was 50, against both the Jets and 49ers. ... The lightened load should help defensive linemen as they now prepare to face the Jets on a short week. ... Outside linebacker Pierre Woods' 31 snaps were a season high, as he came on for the injured Adalius Thomas in the second quarter and played every snap from that point. His previous high in a game was 12, against the 49ers. ... Playing with only five defensive backs throughout , the Patriots never went to their dime package (six defensive backs). ... Veteran cornerback Jason Webster, who was signed on Wednesday, was the fifth defensive back. He replaced rookie Jonathan Wilhite and second-year man Mike Richardson in that role, playing in the slot. ... The Patriots' primary nickel package had two defensive linemen (Jarvis Green, Mike Wright), four linebackers (Adalius Thomas/Pierre Woods, Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Mike Vrabel) and five defensive backs (Ellis Hobbs, Deltha O'Neal, Jason Webster, James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather). ... There was one play in which the Patriots had two defensive linemen, five linebackers, and four defensive backs as the coaching staff continues to tap into the versatility of defenders. ... Another wrinkle was the team staying in its base 3-4 alignment on third down, but subbing speedier personnel with Mike Wright entering for Vince Wilfork at nose tackle, and Gary Guyton coming on for Tedy Bruschi at inside linebacker.

thx, mike!

also, a bit more in the mailbag:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr...1_08/?page=full