Patriots likely to go back to a multi-look defense (1 Viewer)

[Borat]

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FOXBOROUGH -- Summing up the first day of practices from the Patriots’ mandatory offseason minicamp, two words come to mind: “multiple” and “receivers.”

It’s only one day of an offseason minicamp, so jumping to any definitive conclusions is premature. But the potential multiple nature of the Patriots’ defense is intriguing.

As for the receivers, without Deion Branch the team appeared dangerously thin and could use at least one more player there (in addition to Branch). Perhaps one too many times in 7-on-7 drills, quarterbacks had to pull the ball down because they couldn’t make a connection with a receiver.

In terms of the defense, the Patriots mixed in some 4-3 and 3-4 alignments during both practices. One 4-3 combination had four first-round picks -- Richard Seymour and Ty Warren at end, and Johnathan Sullivan and Vince Wilfork at tackle. Intriguing.

Could the Patriots go all 4-3 this year?

It’s doubtful, as the team’s base remains the 3-4. But if the early impression is any indication, the Patriots could be “multiple”, which is what they were at times in the 2003 and 2004 seasons, when they would switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3 from snap to snap, series to series, game to game. This made them one of the harder defenses to prepare for in the NFL.

There was no better example of this than the Super Bowl victory over the Eagles in 2004. For weeks, the Eagles spent the majority of their time preparing for the 3-4, only to have the Patriots play the 4-3 for most of the game. That multiple nature looks like it could be back in play this year after disappearing in 2005.

Asked to pinpoint one area that stood out today, that would be the choice. The Patriots have a lot of options on defense, between the 4-3 and 3-4. It was evident in both practices.

The other area that stood out would be the thin situation at receiver. Even if Branch returns, the team might consider adding another experienced player there.

As a Patriots fan, I was pleased to hear this. Far be it from me to question Bill Belichick, but frankly, I don't know why they didn't mix in more 4-3 last season. Their deepest position is on the defensive line, with Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Jarvis Green all very good-to-top-notch players.A front 7 of Seymour, Green, Warren, Wilfork, Bruschi, Colvin, and Vrabel would be as good as any in the league.

I think this defense is going to be one of the better units in the NFL this season. If Rodney Harrison comes back even close to his old self, which is expected, they should be one of the best.

And I'm not holding my breath, but if Ty Law comes back... look out.

 

[David Yudkin]

From what I recall, the team did not mix up the defense as much last year because they had so many injuries. They were pulling guys in off the street at one point, and they decided to pare down the defensive playbook. Similarly, they did not have the horses to swap sets, players, etc.

 

[Borat]

From what I recall, the team did not mix up the defense as much last year because they had so many injuries. They were pulling guys in off the street at one point, and they decided to pare down the defensive playbook. Similarly, they did not have the horses to swap sets, players, etc.

That certainly was a factor, but on the other hand, the 4-3 is a much simpler defense to learn than the 3-4, if you are going to pick one or the other. Losing Bruschi, a LB, would only seem to point more towards a 4-3 as opposed to a 3-4, don't you think?

 

[mightyeskimo]

Do you guys know what the news has been on draft selections Jeremy Mincey and Le Kevin Smith? Just wondering if these guys are going to be able to contribute early.

 

[Borat]

Do you guys know what the news has been on draft selections Jeremy Mincey and Le Kevin Smith? Just wondering if these guys are going to be able to contribute early.

The early reports on Mincey have been great. Haven't heard much of anything about Smith though. I wouldn't expect much from Smith this year anyway, simply because of the depth the Pats have on the defensive line.

 

[Boston]

This is one area where Willie will be missed. Because of his size and ability to both rush the passer and defend the pass he was capable of playing OLB and DE. Since he could do both it made it difficult for offenses to guess what alignment the Patriots were going to use. I remember an interview with Boomer Esiason where he said he focused on Willie for a game and said how amazing he was at concealing what he was going to do.

 

[Boston]

Do you guys know what the news has been on draft selections Jeremy Mincey and Le Kevin Smith?  Just wondering if these guys are going to be able to contribute early.

The early reports on Mincey have been great. Haven't heard much of anything about Smith though. I wouldn't expect much from Smith this year anyway, simply because of the depth the Pats have on the defensive line.

Actually I'm not so sure about that. After the big four (Seymour, Wilfork, Warren and Green) it's a crapshoot. A best case scenario is Hill finally develops and Sullivan gets his act together. Yet, if that doesn't happen it definetly opens the door for someone like Smith should he prove he can handle things. The Pats are stacked from 1-4 but there are no guarantees after that.