But factors beyond health no doubt figured into Love’s release. For instance, by the end of 2012, Love had been surpassed by Brandon Deaderick in the Patriots’ defensive tackle rotation. Deaderick, meanwhile, was released on Tuesday. So the fact Deaderick AND Love were released suggests something else is at play: Scheme. The Patriots have signed Armond Armstead and former Raider Tommy Kelly this offseason. Additionally, they have Marcus Fortson back. All those players are leaner and faster than either Love or Deaderick. The Patriots are transitioning defensively from a team that plays a base 3-4 defense to a 4-3 team. They first made the switches on the outside last season. Now it appears they are working on the interior defensive line.
More to Pats’ release of Love than meets the eye | Comcast SportsNet – CSNNE.com
Though the 3-4 to 4-3 transition really began in 2011, I like what TEC is saying here, because, as anyone who visits PatsProp knows, I’m all for getting a more traditional 4-3 tackle over Love/Deaderick.
