PatsPropaganda

Depends on the game/gameplan (assuming Wilfork is back of course). Could be Tommy Kelly (assuming Kelly is back) against a run-heavy team. Or it could be Wilfork/Chandler/Ninkovich/Third DE in a pass-heavy game, or even throw Chris Jones/Armstead in there for Wilfork for an all-out pass rush game plan.

As much as I criticized the Pats in 2010 for all their specialization on defense, the Seahawks proved how you can make it work. The difference is the talent level. The 2010 Pats’ defense was not that talented nor experienced.

But now, with the pieces they have, it’s the makings of a very good specialized defense that can do a number of different things. We’ll see how well they build on it this spring, because there are certainly still a lot of questions.

Because there are maybe 5 QBs in the NFL that can execute for 60 mins without a mistake. It’s just playing the odds. Sometimes they play great, mistake-free ball and you tip your cap to them. But most of the time the only sure-fire way to lose is giving them big chunks of yardage because you’re trying to throw all kinds of exotic blitzes at them.

And the Pats have given up more 20+ plays than anyone over the last few years. Their red zone defense has saved them in that regard.

Offensively it’s about taking what’s there. Taking risks by trying to force it results in turnovers and losses. 

Line up, make sure everyone has the call, try to get pressure with three or four guys and most of the time you’ll at least give yourself a chance to win. 

Ah yes, my bread and butter. I can’t really speak to Romeo’s defense now, but with the Pats he ran the classic Fairbanks-Bullough 34.

The philosophy of that defense is for the front three linemen (two five-technique defensive ends lining up over the offensive tackles and a zero technique nose tackle lining up over the center) “building the wall”. 

What this means is that they attack the opponent across from them and try to control them, holding the line of scrimmage. Then it is the responsibility of the linebackers to fly around and make the plays.

The Patriots don’t run this defense much any more, it’s more of a specialized tool in the toolbox for really good running teams. Now they’ll mix and match more, with elements of it still existing, often on just one side of the field.

Wade Phillips and Dick Lebeau’s version of the 3-4 is more of an attacking 34 where the defensive linemen are attacking gaps instead of attacking their opponents.

The linebackers have to deal with more oncoming blockers but have less responsibility to make all the plays. This also enables things like the zone blitz that Lebeau created where a defensive lineman will drop into a coverage zone.

When I was first getting into serious blogging I asked this same question of Tedy Bruschi on a chat and his response was pretty cool:

Mike Dussault (Patriots Nation West) Hey Tedy, big fan, been wearing your jersey on game days for many years. Could you comment on the unique characteristics of a Bill Belichick 3-4 defense as compared to other 3-4 defenses around the NFL? Is it more read and react as oppose to defenses like the Steelers/Jets which are more attacking?

Tedy Bruschi Mike, I think you should be conducting this chat. You hit it on the head about the difference between the Patriots’ 3-4 and other teams.