Defensive snaps: No safety rotation – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

While the performance on the field looked pretty much like the same old sauce Patriots fans have come to expect in recent years from the defense the difference this year is there’s a core group of personnel now that doesn’t change much.

Part of the fun I’ve had in following the defense closely since 2007 were the whole sale substitutions that would take place from base defense to the sub packages. But now it’s the 4-3 with a lighter nickel front, and the transition to nickel and dime is as straight forward as you can get.

As we’ve pointed out, the concern is can they stop the run with that lighter 4-3 front? Last night not so much.