maverick4

The early 2000 Pats used to play more 4-3 or even 5-2 looks. With Brace as another quality DT and with less proven starting linebackers, perhaps we will be seeing less 3-4 formations this year and more 4-3, 5-2, and also nickel packages?

khayos

I'm thinking more 2-5 with Brace/Wilfork

Rob0729

The Pats played more 4-3 early in the Belichick era because they didn't have the personnel for the 3-4. A lot of people forget that the Pats started the 2001 season with Seymour at NT and the defense failed. They were forced to switch to a 4-3.

I seriously doubt the Pats will move away from the 3-4 base and using the 3-4 as the dominant defense. I really haven't seen much of a personnel switch to justify a shift in philosophies. The Pats will switch to different formations depending on the competition like they alway do, but they will be primarily a 3-4 team.

BelichickFan

I'm with the "no" crowd - except for short yardage where this Warren-Brace-Wilfork-Seymour 4 man line could be a beast.

maverick4

How about more Nickel with the dominant front 4, 2 stud LB's, and 5 d-backs since our depth in the back is a strength now?

mgteich

Unless the league changed when I wasn't looking, the standard nickel is the 4-2-5 with five defensive backs. In the "big nickel", we used to use three safeties, but usually the nickel is a corner.

stinkypete

Looking at the personnel, I would not be surprised to see more 3-3-5, with a healthy tank Johnson in the big nickel role.

The extra NT will provide a huge boost in the short yardage/goalline defense, but they are not the ideal personnel for a base 4-3. This looks more like a situational allignment.

Looking at the LBs, I assume that guys will be in and out of the game based on situation. None of the group of Woods, Crabel, Redd, Guyton and TBC are ideal 3 down players, but they all have different situational strengths. The base will still be a 3-4, but Thomas and Mayo will be the only true "full-time" starters.

maverick4

Aside from confirming what nickel means, what do you think about them using it more? It plays to their strengths on the D-line and in the secondary.

apple strudel

It'll be situational. The driving force will be more game situations than personnel, though.

mgteich

I believe that we already use the nickel as much as anyone in the league. But, yes, I believe that we should use the nickel more considering the fact that we now have a competent secondary.