Haley

Is anyone else a little nervous about the timing of these defensive changes? I'm not exactly an X's and O's fan but it seems to me that on a short off-season with a lockout it might be a bit risky to overhaul our defensive strategy.

Granted, we don't really know the full extent of these changes yet. Mostly there are just these rumblings of a more 4-3 style. However there are some notable personnel changes to our D line already and possibly some changes to existing rolls within the defense. Spikes and Mayo are already reported to be exploring some new rolls in practice. We've added Haynesworth and lost Ty Warren.

Last year this was a pretty new D line. Moving on to a new style of D already might be a little confusing for some. Does this make anyone other than me a little nervous?

Tunescribe

Here's what I think:

IF 4-3 becomes the base defense, I like it

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Froob

I'm excited about it personally, been dead last in 3rd down defense for 3 years running I believe. I think some change could do some good. Could be just a hybrid 3-4 4-3 too. Can't wait for the 1st preseason game.

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The Brandon Five

Something needs to change as the league obviously has. We certrainly have collected personnel that lend themselves to different schemes (e.g. the "big nickel" package that was used last year).

I trust Bill to come up with something that is effective (if not simple).

patsfanboy

Not really, did we use a lot of sub packages last season? So to be fair last season was the experiment, and Bill used the 4-3 during the Pro Bowls, since it is in the rules, now Bill must be more comfortable with it. But i believe Bill will change in-between 4-3 and 3-4 defense, depending on the situation. If there is one person that can pull it off it's Bill.

RelocatedPatFan

Trust Bill to stay ahead of trends

Also, defenses usually start faster than offenses (though that certainly doesn't have to be the case for the Patriots). Still, the shortened off-season works both ways. Offenses have less time to prepare for what the Patriots are likely to give and the team would have a natural tendancy to improve as the season goes on.

Thus, making them slightly less predictable for awhile..though by the time late/post season starts, they'll be hitting their stride. but honestly, if AH pans out, it may not matter what happens as long as the OLB can chase down a mobile quarterback..which might require good safety help (chung).

Jared

The idea of alignment changes being significant is overblown. You can do a lot of player rearranging without having major changes to the scheme. How much does the defense really change if all that happens is Cunningham or Nink puts his hand in the dirt?

Realistically, my expectation is that this will remain primarily a two gap read and react defense. The only major difference might come on third downs and sub packages where they will hope to get more pass rush from the DL positions, since they were unable to get it from OLBs.

CrazyDave

Not me. Change is good, keep our opponents on their toes. Besides, 3-4 type pesonell are becoming increasingly hard to aquire as more teams move to that type defense.

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The Brandon Five

And as more teams move to that type of defense, maybe offenses spend more time practicing against it?

SanAngeloState

I'd be nervous if they didn't change it up. By the end of the year it should be clicking...not sure they have personnel for 4-3 OLB, but there's a lot of those guys floating around if they need one...plus maybe they'll play nickel in effect.

Last year the D looked like it was asleep on 3rd down, it was pathetic.