Matt Patricia was calling the defensive plays under DC Dean Pees as early as 2009, but came under lots of criticism here in 2012 when he took over as Defensive Coordinator because the defense was so bland and was continuing to get torched down the field. The 2012 defense was giving up 20 ppg (8th in the NFL) but almost 248 ypg passing, 22nd overall.
That 2012 defense was making mediocre quarterbacks look good.
Given the tools at all three levels, and Patricia is doing fine this year. Belichick wouldn't have a defensive coordinator who didn't have the respect of his players nor one who couldn't scheme to take away key strengths of an opponent.
Matt Chatham's piece is a good one. I especially like:
"Matt just does what he does. He works his ass off, comes up with unique weekly defensive approaches, and orchestrates Sundays with a balance of discipline and creativity. Most impressively, he hasn't been beholden to any particular approach. The public calls to just-have-Revis-do this, or MORE PASS RUSH, or whatever other distraction, but Matt understands that's not the best way to get the Patriots to where they want to go. There's a lot more to it than that. The opponents are wildly different, so the defensive approach has to be as well. The team has stocked the roster with versatile people, giving the coordinator license to be multiple in his own approach."