Enough with the "base defense" talk already!
I'm tired of hearing about a switch to the 4-3, as if this defense has been running a consistent system at any time in the past 3 years. Isn't it obvious what Belichick is aiming to do with the defense. Consider the following:
-The entire "base 3-4" defense of 2010 is still with the team, minus one man, TBC, who sucked in 2010 anyway.
-All the free agent defensive line signings except for Anderson...Ellis, Haynesworth, Carter, Warren, Stroud (before his cut)...have experience in both the 4-3 and 3-4. Even Anderson fits the physical mold of a 3-4 OLB.
-The following reports emerge..."concerns about Cunningham" (sure, practicing DE after being an OLB in 2010), "Ninkovich experiences first camp as entrenched member of Patriots (is he going to be asked to play DE all of a sudden?), "Spikes looks rejuvinated in camp" (as a 4-3 MLB?).
-Wilfork saw much of his 2010 snaps at DE, and had increased pass rush responsibilities
Conclusions...There's no 3-4, and there's no 4-3. This is the amoeba defense. There is defensive personnel to match, and conform to, any offensive look.
Look at the DL...Haynesworth and Wright are elite interior rushers, or they can play the nose, Wilfork is an elite nose, and he can rush the passer. Ellis can play the 5-technique and he can be an edge rusher. Carter can rush the passer and set the edge (as long as you don't give him coverage duties).
Basically, Belichick can line up 11 men, and the opposing offense has no clue who is going to do what. Any 3-4 can become a 4-3, and vice versa. A 3-4 can become a nickel package by dropping Guyton into coverage. There's too much beef up front, and too much versatility on the edge.
I anticipate the regulars to be: Wilfork, Ellis, Haynesworth, Mayo, McCourty, Bodden, Chung and Meriweather.
Whoever survives the cut of Cunningham, Carter, Anderson, Warren, Nink, Guyton, Spikes, Brace, et al, will see significant playing time, but it packages that meet the down and distance, and in combinations that will confound offenses.
It might be shaky at first, with all the new faces combines with the short offseason, but once it's had the time to get, it will be a thing of beauty.
