PP2
Hall of Fame Poster
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I think that Bill has given Mayo AND Steve Bellichick quasi-equal roles in the development of the week's defensive game plans.
I would suspect early in the week Bill gives them a basic foundation of what he thinks will work best for that week's opponent. They go off and put it together with the rest of the D staff. By the end of the week they have the plan, as well as plans B and C). BB gets final say so when they make final decisions. They know what they want to do vs various personnel packages and game situations. Mayo makes the calls based on what they have planned as a group. BB probably pipes in a few times per game
I think the key thing that Mayo and Steve have to get squared away is their OWN personnel packages. It's not like they have a group of starters and occasionally sub someone in. They are constantly running 20 odd guys in and out depending on so many factors the logistics have to be daunting.
BTW- I don't think the initial play call is all that critical, since any change in a personnel package, formation, or motion probably changes what was called anyway.
He does the same with McD and Brady as far as the offense, so it's a no-brainer that he would also do that with the defense, albeit a much more hands on approach since that's his background.
This was covered in one of the many documentaries- can't remember which but there was a scene where Brady and BB were discussing the offense plan for an upcoming game against Baltimore and Brady wanted to throw in a couple crossers to screw with Ed Reed and force him to stop freelancing.