So the TC base defense is again starting out 4-3

[Fencer]

Camp Observations: Day 1 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

That's obvious in multiple places in Rodak's article, most clearly in how he describes LB roles.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Camp Observations: Day 1 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

That's obvious in multiple places in Rodak's article, most clearly in how he describes LB roles.

Or maybe it is the debut of the 3-Wilfork-3 (the 4-3/3-4 hybrid).

 

[Fencer]

Or maybe it is the debut of the 3-Wilfork-3 (the 4-3/3-4 hybrid).

Meanwhile Bedard has a depth chart from a few days ago, Taking a stab at the defensive depth chart - Extra Points - Boston.com, illustrating his view of the structure:

LDE (Personnel = LBs & rookies)
NT
DT
Elephant (Personnel = LBs & rookies)
SLB
MLB
WLB (Personnel includes Mayo)

Almost a 2-5, but that would only be a fair label if one called Jones & Bequette LBs.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Camp Observations: Day 1 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

That's obvious in multiple places in Rodak's article, most clearly in how he describes LB roles.

That report was pretty good.

Too bad McCourty got beaten by Lloyd, but it's great that Lloyd won. Har. Sky is the limit with Lloyd.

 

[Sciz]

Meanwhile Bedard has a depth chart from a few days ago, Taking a stab at the defensive depth chart - Extra Points - Boston.com, illustrating his view of the structure:

LDE (Personnel = LBs & rookies)
NT
DT
Elephant (Personnel = LBs & rookies)
SLB
MLB
WLB (Personnel includes Mayo)

Almost a 2-5, but that would only be a fair label if one called Jones & Bequette LBs.

Here's Bedard's most recent depth chart:
Setting the depth chart: Defense - Extra Points - Boston.com

This is way different from last year, where that LE was a "big" DL in the base, most often Ellis or Deaderick. I figured Fanene would play there this coming season. Instead, that LE position has become a "small" DL position, with Ninkovich getting a lot of work there. Deaderick and Fanene were solely interior guys at practice today.

My biggest question right now is if they're still doing the under/over shifts, because if not, this is starting to seem like more of a "standard" 4-3, where the LBs are all off the line of scrimmage, as opposed to last year's 4-3 where the one LB was on the line next to the defensive end. Can anybody who was there answer this?

 

[Salva135]

That report was pretty good.

Too bad McCourty got beaten by Lloyd, but it's great that Lloyd won. Har. Sky is the limit with Lloyd.

That's always the problem with training camp/practice reports... you read about a great play someone made and go:

 

[FlyboyPatsFan]

That's always the problem with training camp/practice reports... you read about a great play someone made and go:

Well, if you'd rather watch that play instead of read about it, I took a few videos at today's camp. First day with a new camera and a bunch of fragmented film clips, but you can get a flavor for how things went today at BernieVelivis - YouTube I'm pretty sure the play with Lloyd beating out McCourty is in the 14 second clip, but you pretty much just see Brady throwing it and then Lloyd catching it right in front of me

 

[jsull87]

Well, if you'd rather watch that play instead of read about it, I took a few videos at today's camp. First day with a new camera and a bunch of fragmented film clips, but you can get a flavor for how things went today at BernieVelivis - YouTube I'm pretty sure the play with Lloyd beating out McCourty is in the 14 second clip, but you pretty much just see Brady throwing it and then Lloyd catching it right in front of me

thanks good stuff. Good to see the offense moving well

 

[Ring 6]

Here's Bedard's most recent depth chart:
Setting the depth chart: Defense - Extra Points - Boston.com

This is way different from last year, where that LE was a "big" DL in the base, most often Ellis or Deaderick. I figured Fanene would play there this coming season. Instead, that LE position has become a "small" DL position, with Ninkovich getting a lot of work there. Deaderick and Fanene were solely interior guys at practice today.

My biggest question right now is if they're still doing the under/over shifts, because if not, this is starting to seem like more of a "standard" 4-3, where the LBs are all off the line of scrimmage, as opposed to last year's 4-3 where the one LB was on the line next to the defensive end. Can anybody who was there answer this?

That is just Bedard guessing at a depth chart, not a true indication of a change in philosophy, esp regarding playing 260 lb LDEs which has never, ever been done here.

 

[BlueThunder]

Aren't videos banned at TC

 

[FlyboyPatsFan]

Aren't videos banned at TC

Video cameras are banned. Still cameras or phones that also take videos are not. I shot what I posted with a Sony RX100 camera. With the angle I had, I doubt any state secrets are being given away.

 

[mayoclinic]

Bedard's report:

Practice rundown #1 - Extra Points - Boston.com

Some of the defensive tidbits:

- The buzzword on defense is work in progress. The Patriots are playing a ton of different players at different position it’s impossible to figure out exactly who will be where.

- You should hope and pray the defensive line stays intact and deep because that would give Jerod Mayo a true shot at showing his stuff at weakside linebacker. He was all over the field today, including a couple sacks. He was robbed of the opportunity last year with injuries and the failed Albert Haynesworth experiment.

- It was nice to see Chandler Jones, after being on the sidelines for much of 11-on-11s, to get in the mix as first LDE in subpackages. He’ll be one we’ll be watching closely once the pads are put on and the one-on-ones start. Jones didn’t stand out. His length is the first thing you notice. He’s certainly more powerful than quick. Kind of like a young Andre Carter.

-
Really like what I see out of Hightower. They’re taking their time with him, but you get the sense that he’ll ascend quickly.

- Looks like they want to pair Tavon Wilson and Josh Barrett as the backup safeties for now, although Wilson did get a few looks with Patrick Chung on the first team.

 

[patsinthesnow]

If Ninkovich can play 4-3 DE effectively, which I'm skeptical as Andy suggests at 260 pounds, this would be one talented front seven:

Ninkovich-Wilfork-Deaderick-Jones

Hightower-Spikes-Mayo

 

[Sciz]

That is just Bedard guessing at a depth chart, not a true indication of a change in philosophy, esp regarding playing 260 lb LDEs which has never, ever been done here.

They did it in OTAs and in practice today. It sounds like Ninkovich has been the first team LE all offseason. I agree that it seems awfully strange, though. I can't see them expecting Ninko to play the 5-tech like Ellis and Deaderick did last season at 290-300, so I'm guessing they're moving him out and putting the Sam behind him, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

 

[WhiZa]

With Wilfork losing weight and Jones being better suited for a 4-3 DE it wouldn't surprise me to see more 4-3. In reality, we will probably see mostly nickel and combination of 4-3 and 3-4.

 

[BananaRepublican]

If Ninkovich can play 4-3 DE effectively, which I'm skeptical as Andy suggests at 260 pounds, this would be one talented front seven:

Ninkovich-Wilfork-Deaderick-Jones

What about
Ninkovich-Wilfork-Love-Jones?

And Fanene will fit in for plenty of reps.

 

[supafly]

What about
Ninkovich-Wilfork-Love-Jones?

And Fanene will fit in for plenty of reps.

I am somewhat hesitant to believe that Jones will be starting in the base defense, at least at first (unless you're referring to subs, the whole Ninkovich deal kind of throws me off).

Like many other rookies, he will likely be blended in as the season progresses and he is able to learn more assignments and responsibilities.

There will likely be many different combinations of the front 4, including Deaderick (outside), Fanane (maybe both inside/outside), and Pryor in subs(inside). That doesn't even take into acct possible guys like Brace/Warren in the run heavy packages.

Lots of options = always a good sign

 

[Joker]

kill sanchez!!!!

 

[BananaRepublican]

Video cameras are banned. Still cameras or phones that also take videos are not. I shot what I posted with a Sony RX100 camera. With the angle I had, I doubt any state secrets are being given away.

Uh, oh, Camera Gate.

True, they won't ban all the still cameras that have video capability. Video is still verboten though. I don't think it should be restricted at open practices, but for some reason they stick with that.

I can shoot Continuous at 6 frames per second with my Nikon and get a slide show that is every bit as revealing as a movie. In fact since it's a Nikon long lens it's even better. So they know they can't stop all that at open practices and they should just not give away state secrets at those practices. I mean you know that other teams send scouts so it's not rocket science that people are taking shots and ideas home with them.

 

[BananaRepublican]

kill sanchez!!!!

You mean again? I thought we took care of him when we hired his backup.

Hey, he might be a decent backup in NE. I would trust him more than Hoyer.

Hmmmm, no, on second thought forget that.