Anyone catch this?

[X-Era]

Pats switched to a 4-3?

It was on NFL Live.

I didnt realize they had done this.

There depth chart shows a 3-4.

It was a brief comment followed by a comment that Jerod Mayo will be able to make the transition.

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=generalnewsdetail&pid=38424&pcid=44&rss=1

If this is true, or even if the simply play the 4-3 more, I like our chances better. We never seem to play well against 3-4 teams.

Add in the 6 starters they lost on D.

This may be a winnable game.

[T-Long]

I did see that...I wonder why they switched? Maybe the loss of Seymour and Bruschi forced them to do it. But boy, they do have a great 3-4 NT in Wilfork.

[yordad]

I haven't watched them at all this year. When did they do that? Besides, they will probably run a lot of each throughout a game.

[Buffalogic]

You can try and label it if you want, but we all know belicheat comes up with a bunch of ridiculous defensive formations every game. They run it all. 4-3, 3-4, 4-6, no down linemen. They do all kinds of crap.

[ddaryl]

I think this is old news actually. I remember it being borught up during preseason.

it doens't matter if the Pats run the 3-4, 4-3, 4-6 , or even the 1-2... They're coached so well they can throw it all at us, and leave the Bills scratching their heads.

[Ickybaluky]

This has been in the works all offseason through the preseason. They have played mostly 4-3 as their base set all camp.

Basically, the Pats are building their defense around Jarod Mayo. Belichick loves his ability and this frees him up to roam sideline to sideline instead of having to take on OL.

[ddaryl]

This has been in the works all offseason through the preseason. They have played mostly 4-3 as their base set all camp.

Basically, the Pats are building their defense around Jarod Mayo. Belichick loves his ability and this frees him up to roam sideline to sideline instead of having to take on OL.

Are you kidding me.. A HC and DC working togehter to create the best scheme that matches their players abilities

Who has ever heard of such a thing...

Somebody forward this info to Dick :anvil: Jauwrong

[SquishDaFish]

Its all about Mayo pretty much along with how much they love what Ron Brace has shown so far (reason why they could move R.S) If Ron Brace lives up to his expectations they will still have a sick DL

[Ickybaluky]

Its all about Mayo pretty much along with how much they love what Ron Brace has shown so far (reason why they could move R.S) If Ron Brace lives up to his expectations they will still have a sick DL

The Seymour deal was done because they knew they wouldn't be re-signing him next year (considering the other players they have to deal with), and they were able to get a 1st round pick back for 1 year of play from Big Sey. It was done thinking long-term.

I do think they like their DL depth, with guys like Jarvis Green, Mike Wright, Brace and rookie Myron Pryor. However, none of those guys is Seymour.

I think the big genesis behind the move was the struggles the last couple years. The Pats have always been a big defense because of their 3-4 LB, but they have been getting killed by a lack of speed in the back-end of their defense.

I think that is reason for the move: speed. Mayo can run like a deer. Gary Guyton was the fastest LB at the combine a year ago. Adalius Thomas is a big guy who runs pretty well, and can play OLB or DE. Same with Derrick Burgess.

There is little doubt the Pats will be in transition on defense. I think they know their offense will score a lot of points, so that gives them time to integrate some new defensive players that will make them faster. Mayo, obviously, is a key piece, becoming team captain in only his second season. The development of young guys like Guyton, Brandon Meriweather, Jonathan Wilhite (who reminds me of Asante Samuel a little), Ron Brace, Pat Chung and Darius Butler during the year will go a long way towards telling if the the switch is successful or not.

[yordad]

I hate the Pats. :(

[trapezeus]

i had heard this...and it gives me a little hope....the bills will have to hit early to gain some confidence or this game will be like all the other pat vs bills games since 2003

[SquishDaFish]

The Seymour deal was done because they knew they wouldn't be re-signing him next year (considering the other players they have to deal with), and they were able to get a 1st round pick back for 1 year of play from Big Sey. It was done thinking long-term.

I meant that it made it easier. They are happy with what they saw in Brace and Burgess.

[Nighthawk]

I did see that...I wonder why they switched? Maybe the loss of Seymour and Bruschi forced them to do it. But boy, they do have a great 3-4 NT in Wilfork.

They don't have 3-4 DL anymore. Burgess is a 4-3 DE and is much more effective out of that alignment and their LBs aren't as strong. Unlike our coaching staff, their coaches actually put their players in the best positions to be successful.

[SquishDaFish]

They don't have 3-4 DL anymore. Burgess is a 4-3 DE and is much more effective out of that alignment and their LBs aren't as strong. Unlike our coaching staff, their coaches actually put their players in the best positions to be successful.


Their LBs are still strong and good. They did it because this is the best thing for Mayo and they have players on the DL that can let them change the D to suit Mayo. Brace and Burgess have looked great in preseason. (Im a big fan of Brace BTW)

[Nighthawk]

Their LBs are still strong and good. They did it because this is the best thing for Mayo and they have players on the DL that can let them change the D to suit Mayo. Brace and Burgess have looked great in preseason. (Im a big fan of Brace BTW)

I'm just reiterating what I heard on Sirius from somebody close to the NE organization. Either way, I still hate that f'n team!

[Throne Logic]

I don't think the scheme is going to matter too much for Monday night. So far, Buffalo has faced 5 different defensive flavors of either the 4-3 or 3-4 base and accomplished nothing substantial against any of them, game planning or not.

[Jaybird]

they've been playing a 4-3 most of the preseason.. however they will also line up at 3-4 sometimes

[T-Long]

after reading these posts...I gotta say, it's like Pete and Repeat in here