There has been a lot of chatter in Patriots camp about the possible switch to a 4-3 defense, with Albert Haynesworth as the centerpiece.
The talk ignores the fact that the Patriots already lined up with four down linemen very often last year, and they figure to mix things up regardless this year. Belichick tried to point out to the media Thursday that he’s often used four linemen.
“We won two Super Bowls playing a 4-3,” Belichick said via Tom Curran of CSNNE.com. “In ’01 and [‘04]. Second half of the ’01 season, we played 4-3 after Bryan Cox and [Ted] Johnson got hurt.”
Belichick also often used the 4-3 in Cleveland and says he essentially did with the Giants as well. He has the confidence to use both alignments and stressed that it’s how the Patriots play, not what scheme they play that really matters.
“I think honestly [the 3-4 reliance] is something that’s a media fabrication,” Belichick continued. “There are a lot of different alignments out there, you see 4-3 teams use odd spacing, you see 3-4 teams use even spacing. Look, you have 11 [defensive] players. You can put them in various positions. Whether you want to put it in the pregame depth chart as one thing or another I think is a little bit overrated.”
If Belichick has a defining trait as a coach, it is that he puts his players in position to succeed. He’ll bend any scheme or playbook to fit his roster.
This year, his roster may dictate that he keep four defensive lineman on the field much of the time.