Charting base vs. sub defense – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

The Patriots played two different sub packages on Sunday – a nickel with cornerback Ras-I Dowling replacing either linebacker Dont’a Hightower or linebacker Brandon Spikes, and a dime with Dowling and safety Tavon Wilson replacing Spikes and Hightower.

Quick look at the Patriots defensive packages on Sunday:

4-3 Base

50-75-74-95

54-55-51

32-28-25-24

Nickel

50-75-96-95

51-55

32-28-25-24-21

Dime

50-75-96-95

51

32-27-28-25-24-21

Of course there are tweaks to these groupings, including using Deaderick instead of Ninkovich for a heavier look, but really it hasn’t been this simple for the Pats on defense in a long time.

The great part of not using a ton of different guys is that it help communication develop. Imagine how well these guys should be working together by January. You can’t put a price on having a defense that is always on the same page. If they can stay healthy this could be a dominant group, and not just this year, but for the next five to ten years.