FanPost

How Have the Patriots Changed Since Week 1?




While they are not nearly as significant as the changes the Dolphins have undergone...

In week 1 the Patriots were more often than not in a 4-man front. Now however the Patriots will be going back to a 3-4 defensive scheme with sub-packages mixed in.

DE-star Andre carter, partime-DT Albert Haynesworth, DT Myron Pryor and DE Mike Wright all played in Week 1 but won't this Saturday.

DT Ron Brace and DT/DE Brandon Deaderick are back from IR.

MLB Brandon Spikes, who did not play in Week 1, may be making his return from injury.

WR Deion Branch has been injured. He is practicing but it's unclear whether he'll be available on Saturday. If not him, Chad Ochocinco may get more snaps again as the 2nd WR in the 2TE/2WR/1RB set.

Safety Patrick Chung played in Week 1 but has been out recently with a foot injury. He may make his return this Sunday. The other safety willl be someone who did not play that position in Week 1 as New England is decimated at safety.

RB BenJarvis GreenEllis may be getting less snaps to rookie RB Stevan Ridley. Don't be surprised if you witness a Kevin Faulk sighting.

The Patriots starting Center in Week 1 was Dan Koppen and their starting RG was Dan Connolly. Koppen is on IR and Connolly may be back to being a depth-man on the O-Line. Brian Waters will be starting at RG and probably Ryan Wendell at Center. Brian Waters is considered one of the best Guards playing this year.

Rookie Nate Solder played almost exclusively at RT in Week 1. This week, he'll likely divy-up duty there with fellow-rookie Marcus Cannon as Solder has been seeing action as a power-TE.

What hasn't changed?

New England still has LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins, QB Tom Brady, WR Wes Welker, TE Rob Gronkowski, TE Aaron Hernandez, NT Vince Wilfork, MLB Jerod Mayo, and OLBs Rob Ninkovich and Mark Anderson to greet the Dolphins this Saturday at Gillette.

So what's changed about the Dolphins since Week 1? Besides for the new HC and QB...,,

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.