This is Brandon Copeland’s first year with the New England Patriots, but that doesn’t mean the supporter can’t be a valuable contributor.
Copeland, 6 feet 3 inches 263 pounds, is in the most sensible place at the Patriots deep table in the position with Ja’Whaun Bentley and Chase Winovich. Copeland has played primarily as an outdoor supporter because he controls the pass policy and also serves as a smart defender. He understands that the versatility of the position is the key.
The acquisition of a flexible agent also benefits from betting on defenses 3-4 (such as the Patriots) and 4-3. This can also be a major advantage.
“I’ve been in any of the formulas. In Baltimore (in 2013), the Ravens 3-4 formula. In 2018 with the coach (Todd) Bowles with the Jets, 3-4, but I was 4-3 as you mentioned.” Copeland told reporters at a video convention on Friday.
And although Copeland, 29, continues to familiarize himself with defensive signals, it turns out he has learned a lot so far.
“I liked how we installed it and built this base and put everyone on the same page from a communication point of view. I can’t comment on the accuracy we’ve done, even if we only perceive what the violation provides us,” Copeland said. “In terms of how to diagnose what they’re doing, we can make changes as a team and we all speak the same language.
“I have been in other patterns where I speak English, some other user speaks Spanish, another speaks French … we all communicate and say the same thing but we say it in other languages and we don’t maximize the communication we had and then, in turn, the changes we can make to everything presented to us by the offensive,” Copeland continued. “They did an incredible task by laying the floor. Array… It may be a little slower if you’ve been on this defense for years, but as a guy coming in for the first time, it’s amazing to me. That, I think, has been something different so far.
It will be attractive to see how Copeland adapts as the Patriots watch to upgrade to 3 firm and loose supporters: Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts, and veteran Dont’a Hightower, who has selected not to participate in the season.
But with Copeland’s versatility, familiarity with a variety of defensive tactics, and his ability to keep learning, it may have a primary impact.