The New England Patriots have lost six defensive starters to losing COVID-19 agency, trades or cancellations this offseason. They enter Week 1 with primary marks up front, linebacker and safety.
But in the eyes of one of its new members, New England’s defense is a sight for the eye.
In statements to Friday for the first time since signing with the Patriots in March, security veteran Adrian Phillips welcomed the team’s defensive system, comparing it to art paintings.
“My description of this defense would be: you see why they’ve been so dominant for so many years,” Phillips said. “Just being a component of it and seeing how total defense works and how other people play as opposed to others, I can see why they have so many, see why we have so many ball losses and why we play so many games.
“When you look from the outside inward, it looks like one thing. But when you get here, it’s a great puzzle. And be a part of that, look at it and see how everything it paints is really beautiful. It’s like art. People compare it to art. But seeing how other people paint in combination and move rooms, you can see why we were so dominant. “
When asked to explain more details, Phillips explained how the Patriots seek defensive versatility and challenge their players to be informed about the daily work of each and every one around them, not just their own.
New England led the NFL in goals, general defense, allowed yards consistent with the game, third defense, interceptions and DVOA last season.
“In some defenses, I could paint in a way that only informs you of the dots,” Phillips said. “But here you look at the whole canvas. You see the whole canvas and you see yourself. You can be anywhere. Being a part of it and moving like that is what makes it fun. Because you’re not just informed of your position. You’re informed to work well with other people. And that’s what makes this defense fun. »
Phillips played various roles in his six seasons with the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, beginning his career as a loose security guard, but eventually betting most of his shots as a 10-cent backingman for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
In nine games last season, he missed all seven with a damaged arm, Phillips played 119 shots in the area, 72 in the slot machine, 60 in loose security, 21 on the defensive line and nine as a corner, according to Pro Football Concentr. .
Bradley 3’s policy program is very different from New England’s men’s policy system, but either they like to come with more than two safes in their five-cent, ten-cent packages (against Lamar Jackson in the 2018 playoffs, the Chargers played most of the game with seven defensive backs on the field , with Phillips betting 98% of defensive shots).
“The game is changing,” said Phillips, who is five feet and 11 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. “You have much more speed on the ground. You got guys who are 6-five, 260 running 4. 4 now. replaced a little. So when you put those kinds of pictures on, it helps you do what you have to do. If you need to plug in a track, you can do it because you have guys who are used to filling in the gaps, they’re used to being in the song with the front. And if you need to take the pass for a week, you can do it too, because you have guys who have played on college systems that haven’t been adjusted and have to. canopy of the total field.
“It just makes the game decision (defensive) much less difficult, and it makes the coordinator’s task much less difficult and makes them much more comfortable when you have guys who can take care of everything the offensive needs to throw at you. “”
Phillips missed the maximum of education camp due to injury, so it’s hard to expect how he will have compatibility with the New England defense at the start of the normal season. The Patriots have lost two of their three most sensitive safes to Patrick Chung (opt-out) and Duron Harmon (redemption), but have an intriguing organization of possible replacements: Phillips, Terrence Brooks, first-round recruit Kyle Dugger and converted cornerer Joejuan Williams, all of whom can line up in various locations. of the Jonathan Jones slot device has also played security in the afterlife and can be just one component of that equation.
In his final full season in 2018, Phillips made 94 tackles, broke nine passes and a first-team All-Pro in special teams. The 28-year-old is not on the injury report this week and could make his Patriots debut on Sunday opposite the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
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