FOXBOROUGH -- The wheels are in motion within the Patriots' linebacker corps.
After losing Junior Seau for the season because of a broken right arm, the team practiced for the first time yesterday and had the following look in its 3-4 defense: Mike Vrabel taking Seau's spot on the inside next to Tedy Bruschi, and Tully Banta-Cain lining up with Rosevelt Colvin on the outside. It was the same foursome that played most of the final three quarters of Sunday's 17-13 victory over the Bears.
The change marks the second year in a row that Vrabel, who also started this season's opener on the inside, could be called upon to make a long-term switch. Last year's change came in the sixth game of the season, which he believes is a benefit this time around.
"I think [it helps] a lot to have some game experience, to learn playing in there with Tedy," Vrabel said yesterday. "Even the first couple plays Sunday night were a little rusty, but then we kind of settled in and settled down, and I think we were fine."
One of those first few plays Sunday -- a 16-yard run by Cedric Benson up the middle -- highlighted the importance of having a defensive front seven that plays cohesively.
The Patriots had hit their stride with Seau in the lineup on early downs, effectively shutting down the run (83.2 yards per game, third in the NFL). But now the front seven of the 3-4 has to regroup with three linebackers occupying new spots -- Banta-Cain playing on the right side, Colvin the left, and Vrabel inside.
Naturally, Vrabel is one of the keys, and his position switch is more extreme than it might initially appear. At outside linebacker in the 3-4, he would regularly line up on the line of scrimmage and knock heads with tight ends and tackles, helping to force running plays inside while occasionally rushing the passer. Now he'll be inside, off the line, taking on guards and attempting to make sure the Patriots are strong in the middle of the field. He likely won't rush as much.
It's a change that few linebackers can make, and Vrabel's athleticism is a key attribute in helping him do so. When Patriots coach Bill Belichick reflected on players he has coached who could line up at both outside and inside linebacker, the list wasn't a long one, with Clay Matthews (Browns) and Carl Banks (Giants) two of the top names.
Matthews, now 50 and serving as defensive coordinator at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif., said he believes any change in the front seven is a big one because it affects run defense.
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