Belichick's 'D' goes from smash unit to M*A*S*H unit

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 9/28/2003

LANDOVER, Md. -- It's all about creative schemes, hiding your weaknesses, using some gimmicks, and doing a lot of blitzing. This is what teams usually do when injuries have riddled their roster.

It's all about surviving.

You can bet the Patriots, who go into today's game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field with 11 players (nine starters) listed on their injury report, will be aggressive. They cannot sit back in their base defense and play to their strengths, because they have been severely weakened. Offensively, they can only hope their running game continues on its upward spiral and that Kevin Faulk can make plays to extend drives and keep the defense rested.

"I think it's just a normal week," said linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who doesn't like to hear talk of a diminished roster. "We did what we always do and we have to play on Sunday like we always do."

But the Patriots did not don pads all week; that's unlike Bill Belichick. There have been times when the coach lessens the load -- particularly late in the season to protect his veterans -- but rarely this early.

This is where Belichick's coaching acumen comes into play. The Redskins have a second-year quarterback, Patrick Ramsey, whom Belichick might be able to confuse into making a mistake or two. Patriots strong safety Rodney Harrison, an aggressive, sometimes reckless player, would appear to be a key, too. He could set a tone for the defense with one of his classic hits.

Harrison could also be key in coverage support, where you can bet the house the Patriots will double Redskins receiver Laveranues Coles, the one guy who could make their day a nightmare.

It's a lot to put on a veteran playing only his fourth game with a new team, but Belichick feels Harrison has shown his ability to take charge.

"He has a lot of experience in the league and has been through multiple defensive systems," said Belichick. "He is a good player and a smart guy. He can handle all aspects of the game -- the run game, the pass game, sub-defense, and all of the situational stuff. "Lawyer [Milloy] had a lot of experience in our defense making calls and all of that back there. Eugene [Wilson] really hasn't, so a lot more of it is falling on Rodney's shoulders."But this also may be a futile exercise in plugging one hole while another one leaks. The Patriots will have two rookie defensive backs -- Wilson and Asante Samuel -- in key positions. If Ty Law (questionable/ankle) plays, he won't be close to 100 percent. Offensively, we know that Tom Brady isn't close to healthy because of a sore elbow. Perhaps the Patriots will jump to a lead and won't need to do anything out of the ordinary. For sure, they are cast as the underdogs once again, and in the recent past they have enjoyed that role. But they were healthier then. They don't have their top free agent signing, Rosevelt Colvin, who is out for the season. Nose tackle Ted Washington is out indefinitely. They don't have their best run-stopping middle linebacker, Ted Johnson, who is out for a prolonged period. They don't have one of their all-purpose outside linebackers, Mike Vrabel, who is sporting a cast on his fractured right arm. And they don't have one of their most valuable offensive linemen, Mike Compton, who is out for the year with a broken foot. Patriots personnel folks say this team may have the most depth in Belichick's four-year tenure. That claim will be tested in the weeks to come. Can a good defensive scheme beat a good offensive scheme every time? The Redskins do have offensive weapons, but Ramsey has been sacked and knocked down quite often. That's why the Patriots will likely keep bringing the pressure. And if they're lucky, their scheming and pressure will win out.