Defensive backfield turns corner

FOXBOROUGH -- There's always a little innovation, isn't there?

Last year it was Troy Brown playing cornerback, this year it's four natural corners starting in the defensive backfield. The Patriots have the four-corner defense, folks. Like last season, when they enlisted a wide receiver to play defense, it's not because they want it that way. Out of necessity they must play that way, with Artrell Hawkins, a corner for seven-plus NFL seasons, taking Rodney Harrison's spot at strong safety.

Hawkins is starting alongside free safety Eugene Wilson, a former corner, and with cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs, a rookie.

A lot of people in football are wondering what will happen when the Patriots face an elite quarterback, such as Carson Palmer or Peyton Manning, with that kind of lineup in the secondary. It would be understandable for those quarterbacks to think they could light up the Patriots' defense. Well, it didn't quite work out that way a year ago, did it?

''We don't care about that," said Hobbs. ''I believe that all four of us back there are trying to do the same job -- stopping the receiver and play hard on the run. Whatever we need to, we're doing it. If it was four corners, four safeties, or four midgets out there, whatever. It don't matter. Just play ball."

The Patriots finally believe they have solidified Harrison's spot. Hawkins didn't have an inkling he'd be playing safety when the Patriots plucked him off the waiver wire Nov. 15.

The reviews have been good.

''If it gets me on the field in any capacity, I'm willing to do it," said Hawkins. ''Early in your career you think of yourself as a tailback or a corner or a receiver, but then you realize it's all about what's best for the team. You look at what Troy Brown's done as a defensive back and if they ask you to play safety and that's what the team needs, that's what you do."

Safety is often the next step for an aging corner, though Wilson was forced into it as a rookie after the Patriots released Lawyer Milloy. Hawkins has had to play in the box, playing physical against the run. As the weeks go by, Hawkins's comfort level increases.

''Every day it's getting a little bit easier," said Hawkins, 29. ''Right now, I'm just concentrating on what I need to do from week to week. It takes three or four games to get into a rhythm and to be a cohesive unit. I'm getting to the point now where I'm learning them and they're learning me. Ellis has really come on, Asante is huge, and Eugene is Eugene."

With Hobbs a rookie, and Wilson and Samuel quiet players, Hawkins took it upon himself as an eight-year veteran to call the secondary together last Friday afternoon to make sure all four starters were on the same page leading into the Tampa Bay game. The secondary responded with what may have been its best performance of the year in the 28-0 romp.

Hawkins is the first to admit that the improved play of the front seven since the Nov. 27 loss to Kansas City is a big reason the secondary has played better.

It's too early to tell whether Hawkins is another veteran so happy to be with a winner that he excels. Free agents brought in off the street have been successful in New England during the Bill Belichick era. Players such as Joe Andruzzi, Antowain Smith, and Terrell Buckley all contributed in their time with the Patriots. And it's much too early to tell whether Hawkins's transition to safety could result in him being the next Rod Woodson or Carnell Lake.

''We'll see," Hawkins said. ''It's something you have to put your mind to and improve every week. Everything I'm doing now is for my teammates and for the chance to win a championship. I'm just trying to gain their respect. Hopefully, that can happen through hard work."

Hobbs has noticed the stabilizing effect of Hawkins's play. ''You don't have to worry about the run on the outer edge because of Artrell," said Hobbs. ''The type of defenses we run require a physical safety, and he's been that. Most people think he wouldn't be that physical but he's one of those guys. But he doesn't have size and a physical stature. He has more of a willingness. That's all it comes down to. Either you want it or you don't. That's what this game is about, especially on defense."

What team wouldn't miss Rodney Harrison? The Patriots certainly do. They have used six starting strong safeties -- Guss Scott, James Sanders, Arturo Freeman, Randall Gay, Michael Stone, and Hawkins -- since Harrison was lost for the season because of a knee injury.

Hawkins appears to be the one, the anchor of the four-corner defense.

''You always want the approval of your co-workers," said Hawkins. ''We're all vying for the approval of Bill. If he's happy with my play, I'm happy that he's happy."