New England Patriots Roundup: Belichick Isn't "Wild" About New Formation

Many firsts will occur for the Patriots in 2009.

Fred Taylor will dawn a non-Jaguars uniform, Tom Brady will take the helm for the first time in a year, and a completely upgraded secondary that includes Shawn Springs, Leigh Bodden, and Darius Butler, will patrol the defensive backfield among many other new sights.

One thing you can also expect to change, but not in the same way, is the Wildcat formation being installed in New England.

Recently I was granted the incredible opportunity as a fan to meet with coach Bill Belichick and personally ask him whatever my little heart desired (I'll cover this night later on in another article). This same opportunity was also afforded to about 40 others and they did an incredible job with their inquiries.

The question that stuck out in my mind was about the Wildcat. Belichick was plainly asked what the team was doing in preparation for defending and possibly operating the formation and whether he thought it would be a one-year wonder.

His response went along the lines of common belief. He admitted that there just isn't any way to know for sure until the season begins.

The coach also pointed to Miami's second-round draft pick, Pat White, as evidence that the system is long from dead for now. Belichick also expressed relative happiness that his team would have a few weeks of tape on the Dolphins before they have their first encounter.

Last season, they were the first and worst victims in Week Three.

Belichick then went on the other segment of the question; the part about what the Patriots are doing with it. He clearly stated that they had indeed spent time on the system and discussed how much time they felt comfortable spending on it despite not having a sense on how much it will be used.

The time that he said the team was spending on the formation was purely defensive time and he at no point made any mention of the offense running any version of it.

Take it for what it is, but it would seem to me that if the Patriots have any Wildcat plans for the upcoming season they either don't know about those plans yet themselves, or don't want anyone else to know about them yet.

I would venture to guess that the head coach was being as honest as he could with the fans there that night. I believe him when he said the only time they have invested is running defensive plays against it and scheming ways to stop it.

Obviously, if they're doing live drills, the offense will have to help out and run the system. So maybe that's where Julian Edelman comes in, but even that is doubtful.

The Patriots do not appear to have any interest in running the Wildcat in 2009. Julian Edelman appears to be running through camps as a wide receiver, and it appears as if the Wildcat formation hasn't died in the rest of the league.

Then again, these all may be moot points by Week One as each could easily go the opposite direction. Gotta love the NFL.

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