New England Patriots: 7 Players Who Benefit the Most from a Switch to the 4-3

Same faces, new look. Bill Belichick has given the New England Patriots defense a veritable face lift.

Well, that's not entirely true. Some new faces have crept indiscreetly into the New England Patriots defensive front. Without the appropriate context, though, one might think the Patriots were getting desperate to fix the wrinkles in an aging scheme. It's clear, though, that they've been stockpiling talent for a switch to the 4-3 defense.

The beauty of the Richard Seymour and Willie McGinest dynasty defense had faded into a shell of its former self.

The 3-4 just wasn't working for them. They ranked 25th in pass yards allowed last year, and dead last in third down defense. The signs of aging were clear.

They've taken measures to improve those stats, and have done well in the preseason thus far. If only these games meant anything. 

They do mean something, though, at least for players who are figuring out their roles in this new-look defense. Here are the guys who are benefiting the most from cosmetic surgery in the defensive front seven.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter  @erikfrenz.

Andre Carter

If there was ever any question of the seriousness of the switch to a 4-3, Andre Carter should have been the answer. One look at his stats tells you all you need to know. He has struggled in 3-4 defense, but has played at a very high level in the 4-3 since the beginning of his career. 

In two years in a 3-4 defense, he has tallied a total of 6.5 sacks for an average of 3.25 per year. In his eight years in a 4-3 defense, he has averaged 7.4 sacks per year with a total of 59.5 (including an injury-shortened '04 campaign). 

Mark Anderson

By the time the Patriots had brought in Mark Anderson, the speculation on a switch to the 4-3 was already in full swing. His addition did nothing to support Bill Belichick's theory that the switch was a "media fabrication."

Mark Anderson had 12 sacks as a rookie in 2006, but his production dipped when he was asked to 

Eric Moore

Moore's signing went by without a whisper at the end of the 2010 season, but his first game in a Patriots uniform, he roared onto the scene by sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

He was projected as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but his roots are in 4-3 defenses, and in his journeyman NFL career he has played mainly in that front. He's comfortable in that front, and the Patriots are switching to that front, what could possibly go wrong for Moore? Well, it doesn't help to have a bunch of veterans brought onto the team at your position. 

At this point, it's unclear whether Moore will even make the team. Of course, it's partly contingent upon Jermaine Cunningham returning to full health, but the writing's been on the wall for Moore with the signing of so many big-name free agents this offseason.

Albert Haynesworth

Asking Albert Haynesworth to pick between a 4-3 and a 3-4 is like asking asking a kid to pick between cake and broccoli. No matter how much you try to convince them to eat the broccoli, that kid is going to want cake 99 times out of 100.

In New England, Haynesworth will get to have his cake and eat it, too. The penetrating defensive tackle logged 14.5 sacks in his final two seasons in Tennessee's 4-3 defense, and petered out quickly in a 3-4. Athletic freak may be becoming a sports cliché, but it's no less applicable here than any other time it's been used.

Brandon Spikes

A two-down player at best in the 3-4 defense, Brandon Spikes gets to return to the front that helped him win a national championship with the Florida Gators.

That is, if he can ever get his finger off the "w" key long enough to get back on the field. "#Powwww"

He had six career interceptions, four of which were returned for touchdowns. It's clear he can contribute in the passing game. The switch to a 4-3 can hopefully help to that end.

Jermaine Cunningham

Apply everything in that Brandon Spikes slide to Jermaine Cunningham, except change "Mike linebacker" to "defensive end." It's paint-by-colors article writing!

He had just one sack in 2010, although his pressure on Peyton Manning helped force the game-ending interception against Peyton Manning and the Colts. We can expect more plays like that out of Cunningham in a 4-3 defense when he can put his hand in the dirt and go after the quarterback. 

Cunningham flew off the edge as a 4-3 defensive end at Florida, totaling 18.5 sacks in three years as a starter for the Gators. 

All of that is to take nothing away from his stout run defense and ability to set the edge. For these reasons, the Patriots can't wait to get him back on the field to see what they have in their second-year defensive linemen.

Jerod Mayo

If you thought Jerod Mayo was becoming one of the best linebackers in the league before, your opinion might change with Mayo in a 4-3. Never have we seen the full extent of his abilities, as he's been limited somewhat by the confines of the read-and-react 3-4 defense Belichick has run since I was wearing diapers.

Now, with Mayo at the Will (weak side) spot in the 4-3 defense, his role will only expand. Not only will he be his normal tackling-machine self (although admittedly may go under 100 *gasp*) but he will also be rushing the passer more frequently, as well as spying the running back if they are a capable backfield receiver.

Those roles will allow him to maximize his athleticism. With a physically gifted talent like Mayo, why not?