FOXBORO — The “Do Your Job” signs around Gillette Stadium may be gone or moved, but the core tenet of the Patriots’ defense remains.
New Patriots defensive lineman Armon Watts and linebacker Sione Takitaki were both asked Thursday about what coaches have emphasized on defense early in the voluntary offseason workout program. What Takitaki passed along sounded like it was still being preached by former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“First, it just starts off with everyone doing their job,” Takitaki said. “Doing their 1/11. That’s always been the Patriots’ mantra here. Everyone has a job. We’re not gonna have anybody just out there doing their … you know what I mean, undisciplined. Disciplined football, and then we can go from there with making plays. It’s been a success for the Patriots’ defense.”
Of course, new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington both learned under Belichick. And in Mayo’s case, he also played under Belichick, as well. Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers said Tuesday that he hasn’t seen the old “Do Your Job” signs around the building. So, though Belichick is gone, his coaching points live on inside of Gillette Stadium, even if the walls aren’t adorned with them.
The message Watts relayed is a little bit different, however.
“(Covington) was saying he wants us to get more sacks, wants us to get the ball more,” Watts said. “I think those two things are going to be a big emphasis for us this year.”
Under Belichick, the Patriots stressed pocket containment more than sacks. They had one of the NFL’s top defenses in 2023 but ranked tied for 23rd in turnovers and 27th in sacks. It hurt the unit to lose starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez and outside linebacker Matthew Judon in Week 4. They were also playing without safety Devin McCourty, who had retired after the 2022 season.
Belichick isn’t the only coach gone from last year’s staff. The team will also have a new defensive playcaller after Steve Belichick departed to become the University of Washington’s defensive coordinator.