Wilfork slides down line

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- While the Dolphins' offensive wrinkles were a big part of Sunday's game, the Patriots had a few tricks up their jersey sleeves as well in their 27-17 win.

One of the biggest ones came on defense, where nose tackle Vince Wilfork played most of the game at right defensive end.

Why the switch?

Players explained after the game that since the Patriots were without starting right defensive end Jarvis Green, an adjustment had to be made.

Five-year veteran Mike Wright was the projected fill-in, but at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, he wasn't deemed the best fit to face the powerful left side of the Dolphins' offensive line anchored by left tackle Jake Long (6-7, 317).

So Wilfork (6-2, 325) got the call at right defensive end, with Wright moving inside to nose tackle, and rookie Myron Pryor serving as a backup nose.

"I think they moved [Vince] out so we could be a little more stout against a bigger guy like that, especially with them trying to get it outside," Wright said.

The versatility was important to the team's victory.

“Around here you got to wear a couple of hats,” defensive end Ty Warren [stats] said. “We talked about it all week. (Wilfork) told me the last time he played out there was high school. Vince was kind of ‘Huh?’ But I guess we felt it was the best matchup.”

It paid off, as the Patriots held the Dolphins to 133 yards rushing. Mike Wright played nose tackle and didn’t have to face former first-round pick Jake Long, and it kept Wilfork (three tackles) away from center Jake Grove, against whom he’s struggled.

“We just felt like that was a good matchup for us,” coach Bill Belichick said. “Vince has really played all across the line for us. He’s a pretty versatile player. He’s very flexible. He embraced the move all week and it looked like he did a pretty good job on Long.”

Warren said the main difference in the positions is that things happen quicker at nose tackle and a nose tackle is more likely to face cut blocks.

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(espn.com)