Mike Vrabel says the New England Patriots will be running a 3-4 structure for their base defense. However, he notes that the distinction doesn’t matter as much in today’s NFL.

During an appearance on “The Triple Option” podcast with Urban Meyer and Mark Ingram II, the Patriots coach was asked what type of defense his team plans to run this year.

Will it be a 4-3 (four defensive linemen and three linebackers) or a 3-4 (three defensive linemen and four linebackers).

“I mean the base, which is only 20% of the time, will be a (3-4) structure,” Vrabel said. “But most of the game is played with substituted defenses anyway.”

What Vrabel means by that is NFL teams are often using “nickel” or “dime” defenses, which take linemen/linebackers off the field in exchange for an extra defensive back.

Still, knowing that the Patriots will run a 3-4 base provides a little bit of insight into how the defense will be run.

A 3-4 defense is what the Patriots ran early in Bill Belichick’s time in New England, particularly when Vrabel was a player. It typically involves bigger defensive linemen in the front three and outside linebackers who play more like hybrid defensive ends.

But again, the distinction is less important now than it was 20 years ago. Modern defenses tend to be more flexible with where players may line up.

Plus, as Vrabel noted, that extra defensive back that comes on in nickel packages are becoming an essential part of NFL defenses.

“These nickels are becoming the most important position – well, one of the most important positions,“ Vrabel said. ”It’s a play-making linebacker that blitz, that can cover, that’s instinctive. There’s so many bubble relief throws that they got to be able to tackle. Try to try and find guys that can play man also in the slot.”

The Patriots defense will certainly look different this season as Vrabel takes over as head coach and Terrell Williams moves in as defensive coordinator. But for now, we have an idea of what the base scheme will look like.