Patriots' Green strives for consistency

By NICK TAVARES
Standard-Times correspondent
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A quick look around the Patriots defense will reveal big contracts and impact personalities to spare.
Take Tedy Bruschi, the recognized spirit of the defense, the team’s inspirational leader. Or have a glance at Mike Vrabel, who led the team in sacks and serves as a part-time tight end in goal-line situations. That Junior Seau guy has been around a long time, and is just retirement and five years away from having a bust in Canton.
You also might notice the likes of Richard Seymour, Adalius Thomas, Rodney Harrison and Asante Samuel, and with good reason. They’re all stellar.
Just don’t stop looking, because you might miss a key cog in the Patriots’ pass rush.
“ Jarvis (Green), he’s probably our best pass rusher,” said Pepper Johnson, New England’s defensive line coach.
Sure enough, Green is second to just Vrabel in sacks, tied with Thomas at six, to go along with his 39 total tackles in limited action
“ I’m trying to be consistent every time I’m out there,” Green said. “The season can have a lot of ups and downs, and I started the season really hot, but I came down a little bit. I just want to be more consistent out there.”
The fact that seven different Patriots had at least two sacks in the regular season is a testament to how balanced the team’s pass rush is.
“ That’s just how our team works,” Johnson said. “On our team, everyone plays. Everyone has a part to contribute. And it’s not just on defense. Look at Mike Vrabel, filling in at tight end. Vince Wilfork is on the field goal team. That’s just how the NFL is now.”
“It’s all about everyone knowing their roles on this team,” Green said. “I know my role, and I try to do my job and listen to what the coaches are telling us.”
“We’ve been effective on the pass rush because we have a lot of guys with a lot of different talents,” Johnson said. “If we can move guys around, we can keep things fresh.”
Green is quick to remind that it’s the coaches, after all, who are responsible for the Patriots multifaceted look.
“ The coaches are always putting things together, getting on us, and preparing,” Green said. “They’re the reason we’re in the position we are. They’re out there breaking down film and coming back to us with a game plan.
“The coaches are working 100 hours a week, every week. We’re not. Remember that, they’re out there 100 hours a week.”
Still, in the end, coaches coach and players play. And when given to opportunity, Green has excelled when his number is called.
“ He keeps working at getting better, and he did a great job starting early in the year when Richard Seymour was out,” Johnson said. “If you have a guy that good on the pass rush, what’s the point of keeping him on the sideline? If there’s a situation where we feel the pass rush might work, we’ll throw him in there to be more effective.”