FOXBORO -- Dean Pees spent six seasons in New England, his final four years as the team's defensive coordinator.
Pees and the Patriots parted ways after the 2009 debacle against the Ravens in the playoffs and -- after two seasons as Baltimore's linebackers coach -- Pees is now running the Ravens' defense.
But Pees, who's taking over for Chuck Pagano (head coach of the Colts), hasn't tried to reinvent the wheel in Baltimore, said Tom Brady.
"He's been in that system and knows those players, and theyve got a lot of playmakers and I think hes great at using those guys really doing what they do best," Brady explained. "Ray Lewis is a big time playmaker, Ed Reed is, Haloti Ngata; Lardarius Webb has turned into one of the best corners in the league. Theyve got a lot of great players that can really wreak havoc. I think Dean does a great job of putting those guys in positions where they're able to make those plays and its not so scheme-oriented where sometimes Ray is out of a play -- Rays in every play. Im sure thats just the way he wants it, too."
Brady fully expects tweaks from Pees this week as he prepares to face his former team. There's different personnel on hand here but the fact Josh McDaniels -- a Patriot contemporary of Pees' during their time here -- is running the offense can at least give Pees insight into what McDaniels' tendencies might be.
"The base of their defense has been the same way for a long time; the coordinator probably has the most different flavor," said Brady. "How they're going to play us, we dont know that. They're going to have their own game plan. I'm sure its not going to look like the Eagles game plan. Theyll have probably their core things they do and from week to week some different looks, some different blitz looks.
"Like last week, well probably have to make some adjustments over the course of the game, because its still early in the year and things still havent really played out," Brady added. "You dont have your whole playbook in, so to speak, so theyre just trying to find ways to screw us up a little bit and vice versa."
New England Patriots
Like last week, the chess match will be interesting. Especially now that the Patriots will be revamping what their offensive plans are without Aaron Hernandez in the mix. We could see something Sunday we haven't seen in either of the two games.
From both teams.