Jonathan Casillas’ Coverage Abilities Could Benefit Patriots’ Defense

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Lately, the only constant in linebacker Jonathan Casillas’ career has been change.

The sixth-year veteran was traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the New England Patriots on Tuesday, and is already diving head-first into learning the new scheme, terminology, and communication in the Patriots’ defense.

This is far from the first time Casillas has had to learn a brand new system; he had to study new schemes in his transition from the New Orleans Saints to the Buccaneers, again now with the Patriots, and a few more times in between.

“Since [Saints defensive coordinator] Gregg Williams, this is my fifth d-coordinator in four years. That’s the tough part: learning all these different defensive schemes,” Casillas told reporters in the locker room on Thursday. “My job, learning the X’s and O’s of what I’m going to do every day, and the particulars of it and the verbiage and communication, that’s the difficult part. That’s what I’m going through right now.”

With so much information to learn in such a short amount of time before Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Casillas feels like he is back at Wisconsin studying for an exam.

“It’s a lot of stuff, learning the defense and special teams. I feel like I’m cramming for a final in college,” he said. “But I’m just happy to be here, blessed to have this opportunity to play for the organization.”

This is unlike any material he has studied before.

Sometimes, a player may already have a head start if he is playing in a system that is similar to one from his past. That’s not the case for Casillas as he studies the ins and outs of the Patriots’ 3-4 defense.

“I’ve never seen anything like this defense before. And that’s just me being a 4-3 guy,” Casillas said. “I’m 225 [pounds], I’ve always played WILL outside linebacker. They moved me inside, doing some stuff inside. I don’t know if I’m going to stay there or if that’s going to be my role, but this week it is, playing against Denver. It’s different. The terminology is different, the communication is different, the alignment in front is different.”

Shifting to the inside is an interesting move for a smaller linebacker who may be asked to take on guards in the running game from time to time.

But he may not have to worry much about the running game; aside from his move from the outside to the inside, Casillas has also been given an idea of what situations the Patriots will most likely use him.

“Just talking to Bill and [defensive coordinator Matt Patricia] and [linebacker coach Patrick Graham], they’re basically saying I’m playing on some sub packages and passing situations, nickel, dollar personnel, and stuff like that,” he said. “Just adding some depth. I think our linebackers are good, just watching Jamie [Collins] and Dont’a [Hightower] on film, big guys who can run, very physical, and I’m just hoping to add a little different element to that, a little speed, a little quickness.”

Casillas may be more than depth. His role could turn out to be very important to the Patriots’ defense. The Patriots have struggled covering tight ends over the middle, and Casillas’ skill set could work well in that role.

“I’m healthy, I’ve been healthy. I’ve been running down, I covered about six kickoffs today full-speed, so if you want to test the hamstring out, I think that’s a good way to do it, so I feel pretty good.”

Casillas is already ready to go from a physical standpoint, but he’ll have to work hard to also be ready from a mental standpoint.

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