With cornerback Jonathan Wilhite struggling to stay with Ravens receiver Mark Clayton, Belichick opted for rookie corner Darius Butler during the two-minute warning. Butler entered the game nearly cold turkey — having played a minimal role to that point — and shut out Clayton from that point on to help the Patriots close out a tight win.
With the Patriots' depth at cornerback, Belichick makes sure to get each player some reps early in games to keep them ready in the event they're called upon in key situations.
"That position has been very competitive all year, all the way back into the spring, training camp and preseason games," Belichick said. "We've played a lot of players back there. They've all contributed. We've played a lot of people in the first four games in the secondary, both at corner and safety. We've got good depth there, good quality. Those guys are going to compete hard, and we're going to keep using them. Maybe they'll settle into one particular group, or maybe it won't. I don't know, but we'll just keep letting them play as long as everyone is playing well and contributing."
Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden have been the Patriots' traditional starters at cornerback, but there hasn't really been a consistent usage of the backups. Whether it's been because of injury or their ability to shine in different roles, Wilhite, Butler and Terrence Wheatley have played in various capacities.
Depth has also emerged at safety, where Brandon McGowan has become a physical force for the Patriots. He and James Sanders have been used to complement Brandon Meriweather, who has turned into one of New England's best defensive playmakers. McGowan's strength makes him an asset while covering tight ends — like he did against Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez — and against the running game. Sanders is a little quicker and better in deep coverage.
"We've just got a lot of guys who love the challenge," Sanders said. "Coach puts us in man-to-man situations. We've got guys who look forward to that challenge and who step up and make big plays at big times."
After plugging various parts with the hopes the secondary would perform in 2008, the depth and stability have made New England's secondary a true asset in 2009. The Patriots have contained two of the league's most explosive passing attacks in the last two weeks, and they're eighth in the NFL in passing yards allowed through the first month of the season.
"We've just got to keep doing it, keep proving whoever wrong, whoever is doubting us," Bodden said. "We've got to prove them wrong, and we've been doing it so far."
It's also impressive how quickly the members of the secondary have meshed together. Of the unit's nine mainstays — five cornerbacks and four safeties — five are in their first season with New England. Springs, Bodden and McGowan signed as free agents, while Butler and safety Pat Chung were each second-round draft picks.
The getting-to-know-you process was hardly a speed bump internally, though the Patriots secondary has the ability to be an outright road block for opposing wide receivers.
"I felt like we were already jelling together," Meriweather said. "I felt like we were super glued together. We're having fun together."
