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Byline: Jason Cole
MIAMI _ The 6-2 New England Patriots might be one of the biggest stories in the NFL considering the injuries they have survived.
But the Patriots, who are winning some ugly games, are dealing with more than injuries. One amazing feat: New England has three new starters in the secondary, including rookie free safety Eugene Wilson.
That's notable considering the several coverage schemes Bill Belichick-coached teams normally run. It requires extreme synchronization, yet the Patriots have done that despite losing cornerback Otis Smith and safeties Tebucky Jones and Lawyer Milloy.
They have been replaced by Tyrone Poole, Wilson and Rodney Harrison. Wilson, a cornerback in college, often plays against receivers in three-receiver situations.
``To be able to stay in our regular defense and play Eugene and match him up against third receivers so we don't have to go to a fifth defensive back because we already have a third corner in the game at safety _ that's a real luxury to not have to substitute,'' Belichick said. ``That gives you a huge amount of flexibility that I haven't had since I was with the Giants and Everson Walls was our safety. That keeps it simpler for everyone else.''
CROSSTOWN APATHY