A weekly look at the Patriots' leaders in defensive and special teams tackles (as credited by coaches after film review):
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty top the tackles leaderboard through three weeks.Defense
LB Jerod Mayo -- 25 (19 solo/6 assisted)
CB Devin McCourty -- 21 (20/1)
S Sergio Brown -- 17 (14/3)
S Patrick Chung -- 14 (13/1)
CB Leigh Bodden -- 13 (11/2)
CB Kyle Arrington -- 12 (9/3)
S Josh Barrett -- 11 (8/3)
DL Vince Wilfork -- 10 (5/5)
Special teams
WR Matthew Slater -- 3 (3/0)
LB Tracy White -- 3 (2/1)
LS Danny Aiken -- 2 (2/0)
S James Ihedigbo -- 2 (2/0)
S Sergio Brown -- 2 (1/1)
DEFENSIVE NOTES: Six of the top seven tacklers on the team are defensive backs, which reflects how opponents are making plays down the field against the Patriots. ... Matthew Slater and Tracy White were 1-2 on the team in special teams tackles last season, and they are once again proving to be top players on fourth down. ... Reserve linebacker Dane Fletcher leads the team in quarterback hits, with four. Vince Wilfork and Myron Pryor are next on the stat sheet with three quarterback hits apiece. ... Cornerback Kyle Arrington leads the team with three interceptions and five passes defended.