FOXBORO — When the Patriots lined up on defense against the Dolphins, something looked a bit off about the defensive line, and not just because Jarvis Green wasn’t on the field.

Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork was at right end. Mike Wright was in the middle of the line at nose.

After the game, Bill Belichick said the move gave New England a better matchup.

“We just felt like overall with Vince and Ty (Warren) outside, Mike inside (and rookie Myron Pryor as well), that that would give us the best matchup on Miami’s personnel and what they were doing,” Belichick said. “Vince…is a pretty versatile player. He’s very flexible. He did a good job. He embraced the move all week.”

Miami left tackle Jake Long is 6-foot-7, 330 pounds, and though Wilfork is several inches shorter than Long, he outweighs the former number-one draft pick. Wright, who would have been starting at end normally, would have been giving up about 30 pounds to Long.

Wilfork finished the game with three tackles, but his numbers weren’t important because he was able to sufficiently occupy Long while his linebacker teammates focused on getting to quarterback Chad Henne.

“When I got the memo I was like, ‘cool,’ ” Wilfork said. “I’m not looking at (center Jake) Grove, I’m looking at Long now and (left guard Justin) Smiley. I didn’t mind it because I knew I could play it. I knew it was going to be a little strange, a little different, but in practice I got those different looks (and) they threw a lot of stuff at me. Sometimes I was like, ‘Man, what the heck am I doing?’ but it paid off. They prepared me very well for the game and looking at film, I think I did pretty good. Of course I could get better out there, but I have something to improve on.”

Warren, who played some nose early on in his career, said things happen more quickly at the interior spot, and that he and Wilfork spoke often in the days leading to the game, with Warren giving his friend tips on how best to play the position.

Prime choice

Perhaps the most positive thing that can be said about the play of rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer is that it has been an afterthought that he is on the field.

Because as an offensive lineman — especially one who is protecting the blindside of the Most Valuable Patriot — not getting attention means you’re doing your job.

On Sunday, Vollmer made his third start in place of injured Matt Light, and he played well, as frequent Tom Brady sacker Jason Taylor was held at bay. Vollmer also could be seen clearing a path for Kevin Faulk’s 10-yard gain on a first-quarter screen.

The massive German-born second-round draft pick may prove to be one of the best selections of the Belichick Era.

“I think Sebastian’s gotten better each week, even going back to training camp,” Belichick said on Monday. “He’s a guy that doesn’t have a great football background, it’s solid, and he’s certainly added to it and he’s gotten a lot of opportunity to practice against good players and play against good players and get some experience. He’s learning every week, every play.”

Keep talking

The Patriots downplayed Miami linebacker Joey Porter’s pregame antics, as the former Steeler claimed (again) that New England took championships from him because of SpyGate and that Tom Brady has his own set of rules on the field when it comes to officials.

But on Monday, Brady admitted during his weekly appearance on WEEI radio that New England heard every word Porter said.

“I think it’s been a motivator for our team throughout the course of the week and into the game when you hear that kind of stuff,” Brady said. “I think the guys took it to heart and the coaches took it to heart.”

Porter was silenced on the field, finishing with zero tackles.

Quick kicks

Center Dan Koppen, who left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a right knee injury, walked through the locker room during the media access period on Monday. He was not on crutches nor did he appear to have a limp; he declined a request to comment, and Belichick said there was no update on his injury. … Sammy Morris also made a cameo; the running back was headed for the weight room, with no sign of a brace on his knee. Morris has missed the last two games with what has been reported as a torn MCL. He could return before the end of this month.