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Update (7:00 p.m.): Pees reportedly has stepped down, and was not fired as was originally reported. After meeting with Bill Belichick and team officials due to his contract’s expiration, the 60-year-old Pees decided to walk away.

He explained his decision to the Globe:

“I’ve chosen not to return,” Pees said. “I’m not retiring, although I might. I need some time to think about what I’m going to do. It could be a bunch of things. But I’m not leaving to go to a specific job. I need some time to see where we’re at. I don’t think it’s retirement, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

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Initially, according to the Providence Journal, the Patriots had reportedly fired defensive coordinator Dean Pees in a not-so-shocking move. It turns out he stepped down instead.

Pees has been the team’s defensive coordinator since 2006, when then-coordinator Eric Mangini bolted the Pats to become the head coach of the Jets. Pees previously served as the team’s linebacker’s coach in 2004 and 2005.

The team’s defense was undermanned this season, and suffered with the loss of veterans Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Rodney Harrison. The defense faces another possible transition year in 2010, with the statuses of DT Vince Wilfork, CB Leigh Bodden, and LB Gary Guyton all very much up in the air.

The defense played pretty decent for most of the year, but in the Wild Card playoff game against the Ravens, they allowed an 83-yard touchdown run to Ray Rice on the first play from scrimmage. The Patriots never really recovered, as the offense sputtered around and turned the ball over for most of the game. The major defensive lapse on the first play set the tone of the game, however, and may have contributed to Pees’ resignation, though that’s just speculation on my part.

Either way, Bill Belichick realizes that the team needed to make some changes (specifically on defense), and letting Pees go goes a long way in doing that. Look for the Patriots to hire from within for this position, as defensive line coach Pepper Johnson may finally get a look.

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Bill Belichick, Dean Pees, Patriots