FOXBORO -- The dynamic along the Patriots’ defensive line had already started to shift before Tuesday’s the release of Albert Haynesworth -- he had been supplanted in the starting lineup by second-year lineman Kyle Love -- but with the decision to cut ties with Haynesworth, the younger linemen now have more of a tangible opportunity to assert themselves as key figures along New England’s defensive line, particularly Love, Brandon Deaderick and Ron Brace.

Both Brace and Deaderick recently came off the physically unable to perform list. Deaderick, who had offseason shoulder surgery, has played two games since coming off of the PUP list, including an impressive 53 snaps (most of them in place of injured veteran Shaun Ellis at end) in last Sunday’s loss to the Giants. Meanwhile, Brace saw his first action of the season against New York at right defensive tackle, and was in the game for 15 snaps.

But it appears that the 24-year-old Love has the most to gain in the wake of Haynesworth’s departure. He’s been a fairly steady member of the Patriots’ defensive line rotation since the start of the season at defensive tackle, but his snaps have increased fairly steadily since Week 4, going from 23 in that week’s win over the Raiders to 47 last Sunday against the Giants. On the season, he has 24 tackles (18 solo), as well as one sack (against Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger) and a quarterback hit.

Love certainly hasn’t reinvented the defensive tackle position, but his steady, relatively consistent play in New England’s four-man front has been a nice complimentary presence to veterans like Vince Wilfork and Gerard Warren over the first eight games of the season.

“I feel like I can do better,” said Love when asked about his performance to this point in the season. “Any time people tell me, ‘Oh, you can do better,’ I’m like, ‘No, I didn’t.’ I always feel like I have room for corrections and stuff like that. I just have to play a little better in my mind.

“It’s not just me out there. It’s all 10 guys out there on the field. A lot of that occurs thanks to them, too. I appreciate the help that they give me to have the success that I’m having.”

It’s been nothing but steady improvement over the last year for Love, according to Patriots coach Bill Belichick. As a rookie, he played in nine games with the Patriots, starting one (the regular-season finale against the Dolphins) and finishing the season with 14 total tackles (six solo) and a sack.

“He did a real good job in preseason last year [and] earned a spot on the roster. His playing time increased gradually over the course of the season last year. We had a few injuries and things, he stepped in and did a good job,” Belichick said of the 6-foot-1, 301-pounder.

“He came back this year ready to go, built on last year’s performance, and has done a good job for us this year,” Belichick added. “He’s improved his techniques, his conditioning -- he’s been out there on a consistent basis. He’s been able to perform and improve and continue to get better. He’s done a solid job for us all year.”

An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State, Love said Wednesday he’s always played with a chip on his shoulder against teams that passed him over. Reminded by a reporter that that was actually every other team in the NFL, Love responded with a knowing smile.

“(That) chip gets bigger every week, especially when we play teams that looked (past) me,” he said. “My chip is always going to stay there and it’s going to grow every day, every week, every year.”

That level of play is starting to draw notice around the league. Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that Love was an “underrated” presence along New England’s defensive front.

“It’s pretty good to hear that from an opposing coach,” Love said. “What can I say? I really appreciate that. That’s a big compliment coming from him. Just take that in stride, keep on doing what I’m doing, playing hard from week to week.

“I’m always going to be like that. Nothing like that is going to change about me. I’m always going to play hard because I feel like this is what the coaches ask of us and gotta live your life like that, just being a competitor and everything you do.”

According to Love, the group of young defensive linemen have grown close as a unit, and he promises that the increased opportunities will lead to good things sooner rather than later.

“Oh, we’ve grown. We’ve grown a lot,” Love said of his fellow youngsters. “And Vince helps us the whole way. And Gerard Warren does, too. We’re growing. We’ve got a lot more growing, so we’re going to see a lot of exciting things coming soon.”