"A lot is different," Carr said after Port's 21-point win against North Melbourne.
"And that's not a knock on the past or anything like that.
"It's just the philosophy behind it."
Port may languish in 15th on the ladder but they're ranked second defensively for scores conceded, behind only pacesetters Sydney.
Overall this season, Port concede an average per game of just 78.9 points.
Carr publicly stated he wanted his Port Adelaide to be built from defence, and it was again evidenced against the Roos.
North managed two goals to halftime, seven for the match and none for the last quarter.
But Carr deflected credit to his assistants including defensive coach Luke Webster.
"Webby coming in also ... has put his own footprints on it; though all the assistant coaches have done a terrific job," Carr said.
"You sit there as a senior coach, and in wins like this, can get credit.
"But you know the work that they (assistants) have done behind the scenes. They're learning, getting better, and it's about all of us together and doing it as one."
Carr insisted the Power's improved defence stemmed from the club being "always in a rush to get better".
"Defensively, I remember we watched some clips from our first pre-season training session to the end of pre-season," he said.
"And the involvement, what it looked like - that's a credit to the players, their investment in it, their openness to learn."
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