It’s an interesting element of BB as a coach, each season the defense starts off vanilla as you say, but this year I feel a little bit differently. I think part of it is that they are now playing more man defense, which is less about disguise and scheme and more about winning one-on-one matchups.
I think the “vanilla” of it all goes back to the early 2010′s when they just weren’t that talented and really needed to win more with scheme and deception than what they do now when they challenge the quarterback to find an open guy before their pass rush gets there.
Also I think sometimes the schematic evolution is based on injuries. Like last year and the emergence of the heavy double-A gap blitzes with Hightower and Collins. Or how they adjusting things in 2011 after Andre Carter went down.
There will always be an element of building from the bottom so everyone is on the same page. But the secondary and linebackers have all been in this scheme for a while now so the carryover is a little more evident.
Offensively I think it’s more about experimentation and finding what your strengths are moreso that keeping things hidden. But in the same vein as the defense, the offense doesn’t need to scheme guys open, they have guys like Edelman, Gronk, LaFell and Amendola who can all get open against any coverage.
One more thing about the defense is the drum I’ve been banging since 2010 about the interior pass rush. Not that I would ever say I’m ahead of Belichick, but I don’t know why it took him so long to not only put increased value on pass rush, but to consider defensive tackles like Easley. Now we see a dedication to interior pass rush, whether it’s the double-A gap blitzes, Easley or shifting Chander inside.
Today’s QBs are just too good at getting the ball out quick. Edge rushers are not what they used to be. Your pass rush must win now by destroying the interior of the offensive line and not letting the quarterback step up, or preferably getting disruption in his face almost immediately.