Very good question.
I think it’s a little too early to get too concerned about how Belichick is using Revis against the likes of the Raiders this early in the season. Could Revis take away any of the Oakland receivers by following them all over the field? Sure, but remember you’re also taking Revis out of the game essentially as well.
Belichick is a conservative defensive coach and the number of games he’s won proves that giving up yardage isn’t what loses you games. I know it can be frustrating to watch when teams are completing passes underneath over and over, until the Pats suddenly get a stop in the red zone or turnover. That isn’t luck. It’s by design.
Would it be more fun to watch Rex Ryan’s defense every week? Yup. But over the long haul is that kind of defense as effective when guys go down or adjustments are needed? I don’t think so.
It’s also worth pointing out that the best defenses mix and match zone and man coverages. Especially against the best quarterbacks, disguise and deception are key. The Patriots will be loaded with those kind of elements as move into the fall and winter.
Revis’ true worth will be revealed very soon and very often. The Pats play a murderers row of elite receivers this season and they haven’t seen a single one of them yet. But AJ Green, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas and plenty of other solid #1 WRs are coming down the pipe. If/when Revis locks down those guys, then we can talk about whether or not Belichick knows how to use Revis.