DEFENSE The patriots have schemes so complicated that it often takes a year or more to learn the schemes. Many never learn them. Defesive free agents must be carefully chosen, and even then solid veterans are likely to have long learning curves. Players from the past like Banta-Cain and Seau end up being more valuable that more talented players like Burgess. This nothing new. I recall McGinist, Bruschi and Law going to coaches because the defenses were too complicated. Yes, I understand such complexity covers weakness. But then, some of these weaknesses might go away if schemes were less complicated. The first Oakland game for Seymour will be remembered for a long time, primarily because of the lesson of what a defense can do focusing more on players doing their jobs that on complexity and fooling the opponents. OFFENSE The patriots emphasize route running and recognition of defenses. I agree with this approach. Many agree with this approach. Some other teams like the idea of passing to receivers when they get open, sort of Unitas style. That being said, I am not sure why we can't find receivers who run routes and recognize defenses AND catch the ball. Indy seems to work well with seemingly scrub receivers and tight ends. The patriot offense seems to need a year to have a receiver be effective unless they are probowler. Given that we have one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game and at least an adequate offensive line, it is not at all clear why this is the case.