ZEUS is old news. See this: (e. g.)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060420232621.htm
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New Computer Model Of Football Can Help NFL Coaches Call The Next Play, Evaluate Players
ScienceDaily (Apr. 24, 2006) — It's a cliché in football that every fan thinks he's a coach. Now there's a computer that thinks it's a coach.
"Just what I need," groans every harassed head coach. "Another critic."
Not this time. Indiana University scientist Chuck Bower and two partners from the business world, Frank Frigo of Louisville, Ky., and Bo Durickovic of Austin, Texas, have created ZEUS, a computer model of football as it's played in the National Football League, based on years of NFL statistics. ZEUS runs on an off-the-shelf laptop, perfect for a football sideline or a coach's booth above the playing field.
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Like Big Blue which finally beat humans (Kasparov), and the checker computer program that completely solves all moves, computer-aided strategy for games and sports should be beneficial. For many yrs, coaches archive opponents' tendencies (situational football for examples) to guess what would be the most likely plays from opponents, and hence can call a counterplay. This is known as Game Theory, which has been applied extensively by modern military. US Dept of Defense has been the major R&D supporter of this field. They are being applied everywhere, from finance (investment strategy), business, to insurance.
ZEUS is probably the best and most scientifically rigorous software on NFL football. Since its appearance in 2006, I was surprised not to hear more about it. The main staple for Monday morning and armchair QB is to second guess coaches' decisions, and yes, there are many truly egregiously stupid decisions. On the other hands, too many fall into "perfect hindsight syndrome" and fail to appreciate the validity of some decisions. I also wonder if some coaches are just not up to appreciate this concept. I know that BB does based on previous report. (But not know if he uses ZEUS specifically).
It should be noted however, like in any game strategy, randomization is the most important element. If an opponent detects your trend, you are done for. Something that we all know. We vary our routines, turning light on-off randomly; company performs random security check, random drug test... So, even if a coach knows that under 3rd down and 15 condition, a team is most likely to call some play, he better varies his counter play so that it doesn't tip his hand. Other coach for example, may see Vrabel in on 1st and goal, but must make decision whether it is for real or just a decoy. But then, T Brady is smart enough to make instant decision.
That's the reason it's hard to substitute human intelligence. Our brain is still very well designed to make good decision (although comes with it is some evolution pre-programs that would be wrong and irrational in complex situations). In fact, only recently that a computer can beat human chess players, and that takes a very powerful machine. Instantaneous good decision in the field is so crucial and yet, so undervalued.
That's why I always smiles when hearing fans belittling Tom Brady for the lack of physical attributes, like arm strength or dazzling mechanics ... They don't realize that one of the most important attribute is actually invisible, it's in the brain. That's why Bledsoe is Bledsoe and Brady is Brady.
