I agree that we will be playing multiple coverage schemes, though I think man coverage will be the dominant theme. I also agree that there will be a lot of pre- and post-snap coverage adjustments and disguise, though it will work both ways (for example, the Pats may start out in what looks like a cover 2 shell, and then drop a robber down and play press-man coverage with cover 1 or 3). It will be very interesting to try and figure out all the variants and permutations.
One of my favorite coverages for stopping short to mid range passing offenses that thrive so well these days is one that Rex Ryan threw at the Pats in the 2010 playoffs. That was when he rushed only 3 or 4, kept 5 men under in what amounted to a press zone.
What made it so effective was his ability to disguise the rush, so even though the Jets only rushed 3 or 4, they either overloaded a side, or made it look like a big blitz was coming. It really threw off Brady's timing, so even when he reset and had time, he was never comfortable with his secondary reads. Seattle ran something very similar to that in the Superbowl, though the DL was pretty much a straight 4 man rush that was effective at hurrying Manning, even though they only got one sack.
There is a simple blue print to slow down Manning and Brady. You only need enough pressure to make them "feel it" and thus make quick throws into areas you have flooded underneath. Even when they are completed they are for reasonable 6-12yd gains. This strategy forces the QB to be very accurate,and wildly consistent and doesn't penalize the defense much for being beaten occasionally. It forces the QB and receivers to BOTH correctly read the disguised coverages and execute several times in order to score. Also if either makes a mistake into that kind of defense, they can often result in a TO.
The Defense can be beaten by it requires perfect execution by a lot of people over a long period of time. Its a hard thing to do for most teams. The best way to stop it is with a strong power running game and a few big plays by your receivers. Gronk is a player capable of being that guy, so is Dobson, I hope by playoff time. It also requires your QB to have patience. IIRC Brady had open RB's all that game and rarely threw them the ball.
The key to that game was Ryan going from, blitz happy man coverage, to disguised minimal rushes and maximum zone coverages. Hate it but had to tip your cap for that VERY painful game.
I see us using that D or some form of that 5 man under coverage a lot this year. It is to our benefit to force teams to have to either run or go deep against us. With Revis and MCourty, that plays into one of the D's strengths.