I think its highly unlikely that Adams is the strategist behind game plans, at least not the construction of one. I much more buy the idea behind the WEEI article, that Adams specializes in film and advanced scouting. Maybe you could credit Adams with setting goals or targets, but I suspect he is the guy that Al Davis was always worried about, the one that would find your playbook or scout you in an ultra-light.

Knowing what the other team is likely to do is more tactical that strategic to me, but regardless, that is something which could be accomplished through sheer observation, illegal taping and an encyclopedic knowledge.

Crafting a game plan to take advantage of that is pure football acumen.

Not being able to continue Belichick's success is a problem because not all of these channels of information can be brought to bear by other people as well as he can.