Why Groupthink Happens

I was just reading this Slate article, which makes the point that College football is more innovative than the NFL -- and this quote caught my attention:

By doing the same thing as every other guy with a clipboard, NFL coaches inoculate themselves from criticism.

You know, it occurs to me that NFL coaches have a lot in common with a lot of political consultants. Sure, most consultants want to win their race -- but (unlike many of their losing candidates), consultants make a career out politics. And they've got their reputation to think of. So many of them play it safe and do what every other consultant does (when they should go for it on the 4th down ...)