This is a funny parallel to draw (and I've actually had similar thoughts myself). Rivera had a lot of the same tendencies that O'Shea has had early in his coaching career. Very conservative. Going with "the numbers" as opposed to taking risks and being aggressive. It was only two or three games into his third season when rumors began swirling his firing was imminent (to be fair, there WERE discussions about his release following his second year but I think, from a personnel standpoint, the organization had actually begun to feel out replacements).
Then a light came on. They started being more aggressive, taking calculated risks. And the team responded .. it didn't hurt that Newton also began to evolve as a quarterback .. but the team responded .. much the same way O'Shea's team responded once we stopped playing "by the numbers" .. risks on ST proved successful but I think he also needs to be less conservative overall .. let the team develop confidence .. play fast and loose .. This is a game you play to win .. not to "not lose".