Mister Defense

I was originally thinking something similar--might as well retain him, as he will cost us a lot anyway. And who knows... But he would be taking a roster spot from a player who could actually help the Bills, be someone who makes tackles, can disrupt an offense, and be someone opposing teams would actually have to be concerned with. Most of Miller's many 'pressures' lately were more like EJ Manuel's passing as he 'progressed' here--when he was throwing ball in the vicinity of the receivers, almost catchable. And Miller likely struck as much fear into opposing offenses as Manuel did to defenses. Every play and every player matters, so can't have him on the team next year.

To me a no brainer--of course he will be cut. Though I am thankful that he took a big pay cut in the off season when he did not have to. I am a big Beane fan, but hated this move on day one, dramatically over spending for a player whose speed and athleticism had been the cornerstone of almost all of his elite ability. He was 32. This year: 17 tackles, 3 assists, 6 sacks. He will not be a part of a championship team again, unless he is a coach. And, to me, while getting a good number of sacks with the Rams, he looked like Bruce Smith late in his career, after the he left the Bills, running on fumes, not close to the player he was. The Bills needed a younger, up and coming player who is fast and physical and talented at the position. Miller set the Bills back on defense. But now they will go and get that player, whether in the draft in free agency, or both. It was Beane's biggest mistake, a splash move, a bad risk, a roll of the dice, a violation of their philosophy. He redeems himself in this off season, I believe.

I have known several people with concussions, and several with very serious ones. I have worked closely with two for months to help get them back on their feet. It was hyperbole, absurdity, to show our mindsets as Bills' fans right now, me included, and how important this game was. And his importance to this team, as we saw last night when he left the game and Elam took over. BUT, of course no reasonable person who knows anything about concussions would actually expect, want, or accept a player with a concussion to play in any sport while recovering, especially and NFL football game.

After reading your post it does make sense that you would think this is a good, objective poll.. As you clearly are very level headed and objective when it comes to our hair on fire disastrous head coach and his entire coaching staff. Makes me surprised they won any games this year, last, and the year before, let alone more games than any team in the league other than the Chiefs over the last 5 years. Therefore I think Two Bills Drive should appoint you as the Official Arbiter of Objectivity for All Polls on McDermott in the future. (I may do a poll on this.) I am hoping that the OP poster adds in your poll option above, see bold, to make crystal clear just how objective and rational all of this is...

The options for those supporting McDermott are poorly worded, and biased, with almost all of them making those choosing those options look ridiculous, pathetic. But those doing so only did so because there are no good options, not because they are so. An extremely poor, loaded poll, considerably undermining its validity. Look closely at the pro McDermott options: 1. “its fine, leave it alone”: The idea and wording sound weak and pathetic less than one day after an important loss, as if the state of the team itself is perfectly fine, when clearly the Bills need some changes, additions, to take the next step. Almost no one TODAY would say, “it’s fine”, including McDermott—especially him. 2. “Please don't change the coach, we will return to the drought era:” Sounds even more pathetic than the first option, ignorant and weak, first groveling (to who?) and then the illogical phrase at the end, which no one thinks will happen with this ownership, GM, and Allen. If the goal is to make posters like weak, pathetic, this is also a great option. That is no shade on those choosing this option, as there are no good options for those who think McDermott is an excellent coach. That is the problem with this poll. 3. “Change is high risk, we could very well return to the drought era” For the reasons this too is an awful option, read the previous analysis of the 2nd option. Just as bad, if not worse here. Weak minded idea and then the same nonsense no one believes will happen. 5. “I thought this year was a rebuild, give coach 1 more year to finish the job.” Again, the pathetic factor here. Please, give him one more year, he will do better next year. For the coach whose team made it to the AFC Championship game and lost to the two time champions 32-29. 6. “Extend coach now, he is the main reason for our success.” The morning after they lose a huge game, and in general, is not the time to talk about extending a contract that ends after THREE(?) more seasons. His contract expires after the 2027 season. Makes no sense—and again, so would make anyone picking that choice seem ridiculous, dumb even, pathetic. Again, those picking the above options are not the problem, as they had no choice but to pick one of the awful options if they are a supporter of McDermott and wanted to participate. But I also do not believe that the poll was intentionally designed by Chaos to give those supporting our coach awful options. Rather, the negative mindset of the creator is crystal clear and is at the base of it all. It dramatically undermines the poll and so one can ever look at the results and make any conclusions. The fact that this very poor poll was posted less than one day after the Bills lost the AFC Championship game obviously compounds the problem. Not objective all. I was going to vote, then re-read the options and saw how loaded and biased they were. I passed—and I believe many posters did the same. Or, did what I almost did, and choose the best awful option.

What a ridiculous post for anyone who actually watched the game. He looked nervous early, but had an excellent game.

Come on, Chaos! You're better than that... Such an awful poll, options, clearly designed to be ultra negative, with comically worded choices for those who feel differently than you. You have created a hater thread here, and that is what it will become.

The O line does what it did so well against Denver and for most of the game against Baltimore. They take over the game and lead the way, setting up the defense to shine as well. Early short or intermediate passes to set up the run or visa versa, the run to set up those passes. Depends on what is working best. Then, for the first time in the playoffs wide receivers other than the excellent Shakir make big plays. The Bills goal is to do what has brought them to this point, to get better each game, and will even in this game. As that is how they have won, improving and adding as they progress. ALL of the backs play a roll and the defense continues to make big plays. And a big play on special teams too. Bills 33, chiefs 24

Most important here is your line now in bold above. With dorsey they became less and less physical with each game it seemed. The Bills, led by one of the most aggressive, physical quarterbacks to ever play the game, was playing defense on offense, with a running game that was merely an afterthought. The O line was almost always on their heels, defending Allen against ever increasing pressure, as teams knew the running game posed almost no real threat to them. So Allen was consistently running for his life, making throws off balance, out of rhythm, because he had to--it was the only way to score and win games. I said right after that most consequential firing of a coordinator in Bills history that the Bills would now become the kind of physical running team that they were destined to be, that much better reflected their leader, Josh Allen. And that the rest of the team would follow suit. While they do not have the horses they really need yet on the D-Line, the ability of the O-line to control the line, to physically take over the game, as they did so well against the Broncos, and for the much of the game against the Ravens, to me will determine the outcome of the AFC Championship. As it will also enable the defense to play the same kind of physical, take over a game, aggressive football we have seen from them at times this year--and increasingly as the season progressed. So watch the O-line today, as if they come through the rest should fall into place. The more physical they are, the more dominant, then the whole complimentary football thing will come to fruition.

We found out that Joe Brady, the coordinator who in his first full year in that roll guided an offense without a true #1 OR #2 wide receiver to 525 points, 2nd best on the league, and to one of the best points per drive this century, will be back next year to help take this offense to yet another level. Imagine what this offense will become with great play from the wide receivers. And a few hours before that we found out that our starting cornerback,, Christian Benford, seems likely to play on Sunday. If we feel this way, imagine how the Bills' players feel tonight, a team so many have said was already calm, centered and confident this week. On the night before the biggest game of the year this news bolsters that mindset, vibe, and provides another mental edge for a team that has met almost every challenge this year despite dramatic changes in the off season. A great day for Bills' fans today, setting up an even better day on Sunday.

I am never sarcastic. BUT, some supporters of Brady would say this is amazing, and surprising news, and grreat karma heading into the AFC Championship game tomorrow. I have even heard of one poster who is literally crossing off the head coaching positions as they have been filled this past week, and praying that the 2nd interview in New Orleans did not mean it was a done deal. Homer!

Darn it, was hoping he was going to lead the Saints next year and the Bills would bring back Dorsey for a second go round. Oh well, maybe next year? Hopefully Brady doesn't do what Ben Johnson did and pass on head coach positions two years in a row.

Yes! One less team today that will hire a head coach. Hopefully New Orleans, the team that I think is most likely to really want Brady, possibly the second coming of their offensive guru and leader, will hire someone in the next few days.

Way too much time but not enough

Wasn't even thinking of this until now, related to the Aaron Glenn news.. Maybe the most important thing for Bills' fans to consider.. One less team now to poach Brady.

I missed it at the games I went to this year, so just listened to it. Yes, I am confused! I agree with your assessment completely. Now, Mr. Blue Sky by ELO makes much more sense, and is a better song, and much easier to sing etcetera. Much more upbeat and motivating. It fits in well with the positive, optimistic personality of our leader, Josh Allen. And perfect for the end of a game, a great victory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ8Sz8CJY5g We need to change to this, or something else, before Brightside becomes too ingrained!

Good, maybe my favorite combo. Was afraid to look, with any possibility the red ones returned!

great stats and presentation! One of the most effective ways to present stats, with the visuals, graphs. Thank you! Amazing just how many people who make their living analyzing football have said the Bills don't hit their potential in the playoffs because of his play, especially his significant turnovers.When, in reality, he is one of the best all time. Lazy and careless to spout this BS when they have not done the research they needed to do. You should send it to the uniformed and crazy lazy Shannon Sharpe, who repeatedly said the reason the Bills have not made it far enough in the playoffs is because of his turnovers. He said in answer to someone, maybe Orlovsky, who said Josh was a scoring machine, that yes, but 'for every touchdown he scores he turned the ball over and the other team scored off it'. ! And that he did the same thing in the playoffs. And he said it over and over, as if that would somehow make his lazy ignorant nonsense factual. Great football player, but he may not be able to read. Your graph may be what he needs so he can see it.

No thanks, as though he may do well next year, it is a big risk for any team willing to pay him over ten million. The Bills, and Beane, will not repeat what was one of the worst moves of this current team--bringing in an old lineman way past his prime and dramatically overpay for him. Like Miller, one of his most important attributes was his speed, which often enabled all his other skills. Mack will be 34 soon. Instead, the Bills need to follow their own philosophy, and trust the process that has made them so successful. Use the draft and/or get a young up and coming player in free agency that they have had their eyes on. They should hire Gregg Cosell as a consultant and finally nail their defensive line picks in this year's draft (and free agency).

Nice! Really like this move, but any head coach for the Jersey jets is likely to be a good one for the Bills with as dysfunctional an owner and organization as they have. Now, let us all cross our fingers, and any other body parts we can cross, so soon we can hear the magic words we all should be rooting for: "The Jets have decided to bring back aaron rodgers for the 2025 season." Fingers, toes, eyes..?..all crossed. Please let this happen

? The first six games of this current season? They scored 34, 31, 47, and 35 points in the first four games, victories, of this season. Then, 10 and 20 in the two losses, of course. So not sure what you mean by that statement, first 6 games. In any case, I am confident that the game plan against the bluebirds this past week will not be the same against the Chiefs, as far as the how conservative it will be. But I would definitely be up for point totals like they had early in the season!

come on guys!, those reacting negatively to this post. He is obviously just kidding

Of course you are right--this team has shown time and time again they fold under pressure and do not have the mindset to improve, get better, no matter the circumstances. If they don't win, this is a lost season, and the Bills will not recover. It will be time for dramatic changes in leadership as well. The Bills will likely fire the coaching staff and bring back someone like Dorsey to steer the Bills into the future, to a championship.

Concussion protocol shmotocol... Benford needs to play this week no matter what No excuses

Great take, i had not heard about McD looking at every play of the Ravens, for example. The Bills do not have the defensive talent of most of the top teams in the playoffs, such as Phili and KC, but they have a coach who can overcome the current shortcomings--and an offense that can do more than almost any in the league. I cannot wait to see what happens when they re-load on defensive players in the off season, and prepare for another run at a (2nd?) championship. If McD can do what he has been doing without great defensive talent, imagine what he can do when the Bills are fully loaded..