Billsfan1972

They had three weeks to prepare for the Cincy, particularly the first quarter and what to expect from them. They did nothing different from the January 2nd meeting. Unacceptable. And also as terrible what happened to Hamlin was, 3 weeks later the Bills should have been walking on "cloud nine" and 100% ready as it seemed the worst was behind them and they'd learned their lessons after the Miami game.

Is that a dig at me (original post) or because he was worried about the McD "Fanboys" to come to his defense? The point I am asking is what does a HC's job entail and then yes whether McD has been successful. No one can question the record since Allen's second year. However I think the last three years Regular Seasons results are almost solely due to have Allen as the QB.

And they work 18 hours a day watching game film.

Agree there, but regardless they blew the game as they got very conservative the second half and McD had little confidence in the offense and Allen that second year (as is McD). Oh and some horrible non-calls.

I'm really at a loss when it comes to reading threads & posts here about McDermott. While no one is demanding his job (though they do annually with McCarthy in Dallas), and neither am I, there hasn't been a single thread calling him out here. The majority here want Frazier gone and many are questioning Dorsey after one year on the job. But I'm at a complete loss on what McDermott does as the HC and what his responsibilities are. Please no more Culture, Attitude & Process😉. I want to know seriously what is his job and has he done a good one? We have many here too pointing at him being responsible for the draft and the Bills choices to go heavy on defense. He is responsible for in game decisions and again I ask how would you grade him there? I've been told Frazier runs McD's defense. So who was responsible for 13 seconds? We know the ST coach was fired & still not sure why it wasn't a squib or angled kick (as I screamed at my TV January 2022). Last three playoff losses the defense allowed over 1400 yards and offenses to do whatever they wanted against the Bills defense. Do you know they allowed 29,30 & 30 first downs those last three games (btw vs. NE in the no punt game the Bills had 29)? Go back to the Houston loss too and how they bungled that game. I've gone over the Cincy game and ask who was responsible for the Defensive game plan, especially the first quarter (where most offenses are scripted) and Cincy did exactly the same as 3 weeks prior walking up and down the field and the Bills seemed utterly unprepared. I then blame Dorsey when somehow the game was still in reach at 17-7 and the Bills are first & 10 at the Bengals 39 with timeouts and one minute left in the half and blow it and then after taking the third quarter kick and first & goal at the 8 three more lousy plays and the game was lost there. All year I saw so little creativity on offense and well we know McD isn't an offensive minded coach so I guess we can't blame him on that side of the ball. Is that how it works? There are plenty of coaches who seem to take the fall or are blamed when things go bad/sideways, but McD seems to skate. Look I have warmed on McD over the years, and think he has improved, but this was the Superbowl favourite the entire year with Allen as the QB, but I still see so many warts and he to me seems to be the "Teflon Don" of coaches.

McCarthy won 13 (backup for 5 games), Kevin O'Connell won 12, Sirriani 17...... As said I really don't know what to think of McD, but I want the Bills to win the SB in 2023/24.

I don't know a coach that gets more credit and less blame then McD. I swear he is teflon.

And you know, I hope we're both wrong. I don't want to wait until the 2025 Super Bowl. Please Allen win next year in spite of McD.

And there it is Shaw. I really do respect you and you write great and thoughtful posts, however I think you are way too enamored with McD. I think any coach with Josh Allen as his quarterback would be at the minimum be at the same spot if not better.

Couldn't be more bang on. Last year many asked why the Bills lost every close game and this year, his "defenders" said "Look the Bills did win close games". Shaw brought up the 3rd play as a key moment, but didn't mention going down 14-0 essentially playing the same defense they did 3 weeks earlier when Cincy was doing the same thing. He must have signed off on that? I will ask a stoopid questions. Does the HC not go over what the coaches are going to do game day? Somehow it was only 17-7 and the Bills had the ball with a chance to put points on the board to end the half and the second half kickoff. They were at Cincy's 39 yard line too. Here is exactly where proper coaching with Allen gets you minimum a first down and a FG before half. First & goal to start the second half at the 8 and again 3 lousy calls. Where was that one play we waited for all year that wasn't an Allen improvisation but a well conceived play? Is that not coaching?

Shaw you really are a better man then me and with a keen eye. I said the exact same thing the 3rd play of the game and it was a TD if the OL gave Josh .25 seconds more. However & we've gone at it before, you always absolve McD. Sorry this team with Josh would be +-1 win with any competent coach. The Bills this year were 13-3 on talent alone. The three losses all could be pinned on coaching and I'll give you the Ravens game as one they did a good job coaching. Heck they beat KC, so throw that one in too. This team had more then enough talent to breeze through the schedule they had. So what is McD responsible for (since now we're told not the D either)? Please don't say culture.

Just saw something interesting. I was commenting on just how bad the Defense is come the playoffs (and the bend don't break philosophy). I claimed that the only good games the Defense played were vs. Jax (14-7 loss) and then vs. Baltimore (and Lamar didn't play the 4th). Then I was saying that the NE (no punt game) was exactly how the Defense was built and the results expected. The Bills scored 47 points & had 29 first downs. KC had 29 & 30 in their two playoff games and Cincy putting up a meagre 27 points had 29. Yep the Bills' coaches certainly do learn.

Again maybe a little on the offense, but see none of it on the defense and certainly come playoff time, the Defense has crumbled each and every loss. The only game the Defense did play well was vs. Baltimore (NE was vs. a Rookie and the Bills didn't punt, which is exactly what the Defense is based on). BTW Bills had 29 First Downs vs. NE winning 47-17. KC in their two wins over Buffalo 29 & 30, Cincy 30 (but only 27 points).

Actually sounds like what comes out of McD's mouth, but he is the last to take it. Wow, what a hot take!!!!🙄 Right up there when any post questioning the Bills play after the bye was met with "The Bills won, that's all that matters".

I'm wondering if anyone has pictures of the cleats worn or more insight. To me it certainly seemed Cincy had better traction.

Again call me simple, but McD is the HC, doesn't he review or make a game plan with the coaches and they go over downs, distances, players, schemes and plays to call under different scenarios? We have heard almost universally the first 15 offensive plays a diagrammed and run, so they must discuss it prior. Frazier & McD saw Cincy make swiss cheese of the D for there first 10 plays 3 weeks prior and came out and had the exact same defense January 22nd. I just don't get it.

And again you've let McD off the hook (especially on the D). He seems to skate all the time. So again all the pressure is on Allen in 2023 imo.

You may be right (btw affected not effected). I look at how I reacted and others afterwards. I said whatever happened the rest of the year, I'd be okay as I was so worried about what happened and Damar's health. NE I expected an emotional affect, but the Bills are so much a better team. Things improved and still so much a better team then Miami and that game was just so unusual in any case. By Cincy it was SB or bust again for me as Hamlin home and well on the way to recovery.

The Bills forced one punt the first half (and lucky at that). I've pointed that out plenty of times too and again blame Dorsey as when we needed a play dialed up, he had nothing (and that ultimately falls on the coaches & McD). First and 10 at Cincy 39 with plenty of time and three lousy play calls (keep it simple short passes and ensure time off the cloack and minimum a fg). First & Goal from the 8..... Again three terrible calls and a FG (made it 17-10). Of course then Cincy carved up the Bills D for an easy TD.

I believe the Bills were effected 6 days out and still somewhat 13 days vs. Miami. With Hamlin home & as healthy as can be expected, using that as an excuse vs. Cincy was weak imo.

No, just a few of us here. The majority still think he just needs at worst a tweak or two. They still think he turned water into wine when hired. I keep pointing out that the Bills lost in OT in week 16 to be eliminated (and Rex then fired) and the Bills lost week 17 to go 7-9. McD then became a hero going 9-7 and Andy Dalton getting the Bills into the playoffs.😉 I've said the same, but unless it is a 10-7 SB (and that throughout the playoffs), I'm pretty sure it will be because of Allen. I will however give McDermott some credit.🤣

And that is the real issue. What is McD's job? Now he is responsible for the draft too (which many think is the case)? His job is to ensure everyone is on the same page. He royally f'd up 13 seconds (and too used timeouts and still couldn't get it right). Is it to have the team ready to play an important game (blew it vs. Cincy)? Yes a Defensive HC is going to be judged more for the teams performance on that side of the ball and when push comes to shove the defense is what let's the Bills down.

I believed that for the NE & Miami games, but by Cincy rang a bit hollow. The Bills were not ready. I too blame the weather as the snow did affect Buffalo more than Cincy.

Wait. are you saying Coaching is important as to the development of players???? And some FA's too are busts. Again this where we are 24 pages in. The coaching was terrible vs. Cincy and heck also has an affect on player development. Maybe that is the reason only developed one All-Pro from the drafts.

He asked for 2-3.... That was one and certainly drew a penalty, but how about a play when the ball was snapped.