Success

McD's comments are going to have SOME impact on the team - it's hard to say if it will be negative, or positive. But given the firestorm, and his reaction - if they like him and generally support him, I could see this being a pretty galvanizing thing. I'm sure everyone groaned when they saw the comments reported, but I'd have to think there is a sense that the national reaction is pretty tough on McD, and somewhat unfair. Could be a motivator. Hey, I'm looking for anything at this point.

Yeah - agreed. He is clearly - to me - someone who tries to do things the right way. His intentions are good. So many of these media firestorms are undeserved. Tons of people pile on, like they have never said a stupid thing in their lives. The last thing I want is to be judged by my worst moments.

Best TNF game I've seen in awhile.

Belichick screaming at the refs for 2 completely legit & correct calls.

That was one of the season's best catches.

I'm trying to think of the last time I was 100% behind the Pats winning. I think Grogan was QB. But, go Pats. Yep. I said it.

Could go either way. The only way it doesn't go is "no impact."

I was looking for this thread, too. The 9/11 comment changes everything, imo. McD is coaching for his job now.

I simply cannot "not care" about this. It is such a colossally stupid thing to say. I've said stupid things. I try to be understanding about it. But my god. And a week after the Von story broke, the Bills are AGAIN the subject of negative conversation, and ridicule. It's too much. How am I supposed to be proud of this right now? I hate being so melodramatic, but I'm punch drunk at this point.

Brady did a great job coming in as OC. Why not HC? Tomorrow?

I mean, I just don't get it. Is there any context that can put this in a better light? The thing is, we ALL have to answer for this now. He puts all of us out there for scorn, and ridicule. 9 friggin' 11? Who thinks of that as any kind of example, of anything?

I'm having a very hard time comprehending the 9/11 thing. There are SO MANY positive examples if he was trying to illustrate that point. I am all about the idea that sometimes smart people say stupid things, and none of us should be judged by our worst moment. But for the sake of pete...9/11?

I haven't read it yet - just the OP & some of the comments. I don't know if McD really is a narcissist or control freak - but I'd guess that a fair # of good & great coaches across all sports could fit those characterizations, at least loosely. I don't think those qualities alone are necessarily 'bad,' at least when it comes to coaching a team successfully. That's not to say McD is a good or great coach, but I wouldn't consider those things to be disqualifying. All of that said, I'm personally very conflicted about McD. I've been a supporter, but the 12-men game, and the meltdown against Philly, have me questioning if it wouldn't be better to start a new path. Instead of hand-wringing and twisting my brain into a pretzel, I've settled on letting the rest of the season decide it, at least for me (which means little): if McD can navigate the brutal schedule we have in front of us to make the playoffs - and particularly if we run the table - he should stay. Imo.

I mentioned this to another poster on this thread: you are talking about perception. I am talking about reality.

Is this golf we're talking about then? Team game, Pats fan.

Not me. It has been a frustrating season - but the drought the Bills went through is something I've internalized, so just having a competitive team and top QB is enough to get me excited every Sunday. And I'm still hopeful w/ this team. I think we can get on a run & make it to the playoffs. And if we don't, I'll still be stoked about next season and glad to not have to go through the QB angst that defined every offseason between Kelly & Allen.

Should have said top 15. I used to think top 10, but that's changed w/ some of the great QB's over the past 15+ years. But I think he's top 15.

I'd rank Mahomes higher right now. But it's pretty close. My original point was more that nationally, Mahomes gets much more leeway for bad play.

I think they are - for a LOT of reasons. Kelly isn't really in the conversation, but I consider him top 10. Marino has a real argument, for any fan of the game. Clutch play is a big part of ranking - and both Brady and Montana won so much, because they were BOTH so clutch. They made plays when it counted. That, right now, is not a differentiator between Mahomes & Allen. If anything, I think Allen was a bit more clutch in the 13 seconds game, though it's close. Winning does matter - but not to the point where Dilfer is better than Marino, or Eli is better than Fouts. We're still in the 1st third or so of both careers. Mahomes has titles - but he has also had better coaching, more well-constructed teams, and more luck to this point. Skill-wise, I'd still take Allen over Mahomes. And the time to really judge who is "better" is when they're both done.

You can talk about perception. I'll talk about reality.

Yes, yes. I forgot that we're talking about golf.

I'm talking nationally.

I try to be objective when it comes to Mahomes & Allen comparisons. But since they both started, I think it's fairly obvious: when Mahomes doesn't play well, it's excuse city. When Allen doesn't play well, it's, a ha! We were right about him on draft day.

Tired?

Yeah - you're right. That's unpopular.