jkeerie

He never said culture trumps talent. Talent does not equal strategy. McD is developing a culture. He knows he needs talented players within that culture to succeed.

This makes sense. It goes back to "talent plus habits, you've got something." He didn't reference individual players, but it wouldn't surprise me that he was thinking of Benjamin when he said what he said. If part of the strategy is to start Benjamin because he's your number one WR, but KB isn't playing like he's even trying (i.e. he hasn't bought into the culture and hasn't developed the right habits), the strategy will fail. All it takes is one person to screw things up. Didn't McDermott say that in one of the Bills Imbedded episodes? If KB doesn't start on Sunday, we will understand more of what McD meant.

Talent and habits...you've got something. Talent without habits, he wants no part of. Case in point, Vontaze Burfict, Bengals LB. Very talented...but the only habit he has is hot-tempered stupidity. He cost his team a playoff victory against the Steelers.

Thank you for saying this. It seems some folks heard "Culture is the only thing." That is not at all what was said. We were not a talented team last year...yet we won more than we lost. We are getting more talented on the defensive side of the football. Allen hopefully adds an important piece to the offense, but clearly offensive talent is what is lacking this year. The jury is out on our offensive coaching. I don't understand what Daboll is trying to do from week to week. Running the football does not appear to be part of his overall plan. Yes...this is a passing league, but you can't have a good passing game without talent...and without a respected run game. Weren't there a couple other OC's that McDermott wanted his first year that signed with different teams? The good OCs in the league are taken, so McDermott went to one of the most talented college teams (Alabama) to grab Daboll...who also happened to be from the area so he was easy to attract. I think we have to wait and see what develops. McDermott though is obviously not pleased with the current direction. He just isn't the type to throw anyone under the bus publicly.

The citation of the Seahawks is a perfect example of why culture is important. They are pretty much employing the same strategy this year, but as you said, the culture isn't the same.

I do agree with your first point. If this is what McDermott said, I can't say I understand why he said it. The Bills...these coaches and players have experienced wholesale change over the past two years. Thus they are "younger." McDermott has only been a head coach for two years. Granted you could argue the same about McVay...but he inherited a core group that was severely mismanaged by the previous regime. The key is ALL 53 must be on the same page. Yes...every team is shooting for the same goal. All it takes is for one player to mess up...play stupidly (penalties and the like) to make the difference in winning and losing.

That's because the Steelers are losing. As much talent as they have, they are now losing. They are not playing as a team. When teams start losing despite the talent, the "business" end kicks in a lot quicker and players are not re-signed, leading to more dissatisfaction. It's a vicious and flawed cycle.

The team that McDermott refers to though is not the Bills "business." It's playing for each other. It's 53 individuals collectively playing for one goal. Coaches coach the players they are given. They recognize the business aspect of it...thus turnover...but move forward irrespective of it since most times they have little control over the business side of things.

I agree with McDermott to a point. He didn't say "Culture is everything." He's basically saying if you don't have players that go about things the right way, your strategy won't succeed...likely long term. Look at Miami. Gase took a page from McDermott's book and cut talented players that don't fit what they're trying to do. As someone said, they put themselves ahead of the team (Landry, Suh). Miami looks better for it this year. Having said that though, there are obviously flaws in the talent area and the coaching area. The TEAM is young...not individual players. The TEAM has only been together 2 years. We loved this team last year because this TEAM, despite the lack of talent, won enough games to make the playoffs...over the previously more talented teams that didn't have the right culture. They have added new pieces, that individually have to grow and learn...and collectively have to grow and learn. We're frustrated now because the team hasn't played well...particularly the offense, which has the most new starters. I'm going week to week this season. If they bounce back this week and play better football, we'll all feel better. I want to see steady improvement...from the rookies, the coaches and the team. It doesn't mean I've drunk the cool-aid. It just means that I'm willing to be objective and patient. (For now.)

And how long has Andy Reid been with KC versus how long McDermott has been here? Beane wasn't here to run the 2017 draft. Whaley and his crew were here. They were not going to let a lame duck GM choose the QB. McDermott wasn't ready to select his QB of the future. I think he wanted to wait for Beane and evaluate the team together to see what they had to build from...knowing that this year's class was going to have a number of QB's with first round grades.

If it were the Bills, the pass would have been dropped, it would have been ruled a fumble and Denver would have recovered.

I hate autocorrect. I can agree that Mahomes is good. I don't think the Bills were even thinking QB last year.

A. Mahomes is in his second year. B. Andy Reid.

Helen Keller would have seen that hold!

Now what team did that look like failing to down a punt inside the five?

Excellent clock management.

Amazing when a QB is pressured.

I wish they had an offense.

Denver D wasn't ready.

Hill's headshot is so bad. Looks like a zombie shrunken head. They need to retake it.

I think the Showtime may have started in college. Actually I just looked it up. Kelce started it.

I think that's a safe bet.

There offense is so amazing. It's not just Mahomes. They've got so many weapons. Allen doesn't even have one.

Denver's running like crazy...but they have to pass. Dang these OCs.

They referred to it earlier as the Boogmobile.