[Joe Marino talks what the Bills have to do to beat KC in playoffs]

16 hours ago, folz said:

I'm a little late to this party, so I'm just going to throw in a couple of random thoughts/arguments I had reading the thread.

 

First of all, for all of those posters sick of people using Reid as some sort of comparison, it is just as annoying for posters to keep saying we should have multiple Super Bowls or be in the Super Bowl every other year at least just because we have Josh Allen. And since we haven't been, it means McDermott sucks or can/will never get over the hump.

 

HOF Dan Marino, HOF Jim Kelly, HOF Fran Tarkenton, HOF Warren Moon, HOF Dan Fouts, Donovan McNabb, Philip Rivers, Steve McNair, Matt Ryan = 0 Super Bowls

 

(future HOF) Aaron Rodgers, (future HOF) Drew Brees, HOF Brett Favre = 1 Super Bowl each (You could actually kind of add HOF Peyton Manning to this list as he was dragged along to his 2nd Super Bowl)

 

So, let's just look at the current or soon-to-be HOFers on those lists. That is 9 Hall of Fame quarterbacks (four of which, at least, you could argue as Top Five All-Time QBs). Combined, they played 154 seasons of NFL football and yet have just 4 Super Bowl rings between them. That's 150 seasons with no rings for these HOF QBs.

 

Just having a great QB does not guarantee Super Bowls.

 

Now you could counter by saying, yeah, well if they didn't have good coaches, it's the same thing as the Bills situation. But in case you forgot, here is a the list of their head coaches: HOF Don Shula, HOF Marv Levy, HOF Bud Grant, HOF Don Coryell, HOF Tony Dungy, Mike Holmgren, Sean Payton

 

Winning a Super Bowl is not as easy as some of you guys think. Just because you have an elite QB, does not guarantee Super Bowls, even with a HOF coach. There are so many factors to a football team and how their season plays out, plus lady luck (in regards to injuries, lucky bounces of the ball, etc.). There is context to every situation.

 

 

And second, as far as getting over the KC hump, yes, we lost to them three times, but I don't see beating them in the playoffs as some insurmountable task. This is the way I kind of look at the three playoff games vs. the Chiefs:

 

2020: Bills first real taste/test in playoffs, KC was just the better and more seasoned team (both players and coaches); Beasley on a broken foot, and a bad knee;  Diggs with an oblique injury; and the refs allowed the KC DBs to hold and manhandle our receivers all game long (just rewatch how unbalanced it was officiating-wise, now some of that too could just be a little lack of playoff experience and knowing that the refs let more go in the playoffs---but it was pretty bad on the refs part, imo). Not saying we would have won otherwise, just another factor. But, the Bills just weren't ready yet for a playoff-seasoned KC team as an up-and-coming team.

 

2021: The infamous 13 seconds. One of the greatest playoff games ever played. Let's face it, whoever had the ball last was going to win that game...both defenses were gassed and had been gashed all game. Those two offenses that year were just perfection. Yes, you can blame coaching all you want, but it's on the players too. And what if we won the coin toss? What if he missed the 48-yard FG? Etc. Plus, you can question coaching decisions for every single team that lost a playoff game in the history of the NFL. Sometimes things just happen. How many playoff miracles are there, where the losing coach gets blamed? Lots. And how many NFL coaches post-1960 are perfect in the playoffs (have no losses that can be questioned)---Zero. Reid was blamed in Philly for bad game mangement and every one of his losses was questioned. Time to get over 13 seconds, it happened, and it's in the past. But this game was obviously a complete toss-up as far as the argument of us "getting over the KC hump" goes.

 

2024: Bills injuries: No Matt Milano, No Jordan Phillips, No Tre White, Taylor Rapp (out), Christian Benford (out), Terrell Bernard (out), Baylon Spector (out), Poona Ford (out), T. Johnson (playing after concussion the week before), Rasul Douglas playing through a knee injury, Gabe Davis (out), Sam Martin punting with a bum hamstring, it was only Micah Hyde's 2nd game back after being out all season, it was Daquan's 4th game back after being out 10 weeks, and whatever the heck was going on with Stefon (whether it was injury or he just quit on the team---21 yards and no TDs on 8 targets with a fumble).

 

And we only lost by 3? That seems more like a plus for coaching rather than a minus, even though it still sure sucked to lose.

 

 

 

This post is great. Its something I wanted to say but just couldnt put it all together like this. The Bills have been in the mix and I feel that is worthy enough to have faith that it had pontential to happen. 

 

Not sure about next year. Hopefully it all clicks out the gate but I am a little worried about that. Ill worry about KC if things seem to be in order after a few games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[What is your BEST Bills related memory that doesn't involve a game's result?]

Nathan Peterman. If a team can't really win at least make it entertaining. I know Tyrod believers still exisited and they didn't want to listen but it was funny, so it was fun. Tyrod put me to sleep. Peterman made me laugh. 

 

People act like it was some huge mistake to play Peterman. I still think it was worth a shot at the time. 

 

 Going all in on Aaron Rogers and having him flatline 4 plays in is a huge mistake. Russel Wilson and Deshaun Watson are huge mistakes.

 

I hope it makes sense. 

 

 

 

 

[McDermott Growth/Expectations]

I love McDermott as a HC. I think he has grown as a HC. I respect his process. The last few runs had real Super Bowl potential in them if you ask me. 

 

The team has been playoff caliber. Josh Allen didnt want to date Taylor Swift and thats not on coach. 

 

Put some faith in this guy he deserves it.

 

 

 

[What kind of season are you expecting from Josh Allen this year?]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Certainly better than last year. I think last year was Josh's worst since he broke out. And I am not talking about the offense. I am talking about Josh. He was less consistent with his fundamentals and his decision making was more erratic. Not that he was terrible compared to his peers. He still played like a top half dozen QB. I don't think he was top 2 or 3 in 2023 though.

 

I am not saying he will have a career year but I don't discount it. If the weapons around him step up I could see a big bounce back.

This is about or around about what I was thinking. I was thinking he took a break on whatever he was doing before the season that had him playing s tier. 

[Tua holding out?]

5 hours ago, DJB said:

He can’t afford to slip in the shower and hit his head again 

 

Needs to secure the bag

 

 

After seeing how Tua was layed out in those games with his fingers curled up he should secure the bag. 

 

I could never feel right giving him a contract based on strength of the damage that dude look like he took.  

[Question or topic of the day - a new idea for the board]

Will Drake Maye be broken by the Jets and Bills defence? In my opinion yes.

 

Will Keon Coleman make at least one acrobatic one handed catch next season? Imo Yes.

 

Does rolling Rogers out really give Jets fans hope? I hope not because Imo it shouldn't. 

 

Dolphins being scary? I really hope not.

 

The team retooled. How mad will Bills fans be if the road to playoffs is rocky? 

[Rumor: Bills trying aggressively to move up for a WR in round one]

I would just let the draft fall to me and hope it goes my way. Make a move if it makes sense to secure a player that fell to me. I do want top notch WR but not at crazy costs.

[Diggs traded to Texans for picks]

I've always had the view that I like Diggs. I respect his grind to be great. I won't forget the way he sat out on the field after that KC game. It looked like a person who cared a lot. I respect his competative flare and appreciated goofy little things he did a few times.

 

The way it ended wasn't ideal. This isn't the outcome I would want. I trust in this regime, with the understanding that they have some flaws and I have no crystal ball. At least I know stuff gets shaken up and thats a sign of people not getting stuck on losing ideas. 

 

So bring the pain and thin the weeds. Rebuild stronger and figure it out in this next few runs. If not then it was a good run but Ill have to side with the win it all now crowd.

 

[T'Vondre Sweat arrested for DWI]

Need Henry Ruggs to do a scared straight program. Don't have to look far back to see examples of situations you dont want to be in but roll the dice on. 

[McDermott is feeling the pressure]

Ill care more about how people feel about our HC when we dont make the playoffs every year.

 

[Diggs cryptic comments - 2024 edition]

That Playoff game would of humbled me. I wont have to wonder what happens when you depend on dude. I love Diggs for the record but he isnt that special imh.

[I contend that this team's problem isn't coaching, it's talent.]

Going to have to wait and see how thing go throughout the off season. I wouldnt disagree that coaching needs to tighten up and they need an athletic freak of nature WR who lays out for everything and makes miracle contested one hand catches.

[Greg Cosell - “I don’t think they have a number 1 WR”]

I won't say much other than that KC game had to be humbling. I feel like he was featured heavily to start the game and it didnt go well. 

 

I've been thinking he isn't a ture WR 1 for awhile now but I wasnt going to say it. 

[It may not be fair to Brady but we need to expand our search for offensive coordinator]

I like Brady and will be ok if he gets the job. I agree that the Bills should be looking at other options as well to cover all the bases.

[So we're firing McD, right?]

3 minutes ago, Gunsgoodtime said:

Honest question.  Would you prefer to bring back Mcd with his solid win record in the regular season and complete failure against the Chiefs every year or to bring in a offensive minded coach to help the offensive?  It's a very real question right now with so much failure with Josh Allen as your qb.   Let's get real here

 

I would answer your question by saying I would prefer to have not gone into that game with so many injuries. 

 

People worshiping at the KC alter like they smoked us. They might have a slight coaching edge but they barely won. 

[Hire Belicheck]

It would sell more tickets than win games. 

[Divisional Playoffs - Chiefs at Bills - Post game thread]

I enjoyed the game honestly. Heart breaking ending. The injuries on D looked to have a huge impact. I will give them a little credit because plays got made that kept it a game. 

 

I liked the game plan and honestly if the D wasnt so banged up we might of had the edge for a win. 

[Ravens vs Texans]

3 minutes ago, Einstein said:

Then you must have the wrong game on lol.

 

Ravens have more yards, more first downs, more yards per play, better third down efficiency, more sacks, and a higher time of possession.

With all that the Ravens are tied. 

[Ravens vs Texans]

Bringing back memories of seeing dude run for no yards in Buffalo. Texans came out sloppy on O. 

 

I dont fear the Ravens, bring them on. 

[What is your gut telling you right now?]

My gut feeling was the team almost didnt make the playoffs and managed to win the division. I feel better about the situation than I did before that is for sure. 

 

I feel the Chiefs are not as strong as usual but if the Bills are not productive enough at stealing time and scoring points the Chiefs will take advantage of being allowed to hang around. 

 

If the Bills don't dominate and the score is close then I fear prevent defense and playing not to lose and will probably lose. 

 

The only team that can beat the Bills are themselves. 

[Outlook on McDermott if we turn it around]

I think McDermott is a great head coach.  Like Josh Allen I take the good with the bad because the upside has been better in my honest opinion.  

 

It doesn't matter how you feel because chances are you will have to live through the complete collapse of the team before you ever see McDermott fired. 

[Has Josh Allen reached his ceiling?]

I would hope that Josh would never stop in the pursuit of mastering his craft. Looking at this season makes me think Josh/Dorsey may have settled and teams figured them out. 

[Joe Brady - What Do We Expect?]

I have no expectations. I expect this to be a temporary situation until they try to land the right person. 

 

It might be cool to get a chance to step into that role. The only option the guy has is to lean on what is already established is not working.

 

There is no longevity realistically.  You go in and do your best to call plays because chances are we are not going into next season with this dude at OC.

 

The guy isn't really going to get the chance to get the full experience just a taste of it. If the situation was different I would have expectations. 

 

The hope is that things tighten up but it looks like the team is not militant about football.  

 

 

 

 

[DORSEY FIRED, Joe Brady Interim OC]

I am surprised it happened before the end of the season but it is looking like a clown show now. McDermott has to find an OC that can get Josh and cast rolling again. 

 

It is good to get the message out now that the Bills need that OC. I think people will find that performance comical.  

 

All McDermott needs to do is find the offensive version of himself. I think he had that some in Daboll and he got scooped up but they should of been on the lookout for the next guy long before they fired Dorsey. 

[McDermott answers why we stopped uptempo offense]

12 minutes ago, saundena said:

I believe continuity is essential for long term success, and while I've been on board with getting rid of our coordinators (Frasier, Dorsey 🙏), I've been patient with McDermott because I think he's a good coach.

 

But the more I read things like this; the more comfortable I'm getting sacking him at the end of the season.  I believe his skill set might be better suited to turning around dumpster fire teams and not for bringing a team from good to great.

 

Of course who do we replace him with?  It might take him a while, but maybe he's the next Andy Reid, Sean Peyton or Tony Dungy... All good coaches that it took many years to to win a SB.

 

If it is time for a change, then I hope we can find the right person to bring us to the promise land.  I also like Beane, but don't know how it would play out if Sean were to get canned.  Technically, they both report to TP and presumably McD could be fired while BB retained.

 

 

I am almost in the same train of thought. I am not on board with firing McDermott at the moment. Nobody can tell me the Bills have not changed for the better after McDermott took over. 

 

Although the team has some issues and if McDermott keeps throwing everything into what he is strong at and not sure up the teams weak links then I'm sure at some point he will lose the job.