Mikie2times

It was humorous seeing Vance stammering trying to defend his opinions with things he saw on TV. He’s one of those guys that will act tough if he’s hanging out with his friends but he would just shrink alone under any marginal threat.

The Iranian government can barely tie its shoes correctly. They’re dated, shrinking in allies, and not supported by the people. I don’t see something like you’re describing happening, but if for any reason the US supported a conflict in that region and it gave the people hope of getting rid of Khameneh I’m sure they would support it (as much as one can under the threat of retaliation). I know a decent amount of them and it’s truly sad what those people have to deal with. It seems like most of the western world just chalks them up as extremist and it’s just so far from reality. The regime are extremist, most the people are midwestern nice and very pro US.

I have serious concerns Brady doesn't know how to use a true #1. If he does, I wonder how much more + the offense can be? Certainly they can get much better with a resource like Metcalf, but they already were near league high's in multiple categories. How many historic offensive teams tend to win it all? Maybe the Rams long ago? Some degree of balance seems to part of the formula. We really need a better defense. It was the worst iteration of any of the playoff teams we had and was almost completely dependent on turnovers to make it work (I think they were ranked in the 30's in EPA excluding turnovers). It was dreadful. Obviously I have concerns over if a defensive investment can pay off given my less than stellar feelings on McD, but with that said, I know to a certainty it won't work if he doesn't have more horses. Where I know Allen and company will still be a threat any game to drop 30 on a defense even with who we have now. No perfect answer to this, but that's my feelings at the moment.

Here you go again, bizarre, illogical, dare I say preposterous! You’re out of order sir! These posts are like a cartoon character. You do realize that was probably the best defensive team of that decade? Not even probably, undeniably, most certainly, undoubtedly, bla bla bla. I don’t even know why I try sometimes.

Get it out Hermie

The non extremist Muslims which is a huge part of Iran are pro America and very liberal. But they don’t typically teach that on TV or in 10 page books.

He’s a hell of a player. Saw a lot of his college games.

It has to be big enough for the sensors to catch it

He had 8 sacks in 13 games in 2022. Just not sure if the progress is really occurring at the rate it needs to. Is he going to progress to a legit double digit guy? I don't see it. Really tired of this regime extending drafted B players. Greg is fine, but he's not a true impact player and what we I don't want to do is block out a position from further investments with B players.

Pro Football reference has them ranked as follows using SRS/simple rating system.

Cooks run for me

In 2023, the injuries were pretty significant in the playoff game. It sort of weakens that statement if you want to argue that in 2024. 9 of 11 healthy is better than most and about as good as we will have it. We let a Chiefs team who has struggled moving the ball all year go up and down the field on us. Which they didn't do in either playoff game outside of ours. But it's not like this is a new conversation. Chiefs are really good, injuries, luck not on our side vs Beane sucks, McD sucks. That's basically what this board has become.

My new favorite insult for people

Not sure how else he needs to phrase it. Regardless of any other variable, offense had the ball last with a chance to win. We didn't score a TD on either drive. Despite a ton of other reasons we fail in these moments we also failed in this spot. Just because none of it happens without Josh, if the measure is the Super Bowl, then he has to have some responsibility in those results. I'm sure he feels that way probably more than he feels he is being left out to dry.

Who in your mind was undeserving winner of the "The Tournament"? IE, not one of the top couple teams in the NFL? From what I can see, the best or second best team has won "The Tournament" every year below. It sort of doesn't fit with your marketing campaign to brand the NFL playoffs as something totally random.

I don't think they "get up" more. I think they save more for the playoffs. Which puts us at a strategic advantage in the regular season and a deficit in the postseason. We basically rolled out a man centered approach on defense in the regular season game this year. Regardless of Benford, they were VERY prepared for that look in the rematch. Look at the quick throws they used on the first drive they had. Then look at how they ran Mahomes in the playoffs really pushing the edges. They didn't try any of that in the regulars season game. The year prior which was a must win so I get it, but that is when we unleashed the RB passing game. Cook blew up in the first quarter. IF KC finds an edge to exploit, they aren't using it in the regular season game, we will.

In hindsight do you feel the experts were totally off base or we overachieved?

Out of curiosity, when you have Josh Allen at QB and face the below, what do you expect the outcome to be? It's silly for either side of the argument to keep pretending no argument exists. If you want to disagree, so be it, but valid points on each side. QB"s with at least 2 starts since 2020 Miami Tua Tagovailoa Jacoby Brissett Ryan Fitzpatrick Teddy Bridgewater Skylar Thompson Tyler Huntley New York Aaron Rodgers Zach Wilson Trevor Siemian Tim Boyle Mike White Joe Flacco Sam Darnold New England Cam Newton Drake Maye Jacoby Brissett Mac Jones Bailey Zappe Allen must be underperforming then

Given the defenses speed over size approach, 4-2-5 base, you would think an elite one tech could transform the entire defense. Imagine our run defense being solidified. LB's being more clean. Ed left to penetrate. This has been a major fail by leadership from what I can see. In times when Jones has played well, early on with Star, and even when Joseph was signed it was clear that role can really make an impact.

Again, quality post. Certainly for every team it's the combination of talent and coaching. In my mind McD doesn't fall that far outside another beloved Buffalo coach, Marv Levy. Levy was able to accomplish something pretty remarkable in the resilience, character, and consistency he was able to instill in those teams. I know it taught me a life lesson or two. He was a hall of fame coach. But ultimately, was he good enough in the X's and O's, roster/player development, assistant coaching decisions, draft contributions, and all those other things? Probably not. I know a lot of Bills fans look at Marv as one of the main reasons we never won one. With this team and Allen, we have considerable talent as well. If I have a degree of hope with McD it's just that I don't feel that talent resides on the side of the ball he specializes in. But at the same time he very well could be a large part of the reason why. We just don't know. Further, not many great coaches have had an MVP QB and never been to a Super Bowl. It sort of ups the anti a little bit by having a guy like Josh. As it upped the anti for Marv having Bruce, Thurman, Andre, Jim, etc. Allen is really what puts the pressure on McD and I think it's what gives clarity to the bold part. When you have a guy like Allen, I don't know that you can be considered great unless certain things happen. Winning a Super Bowl, going to a Super Bowl. Perhaps more forgiveness exists with a lesser QB. But I'm not sure any great coaches exist that haven't been to a championship game with an MVP QB. McD to me is still not in Levy's class yet, but in the same mold. Which certainly isn't bad company, but might not be championship company.

I would say, what good is your culture if you cant draft the somewhat troubled BPA? As far as McD goes, I think if this keeps going and we repeat the last 4 years again, I think you really need to just look at change for the sake of it. It's not about being good or bad. It's just refreshing the routines, systems, and voices. Larry Bird once said every 3 years a team should replace it's HC. For 90% of coaches the most they should have is 3 years. After that players just don't hear you the same way. You don't impact the team the same way as you once did. All of which makes sense. What I hope we don't see is something like a Landry, Shula, Harbaugh or Tomlin where the HC basically takes up a permanent post. That is not a good model IMO. All 4 of those guys won a Super Bowl, but after the last SB appearance they have gone 448-301 in the regular season, 47 separate seasons, and no Super Bowl appearances. It seems like many of the McD proponents are arguing for that type of stability/approach without actually saying it. I at least want to find out if that is what they see in the scenario I provided.

I appreciate the thought out post. My question was phrased a specific way and I don't see you explicitly stating an answer. I can infer from the post that your answer is as long as McD keeps showing growth he has an indefinite amount of time. Growth from the perspective you're stating doesn't seem to be anchored to a clear result as far as I can tell and more to continued improvements. I guess that's a bit tricky given how close and how far we have come. One could argue how much more improving can we make without actually getting to the Super Bowl? I will ask it in a very clear way. If the Bills go to multiple AFC championship games and a couple divisional games and never miss the playoffs the next 4 years, but don't make a Super Bowl, is McD still your guy?

I spent about the last 1000 posts trying to prove a case could and likely should be made for moving on, but man is that negative. It's just not worth all the posts from my perspective. At the same time, I think it's fair to ask his supporters where does the line get drawn? We have had as much regular season success as any major sports franchise since 2020, but we did that in the 90's as well. I hear people dismiss the postseason as the "tournament" but from my perspective, more often than not, the best team does in fact win the Super Bowl. It doesn't happen every time, but most of the time it's how it unfolds. I think it's very fair to ask if we did the same thing all over again the next 4 years, would it be enough to these posters? If the answer is yes, and it would seem likely it has to be (given what points are made by his supporters) then these threads and all the debates involved are kind of pointless. It would just show a fundamental difference in how both groups look at success and what they ultimately want. So again, really curious how McD's supporters feel about this. Winning is fun, losing is not fun, I like to have fun. But at the end of the day I really want just one. To me that has to be the goal. Eventually I feel like you can't ride the same horse who hasn't been able to accomplish that forever. Maybe some feel you can or you should. I would like to hear perspective on that if that is the case.

Shoot him behind the barn and tell the kids he ran away.