Ray Stonada

"The coach who instills belief — real belief — is the coach who’ll win in January. The bigger the game, the bigger the moment, McDermott freezes. As his defense struggles, McDermott only turns more conservative. Buffalo’s win over the Buccaneers should’ve never boiled down to Chris Godwin failing to turn around on a Hail Mary. When the Bills’ offense had its foot firmly above Tampa Bay’s throat, up 24-10, McDermott punted four times at midfield to end the game: Fourth and 5 from the Bills 49, fourth and 9 from the Bucs 47, fourth and 2 from the Bucs 44 and fourth and 1 from the Bucs 48. With Josh Allen at quarterback." Hit piece or no hit piece, this is right on the money. The guy plays scared and it infects our team.

This is the part that makes him seem like a fraud. Apologizing but making sure to mention he lost a "good family friend" on 9/11. Just such a tasteless time to mention that person's memory, to deflect criticism from himself.

Maybe, but you have no idea if so. And benching him for that long is still stupid It's like McDermott's trying to act tough, or doing something cause he saw Belichick do it on TV in 2005.

Can't disagree with this: "The coach’s “blame game” extends to players. Running back James Cook, who entered the Broncos loss with zero fumbles on 160 touches, was swiftly ushered into the coach’s doghouse after one fumble that was the result of an exceptional strip by the defender. Not a gaffe. Treating his starting running back like a 10th grade point guard who turns the ball over against a full-court press is the sort of Cro-Magnon coaching that’s become the norm in Orchard Park."

(Where the heck is @YoloinOhio when we need all the angles, plus a laconic but hilarious take on them?)

You could make Washington or Babich the interim HC and the other the interim DC, so Brady can keep developing as OC.

This article just confirmed a lot of things, about the malaise around our team. The loss of joy since Daboll left. I honestly think making Brady HC and Babich DC would give us a stronger chance at a Super Bowl this year.

This one is funny: "Open up the Buffalo Bills media guide from the year McDermott took over, turn to the bio on the new coach in charge and you’ll find a Q&A breakout box. A fun way for people to get to know the coach. McDermott is asked for his favorite TV show (“Monday Night Football”), the person who has influenced him the most (“Jesus Christ”), favorite movie (“Vision Quest”), favorite vacation spot (“Kiawah Island”) and his favorite musical artist (“Michael Jackson”) amongst other inquiries. The final question is the most interesting. Right next to a picture of a young McDermott pinning down a competitor on the wrestling mat, he’s asked for his pet peeve. His answer: “Fake people.”" Michael Jackson??? Lol.

4 minutes ago, SectionC3 said: Mularkey left in significant part because his kids were treated like crap at school because of their dad. Not cool. I hate to say it, but that is too many people in Buffalo. Insecurity around outsiders and trying to cut them down to size.

This article just describes something we basically knew instinctively. That McDermott is a rigid, fearful, tense, micromanager who is making his team miserable and costing them losts of wins with his mental mistakes late in games. And the assistant coaches and players feel it. Remember McDermott's handshake with Daboll at the end of the Giants game--maybe the frostiest handshake I've ever seen between NFL coaches--and then Josh Allen's super warm interaction with Daboll right after? Tells you the same thing.

I paid the 8 bucks. I think the picture of McDermott it draws explains a lot of what ails this team. Stuff like this doesn't need any quotes from people who got fired to be on point: "As pressure mounts this season — as fans correctly deduce that the head coach is the problem — it should come as no surprise that McDermott has tried to pin this disappointing season on the offense. After Mac Jones, one of the worst QBs in the NFL, drove 75 yards in 1:46 to win, plenty of shrapnel was reserved for the Bills offense. After losing in Cincinnati, he pointed to the line of scrimmage and the lack of run-pass balance. After the Bills squandered a lead with 1:56 left to Denver, McDermott ripped Allen for an interception and said he was “proud” of his defense all in the same answer."

The thing that makes it tough is the uncertainty. The Bills could miss the playoffs, or win the Super Bowl this season. And because we’ve pulled defeat from the jaws of victory so many times, we can’t even relax and enjoy games where we are winning anymore. We’re on tenterhooks here.

We should appreciate guys like him so much more. It’s very easy to sit at home and call these guys chumps or lazy or worthless. Try doing their job. Tougher than it might look, playing left tackle in the NFL. And then to put this energy into helping people, you gotta love it.

They have the broadcast national commercials now. Since October I think.

Bills 40, Chiefs 27

I know. The two games we won there, 2021 and 2022, were blurred in my mind till this week. The losses are all clear memories though 😭

My mistake. Chiefs are 8-4, I thought they were 9-3 like the Phins. I guess I find it hard to imagine the Dolphins in first place in the AFC

We both have problems. One difference is that we’re two games out of a playoff spot with five to go, and you’re in your customary seat with the best record in the AFC. Yet your season point differential is +67, while ours is +101. Depressing for us.

If we win out, we have a 98% chance of getting in with NYT simulator. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/upshot/buffalo-bills-nfl-playoff-picture.html#kc-buf-14=loss&buf-dal-15=win&lac-buf-16=loss&buf-ne-17=win&mia-buf-18=loss

"They" is the coaches. One of the Eagles said about the Bills D in OT, "we couldn't believe the defense were in. When I saw that I knew we had a TD." Tells you something about McD's defense in crunch time.

This game is there for the taking. Shade coverage towards Kelce, press the rest and let the pass rush feast. On offense, lots of play action, keep running it, grind them down and add a wrinkle--how about a screen pass to Josh with a whole mess of blockers?

THIS. Compare to how Green Bay defended Mahomes with the game on the line. Safeties were back, but CBs were right up on the receivers! Pressing. And it worked. I do not understand how McDermott does not see this!! Instead he plays off and gets shredded, and calls blitzes at the worst times.

I put our problems on playcalling. Mainly Dorsey making us far worse, and McD calling off-coverage every time we need to hold a lead. We would be 10-2 or better otherwise.