Help! Please talk me into McDermott - Can't See It

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Disclaimer: This is a sincere attempt to understand what others see in McDermott. Not trying to start an argument, as I don't think we have enough info for a meaningful conclusion right now either way.

 

But I am really struggling with this guy so far. And I am an optimist by nature and have pretty much talked myself into every single Bills coach (at least during their first preseason) over the past four decades.

 

Here's what worries me:

-Never says anything remotely interesting. Buttoned-down corporate speak all the way. And I know there is value in keeping your thoughts to yourself, but this kind of say-nothing style doesn't necessarily mask deep thoughts. It often means the person actually has no insight. The way he communicates publicly completely reminds me of Russ Brandon. That is not a good thing, in my opinion.

 

-Seems to have read a few too many leadership books. He seems like he is trying to manufacture himself into a leader through notes and aphorisms and process. I am beyond skeptical of that approach in any organizational context. He doesn't seem comfortable in his skin to me - even the way he fidgets around in press conferences. He seems like a guy who loves the idea of being a leader, but hasn't discovered his own authentic approach. Feels like he's playing dress-up. (Again, screams Russ Brandon.)

 

-Seems technocratic - thinks success will come primarily through control, detail, process. All well and good at times, but nowhere near enough to manage the seething, human, multi-variable complexity that is any football team.

 

-Role in the Whaley affair is unclear, but optics do look like a bit of a backstabbing power grab. I admit this could be TOTALLY off.

 

Here's what I like:

-People he's worked with seem to like the guy.

-Reportedly does a good job of connecting to and caring about players as individuals.

-I have mad respect for Andy Reid, so I like the tree.

 

I admit, my negatives are superficial and based on my own cursory observations, whereas the positives are substantive and based on the experience and testimony of people who have worked with him.

 

But right now I just have the feeling he is in over his head, but has impressed the Pegulas with his organized approach, attention to detail, and stoic wrestler manner - none of which will make him a good coach IMO.

 

I really hope I'm wrong, and I'm totally prepared to fall in love with the guy as things play out. But I can't remember feeling this cold about a hire. Even Marrone who came off as a total tool early on, somehow convinced me he might have something.

[KellyToughII]

Sorry, nothing to talk you into. He is the HC period. The Pegulas love him period. Now my advice is just sit back and give this guy 3 years and let him prove if he is good or not.

[BillsFan17]

If someone can talk you into it, your convictions are frugle at best.

 

How about you formulate your own opinion and go from there?

 

Cause I mean if all it takes it being talked into it, how about lending me some money?

[Captain Murica]

He's the anti-Rex.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

If someone can talk you into it, your convictions are frugle at best.

 

How about you formulate your own opinion and go from there?

 

Cause I mean if all it takes it being talked into it, how about lending me some money?

I'm not sure you know what "frugal" means, but thanks for the advice.

 

I'll try to do a better job of making sure my half-formed initial impressions of something that I don't know much about harden into absurdly rigid "convictions" so I can spew them on the internet with appropriate ferocity.

Edited May 2, 2017 by Last Guy on the Bench

[billz4life820]

i do not understand how you cannot talk yourself into liking this guy if you were optimistic with the previous head coaches

[BillsFan17]

I'm not sure you know what "frugal" means.

Simple, plain and costing a little

 

The initial typo I understand. However, if a spelling error is your agenda here. By all means wanna proof read more of my work?

Edited May 2, 2017 by BillsFan17

[Original Byrd Man]

Sorry, nothing to talk you into. He is the HC period. The Pegulas love him period. Now my advice is just sit back and give this guy 3 years and let him prove if he is good or not.

3 years would be nice but you know how it goes. If the bills don't make the playoffs this year the retarded media around here will be all over him along with half of the fan base.

Disclaimer: This is a sincere attempt to understand what others see in McDermott. Not trying to start an argument, as I don't think we have enough info for a meaningful conclusion right now either way.

 

But I am really struggling with this guy so far. And I am an optimist by nature and have pretty much talked myself into every single Bills coach (at least during their first preseason) over the past four decades.

 

Here's what worries me:

-Never says anything remotely interesting. Buttoned-down corporate speak all the way. And I know there is value in keeping your thoughts to yourself, but this kind of say-nothing style doesn't necessarily mask deep thoughts. It often means the person actually has no insight. The way he communicates publicly completely reminds me of Russ Brandon. That is not a good thing, in my opinion.

 

-Seems to have read a few too many leadership books. He seems like he is trying to manufacture himself into a leader through notes and aphorisms and process. I am beyond skeptical of that approach in any organizational context. He doesn't seem comfortable in his skin to me - even the way he fidgets around in press conferences. He seems like a guy who loves the idea of being a leader, but hasn't discovered his own authentic approach. Feels like he's playing dress-up. (Again, screams Russ Brandon.)

 

-Seems technocratic - thinks success will come primarily through control, detail, process. All well and good at times, but nowhere near enough to manage the seething, human, multi-variable complexity that is any football team.

 

-Role in the Whaley affair is unclear, but optics do look like a bit of a backstabbing power grab. I admit this could be TOTALLY off.

 

Here's what I like:

-People he's worked with seem to like the guy.

-Reportedly does a good job of connecting to and caring about players as individuals.

-I have mad respect for Andy Reid, so I like the tree.

 

I admit, my negatives are superficial and based on my own cursory observations, whereas the positives are substantive and based on the experience and testimony of people who have worked with him.

 

But right now I just have the feeling he is in over his head, but has impressed the Pegulas with his organized approach, attention to detail, and stoic wrestler manner - none of which will make him a good coach IMO.

 

I really hope I'm wrong, and I'm totally prepared to fall in love with the guy as things play out. But I can't remember feeling this cold about a hire. Even Marrone who came off as a total tool early on, somehow convinced me he might have something.

Right now the media likes him so what more can you ask for?

Edited May 2, 2017 by Original Byrd Man

[jeffismagic]

Here are Sean's strengths and weaknesses:

 

ISTJ Strengths

• Honest and Direct – Integrity is the heart of the ISTJ personality type. Emotional manipulation, mind games and reassuring lies all run counter to ISTJs’ preference for managing the reality of the situations they encounter with plain and simple honesty.
• Strong-willed and Dutiful – ISTJs embody that integrity in their actions too, working hard and staying focused on their goals. Patient and determined, people with the ISTJ personality type meet their obligations, period.
• Very Responsible – ISTJs’ word is a promise, and a promise means everything. ISTJs would rather run themselves into the ground with extra days and lost sleep than fail to deliver the results they said they would. Loyalty is a strong sentiment for ISTJ personalities, and they fulfill their duties to the people and organizations they’ve committed themselves to.
• Calm and Practical – None of their promises would mean much if ISTJs lost their tempers and broke down at every sign of hardship – they keep their feet on the ground and make clear, rational decisions. Peoples’ preferences are a factor to consider in this process, and ISTJs work to make the best use of individual qualities, but these decisions are made with effectiveness in mind more so than empathy. The same applies to criticisms, for others and themselves.
• Create and Enforce Order – The primary goal of any ISTJ is to be effective in what they’ve chosen to do, and they believe that this is accomplished best when everyone involved knows exactly what is going on and why. Unclear guidelines and people who break established rules undermine this effort, and are rarely tolerated by ISTJs. Structure and rules foster dependability; chaos creates unforeseen setbacks and missed deadlines.
• Jacks-of-all-trades – Much like Analyst personalities, ISTJs are proud repositories of knowledge, though the emphasis is more on facts and statistics than concepts and underlying principles. This allows ISTJs to apply themselves to a variety of situations, picking up and applying new data and grasping the details of challenging situations as a matter of course.

ISTJ Weaknesses

• Stubborn – The facts are the facts, and ISTJs tend to resist any new idea that isn’t supported by them. This factual decision-making process also makes it difficult for people with the ISTJ personality type to accept that they were wrong about something – but anyone can miss a detail, even them.
• Insensitive – While not intentionally harsh, ISTJs often hurt more sensitive types’ feelings by the simple mantra that honesty is the best policy. ISTJ personalities may take emotions into consideration, but really only so far as to determine the most effective way to say what needs to be said.
• Always by the Book – ISTJs believe that things work best with clearly defined rules, but this makes them reluctant to bend those rules or try new things, even when the downside is minimal. Truly unstructured environments leave ISTJs all but paralyzed.
• Judgmental – Opinions are opinions and facts are facts, and ISTJs are unlikely to respect people who disagree with those facts, or especially those who remain willfully ignorant of them.
• Often Unreasonably Blame Themselves – All this can combine to make ISTJs believe they are the only ones who can see projects through reliably. As they load themselves with extra work and responsibilities, turning away good intentions and helpful ideas, ISTJs sooner or later hit a tipping point where they simply can’t deliver. Since they’ve heaped the responsibility on themselves, ISTJs then believe the responsibility for failure is theirs alone to bear.

https://www.16personalities.com/istj-strengths-and-weaknesses

[Lofton80]

players seem to like him. Jerry Hughes and Richie Incognito both praised him.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

i do not understand how you cannot talk yourself into liking this guy if you were optimistic with the previous head coaches

Me neither. It's a mystery.

[TheFunPolice]

It's 4:45 AM....

 

McDermott is pissed. Not because he's up so early, but because today he is running late.

 

He walks into the gym barefoot and glove-fisted.

 

In one sudden movement he slams failure to the mat and applies a chokehold.

 

If failure taps out that's great. If failure passes out from the pain.... just good.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Here are Sean's strengths and weaknesses:

 

ISTJ Strengths

• Honest and Direct – Integrity is the heart of the ISTJ personality type. Emotional manipulation, mind games and reassuring lies all run counter to ISTJs’ preference for managing the reality of the situations they encounter with plain and simple honesty.
• Strong-willed and Dutiful – ISTJs embody that integrity in their actions too, working hard and staying focused on their goals. Patient and determined, people with the ISTJ personality type meet their obligations, period.
• Very Responsible – ISTJs’ word is a promise, and a promise means everything. ISTJs would rather run themselves into the ground with extra days and lost sleep than fail to deliver the results they said they would. Loyalty is a strong sentiment for ISTJ personalities, and they fulfill their duties to the people and organizations they’ve committed themselves to.
• Calm and Practical – None of their promises would mean much if ISTJs lost their tempers and broke down at every sign of hardship – they keep their feet on the ground and make clear, rational decisions. Peoples’ preferences are a factor to consider in this process, and ISTJs work to make the best use of individual qualities, but these decisions are made with effectiveness in mind more so than empathy. The same applies to criticisms, for others and themselves.
• Create and Enforce Order – The primary goal of any ISTJ is to be effective in what they’ve chosen to do, and they believe that this is accomplished best when everyone involved knows exactly what is going on and why. Unclear guidelines and people who break established rules undermine this effort, and are rarely tolerated by ISTJs. Structure and rules foster dependability; chaos creates unforeseen setbacks and missed deadlines.
• Jacks-of-all-trades – Much like Analyst personalities, ISTJs are proud repositories of knowledge, though the emphasis is more on facts and statistics than concepts and underlying principles. This allows ISTJs to apply themselves to a variety of situations, picking up and applying new data and grasping the details of challenging situations as a matter of course.

ISTJ Weaknesses

• Stubborn – The facts are the facts, and ISTJs tend to resist any new idea that isn’t supported by them. This factual decision-making process also makes it difficult for people with the ISTJ personality type to accept that they were wrong about something – but anyone can miss a detail, even them.
• Insensitive – While not intentionally harsh, ISTJs often hurt more sensitive types’ feelings by the simple mantra that honesty is the best policy. ISTJ personalities may take emotions into consideration, but really only so far as to determine the most effective way to say what needs to be said.
• Always by the Book – ISTJs believe that things work best with clearly defined rules, but this makes them reluctant to bend those rules or try new things, even when the downside is minimal. Truly unstructured environments leave ISTJs all but paralyzed.
• Judgmental – Opinions are opinions and facts are facts, and ISTJs are unlikely to respect people who disagree with those facts, or especially those who remain willfully ignorant of them.
• Often Unreasonably Blame Themselves – All this can combine to make ISTJs believe they are the only ones who can see projects through reliably. As they load themselves with extra work and responsibilities, turning away good intentions and helpful ideas, ISTJs sooner or later hit a tipping point where they simply can’t deliver. Since they’ve heaped the responsibility on themselves, ISTJs then believe the responsibility for failure is theirs alone to bear.

https://www.16personalities.com/istj-strengths-and-weaknesses

Thanks. Do you know that he is an ISTJ? Seems plausible.

[jr1]

He learned offense from Reid and defense from Rivera

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Simple, plain and costing a little

 

The initial typo I understand. However, if a spelling error is your agenda here. By all means wanna proof read more of my work?

Wasn't commenting on the spelling. It's not generally a pejorative term, though. I hope my convictions are frugal. In any event, I don't have "convictions" about Sean McDermott. Just impressions.

It's 4:45 AM....

 

McDermott is pissed. Not because he's up so early, but because today he is running late.

 

He walks into the gym barefoot and glove-fisted.

 

In one sudden movement he slams failure to the mat and applies a chokehold.

 

If failure taps out that's great. If failure passes out from the pain.... just good.

Ha ha. That does make me like him a little more actually.

[BuffaloBud420]

We are putting alot of faith in a 1st year HC. We shall see

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Thanks. Do you know that he is an ISTJ? Seems plausible.

I was wondering this as well. Are you privy to his MBTI results, or are you just taking a stab at his personality "type" based on what you have observed?

[jeffismagic]

Thanks. Do you know that he is an ISTJ? Seems plausible.

 

That's my armchair analysis.

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

Give the guy a chance.....

[PurpLegacy]

Have you ever listened to Bill Belichick's interviews?

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Have you ever listened to Bill Belichick's interviews?

My exact thought as I was reading the OP.

[TC in St. Louis]

When it comes to hiring the hot coordinators, it can be hit or miss.....Rams fans were all jacked up for Spagnolo and Linehan, and even Josh McDaniel came in and failed for a while. Most of Bellichik's guys fail.

 

What gives me a little bit of hope about McDermott is that he wasn't necessarily the "hot coordinator," in fact his defense was not good last year. But he comes from a good lineage. Although I think the Andy Reid love is a bit over the top.

 

I hope he gets us going. Tired of watching other teams in the playoffs.

[BillsVet]

We are putting alot of faith in a 1st year HC. We shall see

 

(EDIT: Right now) I'll take that over faith in the former GM.

Edited May 2, 2017 by BillsVet

[Success]

Never says anything remotely interesting?

[Chicken Boo]

I'm warming up to him.

 

Bills fans have always wanted true change within the organization. Well, here it is!

 

A no nonsense coach that believes in high character players, mental toughness and the fundamentals of football and the Pegulas have seemingly given him free reign.

 

Aside from the hire of Leslie Frazier, I don't hate anything he's done thus far...and I was a Whaley backer.

 

Sean McDermott is the change everybody wanted. We'll see whether or not that change leads to success.

Edited May 2, 2017 by Chicken Boo

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Never says anything remotely interesting?

Not that I've noticed. Happy to see some counterexamples.

[JESSEFEFFER]

He's the anti-Rex.

This is my answer.

 

Will he ever be one man short on the field and after a TV timeout and have neither he nor his coaching staff nor the 10 men on the field not know it?

 

Will his field goal unit ever attempt a kick with the ball marked ready for play with only 8 seconds on the play clock and have similar teamwide cluelessness?

 

Will he have a system for replay review decisions that involves anything more than someone's gut instinct?

 

Will players constantly be unaware of their assignments or even whether they should be on the field or not?

 

Would he punt on 4th and 2 with 4 minutes to go in OT of a game where a tie eliminates his team from the playoffs?

 

Will he make good use of time and resources to prepare his team to perform well in games?

 

We'll see but my guess is he will pay attention to details like this either personally or by delegating responsibilies to the players and/or assistant coaches and holding them accountable.

Edited May 2, 2017 by JESSEFEFFER

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Have you ever listened to Bill Belichick's interviews?

Ha ha. I know what you are saying. But Belichick's, um, terseness seems to be coming from a totally different place to me. It's not corporate speak. It's FU speak. Which I do have some respect for.

 

Also, he says lots of interesting things in other contexts. We can see it in some secondhand reports, behind the scenes stuff on NFL films, etc. Maybe McD does too. I admit we don't have the material to judge. Here's hoping he's got half the insight into the game and player's mentalities that BB does.

[Talley56]

Can I ask what it is about Rex that, even at the time we hired him, had you believing in him? IMO, Rex had way more red flags than McDermott or any of our recent coaching hires. I honestly wanted to make a post like this when we hired Rex but there seemed to be so much optimism around him (no idea where that optimism came from) that I didn't want to come off as a negative fan.

 

I would say, I'm at a place where, McDermott is our coach, there really weren't any stand out candidates who IMO were clearly better when we were interviewing, so I'm willing to give him a chance. But at the same time I'm not saying I think he's our answer and is clearly the guy to lead us to the promised land.

 

 

But right now I just have the feeling he is in over his head, but has impressed the Pegulas with his organized approach, attention to detail, and stoic wrestler manner - none of which will make him a good coach IMO.

.

 

Not sure I understand how attention to detail wouldn't make for a good coach?

Edited May 2, 2017 by Talley56

[Last Guy on the Bench]

This is my answer.

 

Will he ever be one man short on the field and after a TV timeout and have neither he nor his coaching staff nor the 10 men on the field not know it?

 

Will his field goal unit ever attempt a kick with the ball marked ready for play with only 8 seconds on the play clock and have similar teamwide cluelessness?

 

Will he have a system for replay review decisions that involves anything more than someone's gut instinct?

 

Will players constantly be unaware of their assignments or even whether they should be on the field or not?

 

Would he punt on 4th and 2 with 4 minutes to go in OT of a game where a tie eliminates his team from the playoffs?

 

Will he make good use of time and resources to prepare his team to perform well in games?

 

We'll see but my guess is he will pay attention to details like this either personally or by delegating responsibilies to the players and/or assistant coaches and holding them accountable.

Fair enough. Thanks for actually answering the question. I think you're probably right about those things being strengths of his. Not sure that's enough, but it will be a refreshing change of pace in that respect.

[jeffismagic]

Ha ha. I know what you are saying. But Belichick's, um, terseness seems to be coming from a totally different place to me. It's not corporate speak. It's FU speak. Which I do have some respect for.

 

Also, he says lots of interesting things in other contexts. We can see it in some secondhand reports, behind the scenes stuff on NFL films, etc. Maybe McD does too. I admit we don't have the material to judge. Here's hoping he's got half the insight into the game and player's mentalities that BB does.

 

Belichick is a master strategist. McDermott is more of a practical, make the trains run on time guy. McDermott is closer to a Marrone personality wise.

[Success]

Not that I've noticed. Happy to see some counterexamples.

Honestly, it's a very poor measure for a coach. Who cares how interesting he is? This isn't a cocktail party.

[Dr. Fong]

Is it just me or does anyone else hate the word "optics," when it's used to mean how something appears to the general public?

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Can I ask what it is about Rex that, even at the time we hired him, had you believing in him? IMO, Rex had way more red flags than McDermott or any of our recent coaching hires. I honestly wanted to make a post like this when we hired him but there seemed to be so much optimism around him (no idea where that optimism came from) that I didn't want to come off as a negative fan.

 

I would say, I'm at a place where, he's our coach, there really weren't any stand out candidates who IMO were clearly better when we were interviewing, so I'm willing to give him a chance. But at the same time I'm not saying I think he's our answer and is clearly the guy to lead us to the promised land.

 

 

Not sure I understand how attention to detail wouldn't make for a good coach?

Re: attention to detail, in my opinion it can be helpful, but may not be necessary (if you are a good delegator) and is certainly not sufficient.

 

For Rex, we had a lot more info. He'd been a head coach after all. And I always liked the energy his Jets teams played with and the style of defense. I don't mind his personality. In fact, I thought it might serve us well. He seemed super hurt about his exit from the Jets, and I bought the idea that he wanted to plant a flag in Buffalo and redeem himself. At the time, I would actually have preferred the Hue Jackson/Schwartz scenario, but I saw things to like with Rex.

 

Anyway, I will definitely give McD a chance and I wish him all the best. I have no idea what's going to happen. Maybe he'll be the best coach in the league, and I'll start buying lots of leadership books.

[dave mcbride]

Ha ha. I know what you are saying. But Belichick's, um, terseness seems to be coming from a totally different place to me. It's not corporate speak. It's FU speak. Which I do have some respect for.

 

Also, he says lots of interesting things in other contexts. We can see it in some secondhand reports, behind the scenes stuff on NFL films, etc. Maybe McD does too. I admit we don't have the material to judge. Here's hoping he's got half the insight into the game and player's mentalities that BB does.

Belichick is occasionally great and amazingly discursive in some interviews. It depends on the questions presented to him.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Honestly, it's a very poor measure for a coach. Who cares how interesting he is? This isn't a cocktail party.

Well, I do mean interesting about football, not movies or politics.

 

It might be a poor measure, but it worries me because in my experience it often betrays a lack of insight. Most of the coaches that I like do have interesting things to say about football from time to time. At least, they don't sound like organizational manuals.

[PromoTheRobot]

i do not understand how you cannot talk yourself into liking this guy if you were optimistic with the previous head coaches

Looking for validation of his pessimism.

[TheFunPolice]

He's the anti-Rex.

 

This is huge for me.

 

I was 100% behind the hiring of Rex. I was really excited, thinking that a great defensive coach who had some success vs NE in big spots, including beating them in NE in the playoffs, would take this defense to all-time great territory. I think he could have, if he actually put in the work.

 

One thing you'll never hear about McDermott is that he is lazy. Never. The guy is awake pumping iron 2 hours before the sun comes up.

 

It sounded like Rex rolled out of bed at 9, crushed a dozen donuts, rolled into the facility around 10, took a 3 hour lunch then went home at 4. I'm exaggerating a little maybe. But there was a lot of buzz that he was more into the fame that comes with being a well-known NFL coach than he was doing the work it takes to win. And he still went 8-8 and would have gone 8-8 again had he coached the last game and Tyrod played.

 

So the talent is there. Even with total confusion on defense and a HC who was more interested in self-promotion and being a carnival barker, the team won as much as it lost the past 3 years.

 

Now enter McDermott, for whom work is food, except the more he works the more hungry he gets for more work. Sleep is an annoyance because it gets in the way of more work.

 

That guy is inheriting a team that has been exactly .500 over a 48 game span.

[oldmanfan]

_{In your OP you list positives as people that have worked with him like him, and that players can identify with him. I think those are the things to focus on. As for his performance at press conferences, attention to detail, focus on process, etc. I am the type who likes attention to detail and process,. I think when you are like that you set clear expectations for your team.}

 

_{Ultimately picking a HC in any professional sport is a crap shoot. Especially in the NFL, since many are moving up from lower positions and you never know if a guy is HC material until he's put in the role. I reserve judgment right now until I see him in game day situations. But from what I can tell right now his teams will be taught well and focused, and that's about all I can hope for at this stage.}

[quinnearlysghost88]

i was going to ask you what you see in other successful coaches that they say/do before even coaching a game with a team? It's May. I don't expect much from him yet, and I don't need a Rex Ryan-esque loud mouth trying to "win" the offseason. I like that he's lowkey. Players will take him seriously.