Jump to content

McDermott got the most out of a largely limited roster


Recommended Posts

The reason why the Bills today today was pretty simple.  The weakness of this Bills team in 2017 were magnified.  In the end a great performance by the defense, could not overcome an anemic offense, specifically QB, offensive play calling, lack of talent at WR, and overall depth.  Yes the defense did get burned by Blake Bortles too many times on the ground but at the end of the day they surrendered 10 points.  Tim Graham tweeted out a stat that since 1941 playoff teams that give up between 9-12 point, end up winning 83% of the time. 

 

With that being said, as frustrating as losing to a team that the Bills could have beaten today, it doesn't take away from the fact that the 2017 Bills team completely overachieved given the talent on this roster.  When a jagoff like "Miserable" Mike Schoop and his lackey The Laptop Chris Parker says "nothing's changed with the Bills," that's where I disagree.  Sure it's a down year for the AFC and that factored into the Bills success.  But the bottom line is that this year's team won a few more games that previous squads would have lost down the stretch.  In my opinion the reason for that was coaching.

 

Let's take a look at the Bills roster - outside of a few outlier it's frighteningly average.  We all know about the limitations of a QB like Tyrod Taylor, at least in this offense.  But outside of Kelvin Benjamin who many consider to be more of a #2 WR than #1, the rest of the Bills WR's definitely don't start on most rosters.  That includes a Jordan Matthews who is likely a 3rd option as a slot WR.

 

Take a look at the offensive line - while the Bills ran the ball well this year as a unit it's fairly average.  In fact, Pro Football Focus rated our starting offensive as "average" this year.   Players like Richie Incognito and Eric Wood that Bills fan consider solid, did not stand out:

 

LT Dawkins 77.7 (Average)   

LG Incognito 79.1 (Average)

C Wood 70.7 (Average)

RG Ducasse 74.4 (Average)

RT Mills 66.9 (Below Average)

 

Finally the defense.  It's a wonder that this unit held Jacksonville to as few yards rushing today as it did.  Kyle Williams plays with heart but he's not the player he once was.  Take Jerry Hughes out of the equation and again, most of the front 7 probably doesn't start on most teams.  Yes some like Preston Brown might start on a few teams, but for the most part the Bills front 7 was filled with players that would be depth/situational players on most rosters.  And outside of your starters, your depth is basically non-existent.    

 

Yet despite a very average roster the Bills won enough games to make it to the playoffs.  Yes they did get lucky in Baltimore, but you can point to situations in any year where that occurs.  The bottom line is I think we have a lot to be optimistic in with Beane and McDermott.  I'm hoping to see a brand new offense and QB next season. 

 

  • Like (+1) 4
  • Thank you (+1) 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well said - I believe even the most die hard Tyrod fan has to admit - just HAS to admit he cost them the game - just too many passes sailed over the heads of our D3 Wideouts.  Holy crap Jordan Matthews?!?!?  Where art tho Zay Jones???  And don't even get me started on KB - more than likely he is hurt and playing hurt - I ma hoping for more from him next year.  This in my opinion was similar to the Cincy loss in the playoffs waaaaaaaaay back in 88.  Sadly the talent level is NO WHERE near that team.

 

The D impressed me - as succinctly stated above they played over their heads today.

 

Was a bummer to see them lose but really I wasn't surprised at the score nor the result.  It is time for Tyrod and Dennison to part ways....adios, nice knowing you.  I firmly believe that Sean can coach up whatever BB delivers to him.  Should be an interesting off season, some heads will roll - some peeps will go and some new faces will arrive.  The secondary was lights out this year.

 

Sadly the D and Shady were the only ones to show up today.

 

Go Bills

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not exaggerating at all when I say Tre White was this defense's Josh Norman and that combined with solid safety play and a decent pass rush was why we were fairly solid on D.  

 

I'll go as far to say that after McCoy, White is this team's MVP.

 

They freaking nailed that pick.

  • Like (+1) 2
  • Thank you (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, billspro said:

McDermott did a great job this year getting the most out of his defence. 

 

I would like him to find an OC that gets the most out of their offence. 

I'm not worried about that, honestly. We see all the passes that are left out on the field.

 

I would like him to find a QB that gets the most out of their offense. They have fine talent at receiver and TE. If Matthews stays, him KB, Jones and Thompson, plus Clay and O'Leary. That's a good group.

 

I don't think these guys want to learn a new offense. They've built a solid foundation this year. Let's have some consistency for once.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, BuffaloRush said:

The reason why the Bills today today was pretty simple.  The weakness of this Bills team in 2017 were magnified.  In the end a great performance by the defense, could not overcome an anemic offense, specifically QB, offensive play calling, lack of talent at WR, and overall depth.  Yes the defense did get burned by Blake Bortles too many times on the ground but at the end of the day they surrendered 10 points.  Tim Graham tweeted out a stat that since 1941 playoff teams that give up between 9-12 point, end up winning 83% of the time. 

 

With that being said, as frustrating as losing to a team that the Bills could have beaten today, it doesn't take away from the fact that the 2017 Bills team completely overachieved given the talent on this roster.  When a jagoff like "Miserable" Mike Schoop and his lackey The Laptop Chris Parker says "nothing's changed with the Bills," that's where I disagree.  Sure it's a down year for the AFC and that factored into the Bills success.  But the bottom line is that this year's team won a few more games that previous squads would have lost down the stretch.  In my opinion the reason for that was coaching.

 

Let's take a look at the Bills roster - outside of a few outlier it's frighteningly average.  We all know about the limitations of a QB like Tyrod Taylor, at least in this offense.  But outside of Kelvin Benjamin who many consider to be more of a #2 WR than #1, the rest of the Bills WR's definitely don't start on most rosters.  That includes a Jordan Matthews who is likely a 3rd option as a slot WR.

 

Take a look at the offensive line - while the Bills ran the ball well this year as a unit it's fairly average.  In fact, Pro Football Focus rated our starting offensive as "average" this year.   Players like Richie Incognito and Eric Wood that Bills fan consider solid, did not stand out:

 

LT Dawkins 77.7 (Average)   

LG Incognito 79.1 (Average)

C Wood 70.7 (Average)

RG Ducasse 74.4 (Average)

RT Mills 66.9 (Below Average)

 

Finally the defense.  It's a wonder that this unit held Jacksonville to as few yards rushing today as it did.  Kyle Williams plays with heart but he's not the player he once was.  Take Jerry Hughes out of the equation and again, most of the front 7 probably doesn't start on most teams.  Yes some like Preston Brown might start on a few teams, but for the most part the Bills front 7 was filled with players that would be depth/situational players on most rosters.  And outside of your starters, your depth is basically non-existent.    

 

Yet despite a very average roster the Bills won enough games to make it to the playoffs.  Yes they did get lucky in Baltimore, but you can point to situations in any year where that occurs.  The bottom line is I think we have a lot to be optimistic in with Beane and McDermott.  I'm hoping to see a brand new offense and QB next season. 

 

Agreed.  Not extremely disappointed today with the loss.  Felt we were playing with house money, especially with all the trades and injuries.  And to get the playoff jinx off our back was huge.

 

This team has a ton of tools and the right coach and GM for the job.  This doesn't feel like years past where we went into the off season not sure whether were heading up or down.  We are heading up.

 

Tre White is the real deal.  And we got him in the late first.  We'll get a vet QB and probably draft 3 starters this spring.  

 

I'm very happy about the direction this team is heading in.  That supersedes today's loss.  Our goal isn't to be a 9-7 team.  It's to be 12+ wins and consistently in the hunt for the Lombardi.  Based on this past year, McD and Beane have the potential to get us there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They know they need a big upgrade at QB. I just hope they don't bite on a slight improvement and shoot for the stars. Maybe they'll miss, but they have to try. My dream scenario is 2 1st rounders plus ? for Luck, but that's never going to happen. Tyrod may stay for another year if they want to develop a rookie, but we'll have another signal caller soon for better or worse. Let's hope Beane has a sharp eye for talent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

After reading your post OP are we supposed to be optimistic for next season? You're basically saying we have a ton of holes and it's a miracle McDermott got us to the playoffs. That doesn't sound like a recipe for success for next year. 

 

Sounds like he's saying wait until he has a good roster and see that he can do, since he got this lowly roster to the playoffs with some luck, but also with heart, teamwork, and grit.

 

This is step one. They traded everyone away and cut the cap, now let them get the players and build the team. Getting to the playoffs gives McD credibility in the locker room, and gives his process (at least perceived) legitimacy. He will be given years to enact his vision. For once we will get to see it play out and not just fire him after year 2.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Big Blitz said:

Not exaggerating at all when I say Tre White was this defense's Josh Norman and that combined with solid safety play and a decent pass rush was why we were fairly solid on D.  

 

I'll go as far to say that after McCoy, White is this team's MVP.

 

They freaking nailed that pick.

AND traded down to get the best player in the draft AND got an extra 1st round pick. Best draft day move since that blockbuster trade that brought Biscuit here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No expected them to win the Super Bowl.

 

They finally backed into the playoffs after 17 years...bout time. I think they are on a good track, but many players that are adequately filling spots are old, and by the time the next QB is up to speed, players like Rogers, Alexander, Williams, Incognito, and McCoy will be on the far side of the hill.

 

As an aside, what is a "Shaq Lawson"? Is he a football player, is he a uniform filler, is he a notch above Erik Flowers? Pfft.

 

 

Edited by OJABBA
mistake
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, billspro said:

McDermott did a great job this year getting the most out of his defence. 

 

I would like him to find an OC that gets the most out of their offence. 

Plenty of them will be available in the coaching carnage that has happened.  It is up to finding one that wants to come up North.

39 minutes ago, Dorkington said:

He and Beane also got rid of plenty of talented players in said "process", so he's not blameless for a lack of talent. 

And they are ??

 

Watkins -  Who did nothing in LA

Dareus -    Who is a situational player 

Darby -    Did not play more than 1/2 the season

 

Replaced by:

Mathews -  Equally Injured

Benjamin -  Injured 

 

 

and a bunch of scrubs!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, BuffaloRush said:

The reason why the Bills today today was pretty simple.  The weakness of this Bills team in 2017 were magnified.  In the end a great performance by the defense, could not overcome an anemic offense, specifically QB, offensive play calling, lack of talent at WR, and overall depth.  Yes the defense did get burned by Blake Bortles too many times on the ground but at the end of the day they surrendered 10 points.  Tim Graham tweeted out a stat that since 1941 playoff teams that give up between 9-12 point, end up winning 83% of the time. 

 

With that being said, as frustrating as losing to a team that the Bills could have beaten today, it doesn't take away from the fact that the 2017 Bills team completely overachieved given the talent on this roster.  When a jagoff like "Miserable" Mike Schoop and his lackey The Laptop Chris Parker says "nothing's changed with the Bills," that's where I disagree.  Sure it's a down year for the AFC and that factored into the Bills success.  But the bottom line is that this year's team won a few more games that previous squads would have lost down the stretch.  In my opinion the reason for that was coaching.

 

Let's take a look at the Bills roster - outside of a few outlier it's frighteningly average.  We all know about the limitations of a QB like Tyrod Taylor, at least in this offense.  But outside of Kelvin Benjamin who many consider to be more of a #2 WR than #1, the rest of the Bills WR's definitely don't start on most rosters.  That includes a Jordan Matthews who is likely a 3rd option as a slot WR.

 

Take a look at the offensive line - while the Bills ran the ball well this year as a unit it's fairly average.  In fact, Pro Football Focus rated our starting offensive as "average" this year.   Players like Richie Incognito and Eric Wood that Bills fan consider solid, did not stand out:

 

LT Dawkins 77.7 (Average)   

LG Incognito 79.1 (Average)

C Wood 70.7 (Average)

RG Ducasse 74.4 (Average)

RT Mills 66.9 (Below Average)

 

Finally the defense.  It's a wonder that this unit held Jacksonville to as few yards rushing today as it did.  Kyle Williams plays with heart but he's not the player he once was.  Take Jerry Hughes out of the equation and again, most of the front 7 probably doesn't start on most teams.  Yes some like Preston Brown might start on a few teams, but for the most part the Bills front 7 was filled with players that would be depth/situational players on most rosters.  And outside of your starters, your depth is basically non-existent.    

 

Yet despite a very average roster the Bills won enough games to make it to the playoffs.  Yes they did get lucky in Baltimore, but you can point to situations in any year where that occurs.  The bottom line is I think we have a lot to be optimistic in with Beane and McDermott.  I'm hoping to see a brand new offense and QB next season. 

 

This is a terrific post! You are astute, perspicacious and adroit.

 

You clearly laid out the current picture and the big picture. Without a doubt this team played beyond its limited talent level. You are very well attuned to what is going on. I salute you for this smart and clearly expressed post.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

No, Roman & Lynn did that.

true to a point, but the others never did enough to end the drought. 

  • TT had similar stagnant 4th QRT production with Roman & Lynn
  • TT was still missing open guys with Roman & Lynn
  • TT has pretty much always been tentative when passing with Roman & Lynn
  • TT took too many sacks with Roman & Lynn

 

McDermott  improved the defense, especially the backfield.  That is what propelled this team imo.  

 

I know you are a Taylor guy, but even now you have to see that he isn't the answer and its time to move on.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...