Reading Between the Lines of Sean McDermott’s Press Conference

[formerlyofCtown]

1 hour ago, Shaw66 said:

I don't know about dreadful, but I've watched him all year and he hasn't shown me that he's tough enough to play the middle.  He's always standing around the pile, helping up the guy who made the tackle.   That's not the attitude you want with your middle linebacker.  

Hes a kid still.  Lets see what happens next year.  He has had some misQs but he has also flashed why he was drafted where he was.

[billsfan_34]

15 minutes ago, formerlyofCtown said:

Hes just pointing things out.

Yup but you appearantly think Our two top rated Defensive coachs dont know more than you.

2 top rated? Best in the NFL? They definitely know more than I do but everyone has oversights - Edmunds isnt a MLB.

[formerlyofCtown]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

Ok he's shown flashes but has mostly been bad.

 

Hows that? 

Here I was thinking he has more sacks than Vander esch, more passes defensed than any other Rookie LB, is 4th in tackles among rookies, only one RKY LB with more forced fumbles.

He has more TFLs and QB hits than Vander Esch as well. 

 

But somehow according to some he has played bad even for Rookie stamdards.  Even though he was also rated as a top 12 defensive Rookie.

Edited December 24, 2018 by formerlyofCtown

[formerlyofCtown]

20 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

2 top rated? Best in the NFL? They definitely know more than I do but everyone has oversights - Edmunds isnt a MLB.

Yup if Im not mistaken, they have both coached #1 Overall Ds and have a history of top 10 Ds.

[zow2]

McD said this year in an interview that he has little patience. What you see in public is not necessarily his persona behind the scenes.  Probably why he gets rid of punters so easily and why I’m sure half this offense will be jettisoned after the season. 

[John from Riverside]

2 hours ago, Cripple Creek said:

They are his opinions. This board is full of opinions.  

Well, if he's not lost then his map doesn't incorporate the most direct route to the ball carrier. Would you at least agree that he appears overwhelmed?

Looks like a rookie that is relying on supreme physical talent

[row_33]

2 hours ago, BuffAlone said:

So basically, this is complete speculation on your behalf? Gotcha. Thanks for your insight

 

Its a post on a board by a fan, why do you have to be so snide?

 

It’s what men who watch football do, post their thoughts.

 

[John from Riverside]

10 minutes ago, NJKBillsfan said:

Edmunds looks like another bust by this inept organization. 

 

When will it ever end? 

No so you should leave and save yourself

[John from Riverside]

Making a rookie mistake?

[BuffAlone]

6 minutes ago, row_33 said:

 

Its a post on a board by a fan, why do you have to be so snide?

 

It’s what men who watch football do, post their thoughts.

 

Give it a rest. It wasn't snide. And if you feel it was, by any means, all apologies

Edited December 24, 2018 by BuffAlone

[BullBuchanan]

2 hours ago, BuffAlone said:

So basically, this is complete speculation on your behalf? Gotcha. Thanks for your insight

It's called inference. It's a thing.

 

 

Well, for some of us it is.

8 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Looks like a rookie that is relying on supreme physical talent

He should use that physical talent to hit someone once in a while. I haven't seen him bury a player yet.

[PolishDave]

1 hour ago, Inigo Montoya said:

Allen and Edmunds were drafted because of their physical traits and potential.  If Edmunds figures it out, he will be a league leading freak for years with his size and speed.  Allen is in the same situation.  Not polished coming out of college, but will be a baller if he develops with his physical attributes. 

 

Beane didn't draft Allen and Edmunds to win this year, he drafted them to win next year.  Hopefully Beane is proven right. 

 

We all knew this was going to be a bad year for the Bills.  I don't understand the despair on this message board when the Bills look bad during what is clearly a rebuilding year.  We have no O-line, our rookie draft picks are playing like rookies,  and we have no wide receivers, but dammit! we should walk into Foxborough and win right now...

 

We have someone who has a real chance to be our franchise QB, we are out of salary cap hell, and we have a full contingent of draft picks.  Contrast that to where we were at the end of last season.  Take a breath people.

 

 

People are pissed because the product on the field was a joke and nothing about today pointed to an optimistic future.   If anything it showed there are going to be more holes next year on this team, on offense and defense, than previously anticipated.    Absolutely nothing to be optimistic about today except the bump up in draft position.   

 

This team is a long way from being good.   And, this Bills front office has to get an awful lot right this offseason for this team to be a playoff team next year.

[Inigo Montoya]

18 minutes ago, PolishDave said:

 

People are pissed because the product on the field was a joke and nothing about today pointed to an optimistic future.   If anything it showed there are going to be more holes next year on this team, on offense and defense, than previously anticipated.    Absolutely nothing to be optimistic about today except the bump up in draft position.   

 

This team is a long way from being good.   And, this Bills front office has to get an awful lot right this offseason for this team to be a playoff team next year.

 

You may be right, time will tell.  I read a lot here and don't post often.  Seems that this board is full of unbridled optimism when we win, and ready to eat rat poison after a loss.  As always, I think the truth is in the middle. 

 

We have said for a long time that the Bills will go nowhere without a franchise QB.  Allen didn't play well today but I think he has the best shot at being the franchise QB we've needed since Kelly retired.  We have the cheapest payroll in the league right now because of all the dead money we ate this year and it shows.  I think we missed Milano a lot today.  Our defense is not the dumpster fire that many are making it out to be.  There are pieces there to build with.  A solid secondary and some good young linebackers.

 

The offense....   well, that's a different story.  We need help all over the place and hopefully we will have the resources to do something about it, but it will likely take more than just one year to make this team a contender. We are rebuilding, we all knew this year was going to suck.

 

This is year one of the Beane Era.  Let me repeat that, YEAR ONE.  Give the man a chance.

 

Edited December 24, 2018 by Inigo Montoya

[Jpsredemption]

Edmunds is dreadful. There's no other way to put it. Guy is not built to play MLB in the NFL.

37 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Is that what he's doing when he just stands there as the play goes by him? 

Guy is a total pile diver...when he's even motivated to get physical. Overdrafted. 

[Mango]

2 hours ago, BillsRdue said:

 

I've been thinking the same thing. Edmonds might be a better OLB. Unless he bulks up and toughens up, he's not a Luke Kuekly. Vander Esch looks much better at this stage. 
 

 

The answer is probably because of what the FO told us and draft capital used to grab him. It’s a lot to give up for a 4-3 OLB.

 

That said. If it’s his best fit it’s his best fit at this point. The switch also may stunt his development at both positions for a time period. 

[WideNine]

3 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea.

 

I'm not sure why fans have such an issue with this.

 

He looks lost at MLB. Give him a chance at OLB/3rd down pass rushing end and see if he can thrive there. 

 

He is rangy and fast enough to play OLB, worth a shot...with his length and obvious speed he could perhaps be a decent edge rusher 

 

My issues with him this year playing the middle has been his inability to attack the right gaps in run support and the poor arm tackles. Seems much more comfortable playing in space defending the check-down passes (which he does well) than shedding blockers and getting a bit dirty at the LOS. Tends to play a bit too much on his heels, waiting for runs to come to him. Other times he just seems lost when it come to recognizing his "fits" against the run, so when he does attack the LOS, it is like he randomly picks a gap and it isn't anywhere near where he needs to be to make the play. Some of his struggles are due to a hesitation or lack of aggressiveness needed at the Mike position.

 

A lot of teams were high on this kid so it is too early to be saying bust, but teams are going to continue to attack him and this line with runs till he can step up that area of his game that requires him to attack the LOS -  it isn't even close to where it needs to be.

[Roundybout]

Anyone calling Edmunds (a 20 year old) a bust needs to get their head checked 

[HalftimeAdjustment]

2 hours ago, zow2 said:

McD said this year in an interview that he has little patience. What you see in public is not necessarily his persona behind the scenes.  Probably why he gets rid of punters so easily and why I’m sure half this offense will be jettisoned after the season. 

 

Will they cut Darr and return to Schmidt for 1 game?

[Cripple Creek]

8 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

Looks like a rookie that is relying on supreme physical talent

Didn't think so. And your man Star, has the $17.1M he's received in the past year paid dividends?

[RaoulDuke79]

6 hours ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

Anyone calling Edmunds (a 20 year old) a bust needs to get their head checked 

People are just angry and are always more harsh after a loss. It's easy to say someone is a bust. If it wasnt Edmunds it would be someone else.

[Victory Formation]

6 hours ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

Anyone calling Edmunds (a 20 year old) a bust needs to get their head checked 

I don't think he's a bust, not in the slightest, I just think he's out of position. Play him at OLB and in certain scenarios use him as an EDGE. If he can thrive in that role I have no qualms about where we drafted him. He has tremendous value in that role, maybe even more value actually.

[Steve O]

11 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

I don't know about dreadful, but I've watched him all year and he hasn't shown me that he's tough enough to play the middle.  He's always standing around the pile, helping up the guy who made the tackle.   That's not the attitude you want with your middle linebacker.  

Hey, Chris Kelsay was able to parlay that skill set into a 10 year career!

[4BillsintheBurgh]

For what it's worth it looked like on the last series he was a little more aggressive. Hopefully that will continue, but it looks like he has a way to go.

[Victory Formation]

18 minutes ago, 4BillsintheBurgh said:

For what it's worth it looked like on the last series he was a little more aggressive. Hopefully that will continue, but it looks like he has a way to go.

Problem is he is only 20 and he is playing the most intellectually demanding position on defense. He's going up against players that are more developed than him both physically and mentally. Maybe in the future he can be a MLB but honestly from a sheer physicality standpoint I don't think his skill set is suited for that spot, he's not instinctive enough. He is not a stuffer, he is better suited in coverage and maybe using his length to come off that edge, he would be a perfect replacement for LORAX.

[greeneblitz]

It's such a shame to keep watching Josh Allen put all but 3 or 4 balls all game right on target yet have a 50% completion % and further the fake narrative that he's inaccurate, he needs more talent and it better get done in this offseason.

[RyanC883]

15 hours ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

 

Based on Sean McDermott’s press conference, there’s a few things that I was able to take away.  Of course this is my speculation because McDermott doesn’t say too much so this is my interpretation.

 

- He’s not happy with any of players who had those timely drops - specifically Foster, McKenzie and Logan Thomas.  Also Jason Croom.  When talking about settling for FG’s in the red zone he said “When you get a chance to make plays, you have to make plays,” seemed to speak specifically to Foster and Thomas who had a chance to score a big TD and keep the game close.  He was asked about Croom and he said that a TD there would have changed the game.   

  

- Things may not be so simpatico with old pal Juan Castillo.  He said he expected to run the ball better and was disappointed with the results.  This could be take as a knock to Castilllo, Shady, or maybe even Brian Daboll.  Still I think Daboll has done enough with the offense and has gotten good progression from Allen.  He’s going nowhere, but Castillo could be a goner if McDermott brings in a new OL/Run Game Coordinator.  I think we’ve seen the end of Shady too.   

 

- McDermott was not happy with the play of Edmunds or Corey Thompson in run support.  He specially mentioned how they didn’t read or get off their blocks.  That spoke to Thompson on the edge and Edmunds in the middle.  I think Edmunds has been dreadful all season long.  It would not surprised me to see him moved to the outside if they can find a suitable MLB.  He is terrible. 

 

-  While there was no mention of Special Teams, you have to think Crossman is out of a job next week.  

 

some good takeaways.  I think Castillo and Shady are gone.  And I think most of our OL will be backups or practice squad next season.  I'd also be cool with drafting Devin White for ILB, and putting Edmunds outside.  That would be quite the trio: Milano, Edmunds, and White.   

12 hours ago, WideNine said:

 

He is rangy and fast enough to play OLB, worth a shot...with his length and obvious speed he could perhaps be a decent edge rusher 

 

My issues with him this year playing the middle has been his inability to attack the right gaps in run support and the poor arm tackles. Seems much more comfortable playing in space defending the check-down passes (which he does well) than shedding blockers and getting a bit dirty at the LOS. Tends to play a bit too much on his heels, waiting for runs to come to him. Other times he just seems lost when it come to recognizing his "fits" against the run, so when he does attack the LOS, it is like he randomly picks a gap and it isn't anywhere near where he needs to be to make the play. Some of his struggles are due to a hesitation or lack of aggressiveness needed at the Mike position.

 

A lot of teams were high on this kid so it is too early to be saying bust, but teams are going to continue to attack him and this line with runs till he can step up that area of his game that requires him to attack the LOS -  it isn't even close to where it needs to be.

 

and it's not hard to attack Edmunds with runs given the disaster that our DT's have been this season.  No push at all, except them getting pushed backwards. 

Edited December 24, 2018 by RyanC883

[LSHMEAB]

13 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Is that what he's doing when he just stands there as the play goes by him? 

But he looks like a physical freak hovering over Rex Burkhead after a 9 yard gain. Very intimidating.

 

Just move him outside already. Middle linebackers are easy to find.

[BillyWhiteShows]

3 hours ago, NewDayBills said:

Problem is he is only 20 and he is playing the most intellectually demanding position on defense. He's going up against players that are more developed than him both physically and mentally. Maybe in the future he can be a MLB but honestly from a sheer physicality standpoint I don't think his skill set is suited for that spot, he's not instinctive enough. He is not a stuffer, he is better suited in coverage and maybe using his length to come off that edge, he would be a perfect replacement for LORAX.

 

I hear you man.  But the problem is, even though he’s 20, I’m not seeing much incremental improvement week-to-week like I have been seeing with guys like Allen or even a Tauren Johnson before he was hurt.  

 

He seems to be the same LB he was at the start of the season.  

[C.Biscuit97]

I’m adding SM’s press conferences to my sounds of nature to fall asleep too.

[Victory Formation]

1 minute ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

 

I hear you man.  But the problem is, even though he’s 20, I’m not seeing much incremental improvement week-to-week like I have been seeing with guys like Allen or even a Tauren Johnson before he was hurt.  

 

He seems to be the same LB he was at the start of the season.  

Agree. He's too young to be at MLB, intellectually he cannot handle it and I question his build for that position. He's built like a 3-4 OLB, not a MLB. He is way out of position. They need to let him stick his hand in the ground attack, blitz, shoot gaps and cover these big ass TEs you see in the NFL today.

[Bruce_Stools]

16 hours ago, Cripple Creek said:

They are his opinions. This board is full of opinions.  

Well, if he's not lost then his map doesn't incorporate the most direct route to the ball carrier. Would you at least agree that he appears overwhelmed?

 

He must’ve had the “avoid tolls” box clicked

[LABILLBACKER]

17 hours ago, BillyWhiteShows said:

 

Based on Sean McDermott’s press conference, there’s a few things that I was able to take away.  Of course this is my speculation because McDermott doesn’t say too much so this is my interpretation.

 

- He’s not happy with any of players who had those timely drops - specifically Foster, McKenzie and Logan Thomas.  Also Jason Croom.  When talking about settling for FG’s in the red zone he said “When you get a chance to make plays, you have to make plays,” seemed to speak specifically to Foster and Thomas who had a chance to score a big TD and keep the game close.  He was asked about Croom and he said that a TD there would have changed the game.  

 

- Things may not be so simpatico with old pal Juan Castillo.  He said he expected to run the ball better and was disappointed with the results.  This could be take as a knock to Castilllo, Shady, or maybe even Brian Daboll.  Still I think Daboll has done enough with the offense and has gotten good progression from Allen.  He’s going nowhere, but Castillo could be a goner if McDermott brings in a new OL/Run Game Coordinator.  I think we’ve seen the end of Shady too.  

 

- McDermott was not happy with the play of Edmunds or Corey Thompson in run support.  He specially mentioned how they didn’t read or get off their blocks.  That spoke to Thompson on the edge and Edmunds in the middle.  I think Edmunds has been dreadful all season long.  It would not surprised me to see him moved to the outside if they can find a suitable MLB.  He is terrible.

 

-  While there was no mention of Special Teams, you have to think Crossman is out of a job next week.  

There's no way Crossman and Castillo both don't get fired. Run blocking has been embarrassing all year as has ST play. Guys like Culley & Robiskie are on the bubble. 

[BillyWhiteShows]

13 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

There's no way Crossman and Castillo both don't get fired. Run blocking has been embarrassing all year as has ST play. Guys like Culley & Robiskie are on the bubble. 

 

 

Why Culley and Robiske?  If anything Allen seemed to make progress throughout the year and Robiske seemed to do the best he could with limited talent. 

 

I would be fine if they did get rid of them but I’m not seeing as much of a compelling case.

[WideNine]

3 hours ago, RyanC883 said:

 

some good takeaways.  I think Castillo and Shady are gone.  And I think most of our OL will be backups or practice squad next season.  I'd also be cool with drafting Devin White for ILB, and putting Edmunds outside.  That would be quite the trio: Milano, Edmunds, and White.   

 

and it's not hard to attack Edmunds with runs given the disaster that our DT's have been this season.  No push at all, except them getting pushed backwards. 

 

Granted I would like to see more push, but when the opposing team is doubling Star and Phillips or whoever we have as our interior DT's on a run, then the Mike is supposed to fill that gap while they occupy the blockers. That is where some of us old-timers would like to see a linebacker with instincts to shed blocks, and fill the gap, or at least hit the right gap with enough leverage and strength to drive back a lead blocker.

 

If he fills that gap rather than missing it, waiting, or getting blown up by lead blocking because of poor technique and leverage, then the runner often has to try to bounce it outside, runs more East-West, loses momentum, and can be more easily taken down by your safeties and corners. Although I have to say that Wallace has not impressed me coming up in run support - kid needs to be shown some tackling 101 film staring a Bills tackling legend at corner Antoine Winfield.

 

Unlike their spotty and downright awful scouting of WR's, the Bills have usually been a solid organization finding good-to-excellent linebackers. The sky is not falling, but that history of having really solid active linebackers who could play the run only makes this kid's lack of ability in that area stand out more to us.

 

I have seen the cracks in this team's run "D" all year and felt our defensive ranking was more than a bit misleading. I was wondering when a coach would just decide to run the ball down our throats - that is just what Belichick did. Once we were ridiculously over-committed to trying to stop the run, that allowed the outlet passes to Edelman to get behind the defense with no one near to prevent the long gainers or TD's.

 

We sucked pretty bad yesterday - McDermott has a lot of soul-searching to do this off season - they need to jettison some good team players that lack the talent to execute at this level and I think perhaps a few position coaches. Unfortunately when your job is to produce wins, sentimentality has to take a back seat. This team (with the exception of Colton Schmidt) seems ridiculously attached to some players where the team just needs to be smart and move on.

 

 

Edited December 24, 2018 by WideNine