Grade McDermott's 2019 performance

[GunnerBill]

11 hours ago, Chemical said:

 

This is a big nitpick and obviously not "glaring" but after the Knox Rambo play we were in fg range. We should have been using as much clock as possible. However, the next two plays were snapped with 11 and 16 seconds remaining on the play clock. Those 27 second could have been HUGE for the Bengals final drive. It ended up not coming into play thankfully.

 

They also ran the clock out at the half against the Jets, 30ish seconds with 2 time outs I believe, down 0-6 and Jets getting the ball in the 3rd. Again they ran the clock down against the giants with 2  timeouts and 47ish seconds. I heard Sal Capaccio say that McDermott said the Bills defer the ball if they win the coin toss in order to try to get an extra posession. Sure doesn't seem like it.

 

If McDermott were a basketball coach he would be getting killed by the media for his team repeatedly incorrectly executing the 2 for one at the end of a quarter/half/game. As we all know one possession matters A LOT.

 

Having said all that he gets a B for this season due to the outcomes. He makes up for the clock management problems with good defensive coaching, but it's frustrating because it's such an easy an obvious fix.

 

The kneel down at the end of the first half against the Jets was 100% the right call. Josh's brain was absolutely fried at that point. There was no way I was letting him throw it again before HT because my trust in him not to throw another INT at that point was low. They had to get him in settle him down and go again 2nd half. 

 

The Giants one was more finely balanced. We were up 14 but had already failed to execute a 2 min drive and after a bad ST play had nearly had it cost us they were in scoring range when we forced the turnover. I'd have at least tried a couple of low risk plays there to see if you break something before deciding to kneel on it but I did understand the decision. Don't have a major issue with either of those clock decisions. 

 

The one last Sunday I agree with you on. While settling for a FG would have been a mistake so you still need to be aggressive there was plenty of clock left and they could have taken a bit more off. I think they felt the Bengals were on their heels and wanted to take advantage but I was looking at the clock on that drive too and it could have been handled better. 

 

[Gugny]

12 hours ago, Bills Oil Company said:

Why does he get a grade now?    Incomplete.   

 

Did you get a grade halfway through a test in school?

 

3-0 doesn't mean squat. 

 

Another dumb thread from people with too much time on their hands.    We need Sunday to get here quick...

 

Do you talk to people like this in person?  I doubt you do.

[Rock-A-Bye Beasley]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The kneel down at the end of the first half against the Jets was 100% the right call. Josh's brain was absolutely fried at that point. There was no way I was letting him throw it again before HT because my trust in him not to throw another INT at that point was low. They had to get him in settle him down and go again 2nd half. 

 

The Giants one was more finely balanced. We were up 14 but had already failed to execute a 2 min drive and after a bad ST play had nearly had it cost us they were in scoring range when we forced the turnover. I'd have at least tried a couple of low risk plays there to see if you break something before deciding to kneel on it but I did understand the decision. Don't have a major issue with either of those clock decisions. 

 

The one last Sunday I agree with you on. While settling for a FG would have been a mistake so you still need to be aggressive there was plenty of clock left and they could have taken a bit more off. I think they felt the Bengals were on their heels and wanted to take advantage but I was looking at the clock on that drive too and it could have been handled better. 

 

 

I went back and watched the end of the 1st half against the Jets. I was mistaken that we had 2 timeouts. We used both of them on defense the series before. So that one was reasonable. 

 

and I agree with your take in the giants.

 

It’s the combination of these instances adding up to a general feeling that McDermott isn’t trying to squeeze every competitive advantage out of the situations that bothers me. 

[dpberr]

A. He always has his team ready to play and the team is undefeated.

 

However, taking the foot off the gas in the second half will bite him. He has to figure that out. 

[Gugny]

4 minutes ago, Chemical said:

 

I went back and watched the end of the 1st half against the Jets. I was mistaken that we had 2 timeouts. We used both of them on defense the series before. So that one was reasonable. 

 

and I agree with your take in the giants.

 

It’s the combination of these instances adding up to a general feeling that McDermott isn’t trying to squeeze every competitive advantage out of the situations that bothers me. 

 

My knock on him is that he seems to lack the killer instinct.  I cannot stand the "play not to lose," mentality and it seems that whenever the Bills build a lead, they go directly into that mode.

 

I'd like to see them NOT take the foot off the gas and beat the crap out of a team until late 4Q. 

[Mr. WEO]

He has a final exam for the semester on Sunday.  Wait until after for the grades to come out.

[ClemsonBills]

I guarantee you Daboll wants to be more aggressive... But that is not the way of McDermott

 

Maybe we see a different strategy this week

[NoHuddleKelly12]

I gave him an A because the question for me is are the Bills 3-0 despite his coaching, or 3-0 mostly due to the buttons he's pushing? For me it's the latter, imho. The Bills D is playing lights out, he's gelled an almost total roster overhaul of disparate FA/draft pick additions in the offseason rather successfully so far, and ahead of schedule, and oh yeah, his QB has responded in a big way to the leadership mantle given him. A+ will be handed out as soon as we see the Bills play just as good in the 3rd Q as the 4th!   

[eball]

My vote:

 

Better than Anthony Lynn

[Rocket94]

19 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

It's only 3 games.  I give him a check + for getting his homework in on time.

Long way until final exams.

If McDermott defeats the Pats, then he gets an A for the first semester. If he does not defeat the Pats, he gets a B depending on how well the Bills play.

Edited September 27, 2019 by Rocket94

[ProcessAccepted]

19 hours ago, Reader said:

And Mahomes gets all the attention for his "No Look" tossing of the balls

Edited September 27, 2019 by ProcessAccepted

[Stank_Nasty]

19 hours ago, Warcodered said:

They talk about McDermott for a good bit on this.

 

 

 

Thank Christ for Brian Westbrook!!!! literally the ONLY person in any form of media that I've seen finally put some context into the discussion of the Pats defense over the first 3 games as he mentions how blatantly AWFUL the offenses were that they've faced.

[Wayne Arnold]

I thought this thread was about Conor McDermott.

 

I gave him an A for going three straight seasons of getting paid for doing absolutely nothing.

[IgotBILLStopay]

Overall I think B+ is fair for the performance so far. It will be an A after 4 games if we are 4-0.

 

Team plays hard and for each other. There are no distractions. Defense is still elite. He appears to be pressing all the right buttons (yes, even the Knox "pat").

 

Things to improve: End of game and just prior to halftime decisions. Half time adjustments.

 

I havent been this sold on a coach since Son of a Bum.

[Just Joshin']

Since we can not see who voted how, I am interested in the members logic from those who gave him a C.  The team is 3-0 and what would he have to do to be better than a C?

[Don Otreply]

I say “B” still early in the season, he’s doing a good job thus far.  

 

Go Bills!!!

 

[Figster]

6 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

My knock on him is that he seems to lack the killer instinct.  I cannot stand the "play not to lose," mentality and it seems that whenever the Bills build a lead, they go directly into that mode.

 

I'd like to see them NOT take the foot off the gas and beat the crap out of a team until late 4Q. 

I think as Josh Allen gains experience and confidence you might start seeing a more aggressive O in my humble opinion Gu.

 

Beating teams like the Pats or K C will require the pedal to the metal a full 60 minutes in all likelihood. 

 

Gave McD an A ...

Edited September 27, 2019 by Figster

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

...look at it from a chronology perspective, starting where we were (or were NOT) at the end of 2016....2017 features a rook HC and an outgoing GM...hence not much to work with....2018 features a rook GM who inherits a cap situation with known parasites going through the motions......garbage was painfully put to the curb leaving limited resources yet the gang did their best to remain competitive......followed by the TBD cat calls to "fire McBeane...fire McDermott......our Owner is clueless...yada..yada".....their first 2018 draft together reaped rewards (you know the drill).....so far, the 2019 draft also looks fruitful as well as FA signings with more cap dollars available.....from where we WERE at the and of 2016 to now 3-0 in 2019 ASSUREDLY garners a B+/A- IMO......game 4 is a true test......BUT not a grade reducer....see where we are at the 1/2 way point.....

[Rocket94]

5 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...look at it from a chronology perspective, starting where we were (or were NOT) at the end of 2016....2017 features a rook HC and an outgoing GM...hence not much to work with....2018 features a rook GM who inherits a cap situation with known parasites going through the motions......garbage was painfully put to the curb leaving limited resources yet the gang did their best to remain competitive......followed by the TBD cat calls to "fire McBeane...fire McDermott......our Owner is clueless...yada..yada".....their first 2018 draft together reaped rewards (you know the drill).....so far, the 2019 draft also looks fruitful as well as FA signings with more cap dollars available.....from where we WERE at the and of 2016 to now 3-0 in 2019 ASSUREDLY garners a B+/A- IMO......game 4 is a true test......BUT not a grade reducer....see where we are at the 1/2 way point.....

I am hoping for the best. Especially in the 3rd. year of a rebuild.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

7 minutes ago, Rocket94 said:

I am hoping for the best. Especially in the 3rd. year of a rebuild.

....sure 2019 is on paper, but how do you feel about the progression OR regression starting with McDermott's arrival in 2017?....fast forward to 2019 three games in.....where do we stand versus the Polian era or better yet the post Polian era?....how do we match up with the Polian era versus the seventeen years hence?.....

[HOUSE]

 

 

 

Giphy

IMDb

Edited September 28, 2019 by HOUSE

[CLTbills]

I'd really like to talk with the 5 people that have picked "C" so far.

[frostbitmic]

3-0 says it all for me ... I give him an A

 

I want see a lot of clapping tomorrow from McD and a lot of scowling from Belichick. Some Tawmy tears would be nice too.

[Rocket94]

18 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

....sure 2019 is on paper, but how do you feel about the progression OR regression starting with McDermott's arrival in 2017?....fast forward to 2019 three games in.....where do we stand versus the Polian era or better yet the post Polian era?....how do we match up with the Polian era versus the seventeen years hence?.....

I like what Beane and McDermott are doing, and they are rebuilding the team much like Polian did in the 1980-90's. The Bills had Jim Kelly and of course the Bills have Josh Allen. What we are seeing here is a Bills team that is suddenly unfolding. Another poster said something to the effect that the Bills are going to be good...yet they already are. The Polian era Bills did the same thing.

[Chris66]

He gets a C for passing on Mahomes.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 minute ago, Chris66 said:

He gets a C for passing on Mahomes.

 

 

...and how many pundits looked at an "Air Raid QB" as if he was from a leper colony?......plenty of quotes about an "Air Raid QB NEVER makes it in the NFL"..........so he defies the purported "never makes it" odds with a fantastic year 2 and great start to year 3......having Andy as his HC is certainly a benefit IMO.....how many of the alleged "never detractors (TBD posters included)" have switched camps piling on the "shoulda....coulda...woulda bandwagon"?.......correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Mariota's collegiate background "the spread" which employs a somewhat similar offensive philosophy?.....and he is working out....how?......let's be realistic about "missing"........

[RiotAct]

15 minutes ago, Chris66 said:

He gets a C for passing on Mahomes.

plus, I heard we traded the equivalent of 13 first-round picks to move up and grab Josh Allen.  UGH

[Rocket94]

9 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

 

...and how many pundits looked at an "Air Raid QB" as if he was from a leper colony?......plenty of quotes about an "Air Raid QB NEVER makes it in the NFL"..........so he defies the purported "never makes it" odds with a fantastic year 2 and great start to year 3......having Andy as his HC is certainly a benefit IMO.....how many of the alleged "never detractors (TBD posters included)" have switched camps piling on the "shoulda....coulda...woulda bandwagon"?.......correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Mariota's collegiate background "the spread" which employs a somewhat similar offensive philosophy?.....and he is working out....how?......let's be realistic about "missing"........

I know... Time starts now. Lets live in the moment. The Bills are moving forward with Allen.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

13 minutes ago, Rocket94 said:

I know... Time starts now. Lets live in the moment. The Bills are moving forward with Allen.

 

...damn good call bud..."get over it".....quickly in the QB arena, Brady was a 6th & Montana was a 3rd........swung on and missed......how about other positions?.....Bosworth?...or Kiper's proclamation that Tony Mandarich "was a man among boys.....sure fire HOF'er".....2004 draft..."Losman is the heir apparent gunslinger to Fave to the Pack at #23".....honorable mention to Jaws saying "Losman is extremely smart with the football"...OR...."Trent Edwards is the real deal".....OR .."Kaeperinck has the ability to be in the top ten QB's of all time".....the "shoulda....coulda....woulda...list" is LONGER than War and Peace.....SMH......BUT...Mahomes was a Whaleyism so it lives on......

[DJB]

I'm going with two rounds of 

 

 

[LSHMEAB]

I fully believe the Bills have the right coach. More sold on him than any of the other major figures in the org.

[Rocket94]

8 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...damn good call bud..."get over it".....quickly in the QB arena, Brady was a 6th & Montana was a 3rd........swung on and missed......how about other positions?.....Bosworth?...or Kiper's proclamation that Tony Mandarich "was a man among boys.....sure fire HOF'er".....2004 draft..."Losman is the heir apparent gunslinger to Fave to the Pack at #23".....honorable mention to Jaws saying "Losman is extremely smart with the football"...OR...."Trent Edwards is the real deal".....OR .."Kaeperinck has the ability to be in the top ten QB's of all time".....the "shoulda....coulda....woulda...list" is LONGER than War and Peace.....SMH......BUT...Mahomes was a Whaleyism so it lives on......

Right on! Brady was a 6th rounder...Marino rotted until the end of round 1. What is that old saying? "Listen son, try not to live with regret!" 

[ILBillsfan]

Can't argue with three and ohhhhhhh baby...

 

Only some minor tweeks and this is a no brainer ...end of half there have been opportunities for a bit more aggressive plays to score that I do not think have been properly managed and played a bit close to the vest......And I think this has also fed a bit inot the poor second half starts on offense that with the leads we take the foot off the gas a bit too much and would like to see them not play scared.  

 

I think he has done a terrific job of getting this team in a great team mindset and has them ready to play every week.  The Bengls waz a perfect trap gme with the patriots on the schedule the next week and they were clearly focused on that weeks opponent. 

[Rocket94]

15 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

I fully believe the Bills have the right coach. More sold on him than any of the other major figures in the org.

I agree. McDermott is building a great foundation that will get incrementally better with new talent. One more good draft, a few strategic fa signings, Josh Allens progress and this team should be fully realized.

 

Edited September 28, 2019 by Rocket94

[LSHMEAB]

18 minutes ago, Rocket94 said:

I agree. McDermott is building a great foundation that will get incrementally better with new talent. One more good draft, a few strategic fa signings, Josh Allens progress and this team should be fully realized.

 

He wins close games. His teams have done that since his arrival. When's the last time the Bills had a coach whose team's didn't find a way to LOSE close games? That goes a long way in my book. Not that I've written one even intend to write one.

[Heitz]

?

[billsfan_34]

On 9/26/2019 at 2:58 PM, Chandler#81 said:

Much improved. Frankly, he needed to step up his game and he has. Crippling Penalties are way down. The team seems always ready to play. He’s a smoldering fire who encourages the players. Obviously missing so far are the horrible blowouts that have plagued him his 1st 2 years. 

I gave him an A also. He is really in tune and the players have bought in. 

[Rocket94]

5 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

He wins close games. His teams have done that since his arrival. When's the last time the Bills had a coach whose team's didn't find a way to LOSE close games? That goes a long way in my book. Not that I've written one even intend to write one.

Agreed. McDermott's teams are those kind of teams that won't go away when you are playing them. You have to beat them soundly in most facets of the game. This team is just getting started, and like I said this whole process is happening right now! 

[Dr.Sack]

I gave McD a B. Partially for the slow start week 1 that nearly cost us the game, the bad 3rd Qtr in week 2 & week 3. 

[3rdand12]

On 9/26/2019 at 2:57 PM, Doc Brown said:

I gave him a B for having his team sleepwalk through the third quarters of games.  Other than that, he's done a really good job,.

ball control is part of the game, when the defense is tired.

17 minutes ago, Rocket94 said:

Agreed. McDermott's teams are those kind of teams that won't go away when you are playing them. You have to beat them soundly in most facets of the game. This team is just getting started, and like I said this whole process is happening right now! 

I gave him a B. just to motivate to work harder !
He has built one hell of a team and team philosophy. seems they are All buying in. and its a solid foundation showing the benefits already

 never give up trust the Process, stay focused and do your job and good things will happen.

Bills currently, are one of the most focused team i have ever watched closely.

 well done McBeanes