Really astounding how far we've come in 13 months

[TheBrownBear]

On November 4, 2018, we were 2-7 which included losses by margins of 19, 22, 32, 32 and 44 points.  On this board there were regular discussions as to whether it was the least talented roster in Bills' history.  It seemed like we were eons away from being competitive.  Now, 13 short months later we are 10-4 and starting to look like a real contender to make some noise in the postseason.  It's a testament to the hard work put in by every member of the organization, and especially McDermott's leadership in keeping these guys focused on the process and long-term goal when things could have easily and understandably gone off the rails.

[mushypeaches]

Good context.  There were large portions of the last two seasons that were raging tire fires

 

[Seasons1992]

S'all good. We're not burning anymore.

 

 

 

[atlbillsfan1975]

Beane and McDermott are working together to build the team. They share a vision and have worked well together. I trust them to make the right calls on players. We haven’t had a combo like this leading our team in 30 years. 
Kudos to ownership  on pouring money into the organization every place they are allowed too. 
Future looks bright.

[davefan66]

The team and culture left by Whaley/Rex was a problem.  Poor coaching of the players we had under Rex.  Whaley left us with cap issues.  And most importantly m, there was not a sense of team in the building.  It took some time and roster turnover, but they have not strayed from their plan.

 

 Beane purges the roster and through a few good drafts and free agents, had given McD the tools to work with.  He’s stocked the roster with players who are team first.
 

What McD has done with this team is nothing short of amazing.  He’s instilled a winning culture/attitude, put together a great coaching staff and has become a very good game day manager.  Yeah, we lost a few we should have won this year - all good teams do.  But the difference in how our players are readied every week has been excellent.

I expect this team to make a similar jump next year.  Should be fun!

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

OK...they (McD & B) get until the middle of the 2020 season.  ???

*
SDS, we really need a ‘sarcasm alert’ button.

[eball]

My benchmarks to label this a successful season were:

 

at least 8 wins, with no blowout losses (check)

noticeable progression in Josh Allen's performance (check)

top-notch defense (check)

 

They've done everything I thought was reasonable at the start of the off-season -- and then some.  And they did it more quickly than many believed was possible.  Only those still clinging hopelessly to the "the roster already had talent and we didn't need to rebuild" vine are lagging behind...

[Patrick Duffy]

23 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

On November 4, 2018, we were 2-7 which included losses by margins of 19, 22, 32, 32 and 44 points.  On this board there were regular discussions as to whether it was the least talented roster in Bills' history.  It seemed like we were eons away from being competitive.  Now, 13 short months later we are 10-4 and starting to look like a real contender to make some noise in the postseason.  It's a testament to the hard work put in by every member of the organization, and especially McDermott's leadership in keeping these guys focused on the process and long-term goal when things could have easily and understandably gone off the rails.

Cheers!  ?Will drink to that

[Virgil]

13 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said:

S'all good. We're not burning anymore.

 

 

 

That’s actually kinda beautiful 

[HOUSE]

I kind of miss Rex Ryan, he had a really cool truck

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

3 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

I kind of miss Rex Ryan, he had a really cool truck

Great for making grocery runs for his younger brudder.  ?

*
A story from 2015 indicates Rex is 5 minutes older, but apparently there is a chance the boys were mixed up in the hospital.  Rex is Rob, and Rob is Rex is a possibility.

[freddyjj]

1 hour ago, TheBrownBear said:

On November 4, 2018, we were 2-7 which included losses by margins of 19, 22, 32, 32 and 44 points.  On this board there were regular discussions as to whether it was the least talented roster in Bills' history.  It seemed like we were eons away from being competitive.  Now, 13 short months later we are 10-4 and starting to look like a real contender to make some noise in the postseason.  It's a testament to the hard work put in by every member of the organization, and especially McDermott's leadership in keeping these guys focused on the process and long-term goal when things could have easily and understandably gone off the rails.

Nice post OP!  The talent was upgraded on OL, TE and RB.  The DTs and LBs are playing the scheme better as only Fins in game 1 with them and the Iggles really ran it down our throats this year.  

 

Consistency on D has been achieved.  Not sure the Offense has enough talent to be consistent every week yet.  Will be a focus in off season I guess.

[Forward Progress]

1 hour ago, HOUSE said:

I kind of miss Rex Ryan, he had a really cool truck

 

He won every off-season too.  What ever happened to our back-to-back off-season championship banners?

[clayboy54]

I really liked McDermott's comments where he said that some people said "Why would you want to go there? You'll never get it turned around." He went on to say that while they've turned the corner, they have a ways to go.

 

This speaks loudly to the kind of leader he is and how he is not afraid to take on any challenge, however difficult. It also clearly shows that he can be successful overcoming even the most difficult obstacles.

 

While many of us have speculated for years that nobody wants to come to Buffalo, we now know that this was indeed true. McDermott and Beane have changed that perception in just 3 short years. I tip my cap for what they have accomplished and give many thanks for the Pegulas who have made it all possible,

[Doc]

Thank good coaching, drafting and FA pickups. 

[st pete gogolak]

Great post.  Thanks for the reminder!

[Steptide]

I agree with the op, however if this team wants to make a statement in the playoffs, the offense has to be better. I don't know what they can do at this point to make the offense better, but it has to take a step if they wanna win a playoff game Imo 

[BillsfaninSB]

I felt 2019 was completely on Brandon and Sean.  They have done great.  Probable 11 win season (if they do not rest everyone against the Jets) and playoffs.  But not just sneaking in and being big underdogs, but securing a spot with two weeks to go and building a defensive that gives us a chance no matter who or where they play.    They have achieved this with still plenty of draft capital and cap space.  That’s huge.   Just ask the Rams. 

[Jerome007]

I agree with all the praise they get. But I hope you guys remember the Bills were mostly injury free this year, had some games go their way, fairly easy schedule. In  the past, bad luck and curses have been the norm, while this year the ball has bounced for them. So if next year they are 8-6 at this point, don't bring out the pitchforks! We've seen it happen after every loss this year! And there were many Grinch even after the last win! 

 

But yeah, it feels good. I loooooved what Beane did this offseason, and the thoughts of having again a lot of cap space and also of structuring contracts in a way the coming years won't be awful either, that's soooo promising.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2019 by Jerome007

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

This is exactly what I was hoping for at the beginning of the season.  The defense has come together nicely and they even have room to be better. If the offense starts clicking in time for the playoffs we can play and win against anyone. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Also interesting the only game they didn’t have a chance to win or tie in the end was philly. 

 

So even in the loses, except philly, they were competitive 

[NewEra]

I remember the negative Nancy’s screaming “McDermott was incapable of even keeping games close”.  Looks like he’s figured it out

[SoCal Deek]

I keep the entire Schedule posted on my office wall. And when you add in the four pre-season wins, this Team's gone 14-4 in 2019 alone.  They've quietly built an expectation of winning that started in the Summer.

[Augie]

I know preseason is meaningless, but what would it look like if we included the end of last year (post 11/4/18), the preseason and this season? Even without the preseason games, that would look pretty legit! GO BILLS! 

[Don Otreply]

6 hours ago, Seasons1992 said:

S'all good. We're not burning anymore.

 

 

 

Kinda resembles the Browns doesn’t it...

[dollars 2 donuts]

8 hours ago, TheBrownBear said:

On November 4, 2018, we were 2-7 which included losses by margins of 19, 22, 32, 32 and 44 points.  On this board there were regular discussions as to whether it was the least talented roster in Bills' history.  It seemed like we were eons away from being competitive.  Now, 13 short months later we are 10-4 and starting to look like a real contender to make some noise in the postseason.  It's a testament to the hard work put in by every member of the organization, and especially McDermott's leadership in keeping these guys focused on the process and long-term goal when things could have easily and understandably gone off the rails.

 

 

Not gonna lie, for the first six quarters of last season I thought this was the worst team I had ever seen, Bills or otherwise...anywhere...ever.

 

...and that’s not knowing at the time that we had a guy who quit at half time.

[Chandler#81]

5 hours ago, Augie said:

I know preseason is meaningless, but what would it look like if we included the end of last year (post 11/4/18), the preseason and this season? Even without the preseason games, that would look pretty legit! GO BILLS! 

Taking it back to last seasons bye week, 17-7. 6 of the losses by 1 score are @ Jets ‘18 where Allen gave us the lead late in the 4th, but Defense couldn’t close out, ditto @ Browns this season, @Mia ‘18 where Allen’s escape artist performance ended with Charles Clay endzone drop and ‘in it to the end’ vs NE* & Balt this year.

 

Philly stands as the lone blowout loss in our last 24 games (@NE* ‘18 by 12). I researched it and I’m still stunned.?

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2018/REG/BILLS

 

 

[GETTOTHE50]

GET THERE BILLS!!!!!!!!

[Thurman#1]

14 hours ago, TheBrownBear said:

On November 4, 2018, we were 2-7 which included losses by margins of 19, 22, 32, 32 and 44 points.  On this board there were regular discussions as to whether it was the least talented roster in Bills' history.  It seemed like we were eons away from being competitive.  Now, 13 short months later we are 10-4 and starting to look like a real contender to make some noise in the postseason.  It's a testament to the hard work put in by every member of the organization, and especially McDermott's leadership in keeping these guys focused on the process and long-term goal when things could have easily and understandably gone off the rails.

 

 

Gotta say, I'm not astounded. The second year of a rebuild is supposed to suck.

 

Now, not all rebuilds prove out. Far from it. But Beane and McDermott have made consistently smart decisions since they got here. Not that they've made correct decisions every time especially when looked at in hindsight, but they've been smart every time.

 

Not astounded, but yeah, surprised it happened so early. Watching them, I thought more and more they were going to succeed, but that it would be the fourth year before they were this good.

 

[entropyrules]

17 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

OK...they (McD & B) get until the middle of the 2020 season.  ???

*
SDS, we really need a ‘sarcasm alert’ button.

I always thought putting things in italics signified sarcasm for those whose minds can't handle irreverency

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

49 minutes ago, entropyrules said:

I always thought putting things in italics signified sarcasm for those whose minds can't handle irreverency

I tend to use italics for emphasis and that certain je ne sais quoi.  ?

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

17 hours ago, Virgil said:

That’s actually kinda beautiful 

 

Compared to your weekly picks .... Yes it is.         

 

[CSBill]

12 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Taking it back to last seasons bye week, 17-7. 6 of the losses by 1 score are @ Jets ‘18 where Allen gave us the lead late in the 4th, but Defense couldn’t close out, ditto @ Browns this season, @Mia ‘18 where Allen’s escape artist performance ended with Charles Clay endzone drop and ‘in it to the end’ vs NE* & Balt this year.

 

Philly stands as the lone blowout loss in our last 24 games (@NE* ‘18 by 12). I researched it and I’m still stunned.?

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2018/REG/BILLS

 

Think about this and put it in perspective. Remarkable! One of the most competitive teams in the NFL over the past 13 months--24 games.

Edited December 19, 2019 by CSBill

[Magox]

The biggest difference between Whaley and Beane (which there are many) is that Whaley saw his role as someone who could build a team through the prism of “collecting talent”  a myopic singularly focused means to GM’ing, whereas Beane’s outlook to GM’ing involves many more facets primarily team building, fitting their culture/identity, cap management all while obtaining talent.

 

I have been a huge supporter of both McD/Beane from day one.  I listened to their philosophies and observed how they have gone about doing things, specially some of the more unpopular ones and knew that they were the right ones for this organization to turn it all around.

 

My belief in them has never wavered.

[CLTbills]

16 hours ago, BillsfaninSB said:

I felt 2019 was completely on Brandon and Sean.  They have done great.  Probable 11 win season (if they do not rest everyone against the Jets) and playoffs.  But not just sneaking in and being big underdogs, but securing a spot with two weeks to go and building a defensive that gives us a chance no matter who or where they play.    They have achieved this with still plenty of draft capital and cap space.  That’s huge.   Just ask the Rams. 

I actually called into OBL earlier in the week and made this point. As a 29-year-old Bills fan, this is all kind of new. I mean yes, we made the playoffs two years ago. But that team squeaked in at 9-7, needing help. The roster wasn't very talented. Everybody knew that Tyrod Taylor wasn't going to be the quarterback going forward. So while it was cool, and certainly meaningful to break the drought, it basically meant NOTHING for the future of the team (other than being able to say, "damn, we have a coach that can get A LOT out of a little). 

 

This one is different. They blew it up and built the roster the way they wanted it. I heard a stat the other day that there are three players on this team from Rex's last year. THREE. In less than three years, there has been essentially 100% roster turnover. That's incredible. But they built this thing from the ground up. They didn't mortgage the future by making stupid, splashy FA signings that would put us in cap purgatory in 3 years. They didn't trade away years worth of draft picks. They did it the right way. And here we are, looking at a potential 11-12 win season. And this, to me, is the "floor" of where this team can go. This is year one. They still have a bunch of money to spend and draft picks for a GM who has proven to be VERY adept and finding good talent at all levels of the draft. Their core will still be together for at least next year, before they have to make some decisions on extensions. THIS is what fans of other perennial contenders feel like.

 

Being a Bills fan is no longer a punchline. Thank you, Coach McDermott and Mr. Beane!

[mjt328]

4 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

Gotta say, I'm not astounded. The second year of a rebuild is supposed to suck.

 

Now, not all rebuilds prove out. Far from it. But Beane and McDermott have made consistently smart decisions since they got here. Not that they've made correct decisions every time especially when looked at in hindsight, but they've been smart every time.

 

Not astounded, but yeah, surprised it happened so early. Watching them, I thought more and more they were going to succeed, but that it would be the fourth year before they were this good.

 

I agree with this.  If you could filter through the overreactions and "sky is falling" posts, there was a lot evidence (especially in the final quarter of 2018) that Buffalo was about to turn the corner.  The expectation from a lot of us on this board has always been 9-10 wins, hopefully a playoff berth and probably an early exit from the postseason.  

 

As fans, I always try to encourage patience with young players and new coaches.  It takes time to overhaul a franchise like Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have done, and it was always going to have rough patches along the way.  Last year we had a rookie Quarterback, and a rookie at the most important position in our defensive scheme, Middle Linebacker.  There were many games both guys were huge liabilities.  But there were also signs of what they could soon become.  

 

[Another Fan]

20 hours ago, TheBrownBear said:

On November 4, 2018, we were 2-7 which included losses by margins of 19, 22, 32, 32 and 44 points.  On this board there were regular discussions as to whether it was the least talented roster in Bills' history.  It seemed like we were eons away from being competitive.  Now, 13 short months later we are 10-4 and starting to look like a real contender to make some noise in the postseason.  It's a testament to the hard work put in by every member of the organization, and especially McDermott's leadership in keeping these guys focused on the process and long-term goal when things could have easily and understandably gone off the rails.

Sometime after I think DaBears game last year I have a memory of a would you rather have Marrone here thread instead of Sean.  Being frustrated a lot of fans thought Doug.  But there were some who said to check back in 2 years.

 

whats done is done and not worth unearthing that thread.  Always best to think of the long term actions of your decisions!

13 hours ago, Augie said:

I know preseason is meaningless, but what would it look like if we included the end of last year (post 11/4/18), the preseason and this season? Even without the preseason games, that would look pretty legit! GO BILLS! 

You know I remember the last preseason game the Bills came back from like 3 touchdowns late to rally.  It was against the Vikings I think?  I do know they came back in the 4th quarter that game 

 

Anyway like you say even though it was 3rd stringers playing, it just sorta felt the core/underbelly of the team was solid 

[C.Biscuit97]

20 hours ago, davefan66 said:

The team and culture left by Whaley/Rex was a problem.  Poor coaching of the players we had under Rex.  Whaley left us with cap issues.  And most importantly m, there was not a sense of team in the building.  It took some time and roster turnover, but they have not strayed from their plan.

 

 Beane purges the roster and through a few good drafts and free agents, had given McD the tools to work with.  He’s stocked the roster with players who are team first.
 

What McD has done with this team is nothing short of amazing.  He’s instilled a winning culture/attitude, put together a great coaching staff and has become a very good game day manager.  Yeah, we lost a few we should have won this year - all good teams do.  But the difference in how our players are readied every week has been excellent.

I expect this team to make a similar jump next year.  Should be fun!

I get the point you’re making but why do we always have to trash someone to build someone up?  The 2014 team would have easily been a playoff team with this schedule.  We ended Peyton’s record setting streak and beat Rodgers without scoring a td. I mean those guys aren’t on duck’s level but still.

 

mcBeane has done a good job.  We have a very good defense and an offense that doesn’t beat ourselves.  Right now, it’s beautiful.  But as with happened with Whaley, good young players are going to need to get paid soon.  The cap will look much different in 2 years. Also, with some of those cap issues and if Allen becomes a franchise guy, this will become a completely different team.

 

why not enjoy this ride and just focus on them? 

[row_33]

18 hours ago, Doc said:

Thank good coaching, drafting and FA pickups. 

 

helpful schedule as well, on paper it will be a lot tougher next year

 

[Virgil]

2 hours ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

 

Compared to your weekly picks .... Yes it is.         

 

So angry....