eball Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 We have heard McD say this over and over again when talking about what their goal is when players come to Buffalo. He seems to say it now almost as much as “respect the process.” But what I have noticed over the past several weeks is that in multiple interviews with players they have also brought this up. I just read an article about Quinton Jefferson and yep, he said it. The examples are numerous. What’s my point? This culture McD has developed is something else. You could almost remove those last three letters, it seems so ingrained in all of the players. It’s not lip service, they believe it. It’s fun to watch. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargent Hulka Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 "Become the best versions of themselves"...this is great advice for anyone in any walk of life. Let that be your intention everyday when you start your day. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Round Bust Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) culture - its a mindset based on attitude and bahavior back in the day when HoF coach Joe Gibbs had the Washington football team formerly known as the Redskins on run deep into playoffs and Super Bowls for several years, he would personally award Sony walkmans to the top players of the week and the players extra-excited to get them, they could buy them of course and or had them already, but getting them from coach in front of the entire team was the key. Extra point: After a road game played late season Saturday in NE, Coach Gibbs on the way home from the airport took two game balls signed by the entire to a retired lon-time high school coach who was intensive care at a hospital and coach spent 10 mins with around mid-nite with him...all coach asked for was for access and 10 mins...cleared by hospital admin and coach asked to keep this private. Edited August 22, 2020 by First Round Bust 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 19 minutes ago, eball said: We have heard McD say this over and over again when talking about what their goal is when players come to Buffalo. He seems to say it now almost as much as “respect the process.” But what I have noticed over the past several weeks is that in multiple interviews with players they have also brought this up. I just read an article about Quinton Jefferson and yep, he said it. The examples are numerous. What’s my point? This culture McD has developed is something else. You could almost remove those last three letters, it seems so ingrained in all of the players. It’s not lip service, they believe it. It’s fun to watch. It’s also catching on around the League. Recently, many players and coaches utter this in interviews -both on NFLN & SiriusXM. Its a copycat League and Sean is a Lion! Gotta amend ‘Playoff Caliber’ to Super Bowl Caliber! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutDog Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 McD is truly a leader. The DNA they discuss matters. Many have stated that the Bills want ‘choir boys’. I don’t believe that’s true: they want intensely aggressive and intelligent men who want to improve and also keep their noses clean. Culture is such a critical component of any group. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4_kidd_4 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 “Live, Clap, Love” 2 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 17 minutes ago, TroutDog said: McD is truly a leader. The DNA they discuss matters. Many have stated that the Bills want ‘choir boys’. I don’t believe that’s true: they want intensely aggressive and intelligent men who want to improve and also keep their noses clean. Culture is such a critical component of any group. It’s a balancing act for sure in a sport as violent as professional football. It’s that balance that causes fans to question The Process. Tip the scale too far in one direction and you get a team that won’t fight back when punched in the face. Tip it too far in the other direction and you have the Oakland Raiders. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said: It’s also catching on around the League. Recently, many players and coaches utter this in interviews -both on NFLN & SiriusXM. Its a copycat League and Sean is a Lion! Gotta amend ‘Playoff Caliber’ to Super Bowl Caliber! It's become a trite cliche these days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Sadly I think many come here to be their worst versions. 5 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Sargent Hulka said: "Become the best versions of themselves"...this is great advice for anyone in any walk of life. Let that be your intention everyday when you start your day. Sergeant, become the best version of your chosen name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 28 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: It's become a trite cliche these days. Perhaps, but I don't recall hearing it until McD starting preaching it, probably last season at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 22 minutes ago, eball said: Perhaps, but I don't recall hearing it until McD starting preaching it, probably last season at some point. yeah and so what if it’s not original, saying it versus living and cultivating it are drastically different 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 19 minutes ago, eball said: Perhaps, but I don't recall hearing it until McD starting preaching it, probably last season at some point. Google that phrase and click “images” and you will see an infinite number of books, posters, podcast ads, memes, t shirts, Dr. Phil....etc——it’s pretty tired for a while now. Countless preteens have already taken down those posters from their rooms no doubt... These goofy new age catch phrases McD is fond of “preaching” are nice, but there has to be a playoff win on the other side soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 5 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: Google that phrase and click “images” and you will see an infinite number of books, posters, podcast ads, memes, t shirts, Dr. Phil....etc——it’s pretty tired for a while now. Countless preteens have already taken down those posters from their rooms no doubt... These goofy new age catch phrases McD is fond of “preaching” are nice, but there has to be a playoff win on the other side soon... Thank you for your contributions. I bet you’re a riot at funerals..?♂️ 1 7 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnycage46 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 17 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: Google that phrase and click “images” and you will see an infinite number of books, posters, podcast ads, memes, t shirts, Dr. Phil....etc——it’s pretty tired for a while now. Countless preteens have already taken down those posters from their rooms no doubt... These goofy new age catch phrases McD is fond of “preaching” are nice, but there has to be a playoff win on the other side soon... Bills should fire his ass for sure. Sick of the playoff appearances and catch phrases. What do we have to do to get back to the days of "it's hard to win football games" post-game quotes from Jauron...and damn it...give me another drought!!!! 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 I really wish he would come up with something a little more original and concise. "Just Do It," has a nice ring. Maybe he'll consider that in a couple years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 25 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said: yeah and so what if it’s not original, saying it versus living and cultivating it are drastically different Years ago I worked for a division of Westinghouse, and they had this internal message they kept pushing: "Do the right thing right the first time." Or something trite like that. I remember thinking, "Well, yeah, no schitt," but as it became the message pushed in meetings and throughout the next year or so, you could see people who were otherwise complacent in their jobs suddenly being held accountable by people who bought into that message. Soon the complacent ones either upped their work, or moved along, so you end up with more people with the same goal...and productivity ultimately went through the roof for our group. Another phrase I heard a player repeat recently was the coaches wanting him to "be comfortable with being uncomfortable." They were working him at four different positions to challenge him, and that phrase really resonated with me. You need to constantly challenge yourself, no matter who you are, but this phrase really put it into perspective for an old dude like me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaninSarasota Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said: It's become a trite cliche these days. you read my mind Weo .....it has become an oh so hip overused cliche of 2020....this along with "living my best life"...........enough already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutDog Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 hour ago, SoCal Deek said: It’s a balancing act for sure in a sport as violent as professional football. It’s that balance that causes fans to question The Process. Tip the scale too far in one direction and you get a team that won’t fight back when punched in the face. Tip it too far in the other direction and you have the Oakland Raiders. ? I agree and I think it’s balanced well. Coming from the D side and wrestling, he clearly has aggressive tendencies. You can preach those while also teaching off the field those actions aren’t ok. Seems logical to me but I remember being young, too. ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 31 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: Google that phrase and click “images” and you will see an infinite number of books, posters, podcast ads, memes, t shirts, Dr. Phil....etc——it’s pretty tired for a while now. Countless preteens have already taken down those posters from their rooms no doubt... These goofy new age catch phrases McD is fond of “preaching” are nice, but there has to be a playoff win on the other side soon... Are you EVER happy? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherlock Holmes Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 6 minutes ago, IDBillzFan said: Are you EVER happy? Only when he gets to feast...right @Mr. WEO?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbuff Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 2 hours ago, TroutDog said: McD is truly a leader. The DNA they discuss matters. Many have stated that the Bills want ‘choir boys’. I don’t believe that’s true: they want intensely aggressive and intelligent men who want to improve and also keep their noses clean. Culture is such a critical component of any group. McDermott wants young men who are all focused on the same goals. It doesn't really matter what their background is, just be able to fall in line with everyone else as to having the same vision. Pretty simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comebackkid Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 i'll take cheesy cliches for 500 Alex. But seriously you need something that everyone can buy into and believe in together. Just like going to the movies and what ever other stuff they do together, its all about the bonding and united focus. Its not like the Marines change their mantras every year for new recruits, no....the new recruits want to buy into it because to them that defines being part of the brotherhood of the Marines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 25 minutes ago, IDBillzFan said: Are you EVER happy? I prefer this: Lol. But seriously, does any of this visit-from-the-regional-manager canned motivational cliche spouting make you "happy"? Does pointing out that the coach is retreading old internet memes to peddle to his players as fresh deep soul lifting motivators...make one "not happy"? How unhappy were you before you heard McD' s latest sloganeering that it has warmed your heart? (kidding a bit, there). Slogans, as we know, don't win championships--even different ones every year. It reminds me of the movie Being There, where Chance the Gardener (later "Chauncey Gardiner"), a simpleton, utters completely innocuous phrases (about all he knows of: gardening) while all those around him, not knowing who he really is, fawn over his "down home" wisdom. "Just win, McD", then you can posterize any phrase that pops into your head....and we will hail you as a genius! 33 minutes ago, Sherlock Holmes said: Only when he gets to feast...right @Mr. WEO?? nom nom... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 McDermott's culture is real. He understands what is required to be a winning organisation and he wants to ensure every is fully committed to it. Little slogans are a symptom of the culture but they are not the cause and the people who see them as meaningless miss the point a bit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: McDermott's culture is real. He understands what is required to be a winning organisation and he wants to ensure every is fully committed to it. Little slogans are a symptom of the culture but they are not the cause and the people who see them as meaningless miss the point a bit. I don't think people seem them as meaningless. Cliche and Stuart Smalley-ish, perhaps. But not meaningless. I've always liked, "Do Your Job." Edited August 22, 2020 by Gugny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 minute ago, GunnerBill said: McDermott's culture is real. He understands what is required to be a winning organisation and he wants to ensure every is fully committed to it. Little slogans are a symptom of the culture but they are not the cause and the people who see them as meaningless miss the point a bit. You're right. Some people ignore how important "team" is to success, and increasingly the best organizations in the world (not just football teams) are building team cultures. Team cultures keep everyone on the team better focused on goals and more willing to cooperate to achieve the goal. I was in an amazing McDonald's yesterday. It was lunch time, and they were busy. There were eight or ten people working, a couple at the drive-through window, several in the back making sandwiches, a couple in front manning the registers, getting drinks, etc. What was amazing was the speed at which they were working, and what was obvious was that they all were focused on the same goal - serving the customers, serving them quickly and accurately. And they were working together, calling to each other about what they needed, with others responding that they had them covered. I could see the satisfaction in their faces. They knew they were killing it. I watched them maybe ten minutes, and they never stopped. As I watched, I wondered how they got that way, and the answer was obvious - they had leadership who had sold them on the importance of service and on the fact that by working together they could deliver service better than by doing it separately. While they worked, each was trying to be the best version of themselves as part of the team. McDermott's objective is to have an entire organization, and not just the players, humming like that McDonald's was humming. So far, he seems to be succeeding. A 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: McDermott's culture is real. He understands what is required to be a winning organisation and he wants to ensure every is fully committed to it. Little slogans are a symptom of the culture but they are not the cause and the people who see them as meaningless miss the point a bit. To these guys they are pretty meaningless I bet. The older guys have heard it all and the young guys spot "corny" from miles away. It's hard to imagine he has cornered the market on getting his NFL players to be good teammates and work hard. How many coaches are not doing this exact thing? He's a very good coach. This other stuff is for the masses to digest. It's myth building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, eball said: Perhaps, but I don't recall hearing it until McD starting preaching it, probably last season at some point. There's a poster and bumper sticker out there with every saying imaginable, no matter how obscure. Edited August 22, 2020 by Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 15 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: To these guys they are pretty meaningless I bet. The older guys have heard it all and the young guys spot "corny" from miles away. It's hard to imagine he has cornered the market on getting his NFL players to be good teammates and work hard. How many coaches are not doing this exact thing? He's a very good coach. This other stuff is for the masses to digest. It's myth building. The phrases themselves.... sure. But they are the symptom of the culture. They are not the cause. McDermott has built an understanding of and a commitment to what it takes to win. And in an organisation that had not had either for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 7 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: The phrases themselves.... sure. But they are the symptom of the culture. They are not the cause. McDermott has built an understanding of and a commitment to what it takes to win. And in an organisation that had not had either for a long time. There isn't anyone much left from that organization. My point is that it is common approach to team building that is not unique. But without results, it won't be remembered except as a bit of a goof. The phrases are unnecessary to this culture. For instance, if the players actually did come out in public at some point saying "coach says it takes teamwork to make the dream work"...doesn't it become parody? I know there are a ton of posters who would respond with "man, he is just KILLING it with this culture building now--that's next level!!" and more fawning threads will be birthed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 The culture change is real and undeniable, regardless of the phrases used to get there. That they bug anyone smacks of an agenda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 12 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: There isn't anyone much left from that organization. My point is that it is common approach to team building that is not unique. But without results, it won't be remembered except as a bit of a goof. The phrases are unnecessary to this culture. For instance, if the players actually did come out in public at some point saying "coach says it takes teamwork to make the dream work"...doesn't it become parody? I know there are a ton of posters who would respond with "man, he is just KILLING it with this culture building now--that's next level!!" and more fawning threads will be birthed. You're an odd dude. It's as if you feel it's your obligation to tamp down any enthusiasm that doesn't fit your requirements. Of course the phrase itself doesn't "do" anything, but I've never heard a HC talk that way before McD started doing it -- I don't care how many bumper stickers and motivational posters it was on, and I don't care if some other coach did use it before. The culture of the Buffalo Bills organization was dogschitt at the end of 2016. Look at where it is now -- players talking about wanting to come to Buffalo because "they'll become the best version of themselves." You can poke fun and call it frilly words, but I think this sort of a dramatic shift that appears to be sustainable means something -- regardless of the phrases used. 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 2 hours ago, IDBillzFan said: Are you EVER happy? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 "Do your job" is so original and inspiring, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) 17 minutes ago, eball said: You're an odd dude. It's as if you feel it's your obligation to tamp down any enthusiasm that doesn't fit your requirements. Of course the phrase itself doesn't "do" anything, but I've never heard a HC talk that way before McD started doing it -- I don't care how many bumper stickers and motivational posters it was on, and I don't care if some other coach did use it before. The culture of the Buffalo Bills organization was dogschitt at the end of 2016. Look at where it is now -- players talking about wanting to come to Buffalo because "they'll become the best version of themselves." You can poke fun and call it frilly words, but I think this sort of a dramatic shift that appears to be sustainable means something -- regardless of the phrases used. Spare me. Was it that long ago that posters on this very site were absolutely giddy about the "culture change" that Rex Ryan was going to bring to the Bills (still got your "Build a Bully" Tee-shirt?). And that ended up as "dogschitt", because it didn't bring consistent winning. And do I really believe you "have never heard a HC talk that way before McD started doing it"? No, I don't because that's ridiculous. Were you born after legendary sloganeer-par-excellence Marv Levy retired? He was the motivational king. At least his slogans were original. I will leave you with some words from the master: “Systems don't win, players do.” “Our goal is to develop our team, to earn what we get, to learn, to develop unselfish attitudes. If we achieve that, the results is that we'll win.” “All the buildup and hype, everything else, is foam. The game is the beer.” “Great football coaches have the vision to see, the faith to believe, the courage to do - and 25 great players.” 5 minutes ago, Doc said: "Do your job" is so original and inspiring, isn't it? It doesn't look as good on a poster over your bed, doc, but you can't argue with the results.... Edited August 22, 2020 by Mr. WEO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 4 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: It doesn't look as good on a poster over your bed, doc, but you can't argue with the results.... There's no slogan for "we cheat." So there's that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 38 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: There isn't anyone much left from that organization. My point is that it is common approach to team building that is not unique. But without results, it won't be remembered except as a bit of a goof. The phrases are unnecessary to this culture. For instance, if the players actually did come out in public at some point saying "coach says it takes teamwork to make the dream work"...doesn't it become parody? I know there are a ton of posters who would respond with "man, he is just KILLING it with this culture building now--that's next level!!" and more fawning threads will be birthed. I agree that the phrases are not necessary for the culture. On that core point you are right. They are a result of it. The fact that the players repeat them in interviews is a symptom of the culture McDermott has built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 5 hours ago, Chandler#81 said: It’s also catching on around the League. Recently, many players and coaches utter this in interviews -both on NFLN & SiriusXM. Its a copycat League and Sean is a Lion! Gotta amend ‘Playoff Caliber’ to Super Bowl Caliber! You need to be playoff-caliber to get to the super bowl The second we made the playoffs he changed the sign to championship-caliber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 minute ago, GunnerBill said: I agree that the phrases are not necessary for the culture. On that core point you are right. They are a result of it. The fact that the players repeat them in interviews is a symptom of the culture McDermott has built. At this point in the year, he controls their professional and financial future. They would read from Mein Kampf at the podium if he told them too. That he can wrap that power in an Etsy needlepoint slogan is 4D chess, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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