Lil Dirty - Benched (update - He’s back and better than ever)

[727Bills]

And who is to blame for the lack of depth?

[Warcodered]

Not sure Stevenson did enough to keep him inactive.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Just now, Warcodered said:

Not sure Stevenson did enough to keep him inactive.

made me like twice as nervous as McKenzie on his returns. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 hours ago, That's No Moon said:

I stand by what I said. There is a long list of people who have made more and more impactful mistake than McKenzie who are still playing.

 

OK, show your work.  Share the list and the specific more impactful mistakes.

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Roundybout]

20 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

Not sure Stevenson did enough to keep him inactive.

 

Inactive or active? He made me nervous a little but I think he showed a lot of heart and fire out there. Seems excited to get his shot. I like it. 

[Warcodered]

8 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

don't seem thrilled? about getting benched I'm sure, the game McKenzie is basically dancing and I'm not going to fault Moss for not wanting to take a bite out of that who knows how many people having bitten leg.

[Boatdrinks]

My guess after this game is that McKenzie will be back vs NE. Message delivered. The kid was ok but he has a lot to learn. That bobble (and bounce right back to him ) probably sent McD’s go fetcher up in his throat. He’ll want the experienced guy in there. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 hours ago, Wyobills89 said:

Dang weird wonder what happened. Wasn't it not long ago mcd was praising Isaiah on one of his interviews like big time? It's his response on Twitter that has me wondering what happened.

 

The ground-caused fumble against the Colts happened

[Wyobills89]

That's good Hyde talked about Isiah, isiah's tweet from before the game had me wondering if it was a Spain situation again "out for season" tweet. Thinking/hoping just an over reaction of being benched. I'd like to keep McKenzie for wr depth.

Edited November 26, 2021 by Wyobills89

[L Ron Burgundy]

4 hours ago, Process said:

He's not hurt. Probably just frustrated. O well he really doesn't offer anything. Let's see what Stevenson can do.

 

Really love the decisions to bench Moss Butler and McKenzie. McDermott hopefully sending a message that sucking *** won't be acceptable.

I liked him as a backup to Beasley in the slot.  Had moments as a returner.

[716er]

McD making it very clear in his presser it was his decision McK was benched.

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Einstein]

38 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

The ground-caused fumble against the Colts happened

 

And numerous other muffs and general bad punt returning habits.

[Big Blitz]

37 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

 

Yea and it's probably going to be next game.   

 

For the team at the very least today messages were sent - I don't think I've seen Singletary run like that since his rookie year.  The D line was all fired up.  

 

I'm as big a Stevenson guy as there is and I don't think there is anything special about McKenzie that says he should be active every game.  But Stevenson didn't take the job tonight but he was great considering the circumstances and his first game.  I think this was a great get your feet wet spot for him that he'll never forget now go back to McKenzie.

 

You got the rookie some PT, sent messages to everyone, but especially the guys that needed it.  Now you show trust and go back to him.  The player will respect that.  And Stevenson will be just fine.

 

That's good coaching.  

 

As for Butler, send him to the sun for all I care.  

Edited November 26, 2021 by Big Blitz

[Buffalo Junction]

1 hour ago, RunTheBall said:

I love this place. Everyone screaming for McD to shake things up, he does, and people are crying “OMG NOT THAT GUY BENCH THE OTHER GUY”. Give me a break. Who the hell is he going to bench instead?? We’ve got zero O-line depth, little RB depth and Diggs, Bease, Sanders, Davis are locks. So who should have been realistically benched instead?

 

He made the right move. He recognizes we need more speed on the field, that’s Stevenson and Brieda. McKittrick wasn’t benched for one fumble he was benched for multiple near misses and bad decisions. The fumble was just the cherry on top and opened the door for Stevenson to see what he can do before the playoffs (hopefully).

 

I swear it’s like people haven’t considered the possibility that Stevenson may have won that return job if he didn’t get IR’d. Not to mention the kid had a decent preseason catching passes Fromm Mr Khakis. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo Junction said:

I swear it’s like people haven’t considered the possibility that Stevenson may have won that return job if he didn’t get IR’d. Not to mention the kid had a decent preseason catching passes Fromm Mr Khakis. 

 

I've considered it.  From what I saw, and from what local press who see practices reported, McKenzie won the job over Breida and Stevenson.

 

Just to be clear, I have no problem with McDermott benching lil' Dirty today.

[LABILLBACKER]

1 hour ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

Inactive or active? He made me nervous a little but I think he showed a lot of heart and fire out there. Seems excited to get his shot. I like it. 

He's a rookie. He gets a little pass. Fortunately he quickly recovered his fumble and made a few yards out of it. McKenzie is no rookie and has no excuse. I'd give Stevenson a few more games to see what you have.  I'm sure McKittrick will be back.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

42 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

And numerous other muffs and general bad punt returning habits.

 

You're not the only one who has expressed this opinion, and I have the same question for you as for others

 

Can you provide specifics of this?  In which games and roughly when did these "numerous other muffs" occur?

What are these "general bad punt returning habits"?

 

Thanks for your specifics.

[Buffalo Junction]

3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I've considered it.  From what I saw, and from what local press who see practices reported, McKenzie won the job over Breida and Stevenson.

 

Just to be clear, I have no problem with McDermott benching lil' Dirty today.

Breida definitely wasn’t in contention by the end of preseason. Stevenson showed solid vision and speed. I have to wonder how close that competition was. I think that it’s possible the coaching staff put weight on the known commodity. They’re both electric in different ways…. 🤞🏼 that Stevenson ends up 1) staying healthy, 2) developing his route running enough to be a viable weapon going forward, and 3) adds some energy to teams while being reliable. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

made me like twice as nervous as McKenzie on his returns. 

 

Not to mention he had a muffed punt of his own (1st NO punt of 2nd half)

[Einstein]

8 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

You're not the only one who has expressed this opinion, and I have the same question for you as for others

 

Can you provide specifics of this?  In which games and roughly when did these "numerous other muffs" occur?

What are these "general bad punt returning habits"?

 

Thanks for your specifics.

 

https://www.twobillsdrive.com/community/topic/236115-marquez-stevenson-designated-ir-return/?do=findComment&comment=7429909

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

https://www.twobillsdrive.com/community/topic/236115-marquez-stevenson-designated-ir-return/?do=findComment&comment=7429909

 

 

So players are allowed to develop.  McKenzie has developed since his rookie year.

 

Basically, this season his "numerous other muffs" are the horrible fumble in the Colts game, which deservedly saw him benched today,

and

a muff against the Dolphins

 

McDermott has stressed that he wants to see the punt end with the ball in our guy's hands, so I'm not sure you can put that on McKenzie and not coaching.

He was 6th in Y/R on kickoffs and 8th in Y/R on punts before this week, so I don't think he can be misjudging punts as often as you think.

 

Stevenson had a muff today.

[Back2Buff]

This was a terrible move by McDermott, who has been awful at player usage (think back to benching Tyrod for Peterman).

 

I thought when they put Stevenson in, they would have used him on offense.  That didn't happen.

 

So you benched Mckenzie, for a rookie returner who is not as good as Mckenzie and has fumbling problems too.

 

You got rid of a weapon on offense, for what?!  Could have used Mckenzie in the redzone yesterday, instead of Allen throwing picks.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Sorry, 19 will be active next week. Not 5. 

[LyndonvilleBill]

4 minutes ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Sorry, 19 will be active next week. Not 5. 

Probably. But will he be playing WR/KR/PR or CB? 😉 🤣

[oldmanfan]

McD sending a message to him and Moss.  And I read somewhere that the two were partying in the French Quarter Wednesday night. 

[SCBills]

Part of me wonders if they held back anything for NE.  
 

We had to know pretty early on that the only way we could lose to New Orleans, was if we just kept turning it over.  
 

No sense putting any Stevenson packages on tape in a game where we had zero need to do so.   
 

Not sure I want Stevenson getting a bunch of plays in a MNF game for the Division lead, but this wasn’t really a game where we needed to do much outside of out-talent them. 

[Process]

6 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

McD sending a message to him and Moss.  And I read somewhere that the two were partying in the French Quarter Wednesday night. 

To be fair, they probably knew at that point they weren't playing

[Back2Buff]

16 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Part of me wonders if they held back anything for NE.  
 

We had to know pretty early on that the only way we could lose to New Orleans, was if we just kept turning it over.  
 

No sense putting any Stevenson packages on tape in a game where we had zero need to do so.   
 

Not sure I want Stevenson getting a bunch of plays in a MNF game for the Division lead, but this wasn’t really a game where we needed to do much outside of out-talent them. 

 

Is there a bigger myth perpetuated by fans than this?!

[Matt_In_NH]

One opinion....McDermott sending a message to the "team" through benching McKenzie.....I mean yeah he had the fumble against Indy but he has been a very good returner.  Andre Roberts fumbled a couple times per year.   I think McD is trying to rattle the cage of the team more than one player.   Mistakes need to be minimized, by all.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

15 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

So which came first the chicken or the egg.  Is he out for the season because of partying or was he partying because he already knew he was out?  Sounds like the latter??  Though hard to believe the season.

 

I think he got read the "Riot Act" by McDermott about his fumble and told he had moved down below Stevenson on the depth chart until further notice and would have to earn back any playing time he gets.  "Benched for the Season" is a bit of an emotional interpretation but I'm sure he was left in no doubt that he's living in McDermott's doghouse and no timeline when he gets out. 

 

And I say "good for McDermott".  I frankly didn't think he had it in him.

 

4 minutes ago, mattynh said:

One opinion....McDermott sending a message to the "team" through benching McKenzie.....I mean yeah he had the fumble against Indy but he has been a very good returner.  Andre Roberts fumbled a couple times per year.   I think McD is trying to rattle the cage of the team more than one player.   Mistakes need to be minimized, by all.

 

It's not the fumble per se, it's the type of fumble.  No contact, ball just came loose when he hit the ground.

[Einstein]

9 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

So players are allowed to develop.  McKenzie has developed since his rookie year.

 

Basically, this season his "numerous other muffs" are the horrible fumble in the Colts game, which deservedly saw him benched today,

and

a muff against the Dolphins

 

McDermott has stressed that he wants to see the punt end with the ball in our guy's hands, so I'm not sure you can put that on McKenzie and not coaching.

He was 6th in Y/R on kickoffs and 8th in Y/R on punts before this week, so I don't think he can be misjudging punts as often as you think.

 

Stevenson had a muff today.

 

We couldn’t disagree more on this topic.

[NewEra]

2 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

We couldn’t disagree more on this topic.

Great post.  Thanks for enlightening the board with your intellect

[SCBills]

22 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Is there a bigger myth perpetuated by fans than this?!

Normally, yes… but reports are that Stevenson has been ramping up for a while.. with actual packages on Offense.  
 

Nobody in the league has seen those plays yet.  
 

Obviously didn’t need them last night.  
 

Id be surprised if McKenzie stays inactive though.  

[The Frankish Reich]

19 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

 

 

It's not the fumble per se, it's the type of fumble.  No contact, ball just came loose when he hit the ground.

I thought that made it more excusable. Slick field, feet come out from under him, ball pops loose. I mean, don't we give receivers more benefit of the doubt when they drop a wet ball? The QB more benefit of the doubt when a wet ball slips out of their hand and results in an INT? Not securing the ball when you should be expecting to be hit is one thing. Losing the ball when the unexpected happens is another altogether.

Edited November 26, 2021 by The Frankish Reich

[Einstein]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Great post.  Thanks for enlightening the board with your intellect

 

 

Ive written in length my thoughts about McKenzie in this very thread.

 

It would be doing the forum a disservice to continue spamming it with the same thoughts over and over.

 

Therefore, a simple “We do not disagree” is a peaceful way to end a debate where nether side is likely to be swayed and all thoughts on the matter are relatively fleshed out.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

I thought that made it more excusable. Slick field, feet come out from under him, ball pops loose. I mean, don't we give receivers more benefit of the doubt when they drop a wet ball? The QB more benefit of the doubt when a wet ball slips out of their hand and results in an INT? Not securing the ball when you should be expecting to be hit is one thing. Losing the ball when the unexpected happens is another altogether.

 

I don't think McDermott sees it that way, especially on a kickoff.  I think he sees it "you have one job - end the play with the football in your hands"

 

7 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Normally, yes… but reports are that Stevenson has been ramping up for a while.. with actual packages on Offense.  
 

Nobody in the league has seen those plays yet.  
 

Obviously didn’t need them last night.  
 

Id be surprised if McKenzie stays inactive though.  

 

Where are these reports?

 

My understanding is that a player on IR is not allowed to start practicing with the team until he is "activated for return from IR".  Which happened for Stevenson on this Tuesday, which would kind of preclude "a while". 

 

But there may be fine points to the rule of which I'm unaware.

 

Thanks

[Coach Tuesday]

Just now, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don't think McDermott sees it that way, especially on a kickoff.  I think he sees it "you have one job - end the play with the football in your hands"

He has been careless with the football for most of his career.  Probably shows up in practice too.  Maybe he has small hands.

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don't think McDermott sees it that way, especially on a kickoff.  I think he sees it "you have one job - end the play with the football in your hands"

 

Where are these reports?

 

Thanks

If you believe that Vicious Sid guy on Twitter..  seemed to have called Stevenson getting his chance while quietly ramping up these past few weeks.