McDermott hammers point about Allen running less and sliding. Says it MUST change next year...

[Augie]

41 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Said it is unsustainable the way he is playing football and being wreckless at times. Says history has shown it and says they talk about it all the time but the message doesn't seem to have gotten through enough and says it HAS to change next year.

 

Brought it up multiple times during the interview apparently.

 

Pretty strong message being sent from McD. Should make all the people freaking out about Allen running so much happy...

 

 

Battista: McDermott 'louder than ever' in his emphasis on Josh Allen needing to slide

 

https://www.nfl.com/videos/battista-mcdermott-louder-than-ever-in-his-emphasis-on-josh-allen-needing-to-sli

 

 

 

Did he mention that the human body was not meant to play the game of football? 

[Brandon]

That's nice and all,  but watch them draft heavily on defense early yet again. 

[gobills404]

4 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Your 2nd video was a pass from the pocket, but I know which play you meant to post against the Raiders. Wasnt he getting to the sideline tho?

 

And there was no possibility for him to slide in the 1st one.

 

Probably wouldve ended up with more cheap shots to the head like the Miami slide I posted above.

 

All in all, as a runner, it's better to do the hitting than get hit.

But it’s not one or the other. It’s really just better to not get hit OR do the hitting.

[stevewin]

On GMFB today (I thought I would eventually come to accept Erdahl/McCourty but I've actually grown to hate them - but that is another topic 😛 ) Matt Judon was on and they were talking about this. 

 

At one point Judon said "There's not too much in Buffalo besides Josh Allen" - I had to rewind to make sure I heard it right - then I had to process - does he mean on the team?  Then it was apparent he meant literally in the city of Buffalo there was not too much besides Josh Allen.  lol  Has he never been to Dave & Busters?

Edited March 27, 2023 by stevewin

[Dopey]

56 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Agreed, but I mean what is he going to do, bench him?

 

He’s going to bench himself. IR. 
Love Josh and his toughness, but he’s taking a lot of hits he shouldn’t be taking. Running back mentality is not for franchise quarterbacks. I’m not talking hits because of the oline. Hits he’s taking when he can slide or run out of bounds. Oh, and stop leaping over guys. 
Edit: LAMP, but I’ve brought this up on a few occasions. 

Edited March 27, 2023 by Dopey

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

Pretty sure Cam Newton agrees. 

[Mikie2times]

20 minutes ago, Mango said:

I think there is a lot of nuance to the Josh should/shouldn’t run critique. 
 

- He doesn’t run like Mahomes. A lot of the time he isn’t evading pressure, picking up positive yards, and getting out of bounds. He almost seeks out contact like Lynch or AP. 
 

- Josh takes off to run when he doesn’t see the whole field. 
 

- The OL sucks.

 

Josh needs to take off less/see the field better and get down/out of bounds when he does. AND we need to fix the OL. All of those things are true. 

I wish I could give this more than one thumbs up. I think some on here would say what do you mean he doesn't always see the field? I agree with your take 100%. The line often doesn't give him a lot of time to see the field, but ultimately, reading defenses is the biggest area he can work on. People are learning to take away almost everything he does to try and generate offense without fully reading the defense. They aren't letting him roll to the sidelines. They're often slow rushing him. Not giving him the easy rush lane up the middle. Right now, the way to beat Josh is keep him in the pocket and he's going to have to eventually figure that our more. I'm sure he will with how hard he works.  

[Fleezoid]

20 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

You're not going to.  When a player plays with that much passion, you're not going to change him.

 

 

Nor should you. If you did, you'd be taking away his cheat code. Let the man run. It not only fires himself up, but the team and fans as well.  The threat alone probably opens up plays. 

[Mat68]

He is going to scramble.  Have him look for yards than get down or out of bounds.  He is telling Dorsey no more Allen power right in September. 

[WyoAZBillfan]

It’s all fine and dandy, but if they don’t protect him up front…he’s always gonna be running for his life. Seems like he was in the pocket when he got hurt…

[2003Contenders]

While I absolutely agree that Josh needs to be careful and not absorb unnecessary shots, I do believe that it is in his nature to play the way he does. And honestly, if he starts doing things that are not natural for him, he could very well open himself up to injury -- rather than avoid it.

 

Let's remember that the elbow injuries that he has sustained came when he was in the pocket and from his blind side when protection broke down.

 

Solutions:

 

1. Improve the OL

2. Dial up plays that allow Josh to get the ball out of his hand quicker

3. Make use of check-downs

4. Be smarter about when it is time to throw the ball away

5. Get down or out of bounds when possible

Edited March 27, 2023 by 2003Contenders

[UKBillFan]

I think Josh is at his best whe he's allowed to play almost without thinking. When he has to think things through, or have specific requests in mind, I think he can second guess himself which impacts his game. I fully appreciate what McDermott is saying, but am concerned it'll impact neagtively on Josh's style of play.

[Chaos]

1 hour ago, Big Turk said:

Said it is unsustainable the way he is playing football and being wreckless at times. Says history has shown it and says they talk about it all the time but the message doesn't seem to have gotten through enough and says it HAS to change next year.

 

Brought it up multiple times during the interview apparently.

 

Pretty strong message being sent from McD. Should make all the people freaking out about Allen running so much happy...

 

 

Battista: McDermott 'louder than ever' in his emphasis on Josh Allen needing to slide

 

https://www.nfl.com/videos/battista-mcdermott-louder-than-ever-in-his-emphasis-on-josh-allen-needing-to-sli

 

 

Prefer McDermott to have a bit more self-introspection and not try to deflect the teams failings with this type of trivial thing.  If McDermott truly believes it MUST change, he should look to trade Allen to a coach who will appreciate his talents.  

There is ZERO reason for McDermott to be airing this laundry in public.  Allen is a team player, and won't likely air his complaints publically.  But Allen has a boatload more to complain about in lack of protection resources, and his HC f'ing up playoff games than McDermotts efforts to start "wontslidegate"

Edited March 27, 2023 by Chaos

[Royale with Cheese]

11 minutes ago, Fleezoid said:

 

Nor should you. If you did, you'd be taking away his cheat code. Let the man run. It not only fires himself up, but the team and fans as well.  The threat alone probably opens up plays. 

I always felt that it was better to try to calm down a player than having to fire up a player.  Allen is just that guy that gives his everything in every play.

[dave mcbride]

20 minutes ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

Pretty sure Cam Newton agrees. 

Newton's injuries occurred on pocket plays.

[Low Positive]

2 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Newton's injuries occurred on pocket plays.

Newton’s career-altering shoulder injury happened making a tackle after throwing an iNT.

[DrDawkinstein]

5 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Newton's injuries occurred on pocket plays.

 

2 minutes ago, FrenchConnection said:

Newton’s career-altering shoulder injury happened making a tackle after throwing an iNT.

 

You're both right. Most of his wear and tear was from refs allowing defenders to tee off on him, often cheap and illegally. And then he hurt himself playing defense.

[Starr Almighty]

Slide on

[ColoradoBills]

Lead story:  Josh needs to run less and slide more.  I agree wholeheartedly.

 

Second Lead Story:  Von Miller recovery going great.  Expected back earlier than first thought.  I like that just as much!

[nucci]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

Sit his ass for a series to make the point if needed, Josh can’t be so “ignorant” as to purposefully put the entire team’s future in jeopardy, and that’s how you put It to him,  he will learn. It’s good that his Boss is driving this point home. 

yeah, that'll go over well with the team. Good call

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

It is on Josh and frankly I am not sure you can change him. 

I think you do your best to coach him up on it, and ive been hypercritical of the overused qb keepers, but i dont appreciate this running through the media. I guess i havent heard the tone of it, only reading this.  id rather him be harsh about it inside the locker room even as opposed to semi-soft through the media. kinda strange. sounds like Coach is really feeling the pressure already

[Don Otreply]

1 hour ago, LOVEMESOMEBILLS said:

 

 That's not happening. He's the most powerful person in the Bills organization outside of the owners. 

 

 

 

If the coach wants it will happen, can’t let the lunatics run the asylum, 

1 hour ago, MJS said:

What good will come from such blatant disrespect to our franchise QB? We need to keep him happy and focused on winning. No need for a power struggle.

So you’re saying that Josh is a sensitive snowflake, and he will go to pieces over that? 

[Fan in Chicago]

Many here have rightfully pointed out the continued need to upgrade the OL. Further, we have not had a back who could get the short and tough yards. The addition of Damien Harris should help in that regard. Allen will never totally give up on running and he should not because it is an important dimension to his game. But used sparingly, it will be even more deadly 

[MJS]

4 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

So you’re saying that Josh is a sensitive snowflake, and he will go to pieces over that? 

No, the opposite. He'll butt heads with McDermott and stick up for himself, and there will be conflict between him and the head coach.

[Don Otreply]

8 minutes ago, nucci said:

yeah, that'll go over well with the team. Good call

Ya can’t reward poor behavior in an employee, ever,

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

Just now, Don Otreply said:

If the coach wants it will happen, can’t let the lunatics run the asylum, 

 

 The coach & gm have wanted it for the last 2-3 years, it has not happened. Funny they want him to quit running when 3 out of his 4 injuries have occurred behind the LOS. One could argue a quality OL would aid in his longevity better than him reducing his running attempts.

 

 

 

[ColoradoBills]

5 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

I think you do your best to coach him up on it, and ive been hypercritical of the overused qb keepers, but i dont appreciate this running through the media. I guess i havent heard the tone of it, only reading this.  id rather him be harsh about it inside the locker room even as opposed to semi-soft through the media. kinda strange. sounds like Coach is really feeling the pressure already

 

He has said it multiple times in pressers and now it's getting to the point where he is being ignored.  He is the Head Coach.

If he has said it that many times to us, how many times has he said it to Josh and Dorsey?

 

McDermott is the father figure of this family.  Sometimes a dad has to yell to get his point across.

He's also with Pegula and Beane on this trip.  I bet you any money they feel the same way and for all we know they are using this

forum to get their point across once and for all.

 

I'd recommend you go to the OP and click the link.  Seems they all agree.

[GoBills808]

3 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

He has said it multiple times in pressers and now it's getting to the point where he is being ignored.  He is the Head Coach.

If he has said it that many times to us, how many times has he said it to Josh and Dorsey?

 

McDermott is the father figure of this family.  Sometimes a dad has to yell to get his point across.

He's also with Pegula and Beane on this trip.  I bet you any money they feel the same way and for all we know they are using this

forum to get their point across once and for all.

 

I'd recommend you go to the OP and click the link.  Seems they all agree.

Because everybody knows effective parenting is getting your point across to your kids through the media 

[The Red King]

I think running is fine, gives the defense something else to worry about.  But the rest, the hurdling, the bulldozing for an extra yard or two...yeah, that boy needs to learn how to slide.

Just now, The Red King said:

I think running is fine, gives the defense something else to worry about.  But the rest, the hurdling, the bulldozing for an extra yard or two...yeah, that boy needs to learn how to slide at times.

 

[GoBills808]

One time I forgot to do my chores my dad wrote an op ed in the local paper

[purple haze]

2 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

Agreed, but I mean what is he going to do, bench him?

 

Run the ball more.  Less passing less need for him to scramble.  Use the RB in the run game and less called run plays for Allen.  
 

It will never totally go away but they can lessen the amount he runs.

[Alphadawg7]

McD is obviously right, no one in their right mind wants their QB (probably the single most important individual position in any team sport) out there playing like a LB or FB taking extra punishment then is necessary.  

 

At the same time, you don't want to strip away some of the instincts and greatness from someone like Allen and make them play hesitant either.  

 

Allen is too competitive to give himself up in a moment the team needs a play from him, so that is never going to change.  The middle ground however is to mitigate the toll by taking the slide or getting out of bounds in the situations most often where it is not necessary to take contact.  On 3rd down, if he runs and is past the first down marker, then it's ok to give himself up for example to avoid taking a big hit, not to mention to prevent the risk of a fumble.  Now in situations where he has the first down and has an opportunity to keep going for a big gain and possible score, I would not expect Allen to just slide and give up on the play either and take the opportunities there while being smart about getting out of bounds or sliding before unnecessary contact happens.  

 

And I think that is where the biggest change needs to come...to learn he doesn't have to put his body on the line in moments where the payoff isn't there, the team doesn't need it, etc.  Its ok to take first and goal on the 6 yard line versus putting his head down into 3 defenders and trying to run over them for a score.  Or on 3rd and 9 to get the first down and not try and fight for an additional 5-10 yards where he is going to take punishment.  

 

When the contact is necessary to extend a drive, get the score, etc I think that is just part of his game that comes with the territory.  But if they really want to help Allen avoid more contact, there needs to be a lot less designed runs where the defenders are still near the LOS and contact is almost inevitable.  Roll Josh out with the option to run or pass, let the recievers take the defenders away from the LOS where Josh can take off if he chooses and get chunk yardage before contact and get out of bounds or slide.  We need to seriously reduce the number of plays where its a designed run off the snap in moments where it's just not needed.  I get QB sneaks, or using the immense weapons of Josh's legs to get convert in a key down 3rd or 4th down play.  But too many times we have called plays like that in moments it was unnecessary.  

 

Obviously you don't want to be too predictable either always running just on 3rd and short and no other times, but establishing a better run game around Josh, rolling Josh out, etc is the best way to do that. 

[mrags]

I’m sure it’s already been said. But….

 

I wonder if McDermott accepts any failure in this since he has provided Josh with an absolute shlt offensive line. 

[Process]

Josh is at his best when he is running guys over and getting up laughing in their face (see weeks 1-6). 

 

It is what it is. 

[without a drought]

Did McD mention wanting to win games 17-13?

 

Asking for a friend. 

[Solomon Grundy]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

It is on Josh and frankly I am not sure you can change him. 

Daboll had a firm grip on his reins

[GoBills808]

2 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Daboll had a firm grip on his reins

Allen averaged less than 1 rush attempt/game more w Dorsey, that's just noise imo

[DCbillsfan]

If you want your QB to run less, take less hits, and slide more then maybe you should back that up by not calling QB sneaks on 3rd and short or 4th and short.  WTF

[BillsVet]

1 hour ago, ColoradoBills said:

McDermott is publicly stating what most of us have been saying.  That alone is a big tell what goes on at OBD.

What combination of responsibility that is between Josh and Dorsey is immaterial, they both are part of that.

 

I'll add that Beane has responsibility in this too.  He has started to put resources into the OL and has to continue in the draft.

I got no problem with McDermott getting a little tougher with coaches and players.

 

McD is acutely aware of the criticism levied, so this is him getting out in front of it.  He knows expectations are high for 2023 and being an astute PR minded guy, he will set the narrative.   

 

I also suspect McBeane are, for the first time in their tenure, chafing at the criticism about their "process" and trying to establish that it's not them that needs to change.  It's always something or someone else in McD's world.  Couldn't be that the emphasis on building defense has short-changed the offensive skill and OL areas leaving Josh to make plays.  Nah, that would mean McD might have to adapt to having a franchise QB and admit his "process" needs major tweaks to an overhaul.  

[DrPJax]

21 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

It is on Josh and frankly I am not sure you can change him. 

It’s about being sincerely coachable, as Josh states he is.  But i agree with you,,,he says one thing , “ we cant do that” about a million times regarding turnovers, yet we saw one of his worst years last year regarding turnovers.   There is a certain stubbornness , as if he enjoys things like the angry run awards from Brandt, that speaks to some ego that josh seems to have, and while ego in a franchise QB is desirable , so is putting some of that aside with growth and team needs.   Josh has given lots of lip service to protecting himself regarding sliding, but SEAN seems to be sending firm messages and he doesn’t want to see CAM 2.0 , so i expect Dorsey and Josh both hear this as a firm directive this year , at least for most of the season.

 

      However , if SEAN wants this , it requires a decent o line and it may require more than just HARRIS.  It may still mean if available, getting a true RB upgrade in the terms of drafting a talent like BIJON if possible. Harris is slightly different than motor , augmented if you put him behind a good line as after comparing career stats, Harris and motor don’t appear drastically different. BIJON is a more talented back and actually , according to Greg Cosell , a true three down bell cow type talent.  

      SEAN has seen the writing on the wall; running , mobile QBS still don’t last long taking hits in the NFL, and SEANS future is tied to keeping Josh healthy and playing.  We’ve heard this the prior 2 seasons about josh being protected and not being the primary runner; it’s time to assure  it happens. Three additions have helped the o line via FA; They also added to the O with some new wr talent , and finally they helped the RB room some as well. All 3 areas can still get more talent via the draft and should.  For example,  I wanted Dobbins over Epenesa 2 years ago , Dobbins being available when they grabbed epenesa, and so far that still seems like we missed on that pick. It would be great and I would love to see BEANE make an attempt to add a very unique RB talent in BIJON, as the other positions will still have tiered talent later in the draft  that can help the BILLS. It would be a real step in helping  protect Josh with a very unique  RB , providing help by going for a guy on a talent tier  by himself, and finally give this directive of protecting josh some real assets  rather than just talking about it !

 

        BTW, for those who posted the critical stuff about signing RAPP, Eric from cover 1 just posted a great video breakdown on YouTube on him. This guy looks absolutely like a great addition. Bills were 31st in missed tackles last year. This guy doesn’t miss tackles , great at run stopping, covering the TE, can get PBU’S and ints, BUT wow, this guy doesn’t miss tackles.  Watching Eric break down his performance from last year , i am really excited about this addition, and i bet you will be as well. Highly recommend Eric Turners cover 1 , 10 min film breakdown on RAPP, JUST posted on youtube!  This guy is an exciting player and looks to be a GREAT addition in the SEAN MCDERMOTT defensive toolbox !  It’s worth your time if you have questions about RAPP, and it takes a lot for me to recommend most types of off season content , but this breakdown was very well done and if you cant believe your eyes after this , not sure how to convince you. I 😀👍

Edited March 28, 2023 by DrPJax