Will the dual role be too much for McD?

[Success]

I'm trying not to add to the negativity today, so this is just a question. I really don't know the answer.

 

Preseason is a time for overreaction, but there were concerning things yesterday:  the penalties and undisciplined play can't just be chalked up to it being preseason.  The team looked unprepared, and sloppy. 

 

Those things are generally attributable to coaching.  My biggest concern this season is that McD just has too much on his plate now.  He is passionate about defense, and I think he'll be a good DC - but that passion could lead to a more singular focus on just that, since it's now his responsibility.  The rest of the HC stuff might take a backseat.

 

Thoughts?

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

No, but it will give his detractors something to complain about and theorize over.

 

 

[LeGOATski]

The Bills have had those types of games in the past as well. Considering that, I don't think it has anything to do with McDermott's role change. Maybe it's on the players themselves.

[HOUSE]

What negatively??

[AuntieEm]

1 hour ago, LeGOATski said:

The Bills have had those types of games in the past as well. Considering that, I don't think it has anything to do with McDermott's role change. Maybe it's on the players themselves.

 

  I like McDermott but I think he gives the players too much leeway on being self disciplined when they show they are not very self disciplined.   

 

  I remember many critical of Marv Levy's Clubbed approach at his camps but he at least read the self discipline of his star players correctly.  Bruce was famous for skipping preseason but when the real game began he was all in.  Of these guys maybe Diggs is the only guy that has been consistent throughout.  Josh doesn't seem to be totally focused on football as he claims to be.  I don't even think he needs to be 100% football all the time.   I do expect him to take it more seriously than he seems to.   The video of them pranking Josh irks me in how casually he is taking what he thinks is doing a promo shot for his employer NFL and he's walking about barefoot as if he's at home.  Not a very professional look.  I've had workplaces where we'd donate a few dollars to have a casual Friday as a change up and that still didn't mean we could show up barefoot as if we were at home.  Just thought it was a bad look. 

 

 I want my well paid stars to show up to work and nor feel like they are relaxing at home on their own time. Particularly when they get massive time off each year to do as they please.  

 

  Basically I do think there is a process that they need to adhere to and trust. But I'm finding it hard to believe most of these guys understand it as they aren't doing more than just mouthing the phrase.  If they lip sync to  Whitney Houston's star spangled banner it doesn't make them singers that are as good as Whitney was.

 

 

  Basically I put at least 75% on the players.

  

 

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by AuntieEm

[NewEra]

Maybe.  Maybe not.

 

I think our OL will determine the answer.  

[mrags]

One word:

 

yes

[Don Otreply]

Probably not.

1 hour ago, LeGOATski said:

The Bills have had those types of games in the past as well. Considering that, I don't think it has anything to do with McDermott's role change. Maybe it's on the players themselves.

I would say 80% on the players not executing properly was the problem, jmo. Oh and put Williams in at MLB, it won’t be any worse and likely better…

Edited August 20, 2023 by Don Otreply

[PBF81]

Quote

Will the dual role be too much for McD?

 

I say yes.  

 

Despite popular opinion to the contrary, his defenses already were merely average in Carolina with two exceptions, one of which included the easiest schedule in the league from 2011-2022.  It was below average in four of six seasons otherwise and had better overall talent.  

 

There are already questions out, TBD (to be determined that is) pending this season, as to his overall head-coaching prowess.  

 

While the other popular narrative is that he's "comfortable" and "trusts" his current staff, which is all but an entire import from his time at Carolina, yet which achieved even less than we've achieved here over the past three seasons, seasons which essentially resulted in losses largely due to coaching failures, 2021 and 2022 in particular.  

 

I'd consider it to be half a miracle if it isn't too much for him.  But he thinks he's up to the task, but he's not a control-freak.  No.  LOL  

 

As I've said in the past, IMO this is the season where the wheels come off for McBeane.  

 

I'm bullish and optimistic about the offense, but the coaching can easily derail that, so my faith has to be in the talent we have there, which under an offensively well-coached team I would consider to be underachievement if it weren't #1 or #2 in scoring this season.  

 

The defense IMO will likely end up being incredibly average.  But if the offense does turn out to be well-coached, it won't matter.  

 

This season, with this roster, is entirely in McD and his Carolina posse's hands.   Any failure to achieve properly and play competitively in the playoffs will come back on them this season.  If not, we'll have another AFC CG appearance and hopefully an NFL Championship and everything else will be irrelevant.  

 

Again, just my two cents.  

 

 

1 hour ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

No, but it will give his detractors something to complain about and theorize over.

 

 

Well, when it's so clear that none of our issues are coaching related.  

 

Good point.  

 

 

 

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by PBF81

[LeGOATski]

15 minutes ago, AuntieEm said:

The video of them pranking Josh irks me in how casually he is taking what he thinks is doing a promo shot for his employer NFL and he's walking about barefoot as if he's at home.  Not a very professional look.  I've had workplaces where we'd donate a few dollars to have a casual Friday as a change up and that still didn't mean we could show up barefoot as if we were at home.  Just thought it was a bad look. 

 

 I want my well paid stars to show up to work and nor feel like they are relaxing at home on their own time. Particularly when they get massive time off each year to do as they please.  

I don't necessarily disagree with your overall point, but this comes off as way too judgy. If Josh just finished practice and already took off his cleats, but then gets called out by the PR tram to do a quick promo, what do you expect him to do? Throw on his dress socks and loafers? Put his cleats back on for a promo shot that's only going to capture his torso? What would be the professional approach in your opinion?

 

For a guy that's achieved what he has, taking the particular path he did to get here, labelling him as undisciplined seems inaccurate, to say the least.

[BuffaloBillyG]

3 minutes ago, PBF81 said:

 

I say yes.  

 

Despite popular opinion to the contrary, his defenses already were merely average in Carolina with two exceptions, one of which included the easiest schedule in the league from 2011-2022.  It was below average in four of six seasons otherwise and had better overall talent.  

 

There are already questions out, TBD (to be determined that is) pending this season, as to his overall head-coaching prowess.  

 

While the other popular narrative is that he's "comfortable" and "trusts" his current staff, which is all but an entire import from his time at Carolina, yet which achieved even less than we've achieved here over the past three seasons, seasons which essentially resulted in losses largely due to coaching failures, 2021 and 2022 in particular.  

 

I'd consider it to be half a miracle if it isn't too much for him.  But he thinks he's up to the task, but he's not a control-freak.  No.  LOL  

 

As I've said in the past, IMO this is the season where the wheels come off for McBeane.  

 

I'm bullish and optimistic about the offense, but the coaching can easily derail that, so my faith has to be in the talent we have there, which under an offensively well-coached team I would consider to be underachievement if it weren't #1 or #2 in scoring this season.  

 

The defense IMO will likely end up being incredibly average.  But if the offense does turn out to be well-coached, it won't matter.  

 

This season, with this roster, is entirely in McD and his Carolina posse's hands.   Any failure to achieve properly and play competitively in the playoffs will come back on them this season.  If not, we'll have another AFC CG appearance and hopefully an NFL Championship and everything else will be irrelevant.  

 

Again, just my two cents.  

 

 

 

Well, when it's so clear that none of our issues are coaching related.  

 

Good point.  

 

 

 

 

So, McDermott is the sole coach responsible for teaching basics and fundamentals? He doesn't have an entire coaching staff? 

 

If you think it's the head coach working on fundamentals and presnap discipline you clearly have zero idea what the responsibilities of a HEAD coach are as opposed to coordinators and position coaches. 

 

However, you did prove my point on it giving his detractors something to whine and complain about. So thank you for being a shining example. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

In a year when he also lost his starting Mike, seems like a bad idea. We will find out pretty quickly. 
 

certainly didn’t see any evidence of that edge he was promising just yet. 

[LeGOATski]

 

For McDermott detractors here, I don't see why you wouldn't want McD taking ultimate responsibility for this defense.

 

In his 7th year (?) and with such a veteran-infused roster that knows the process, a lot of the head coaching responsibilities are more automatic then ever for McD and the staff. If there was any doubt, I don't think McD would've taken on the DC role.

 

Ultimately though, I feel like detractors of McD should be happy he's putting it on his shoulders. Because if he didn't, you'd be complaining that he uses his DC as a scapegoat.

 

Which way do you want it?

[Believer]

It already is too much, imo…

 

McD taking over the Defensive calls was a bonehead move from the gitgo…

 

The man is overwhelmed… and stressed as Head Coach based on last night’s performance… especially given his focus on penalties all last week in practice… The team needs a reset. 

 

McD needs a reset.

 

 

[AuntieEm]

7 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

I don't necessarily disagree with your overall point, but this comes off as way too judgy. If Josh just finished practice and already took off his cleats, but then gets called out by the PR tram to do a quick promo, what do you expect him to do? Throw on his dress socks and loafers? Put his cleats back on for a promo shot that's only going to capture his torso? What would be the professional approach in your opinion?

 

For a guy that's achieved what he has, taking the particular path he did to get here, labelling him as undisciplined seems inaccurate, to say the least.

That logic if he just got out of shower he could just throw on a jersey and not bother with putting on anything else because it won't be in the shot??   Even if he's just taken off his cleats he can't throw on a pair of Bills flip flops?  Just seems a bit too lackadaisical and unfocused to me.

[LeGOATski]

1 minute ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

In a year when he also lost his starting Mike, seems like a bad idea.

Why? 

 

It actually seems like the perfect idea BECAUSE they just lost their starting MLB. You don't want the architect/expert of this defense helping to pick up that slack?

2 minutes ago, AuntieEm said:

That logic if he just got out of shower he could just throw on a jersey and not bother with putting on anything else because it won't be in the shot??   Even if he's just taken off his cleats he can't throw on a pair of Bills flip flops?  Just seems a bit too lackadaisical and unfocused to me.

A pair of flip flops is the difference between professional and lackadaisical/unfocused.

 

[AuntieEm]

6 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Why? 

 

It actually seems like the perfect idea BECAUSE they just lost their starting MLB. You don't want the architect/expert of this defense helping to pick up that slack?

A pair of flip flops is the difference between professional and lackadaisical/unfocused.

 

 

Well I certainly expect that than being too lazy to show up dressed properly for a work related promo. And obviously they almost seemed to want to show how at home he is.  They certainly thought it was an OK look which I disagree with its your job do it professionally and dressed accordingly.

 

 

 

[LABILLBACKER]

40 minutes ago, AuntieEm said:

 

  I like McDermott but I think he gives the players too much leeway on being self disciplined when they show they are not very self disciplined.   

 

  I remember many critical of Marv Levy's Clubbed approach at his camps but he at least read the self discipline of his star players correctly.  Bruce was famous for skipping preseason but when the real game began he was all in.  Of these guys maybe Diggs is the only guy that has been consistent throughout.  Josh doesn't seem to be totally focused on football as he claims to be.  I don't even think he needs to be 100% football all the time.   I do expect him to take it more seriously than he seems to.   The video of them pranking Josh irks me in how casually he is taking what he thinks is doing a promo shot for his employer NFL and he's walking about barefoot as if he's at home.  Not a very professional look.  I've had workplaces where we'd donate a few dollars to have a casual Friday as a change up and that still didn't mean we could show up barefoot as if we were at home.  Just thought it was a bad look. 

 

 I want my well paid stars to show up to work and nor feel like they are relaxing at home on their own time. Particularly when they get massive time off each year to do as they please.  

 

  Basically I do think there is a process that they need to adhere to and trust. But I'm finding it hard to believe most of these guys understand it as they aren't doing more than just mouthing the phrase.  If they lip sync to  Whitney Houston's star spangled banner it doesn't make them singers that are as good as Whitney was.

 

 

  Basically I put at least 75% on the players.

  

 

 

Unfortunately in sports once most athletes get paid their level of motivation wanes.  McDermott must instill at least some semblance of discipline,  motivation whatever you want to call it.  That Cincy playoff game was embarrassing.  Last night was very sloppy and undisciplined. Yeah the players have to figure it out but the HC plays a part too.

[LeGOATski]

Just now, AuntieEm said:

 

Well I certainly expect that than being too lazy to show up dressed properly for a work related promo. And obviously they almost seemed to want to show how at home he is.  They certainly thought it was an OK look which I disagree with its your job do it professionally and dressed accordingly.

 

 

 

Again, you're just being judgy and not really providing an answer. You said he should put on flip flops. I mean, get real.

 

You're calling Josh Allen lazy. 

 

Sounds like you need to get back in touch with reality.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

11 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Why? 

 

It actually seems like the perfect idea BECAUSE they just lost their starting MLB. You don't want the architect/expert of this defense helping to pick up that slack?

 

Because it takes a lot more handholding to bring a newbie up to speed and It’s really hard to go backward after stepping up in delegation. Head coach is already a full time crazy hours a day job. Something is going to lose focus. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Bills have been an up and down team in terms of penalties under McDermott.  As much as I dislike and don't beleive McD is the guy to win a championship, penalties are a player issue not a coaching issue. Usually they occur becuase the player is outmatched. Even presnap penalties are just carelessness by the player.  Not sure what you can do. You going to bench Dawkins for a false start??

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

[LeGOATski]

3 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Because it takes a lot more handholding to bring a newbie up to speed and It’s really hard to go backward after stepping up in delegation. Head coach is already a full time crazy hours a day job. Something is going to lose focus. 

Seems obvious, right? I think a simple realignment of duties would help. I imagine when deciding to take on DC/play calling responsibilities, he also adjusted and delegated other duties appropriately to staff. I don't think McD said "I'm going to do every single thing I normally do PLUS do all this other DC stuff." He certainly made a plan with his staff and it will definitely need an adjustment period.

[PBF81]

31 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

So, McDermott is the sole coach responsible for teaching basics and fundamentals? He doesn't have an entire coaching staff? 

 

If you think it's the head coach working on fundamentals and presnap discipline you clearly have zero idea what the responsibilities of a HEAD coach are as opposed to coordinators and position coaches. 

 

However, you did prove my point on it giving his detractors something to whine and complain about. So thank you for being a shining example. 

 

No, not at all, I blame all of his assistants that were forced upon him from Carolina, which did nothing while they were there.  

 

As the head coach he bears no fault or blame.  I didn't mean to insinuate that whatsoever.   I don't even understand why anyone would think something so foolish.  

 

 

[AuntieEm]

5 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Again, you're just being judgy and not really providing an answer. You said he should put on flip flops. I mean, get real.

 

You're calling Josh Allen lazy. 

 

Sounds like you need to get back in touch with reality.

 

Yea I called Josh Allen lazy.  Takes all of what 1 minute to put your cleats back on?  It's a small little detail but usually it's a lot of the small details that make a difference in success or just missing in any endeavor.  I'd say it's a matter of generation and my generation comes up short compared to my parents generation.  They set a bar high for how I perceive a good work ethic.  So that's what I judge his efforts against.  He falls in lazy category by those stsndards.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Sometimes, I have regrets regarding something I have posted. 🤔

Then, a subsequent post absolves me of all regrets and doubts I may have had. 😁

[Rc2catch]

I’d rather see penalties and sloppiness rather than later in the season. If that tape helps get them sorted out and ready for week 1 then it’s actually a positive.. Right? 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Rc2catch

[BuffaloBillyG]

9 minutes ago, PBF81 said:

 

No, not at all, I blame all of his assistants that were forced upon him from Carolina, which did nothing while they were there.  

 

As the head coach he bears no fault or blame.  I didn't mean to insinuate that whatsoever.   I don't even understand why anyone would think something so foolish.  

 

 

As William Blake once said:

 

"The fool that persists in his folly will become wise."

 

While I may not understand your pursuit of wisdom, I do commend you on your complete dedication to it.

[BUFFALOTONE]

I stated this in the other thread… this is going to be too much for him. He’s too analytical and has zero feel for the game. Look at 13 seconds when he was the HC. This was a massive failure of the front office and then you extend him and Beane. I like both guys but this is too much in a Super Bowl window. 

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

2 hours ago, Success said:

Thoughts?

lets see where they are, say mid season. one can not base judgement off a ***** showing in a preseason game.

[billsbackto81]

I think not retaining Edmunds or finding a capable FA is really gonna sting. 

[GoBills808]

21 minutes ago, AuntieEm said:

 

Yea I called Josh Allen lazy.  Takes all of what 1 minute to put your cleats back on?  It's a small little detail but usually it's a lot of the small details that make a difference in success or just missing in any endeavor.  I'd say it's a matter of generation and my generation comes up short compared to my parents generation.  They set a bar high for how I perceive a good work ethic.  So that's what I judge his efforts against.  He falls in lazy category by those stsndards.

Nobody and I mean nobody wants to put cleats back on after you just took them off

[Augie]

8 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

I’d rather see penalties and sloppiness rather than later in the season. If that tape helps get them sorted out and ready for week 1 then it’s actually a positive.. Right? 

 

I’ve heard big coaching names actually say it can be a benefit because you know they will have the full attention of the team. I’d rather NOT be sloppy, but if looking for the bright side they clearly know what needs work. 

 

I haven’t seen the game yet, but McD handling both positions was a concern for me ever since it was announced. What are the odds that we do NOT have a full time DC next year? I think pretty low. 

[AuntieEm]

8 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Nobody and I mean nobody wants to put cleats back on after you just took them off

Which is we have a pair of flip flops was my first chouce.

[GoBills808]

Just now, AuntieEm said:

Which is we have a pair of flip flops was my first chouce.

if the difference between barefoot and wearing slippers after removing your cleats is enough to call someone lazy go ahead I guess

[AuntieEm]

5 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

if the difference between barefoot and wearing slippers after removing your cleats is enough to call someone lazy go ahead I guess

choice. That he was doing a promo for nfl France or so he was told so he couldn't show up fully dressed?  Just speaks how casual the workplace is for the players and I'm not a big fan of pampering already pampered stars who make way more than any effort they give truly earns.

Edited August 20, 2023 by AuntieEm

[GoBills808]

So you're mad at the QB for walking around barefoot after practice and making too much money

 

not sure the NFL is the best place for you tbh

[Rc2catch]

11 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’ve heard big coaching names actually say it can be a benefit because you know they will have the full attention of the team. I’d rather NOT be sloppy, but if looking for the bright side they clearly know what needs work. 

 

I haven’t seen the game yet, but McD handling both positions was a concern for me ever since it was announced. What are the odds that we do NOT have a full time DC next year? I think pretty low. 

With most of the team being together for years now I didn’t put much stock in that game. And even if Mcdermott is pulling double duty now  I would be shocked if he’s not already grooming someone privately to take over the playcalling at some point.
Unless the year is a huge success he’ll 100% have a new coordinator next year I would think. 

[AuntieEm]

27 minutes ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

lets see where they are, say mid season. one can not base judgement off a ***** showing in a preseason game.

 

Certainly cannot especially as I really believe much of the preseason is scripted and posturing to change some perceptions out there.

 

 I just would love s team that is so talented that they can just go play their game and no one has any answers even with tons of tape

 

[PBF81]

8 minutes ago, AuntieEm said:

choice. That he was doing a promo for nfl France or so he was told so he couldn't show up fully dressed?  Just speaks how casual the workplace is for the players and I'm not a big fan of pampering already pampered stars who make way more than any effort they give truly earns.

 

Birkenstocks and one of those T-shirts that looks like a tux.