McDermott - Excuses, Valid but concerning

[LABILLBACKER]

4 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

It will be a cold day in hell when Sean McDermott runs out of excuses. Just another playoff exit where HIS defense let's down Josh. Next year will be the same and the year after that.

[FilthyBeast]

4 hours ago, BBFL said:

I’ve said this before, the wins McD has in the playoffs aren’t that great…

 

A Phillip Rivers led Colts team who literally gave the game away. 
 

Baltimore Ravens, needed an insane 99 yard pick-6 for a win. 
 

The other 3 wins are now:

 

Barely beating Skylar Thompson and the Fish. 
 

Blowing out Mac Jones and the Cheats. 
 

Beating an injured Steeler team on their 3rd string QB…

 

Guy just can’t beat the quality teams when it matters. After all, Andy Reid did give him the foot in the door of his NFL coaching career… maybe student can’t beat the master?

 

Have no problem with McD back next year, he has this team as a success. Just won’t be expecting anything other than one and done. 

 

I've said for some time that if you truly put this teams 'success' under the microscope and take an objective, unbiased look at the situation that you'll probably realize that it's very hollow.

 

The biggest of them all winning (now) four straight division titles in which the only real threat has been a soft Dolphins team also ravaged by injuries the last 2 years.

 

In fact going back to 2020, this team almost lost to a washed Phillip Rivers in the wildcard round and probably would have if not for some favorable calls in that game. Other than that they have beat up on nothing but trash in the postseason just like a lot of their regular season wins through the years.

 

Until a true 'wartime' coach is in the Buffalo nothing will change.

[mannc]

5 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

Why does McDermott necessarily get another year?  Nick Siriani, less than 12 months removed from a Super Bowl appearance, is on thin ice in Philly.  Why is it inconceivable that McDermott gets canned after four straight years of failing to capitalize on the most dynamic QB in the league--maybe even in league history?  

Edited January 22 by mannc

[DuckyBoys]

Tough loss to swallow but I felt it coming.  We got several lucky bounces to have been that close at the end  Defense was toast and once again Chiefs made adjustments in the 2nd half and we did not  What sucks is Mahomes didnt even play particularly well and we still were short

[mannc]

1 minute ago, FilthyBeast said:

 

I've said for some time that if you truly put this teams 'success' under the microscope and take an objective, unbiased look at the situation that you'll probably realize that it's very hollow.

 

The biggest of them all winning (now) four straight division titles in which the only real threat has been a soft Dolphins team also ravaged by injuries the last 2 years.

 

In fact going back to 2020, this team almost lost to a washed Phillip Rivers in the wildcard round and probably would have if not for some favorable calls in that game. Other than that they have beat up on nothing but trash in the postseason just like a lot of their regular season wins through the years.

 

Until a true 'wartime' coach is in the Buffalo nothing will change.

This reflects the prevailing wisdom in the national media regarding the Bills...we might not like it, but it's hard to refute it: "Josh Allen is amazing but the team around him is not good enough."  Last night was Exhibit A for that argument.  

[Governor]

5 hours ago, BigDingus said:

Let's not forget Andy Reid's playoff history before Mahomes.

 

How many NFC playoff games did he lose with those Eagles teams? Then a few more with the Chiefs. It took him a long, long time to get where he is now. 

 

McDermott doesn't have the wins now, but Reid made the playoffs a dozen times before getting over the hump (yes, he did make a SB appearance with the Eagles once too).

Reid finally got himself a great DC. That’s all he did. We can’t be great on defense because our HC is the DC and it’s his fatally flawed scheme. There is no way to follow what Reid did.

 

Reid lost in Philly because of Jim Johnson and McD. Those defenses were shredded when the playoffs began. He also had bad end of game management like McD. Jim Johnson was known for having good regular season defense that folded in the playoffs. Sound familiar?

 

In KC, it was the same thing. Bad defenses. Then it became bad QB, until he drafted Mahomes.

 

If you gave Reid McD and his defense, he would still be blowing games just like he always was.

 

Point is, our problem is on McD’s side of the ball. The only way to fix it would be by demoting himself and hiring a DC with a new scheme. That wasn’t the case for Andy Reid. If McD wants a future at HC, he will have to turn that side of the ball over to someone else. That will be his Andy Reid moment that could change his trajectory.

Edited January 22 by Governor

[Niagara Dude]

5 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

McDermott is going into next having to adjust and trust younger players/rookies more and he will need to change his thinking about having guys on the roster that are just on the team for special teams.  Outside of the punter/kicker and long snapper we cannot keep guys unless they are capable of contributing on both regular offence and defence

 

Two years in a row we went into a game very thin on defence because of injuries

[HomeskillitMoorman]

5 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

I was with you on your other post but this one is back to the same old nonsense. 

 

I won't even count the first 2 playoff losses here, although I do think he did a couple of stupid things vs the Texans. But fine, whatever, it was early on. 

 

AFCCG his D got lit up and he went ultra conservative with his punts and FG on 4th and shorts in favorable positions while his D was getting blown away. Not a valid excuse for him personally. Not saying the players are exempt from accountability, but this is a post about evaluating McD and he was horrible in that game himself. And if you remember the Colts game, we needed a superhero effort from Josh because McD's defense had a ton of trouble against Rivers and Reich/Sirianni's scheme and we also got a couple of gift decisions from our guy Frank. 

 

We all know 13 seconds. Completely, 100% on him. And even earlier in that game in the 1st half we went pretty conservative against a KC secondary that had injuries. He again had trouble breaking out of his in-born conservatism. 

 

Last year his D still got smoked. Josh's worst postseason game for sure, would've been tough to win regardless. But again, this is an evaluation of him, and his side of the team and his D dropped the ball once again. And we almost lost to Skylar Thompson before that. 

 

Last night - D was awful once again. Terrible call and design on the fake punt and everyone knew it was coming when we could see the confusion and where Damar was pretty much gave it away...and he still pulled the trigger on it. If we're gonna go for it right there, just give it to Josh or you have to have something much better in place. 

 

These are not valid excuses. On a sole evaluation of him, he has been incredibly awful in the postseason. He doesn't put in the work to improve himself. 

 

I know you're saying you want him gone and I agree...but this is still going way too soft on a guy that has nothing to offer or bring to the table and has buried us. 

11 minutes ago, DuckyBoys said:

Tough loss to swallow but I felt it coming.  We got several lucky bounces to have been that close at the end  Defense was toast and once again Chiefs made adjustments in the 2nd half and we did not  What sucks is Mahomes didnt even play particularly well and we still were short

 

Yup. Allen was great and had to leave his heart out there. Mahomes was solid and that was enough. And that's always going to be the case with McD here. 

[LABILLBACKER]

His defense is awful every damn year in the playoffs. And clearly he can't hire a competent conditioning staff to reduce injuries.  What do you expect?

[Dr.Sack]

If McDermott had Milano, Bernard and a healthy Douglas I think he has a shot to win the game with that game plan. The defense and special teams were not playoff caliber.

[<bills4life>]

55 minutes ago, mannc said:

This reflects the prevailing wisdom in the national media regarding the Bills...we might not like it, but it's hard to refute it: "Josh Allen is amazing but the team around him is not good enough."  Last night was Exhibit A for that argument.  

Exhibit A?  More like exhibit F.

[FilthyBeast]

2 hours ago, mannc said:

This reflects the prevailing wisdom in the national media regarding the Bills...we might not like it, but it's hard to refute it: "Josh Allen is amazing but the team around him is not good enough."  Last night was Exhibit A for that argument.  

 

Agree 100% and that's why it's funny when fans cry about the lack of pro bowl selections every year.

 

Beane and McD have accumulated a lot of very solid NFL starters, role players, depth etc. But where they have fallen way short outside of JA17, is other elite game changers like the team they lost for now the 3rd time in the game that actually matters category.

 

Take a look at Chris Jones last night, didn't necessarily have a monster game on the stat sheet but made the low key biggest play of the game when he hit Allen and disrupted what in all likelihood was going to be the go ahead TD for the Bills, and maybe game winning TD if they somehow stop Mahomes next.

 

Ed Oliver was much better this year but has still been invisible in the playoffs like a lot of these other guys (including Milano who some fans really think would have made a difference last night despite also being a playoff no show his entire career).

[Madbillsfan]

McClappy has a huge ego that is hidden very well unless your paying attention. 
He wants his defense to outshine the offense hence why Josh had been handcuffed and the defense is rarely at fault at the press conferences by the “coach” after games. 
He has easily blamed the offense when mistakes were made yet the defense continues to let us down in the postseason. 
He rarely beats upper tier qbs. 
He is a legend in his own mind. 
He has too much power and that’s why we draft defensive players more than weapons our generational talent at qb can use. 
Next years excuse will be we have no money/cap hell. ***** this guy. 

[PBF81]

McDimwit almost always gets out-adjusted.  It happened again yesterday.  

 

The running game was working great in the 1st half.  Reid adjusted.  McD did not.  It cost us the game.  

 

Imagine if we don't get that touchback fumble recovery.  This game ends up more like the '20 game @ KC.  

 

Horrific judgement in letting Hamlin run that fake punt.  

 

Bet the farm that we lose again next season in the Divisional Round.  It's McD's specialty, even against lesser teams.  

 

At least we won the Regular Season for the fourth season in a row.  

 

Regardless of what they do in the offseason, my enthusiasm that we'll do anything come playoff time is practically nil.  

 

 

[Drew21PA]

You know I really hate to say this

 

but I do not think Josh will ever be lucky to taste the superbowl

 

much like Dan Marino - we just won’t get it done for him next year

 

new coach will come in

 

Rebuild and make another last ditch run and fall short 

[NeverOutNick]

8 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

Spot on but why should he get next year when this year has such an elite class of coaches available? Josh is ready raring to go. Let’s give him everything he needs.

[BigDingus]

10 hours ago, Buffalo03 said:

Andy Reid went to 5 championship games and a Super Bowl in Philly. He just got unlucky in those championship games. The guy went to 4 in a row there, I believe. We can't even get that. The guy also had tons of success with Alex Smith. He was still better than McDermott at this point. It's not like Mahomes made Reid

 

Are Championship games the goal? Losing one game later is the goal?

 

"He just got unlucky..."

 

You could say the same thing about McDermott 10 years from now! Do you remember all of those games? Do you remember every call he made? He kept losing is the point.

 

And one thing he wasn't up against - one of the great QBs of all time in his prime. McDermott has a bigger hurdle than Reid faced. To all those people that blindly think "making the NFC championship 5 times & losing" is somehow better, how is this better?

 

- Lost in 2001 to the Rams 29-24

- Lost in 2002 to the Bucs 27 - 10

- Lost in 2003 to the Panthers  14-3

- Lost in 2008 to the Cardinals 32 - 25

 

Different QBs every time, while losing earlier than the NFCCG every other time. The Bills lost to the Chiefs dynasty, and the same QB 3 times now. Every team that beat Reid & the Eagles lost in the Super Bowl. The team beating the Bills won 2 x Super Bowls already, could do it a 3rd time this year.

 

And don't give me "the teams that beat him went on to the Super Bowl!" - Yeah, no s***. It's the conference championship game, that's how it works. If the Chiefs win the SB this year, did McDermott get "unlucky" again meeting the Chiefs in the divisional round?

 

Point is Reid had a top QB in the conference, and each year lost out to a one & done SB loser 4 times. He made it to a SB once, but then got "unlucky" playing Tom Brady & the Pats. But we're in the middle of the new dynasty's run, yet acting like we're losing to nobodies.

Edited January 23 by BigDingus

[Buffalo03]

12 minutes ago, BigDingus said:

 

Are Championship games the goal? Losing one game later is the goal?

 

"He just got unlucky..."

 

You could say the same thing about McDermott 10 years from now! Do you remember all of those games? Do you remember every call he made? He kept losing is the point.

 

And one thing he wasn't up against - one of the great QBs of all time in his prime. McDermott has a bigger hurdle than Reid faced. To all those people that blindly think "making the NFC championship 5 times & losing" is somehow better, how is this better?

 

- Lost in 2001 to the Rams 29-24

- Lost in 2002 to the Bucs 27 - 10

- Lost in 2003 to the Panthers  14-3

- Lost in 2008 to the Cardinals 32 - 25

 

Different QBs every time, while losing earlier than the NFCCG every other time. The Bills lost to the Chiefs dynasty, and the same QB 3 times now. Every team that beat Reid & the Eagles lost in the Super Bowl. The team beating the Bills won 2 x Super Bowls already, could do it a 3rd time this year.

 

And don't give me "the teams that beat him went on to the Super Bowl!" - Yeah, no s***. It's the conference championship game, that's how it works. If the Chiefs win the SB this year, did McDermott get "unlucky" again meeting the Chiefs in the divisional round?

 

Point is Reid had a top QB in the conference, and each year lost out to a one & done SB loser 4 times. He made it to a SB once, but then got "unlucky" playing Tom Brady & the Pats. But we're in the middle of the new dynasty's run, yet acting like we're losing to nobodies.

No one said that championship games were the goal. The point is, the guy had more success with Mediocre QBs than McDermott has had with a generational QB. He made 5 NFC championship games and a Super Bowl with McNabb who was average. He had playoff success with Alex Smith who was even farther below McNabb. He still had a ton of success. In my opinion, he may be the best coach in NFL history. Belichick hasn't done a damn thing without Brady going back to his days in Cleveland and Reid had multiple playoff seasons and a Super appearance without Mahomes. 

Edited January 23 by Buffalo03

[Chaos]

11 hours ago, BigDingus said:

Let's not forget Andy Reid's playoff history before Mahomes.

 

How many NFC playoff games did he lose with those Eagles teams? Then a few more with the Chiefs. It took him a long, long time to get where he is now. 

 

McDermott doesn't have the wins now, but Reid made the playoffs a dozen times before getting over the hump (yes, he did make a SB appearance with the Eagles once too).

How many championship games did Reid lose after he got his first generational talent at QB? Since Mahomes is in his 6th straight championship game, this should not be hard to figure out. 

[Billever76]

In our three playoff losses vs kc McDermott vaunted defense has forced a total of 4 PUNTS 

[Alphadawg7]

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Something about Vrabel tells me this team would be that much harder to beat with him at the healm.

FIRE MCD!!!!!!!! I used to like him. even up until kickoff yesterday. That, last night, was pathetic coaching.

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Let's run Cook up the middle, over and over again.

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Let's call a fake punt.

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

let's play safe so we can get the FG.

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

[mozillameister]

9 hours ago, PauleeeWalnuts said:

Unfortunately, they won’t fire McD this off season when there is a good crop of available, experienced coaches. They will do the “Billsy” thing and fire him after next season, when no one is available. 

That is precisely my fear…if we fired McD now we instantly become the #1 HC job. Next year we won’t have a ton of choices at HC, and we are a team that doesn’t need to experiment with a maybe hire. Right now Harbaugh is just cursory interviewing. He’s ripe for the picking.

 

imagine his roster management and ability to identify top talent in scouting combined with his coaching and experience in getting the most out of his QBs…we’d be unstoppable with a good DC at the helm.

Edited January 23 by mozillameister

[Shortchaz]

Belichick for hc, McDaniels for oc, vrabel for dc/assistant hc. Vrabel replaces belichick after he retires. 
 

just my madden-esque dream scenario. 

[gjv]

I wonder if Diggs catches the long ball from Allen this topic is discussed.

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, gjv said:

I wonder if Diggs catches the long ball from Allen this topic is discussed.

Do we win in this hypothetical?

 

If we won, we’d be convincing ourselves the injuries were just the perfect storm but we overcame and will get healthy for Baltimore. 
 

But we lost. 
 

Which is the entire point. 

[uticaclub]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

People just like to use buzzwords to make their point. Agressiveness/Playing it Safe isnt why McDermott has to go, the inability to win compete in a conference championship because of roster construction, terrible real time decisions and the inability to make adjustments is why we need a new voice & new direction

[Mikie2times]

He has one of the worst divisional playoff records in NFL history.
 

He is one of only two coaches that have a .600 or better regular season record and have not won a conference championship (LaFluer).

 

Our current ceiling is a wild card victory. Who would not be able to navigate us to such a feat if he wasn’t around? 
 

If you don’t believe he is the wrong guy we are getting awfully close to just needing a change in scenery. We can’t just run it back every year. We are wasting time. 

[chongli]

Patience is a virtue.

 

Super Bowls are not easy to come by; neither are Conference Championship Games. They often are a matter of luck. How many SB's did Dan Fouts go to? How many Conference Championships has Lamar Jackson been to? Both had great coaches.

 

The Indianapolis Colts under Peyton Manning did not even make a SB until his ninth year, in 2006. They only made it to one Conference Championship before that:

 

1998 - missed playoffs

1999 - lost Div.

2000 - lost WC

2001 - missed playoffs

2002 - lost WC

2003 - lost Conf.

2004 - lost Div.

2005 - lost Div.

2006 - won SB

 

2024 will be Josh's seventh year only. We still have time. I don't think you will do much better than McDermott with what's out there.

[Mikie2times]

9 hours ago, Governor said:

Reid finally got himself a great DC. That’s all he did. We can’t be great on defense because our HC is the DC and it’s his fatally flawed scheme. There is no way to follow what Reid did.

 

Reid lost in Philly because of Jim Johnson and McD. Those defenses were shredded when the playoffs began. He also had bad end of game management like McD. Jim Johnson was known for having good regular season defense that folded in the playoffs. Sound familiar?

 

In KC, it was the same thing. Bad defenses. Then it became bad QB, until he drafted Mahomes.

 

If you gave Reid McD and his defense, he would still be blowing games just like he always was.

 

Point is, our problem is on McD’s side of the ball. The only way to fix it would be by demoting himself and hiring a DC with a new scheme. That wasn’t the case for Andy Reid. If McD wants a future at HC, he will have to turn that side of the ball over to someone else. That will be his Andy Reid moment that could change his trajectory.

We can’t get a top mind in either spot. Defense would infringe on his turf. They couldn’t run a different system. Nor operate independently at all. Offense would never have the freedom to draw a top mind. He would box in the ideology to complimentary football and restrict ingenuity.
 

He’s preventing us from being in the market to grab a top coordinator in either position. We will only ever go as far as his beliefs, ideas, and strategies. He wasn’t even that successful as a coordinator. If only he could let go and become a coach to his coordinators. Empower others to be great. He has shown a knack for keeping this team level and focused and he is a leader.  That is his only chance to salvage this but it will

never happen. That’s not who he is.

4 minutes ago, chongli said:

Patience is a virtue.

 

Super Bowls are not easy to come by; neither are Conference Championship Games. They often are a matter of luck. How many SB's did Dan Fouts go to? How many Conference Championships has Lamar Jackson been to? Both had great coaches.

 

The Indianapolis Colts under Peyton Manning did not even make a SB until his ninth year, in 2006. They only made it to one Conference Championship before that:

 

1998 - missed playoffs

1999 - lost Div.

2000 - lost WC

2001 - missed playoffs

2002 - lost WC

2003 - lost Conf.

2004 - lost Div.

2005 - lost Div.

2006 - won SB

 

2024 will be Josh's seventh year only. We still have time. I don't think you will do much better than McDermott with what's out there.

They went to the Super Bowl the first year after Dungy stepped down. Manning was also a big part of the problem with that teams playoff success, along with the greatest dynasty of all time and a McD like HC.

Edited January 23 by Mikie2times

[SydneyBillsFan]

You know, I hear y'all and largely agree.

 

But i think there is an even bigger problem - Pegula. He loves McD to a fault.

 

I aint holding my breath waiting for a head coaching change.

[newcam2012]

4 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

Really solid takes. 

 

The way I see it with McD. We all know he built a winning culture. The team quickly made strides and the results were clear and positive. Great regular season victories, division titles, and playoff births. He has done it on a consistent basis year after year. Indisputable.

 

Bills fans were estatic and optimistic for a pending SB appearance and a Lombardi Trophy. It surely was/is fun watching Bills football. The hope for next year mentality continues and lives on. Draft talk, player changes, and player acquisitions will be discussed. 

 

However, the bar for the team probably changed around 3 years ago. The above mentioned accomplishments just weren't enough with regards to the team talent. Especially, with a special QB leading the team. A playoff appearance was or is almost a given. The bare minimum if you will. WC playoff victories at home vs inferior teams are great. McD and the Bills have proven to be successful here.

 

Stats and results dramatically change once this team enters a divisional playoff game. McD isn't able to get the team past this point. A one and done isn't really seen as a successful season by most. Fair or not the bar is very high. Why shouldn't it be? 

 

Come the divisional round I feel like McD has built a losing culture. The 13 second monumental collapse speaks volumes to support this claim. The Cinci game and now add in KC again. In these games it's more often than not McD has under performed and hasn't been able to get his players to close the deal. Indisputable.

 

The divisional round failures aren't just coincidences or one offs. There is a clear pattern here. Sure, it's possible next year they get over the hump. We've been waiting now for years with the same negative results. The daggers are still felt by fans and probably the players too. I'm not seeing a coach who has learned from his previous mistakes. I'm seeing a coach who continues to make the same or similar mistakes. That leads me to conclude he's not the right guy for the job anymore. He's peaked out and his message is old, stale, and uncreative. This shouldn't be ignored or taken lightly. 

 

It's clear the McD era has run it's course but the ones making the decisions can't or don't want to see it. The ultimate frustration for its fans base and this fan. 

 

Yet, next year most will continue to bang the drum of optimism. Praising player moves, draft choices, and player development.  That's what we do. Beane and McD will make their pitches and sell us the dream of a Lombardi. The hungry fan base will eat it up like a starving homeless person. Most won't be overly critical of what they are feeding us. The general consensus will be hope and optimism. What else can we do? 

 

At some point, hope and optimism leads to pessimism with continued failures. At some point, change may be optimal and necessary to further the goal that you haven't or can't reach. That line isn't always clear. The Bills appear to be at a crossroads here. 

Edited January 23 by newcam2012

[BullBuchanan]

17 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

I want McDermott gone as much as the next guy, but this take is lame. You have to have an "excuse" why you don't win, or else you would have won. 31 teams have an "excuse" every single year. Some of us call it a "reason", but I'm guessing that distinction doesn't matter much.

[UmbrellaMan]

16 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

 

The vast majority of winners have valid reasons for losing. They just find a way to overcome those obstacles. 

 

You think KC couldn’t point to their injures or the fact that their WR corps has been poor this season as excuses for losing? Except they don’t need to because they found a way to win anyway. 

There are degrees to it. The Bills D was in shambles. Vince Lombardi and Bill Belichick were not going to win coaching that game.

[Man with No Name]

5 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

Brady's offense is a reflection of what mcdermott is asking him to do. it's this "complimentary football" nonsense. basing so many of our calls on burning clock instead of going with highest percentage plays from down to down. ESPECIALLY when you are losing. and the fake punt was incredibly stupid. people understand being aggressive. but asking DAMAR HAMLIN to make a play is a non-starter. 

[BarleyNY]

2 hours ago, UmbrellaMan said:

There are degrees to it. The Bills D was in shambles. Vince Lombardi and Bill Belichick were not going to win coaching that game.

LOL. That’s utterly ridiculous. Excuses are a loser’s mentality. It saddens me to see that. 

[JerseyBills]

I mean Sun we were a cpl plays away, just about execution.  MVS , who has been a bum all year makes a very difficult long catch, our elite wr1 misses a walk in td, defender literally tripped before ball hit his hands, reverse those plays , we get the W imo.

Before the 2 min warning our O was phenomenal on that last drive,with bleeding the clock, damn shame. Idk if a coach changes this outcome 

Edited January 23 by JerseyBills

[BananaB]

My view has not changed since last year. We need a change. He’s done a great job here but we need a better final result. We have a top of the league QB and we have built this team around McDs D and the unit folds at the worst times. I get the injuries but I’m sick of the excuses. How many games we lose this year after the O put them ahead late? How many games we need a stop to get one more opportunity and the opposing team run out the clock? I don’t expect perfection out of either unit but these are the situations that decide games. Even the other night, Bills knew what was coming at them after the missed FG and they just got pushed around again. Something has to change. 
 

Last year we had a problem at WR and they went out and got unproven scrubs to fill the hole. Guys who showed flashes but never proven to be consistent. Something they did with the Oline for years.   Meanwhile with Von down for a bit, McD got his proven vet in Floyd. At trade deadline when the Wr position was still a huge problem,  did the O get help? ***** no, they traded for Douglas and signed Joseph to help Dline.  How many 1st and 2nd day picks we got invested in that Dline anyway?  A lot of people complaining about not bleeding out the clock. This staff has continually put the needs of D above the O but in the biggest moments people are scared to put that unit on the field.  For good reason obviously but it is totally ***** up and has everything to do with this coaching staff. 
 

Bills need a change. 

Edited January 23 by BananaB

[Buffalo Boy]

20 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

McD IS The excuse.

Schottenheimer 2.0

He can’t , nor ever will, win the big game.

Top 5 Paper Tiger Defenses that fold in the biggest games and biggest moments.

His teams , as a whole are mentally weak. They play to the level of their opponents with a slight negative outcome percentage. Hence losses to the NYJets, Denvers and other abysmal teams we lose to every season. When we get in the biggest games, we lose by just a hair, more often than not.

FIRE HIS ARSE!!!!!!!

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

20 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

His defense collapses in almost every difficult moment dating back to the Texans. 

Nice guy.

It's time to move on.

Harbaugh or Belichick wins multiple SuperBowls with Allen in the next 4 years. 

I would guarantee that we win a Championship with Harbaugh in two years.

[May Day 10]

The public facing side of a head coach is a politician and a Grease man.  After a big loss he is going to buffer his team the best he can.  It might not always be the most satisfying thing to hear, but it is what needs to be done.  From what I heard, he said offense was good, defense and special teams were a problem.

 

I don't have a huge problem with coaching in this game.  In the parking lot, unanimously we knew this game was a huge uphill climb with the injuries and short week.

 

I really hate the stacked formation predictable 1st down cook runs into a brick wall for -1 to 1 yard that they have been obsessed with since the Chargers game.  That cost them in the 4th quarter/2nd half.

 

The concerning thing out of this game was how they successfully killed off the majority of the 4th quarter and had the game where they wanted it at the 2 minute warning.  The next 2-3 plays were death.  Not sure where that falls, whether it's McDermott, Brady, or allen.

 

If the bills did the right thing there and scored a td with 25 seconds left and the chiefs no timeouts,  the national media would be all over josh allen changing of the guard, and also McDermott coached a genius game keeping his beleaguered defense off the field vs mahomes

 

Edited January 23 by May Day 10