There’s something different about McD this season…

[Coffeesforclosers]

50 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:

For anyone touting the virtues of McD, one of his most important tasks is hiring the OC & DC.   So what does he do working with a team that has Super Bowl aspirations?  He promotes from within…guys he can control easier, instead of hiring established experienced coordinators who may question McD more than two OJT guys who are just thankful for the promotion.  
 

Babich & Brady…are these guys to lead you to a SB?

 

Yeah…McD is really growing as a HC. 
 

👎🏻

 

[Billsfanatic8989]

Just now, Mikie2times said:

Certainly is. To use his own words, he's a fundamentally strong coach. I really don't think he prevents us from winning, especially with a better roster. But I also don't think he's vaulting us to the forefront. I put most of that on his reluctance to add top coordinators outside the team including on his own defense.

 

Watching what Ben Johnson does with Chicago's offense is just, wow. The motion, misdirection, all of it. It's a serious advantage. He's not bringing that type of advantage to the team.   

Which is coaching purgatory imo. Not good enough to win a SB. Yet, good enough where it's tough to just replace him. 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I think this could be his best coaching job. This, in spite of being giving a roster that has glaringly been neglected in a couple of key spots by Beane. And, he has had to deal with players they brought in not working out-Larry Ogunjobi anyone. Also, being saddled with some poor cap decisions by the front office. I'd say he doesn't want to be tied at the hip with Brandon Beane, and it shows in his press conferences. McDermott is a pro and bites his tongue, and it shows that sometimes he'd just like to spit out that Beane hasn't done what he's asked for!

[Chuck Schick]

57 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:

For anyone touting the virtues of McD, one of his most important tasks is hiring the OC & DC.   So what does he do working with a team that has Super Bowl aspirations?  He promotes from within…guys he can control easier, instead of hiring established experienced coordinators who may question McD more than two OJT guys who are just thankful for the promotion.  
 

Babich & Brady…are these guys to lead you to a SB?

 

Yeah…McD is really growing as a HC. 
 

👎🏻

To dismiss Brady as an internal hire as if he was just some position coach lingering around for years is wrong.  He was clearly hired onto the staff with expectations of greater responsibilities, and was regarded as a talented young offensive mind. 

[Tanoros]

2 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

He’s most definitely a good football coach. But he’s not winning a championship with the Buffalo Bills. You have to better than ‘good’ to win the Super Bowl. 

I don’t think it’s fair to say McDermott “can’t” win a Super Bowl when we’re heading into a postseason where we might not even see Mahomes, Lamar, or Burrow in the playoffs. That alone changes the entire AFC landscape. And we all know Allen elevates his game in the postseason. When he’s in that mode, he can go toe-to-toe with any QB in the league.

 

Combine Allen going full Superman with Cook giving us a real run game and a defense that’s trending upward (not elite, but definitely improving), and there’s a very realistic path to the AFC title game, and beyond. Once you’re in the Super Bowl, anything can happen in a one-game scenario, especially with a quarterback like Allen who’s capable of completely taking over.

 

The season still has to play out before anyone can claim McDermott “will never” win a championship. The truth is, we’ve been close multiple times. Being close doesn’t guarantee it will happen, but it absolutely proves it can. Just because he hasn’t won one yet doesn’t mean he’s incapable of doing it.

1 hour ago, colin said:

 

i think there is internal finger pointing going on at one bills drive.  i don't know if it's some like normal good competitive level, or a negative destructive level, but i think it's there and bigger than before.

What gives you this impression? Has there been some comments made or anything else that has come out? I’m legitimately curious. 

[Steve O]

Use of timeouts is still horrendous. 

[NeverOutNick]

23 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

Doesn't that put even more pressure on McDermott though? Losing a postseason game to Nix, Maye, old Rodgers, Stroud would put him under the microscope even more. 

 

IF he/they can't get to a SB this year, it will never happen.

Good. I want him to be under the microscope. The perfect scenario would be we win a Super Bowl this year and McDermot rides off in the sunset as a legend in Buffalo retiring and opening his own wrestling camp. Then Buffalo can hire an offensive minded head coach to win us a few more Super Bowls in Josh‘s prime. 

[US Egg]

1 hour ago, colin said:

i think there is internal finger pointing going on at one bills drive.  i don't know if it's some like normal good competitive level, or a negative destructive level, but i think it's there and bigger than before.

Nothing better than a contentious environment looming right before the holidays to liven up the office Xmas party.
 

But seriously, if this were the case, rather it than “oh well, we’re trying”. Probably more commonplace than most think.

[harmonkillebrew]

I agree. I'm pretty satisfied with McD's job this year and overall growth as a HC.

He used to be pretty bad at game management and not aggressive enough, but most of that has changed. He saw the way the D couldn't stop Burrow and was really aggressive early on, in turn. He went for the jugular on that 4th down throw to Hawes. I think he's solid.

 

I think the OC and DC let him down sometimes and I think Beane hasn't hit on personnel. But McD is not our issue. 

[Robert Paulson]

The defense has improved from the first half of the season.

 

Players have been substituted ( i will add that it appears to be reluctantly under the guise of injuries) but weak lb, both safeties are much better now.

 

There is almost no pre snap confusion now which helps- that improved with the play call switch.

 

I still don't like it that they try the rush 4 deep zone philosophy to start every game before going to a style that works- blitz packages and press man. Sometimes we cant get out of the hole we dig.

[Einstein's Dog]

33 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

Doesn't that put even more pressure on McDermott though? Losing a postseason game to Nix, Maye, old Rodgers, Stroud would put him under the microscope even more. 

 

IF he/they can't get to a SB this year, it will never happen.

That's kind of a contrarian way to look at it.  If Reid/mahomes, Burrow/Taylor, Harbaugh/Jackson, Shotty/Dak, Campbell/Goff don't even make it to the Playoffs it would seem McD making it again would be thought of in a more positive light.

 

The plan had been get many bites at the apple - they are doing that.  The more shots the better the odds that one will hit.  Looks like another attempt is going to happen this year whereas it won't be happening in Dallas (and maybe not in Detroit, KC, and even Baltimore).

 

If McD didn't make the post-season it would not be better for him, not at all.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

32 minutes ago, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

I think this could be his best coaching job. This, in spite of being giving a roster that has glaringly been neglected in a couple of key spots by Beane. And, he has had to deal with players they brought in not working out-Larry Ogunjobi anyone. Also, being saddled with some poor cap decisions by the front office. I'd say he doesn't want to be tied at the hip with Brandon Beane, and it shows in his press conferences. McDermott is a pro and bites his tongue, and it shows that sometimes he'd just like to spit out that Beane hasn't done what he's asked for!

 

I'll admit i haven't seen much from Ogunjobi, but he's only played 150 snaps this year.  Appears Phillips has taken over some of his snaps after he signed to replace the injured Oliver and Sanders.  Sanders coming back has seen him play a bit on the outside at times because of injuries and ineffectiveness against the run, so ogunjobi seems to fall somewhere behind Walker Jones and Phillips.  

 

I do think he profiles similar to oliver, but he just doesn't seem to disrupt things as much.  

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

5 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I'll admit i haven't seen much from Ogunjobi, but he's only played 150 snaps this year.  Appears Phillips has taken over some of his snaps after he signed to replace the injured Oliver and Sanders.  Sanders coming back has seen him play a bit on the outside at times because of injuries and ineffectiveness against the run, so ogunjobi seems to fall somewhere behind Walker Jones and Phillips.  

 

I do think he profiles similar to oliver, but he just doesn't seem to disrupt things as much.  

For 8.3 million this year I'd expect more impact for sure.

[GoBills808]

59 minutes ago, Billsfanatic8989 said:

Doesn't that put even more pressure on McDermott though? Losing a postseason game to Nix, Maye, old Rodgers, Stroud would put him under the microscope even more. 

 

IF he/they can't get to a SB this year, it will never happen.

if McDermott can't win the SB this yr he never will

[Kornfed]

45 minutes ago, Chuck Schick said:

To dismiss Brady as an internal hire as if he was just some position coach lingering around for years is wrong.  He was clearly hired onto the staff with expectations of greater responsibilities, and was regarded as a talented young offensive mind. 

The hiring of both Dorsey and Brady was all about continuity (not making Josh learn a completely new system). The hiring of Frazier and Babich was all about getting coaches who would complement the McDermott defensive system. All of these hiring/promotions made sense. They may not have worked out perfectly but they made sense. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

14 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

The defense has improved from the first half of the season.

 

Players have been substituted ( i will add that it appears to be reluctantly under the guise of injuries) but weak lb, both safeties are much better now.

 

There is almost no pre snap confusion now which helps- that improved with the play call switch.

 

I still don't like it that they try the rush 4 deep zone philosophy to start every game before going to a style that works- blitz packages and press man. Sometimes we cant get out of the hole we dig.

 

And thats improvement with... more people missing more time.  I tend to think coaches who can overcome that are actually pretty good at their job.

 

Offense:

Brown - RT - Missed time with ankle early on, now a shoulder injury

Kincaid - TE1 - Oblique, Hamstring, Knee playing through everything

Palmer - WR2 - Knee, now an ankle

Shakir - WR1 - Seems to be gutting out the entire season with a high ankle sprain

Samuel - WR5/Chess Piece - As always he's hurt again

Hardman - Returner/Chess Piece - Immediately hurt upon arrival

 

Defense: 

Hairston - 1st round CB2/3 - Missed 6 games and half of training camp

Strong - Late round CB4 - 9 weeks and counting

TJ - NCB - First a quad, then a groin

Rapp - FS - Knee, looked slow as hell before injury

 

Sanders - 2nd round 3T - Missed 5 weeks midseason with a knee

Carter - 1T - Potential depth tackle done for year in carter

Oliver - 3T - Arguably the best lineman on the team has missed 10 weeks

Bosa - DE1 - Played through injury with a club, now a hamstring

Hoecht - DE/LB/Chess piece - Looked good, and then popped an achilles

DQ - 1T - Missed some games with a calf injury

Jackson - 3rd round DE - Barely played then when injuries finally get him on the field he gets rolled up

 

Milano - WLB - Missed 4 weeks with a pec

Thompson - MLB/WLB - Missed 4 weeks with hamstring injuries

Williams - WLB - Missed a game with a knee injury

Bernard - MLB - Ankle has bothered him all year, now his elbow

Just now, Kornfed said:

The hiring of both Dorsey and Brady was all about continuity (not making Josh learn a completely new system). The hiring of Frazier and Babich was all about getting coaches who would complement the McDermott defensive system. All of these hiring/promotions made sense. They may not have worked out perfectly but they made sense. 

 

I think Babich was going to start interviewing for DC positions with new HC's so promotion prevented that as well.  

[appoo]

3 hours ago, eball said:

…and I don’t mean the eyeglasses.  I know he has always talked about the Bills being a “tough” football team, but he has really ramped up the toughness aspect in nearly every locker room speech or interview I’ve seen.  It’s almost as if he has single-handedly willed this team to be mentally and physically tough.  He knows he already had that guy in 17, but the entire team has now taken on the mentality of overcoming adversity through toughness.  I view it as yet another progression in Sean’s growth as a leader and head coach.

 

He knows his already flawed roster, has now also been killed by injuries. 

 

Whatever black magic he's using to get these timely runs of good defense and mostly good offense with exactly Zero(o) starting quality perimeter WRs,...like keep talking about toughness my dude

 

I know I'm known to be a fan of his, but this is without a doubt - in my mind - his best coaching job. I don't understand how the Bills are sitting here with 9 wins instead of 5.

Edited 22 minutes ago by appoo

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

11 minutes ago, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

For 8.3 million this year I'd expect more impact for sure.

 

They readjusted it after the suspension - its 6.6 now.  Either way, i don't know that he was their first choice.  I was hoping for someone a bit beefier like Slaton.  

[Guns N' Rosen]

2 hours ago, eball said:

 

Ok, perhaps I phrased the premise poorly…there’s something different in the way he is publicly speaking about the team.

 

I think, in general, it also goes to show that fan comments are almost always completely off the mark because fans have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.  They make knee-jerk reactions and dumb (IMO) statements like “the Bills win in spite of him.”

 

He’s not perfect but what coach is?  Do folks love Sirianni in Philly?  They look awful.  How about Reid in KC right now, or Harbaugh in Baltimore?  Those guys have excuses made for them constantly, and McD never gets the benefit of the doubt from our own fans.

 

I’m always torn about even coming here because the Bills are absolutely part of my identity but I can’t stand so many of their fans.

 

Can't get the beneficiary accoutrements WITHOUT crossing that last river (to paraphrase that beautifully done, yet painfully honest 30 for 30), unfortunately. 

 

At this stage in his career, he's a Dan Reeves, or Marty Schottenheimer(sp). His teams come up, predictably if you're into patterns, short when it counts the most IMO 

 

I'm not saying it's 100% on him (luck be a donkey for this franchise) but preparation (vs adjustment) seems his undoing, ultimately

 

That isn't to say a narrative don't change every so often, but if he were to FINALLY win it all, it will be an unprecedented feat, if you go by tenure length vs 1st championship 

 

In the meantime, the SAME issues continue to denture the visions/dreams of all who have stake in this franchise, from the most casual fan in Japan, all the way up to the top man in command...

 

Incidentally, as a forever lurker to this site I have noticed that you, Mr Eball have been not as frequently contributing to the GTDs and other discussions, as you used to be

 

And, as you are one of my FAVORITE TBD characters, it is a sad observation to acknowledge. And, I agree 100% that we have passed a critical-mass-threshold for jackass'y new posters on this site. 

 

Not quite, The Road Warrior-level wasteland, at least not yet; but inching closer to such a reality, the longer this team stays relevant 😟

 

I miss your insight, and your character around here. To quote another fav film;

 

"it really tied the room together, did it not???" 

- Walter Sobchak

 

 

[Coach Tuesday]

Wondering if he's ramped up the hitting and intensity of practice given the number of practice injuries we've seen this year.