Still struggling to accept this

[vincec]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Do I think he and Beane undervalue receiver? Yes, I do. I predicted it on this board the moment Beane was hired. They come from Carolina. A franchise that made the Superbowl (on the back of a 15-1 season) with Ted Ginn and Devin Funchess, I think they do (and when I say THEY - this is not just McDermott indeed I think Beane is EVEN STRONGER on this than his coach) that you prioritise the trenches and you can get by to an extent at receiver. But it is ALSO the talent evaluation at receiver that has failed and that is entirely on Brandon Beane. So McDermott isn't blameless.... he is in on the strategy. But it is a flawed strategy that has also been dreadfully executed. And so Beane carries more of the can for that. 

I think that this is actually a solid philosophy. In the salary cap era, you can’t have stars at every position and, outside of QB, OL/DL are probably the most important position groups in the game. The problem has been that they have failed to build a dominant DL despite investing a ton of resources into it. This is a failure of both scouting, player development, and the system they run, IMO. Their first is on Beane, but the other two are on McDermott and his staff.

Edited January 19 by vincec

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

We got totally *****. He caught the ball in FG range and Prater has been automatic. The refs are worthless pieces of garbage and the singular worst thing about sports. Every play needs to be challengeable and the league needs to start firing these MFers.

We should have done more for it to not come down to that. We had the game won and couldn’t keep them out of the endzone. You have a 4 point lead with 2 mins left against Bo Nix and their terrible offense. Your coach is a defensive guy. Stop them. There are no excuses, nobody is going to feel bad for you. We have had several shots at this thing and always find a way to come up short. Nobody can ever take us seriously again and they are well within their rights. It’s our own fault. We are never going to win anything with this regime.

 

These things are not mutually exclusive and unfortunately all can be true

[MPL]

In the last 20 years, 12 franchises have won the Super Bowl. The 4 remaining teams are part of that cohort of 12, despite 3 of them going through complete rebuilds, or even multiple rebuilds since their last Super Bowl. 
 

What’s interesting is that if you look at any 20 year period of the Super Bowl era, you’ll find that there are 12 Super Bowl winning franchises during those spans. 
 

what’s even more fascinating is that if you do the same exercise with the NBA, NHL, and MLB you get the same exact result (12ish champions in any 20 year period), with the exception of some serious dynasties (Celtics, Canadians, etc.)
 

I don’t exactly know what this data says other than teams that win super bowls tend to win more super bowls… 

 

I guess it centers around a feeling that winners win and losers lose and that’s kind of just the way the world works. And losers continue to lose until something knocks the whole cosmic scale off track. 
 

so yeah, I don’t know. This where I’m at. 

Edited January 19 by MPL

[joemac1114]

My first thought today is that they need a new strength and conditioning coach. The injuries starting with off season workouts, through training camp and the season were the worst I've seen in awhile here. Next we need a new general manager. Beane has sucked at the draft with picks such as Elam and Coleman. Neither can do the job they were drafted for. And Coleman apparently has some issues putting the work needed to improve at his position. 

[CheshireCT]

4 hours ago, RobbRiddick said:

I know it's a cliche but it's just a game. in the grand scheme of things what does it really matter? I've been a fan for over 40 years and I was devastated for days after wide right, angry beyond words after the music city miracle, but some time during the drought I stopped caring as much. I also just assume this team will find a way to screw it up, which is why I pick us to lose every game and try to guess what bizarre thing will happen in the big games to ***** victory away from us. 

 

and like I said in another thread, these guys are all rich beyond believe and will be spending the next few months golfing and partying and all the rest of it while we work and pay the bills. It'd be great to see them finally win it all and I'll be over the moon if they do but IMO it's best to just laugh this stuff off, shrug and then go about your day

 

And to add to your point - They're giving us a good show. Ultimately isn't that what it's all about? Something to get excited about...something to talk about. Not to mention when this team loses in the playoffs, the game is always epic. We have names for these games for God's sake. I also believe that the fantasy and hope is more exciting than the reality. Hoping and pining for that Super Bowl win is probably more fun than actually getting it. Someday when we do win, 3 days later it will be like "eh." LOL

Edited January 19 by CheshireCT

[harryS]

I had the same feeling but it came after the Falcons pummeled us in Week 6.  After that, I knew we weren't going to get the 1 seed, would likely have to play 2+ road games, and might not even win the division given NE's schedule ahead.  I downgraded my expectations right around then.  Still rooted hard for the team the rest of the season, but I didn't experience the gut punch that too many of my fellow Bills fans did after that loss to Denver. 

 

I think some of my fellow Bills fans hung onto the dream a little bit too long, maybe drank some kool-aid, too.  The Denver game was always going to play out differently than the game 12 months ago.  I thought/hoped we'd squeak it out in the end (and maybe we did if they gave Cooks the catch) but too many were expecting an easy win on the road at a rested 1-seed.

[kkim0904]

Although we had best shot at SB under McDermott, our season was roller-coaster and inconsistent through out the season.   I got over the disappointment/anger much quicker than the last year's lost against chief and 13 seconds.  Also getting older helps, who went through 4 SB losses in my early 20s.  I hope we come back stronger next season.. We need change from Top, not bottom.  GO Bills!!

[Ramza86]

If Vrabel can walk in and turn the pats around (Im sure they wont be as good next year with a tougher schedule) in a year then we have serious problems. Good coaching shows and I feel like good coaching for us doesnt show enough.

[Xwnyer]

5 hours ago, Ray Stonada said:

I know Buffalo is not actually cursed and I don't believe it is rigged but I am having a hard time accepting we lost again. 

 

I still feel that was our game… 20 things went wrong and we lost by 3.

 

I keep wishing Josh had hit Knox on the TD, or Cooks catch had counted, or Hardman caught the sideline pass… they won't stop replaying in my mind.

 

I think Bears fans must be feeling the same way today. But they have everything to look forward to with a young team and Ben Johnson. Maybe Baltimore or SF can feel worse then us: Lamar Jackson has been in the NFL eight years and has won three playoff games. SF never gets there in the end. But those teams have a bunch of Super Bowls in their past.

 

 

you missed the NON DPI call against the defender covering cooks with 20 seconds left in end zone.  It was at least HOLDING or Illegal Contact if not DPI.  Yet in games Sunday this similar play is called DPI!   SMH

[TFBillsfan]

While this loss hurts, at the end of the day, FIVE turnovers are the simple reason they didn’t advance. There is a reason teams are 1-86 in the playoffs when losing the TO battle +3!

 

At the end of the day, they didn’t value the ball and didn’t execute. For all the void in talent, it came down to basic execution.  The playcall at the end of the half lies squarely on McDermott, Brady AND Josh. You have to understand the situation. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid and CANNOT happen in the playoffs. 
 

The thing that sucks is this is THREE straight years where a Bills receiver has had the ball hit them in both hands, which most NFL players make in critical moments and they’ve failed.

 

Diggs against KC, deep ball perfect throw 

Kincaid 4th down against KC last year

Cooks this year

 

As frustrating, maddening, sickening, whatever adjective you want to use, they should be right back in the thick of it next year. Denver, Chargers, Pitt, Ravens, NE, KC, Houston all have their own flaws. NE, Jax, Pitt and Denver will all be playing a first place schedule.  
 

There are a number of things I want to see next year but it’s starts with these.

 

Better drafting….LOOKING AT YOU BEANE!

Better adjustments in the first half. You can’t always wait until halftime. I feel this team struggles to understand their opponent each week. 

Value the ball and take the simple stuff when it’s available.

Figure the FN 3rd and long D! It’s ridiculous!

Lastly, I want McDermott to bring in an outside DC and have him run his own D. It’s way past time.

20 minutes ago, joemac1114 said:

My first thought today is that they need a new strength and conditioning coach. The injuries starting with off season workouts, through training camp and the season were the worst I've seen in awhile here. Next we need a new general manager. Beane has sucked at the draft with picks such as Elam and Coleman. Neither can do the job they were drafted for. And Coleman apparently has some issues putting the work needed to improve at his position. 

Never seen so many none game injuries!

[GunnerBill]

41 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

And you raise a good point. That said, do keep in mind that he traded away the Mahomes pick (on a team with no quarterback) and actually traded up for Elam. I cannot find a way to justify his choices. 

 

Sean did the first. Brandon did the second, but yes, fair. I don't think they traded the pick that became Mahomes away because they HAD to have Tre White though. He was 17 picks away, there is no way they could know he'd even be there. I think they traded the pick then took White because he was the best player on their board. 

39 minutes ago, vincec said:

I think that this is actually a solid philosophy. In the salary cap era, you can’t have stars at every position and, outside of QB, OL/DL are probably the most important position groups in the game. The problem has been that they have failed to build a dominant DL despite investing a ton of resources into it. This is a failure of both scouting, player development, and the system they run, IMO. Their first is on Beane, but the other two are on McDermott and his staff.

 

And the problem is the dollars they have invested at wide receiver (and picks) have largely failed. That's on bad evaluation. 

[eball]

1 hour ago, eball said:

 

Bill, I don’t want to get into a pissing contest with you because you’ve become very bitter about this, but I still fail to understand your intense dislike of McDermott.  He’s not only concentrating on defensive backs and defensive tackles.  He is a very aggressive, forward-thinking coach who has given Allen and the OC broad latitude.  He is good at the analytics (i.e., 4th down decisions) and doesn’t “play not to lose.”  He has relationships with his players (including Josh).  What is it, specifically, you think he’s doing wrong?  Did he make decisions on Saturday night to lose that football game?  The Bills turned it over 5 times and still scored 30 points!  And then, afterwards, he stood up for his team and said things the league probably doesn’t like very much at all.

 

Anyway, I’m comfortable saying McD is not the problem here.  He doesn’t shop for the groceries.  Beane is the architect of this roster and he needs to be told by Pegula to either support Josh with more weapons or he won’t be here much longer.

 

LOL this aged well! 🤣😂

[Gregg]

19 minutes ago, Ramza86 said:

If Vrabel can walk in and turn the pats around (Im sure they wont be as good next year with a tougher schedule) in a year then we have serious problems. Good coaching shows and I feel like good coaching for us doesnt show enough.

 

Another thing to keep an eye on is the Jets have 5 first round draft picks and 3 second round draft picks over the next two drafts. Granted it's the Jets and they are experts at f***ing things up. But if they hit on those picks then they can become real problem for the rest of the AFCE. The opportunity is there for them to turn it around over these next couple of drafts.

[Kirby Jackson]

I’m not any better.

[vincec]

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Sean did the first. Brandon did the second, but yes, fair. I don't think they traded the pick that became Mahomes away because they HAD to have Tre White though. He was 17 picks away, there is no way they could know he'd even be there. I think they traded the pick then took White because he was the best player on their board. 

 

And the problem is the dollars they have invested at wide receiver (and picks) have largely failed. That's on bad evaluation. 

I think that's partially player development and system too. DL and WRs are positions that come to Buffalo to die.

[GunnerBill]

Just now, vincec said:

I think that's partially player development and system too. DL and WRs are positions that come to Buffalo to die.

 

On the DL to an extent, I agree. On WR I don't.

[Kirby Jackson]

The McDermott news made this a little better. I was worried about status quo

[harryS]

The sun has come out... tomorrow

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

9 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It hurts. But I never looked at the core of this roster, specifically the weapons around Josh, and felt this was a Championship team.

 

Certainly not when they performed worse than even I had expected and we were scrambling and pinning our hopes on guys like Gabe Davis, Brandin Cooks, and Mecole Hardman to save the offense.

 

Because of that, we underachieved in the regular season. We were losing to teams like the friggin' Falcons and the Dolphins. We didn't win the division for the first time in forever with the easiest achedule we've had in a long time.

 

And on top of all of those things, we were (once again) snake bitten with injuries all season. Ed Oliver lost for the year before the halfway mark. Our 1st Round Pick only played in 9 of 17 games. Michael Hoecht transformed this defense and we only got a game and a half out of him. The only guy who could consistently get open for us (Dalton Kincaid) was playing through an injury rather than getting work done and had to be managed down the stretch. Jordan Poyer (surprisingly) saved our Secondary alongside Cole Bishop - then we lost him for the Playoffs and were rolling out a Rookie who wasn't ready and then Cam Lewis. And that's not even getting into week to week things.

 

Ultimately, Brandon Beane failed Josh Allen and this team. Watching the Seahawks curb stomp the 49ers, who booted the defending Super Bowl Champions from the playoffs the week before, I couldn't help but think that even if we had beaten the Broncos and the Patriots - we'd have fallen to that team. Even if the Rams pull it off against them, I don't think we'd beat the Rams either. So it would have ended in another Super Bowl loss, in my opinion.

 

I felt the same way last year. That Beane built a team that required Josh Allen to be a God, never make a single mistake, and carry everyone. Even then, we still needed kick. Hopefully, this off-season he (or whoever the GM is if he gets fired) finally builds a team that can actually get it done.

Although Buffalo SHOULDVE won if not for multiple blown calls, they would’ve lost to Seattle. 

[Fan boy '92]

1 hour ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

Although Buffalo SHOULDVE won if not for multiple blown calls, they would’ve lost to Seattle. 

It's a team game but Allen > Darnold and that matters a lot.