Beck Water

Straight up, I felt the defense would be mediocre this season as we tried to fill in for Edmunds with a choice of a 2nd year player who had looked lost when he played as a rookie in Bernard, a career ST guy in Dodson, and a couple of lower eschelon guys. If you told me Bernard would walk on the field and own the position and even look like an upgrade during the first 5 games, I would honestly have suggested you might be "terminally optimistic". If you told me we would lose White, Milano, and Daquan Jones by Game 5 and still be statistically, the #5 defense in the league coming out of the bye, I would have been incredulous. I guess I should add that does go to show the limit of statistics, since we have had 3 games now where the most proximal cause of the loss was the defense's inability to "seal the deal" with a lead and get a crucial stop on the last drive.

Concur.

As someone said, "when you get a dose of that Vitamin W, it changes everything" I think Daboll may be undergoing what some call an "On the Job Training Experience". When you're winning and everyone's inspired, it's easy to believe in giving your coordinators autonomy. When you're losing, and your defense is 26th in the league for points given up, you may feel you need to "mix it in" and give your input to the DC. That may cause friction when the side of the ball you are closest to, the offense, is 32nd in the league. It surprises me that there's apparently a strong fraction here that want to bring in Daboll as HC. He was COTY last season, great! But a number of new coaches have come in and given the team a "spark". The question is whether that "spark" lasts and turns into sustained success.

If you missed this:

I don't, actually. I think he did the right thing as a coach and a leader to say that, but both of those players had coaching and film about how to play certain defensive looks pre game. One of those two players read the defense and made the correct call as to route or throw, and one of them read the defense and was mistaken. So maybe I just don't understand what you mean by "genuine accountability" here. Brady took accountability in the "starts with me" sense, he's the coach and the one having the pre-game film sessions and conversations during the week of preparation, so when he talks about watching film with his players and preparing them, he can say he needs to do a better job there. But how is this different from the accountability McDermott says when he says "it starts with me"? Brady wasn't saying he made the wrong call for the down and distance, or he'd make another call if he had a do over, he specifically mentioned preparation and film.

If you'll allow me, I'd like to just focus in on this. Weren't most of us commenting on the same thing - that we felt Allen was looking like a whupped dog on the field and not showing a lot of fire or emotion, up through the Broncos game? And weren't most of us commenting that in the two subsequent games, Jets and Eagles, he was visibly playing with a lot more energy and fire, including being heard saying "I'm ***** back!"? But now, somehow the same observation that many of us had made, is not 'authentic" and is a sign of a control freak feeling defensive, even though we jumped from an average of 20.6 PPG in the 5 previous games, to 33 PPG (and 505 yds vs the Eagles!) in the two subsequent games to date? I'm very confused here.

I'm afraid this kind of calls your "knowledge of the situation" into question. Dunne was terminated, released, let go, downsized from Bleacher Report during a staff reduction. That's a fact. His friends and colleagues agree. He didn't have a choice about whether or not to "break from there". (there being BR), his position ended. He says that he had the option to find employment elsewhere. His track record and credentials give no reason to disbelieve this. He chose to start "Go Long" instead. I thought it was a gutsy move at the time, and admired it, but it's kind of going in a bit of a dark direction at times IMO. Putting out very critical pieces which rest on large quantities of anonymous sources, for example.

This honestly, makes no sense at all. Sorry. 1) criticizing a self-published "pay to view" article which appears to be a mixture of fact, observation, and Dunne's slanted interpretation quilted together from anonymous sources is not the same thing as "going to the mat" for McDermott (which I take to mean defend him, no matter what) I'm not surprised that you wouldn't recognize the difference, because historically, when someone defends a player, coach etc from what appears to be over-the-top or unjustified criticism, others here will call them "lovers" "fanboys" "defenders" blah blah. The nuance that one can simultaneously perceive faults or accurately critique while objecting to exaggeration, slant, or bias appears lost, and I could be mis-remembering but I believe you're one of the people it's lost on. 2) one can critique Allen, like any player, and simultaneously be willing to also defend him against what appears to be over-the-top or unjustified criticism, just like any other coach or player How this somehow lends "secondhand credence" to Dunne's article, is a mystery to me, but You Do You.

I understand and actually agree with your distinction. But while the motivation may have been to gain the most business, the impact could well be to distract McDermott and derail the team. And from a guy who has in the past leaned into cred as a WNY 'native son', that's hard for me (a lifelong and unabashed Bills fan) to take. I'm actually torn, because in the past I've really respected pieces Ty Dunne has done and I admired his enterpreneurial spirit starting "Go Long". But I've also had reason to question his methods and the quality of his sources at times, too. This is an interesting piece from a respected journalist Ty Dunne once worked for as an intern, which gives some detail about Dunne's training and background as a journalist, which are...solid. As Pollack points out: It's actually an interesting bet, because there are potential liability issues there. I think this has been linked here, but in 2016 at Bleacher Report, Dunne did a rather damning piece on Aaron Rodgers: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2676645-can-aaron-rodgers-be-the-type-of-leader-the-packers-need It contained stuff like this: It's worth noting that since that 2016 piece damning Rodgers as an arrogant self centered prideful prick who can't lead appeared, Rodgers has had 4 pro-bowl appearances (FWIW), two 1st team AP all-pro (means a lot more), and two "League MVP". Green Bay went on to appear in two Conference championships and a Division round, but did not reach another SuperBowl. (I thought one of the conference championships was heavily influenced by the referees to favor Brady) Rodgers, of course, was not pleased by the piece and referred to it as a "smear attack". Similar to this recent piece, it contained some incidents which are probably factual and accurately recounted, some opinion and interpretation of those instances (with some anonymous sources), and Dunne's interpretation or slant.

Also concur. Wondering about the quotes on "supposed"?

Concur.

"Slander" is a word with a specific legal meaning. It means verbal communication of false statements that damage the reputation of another. So here's the thing about slander. (I suspect you may know this) If the statements or events recounted actually occurred, but the *interpretation* or *opinion* about what those statements or events mean is negative, it may not be slander. If you actually said something like "I pay you to coach these guys, not be their friend", that's not slander; truth is a defense. if I give my opinion that you said that because you're an insecure weasel who is psychologically, mentally, and physically incapable of forming friendships yourself, well, that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it; how do you defend yourself against that? I believe you would have to show it's actually malicious in intent, and actually caused damage to your reputation. It's a morass. It's a helluva distraction, and the more time you give it, the more distracting it is. In terms of winning Buffalo Bills football games, the best thing is to try to let the guys focus on football as much as possible and ask them to do that. In my opinion, of course.

For $8, I can buy 2- 8 oz cylinders for the butane stove I'm gifting my daughter for Christmas, pay sales tax, and have $1.60 left over for a stocking-stuffer candy. In case that's insufficiently clear, I'll spell it out: I'm a Bills Fan. I am NOT going to reward Ty Dunne with a subscription to his pay-for-content site, for dropping a controversial piece right before a pivotal game in the Bills season. Others upthread have carefully taken the time to dissect available excerpts into events that occured or words actually said, interpretation, and Dunne's opinion of same. The latter two vastly outnumber the former, and are what qualify it as a "character smear piece" IMO. In the excerpts people have shared, Dunne recounts a weird pastiche of events (some bizarre, some less so), his slant or interpretation (which he presents as the only possible one), and the opinion/interpretations of the people he interviews. On this last, John Wawrow has worked with many players and coaches for years at OBD and knows as much of the inner workings as anyone, summarizes it neatly: then: If the leaders on the team are dealing with things internally and spending their time watching film and talking through the game plan instead of making extra appearances beyond their media availability requirements, I think that's a Good Thing and not the damning reinforcement of Dunne you appear to believe it to be. Dunne has unnamed sources dishing and trashing McD; McD has unnamed supporters. Looks about the same. I don't think you are the impartial arbiter you wish to believe. Some of the better, most rational posters on this site have repeatedly run into trouble trying to discuss with you. There may be a reason for this.

Apparently this happened before the 2019 season. I'm sure any communication from Pegula etc took place in a timely manner in 2019. I felt bad for the team, honestly. They're depending upon McDermott to coach them and lead them and make good game decisions against a very tough opponent, and he acknowledges his head is spinning.

Come on now yourself. I said about that line, it was the "Conspiracy Theorist at the Back of My Skull Poking Me". What part of that word choice and phrasing says "gee, this is a serious suggestion from this poster and it's just ridiculous" to you? The social media source was the same guy who posted the video of Hall being led outside with his eyes covered, so I would think he'd know. You're really stretching here. Agreed, it's social awareness. Although to be fair - that can be a blurred line.

That's great! Thank you for sharing! I probably laughed more than I should at "you have more turnovers than a bake sale!"

Elam's technique as a DB has been offensive. That makes him an "offensive player" so McDermott has zero relationship with him. Seriously, media asked and McDermott said he wasn't likely to play this week.

They've both been given game time designations of "questionable". McDermott pointed out before practice that Knox needs to get into "game shape" and adjust to game speed etc so they were going to see how today went. As someone here put it, he was the "straw that stirred the DL's drink". Doesn't have a game designation, so looks that way. Very good question.

Thread here There's not a lot of detail, but his case sounds similar to Dodson's case from 2019. 1) as a first time offender, Dodson was charged with DV, pleaded to a misdemeanor ("disorderly conduct" I think) and entered a diversion program which would get his record cleared if he completed it (he did). 2) after the criminal case was settled, the NFL did its own investigation, found there was evidence of DV by their definition, and suspended Dodson the minimal 6 games I think this happened in the off-season so Dodson was just suspended at the start of the season. Since he was charged, otherwise he would have been put on the exempt list while the criminal case played out. https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-nfl/news/nfl-hands-down-ruling-on-former-clemson-wr-justyn-ross-43405 Sounds like when criminal charges were filed, Ross went on the "exempt" list. The difference with Von, is that while he was arrested (by police, based on a judicial probable cause finding), and released on bail, he has not yet been charged with a crime. That is why he is not on the exempt list. The NFL can and will do their own investigation, but they normally don't while a criminal case is pending. Hope that helps. It's not just "I usually google", need to understand the NFL's DV police, understand that arrest doesn't always mean charges have been filed, and put the pieces I google together.

I'm not sure the 7th WR deserves a thread It's more the info about time on the exempt list being subtracted from his suspension And the question to which I don't know the answer - since exempt list games are "paid to sit out" but suspension games are "forfeit pay and prorated bonus", how does that work in this situation? At least, that's what interested me, and seemed like it might get more attention, maybe an answer from someone who knows, in its own thread. The "time served" aspect makes sense to me, it's how is the salary handled? that I question. Edit: I just found a possible answer. Per this article which references Schefter, he has to pay the salary back: https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-nfl/news/nfl-hands-down-ruling-on-former-clemson-wr-justyn-ross-43405

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/chiefs-wr-gets-handed-a-6-game-suspension/ar-AA1le7g1?cvid=117b54795d684d39a11e1609a4773c32&ei=24 So he's been on the commissioner's exempt list, getting paid to sit out while his domestic violence investigation took place Now that he's been suspended for 6 games, subtract his time on the exempt list and...Voila! He will miss 1 more game How does this work as far as his salary? -gets paid while on exempt list -doesn't get paid/loses pro-rated signing bonus while suspended So does he have to pay back the salary he was paid while exempt? Or does the team "eat it" to get the player back?

They'll miss his 2 receptions in 7 games, For Sure. He surely did. Something tells me it wasn't a coincy-dink. Pacheco has been declared out for the game. Imagine the toll it's taking on McDermott as they try to prepare Concur with the bolded

Could be. On the other hand, you could be vastly underestimating it. Every snap of every player is filmed as you say; how much time does an OC have to give to viewing all of them for every player, especially when preparing for the next opponent during the season and during what, 2 weeks of roster evaluation post-season? Not the identity of any winning football culture - John Harbaugh with his distribution of "Nobody Cares. Work Harder" t-shirts being such a jolly guy, Bill Belicheck's sarcastic put-down type humor with the stuff from Gronkowski about Patriots players not having much fun (and intimations that Brady was unhappy with his treatment at the end) and all. I'm outta here. Congratulations @GoBills808 and others, you win! That should give you that contented, glowing feeling. All I know for sure is that this is a helluva handgrenade distraction to heave into the center of the Bills as they get ready to face the Chiefs.

Same

Do you think, I don't know, there might be some kind of middle ground here? Like, I don't know, having a handful (or even 25) people with whom one had conflict over the years, doesn't mean the person is completely incapable of relating to and forming relationships with others?