Beck Water

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?

Right. So I'm talking about a part of it that was quoted - in fact, you quoted it. What's your point? To borrow your attitude here, are you saying you quoted it incorrectly or omitted a key part of the incident?

Obviously Diggs was brought in as a star on a big contract, and has had top-of-the-league performance that makes him desirable to other teams and drives his contract negotiations. But consider this: Hall was grading the WR position group in practice and games, and had input into decisions about whether and to what extent the group needed upgrades in FA and the draft. What if Hall's grades of Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie influenced the team's decision to go into the 2022 season with Gabe Davis as the #2 and Isaiah McKenzie as the slot, with no improvements besides Jamison Crowder and a 5th round rookie? What if Hall's grades during in-season practices influenced keeping McKenzie (part of the truck-buying crew) on the field and Shakir (not) on the bench? I'm not saying that the receivers intended the truck as a bribe, or that Hall looked at McKenzie and consciously thought "that guy participated in giving me a truck so Imma grade him better". But it's been extensively studied that how people treat us does influence how we perceive them, so there's that.

That's the sticking point I have with what I've seen of Dunne's article. He's clearly giving voice to one strong POV/interpretation about the situation - that McDermott was a dick who rained on a sweet, heartwarming gesture because he was, essentially, an insecure jellyfish who is mentally psychologically and physically able to form relationships with players. But there are other POV on the situation, which is that Hall was violating Covid rules by having a gathering, and that to accept a valuable gift from men you're supposed to be impartially grading every week and giving input to the coaches about, has a problematic side. Others can disagree, but those POV honestly exist. And those aren't very hard to perceive, really, but Dunne neither presents them as his own considered thoughts, nor apparently spoke with anyone who might present them (or if he did, he edited them out).

Correct. 4-12 following 8-8 got Reid the boot in Philly. Give it a rest. If you can't understand what's been several times explained by two people (that no one thinks the players intended it as a bribe), at least pretend.

With this I agree. But can you acknowledge that there's a lot of space between being a "prick" to your guys, and being so well liked that they gift you a truck?

@GoBills808, what crawled into you tonight? You're usually quite a reasonable poster with takes I like to read and who can engage in a good discussion where points get acknowledged and debated. Today, your responses seem like they're firing right left and long of the post you're responding to, and either deliberately not acknowledging or unable to recognize the point. It was said on social media that they were at a Christmas party at Hall's house when they brought him outside to see his truck. So they were inside, at a party. I Give Up. If you started here, it might be worth trying to engage, but since you started with "you think it's a bribe" to @HardyBoy (AFTER he explicitly said he didn't for one moment believe that), and then moved on to "it's only problematic because you guys feel it is" (ignoring any basis we stated)....yeah, I'm Out. You win. Feel good about that.

I hesitate to speak for @HardyBoy, but to the extent that I've opined here, that's not what I'm saying. And @HardyBoy has explictly said something to the effect of "I don't suppose for one minute the truck was intended as a bribe". So it's kind of weird that you come back with this. Let's assume that the hearts of the WR were totally pure. They LOVED their WR coach, they really felt he made a difference to them all, and they wanted to make him a gift he would truly appreciate. So they hatched the idea to get him a truck. The coach or coaches Dunne quoted saw it as an unmixed bag of Cool Beans "It's impossible for any sane person to watch this heartwarming video and not feel happy for Hall." Well, I'd like to think I'm a sane person and when I watched that video, honest to God I felt horror that the NFL was going to gobsmack the Bills for violating Covid rules. So that's one thing. It seems a legit concern for a HC to feel at the time, given that the NFL forced Denver to play without QB. What if the Bills being forced to play a game without any WR flashed before McDermott's eyes? Would that be legit cause to be "not pleased" by Hall having them all over to his house? The other point that is trying to be made here is that while the WR may have intended it as a gesture of pure love and respect, from the POV of a buck-stopping people manager, it factually has its problematic side, no matter how pure the intent was. And the stuff about why McDermott reacted negatively (jealous of a relationship he is mentally physically and psychologically incapable of) is purely the interviewee's opinion/interpretation, which I would call an attack on McD's character. The part about "zero relationship with the offensive players, none" seems to be contradicted by several instances and pieces of information.