newcam2012

Point being we don't know the extent of the damage that was inflicted if any and what impact it had on the outcome of games. That was the point of me taking things out of context. Damar was alive and well for the playoffs. It's possible the mental side effects were minimal come playoff time. That's the way I saw things developing. I saw a Bills team relieved, ready to focus on football, and motivated to win for Damar and it's fan base. Didn't you? It really never occurred to me the team was gased, unfocused, suffering mentally, and unable to focus due to the Damar incident. In fact, I saw a very focused Bills team win a tough game against the gritty Dolphins. They didn't play their best but they had a heart and will of a championship team. In short, I'm absolutely convinced that the Bills didn't lose that game due to the Damar trauma. I believe if anything that played a very small role in the game. That is why I take exception to people continually banging that drum and narrative. I truly believe it's disingenuous. Feel free to disagree.

Ok based on that logic are the Bills players going to be well enough to play this year? Are players going to suffer from short and or long term PTSD? Will some players be mentally stable to play football? Can we say that the Bills season is in jepordary due to the damage that was done? If the Bills come out flat on Monday night vs the Jets can we legitimately say they haven't recovered from the Damar incident? The damage is done. The Bills players will always remember what happened. Will they be scared for Damar? Will they have flashbacks? Will they play timid? How long will it take to recover? Can they recover? Can they be focused? The damage is done. I'm greatly looking forward to your prudent response. Bill, eball is one poster that logical posts usually don't apply too. He's arguably one of the biggest and irrational homer posters here. No offense...

We really don't know what if any PTSD any of the players endured. We have no idea how it was processed and how it affected the team going into the playoffs. Its really pure conjecture to say the "damage was done." We really don't know the severity or impact it played. Some players said they were out of gas. I question the legitimacy of that statement. Not saying they are lying but perhaps subconsciously it fits into their narrative. It's easier to blame outside influences than admitting you sucked. Allen didn't use the Damar effect as an excuse to losing the game. McD absolutely did though. He was quick as a cat to put that out there. Once again that theme gives credibility to their piss poor peformance. It's shields everyone from blame. I'm not saying some players didn't have difficulty processing the situation. I'm not saying that some players may have had some minor mental instability. I'm saying I don't think that was a major reason why the Bills lost. I'm saying that Damar situation could have easily fueled the Bills in a positive manner. I'm saying fans, players, and coaches using the Damar excuse as a rational for losing is unlikely. I think the Bills lost due to poor coaching, injuries, and a better team. That doesn't get emphasized enough. Instead, to many what to go directly to the Damar negative effect as a sole excuse. Hogwash.... Hope that clarifies my point of view.

Based on what I elaborated in the post.

Partly true. That's my pointvof contention. It's all speculation. Folks on here are consistently banging the Damar negative effect as if its gospel and an absolute fact. It's not! I have elaborated on why I think otherwise. I think my points are pretty valid and reasonable. Feel free to disagree.

Here's the issue I have with the Damar situation. Truthfully, we fans have no idea what kind of effect it had on the team. More specifically, we have no idea how it affected their play. I'm sure it had some effects that could be seen as negative and positive. We don't know how it was processed by each player and if it had any effects on the outcome of the game. I absolutely think it negatively affected the team when Damar's status was in limbo. However, come playoff time it was clear Damar was going to be ok. It seemed as though the fans and players were all relieved. The vibe I got was it's time to play football. Win it all for Damar. Signs everyone in the stadium. The vibe was electric and positive. After the gritty win vs Miami there was talk about fate. A special team. There was no talk about how the season's toll had negative consequences. Truthfully, I don't recall one person anywhere citing such a narrative. The theme was quite the contrary. The Damar situation wad being used as motivational and inspiring. That narrative changed to the negative after the Cinci loss. As I watched that game, I never once thought the team was losing because of the Damar negative effect. I remember saying what is the game plan? Didn't they learn anything from the dress rehearsal they had weeks before? I remember saying where is the pass rush? Where is Diggs? Fraizar, Dorsey, and McD are getting out classed and out coached. Burrow is elite. The Bills aren't in The same league as Cinci. Not once did I say oh man the team has nothing left. Too much trauma and distraction to overcome. Did you say that? I'd argue with much validity the Bills lost that game due to key injuries, lack of talent, poor coaching, and Cinci was the superior team. I truly believe the prior events had little negative effect on the outcome of the game. Of course, players and coaches are going to sing that narrative because it gives them an out.

That's fair. At least you are willing to point out several of the Bills defiencies. I agree with those points. I feel those are the major reasons why the Bills didn't advance. Too many people seem to dismiss them and instead gravitate to the Damar excuse.

This is a creation made up in your mind.

It remains to be seen how McGovern pans out in a Bills uniform. I like the fact that the Bills addressed the oline.

Harris is very injury prone. I like the signing but it reminds me of the Crowder signing. I don't think anyone would be surprised if Harris gets injured again.

Weak response! I did watch every game. The Bills rarely seemed to play a complete game during the end of the season winning streak. They often looked like a different team from half to half. The team was very resilient in winning but it was far from being dominant. The game vs Cinci where Damar got hurt showed a glimpse of the Bills team. It certainly appeared as though the Bills were well on their way to losing that game. Fast forward to the playoff off game and it was a continuation of that game. Come playoff time, there was no talk whatsoever about the season's occurrences taking its toll on the Bills players. Zero, zilch, nada, etc...Even after the Miami win there was no chatter of it. Zero, zilch, nada, etc... In fact, these was an opposite narrative taking place! It was the win it for Damar narrative. It was the Bills fate narrative to win the SB. It was a now let's play football because Damar is going to be fine! This is undeniable! No theme whatsoever about how the players were gased, unfocused, unprepared, etc... This narrative was 100% created after the Cinci ass whipping. The same kind of whipping they were getting weeks before. It was a sneak preview. The Miami playoff win wasn't all that different than the previous meetings. Tight games coming down to the end. There is plenty of evidence that suggest the Bills team wasn't good enough. They were weak on both sides of the line, the WRs besides Diggs were pretty weak, and the Bills coaching staff with Dorsey and Fraizer were anything but elite and up to the task. Yet, you and so many others continue to cling to such an unfounded and unknown narrative. Demeaning people along the way who don't buy into it.

Do you know his possible replacements? It's Bernard, Dodson, Spector, and perhaps rookie Williams. Come on man this screams weakness galore here. Edmunds is moons better than any of these guys.

No Edmunds fan here. I agree with your take for the most part. Definitely not worth that kind of money. However, if you take a look at his replacement as of now it's pretty alarming. None of those guys look to be NFL starting LBs. In short, it's not so much about Edmunds as it is who they are replacing him with. Additionally, Edmunds was the play caller on defense and by all accounts he was good at it. So I think it's far to say the Bills appear to be weaker at that position going into this season. We will see how it plays out.

You have no idea how much it affected the players good or bad. This narrative that keeps playing is unfounded and created after the fact. Please stop as if its written in stone. Let's look into the situation a little more. Prior to the Cinci game it became more clear that Hamlin was going to recover. He was alive, thankful, and had a seemingly positive attitude. The general consensus was win one for Damar! This is fate to win the SB! Fans welcomed Damar to the stadium. Signs everywhere! The Bills were the little darlings of the media. It was likely additional fuel for the players. Relief had arrived and now it was time to concentrate on football. I can specifically remember this theme throughout the days building up to the game. That's just a fact and undeniable. Go back and look at what the posters here were saying about the Cinci game prior to the game. I can't recall one poster talking about the so called narrative you referred to. Not one! It was all about how the Bills were going to win and mostly win big. After the Cinci ass whipping the narrative began. Some like you continue to bang that drum as if it's a fact. The fact of the matter is we will never really know the remafications. It's entirely possible that the Bills were the inferior team, get out coached, and suffered very little set backs due to the season's events. Isn't that possible?

It really won't be much different than the previous years. I suspect a little more aggressive but the schemes will all be the same or similar. Make no mistake about it the defenses were always McD defenses. Fraizer was just a fall guy to secure McD coaching position. This idea that McD taking over the defense is going to be great or a difference maker is pure optimism. The team still looks to have issues with a consistent pass rush and a much weaker LB core with Edmunds gone. Don't get me wrong, the Bills D will be decent to good. Probably somewhere near the top 8 to 12 defenses in the league. As for me, I'm not really relying on the defense to win games come playoff time. Just need to be able to make a few key stops and maybe a turnover or two. The offense and Allen will lead the way to the SB. I'm still a bit concerned with their oline, WRs besides Diggs, and Dorsey.

That's a big if. I'd be surprised if the two are relatively healthy throughout the season. This tandom is awesome when healthy even at their ages. I think they are the heart and soul of the defense. They have become two of my favorite Bills defensive players for quite some time now. Please please please football gods keep them heathly.

Mahomes just seems to know how to win. That oline is so good and Reid knows how to call plays. Mahomes will likely give Brady a run for his SB rings while Allen likely becomes the next Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. Great QBs with no rings to show for.

I think this is pretty spot on. The Bills need a lot of things to go just right in order to make a deep run. The roster is solid but still lots of question marks in the trenches. The WRs besides Diggs looks pretty average to weak. The RB by committee looks pretty solid. Cook looks promising but he still has a lot to prove. Of course injuries will play a role as it does with any team. The coaching staff has to be better. Dorsey is a big question mark. No guarantees he gets better this year. Can the Bills D be better in the playoffs assuming the Bills get there? Lastly, I just have a difficult time thinking Buffalo will beat Cinci or KC if they meet again in the playoffs.

I'm more confused than before. It's all good...

The "culture of Coaches?" What does that mean? Pretty scary post here if you are not a big McD fan. Thus far the Bills coaches and their culture hasn't gotten it Right? They have not found the proper fits. Right? They have not picked up the right players. Right? So what gives you confidence this year will be different? Curious to hear your rationale. One thing I agree on is the season should be fun. Who was responsible from being Saffold to Buffalo? Is that person still "baking the pie?" Do the math.

No. It's because he's very good. Better than anyone the Bills have on their roster. Happy 4th everyone. Go Bills!!!!

Wondering if he's tradeable? He would be a great addition to the Bills oline. This are the types of moves Beane should be making. Not stop gap players, mediocre cheap players, bad draft choices, injury prone players, and washed up old vets. Beane has failed woefully to solidify this oline for years. It's ultimately his biggest failure. Will this year be any different?

Really excellent post! Very good and honest read. I'd add something has to change because what the organization is doing just isn't effective enough in the playoffs. Will be interesting to see if the new additions and McD calling the D are enough.

The same NE team that fielded Matt Jones. Come on man that screams desperation. Miami out coached Buffalo last year in the playoffs. Their defense created big turnovers that lead to big points. They almost beat the Bills with a 3rd string QB on the road. You got to be kidding me that you think McD was a difference maker in those games. Stop digging yourself a bigger hole trying to defend McD's playoff record, coaching, game planning, and execution. Replay the last 3 year's of the Bills playoff games. Have you seen improvements? It should give you a nice picture of why McD is likely not the guy.

Besides optimism what makes you think McD can get the team over the hump? Do you think he has great game plans? Has excellent schemes? Game time adjustments? Time management? An Xs and Os guy? A great motivator? Creative offensively and or defensively? Just wondering why so many really think McD can lead this team to a SB. Of course it's all speculation. Would welcome all comments for and against McD. Obviously, you know where I stand.