Dr. K

This

Regardless of what you think of Dareus's maturity level, McD and Beane really did throw away a ton of talent, witness how well a lot of the players they dumped have played for other teams. Now they have to fill a dozen holes on this squad. Maybe they can do it, but the proof will be in their performance. There is an arrogance in them that, if they succeed, will be justified as self-confidence, but if they fail, will be revealed as hubris. The jury is out yet.

Terrible decision making and play calling at crucial moments today.

The Process is bursting out all over the place. We are up to our knees in Process around here. I have to be careful where I step or I'll fall into the Process and drown.

This. I think McBeane has earned some respect, but I really HATE the way they have shed good players because of their schemes.

Quit watching before halftime when the score was 14-7 but it was obvious the game was over. Watched David Letterman's interview with President Obama on Netflix. Much more edifying.

Why do we ever bother to watch the Patriots? You might as well spend the time shoving nails into your eyeballs.

More of McBeane shipping out everyone Rex wanted.

Why do so many get so upset about Chadwick/Dunkirk's posting his "inside info"? If he's right, then we heard it a little early. If he's wrong, what damage has he done? I don't know whether he has the inside source he says he has, but I can't see getting all bent out of shape over the issue.

Hell, I'm surviving the Trump presidency (barely). Already seems like seventeen years.

The Bills' defense played their hearts out. I was impressed by their energy and tenacity. It tells me that McDermott must be doing something right. I feel bad for them all, but they should be proud of themselves. The offense needs work.

And his nut-bag right wing radio show sucks, too.

Great post! Sounds right to me. Makes me almost feel bad for Belichick. Almost.

Thanks for saying this. It really is demeaning of whatever person they are referring to immediately bring up the "Rooney Rule" as if there is no possible other reason that the person might be interviewed.

I'm glad to hear it. I have gotten very tired of all the Whaley bashing that has gone on here for years. I fully expect him to be successful at his next GM job.

I had a different wife and a lot more hair.

Maybe you should have "Peterman threw five picks" carved on your tombstone. You are perseverating (look it up).

I thought the same thing about going for two at that point. Seemed insane to me.

I've had mixed feelings about McDermott but he has earned respect. I tip my hat to him. It will be fun to see what happens next.

Plus, the Bills had been struggling to score points through most of that season under Flutie. They were carried by their defense.

This says it all, I think.

I agree that starting Peterman was justified even if it did not work out. I am nowhere near as upset about that as I am about the fact that McD has put his faith in Tolbert--repeatedly, in the face of evidence.

I really don't get what you are on about. I certainly am not asking anyone to clean house.

Who is asking anyone to clean house?

I've been trying to step back from all the Bills psychodrama and evaluate what McDermott has shown about himself as a coach and what that suggests about him going forward. How good a coach is McDermott; what does he do well, what could he do better, and is he capable of doing those things better? This is all just my opinion of course. So . . . PLUS SIDE: He seems to be able to motivate his players and create a positive atmosphere. He seems to be able to prepare the team in advance of the game. His team is much better disciplined than Rex's was. He has gotten good performances out of players who are not stars. He has drawn up some effective defensive schemes to meet particular challenges He has an even temperament. He is not a blowhard. He insists that whoever plays the best determines who gets into the games. MINUS SIDE: I am not sure I believe #6 above. Either he plays some favorites or else his judgment of who is performing best is not the same as mine. There are several examples but one clear example is Tolbert. This suggests to me that he may not be the best evaluator of talent. Maybe Beane is equally guilty here, though I think Beane is not doing anything McDermott doesn't want. (I am one of the fans who did not like the fire sale of players that went on in the off season, or the abandonment of Dareus). I don’t think he is a good game manager. He wastes time outs. He does not seem to make adjustments at the half. This could perhaps be the fault of his coordinators to some degree, of course, but the buck stops with him. Sometimes I get the feeling in the middle of games that he is in over his head, and cannot think on his feet. There is some evidence that he is willing to take chances, but overall he is a very conservative coach. For instance, he seems willing to sit on a lead. He is risk averse. I don't think this is going to serve the team well in the long run. The jury's out yet on whether he will dump Dennison or at least hold him responsible for some of the mystifying play calls he has made. This may be related to the idea that he is loyal to "his guys" and will not let performance determine his decision making. I am not ready to say whether he will be successful as a coach here. He shows some encouraging qualities, but he also shows traits that could sink this team. I was one who thought the team would be lucky to win six games this year, so good on McDermott for exceeding that expectation. But I am not sold on "the process" which seems to me to be a glorified term for "do it my way." I suppose every coach wants that; I just wonder if he has the flexibility of mind to change course when things are going wrong, and the imagination to consider alternatives.