Tyler Dunne story on McDermott - 3 parts, 25 interviews, one damning conclusion

[Success]

1 minute ago, Mikie2times said:

So we dramatically underperform and then get credit if we can somehow qualify and make no progress (again) 

 

 

 

 

 

That's sports.

 

No one lays out the red carpet for a title run.  A lot of champions have had unpredictable roads to their titles..

 

[JohnNord]

At the behest of @Scott7975 and @PBF81 I gave my $8 to Dunne to read the article.    So far I’ve only read part 1.  
 

Overall, I’ll say it was an interesting, well-written article.  Dunne put a lot of time into this both from a writing and speaking to sources.  
 

Is this a “hit piece” on McDermott?  I would not it call that.  Do I think this information is wrong or misleading?  Probably not.  However there is definitely a slant to his writing.  It’s a column and not a hard news story.  So in my opinion to question Dunne’s bias or the motivations behind many of the sources used is fair game.

 

 

in part 1 Dunne paints McDermott is a “tight,” “robotic,” controlling dictator of a coach of who is effusive of blame.  He’s as serious behind the scenes about football as he is on camera.  
 

To his credit, Dunne did try to balance the negativity a bit by including comments from Lee Smith and Pat DiMarco - 2 of the 25 sources who didn’t hide behind anonymity.  Both me praised McDermott leadership - especially how he turned around the team in 2017.

As far as the negativity, anonymous ex coaches and players said that McDermott:

- Ripped players/coaches in film sessions 

- Got ticked off with little things players did during practice that viewed as unprofessional.  

- Micromanaged his assistants 

- Was especially strict on work hours for players and coaches.  
- Not particularly warm to his lower-level support staff.  

 

Dunne also used comments from press conferences to show that McDermott was effusive of blame during losses.  
 

The “sour grapes” comment really come into play when sources claimed he was jealous players gave the truck to Chad Hall.   Also someone referenced the emotional clip from last summer where McDermott talks about the long hours of coaching and sleeping at the facility.  One coach disputed that McDermott ever slept at the facility and said there were times when he left earlier than some coaches.  These just seem like pot shots to me 🤷‍♂️
 

Dunne also claimed Bills assistants are “leaving in droves” to take lateral moves.  Seems to be a hyperbolic to me.   For example he cited Heath Farwell’s move to Jacksonville, however I didn’t get the impression they wanted him back.  Ditto for Bobby Johnson.  If I cared more I would actually do the math.  

Finally Dunne claimed McDermott wanted Leslie Frazier gone and the resignation was PR spin.  According to “sources” close to Leslie he realized Buffalo was not the right situation for him so the split was amicable in that way.   
 

In the end, Dunne admits none of McDermott’s behavior is especially egregious or extreme for a head coach in the NFL and cites that Belichick is the same way.  What’s missing with McDermott is the SB rings.  
 

So if you don’t like McDermott you’ll love this article.  If you’re on the fence or if you like McDermott I don’t think it will move the needle for you.  
 

But if you’re interested in the Bills, this is an enjoyable read.  I don’t feel like I’ve wasted $8 after part 1. 

 

I just feel it should be read w/ a critical lens.  Not to say that Dunne is biased but to remember the perspectives and motivations of former players and coaches in Buffalo who were either fired or unhappy.  Also remember there’s three sides to the truth.  
 

Think of a former workplace.  If you liked your boss your experience was likely positive.  If you don’t like your boss it was probably negative.  I think it’s that simple here. 

Edited December 9, 2023 by JohnNord

[Mikie2times]

Just now, Success said:

 

That's sports.

 

No one lays out the red carpet for a title run.  A lot of champions have had unpredictable roads to their titles..

 

We have the worst record in the NFL with a lead under 2 minutes. We are 0-6 in our last 6 OT games. We can’t win a game decided by 7 points or less. Sure I want the playoffs. But just getting in is not success nor do they get to say that is just because they completely screwed the first half of the year. Do something to change the tide on the first 3 stats. Make a deep run and don’t lose on a choke job or blow out. Then maybe we can talk about success.

[Mikie2times]

8 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

At the behest of @Scott7975 and @PBF81 I gave my $8 to Dunne to read the article.    So far I’ve only read part 1.  
 

Overall, I’ll say it was an interesting, well-written article.  Dunne put a lot of time into this both from a writing and speaking to sources.  
 

Is this a “hit piece” on McDermott?  I would not it call that.  Do I think this information is wrong or misleading?  Probably not.  However there is definitely a slant to his writing.  It’s a column and not a hard news story.  So in my opinion to question Dunne’s bias or the motivations behind many of the sources used is fair game.

 

 

in part 1 Dunne paints McDermott is a “tight,” “robotic,” controlling dictator of a coach of who is effusive of blame.  He’s as serious behind the scenes about football as he is on camera.  
 

To his credit, Dunne did try to balance the negativity a bit by including comments from Lee Smith and Pat DiMarco - 2 of the 25 sources who didn’t hide behind anonymity.  Both me praised McDermott leadership - especially how he turned around the team in 2017.

As far as the negativity, anonymous ex coaches and players said that McDermott:

- Ripped players/coaches in film sessions 

- Got ticked off with little things players did during practice that viewed as unprofessional.  

- Micromanaged his assistants 

- Was especially strict on work hours for players and coaches.  
- Not particularly warm to his lower-level support staff.  

 

Dunne also used comments from press conferences to show that McDermott was effusive of blame during losses.  
 

The “sour grapes” comment really come into play when sources claimed he was jealous players gave the truck to Chad Hall.   Also someone referenced the emotional clip from last summer where McDermott talks about the long hours of coaching and sleeping at the facility.  One coach disputed that McDermott ever slept at the facility and said there were times when he left earlier than some coaches.  These just seem like pot shots to me 🤷‍♂️
 

Dunne also claimed Bills assistants are “leaving in droves” to take lateral moves.  Seems to be a hyperbolic to me.   For example he cited Heath Farwell’s move to Jacksonville, however I didn’t get the impression they wanted him back.  Ditto for Bobby Johnson.  If I cared more I would actually do the math.  

Finally Dunne claimed McDermott wanted Leslie Frazier gone and the resignation was PR spin.  According to “sources” close to Leslie he realized Buffalo was not the right situation for him so the split was amicable in that way.   
 

In the end, Dunne admits none of McDermott’s behavior is especially egregious or extreme for a head coach in the NFL and cites that Belichick is the same way.  What’s missing with McDermott is the SB rings.  
 

So if you don’t like McDermott you’ll love this article.  If you’re on the fence or if you like McDermott I don’t think it will move the needle for you.  
 

But if you’re interested in the Bills, this is an enjoyable read.  I don’t feel like I’ve wasted $8 after part 1. 

 

I just feel it should be read w/ a critical lens.  Not to say that Dunne is biased but to remember the perspectives and motivations of former players and coaches in Buffalo who were either fired or unhappy.  Also remember there’s three sides to the truth.  
 

Think of a former workplace.  If you liked your boss your experience was likely positive.  If you don’t like your boss it was probably negative.  I think it’s that simple here. 

Thanks for the summary! 

[wettlaufer]

1 hour ago, RichRiderBills said:

 

Give me a break. This is the 2nd or 3rd hit piece Dunes attempted. His :13 second work didn't have the impact he wanted, so here we go again. 

 

It does not matter if you talk to 25 people or 100.... if you walk into the project with the central thesis burned into your brain and already written . This wasn't a comparative fair study, Dune went into this w a goal in mind of smearing McD. He found folks who would assist him and promote that, and gave alternative viewpoints only a smidgen if any acknowledgement. 

 

I don't need to talk to 25 people....Dunes put his material out their for fair scrutiny, and it does not pass the sniff test. 

 

The timing here was intended and overt: he wanted to kick Billsmafia when we were down. He wanted to affect the news, not report the news. 

 

To be frank, given how outright silly and petty many of the assertions are, it's just a shame this garbage has gained traction. 

 

Thanks for not doing the work. You have no idea how journalists operate or what constitutes good work in that field. You probably didn't read the entire piece either. Yeah, he did provide numerous alternate points of view. Again, it's first-hand people (25) telling the story, not Dunne. He's a conduit, but the testimony belongs to others, all of whom have worked with or for McD.

 

The guy isn't kicking Bills Mafia when it's down. It takes a long time to put together this sort of piece. It's entirely coincidental it came out a week after another McD late-game fail.

53 minutes ago, OldNMBillsFan said:

Your take is beyond stupid. And you know for a fact that the reporter just finished it? It most certainly was released to inflict the most damage. Look at it this way, there are 365 days in a year. It was "just finished" 3 days before the biggest game of the year. That's nonsense.

It was "certainly" released to inflict damage? Gosh, that seems like the easiest thing in the world to demonstrate convincingly. Please, regale us.

 

Do write reports? Try cases? Write for publication with 25 sources? I am guessing no.

[Success]

8 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

We have the worst record in the NFL with a lead under 2 minutes. We are 0-6 in our last 6 OT games. We can’t win a game decided by 7 points or less. Sure I want the playoffs. But just getting in is not success nor do they get to say that is just because they completely screwed the first half of the year. Do something to change the tide on the first 3 stats. Make a deep run and don’t lose on a choke job or blow out. Then maybe we can talk about success.

 

That's definitely fair.

 

None of us want to get caught in that "Rivers/Chargers" zone of being solid every year, but never getting that far in the playoffs.

 

I'm really torn on McD, but it will give me some pause if this team rallies now and goes on a run.  It's always kind of a work in progress.  Reid used to get the same criticism about winning big games in Philly (not saying McD could have a similar transformation, but I haven't ruled it out).

 

[hondo in seattle]

13 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

At the behest of @Scott7975 and @PBF81 I gave my $8 to Dunne to read the article.    So far I’ve only read part 1.  
 

Overall, I’ll say it was an interesting, well-written article.  Dunne put a lot of time into this both from a writing and speaking to sources.  
 

Is this a “hit piece” on McDermott?  I would not it call that.  Do I think this information is wrong or misleading?  Probably not.  However there is definitely a slant to his writing.  It’s a column and not a hard news story.  So in my opinion to question Dunne’s bias or the motivations behind many of the sources used is fair game.

 

 

in part 1 Dunne paints McDermott is a “tight,” “robotic,” controlling dictator of a coach of who is effusive of blame.  He’s as serious behind the scenes about football as he is on camera.  
 

To his credit, Dunne did try to balance the negativity a bit by including comments from Lee Smith and Pat DiMarco - 2 of the 25 sources who didn’t hide behind anonymity.  Both me praised McDermott leadership - especially how he turned around the team in 2017.

As far as the negativity, anonymous ex coaches and players said that McDermott:

- Ripped players/coaches in film sessions 

- Got ticked off with little things players did during practice that viewed as unprofessional.  

- Micromanaged his assistants 

- Was especially strict on work hours for players and coaches.  
- Not particularly warm to his lower-level support staff.  

 

Dunne also used comments from press conferences to show that McDermott was effusive of blame during losses.  
 

The “sour grapes” comment really come into play when sources claimed he was jealous players gave the truck to Chad Hall.   Also someone referenced the emotional clip from last summer where McDermott talks about the long hours of coaching and sleeping at the facility.  One coach disputed that McDermott ever slept at the facility and said there were times when he left earlier than some coaches.  These just seem like pot shots to me 🤷‍♂️
 

Dunne also claimed Bills assistants are “leaving in droves” to take lateral moves.  Seems to be a hyperbolic to me.   For example he cited Heath Farwell’s move to Jacksonville, however I didn’t get the impression they wanted him back.  Ditto for Bobby Johnson.  If I cared more I would actually do the math.  

Finally Dunne claimed McDermott wanted Leslie Frazier gone and the resignation was PR spin.  According to “sources” close to Leslie he realized Buffalo was not the right situation for him so the split was amicable in that way.   
 

In the end, Dunne admits none of McDermott’s behavior is especially egregious or extreme for a head coach in the NFL and cites that Belichick is the same way.  What’s missing with McDermott is the SB rings.  
 

So if you don’t like McDermott you’ll love this article.  If you’re on the fence or if you like McDermott I don’t think it will move the needle for you.  
 

But if you’re interested in the Bills, this is an enjoyable read.  I don’t feel like I’ve wasted $8 after part 1. 

 

I just feel it should be read w/ a critical lens.  Not to say that Dunne is biased but to remember the perspectives and motivations of former players and coaches in Buffalo who were either fired or unhappy.  Also remember there’s three sides to the truth.  
 

Think of a former workplace.  If you liked your boss your experience was likely positive.  If you don’t like your boss it was probably negative.  I think it’s that simple here. 

 

Thanks for the summary.  I didn't want to pony up $8 for what sounded like a hatchet job.  And now that you've provided the Reader's Digest version, I feel like I've learned enough. 

 

McD has detractors.  That's not new.  But it reminds me of the Charles Mackay quote:

 

“You have no enemies, you say? Alas, my friend, the boast is poor. He who has mingled in the fray of duty that the brave endure, must have made foes. If you have none, small is the work that you have done. You’ve hit no traitor on the hip. You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip. You’ve never turned the wrong to right. You’ve been a coward in the fight.”

 

I don't know what the truth is at OBD and don't pretend to.   But I don't think Dunne truly knows either because he seems to prefer to talk with the malcontents instead of seeking out a more balanced view.  

 

[phypon]

Am I the only one that keeps reading his name and pronouncing it in my head as "dune" even though I know it's pronounced "dun / done"? 

[RichRiderBills]

27 minutes ago, wettlaufer said:

 

Thanks for not doing the work. You have no idea how journalists operate or what constitutes good work in that field. You probably didn't read the entire piece either. Yeah, he did provide numerous alternate points of view. Again, it's first-hand people (25) telling the story, not Dunne. He's a conduit, but the testimony belongs to others, all of whom have worked with or for McD.

 

The guy isn't kicking Bills Mafia when it's down. It takes a long time to put together this sort of piece. It's entirely coincidental it came out a week after another McD late-game fail.

It was "certainly" released to inflict damage? Gosh, that seems like the easiest thing in the world to demonstrate convincingly. Please, regale us.

 

Do write reports? Try cases? Write for publication with 25 sources? I am guessing no.

 

Seriously what are you even talking about? 

[Kincaid Kool-Aid]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

 

I thought it was pretty clear the reporters caught Hyde on the way from practice and asked if he had any statement about it.

 

Yes, but the statement itself seemed less enthusiastic than one would expect from a captain and longtime player under McD in my opinion. Also, a reporter shoves a microphone in his face after practice. What is he supposed to say? 

[wettlaufer]

33 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Thanks for the summary.  I didn't want to pony up $8 for what sounded like a hatchet job.  And now that you've provided the Reader's Digest version, I feel like I've learned enough. 

 

McD has detractors.  That's not new.  But it reminds me of the Charles Mackay quote:

 

“You have no enemies, you say? Alas, my friend, the boast is poor. He who has mingled in the fray of duty that the brave endure, must have made foes. If you have none, small is the work that you have done. You’ve hit no traitor on the hip. You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip. You’ve never turned the wrong to right. You’ve been a coward in the fight.”

 

I don't know what the truth is at OBD and don't pretend to.   But I don't think Dunne truly knows either because he seems to prefer to talk with the malcontents instead of seeking out a more balanced view.  

 

 

Do you have any idea how rare this kind of article is? Or what constitutes good journalism?

 

And you just admitted you read enough (from screenshots, DMs, failed firewall blockers) of a 20,000 word piece (that's a GD senior thesis) to reiterate your going-in biases?

 

You're a scholar. A scholar and a GD gentleman.

[Beck Water]

48 minutes ago, wettlaufer said:

 

Thanks for not doing the work. You have no idea how journalists operate or what constitutes good work in that field. You probably didn't read the entire piece either. Yeah, he did provide numerous alternate points of view. Again, it's first-hand people (25) telling the story, not Dunne. He's a conduit, but the testimony belongs to others, all of whom have worked with or for McD.

 

The guy isn't kicking Bills Mafia when it's down. It takes a long time to put together this sort of piece. It's entirely coincidental it came out a week after another McD late-game fail.

It was "certainly" released to inflict damage? Gosh, that seems like the easiest thing in the world to demonstrate convincingly. Please, regale us.

 

Do write reports? Try cases? Write for publication with 25 sources? I am guessing no.

 

Dunne?  Ty Dunne?  Is that you? 😄  Just kidding.

 

I write reports.  I write for publication.  Last paper I wrote had 32 referenced sources and was so dry and technical you could place it in the desert and have it blend right in.

 

Journalism isn't my thing.  However, I feel I have some idea how journalists operate because I chat with them on occasion. 

Here's the thing: Ty Dunne is technically an independent contractor now.  He isn't writing for AP or for TBN which have standards for sourcing and verification in what they publish (Source: discussion with TBN sports editor Josh Barnett and AP reporter John Wawrow).  Upthread, I quoted an article by reporter and former Dunne mentor Chuck Pollock who points out that if Dunne were writing for a newspaper, there is no way he could have published a piece like that based on so many anonymous sources.  

So, writing independently gives Dunne great power he wouldn't have if he were writing for a publication.  "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" as Spiderman's Uncle Ben said repeatedly.

 

What Dunne wrote is, in journalistic terms, an opinion piece or opinion column.  He has sources, but he's not simply a conduit; he's not limiting himself to the "testimony of others".  He's mixing in his own slant and interpretation and using the sources to illustrate and support it.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, just a style of journalistic writing.  Several people upthread have gone point by point through fair-use excerpts and shown this pretty conclusively.  But, that you don't recognize this and refer to Dunne as "a conduit" and say "the testimony belongs to others", casts some doubt about your own understanding. 

 

I wouldn't argue that it was 'released to inflict damage'.  I don't know or pretend to know Dunne's motivations.  Dunne himself said in public interviews that he rushed completing the article after the Eagles game because he felt that close OT loss illustrated many of his points.   I think releasing it at a nexus point in the season, has the potential to maximize the interest it generates, and thus the traffic to Dunne's site/subscribers.  It's pretty clearly in Dunne's financial interest to release it now, but I don't know for sure whether financial interest motivated him, either.  Releasing it now also has a high potential to cause damage to the Bills season, but I can't tell you if that was a motivation or collateral damage.

 

 

Edited December 10, 2023 by Beck Water

[Rico]

1 minute ago, Beck Water said:

 

Dunne?  Ty Dunne?  Is that you?

 

I write reports.

I write for publication

Last paper I wrote had 32 sources

I started work on a book a few years ago called “The Drought Era - 17 Years Of Hell”. I had 50 sources…. FIFTY! I had to drop the project though when only 2 of them would allow me to use their names, Chalkie Gerzowski and ICE.  

[wettlaufer]

17 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Dunne?  Ty Dunne?  Is that you?

 

I write reports.

I write for publication

Last paper I wrote had 32 sources

Lets see it then.

[Beck Water]

9 minutes ago, wettlaufer said:

Lets see it then.

 

It's published and accessioned in Medline and PubMed.  But I ain't telling you my name.  Sorry.NotSorry.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Beck Water

[Scott7975]

1 hour ago, Warcodered said:

 

Yeah no one was worrying about this at all at the time, definitely not something the Head Coach would want to make sure wasn't a problem going forward.

He literally said it fit his narrative, journalistic integrity right there. 🤣

 

A few fans that don't know anything big deal.  No media, no NFL word.

[RichRiderBills]

37 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Dunne?  Ty Dunne?  Is that you? 😄  Just kidding.

 

I write reports.  I write for publication.  Last paper I wrote had 32 referenced sources and was so dry and technical you could place it in the desert and have it blend right in.

 

Journalism isn't my thing.  However, I feel I have some idea how journalists operate because I chat with them on occasion. 

Here's the thing: Ty Dunne is technically an independent contractor now.  He isn't writing for AP or for TBN which have standards for sourcing and verification in what they publish (Source: discussion with TBN sports editor Josh Barnett and AP reporter John Wawrow).  Upthread, I quoted an article by reporter and former Dunne mentor Chuck Pollock who points out that if Dunne were writing for a newspaper, there is no way he could have published a piece like that based on so many anonymous sources.  

So, writing independently gives Dunne great power he wouldn't have if he were writing for a publication.  "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" as Spiderman's Uncle Ben said repeatedly.

 

What Dunne wrote is, in journalistic terms, an opinion piece or opinion column.  He has sources, but he's not simply a conduit; he's not limiting himself to the "testimony of others".  He's mixing in his own slant and interpretation and using the sources to illustrate and support it.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, just a style of journalistic writing.  Several people upthread have gone point by point through fair-use excerpts and shown this pretty conclusively.  But, that you don't recognize this and refer to Dunne as "a conduit" and say "the testimony belongs to others", casts some doubt about your own understanding. 

 

I wouldn't argue that it was 'released to inflict damage'.  I don't know or pretend to know Dunne's motivations.  Dunne himself said in public interviews that he rushed completing the article after the Eagles game because he felt that close OT loss illustrated many of his points.   I think releasing it at a nexus point in the season, has the potential to maximize the interest it generates, and thus the traffic to Dunne's site/subscribers.  It's pretty clearly in Dunne's financial interest to release it now, but I don't know for sure whether financial interest motivated him, either.  Releasing it now also has a high potential to cause damage to the Bills season, but I can't tell you if that was a motivation or collateral damage.

 

 

 

This is really well written and I really appreciate this perspective. 

[wettlaufer]

11 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

It's published and accessioned in Medline and PubMed.  But I ain't telling you my name.  Sorry.NotSorry.

So, peer-reviewed clinician objects to peer review. Got it.

41 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Dunne?  Ty Dunne?  Is that you? 😄  Just kidding.

 

I write reports.  I write for publication.  Last paper I wrote had 32 referenced sources and was so dry and technical you could place it in the desert and have it blend right in.

 

Journalism isn't my thing.  However, I feel I have some idea how journalists operate because I chat with them on occasion. 

Here's the thing: Ty Dunne is technically an independent contractor now.  He isn't writing for AP or for TBN which have standards for sourcing and verification in what they publish (Source: discussion with TBN sports editor Josh Barnett and AP reporter John Wawrow).  Upthread, I quoted an article by reporter and former Dunne mentor Chuck Pollock who points out that if Dunne were writing for a newspaper, there is no way he could have published a piece like that based on so many anonymous sources.  

So, writing independently gives Dunne great power he wouldn't have if he were writing for a publication.  "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" as Spiderman's Uncle Ben said repeatedly.

 

What Dunne wrote is, in journalistic terms, an opinion piece or opinion column.  He has sources, but he's not simply a conduit; he's not limiting himself to the "testimony of others".  He's mixing in his own slant and interpretation and using the sources to illustrate and support it.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, just a style of journalistic writing.  Several people upthread have gone point by point through fair-use excerpts and shown this pretty conclusively.  But, that you don't recognize this and refer to Dunne as "a conduit" and say "the testimony belongs to others", casts some doubt about your own understanding. 

 

I wouldn't argue that it was 'released to inflict damage'.  I don't know or pretend to know Dunne's motivations.  Dunne himself said in public interviews that he rushed completing the article after the Eagles game because he felt that close OT loss illustrated many of his points.   I think releasing it at a nexus point in the season, has the potential to maximize the interest it generates, and thus the traffic to Dunne's site/subscribers.  It's pretty clearly in Dunne's financial interest to release it now, but I don't know for sure whether financial interest motivated him, either.  Releasing it now also has a high potential to cause damage to the Bills season, but I can't tell you if that was a motivation or collateral damage.

 

 

This is a very reasoned response and I appreciate it.

 

Dunne had to get this out because his time, like that of any of us, is worth money. This thing was an investment of time and reputation and I don't think it was frivolous or shoddy.

[RichRiderBills]

This thread is taking a concerning trend. We see this on the legal threads and the film watcher threads etc.  You don't have to be a reporter to interpret Dune's piece.

 

Everything has a sniff test of authenticity and Dune is putting this out to everyone, not just reporters. Therefore, you better expect it to connect or add up or face the consequences. 

 

I don't need to be a comedian or movie maker to tell you "Freddy Got Fingered" ( IMO the worst movie of all time) is a horrible movie. The sniff test.

 

Dunne's piece does not pass the sniff test. 

[Scott7975]

1 hour ago, JohnNord said:

At the behest of @Scott7975 and @PBF81 I gave my $8 to Dunne to read the article.    So far I’ve only read part 1.  
 

Overall, I’ll say it was an interesting, well-written article.  Dunne put a lot of time into this both from a writing and speaking to sources.  
 

Is this a “hit piece” on McDermott?  I would not it call that.  Do I think this information is wrong or misleading?  Probably not.  However there is definitely a slant to his writing.  It’s a column and not a hard news story.  So in my opinion to question Dunne’s bias or the motivations behind many of the sources used is fair game.

 

 

in part 1 Dunne paints McDermott is a “tight,” “robotic,” controlling dictator of a coach of who is effusive of blame.  He’s as serious behind the scenes about football as he is on camera.  
 

To his credit, Dunne did try to balance the negativity a bit by including comments from Lee Smith and Pat DiMarco - 2 of the 25 sources who didn’t hide behind anonymity.  Both me praised McDermott leadership - especially how he turned around the team in 2017.

As far as the negativity, anonymous ex coaches and players said that McDermott:

- Ripped players/coaches in film sessions 

- Got ticked off with little things players did during practice that viewed as unprofessional.  

- Micromanaged his assistants 

- Was especially strict on work hours for players and coaches.  
- Not particularly warm to his lower-level support staff.  

 

Dunne also used comments from press conferences to show that McDermott was effusive of blame during losses.  
 

The “sour grapes” comment really come into play when sources claimed he was jealous players gave the truck to Chad Hall.   Also someone referenced the emotional clip from last summer where McDermott talks about the long hours of coaching and sleeping at the facility.  One coach disputed that McDermott ever slept at the facility and said there were times when he left earlier than some coaches.  These just seem like pot shots to me 🤷‍♂️
 

Dunne also claimed Bills assistants are “leaving in droves” to take lateral moves.  Seems to be a hyperbolic to me.   For example he cited Heath Farwell’s move to Jacksonville, however I didn’t get the impression they wanted him back.  Ditto for Bobby Johnson.  If I cared more I would actually do the math.  

Finally Dunne claimed McDermott wanted Leslie Frazier gone and the resignation was PR spin.  According to “sources” close to Leslie he realized Buffalo was not the right situation for him so the split was amicable in that way.   
 

In the end, Dunne admits none of McDermott’s behavior is especially egregious or extreme for a head coach in the NFL and cites that Belichick is the same way.  What’s missing with McDermott is the SB rings.  
 

So if you don’t like McDermott you’ll love this article.  If you’re on the fence or if you like McDermott I don’t think it will move the needle for you.  
 

But if you’re interested in the Bills, this is an enjoyable read.  I don’t feel like I’ve wasted $8 after part 1. 

 

I just feel it should be read w/ a critical lens.  Not to say that Dunne is biased but to remember the perspectives and motivations of former players and coaches in Buffalo who were either fired or unhappy.  Also remember there’s three sides to the truth.  
 

Think of a former workplace.  If you liked your boss your experience was likely positive.  If you don’t like your boss it was probably negative.  I think it’s that simple here. 

 

I just want to comment on a few things here.  Mostly I agree with your writeup.

 

1. Please everyone... I don't want you to think I am trying to get you to pay for the article. I just wish that people wouldn't go ape ***** and make all kinds of comments when they haven't read but a little snippet of it.  That simply isn't fair and a lot of misinformation.  Making a comment on a snippet that was read is fair.  Passing it off to the whole article is not.

 

2. " One coach disputed that McDermott ever slept at the facility and said there were times when he left earlier than some coaches.  These just seem like pot shots to me 🤷‍♂️"    This was not a pot shot or sour grapes. This was Dunne backing up his opinion that McD was fake. Remember, this part really started with McD telling the media that he often sleeps at work.  If it is indeed true that he doesn't, and I am not making a claim whether he does or not, then that would be fake or phony.

 

Thats about all really.  I don't disagree really with anything you say here.  I felt it was worth the 8 bucks because I enjoyed the read.  I like knowing things I don't know.  Have to know where to separate Dunne's opinion from the truths of the article and come to a conclusion for yourself.  You seem to be able to do that.  Ya know, everyone is going to have their own opinion.  I just want people to actually read before making it because that's the fair thing to do, but I am not trying to suggest anyone pay for it.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Scott7975