McDermott - Excuses, Valid but concerning

[Gregg]

Just now, Aussie Joe said:

The fans will keep buying the tickets as long as they have Josh Allen playing close to the level he is now… so how long is that ? 5 or 6 years minimum probably 

 

Many fans won't though. Some won't be able to afford it, or they will choose not to pay it. Living in NJ I can tell you many Jets-Giants season ticket holders dropped their season tickets and now just purchase individual tickets to the games they want to go to. It is also a way to avoid paying the PSL fee. I imagine many Bills fans will do the same thing.

[Simon]

3 hours ago, phypon said:

When I saw the 2nd down play I knew it was stupid.  And then they did it AGAIN! 

 

Actually they didn't. They ran a route combo looking to get somebody open for the first down, but all three guys ran their routes short of the sticks and the design did little to create stress or confusion in the secondary and the Chiefs had everybody covered easily.

[Aussie Joe]

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

 

Many fans won't though. Some won't be able to afford it, or they will choose not to pay it. Living in NJ I can tell you many Jets-Giants season ticket holders dropped their season tickets and now just purchase individual tickets to the games they want to go to. It is also a way to avoid paying the PSL fee. I imagine many Bills fans will do the same thing.

The Jets and Giants sell the tickets still .. that’s all they care about …

 

[L Ron Burgundy]

2 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

Ha, The man took the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs with Tyrod Taylor!

 

Just an FYI, his defenses have been in the top 5 for many seasons. They went from 20th or so to #2 overall in 2019 and #1 overall in 2021. The Bills need his defense. 

 

The man is an Andy Reid disciple and he knows how important that passing game is as he recently said so. Injuries to the defense derailed the team the last two seasons and with that 13-second debacle, that DC is gone. 

 

Crying and whining about this won't change a thing...but, keep it up if it makes some feel better to complain. 

 

 

Think about this in terms of what happened with Dan Marino and with other teams. The Buffalo Bills kept ole Dan from the SB and kept KC, and Denver outta the SB too back in the early 90's. 

 

Look at it this way. As good as John Elway was, he didn't win an SB until Shanahan built a power run game in Denver with RB Terrell Davis. Look at this past Buffalo game to see what Joe Brady has done with the Buffalo run game. I'm already excited for the 2024 season. 

 

 

I respect this take and valid point about getting to the playoffs with Tyrod and on Elway.  Now, you should examine Sean's defensive playoff performances.   Historically poor.  Great, he does well in the regular season.   His defenses have been torched come playoff time.  You can give a pass this year, what about other years?   More and more he feels like Shottenheimer.  We will forever regret not winning a super bowl with Josh.  I hope we don't miss out because we held on to a coach who did a great job building us up but didn't have the acumen to close against great coaches when games count most.

[phypon]

2 hours ago, Simon said:

 

Actually they didn't. They ran a route combo looking to get somebody open for the first down, but all three guys ran their routes short of the sticks and the design did little to create stress or confusion in the secondary and the Chiefs had everybody covered easily.

Yup, it was a horrible design.  It still ended up being an end zone throw though.  Not sure if that was the intent of the design, but either way it was two end zone throws on 2nd and 3rd down.

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, phypon said:

Yup, it was a horrible design.  It still ended up being an end zone throw though.  Not sure if that was the intent of the design, but either way it was two end zone throws on 2nd and 3rd down.

 

I think the throw to the endzone was just him running out of time and space and tossing a prayer in hopes that somebody would make a play similar to Shakir's earlier TD while also making sure that a turnover was not in play.

[Livinginthepast]

9 hours ago, BillsMontreal said:

Exactly.

 

In that situation, Allen should never throw in the end zone.  Even if they scored, if the Chiefs scored on their drive, we would talk about this choice.

But, it is a football situation and fair enough.

 

My problem: if Allen threw it in the end zone, it's because someone told him he can.

Even an Elite QB needs an Elite HC and this situation is the perfect example.

Our HC let it in the hands of our Elite QB. He didnt coach him.

Go get 9 yards, boys. Choose any play you want, but you have 3 plays for 9 yards. Go get the first down.

 

Another situation when it counts the most where we seems totally lost on the field. Nothing was clear and we had to try a FG with 1m44 left.

It's sad at this point.

Tried to respond to this post earlier in the morning but thread got moved and it got deleted.

 

I agree with you on this. McD and Brady need to clarify what the thinking was at the end of the game.The strategy should have been to kill clock and dink and dunk to get a first down, the ultimate goal being a TD with almost no time for the Chiefs to respond. In the worse case scenario of going for the FG, two other criteria had to be achieved first. 

 

1. They had to get closer than 44 yards as Bass had been iffy in the past few weeks. At least in the low 30s for distance.

2. If kicking a FG they had to have used up as much time as possible to avoid a 13 seconds repeat for the winning KC FG after they kick off.

 

Josh had to have been following direction from Brady and McD and if he didnt listen then why not? It should have never got to 4th and 9 in that situation. They should have been doing some safe, high % passes and runs to get us closer to the first down while killing clock.  I still believe that on the 4th and 9 with 1:44 left and a kick that far away we should have gone for it. Kicking was too risky with an iffy kicker, the wind in that stadium and cold temperatures. 

 

So in the end, was there a strategy in place or did McD freeze when the pressure was on? 

[Nihilarian]

8 hours ago, L Ron Burgundy said:

I respect this take and valid point about getting to the playoffs with Tyrod and on Elway.  Now, you should examine Sean's defensive playoff performances.   Historically poor.  Great, he does well in the regular season.   His defenses have been torched come playoff time.  You can give a pass this year, what about other years?   More and more he feels like Shottenheimer.  We will forever regret not winning a super bowl with Josh.  I hope we don't miss out because we held on to a coach who did a great job building us up but didn't have the acumen to close against great coaches when games count most.

Now, think about something for a second. This team just went into a playoff game with a guy fresh off the street at linebacker. The guy might know the scheme but there was a reason he wasn't even on the practice roster. The starter, the backup up, and his backup were all out injured. The Bills still held the best damn team the past four years to 3 points and it probably should have gone into OT if Bass makes that FG.

 

The thing about this team the last few years is they tried to move forward with veteran players and it just might be that after such a long season, they fall off a cliff with injuries. This season they will be financially forced to go with a youth movement as they simply can't afford to keep everyone. That D line especially. It's not coaching because McD deserves CotY for getting this team to where it was with such a depleted force. 

 

Injuries on the defense have killed the team at the end of the season the last two years and injuries are not the fault of the coaches.

 

Now think of this era of the NFL like the NBA when Michael Jordan was winning championships as many stars of that time were kept out of the championship games because the Bulls were always in it. The KC Chiefs have been the best team the the NFL for the last four years by being in three of the last four and winning two of them.

 

Things may soon change for Mahomes and the Chiefs as that division just got a whole lot better. Jim Harbaugh is now the new HC of the Chargers. Denver has Sean Payton and the Raiders have a better HC/GM. 

 

Hopefully, Buffalo GM Brandon Beane can work his magic and build another playoff roster for 2024 and he has his work cut out for him as do the coaches who will need to coach up some younger players. 

 

 

Edited January 26 by Nihilarian

[L Ron Burgundy]

10 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

Now, think about something for a second. This team just went into a playoff game with a guy fresh off the street at linebacker. The guy might know the scheme but there was a reason he wasn't even on the practice roster. The starter, the backup up, and his backup were all out injured. The Bills still held the best damn team the past four years to 3 points and it probably should have gone into OT if Bass makes that FG.

 

The thing about this team the last few years is they tried to move forward with veteran players and it just might be that after such a long season, they fall off a cliff with injuries. This season they will be financially forced to go with a youth movement as they simply can't afford to keep everyone. That D line especially. It's not coaching because McD deserves CotY for getting this team to where it was with such a depleted force. 

 

 

 

So the reason for historically bad playoff defenses is we've been too old?  I don't buy that.  I want to believe we're set up for success.   It looks more like we've plateud.  Good offensive coaches smoke our coach and I've seen nothing that shows he can adapt his approach to beat them.  I get giving a pass this year but when you zoom out he gets an F for playoff defenses, his strength.   So what's his purpose if he can't build a playoff defense?  He gets crazy points for ending the drought.   We're looking for Superbowls now.  He may not be the guy.  

[Nihilarian]

14 minutes ago, L Ron Burgundy said:

So the reason for historically bad playoff defenses is we've been too old?  I don't buy that.  I want to believe we're set up for success.   It looks more like we've plateud.  Good offensive coaches smoke our coach and I've seen nothing that shows he can adapt his approach to beat them.  I get giving a pass this year but when you zoom out he gets an F for playoff defenses, his strength.   So what's his purpose if he can't build a playoff defense?  He gets crazy points for ending the drought.   We're looking for Superbowls now.  He may not be the guy.  

You don't buy it?

 

I suppose you missed the part where a guy off the street was starting at linebacker for Buffalo in this past playoff game. He shouldn't have even been on the team, he was dreadful. What other NFL team could hold the KC Chiefs to 3 points with so many injured on defense? And the team still could have moved on had Bass made that FG. Let's not also forget that Buffalo OC Joe Brady was a rookie play-caller this season.

 

The Buffalo D line went invisible in this game (save Groot, Von). Rasoul Douglas was still nicked up. Dane Jackson was a disaster. No pass rush on Mahomes at all. I have no answer as to why the Buffalo defensive line was nowhere to be found...none!  But I don't blame the HC for them stinking it up. Need some new players IMO.

 

BTW, What the hell happened to WR Stephon Diggs in this game? 8 targets, and 3 receptions for 21 yards in a playoff game of this importance. Injured or just worn out? No idea myself. Not blaming the HC though. 

[Shortchaz]

I think McDermott should go but not because I think he’s an awful coach. He had his shot and it didn’t happen; for many reasons. we’re in purgatory and a fresh perspective is needed. 

[L Ron Burgundy]

45 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

You don't buy it?

 

I suppose you missed the part where a guy off the street was starting at linebacker for Buffalo in this past playoff game. He shouldn't have even been on the team, he was dreadful. What other NFL team could hold the KC Chiefs to 3 points with so many injured on defense? And the team still could have moved on had Bass made that FG. Let's not also forget that Buffalo OC Joe Brady was a rookie play-caller this season.

 

The Buffalo D line went invisible in this game (save Groot, Von). Rasoul Douglas was still nicked up. Dane Jackson was a disaster. No pass rush on Mahomes at all. I have no answer as to why the Buffalo defensive line was nowhere to be found...none!  But I don't blame the HC for them stinking it up. Need some new players IMO.

 

BTW, What the hell happened to WR Stephon Diggs in this game? 8 targets, and 3 receptions for 21 yards in a playoff game of this importance. Injured or just worn out? No idea myself. Not blaming the HC though. 

You keep talking about this year.  I'm talking about his entire playoff resume.  Zoom out.  When rating his playoff defense he gets an F.  And if that's his specialty wtf are we doing?  What does he bring?  Culture?  Bottom line, I want someone smarter.  I'd prefer an offensive minded specialist but I'll take what I can get.  I wish I was where you are at in terms of faith in this team.  It will all be on Josh's shoulders again.   The defense?  Likely worse unless we pull out a miracle draft.

[BananaB]

35 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

You don't buy it?

 

I suppose you missed the part where a guy off the street was starting at linebacker for Buffalo in this past playoff game. He shouldn't have even been on the team, he was dreadful. What other NFL team could hold the KC Chiefs to 3 points with so many injured on defense? And the team still could have moved on had Bass made that FG. Let's not also forget that Buffalo OC Joe Brady was a rookie play-caller this season.

 

The Buffalo D line went invisible in this game (save Groot, Von). Rasoul Douglas was still nicked up. Dane Jackson was a disaster. No pass rush on Mahomes at all. I have no answer as to why the Buffalo defensive line was nowhere to be found...none!  But I don't blame the HC for them stinking it up. Need some new players IMO.

 

BTW, What the hell happened to WR Stephon Diggs in this game? 8 targets, and 3 receptions for 21 yards in a playoff game of this importance. Injured or just worn out? No idea myself. Not blaming the HC though. 

You act like this has been the only time his D was a no show in the playoffs. Why don’t ask McD why he chose Klein to start over a rookie who was active all year. I’d like to know myself. 3 playoff games against the Chiefs, not one sack or Int. They average over 35 points in those games and have generated 1 turnover. For a coach who keeps pushing  “we gotta win the turnover battle” down everyone’s throats how do they do that if they can’t force any?  His system is soft. They get exposed every year in the playoffs.  It’s the reason why they choke in the final minutes of play when the game is on the line. 

[gobills404]

On 1/22/2024 at 11:00 AM, BigDingus said:

Let's not forget Andy Reid's playoff history before Mahomes.

 

Great point. McDermott will totally become a SB winning coach like Reid once he has an elite, generational talent at QB. Oh wait…

 

[gobills404]

13 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

Be grateful that the Buffalo Bills have an HC that has taken this team to the playoffs 6 of 7 years and won the division the last 4.

No. If we still had fringe backup QBs like the drought years I’d be grateful. But we have a generational talent at QB that is one of the best postseason QBs of all time. The standards and expectations have changed. If you’re still happy to just make the playoffs then good for you, but the vast majority fans are not. Losing in the divisional round 3 years in a row with Josh Allen as your QB is a travesty.

[Mikie2times]

13 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

Ha, The man took the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs with Tyrod Taylor!

 

Just an FYI, his defenses have been in the top 5 for many seasons. They went from 20th or so to #2 overall in 2019 and #1 overall in 2021. The Bills need his defense. 

 

The man is an Andy Reid disciple and he knows how important that passing game is as he recently said so. Injuries to the defense derailed the team the last two seasons and with that 13-second debacle, that DC is gone. 

 

Crying and whining about this won't change a thing...but, keep it up if it makes some feel better to complain. 

 

 

Think about this in terms of what happened with Dan Marino and with other teams. The Buffalo Bills kept ole Dan from the SB and kept KC, and Denver outta the SB too back in the early 90's. 

 

Look at it this way. As good as John Elway was, he didn't win an SB until Shanahan built a power run game in Denver with RB Terrell Davis. Look at this past Buffalo game to see what Joe Brady has done with the Buffalo run game. I'm already excited for the 2024 season. 

 

 

He won one more game than Rex Ryan and if his defenses have been so good, why do we spend every offseason complaining that our HOF QB just didn’t have any help. Hint, it’s not because Diggs dropped a bomb.

Edited January 26 by Mikie2times

[Nihilarian]

29 minutes ago, L Ron Burgundy said:

You keep talking about this year.  I'm talking about his entire playoff resume.  Zoom out.  When rating his playoff defense he gets an F.  And if that's his specialty wtf are we doing?  What does he bring?  Culture?  Bottom line, I want someone smarter.  I'd prefer an offensive minded specialist but I'll take what I can get.  I wish I was where you are at in terms of faith in this team.  It will all be on Josh's shoulders again.   The defense?  Likely worse unless we pull out a miracle draft.

 The 13 seconds was on Leslie Frazier for 2021...he is now gone! 

 

In 2022 in that Bengals playoff game, the entire team besides Allen was flat. Diggs went 10 targets for 4 receptions for 35 yards. I mean WTF is this guy a #1 WR or not? Shouldn't players step up and play their best game in the playoffs or fall on their faces? 

 

It wasn't just the defense that played poorly that day as the offense couldn't get going either and the Buffalo offensive line wasn't as good as they were this. 

season. One sack all game on Burrow by Milano and Burrow had his way all game. Not to mention that the Bengal's run game ran over the Buffalo defense. If you look at the big picture the team might have been emotionally spent from the Damar Hamlin episode. 

 

This team doesn't have a Bruce Smith, or Cornelius Bennett pass rusher that steps up for the playoffs, and because they haven't drafted in the top 10 they won't ever see those. Although, Beane has done a great job in finding players like Leonard Floyd who played great this season. Yet, what happened to the guy in the playoffs? 

 

Diggs falls on his face and WR Khalil Shakir steps up. Gabe Davis was out injured. Harty and Sherfield fell on their faces. This team needs to move away from the veterans who are worn out at the end of a long season and bring in younger players is all I can think of. 

 

McD has had some really good defenses #4 in points allowed, #9 in yards allowed in 2023 despite all the injuries. 2022, #2 in points, #6 in yards. 2021 #1 defense overall in the entire NFL. 2019 #2, #3. 

 

Look at the job the guy did this season in the team being 6-6 to pull out an 11-6 with two playoff home games.  I have no idea who would be a better head coach for the Buffalo Bills.

 

 

On another note, this team needs a serious #1 WR and a #2 WR. If Diggs can't step up when needed in the playoffs... what good is he? Davis was injured and not a real #2 anyway. Shakir has filled in that slot in Cole Beasley's role. Buffalo has two really good tight ends and the newest one could be another Travis Kelce.

 

Filling the roster for the 2024 defense is going to be a big job going forward and you just might get your wish after this upcoming season. 

 

 

 

[L Ron Burgundy]

52 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

 The 13 seconds was on Leslie Frazier for 2021...he is now gone! 

 

In 2022 in that Bengals playoff game, the entire team besides Allen was flat. Diggs went 10 targets for 4 receptions for 35 yards. I mean WTF is this guy a #1 WR or not? Shouldn't players step up and play their best game in the playoffs or fall on their faces? 

 

It wasn't just the defense that played poorly that day as the offense couldn't get going either and the Buffalo offensive line wasn't as good as they were this. 

season. One sack all game on Burrow by Milano and Burrow had his way all game. Not to mention that the Bengal's run game ran over the Buffalo defense. If you look at the big picture the team might have been emotionally spent from the Damar Hamlin episode. 

 

This team doesn't have a Bruce Smith, or Cornelius Bennett pass rusher that steps up for the playoffs, and because they haven't drafted in the top 10 they won't ever see those. Although, Beane has done a great job in finding players like Leonard Floyd who played great this season. Yet, what happened to the guy in the playoffs? 

 

Diggs falls on his face and WR Khalil Shakir steps up. Gabe Davis was out injured. Harty and Sherfield fell on their faces. This team needs to move away from the veterans who are worn out at the end of a long season and bring in younger players is all I can think of. 

 

McD has had some really good defenses #4 in points allowed, #9 in yards allowed in 2023 despite all the injuries. 2022, #2 in points, #6 in yards. 2021 #1 defense overall in the entire NFL. 2019 #2, #3. 

 

Look at the job the guy did this season in the team being 6-6 to pull out an 11-6 with two playoff home games.  I have no idea who would be a better head coach for the Buffalo Bills.

 

 

On another note, this team needs a serious #1 WR and a #2 WR. If Diggs can't step up when needed in the playoffs... what good is he? Davis was injured and not a real #2 anyway. Shakir has filled in that slot in Cole Beasley's role. Buffalo has two really good tight ends and the newest one could be another Travis Kelce.

 

Filling the roster for the 2024 defense is going to be a big job going forward and you just might get your wish after this upcoming season. 

 

 

 

I agree with a lot you say but McD is getting a pass for playoff performances from you.   You mention the 13 second game.   The only reason that we were in that was Josh.  It's another game where our D is nonexistent.   Thats on mcd.  As Bills fans I think our biggest negative is being too loyal.  I get that sound counter productive but you have to know when to cut ties.  Give Mcd a standing a ovation by all means but do it as he's leaving.  He has 1 game he coached well defensively in the playoffs.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, gobills404 said:

No. If we still had fringe backup QBs like the drought years I’d be grateful. But we have a generational talent at QB that is one of the best postseason QBs of all time. The standards and expectations have changed. If you’re still happy to just make the playoffs then good for you, but the vast majority fans are not. Losing in the divisional round 3 years in a row with Josh Allen as your QB is a travesty.

 

To Patrick Mahomes x2 and Joe Burrow. We are losing to fighters in Allen's weight class so to speak. Now I get it is frustrating as hell losing to them.... and we have had our chances to beat them. Including on Sunday when for all the failures Josh and the offense had the chance to go and win the game at the end. They didn't execute.

3 hours ago, BananaB said:

 Why don’t ask McD why he chose Klein to start over a rookie who was active all year. I’d like to know myself. 

 

Easy. That rookie can't call the defense and has struggled to even line up right. Twice in the Steelers game and once in his limited snaps agains the Chiefs he was clearly in the wrong spot and teammates were trying to move him as the offense snapped the ball. If you'd have started him the Chiefs would have gone right after him too. It is the result of being down to your third string linebackers.

[BillsMontreal]

1 hour ago, L Ron Burgundy said:

I agree with a lot you say but McD is getting a pass for playoff performances from you.   You mention the 13 second game.   The only reason that we were in that was Josh.  It's another game where our D is nonexistent.   Thats on mcd.  As Bills fans I think our biggest negative is being too loyal.  I get that sound counter productive but you have to know when to cut ties.  Give Mcd a standing a ovation by all means but do it as he's leaving.  He has 1 game he coached well defensively in the playoffs.

I agree with you on that one.  

 

I think some fans begin to take what Allen brings on the field almost for grant.

We need him to be so perfect to win those game...and we seems to absolutely forget what he did.

 

If someone told me a QB can do that on the field, let say 10 years ago, i'm not sure i could believe him.

 

Just last sunday, he was on the field for 37 minuts. Against the Super Bowl champs in playoff, the offense he lead found a way to be our best defense by being on the field for 37 minuts against a real good defense.

And we talk about his mistakes...

 

Like every Elite players, he will make mistakes. Asking him to be perfect because we lose if he isnt... say something.

And, let say the truth, even if he is near perfect, we find a way to lose, like that 13 seconds.

 

I just take a little step back...and what he brings on the field is absolutly incredible. It's at another level. 

 

Asking for more than that from our QB (even if he could be always better)...asking for the impossible...just tell us the problem is elsewhere.

 

Being loyal like you said is fair enough but we cant act like we dont know.

 

Edited January 26 by BillsMontreal