McDermott - Excuses, Valid but concerning

[Alphadawg7]

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Something about Vrabel tells me this team would be that much harder to beat with him at the healm.

FIRE MCD!!!!!!!! I used to like him. even up until kickoff yesterday. That, last night, was pathetic coaching.

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Let's run Cook up the middle, over and over again.

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Let's call a fake punt.

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

11 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

let's play safe so we can get the FG.

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

[mozillameister]

9 hours ago, PauleeeWalnuts said:

Unfortunately, they won’t fire McD this off season when there is a good crop of available, experienced coaches. They will do the “Billsy” thing and fire him after next season, when no one is available. 

That is precisely my fear…if we fired McD now we instantly become the #1 HC job. Next year we won’t have a ton of choices at HC, and we are a team that doesn’t need to experiment with a maybe hire. Right now Harbaugh is just cursory interviewing. He’s ripe for the picking.

 

imagine his roster management and ability to identify top talent in scouting combined with his coaching and experience in getting the most out of his QBs…we’d be unstoppable with a good DC at the helm.

Edited January 23 by mozillameister

[Shortchaz]

Belichick for hc, McDaniels for oc, vrabel for dc/assistant hc. Vrabel replaces belichick after he retires. 
 

just my madden-esque dream scenario. 

[gjv]

I wonder if Diggs catches the long ball from Allen this topic is discussed.

[SCBills]

2 minutes ago, gjv said:

I wonder if Diggs catches the long ball from Allen this topic is discussed.

Do we win in this hypothetical?

 

If we won, we’d be convincing ourselves the injuries were just the perfect storm but we overcame and will get healthy for Baltimore. 
 

But we lost. 
 

Which is the entire point. 

[uticaclub]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

People just like to use buzzwords to make their point. Agressiveness/Playing it Safe isnt why McDermott has to go, the inability to win compete in a conference championship because of roster construction, terrible real time decisions and the inability to make adjustments is why we need a new voice & new direction

[Mikie2times]

He has one of the worst divisional playoff records in NFL history.
 

He is one of only two coaches that have a .600 or better regular season record and have not won a conference championship (LaFluer).

 

Our current ceiling is a wild card victory. Who would not be able to navigate us to such a feat if he wasn’t around? 
 

If you don’t believe he is the wrong guy we are getting awfully close to just needing a change in scenery. We can’t just run it back every year. We are wasting time. 

[chongli]

Patience is a virtue.

 

Super Bowls are not easy to come by; neither are Conference Championship Games. They often are a matter of luck. How many SB's did Dan Fouts go to? How many Conference Championships has Lamar Jackson been to? Both had great coaches.

 

The Indianapolis Colts under Peyton Manning did not even make a SB until his ninth year, in 2006. They only made it to one Conference Championship before that:

 

1998 - missed playoffs

1999 - lost Div.

2000 - lost WC

2001 - missed playoffs

2002 - lost WC

2003 - lost Conf.

2004 - lost Div.

2005 - lost Div.

2006 - won SB

 

2024 will be Josh's seventh year only. We still have time. I don't think you will do much better than McDermott with what's out there.

[Mikie2times]

9 hours ago, Governor said:

Reid finally got himself a great DC. That’s all he did. We can’t be great on defense because our HC is the DC and it’s his fatally flawed scheme. There is no way to follow what Reid did.

 

Reid lost in Philly because of Jim Johnson and McD. Those defenses were shredded when the playoffs began. He also had bad end of game management like McD. Jim Johnson was known for having good regular season defense that folded in the playoffs. Sound familiar?

 

In KC, it was the same thing. Bad defenses. Then it became bad QB, until he drafted Mahomes.

 

If you gave Reid McD and his defense, he would still be blowing games just like he always was.

 

Point is, our problem is on McD’s side of the ball. The only way to fix it would be by demoting himself and hiring a DC with a new scheme. That wasn’t the case for Andy Reid. If McD wants a future at HC, he will have to turn that side of the ball over to someone else. That will be his Andy Reid moment that could change his trajectory.

We can’t get a top mind in either spot. Defense would infringe on his turf. They couldn’t run a different system. Nor operate independently at all. Offense would never have the freedom to draw a top mind. He would box in the ideology to complimentary football and restrict ingenuity.
 

He’s preventing us from being in the market to grab a top coordinator in either position. We will only ever go as far as his beliefs, ideas, and strategies. He wasn’t even that successful as a coordinator. If only he could let go and become a coach to his coordinators. Empower others to be great. He has shown a knack for keeping this team level and focused and he is a leader.  That is his only chance to salvage this but it will

never happen. That’s not who he is.

4 minutes ago, chongli said:

Patience is a virtue.

 

Super Bowls are not easy to come by; neither are Conference Championship Games. They often are a matter of luck. How many SB's did Dan Fouts go to? How many Conference Championships has Lamar Jackson been to? Both had great coaches.

 

The Indianapolis Colts under Peyton Manning did not even make a SB until his ninth year, in 2006. They only made it to one Conference Championship before that:

 

1998 - missed playoffs

1999 - lost Div.

2000 - lost WC

2001 - missed playoffs

2002 - lost WC

2003 - lost Conf.

2004 - lost Div.

2005 - lost Div.

2006 - won SB

 

2024 will be Josh's seventh year only. We still have time. I don't think you will do much better than McDermott with what's out there.

They went to the Super Bowl the first year after Dungy stepped down. Manning was also a big part of the problem with that teams playoff success, along with the greatest dynasty of all time and a McD like HC.

Edited January 23 by Mikie2times

[SydneyBillsFan]

You know, I hear y'all and largely agree.

 

But i think there is an even bigger problem - Pegula. He loves McD to a fault.

 

I aint holding my breath waiting for a head coaching change.

[newcam2012]

4 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

Really solid takes. 

 

The way I see it with McD. We all know he built a winning culture. The team quickly made strides and the results were clear and positive. Great regular season victories, division titles, and playoff births. He has done it on a consistent basis year after year. Indisputable.

 

Bills fans were estatic and optimistic for a pending SB appearance and a Lombardi Trophy. It surely was/is fun watching Bills football. The hope for next year mentality continues and lives on. Draft talk, player changes, and player acquisitions will be discussed. 

 

However, the bar for the team probably changed around 3 years ago. The above mentioned accomplishments just weren't enough with regards to the team talent. Especially, with a special QB leading the team. A playoff appearance was or is almost a given. The bare minimum if you will. WC playoff victories at home vs inferior teams are great. McD and the Bills have proven to be successful here.

 

Stats and results dramatically change once this team enters a divisional playoff game. McD isn't able to get the team past this point. A one and done isn't really seen as a successful season by most. Fair or not the bar is very high. Why shouldn't it be? 

 

Come the divisional round I feel like McD has built a losing culture. The 13 second monumental collapse speaks volumes to support this claim. The Cinci game and now add in KC again. In these games it's more often than not McD has under performed and hasn't been able to get his players to close the deal. Indisputable.

 

The divisional round failures aren't just coincidences or one offs. There is a clear pattern here. Sure, it's possible next year they get over the hump. We've been waiting now for years with the same negative results. The daggers are still felt by fans and probably the players too. I'm not seeing a coach who has learned from his previous mistakes. I'm seeing a coach who continues to make the same or similar mistakes. That leads me to conclude he's not the right guy for the job anymore. He's peaked out and his message is old, stale, and uncreative. This shouldn't be ignored or taken lightly. 

 

It's clear the McD era has run it's course but the ones making the decisions can't or don't want to see it. The ultimate frustration for its fans base and this fan. 

 

Yet, next year most will continue to bang the drum of optimism. Praising player moves, draft choices, and player development.  That's what we do. Beane and McD will make their pitches and sell us the dream of a Lombardi. The hungry fan base will eat it up like a starving homeless person. Most won't be overly critical of what they are feeding us. The general consensus will be hope and optimism. What else can we do? 

 

At some point, hope and optimism leads to pessimism with continued failures. At some point, change may be optimal and necessary to further the goal that you haven't or can't reach. That line isn't always clear. The Bills appear to be at a crossroads here. 

Edited January 23 by newcam2012

[BullBuchanan]

17 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

I want McDermott gone as much as the next guy, but this take is lame. You have to have an "excuse" why you don't win, or else you would have won. 31 teams have an "excuse" every single year. Some of us call it a "reason", but I'm guessing that distinction doesn't matter much.

[UmbrellaMan]

16 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

 

The vast majority of winners have valid reasons for losing. They just find a way to overcome those obstacles. 

 

You think KC couldn’t point to their injures or the fact that their WR corps has been poor this season as excuses for losing? Except they don’t need to because they found a way to win anyway. 

There are degrees to it. The Bills D was in shambles. Vince Lombardi and Bill Belichick were not going to win coaching that game.

[Man with No Name]

5 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was fine at kickoff with McD too...but honestly, just think this team may need some new blood and new life to break through the mental lapses where we lose late and close games.

 

 

Brady is the OC - How is that on McD?  This comment doesn't make sense to me.

 

 

Stupid call, but aggressive which is what everyone always say they want from him while they ignore he is actually one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL.

 

 

Play it safe?  Again, Brady calls the O and more importantly how is a 73 yard bomb to Diggs playing it safe?  How is a 29 yard pass to the endzone for Shakir playing it safe?  Where did he play safe for a FG?  I don't get this comment at all, its like the polar opposite of what actually happened.  Again, not trying to defend McD, just really not understanding the reasons you are giving here.  

 

And I am not even trying to defend McD as I would take BB, Harbaugh or Vrabel today if they were ready to come here too.  But just don't get some of these complaints above in relation to McD yesterday outside maybe the stupid punt fake.

Brady's offense is a reflection of what mcdermott is asking him to do. it's this "complimentary football" nonsense. basing so many of our calls on burning clock instead of going with highest percentage plays from down to down. ESPECIALLY when you are losing. and the fake punt was incredibly stupid. people understand being aggressive. but asking DAMAR HAMLIN to make a play is a non-starter. 

[BarleyNY]

2 hours ago, UmbrellaMan said:

There are degrees to it. The Bills D was in shambles. Vince Lombardi and Bill Belichick were not going to win coaching that game.

LOL. That’s utterly ridiculous. Excuses are a loser’s mentality. It saddens me to see that. 

[JerseyBills]

I mean Sun we were a cpl plays away, just about execution.  MVS , who has been a bum all year makes a very difficult long catch, our elite wr1 misses a walk in td, defender literally tripped before ball hit his hands, reverse those plays , we get the W imo.

Before the 2 min warning our O was phenomenal on that last drive,with bleeding the clock, damn shame. Idk if a coach changes this outcome 

Edited January 23 by JerseyBills

[BananaB]

My view has not changed since last year. We need a change. He’s done a great job here but we need a better final result. We have a top of the league QB and we have built this team around McDs D and the unit folds at the worst times. I get the injuries but I’m sick of the excuses. How many games we lose this year after the O put them ahead late? How many games we need a stop to get one more opportunity and the opposing team run out the clock? I don’t expect perfection out of either unit but these are the situations that decide games. Even the other night, Bills knew what was coming at them after the missed FG and they just got pushed around again. Something has to change. 
 

Last year we had a problem at WR and they went out and got unproven scrubs to fill the hole. Guys who showed flashes but never proven to be consistent. Something they did with the Oline for years.   Meanwhile with Von down for a bit, McD got his proven vet in Floyd. At trade deadline when the Wr position was still a huge problem,  did the O get help? ***** no, they traded for Douglas and signed Joseph to help Dline.  How many 1st and 2nd day picks we got invested in that Dline anyway?  A lot of people complaining about not bleeding out the clock. This staff has continually put the needs of D above the O but in the biggest moments people are scared to put that unit on the field.  For good reason obviously but it is totally ***** up and has everything to do with this coaching staff. 
 

Bills need a change. 

Edited January 23 by BananaB

[Buffalo Boy]

20 hours ago, SCBills said:

-WC Loss to the Houston Texans.  We weren't ready.  Second half collapse, but Year 2 Josh Allen.  Not the end of the world.

 

-AFC Championship Game vs KC.  Defense was handed an early lead and proceeded to lay an egg.  But hey, we're making strides and weren't ready for that moment.  But we're on the right track.

 

-AFC Divisional Game vs KC.  13 seconds.  Abject failure that falls directly on the coaching.  We'll apparently never know where the disconnect was in those final moments, but ok.

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs CIN.  No show all around.  Damar Hamlin, mental exhaustion... ok.  Fine. 

 

-AFC Divisional Game at home vs KC.  Defense is an absolute dumpster fire.  McDermott leading that Defense.  But we have injuries, so...  Spags had injuries too, and managed to make life difficult in that second half, but ok...

 

Playoff wins over Miami with a backup QB, Pittsburgh with a backup QB, Baltimore, New England and Indianapolis.  

 

Every year, aside from 13 seconds, he's had a valid excuse.  First two years, building, making strides...

 

But then 13 seconds happened, and our Defense has been an absolute liability against the Bengals and Chiefs.

 

He gets next year, I'm sure, but there can't be anymore excuses.  Valid or not.. he's used all of them up.  We talk about needing luck yet NE ran the AFC for a decade + and now KC is doing the same.  It's not luck, as much as we want to pretend it is.  And when we watch Allen play Mahomes.. it's not the QB.  So what is it?  Rhetorical question, because we all know.. and he's out of excuses.  Valid or not.  You can't have one every year. 

McD IS The excuse.

Schottenheimer 2.0

He can’t , nor ever will, win the big game.

Top 5 Paper Tiger Defenses that fold in the biggest games and biggest moments.

His teams , as a whole are mentally weak. They play to the level of their opponents with a slight negative outcome percentage. Hence losses to the NYJets, Denvers and other abysmal teams we lose to every season. When we get in the biggest games, we lose by just a hair, more often than not.

FIRE HIS ARSE!!!!!!!

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

20 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

His defense collapses in almost every difficult moment dating back to the Texans. 

Nice guy.

It's time to move on.

Harbaugh or Belichick wins multiple SuperBowls with Allen in the next 4 years. 

I would guarantee that we win a Championship with Harbaugh in two years.

[May Day 10]

The public facing side of a head coach is a politician and a Grease man.  After a big loss he is going to buffer his team the best he can.  It might not always be the most satisfying thing to hear, but it is what needs to be done.  From what I heard, he said offense was good, defense and special teams were a problem.

 

I don't have a huge problem with coaching in this game.  In the parking lot, unanimously we knew this game was a huge uphill climb with the injuries and short week.

 

I really hate the stacked formation predictable 1st down cook runs into a brick wall for -1 to 1 yard that they have been obsessed with since the Chargers game.  That cost them in the 4th quarter/2nd half.

 

The concerning thing out of this game was how they successfully killed off the majority of the 4th quarter and had the game where they wanted it at the 2 minute warning.  The next 2-3 plays were death.  Not sure where that falls, whether it's McDermott, Brady, or allen.

 

If the bills did the right thing there and scored a td with 25 seconds left and the chiefs no timeouts,  the national media would be all over josh allen changing of the guard, and also McDermott coached a genius game keeping his beleaguered defense off the field vs mahomes

 

Edited January 23 by May Day 10