McD: Has your view changed?

[Orlando Buffalo]

I am going to write this knowing that no one will change there mind because at this point with the mountain of evidence to support McD nothing other than winning a SB will convince people he is a good coach. He came into the worst team over the prior 17 years, created a culture of winning, drafted the QB who sucked when he arrived and has turned him into the possibly the greatest player to ever play the game, has the second best winning percentage over the past 5 years of any coach in any professional sport, and has done it without bringing in scumbags that embarrass me. Those who rip on him are the same people who love Harbaugh despite his not going any further in the playoffs and his team wilting against every good team they face.

[Mister Defense]

7 minutes ago, Orlando Buffalo said:

I am going to write this knowing that no one will change there mind because at this point with the mountain of evidence to support McD nothing other than winning a SB will convince people he is a good coach. He came into the worst team over the prior 17 years, created a culture of winning, drafted the QB who sucked when he arrived and has turned him into the possibly the greatest player to ever play the game, has the second best winning percentage over the past 5 years of any coach in any professional sport, and has done it without bringing in scumbags that embarrass me. Those who rip on him are the same people who love Harbaugh despite his not going any further in the playoffs and his team wilting against every good team they face.

 

Great post, nailed it succinctly.

 

I agree with all, except the implication that the haters will accept McDermott as a good coach when the Bills win the Super Bowl.  As almost none of them will do that, of course, after years of their crazy hate bashing they will just dig their heels in. ( For example:  "This should be their 3rd SB win"...)

 

But despite the loud and consistent hate from the haters, I believe that the vast vast majority of Bills' fans are on the same page as you.  Negativity just stands out more, and haters love broadcasting their hate, as undermining good will and positivity is their main goal--so it makes it seem like there are more of them than there are.  It is a tiny percentage, in my view. Thank goodness!

 

 

 

 

[NoSaint]

On 12/3/2024 at 4:38 PM, Mikie2times said:

I feel like prior to the season starting the general vibe around here could fit into four categories 

 

1. Some posters discussed the risk of changing a HC

2. Some felt he would ultimately figure out his postseason issues

3. Some felt his regular season success was enough so far and if nothing else that should buy him more time 

4. Some felt he never would figure it out in the postseason and it was a lost cause

 

I was a #4 (go figure) and still remain in the last group. While thrilled at what we have done this year as I have hope I didn't expect to arrive at this season, nothing we did in the regular season would be able to change where I land in that grouping. We have just been too good in the regular season and that isn't where my concern is.  With all that said, I get a sense that I'm a minority at this point. That based on this years performance McD has largely quieted group #4 and most posters have now shifted into 1, 2, or 3 or at least a combination of them.

 

So I guess it's a two part question here...

 

1. Has the season so far resulted in you shifting from one of the groupings to another?

2. If we lose in the divisional round or earlier will that dramatically impact your perception of Sean and how this season has gone?

 

 

 

how has he proven to figure out his post season failures between August and early December of this season?
 

if you ask me to predict how we lose in January - it’s not Josh that I’m guessing. 

hopefully he proves that wrong. I think having our two new coordinators will help out.

[FireChans]

4 hours ago, NewEra said:

I hear ya-  but he had more talent all around the board at solid QB play-  and then his play calling goes to **** in the 2nd half and his teams lose.  
 

but I do agree that shanny is one of the best in the business-  I just wouldn’t choose him to be “the guy” to beat Reid/mahomes.   

I don’t think his resume is any worse than McD/Beane

[Ray Stonada]

To me there is a big difference this year that shows McDermott's growth: the adjustments at halftime. McDermott's Bills were never one of the best at this until year. I'm sure Brady and Babich have a lot to do with it, but McDermott seems to have loosened up and allowed more adjustments to be made, instead of sticking to a rigid plan. The fourth down trust he shows Josh is also part of it, and the whole team thrives on that. Adjusting at halftime and trusting Josh could be huge when we play the Ravens, Steelers, Chiefs, Lions, Packers, and other well-coached teams in the postseason.

[GunnerBill]

4 hours ago, FireChans said:

I don’t think his resume is any worse than McD/Beane

 

No, Shanahan and McDermott are in the same bucket. They are very good coaches who have had plenty of success but haven't been able to close the deal against Reid and Mahomes in the playoffs. I think if you switch the two teams around conference wise the Bills defeats are the Superbowl and the 49ers defeats are earlier in the playoffs. I'm convinced of that. But ultimately it's the same point. Some of how they are there is different: McDermott's had great Quarterbacking but lacked elite pieces around it; Shanahan's had average Quarterbacking but a ton of elite pieces. Shanahan's got further in the playoffs but if 0 fer against Andy Reid; McDermott beats Reid more than anyone else but has gone out earlier in the playoffs to him. McDermott's special qualities are his leadership and his culture building; Shanahan is the best offensive Xs and Os coach in the business. But you get to the same conclusion with them IMO. 

[NewEra]

5 hours ago, FireChans said:

I don’t think his resume is any worse than McD/Beane

The topic at hand is beating Reid and Mahomes. So I would beg to differ.  Mcds resume vs Reid and Mahomes is obviously MUCH better.  Not even close

 

shanny and lynch were able to make to Super bowls because they didn’t have to face Reid and Mahomes in the conference playoffs. If they would have- they would have zero SB appearances 

Edited December 5 by NewEra

[JaCrispy]

I’ll reserve judgement until after the playoffs, where McD usually seems to choke hardest…

 

 

Edited December 5 by JaCrispy

[oldmanfan]

You have to give McD credit for building and maintaining a solid team culture.  Some pooh pooh it, but culture is critical to success.  He has gone through several coordinators, but has 2 now that are sympatico with his philosophies on both sides of the ball.   He seems to be getting more aggressive with on 4th down.  He still needs work on in game decisions and adjustments, but overall he's in the top echelon of guys in the league.  For those who want to replace him I can only say in my life experiences that when you think the grass is greener on the other side, most of the time the grass turns out to be a lot browner instead.

Edited December 5 by oldmanfan

[FireChans]

2 hours ago, NewEra said:

The topic at hand is beating Reid and Mahomes. So I would beg to differ.  Mcds resume vs Reid and Mahomes is obviously MUCH better.  Not even close

 

shanny and lynch were able to make to Super bowls because they didn’t have to face Reid and Mahomes in the conference playoffs. If they would have- they would have zero SB appearances 

Yeah and I don’t think their resume is worse than their Bills counterparts.

 

they can’t beat Mahomes in the Super Bowl with Brock Purdy or Jimmy G. They proved they can annihilate other HoF QB like Rodgers with a severe QB disadvantage. 

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

No, Shanahan and McDermott are in the same bucket. They are very good coaches who have had plenty of success but haven't been able to close the deal against Reid and Mahomes in the playoffs. I think if you switch the two teams around conference wise the Bills defeats are the Superbowl and the 49ers defeats are earlier in the playoffs. I'm convinced of that. But ultimately it's the same point. Some of how they are there is different: McDermott's had great Quarterbacking but lacked elite pieces around it; Shanahan's had average Quarterbacking but a ton of elite pieces. Shanahan's got further in the playoffs but if 0 fer against Andy Reid; McDermott beats Reid more than anyone else but has gone out earlier in the playoffs to him. McDermott's special qualities are his leadership and his culture building; Shanahan is the best offensive Xs and Os coach in the business. But you get to the same conclusion with them IMO. 

The elite pieces is the point.

 

At this point, who would I take to get through Mahomes\Reid? The guys who get close because they get most of everything else right except the QB. We have the QB. A few more Aiyuk’s, Hufungas, Bosas, Kittles and Fred Warners around Josh and we would crush them. 

[Mat68]

On 12/3/2024 at 7:06 PM, Behindenemylines said:

Though I really like the culture he has built and how it’s changed everything in Buffalo , I’ve been concerned with the X’s and O’s of his coaching.  I don’t pretend to know much of anything of that aspect however I question the decision making from my limited vantage

 

lateley I’ve noticed a change in his coaching which more positive and seems in line from his culture building side.   I hope it continues 

 

we will see in the post season but at present my mind is changing from the past “too good to throw away and not good enough to keep” 

He is regarded as a top of the NFL mind.  Scheme pretty plug and play.  Playing Dane Jackson vs Chase or Levi Wallace vs Hill wasn't the scheme imo.  Bedford and Douglas is the best they have been outside in a long time.  This season and this run I will be more critical of Mcdermott and the team’s run.  Previous years they had obvious limitations imo.  Whether it be pressure or cb 2.  

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

It’s hard to be down on them right now after such a great season but this is what they do. They’re the regular season darlings and then the playoffs come and we self destruct, sometimes because of bad coaching (13 seconds) or sometimes due to health (No Trey, Milano, Bernard and a myriad of others last playoffs). If everyone comes back healthy in time for playoffs then there will be no excuses we show at the very least be in the SB imo.

 

Especially if they get the #1 seed. To not have to play on WC weekend and then have 2 games in OP to reach the Super Bowl would be huge. You can't ask for anything better than that if you are the Bills.

[LarryMadman]

Win in the playoffs to change my view, until then he is nothing more than another Schottenheimer, Marvin Lewis, Jim Mora, Denny Green type coach with a way way way better QB than any of those others had.

[Einstein's Dog]

4 hours ago, JaCrispy said:

I’ll reserve judgement until after the playoffs, where McD usually seems to choke hardest…

 

Except this was universally accepted as a "retool" year.  Beane was eating a lot of dead cap and the talent level of the team was taking a hit for it.  The Diggs disaster had set this team back.  Most set expectations as to whether or not the Bills could make the playoffs.

 

It looks like some with a predisposed negative opinion of McDermott have a hard time acknowledging what a great he has done.

 

 

[Gregg]

8 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

Except this was universally accepted as a "retool" year.  Beane was eating a lot of dead cap and the talent level of the team was taking a hit for it.  The Diggs disaster had set this team back.  Most set expectations as to whether or not the Bills could make the playoffs.

 

It looks like some with a predisposed negative opinion of McDermott have a hard time acknowledging what a great he has done.

 

 

 

Both Beane and McDermott have done a great job this year. I thought they would take a step back this year. I thought they might not win the division with what was expected of the Jets and Dolphins. To be 10-2 and have the division clinched on 12/1 was a complete shock to me. 

Edited December 5 by Gregg

[JaCrispy]

28 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

Except this was universally accepted as a "retool" year.  Beane was eating a lot of dead cap and the talent level of the team was taking a hit for it.  The Diggs disaster had set this team back.  Most set expectations as to whether or not the Bills could make the playoffs.

 

It looks like some with a predisposed negative opinion of McDermott have a hard time acknowledging what a great he has done.

 

 

That may be the case for some…

 

I acknowledge that experience has made McD better- I think that is obvious…

 

But I go back to Yoda from Return Of The Jedi…

 

Luke thought, because he had mastered his skills, that he was a Jedi…Yoda responded that he still needed to confront Darth Vader- then, and only then, a Jedi would he be…😉

 

Thats how I feel about McD…The playoffs are McD’s Darth Vader…He’s always had success in the regular season- that was never the issue…The issue has always been that when the lights were brightest, he folded…

 

Therefore, I am reserving judgement until I see a change in that…👍

 

 

Edited December 5 by JaCrispy

[Bill from NYC]

On 12/3/2024 at 5:38 PM, Mikie2times said:

I feel like prior to the season starting the general vibe around here could fit into four categories 

 

1. Some posters discussed the risk of changing a HC

2. Some felt he would ultimately figure out his postseason issues

3. Some felt his regular season success was enough so far and if nothing else that should buy him more time 

4. Some felt he never would figure it out in the postseason and it was a lost cause

 

I was a #4 (go figure) and still remain in the last group. While thrilled at what we have done this year as I have hope I didn't expect to arrive at this season, nothing we did in the regular season would be able to change where I land in that grouping. We have just been too good in the regular season and that isn't where my concern is.  With all that said, I get a sense that I'm a minority at this point. That based on this years performance McD has largely quieted group #4 and most posters have now shifted into 1, 2, or 3 or at least a combination of them.

 

So I guess it's a two part question here...

 

1. Has the season so far resulted in you shifting from one of the groupings to another?

2. If we lose in the divisional round or earlier will that dramatically impact your perception of Sean and how this season has gone?

 

 

 

The title of this thread is a vey fair question.

 

I am going to answer yes. I was one of his biggest critics. I am not going to list them, but I will not back down on my criticism of some of his moves, (especially in his first season), but; he deserves a lot of praise for moves like getting rid of Diggs and bringing in Cooper. Josh sure looked happy enough while wallowing around in the snow, and keeping him happy is HUGE! 👍

 

I am a big enough person to look at the facts and state that I underestimated McDermott. That said, I am a greedy Bills fan and I want more. He needs to lead this team to a finish that they are capable of.  The way Josh is playing I am not afraid of any team. I think we can get there this year but we need Coach McDermott to keep things moving in the right direction, and I'm now thinking that there is a real possibility that he can.

 

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stretch]

I can appreciate McD’s overall culture building and his ability to keep the defense performing well even with injuries.  I will never forgive him for costing the Bills a likely Super Bowl with 13 seconds.  But I am willing to keep giving him a chance to prove he can get it done in the postseason.  I have been pleasantly surprised by his change in being ultra conservative in 4th down situations to one of the more riskier and analytics based decisions in the league.  I am hoping he can also change from some of his conservative defensive approaches in the playoffs that have cost the team in the past.

[hondo in seattle]

I've remained a McDermott supporter from early on.  This year's success doesn't especially surprise me nor does it change my view of McD.  Before the season began, I projected another AFCE title mostly because of my faith in two people: McD and Josh.  

I don't think Beane has ever provided McD with the very best roster in the league so I can't blame McD for not winning a Lombardi. Because we've been winning a lot, I believe some fans overrate our roster which leads them to underrate our coaching staff.  

I think we've had the bad luck to peak at a time during the KC dynasty run by super talented trio of Reid, Spags, and Mahomes.  

 

I think we've also had the bad luck to enter the playoffs the past two years with more injuries to key players than other teams.  

 

McD has only coached 11 playoff games.  No scientist or statistician would draw a conclusion from such a small dataset.  Especially in a field where luck, injuries, subjective referee calls, etc, play a large role.  A statistical viable sample needs at least 30 results.

McD's regular season record (83-43) is statistically significant.   And it's top twenty all time.  

 

 

[Savage]

7 hours ago, Ray Stonada said:

To me there is a big difference this year that shows McDermott's growth: the adjustments at halftime. McDermott's Bills were never one of the best at this until year. I'm sure Brady and Babich have a lot to do with it, but McDermott seems to have loosened up and allowed more adjustments to be made, instead of sticking to a rigid plan. The fourth down trust he shows Josh is also part of it, and the whole team thrives on that. Adjusting at halftime and trusting Josh could be huge when we play the Ravens, Steelers, Chiefs, Lions, Packers, and other well-coached teams in the postseason.

One of the problems is McD waits until half time to make adjustments.

 

that doesn’t fly in the playoffs.

 

there is no tomorrow.

 

and that is he’s biggest flaw, unfortunately.