McD: Has your view changed?

[Heavy Kevi]

10 hours ago, 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?

 

 

 

 

I, too am in group 4; though I have had an underlying "show me the baby" shift.

 

I have often called for McD to get replaced, specifically last year I wanted Harbaugh or Ben Johnson. I think McD's myriad of coaching blunders have, to quote patty Mahomes; "robbed [Josh] of greatness" where I feel Josh "won" some games (not least of all 13 seconds), and McD's decisions gave the game away.

 

The shift for me is due to the inherent nature of defensive HC's needing a good/great OC to work with your franchise QB. Perhaps McD needs that to achieve the greatest success, whereas an Andy Reid or Sean Payton type coach is never gonna leave for their shot at HC for obvious reasons.

 

And McD might just have that OC in Brady.

 

The other contributing factor to the shift for me is how loose the team feels. Sean is obviously a fantastic character guy, a culture guy, who builds a unique comaraderie among the players and gets the most out of them.

 

But, being in group 4, I do feel a duality. This year really does feel like our year, but a part of me is just waiting for the other shoe to drop. After all, we have seen great regular seasons, but can they put it all together in the playoffs and cement this team as one of the ones?

 

And that's why I say "show me the baby". I wouldn't say I have tons of faith in Sean's coaching decisions or our fate this year, but if they can pull it out and bring home the bacon, I'll eat the happiest, largest, most tough and greasy plate of crow you could imagine. 

 

And it'll go down like bourbon...

 

But if we lose again in the div round, I'm certain to feel like I felt at the end of the last 2 years... Like it's time for a change.

[SoMAn]

No.
The “fire McDermott” chorus are worthy of being ignored. I suspect many of them are from the instant gratification generation, expecting instant success with the wave of a hand. 
They don’t have a concept of how incredibly hard it is to get to a Super Bowl, let alone to win one. 
Harbaugh, Peterson, McVay, Payton- all are Super Bowl winning coaches who’ve been there, but struggle to get there again.  
How many years did Andy Reid walk the sidelines before raising the Lombardi?

Here’s maybe the stupidest angle to the “fire McDermott” chants- who would you replace him with? With an elite QB in his prime you’d risk starting over with an unproven head coach? Really? 
You’d instantly replace the coach with the franchises all-time best winning percentage? The guy who’s led them to 7 playoff appearances in 8 years? 
    Sure, fire McD so he can stomp the Bills and lead the Jets to division titles for years to come. 
It’s a free country, so y’all are free to express that halfassed opinion, but we’re free-no, compelled- to ignore it. 
Last thought: Not only is McDermott a fine leader, he’s a class act as a human being. We’re lucky to have him:
 

[Kirby Jackson]

10 hours ago, 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?

 

 

 

I was somewhere between a 2 and 4. I wanted a change because Josh Allen will only be in his prime for so long. It has felt like McDermott had taken this team as far as he could. 
 

This year, he seems to have taken a step forward. This is absolutely his best coaching job. The team is playing loose and making good adjustments. We haven’t seen too many mind-numbing clock or challenge issues. He still uses too many defensive timeouts for my liking but that’s nitpicking. McDermott belongs in the COY conversation. He’s been excellent. Barring a major collapse on his part in the postseason, he should be back (even without a Super Bowl). 

[CheshireCT]

My opinion of him has never changed 

 

-one of the best coaches in the NFL currently

-one of the best coaches in Bills history

-the most likely coach to lead us to a Super Bowl 

 

He has built a culture of focus, development, consistency, support, and team. That's hard to do in professional sports. He also recognizes his own flaws and shortcomings and works on them. Those are the people you want in charge. With McD & Josh Allen we have a shot at the Super Bowl every year.

[eball]

6 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

 

You think we aren't enjoying it? 

 

Based upon the tone of so many posts on this board?  No, I don’t think some are.

 

[Rochesterfan]

9 hours ago, FireChans said:

GM/HC? 

Maybe Shanny/Lynch. Obviously Reid/Veach. 
 

I would go as far as say Howie/Sirianni, even though I really don’t like Sirianni, but I like Howie a lot. 

 

 

This right here - I believe is a huge part of the problem.

 

McD and Beane have been better than Shanny/Lynch, but in the different conference.  The 49ers have lost to the same team as the Bills, but get the huge benefit of losing that game in the SB because the NFC is so much weaker - especially at the QB position.  How many SB appearances would the Bills have getting to play the NFC schedule rather than the AFC playoff teams?

 

Shanny/Lynch since 2017 have missed the playoffs 3 of 7 years and unless something changes this year will be their 4th miss in 8 years.  So 50% of the years they have no shot because they can’t even get to the dance.  Throw the 49ers in the AFC mix and they have 0 SB appearances and are Cincinnati like with limited playoff runs.  I think this combo is great - I just do not believe they are as good or better than McD/Beane.

 

Philadelphia- man I like what Howie does with that roster, but I feel the same about them as I do Shanny/Lynch - the one year they put it together and go to the SB - they lose to KC - just like the Bills and I believe if you switched the 2 (Bills/Eagles) the Eagles don’t get a SB trip and the Bills have 2 trips.  
 

It is also worth noting that the the last 2 trips to the SB for these teams 2023 SF and 2022 Philly - they both had the luxury of the #1 NFC seed and a bye in round 1.  Even with that KC beat both of them - which suggests if they had been in the AFC like the Bills they don’t make the SB either year.

 

I don’t disagree that you named probably the 3 pairs that are on par (or better in KCs case) - (I may even throw in the Baltimore pair as a 4th), but to me that just shows how good the Buffalo pairing is.  There is 1 team that has a better record overall than the Bills over the last several years and it just happens that we face them in the AFC playoffs and the NFC faces them in the SB instead.

 

The problem I have when people want to make a change is that you are trying to improve upon a top 3-4 level coach and a top 3-4 level GM and the chances of that are super slim.  And for the people that say get a top QB (like Allen) and anyone can make the playoffs - it just isn’t true - Burrow is going to miss the playoffs again - Tua is another guy that will be a failure - Lawrence in Jacksonville was widely considered a top prospect and they stink - Dak Prescott.  The list of top QBs that make the playoffs year after year are Allen, Mahomes, and Lamar and they are rock steady at the top.  You mess with that and any of those guys could be Burrow in Cincinnati and miss the playoffs 1/2 the time.

 

 

 

 

[GunnerBill]

8 hours ago, HappyDays said:

He would have a consulting firm run the hiring process and then his only job would be to write blank checks for the new regime, as he's done for McBeane. His mismanagement of the Sabres doesn't even enter the discussion for me. But I understand if you follow the Sabres closely and care about them the way that you do about the Bills, it would be hard to ignore the comparison.

 

Only just seen this - what makes you say that? Because the two times he has been through it since he took over the process has been very much run by people within the organisation in such a way that Terry has made the calls completely uninhibited. On both occasions he overrode the opinion of his General Manager in making the decision. Didn't like Kyle Shanahan when he met him in the 2015 process, insisted he wasn't even on the interview list in 2017. Whaley and the Bills front office wanted to hire Hue Jackson and keep Jim Schwartz in charge of the defense, Pegula met Rex liked him and decided to hire him. Whaley didn't think they had identified a stand out candidate in 2017 and wanted to keep conducting first interviews, Terry and Kim already had McDermott and his wife for dinner on the yacht. 

 

To be clear I am not saying either that:

1. Ignoring Doug Whaley was a mistake; or

2. That worries about the way Terry would run a recruitment process for a replacement is in any way an argument for keeping McDermott. 

 

But I just don't see any evidence based on how he has behaved in the past that Terry Pegula would be at all hands off in the next recruitment round. I think he would want control of the process. The second half of your statement I agree with - there is evidence with the Bills that once he has hired his guys he is willing to step back and just write the cheques. But I think he is only comfortable doing that because they are his guys. He handpicked McDermott and then on McDermott's advice tabbed Beane for GM. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

No change for me.  He seems like a fine human being. 

What's changed? Still can't stop the run. Josh doing amazing things to will the team to victory. 

I wanted Harbaugh. He's doing exactly what I thought he would do in LA.

No matter if they lose in the first round or not he's not going anywhere. So I've just learned to accept he is the HC and put my faith in our superstar QB.

[NewEra]

11 hours ago, FireChans said:

GM/HC? 

Maybe Shanny/Lynch. Obviously Reid/Veach. 
 

I would go as far as say Howie/Sirianni, even though I really don’t like Sirianni, but I like Howie a lot. 

Shanny and lynch?  You mean the tandem that has never ever beaten Mahomes and has lost 2 super bowls to them?  Mcd/beane have at least shown that they can beat them-  a bunch of times.  
 

mcd/beane get ripped for not being able to beat them in the playoffs-  losing 3 times to them-  why wouldn’t the same apply to shanny/lynch….a tandem that hasn’t beaten them ever?

 

I’m a big fan of shanny/lynch.  But they are lesser to McDermott in not being able to beat the all time hc/qb combo-  Reid/mahomes.  Belechick/brady.  Losing 3 times in the SB because his offense couldn’t do anything in the 2nd half. 

Edited 14 hours ago by NewEra

[Kelly to Allen]

I went from a McDermott skeptic to a McDermott believer.

 

He won me over last year during the dunne article after we beat KC in KC. The team was going thru insane injuries and to see the adoration, and respect in the locker room after that win along with the run they went on. 

 

He's highly highly respected by the players and higher ups in the organization and that tells me he's an incredible leader and a honest man.

 

I hope he coaches buffalo as Long as Landry coached the cowboys.

 

He reminds me of Tom Landry 

Edited 14 hours ago by Kelly to Allen

[Steptide]

My view hasent changed. I was never on the fire McDermott train. He does have to figure out how to get this team over the hump though. I feel really confident about the team currently, but the realist in me says it's unlikely THIS is the team that gets us to the superbowl. For the time being, just gonna enjoy the ride 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

13 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

McD: Has your view changed?

 

No - I still think their breakfast menu is excellent. 

[GunnerBill]

14 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Shanny and lynch?  You mean the tandem that has never ever beaten Mahomes and has lost 2 super bowls to them?  Mcd/beane have at least shown that they can beat them-  a bunch of times.  
 

mcd/beane get ripped for not being able to beat them in the playoffs-  losing 3 times to them-  why wouldn’t the same apply to shabby/lynch….a tandem that hasn’t beaten them ever?

 

I’m a big fan of shanny/lynch.  But they are lesser to McDermott in not being able to beat the all time hc/qb combo-  Reid/mahomes.  Belechick/brady.  Losing 3 times in the SB because his offense could do anything in the 2nd half. 

 

No active HC in the NFL has beaten Andy Reid more times than Sean McDermott. 

[Gregg]

McDermott and the team will be judged by what they do in January and hopefully February. He has been a great regular season coach for a long time now. He needs to prove it in the playoffs and get this team to a Super Bowl and hopefully they can win it.

[Mister Defense]

8 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

I'm with you. Everybody on here should be thankful for everything Sean has given us. Any disagreement is a sign of irrational nonsense and most likely an unholy upbringing.    

You think we aren't enjoying it? 

 

Thanks, I appreciate the support.

 

But on the other hand, what about posters who literally hate on almost every move the organization and coaching staff make--and do so for years one end?

 

Posters can just go and check the activity for the top ten most hateful haters, and see the extremely clear pattern of hate on almost everything. It is sooo consistent from the top haters on this board...

 

 

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

Shanny and lynch?  You mean the tandem that has never ever beaten Mahomes and has lost 2 super bowls to them?  Mcd/beane have at least shown that they can beat them-  a bunch of times.  
 

mcd/beane get ripped for not being able to beat them in the playoffs-  losing 3 times to them-  why wouldn’t the same apply to shanny/lynch….a tandem that hasn’t beaten them ever?

 

I’m a big fan of shanny/lynch.  But they are lesser to McDermott in not being able to beat the all time hc/qb combo-  Reid/mahomes.  Belechick/brady.  Losing 3 times in the SB because his offense couldn’t do anything in the 2nd half. 

I consider not being able to beat Mahome in the playoffs with Josh Allen at QB and not being able to beat Mahomes in the playoffs with Jimmy Garropolo or Brock Purdy at QB to be far difference scenarios. Jmo.

[Mister Defense]

9 hours ago, Dr. K said:

I suspect this is a thread mostly useful to those in group 4 who can vent and tell us they have not changed their opinion. 

 

100% correct. It is why it was created.

 

I have noticed that at the times when the Bills are most successful they often become even more aggressive, more furious.

 

Imagine a cartoon character, with steam coming out his ears, eyes popping out of their sockets, face turning bright red--as he watches the team he hates so much win and win and win and...

 

It is  as if they don't vent, their heads may literally explode with confusion and fury.

 

Kind of funny when you think of how ironic it is to see this on a BILLS forum...

 

[Sweats]

I was on the bandwagon to get rid of him and start over at HC, but i'm kind of letting up on my opinion as of late.

 

I want to see how our post season goes before i start calling for his head again.

[MrEpsYtown]

He has to coach every game the way he coached the KC game. He trusted his all-world quarterback and stayed aggressive and played to win. I fear that he will turn into Dick Jauron milquetoast redux against a team like the Patriots and we lose a game we should win and miss out on the 1 seed. If he stays the course, continues to have fun with his team and continues to have buy-in from these guys, I am good. But deep down, they need to win a Super Bowl and I am still not convinced he can get them over that hump. How he handles huge games against LA and Detroit coming up will confirm to me that he has the intestinal fortidue to make the tough decisions and play to win, not to "not lose." So to answer your question, I am still not sold, but my view is starting to change. 

[SoMAn]

4 hours ago, SoMAn said:

No.
The “fire McDermott” chorus are worthy of being ignored. I suspect many of them are from the instant gratification generation, expecting instant success with the wave of a hand. 
They don’t have a concept of how incredibly hard it is to get to a Super Bowl, let alone to win one. 
Harbaugh, Peterson, McVay, Payton- all are Super Bowl winning coaches who’ve been there, but struggle to get there again.  
How many years did Andy Reid walk the sidelines before raising the Lombardi?

Here’s maybe the stupidest angle to the “fire McDermott” chants- who would you replace him with? With an elite QB in his prime you’d risk starting over with an unproven head coach? Really? 
You’d instantly replace the coach with the franchises all-time best winning percentage? The guy who’s led them to 7 playoff appearances in 8 years? 
    Sure, fire McD so he can stomp the Bills and lead the Jets to division titles for years to come. 
It’s a free country, so y’all are free to express that halfassed opinion, but we’re free-no, compelled- to ignore it. 
Last thought: Not only is McDermott a fine leader, he’s a class act as a human being. We’re lucky to have him:
 

Rock-a-Bye bedwetter, let’s at least keep the dialogue exchange interesting. What part(s) of this post do you disagree with?