Great piece on McD by Tyler Dunne

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

I still think he needs to be fired with a 1st rd exit and charged with wasting Allen’s career. 

[SectionC3]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

 

It's not impossible.  But it seemed pretty clear that Dunne had a narrative - possibly shaped by his own fan frustrations - and focused on info from people that supported said narrative.  He either didn't have (but could have had), or didn't include, a whole bunch of info that has come out in different ways.  One example is Diggs problematic behaviors and how WR coach Chad Hall wasn't willing or able to hold Diggs accountable and shut that ***** down in 2022 - which may be why McDermott's heart was quite reasonably not warmed by the touching scene of the WR coach being gifted a new truck by his receivers in 2020 - maybe he'd seen a version of that movie before and knew how it ends. 

From the number of people he talked to and quoted by name, he very likely had access to info that would contradict and disprove some of the quotes he used, but he didn't include it. 

 

And yes, since it needs to be said, I read the entirety of the original article.  I have not read the recent one.

One way to get back in good graces is to not publish stuff that, for example, would have hurt the trade value of former employee #14.  Even after the first McD piece was released.  And I can tell you with certainty that there’s a couple of whoppers on that issue floating around, and least one of which I know to be true. 

[TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th]

For those of you who think McDermotts clock management is bad check out green bay at the end of their week 18 game

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BpggiC3jR/

Edited yesterday at 06:06 PM by TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th

[BillsVet]

2 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

You really got egged here, and you did it to yourself.  This epitomizes the phrase assume makes an ASS of U and Me.  U more than me, but whatever.

 

First, you know next to nothing about my background to know about my familiarity (or lack of familiarity) with Kaizen outside a message board.  I could be a 6 sigma black belt for all you know (I'm not, but I did serve my time in the corporate world and I certainly don't need the internet to define Kaizen)

Second of all, several of McDermott's players in the past - Hyde for one - have actually spoken in interviews about McDermott's committment to Kaizen.  McDermott actually uses that word and its definitions with the team to the point where players have talked about it in interviews.

This isn't something I made up, it's factual.  If you cared enough to google "McDermott" and "Kaizen", which I just did for you, you would find proof:

https://www.leanblog.org/2021/01/will-kaizen-get-the-buffalo-bills-to-next-years-super-bowl/
https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/sean-mcdermott-bills-use-kaizen-strategy-to-stress-constant-improvement/article_167722f2-23e0-575a-99ee-297fef2d7781.html
Here's a clip of Poyer on PMS talking about Kaizen:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=769575967628494

 

I also remember an interview with Hyde talking about Kaizen but can't find it on the quick search that's all I'm giving this.

So, Facts: 

1) I don't need to rip a definition of Kaizen off the internet. 
2) It's a fact that Sean McDermott embraces Kaizen and has used and applied it to his organization.  It's documented.

 

The Bills do make changes that are clear in information made available to the public.   3 low hanging fruit as easy examples:
-they used to give certain veterans "vet rest days" during the week, sometimes different days.  This season, that hasn't been happening regularly but every Wednesday has an asterisk "the Bills held a walk through practice on Weds" so more rest for all
-they now have a players only offensive meeting on Fri where players talk about what plays they think will work and like, and Allen takes the info to Brady
-on the field, they have more than doubled the amount of 4th down conversions they attempt from 2020 (22 vs 10)

I'll go out on a limb and say you really have no idea what changes the Bills have made to the details of coverages they use and plays they call.  I think you just see McD came in running a 4-2-5 nickel base and he's still using it so he should CHANGE DAMMIT 'cuz BillsVet sez so.

 

It certainly doesn't sound like you've got manufacturing or lean experience, because you'd have mentioned it.  Which is funny, because you read an article about the Bills where players and coaches picked up some thoughts on business problem solution methodology and are blown away like they're so ahead of the curve.    

 

Because to problem solve in the manufacturing and business environments it demands an honest problem definition before jumping to solutions.  Yet, after each off-season, the Bills come out of their reviews with a solution that doesn't work because their definition of the problem follows along their Carolina-esque team building philosophy.  In previous seasons, this typically resulted into renewed focus on adding defensive players while offensive skilled talent was not seriously addressed.  The same issues appeared, particularly offensively.      

 

Focusing on the 2024 off-season...one problem was clear that Diggs' presence was channelling the offense too much through him and they wanted to decentralize.  They also wanted a scheme which reduced turnovers and defensive exposure.  Personnel wise, a primary solution was to ship Diggs out and bank on lesser receivers for their franchise QB who would lift those guys into decent options.  Schematically, they focused on better run-pass balance and on passing routes in the middle of the field among other things.      

 

Maybe the Diggs problem was identified correctly, but the personnel and schematic solution was completely inadequate.  We knew this after Week 5 when it necessitated the Cooper trade.  Unfortunately, by that time, their starting QB had been concussed, broken a hand, and they'd lost to 2 future playoff teams.  

 

It's really weird, particularly with you, how much the focus is on the feelings you take from an article where the HC and/or players read a book on problem solution.  Who cares?  In a business environment, your feelings go out the window if the results are inadequate.  Same with the NFL.    

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

i dunno

 

the original was worth posting but i think at some point if people want to read it they should pay

 

Totally fair point of view.

 

1 hour ago, SectionC3 said:

One way to get back in good graces is to not publish stuff that, for example, would have hurt the trade value of former employee #14.  Even after the first McD piece was released.  And I can tell you with certainty that there’s a couple of whoppers on that issue floating around, and least one of which I know to be true. 

 

I hadn't thought of the perspective "don't lower the trade value", but that's totally valid.  I wonder if one reason Beane and McDermott met with Dunne at the Senior Bowl etc was to offer access in exchange for Dunne agreeing to keep a lid on anything he'd heard about Diggs or the Allen/Diggs stuff while they were actively trying to trade him.

Edited yesterday at 06:43 PM by Beck Water

[YoloinOhio]

Schopp asked him about the first article when he was on his show today. Elephant in the room addressed. 

[JohnNord]

17 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Schopp asked him about the first article when he was on his show today. Elephant in the room addressed. 

What did he say?

[Beck Water]

20 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Schopp asked him about the first article when he was on his show today. Elephant in the room addressed. 

 

You can't leave us hanging there Yolo you rascal!

 

What did he say?

[YoloinOhio]

30 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

You can't leave us hanging there Yolo you rascal!

 

What did he say?

He said Sean reached out to him in a very professional manner like a day after the article dropped and said he’d like to sit down and just get to know him etc, Schopp asked if his radar was up on how much he would trust that convo and he gave credit to the Bills PR and Sean that they basically understand critical pieces are going to be run and that’s just a fact of the job but he wanted to give him a full picture of his first year and how he arrived to the current version of himself in the job. 
 

dunn said if they go out and loose he will write another critical piece and that’s how it goes but he respects him a ton 

Edited 20 hours ago by YoloinOhio

[GoBills808]

2 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

He said Sean reached out to him in a very professional manner like a day after the article dropped and said he’d like to sit down and just get to know him etc, Schopp asked if his radar was up on how much he would trust that convo and he gave credit to the Bills PR and Sean that they basically understand critical pieces are going to be run and that’s just a fact of the job but he wanted to give him a full picture of his first year and how he arrived to the current version of himself in the job. 
 

dunn said if they go out and loose he will write another critical piece and that’s how it goes but he respects him a ton 

yeah like i told @GunnerBill it very much read like it was requested by McDermott

 

[Beck Water]

12 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

yeah like i told @GunnerBill it very much read like it was requested by McDermott

 

 

Sooooooo in your view it read like it was requested by McDermott .....more than a year ago?  and Dunne performed on request -- but the request came just before the playoffs?

 

What Dunne said about McDermott reaching out makes a lot more sense in the context of both Beane and McDermott separately meeting with Dunne at the Combine last spring, and I think another time. 

But I can't imagine McDermott reaching out to a journalist at this time of year.

[GoBills808]

2 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Sooooooo in your view it read like it was requested by McDermott .....more than a year ago?  and Dunne performed on request -- but the request came just before the playoffs?

 

What Dunne said about McDermott reaching out makes a lot more sense in the context of both Beane and McDermott separately meeting with Dunne at the Combine last spring, and I think another time. 

But I can't imagine McDermott reaching out to a journalist at this time of year.

and they say im the argumentative one lol

 

This followup was 100% was initiated by McDermott after the original article dropped. That's absolutely clear. How you want to imagine the next interaction that led to this most recent interview is up to you but it's just a guess.

[Mikie2times]

1 minute ago, GoBills808 said:

and they say im the argumentative one lol

 

This followup was 100% was initiated by McDermott after the original article dropped. That's absolutely clear. How you want to imagine the next interaction that led to this most recent interview is up to you but it's just a guess.

 

 

[GerstAusGosheim]

On 1/6/2025 at 3:04 PM, US Egg said:

It was typical bully journalism.  

Writing an article that’s a collection of uncomfortable truths may be considered a "hit piece," but it’s still a collection of truths. If you, the reader, can be objective, you’ll find it informative, as it exposes behind-the-scenes issues and leadership flaws. And who can forget the reference to 9/11 terrorists as good teammates? Yikes.

[Beck Water]

33 minutes ago, GerstAusGosheim said:

Writing an article that’s a collection of uncomfortable truths may be considered a "hit piece," but it’s still a collection of truths. If you, the reader, can be objective, you’ll find it informative, as it exposes behind-the-scenes issues and leadership flaws. And who can forget the reference to 9/11 terrorists as good teammates? Yikes.

 

Serious question: have you ever watched Rashoman?

If not, you really should.

[JohnNord]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

 

Sooooooo in your view it read like it was requested by McDermott .....more than a year ago?  and Dunne performed on request -- but the request came just before the playoffs?

 

What Dunne said about McDermott reaching out makes a lot more sense in the context of both Beane and McDermott separately meeting with Dunne at the Combine last spring, and I think another time. 

But I can't imagine McDermott reaching out to a journalist at this time of year.

If what he said was correct, I would imagine that they met some time after last season for an off record conversation.  
 

I’m sure there’s a lot Dunne is leaving out.  In the past he was denied media credentials.  This season, he was credentials once mini camp started.   I have to assume Derek Boyko was heavily involved here.  

 

I don’t think anything it was anything crazy.  Just that they came to an understanding i.e. if he’s publishing a negative piece on the coach, to actually ask McDermott or current employees for comment, as opposed to relying on old accounts from former players and coaches.  

[Drew21PA]

Alright fine….FINE!  I’ll support you ONE LAST TIME!  Gosh!

 

I mean first you completely pulled a patriots on the patriots - which kudos coach im extremely impressed with your pro football smarts I think you finally learned something - by screwing them od the number 1 pick and potentially millions!!!  
 

now you go on and say stuff like this

 

and totally redeem yourself!

 

let’s get coach a ring!  Just -  uhhh - stay out of your own way in crucial minutes coach !

 

 

[JohnNord]

9 hours ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

I still think he needs to be fired with a 1st rd exit and charged with wasting Allen’s career. 

Look how much leeway Mr. Pegula is giving Kevyn Adams with the Sabres…there’s no way McDermott is fired with a 1st round exit 

[YoloinOhio]

2 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

Sooooooo in your view it read like it was requested by McDermott .....more than a year ago?  and Dunne performed on request -- but the request came just before the playoffs?

 

What Dunne said about McDermott reaching out makes a lot more sense in the context of both Beane and McDermott separately meeting with Dunne at the Combine last spring, and I think another time. 

But I can't imagine McDermott reaching out to a journalist at this time of year.

The way I understood it he mcdermott reached out to him right after the article dropped to request the conversation, which they ended up having at the combine 

[GunnerBill]

7 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

yeah like i told @GunnerBill it very much read like it was requested by McDermott

 

 

Oh for sure the meeting and building of relations after the last article was initiated by McDermott. Don't think that is in any doubt.

Edited 12 hours ago by GunnerBill