The New McDermott - Great Buscaglia Article

[Mikie2times]

3 hours ago, TH3 said:

Why are you a fan. You and Mikey just shti post ALL THE TIME 

I didn’t know you had to like Sean McDermott to be a Bills fan. 

[JohnNord]

11 hours ago, The Frankish Reich said:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6047900/2025/01/10/bills-coach-sean-mcdermott-playoffs/?source=freeweeklyemail&campaign=602288&userId=12924261

 

A really nice deep dive into a reserved man not given to over sharing. And really well-written. We often treat our reporters as scoop-and-tweet machines. When Joe B. gets a chance to stretch out here, he shows he's in the top rank of sports writers. (Sorry, no non-paywall link, but you guys know the workarounds. Better yet, just subscribe!)

 

McDermott insists his “goofy dad” ways have always been in there.

“I was a class clown when I was younger, believe it or not,” McDermott said.

In third grade, teachers would send a note home every Friday, updating his parents on his weekly progress. In sixth grade, for various reasons, including being a class clown, McDermott was held back a year in school.

But that sense of humor, although it wasn’t necessarily dormant during his first seven years as head coach, he wasn’t going out of his way to display it like he has this season. It would come out here or there, like when he winked after using the term “process” in a news conference his first two years, almost in a self-deprecating way. But to a grand degree, McDermott had been buttoned up until now.

Many have voiced a feeling, as unquantifiable as it is, that this year’s Bills team is different than the ones they have had over the last five years of playoff losses. And that very well may be true.

However, NFL teams often channel the energy of the head coach leading them. And if something is different about this year’s Bills team, it might be because something is different about Sean McDermott.

The coach who arrived in 2017 touted process, culture, a growth mindset, a desire to have supreme attention to every detail and a borderline robotic work ethic. In his early years in Buffalo, he ran what some described as a “military-ish” program.

That coach is still in there, carrying all those same beliefs, but perhaps not in the same form. Even in media settings, McDermott appears more relaxed and forthcoming than ever before.

Good stuff.  The Bills and McDermott have been preparing for the postseason for a year or so.  I hope it pays off starting tomorrow. 

 

about the class clown stuff - the only funny thing I remember McDermott saying was a comment to John Wawrow during a Zoom call.  He kind of laughed when his camera turned on and asked Wawrow if he was wearing a bathrobe.  Wawrow said he was wearing his outdoor coat because his wife kept the temperature low in the house.  I’m guessing it was a trench coat because McDermott responded “you look a little like Sherlock Holmes” 🤣🤣🤣

[jaybeezee]

Mcdermott is a good coordinator and a good leader, but has shown the inability to adjust. There have been plenty of teams that have stated how shocked they were that we never adjusted in games. Cincy was ultra confident when they whooped us because they knew that there would be no surprises on defense.  I listened to their post game that year.

Gotta add wrinkles to your game plan.  Can't continue to do the same thing you put on film year over year, especially against KC and Baltimore 

[Dan Darragh]

17 hours ago, TH3 said:

You guys realize how tired these posts are right?

You actually come here expecting fresh ideas?

8 hours ago, JohnNord said:

about the class clown stuff - the only funny thing I remember McDermott saying was a comment to John Wawrow during a Zoom call.  He kind of laughed when his camera turned on and asked Wawrow if he was wearing a bathrobe.  Wawrow said he was wearing his outdoor coat because his wife kept the temperature low in the house.  I’m guessing it was a trench coat because McDermott responded “you look a little like Sherlock Holmes” 🤣🤣🤣

Please STOP!  You're killing me with all of this comedy!!

[section122]

18 hours ago, Success said:

I think like most fans, I've gone back & forth on McDermott, and have had my doubts at times.

 

But we're lucky.  No, he isn't the best coach, and I don't think I'd put him top 5. But he's top 10, and knows what he's doing. There is a LOT of bad coaching in the league.  McD has done a fantastic job this year - as good as anyone.

 

The playoff failures are obviously unfortunate - but we almost beat the champs last year with half of our defense hurt or out.  If KC had the same injuries, and we were as healthy as them, we probably win that game by 2+ scores.

 

 

I think you would have a harder time naming 5 coaches that are better than him.  If you list out your 5 I bet I can make a convincing argument he is better than most.  I will even start you with McVay and Reid who I think are better than him.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

18 hours ago, TH3 said:

 

 

 

You guys realize how tired these posts are right?

McDermott is Tomlin is McDermott 

[nosejob]

18 hours ago, Shortchaz said:

Great job this season overall but lose Sunday and I’ll want him gone. 

I can't help but feel the same way after the end of Houston and LA.

[Philly McButterpants]

9 hours ago, jaybeezee said:

Mcdermott is a good coordinator and a good leader, but has shown the inability to adjust. There have been plenty of teams that have stated how shocked they were that we never adjusted in games. Cincy was ultra confident when they whooped us because they knew that there would be no surprises on defense.  I listened to their post game that year.

Gotta add wrinkles to your game plan.  Can't continue to do the same thing you put on film year over year, especially against KC and Baltimore 

I call BS.  Teams always says those things. I recall the Cowboys saying they “knew” we would turn the ball over in SB28. 

Edited January 12 by Philly McButterpants

[JTown]

I was a huge McDermott supporter until the 13 second meltdown.   My biggest problem is that there was no accountability  publicly.   There very well could have been internally, but I think that in this day it would have leaked out of the locker room. 

  Now in 2024, I am very skeptical of his ability to :

1).  Provide a defensive scheme that will result in 3 straight playoff wins.

  2).  Provide adequate game management through the same 3 games.

 I am confident that Josh will have the offense under control and score enough points despite the lack of a WR 1. 

 

I expect the Bills to win today at home,  I do not expect that the Defense will be able to stop Baltimore in the Divisional round.  I hope that McD and Babich have a better defensive strategy, but I don't think it will be enough stop Jackson and Henry. 

 

To his credit,  McDermott and Babich had a great scheme against Detroit.  

 

Yes I am a Bills fan. 

No I don't care if you disagree with my opinion. 

Yes I am hoping the Bills win.

Yes I am open for debating. 

No I will not respond to thoughtless responses or name calling.

[ProcessTruster]

19 hours ago, Shortchaz said:

Great job this season overall but lose Sunday and I’ll want him gone. 

shocking.   

 

careful what you ask for, if he goes the entire organization goes with him and you are starting from scratch

[Jimmy Harris 69]

McDermott is an excellent coach——top five in the league. The Bills won’t lose today. This team is locked in. The real test of McDermott’s skills is against Baltimore next week. Though, as fearsome as king Henry may be, Buffalo beat a Ravens team once before 17-3 that led the NFL in rushing during the 2020 season. It is clear to me, seeing the KC win,  that Coach has learned some hard lessons. He’s having some fun this year and is even willing to show fans a little of himself. That takes courage because face it, we are an awful bunch of butt holes. 

[Shortchaz]

7 minutes ago, ProcessTruster said:

shocking.   

 

careful what you ask for, if he goes the entire organization goes with him and you are starting from scratch

We’d have to lose this Sunday.

 

I don’t think he’s going anywhere, but I’m not a huge fan of his defense; doesn’t seem to work in the playoffs. 

 

[Wiz]

2 hours ago, section122 said:

 

I think you would have a harder time naming 5 coaches that are better than him.  If you list out your 5 I bet I can make a convincing argument he is better than most.  I will even start you with McVay and Reid who I think are better than him.

Andy Reid, John Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh,  Sean Payton, Sean McVay, Shanahan, Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell.    I'd take any of them over this clown.  Not a big Tomlin fan, but I'd take him over Mcdermott.    I'd swap him for Doug Pederson or DeMeco Ryans in a heartbeat.  

Edited January 12 by Wiz

[section122]

13 minutes ago, Wiz said:

Andy Reid, John Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh,  Sean Payton, Sean McVay, Shanahan, Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell.    I'd take any of them over this clown.  Not a big Tomlin fan, but I'd take him over Mcdermott.    I'd swap him for Doug Pederson or DeMeco Ryans in a heartbeat.  

Did you really call him a clown? Lol

 

I had a multiple paragraph response typed and just decided it's not worth it.  Have a great day. Go Bills.

[Breakout Squad]

2 hours ago, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

McDermott is Tomlin is McDermott 

Absolutely not. McD is aggressive. Tomlin is stuck in the 90’s. He freakin punted on a 4th and inches last night. What a joke. 

2 hours ago, JTown said:

I was a huge McDermott supporter until the 13 second meltdown.   My biggest problem is that there was no accountability  publicly.   There very well could have been internally, but I think that in this day it would have leaked out of the locker room. 

  Now in 2024, I am very skeptical of his ability to :

1).  Provide a defensive scheme that will result in 3 straight playoff wins.

  2).  Provide adequate game management through the same 3 games.

 I am confident that Josh will have the offense under control and score enough points despite the lack of a WR 1. 

 

I expect the Bills to win today at home,  I do not expect that the Defense will be able to stop Baltimore in the Divisional round.  I hope that McD and Babich have a better defensive strategy, but I don't think it will be enough stop Jackson and Henry. 

 

To his credit,  McDermott and Babich had a great scheme against Detroit.  

 

Yes I am a Bills fan. 

No I don't care if you disagree with my opinion. 

Yes I am hoping the Bills win.

Yes I am open for debating. 

No I will not respond to thoughtless responses or name calling.

I know I’m in a very small minority here but I don’t blame McD for 13 seconds. IMO it’s the responsibility of the defense to stop Mahomes. They were always going to play prevent defense to not allow a TD. I think some people act like KC won the game on that drive when in fact they tied it to go to overtime. I’m not trying to argue or anything and understand if people disagree with me. I just think the defense let us down. 
 

BUT that’s in the past. The present is ours. Go Bills!!

[Boatdrinks]

2 hours ago, Philly McButterpants said:

I call BS.  Teams always says those things. I recall the Cowboys saying they “knew” we would turn the ball over in SB28. 

Exactly ..these are pro ball players. Of course they’re all confident in themselves. Doesn’t mean a thing to the outcome 

48 minutes ago, Wiz said:

Andy Reid, John Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh,  Sean Payton, Sean McVay, Shanahan, Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell.    I'd take any of them over this clown.  Not a big Tomlin fan, but I'd take him over Mcdermott.    I'd swap him for Doug Pederson or DeMeco Ryans in a heartbeat.  

DeMeco Ryans ? lol 

[Augie]

2 hours ago, ProcessTruster said:

shocking.   

 

careful what you ask for, if he goes the entire organization goes with him and you are starting from scratch

 

….and McD will only be unemployed as long as he wants to be. He will have the luxury of being able to pick the best situation available to be a HC again, and that team’s fans will rightfully be thrilled to have him. And the Bills may or may not get another Rex.  I don’t want to roll those dice just because I let it get emotional. 

 

[extrahammer]

I thought the article was good. I don't think McD has enough experience to compete with the likes of Andy Reid, his game management is a sign of that, but I do think he's gotten better at it over the last 7 years, and I like him. I don't think he's in danger of losing his job this year so I hope he continues to get better. I think he's really trying to coach a wrestler's mindset into the team, if you look at the players, that's really how it seems. The way players quoted talked about him was very in-depth. 

[Wiz]

50 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

….and McD will only be unemployed as long as he wants to be. He will have the luxury of being able to pick the best situation available to be a HC again, and that team’s fans will rightfully be thrilled to have him. And the Bills may or may not get another Rex.  I don’t want to roll those dice just because I let it get emotional. 

 

And whatever team is fooled by McDermott would soon realize his deficiencies as a coach with the fan base being miserable realizing their chances of a Super Bowl are nil.    Any team dumb enough to hire somebody like Rex Ryan is doomed anyway.  

1 hour ago, Boatdrinks said:

DeMeco Ryans ? lol 

The young coach out coached McD earlier in the season.  He's got the Texans in the playoffs and I'd take a chance on him over what we already know we have.  

Edited January 12 by Wiz

[3rdand12]

3 hours ago, JTown said:

I was a huge McDermott supporter until the 13 second meltdown.   My biggest problem is that there was no accountability  publicly.   There very well could have been internally, but I think that in this day it would have leaked out of the locker room. 

  Now in 2024, I am very skeptical of his ability to :

1).  Provide a defensive scheme that will result in 3 straight playoff wins.

  2).  Provide adequate game management through the same 3 games.

 I am confident that Josh will have the offense under control and score enough points despite the lack of a WR 1. 

 

I expect the Bills to win today at home,  I do not expect that the Defense will be able to stop Baltimore in the Divisional round.  I hope that McD and Babich have a better defensive strategy, but I don't think it will be enough stop Jackson and Henry. 

 

To his credit,  McDermott and Babich had a great scheme against Detroit.  

 

Yes I am a Bills fan. 

No I don't care if you disagree with my opinion. 

Yes I am hoping the Bills win.

Yes I am open for debating. 

No I will not respond to thoughtless responses or name calling.

Going to go back to my early comment

He trusted his analytics group in his headset. That showed as a big mistake. Another one actually

 Hope he has that group in his ear today are running a much tighter ship.

 Critical moments and mistakes do not fare well with any of Us

 

Go Bills