Sean McDermott: It’s a matter of when, not if, we win a Super Bowl

[Woodman]

McDermott has gone 73-41 in the regular season since becoming the Bills’ head coach in 2017 and the Bills have advanced to the postseason in all but one of his seasons with the team, but they have not been able to get past the Chiefs or Bengals over the last five seasons. While that’s led to questions from others about whether McDermott is the right coach to push the Bills over the finish line, there’s no inner doubt about what the future holds for the team.

“It’s not a matter of if. It’s just a matter of when (https://theathletic.com/5299472/2024/02/26/buffalo-bills-sean-mcdermott-nfl-combine/),” McDermott said, via Tim Graham of TheAthletic.com. “That is the relentless pursuit.”




Sean McDermott- It's a matter of when, not if, we win a Super Bowl - NBC Sports (https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sean-mcdermott-its-a-matter-of-when-not-if-we-win-a-super-bowl)

[notacon]

The full interview and article that NBC Sports refers to is from (where else...the best sports media source) The Athletic, by Tim Graham. It is a fantastic article....


Undeterred in Super Bowl pursuit, Bills coach Sean McDermott says “when, not if” (https://theathletic.com/5299472/2024/02/26/buffalo-bills-sean-mcdermott-nfl-combine/)

[Typ0]

And a big problem he has is being submersed in believing his own narcissistic bull**** and not making adjustments. Same ole same ole will get the same results .... so I say it remains an "IF".

[YardRat]

I'm tired of the rhetoric.

Shut up until you put up.

[sahlensguy]

The arrogance knows no bounds.

[Mad Max]

I’m not the guys biggest supporter but don’t understand the hate on this comment. You gotta believe before you achieve.

Also he’s now just bet his reputation. Takes courage and I commend him for it.

[sahlensguy]

I’m not the guys biggest supporter but don’t understand the hate on this comment. You gotta believe before you achieve.

Also he’s now just bet his reputation. Takes courage and I commend him for it.

Humble and hungry. Not

[YardRat]

I’m not the guys biggest supporter but don’t understand the hate on this comment. You gotta believe before you achieve.

Also he’s now just bet his reputation. Takes courage and I commend him for it.

What else is he going to say? "Super Bowl? Nah, I really don't see that happening."?

[Mad Max]

What else is he going to say? "Super Bowl? Nah, I really don't see that happening."?

He could have easily said nothing. There was no gun to his head. Most coaches (including McDermott) anre very good ant saying nothing most of the time… even when they’re speaking.

[Typ0]

There have been good coaches who have won one Super Bowl due to a series of bounces going their way. Can't say definitively McDermott can't be one of those guys because he can.

That is 'IF' talk.

'When' talk starts when McDermotts name belongs with Belicheck; Reid; Parcells; Shula...

Give me a ****ing break. McDermott is humble my ass. I want to love the guy and be all excited like a lot of people but my truth is the likely hood is he's already coached his best team and he's not going to be able to get over the hump. It is NOT Josh Allen as this late game cluster**** of communication has been here since the moment McDermott got here not Allen.

McDermott is charged with examining everything and making it better -- that includes himself. He's not humble enough and too committed to things that are tried and true marginal. He deserves the criticism in this thread. McDermott has a giant painting of himself hanging over his desk and is more like Dark Helmut than Darth Vader.

[Novacane]

Whatever Sean. I've tuned you out.

[OpIv37]

I’m not the guys biggest supporter but don’t understand the hate on this comment. You gotta believe before you achieve.

Also he’s now just bet his reputation. Takes courage and I commend him for it.

So he didn’t believe the past 5 years when he didn’t achieve? It only gets harder from here.

The window is slammed shut. KC is way ahead of us. We can’t beat Cincy when Burrow is healthy. Jax, Houston, Baltimore, Cleveland… Miami is right on our heels and NJB is a threat if Rodgers is healthy. The conf is getting harder, not easier, and we can’t make up ground cuz of the cap.

Allen and McD will never win a SB in Buffalo. Their chance has come and gone.

[DetoxTent]

And a big problem he has is being submersed in believing his own narcissistic bull**** and not making adjustments. Same ole same ole will get the same results .... so I say it remains an "IF".

And now Beane's contracts have caught up with themselves. Even with the bump in cap. Why did he agree to this year's number for Von Miller when he did that contract?

[DetoxTent]

I’m not the guys biggest supporter but don’t understand the hate on this comment. You gotta believe before you achieve.
Also he’s now just bet his reputation. Takes courage and I commend him for it.

It's the off-season. Nobody's listening. They're just words. Let's see the actions. The actions haven't matched the words with McDermott.

[jamze132]

I like the confidence and I’m sure his players appreciate that attitude. The NFL is tough.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Fairly confident guy from the interview at the combine. I actually liked his presence - about where he's at right now. Not the kind of empty arrogance like Rex when he was hired. Like everyone I'm in "see the baby" mode - I believe McDermott is aware of that. But there is nothing not to like in that interview and I'm not sure anyone you hire to replace him would give you better impression (save for Belichick who would give you no words and you'd still be impressed).

For the record, us fans are mad about no official details regarding the 13-seconds, 12-man field goal blocking etc. from McDermott But if you are in management or an owner, that's EXACTLY what I want to see my day-to-day guy to handle this. I'm 100% sure they know what happened, probably multiple factors involving multiple people and addressed internally. But leaking those details outside the confines of OBD achieves nothing positive for the business you are in.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdsKZIblAtg

[Typ0]

Fairly confident guy from the interview at the combine. I actually liked his presence - about where he's at right now. Not the kind of empty arrogance like Rex when he was hired. Like everyone I'm in "see the baby" mode - I believe McDermott is aware of that. But there is nothing not to like in that interview and I'm not sure anyone you hire to replace him would give you better impression (save for Belichick who would give you no words and you'd still be impressed).

For the record, us fans are mad about no official details regarding the 13-seconds, 12-man field goal blocking etc. from McDermott But if you are in management or an owner, that's EXACTLY what I want to see my day-to-day guy to handle this. I'm 100% sure they know what happened, probably multiple factors involving multiple people and addressed internally. But leaking those details outside the confines of OBD achieves nothing positive for the business you are in.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdsKZIblAtg

There really is. Honesty, accountability and transparency are tantamount to the growth mindset McDermott does lip service to but doesn't support. We should embrace people's mistakes more and use them to our advantage -- that is what the growth mindset is about. So don't come to a press conference and tell me baloney about the growth mindset you obviously don't support ... it is pretty challenged in the NFL anyway.

Don't compare McDermott to Rex Ryan though McDermott is a real coach Rex Ryan is a mess of a blow hard.

[Cntrygal]

"When".... I'd like to see it before I die, preferably with a few years to spare.

[Mad Max]

So he didn’t believe the past 5 years when he didn’t achieve? It only gets harder from here.

The window is slammed shut. KC is way ahead of us. We can’t beat Cincy when Burrow is healthy. Jax, Houston, Baltimore, Cleveland… Miami is right on our heels and NJB is a threat if Rodgers is healthy. The conf is getting harder, not easier, and we can’t make up ground cuz of the cap.

Allen and McD will never win a SB in Buffalo. Their chance has come and gone.
Do you say everything you believe? And isn’t it common knowledge the ultra conservative nature of head coach speak?

Oh and it was shocking to learn that you think the window is shut. I personally don’t have a loser’s mentality so I’m going to go ahead and believe the window is wide open (it is)…many teams not as good as ours have won the Super Bowl. MANY.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

There really is. Honesty, accountability and transparency are tantamount to the growth mindset McDermott does lip service to but doesn't support. We should embrace people's mistakes more and use them to our advantage -- that is what the growth mindset is about. So don't come to a press conference and tell me baloney about the growth mindset you obviously don't support ... it is pretty challenged in the NFL anyway.

Don't compare McDermott to Rex Ryan though McDermott is a real coach Rex Ryan is a mess of a blow hard.
That's strong words, honesty, accountability, and transparency. You need context, as in to who? To fans, probably none, as in for all coaches in NFL, not just McDermott. They are judged by wins and losses.

[Typ0]

Do you say everything you believe? And isn’t it common knowledge the ultra conservative nature of head coach speak?

Oh and it was shocking to learn that you think the window is shut. I personally don’t have a loser’s mentality so I’m going to go ahead and believe the window is wide open (it is)…many teams not as good as ours have won the Super Bowl. MANY.

But that isn't accurate as most of those occurrences happened in a different environment. In the salary cap era it is pretty clear the teams who win championships are the ones having the players who perform on par or above their contracts for the most part.

So I don't even get it why people are appeased by being under the cap all of a sudden. It's like people don't realize the real goal is better cap management against the competition not to 'remain under the cap'.

KC shed contract weight and drafted well. They won another championship.

We gave out some big contracts and many of our rookies sit on the bench.

It isn't rocket science that we do things contrary to what we see as good winning practice. Maybe it's not a coincidence when McDermott claims he cut his teeth under Reid that he leaves out the fact that Reid fired him.

Finally, I would say eternal optimism is actually a loser attitude because it ignores the things being addressed on other teams that are winning them championships. So you go ahead and think the window is wide open while our management does things that push the window closed and see where that continues to get us ....

Nobody submersed in the Growth mindset is an eternal optimist as it is brutal and insidious to look at yourself this way but productive!

McDermott has a lot of good ideas he just can't get things to come together and get done because he's doesn't run a disciplined enough program do drive people's focus forward and he's a manipulative gas lighter trying to pump people up with the growth mindset. He doesn't really bother teaching people what to do or preparing the team situationally for critical moments. The coaching choices during games can be very suspect and/or downright destructive.

If he wants to put fourth the growth mindset he needs to teach these young people what that is and how to use it. Am not seeing it. See a lot of lip service though.

Teaching would be saying "if" we keep growing we can win a championship not assuming the growth "when" we win a championship.

Coaches have to lie and be full of ****. I get that. He's got the wrong model employed to coach an NFL team and refuses to change.

We are going to need a new coaching staff.

[Typ0]

That's strong words, honesty, accountability, and transparency. You need context, as in to who? To fans, probably none, as in for all coaches in NFL, not just McDermott. They are judged by wins and losses.

No not really. Mostly to yourself. It effects how you see everything because the context is simply what you are doing and how you can grow.

Diggs goes out for a cross route and Allen throws the ball 2 feet short. Diggs response is to ask himself what HE could have done to help that play succeed NOT worry about that being on Josh Allen.

It is not about fault and/or who is responsible. It simply is the mentality I am very focused on ME and what I need to do to keep growing.

It NEVER happens when people don't feel emotionally safe. There is no emotional safety when there is no trust.

I would even say there are things about being in the NFL that destroy the emotional safety so it's the idea of the growth mindset is fundamentally flawed in the NFL. Just having the media be the way they are destroys the growth mindset in some ways.

Do something else not something that is properly aligned with what you are trying to achieve and can support it not destroy it!

[Typ0]

There was an issue in the media last week. The OT we had last year said one of his team mates made a mistake. That was like frigging voodoo and he caught flack for it too.

Why? Because no one feels safe when they are constantly threatened by the media's power and interpretation of things.

[Mad Max]

But that isn't accurate as most of those occurrences happened in a different environment. In the salary cap era it is pretty clear the teams who win championships are the ones having the players who perform on par or above their contracts for the most part.

So I don't even get it why people are appeased by being under the cap all of a sudden. It's like people don't realize the real goal is better cap management against the competition not to 'remain under the cap'.

KC shed contract weight and drafted well. They won another championship.

We gave out some big contracts and many of our rookies sit on the bench.

It isn't rocket science that we do things contrary to what we see as good winning practice. Maybe it's not a coincidence when McDermott claims he cut his teeth under Reid that he leaves out the fact that Reid fired him.

Finally, I would say eternal optimism is actually a loser attitude because it ignores the things being addressed on other teams that are winning them championships. So you go ahead and think the window is wide open while our management does things that push the window closed and see where that continues to get us ....

Nobody submersed in the Growth mindset is an eternal optimist as it is brutal and insidious to look at yourself this way but productive!

McDermott has a lot of good ideas he just can't get things to come together and get done because he's doesn't run a disciplined enough program do drive people's focus forward and he's a manipulative gas lighter trying to pump people up with the growth mindset. He doesn't really bother teaching people what to do or preparing the team situationally for critical moments. The coaching choices during games can be very suspect and/or downright destructive.

If he wants to put fourth the growth mindset he needs to teach these young people what that is and how to use it. Am not seeing it. See a lot of lip service though.

Teaching would be saying "if" we keep growing we can win a championship not assuming the growth "when" we win a championship.

Coaches have to lie and be full of ****. I get that. He's got the wrong model employed to coach an NFL team and refuses to change.

We are going to need a new coaching staff.
Bro. Who hurt you? That was a notty like ramble.

I’ll restate that I’m not a huge fan of McD but since I have no control over any of it I’m not going to sweat it…and we just might catch lightning.

Nick Foles, Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer all have rings in the Salary Cap era.

[Typ0]

That post above should read:

Do something else that is properly aligned with what you are trying to achieve and can support it not destroy it!

[Typ0]

Bro. Who hurt you? That was a notty like ramble.

I’ll restate that I’m not a huge fan of McD but since I have no control over any of it I’m not going to sweat it…and we just might catch lightning.

Nick Foles, Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer all have rings in the Salary Cap era.

Oh I get the catch lightening thing. That is EXACTLY what our problem is!

McDermott's whole thing is to try and find some lightening.

And I'm just asking with the talent on this roster the last 4 years what the hell do we need lightening for?

Because the strategy seems to be focused on finding a way to position us to get lucky while there are other folks in the league doing their due diligence to keep kicking our teeth in.

We blew it on the go all in and win one. The window has been effected.

How are we adjusting our strategy?

"trust the process" we "WILL" win one.

[Typ0]

That was a notty like ramble.


Now wait a minute here....I don't see a bunch of hyper liberal cherry picked links to rationalize my bull**** so I don't think that is fair.

[OpIv37]

Do you say everything you believe? And isn’t it common knowledge the ultra conservative nature of head coach speak?

Oh and it was shocking to learn that you think the window is shut. I personally don’t have a loser’s mentality so I’m going to go ahead and believe the window is wide open (it is)…many teams not as good as ours have won the Super Bowl. MANY.

It has nothing to do with anyone's mentality.

We know there are two teams in the conference that we simply can't beat in the playoffs. We don't have the cap space to close the talent gap between us and them. There are several other teams that are gaining on us and either already have or are about to surpass us. And you're using the exception to prove the rule. Maybe a few teams that aren't as good as us won a SB. But there are a LOT more examples of teams as good or better than us that never won a SB.

So, believe whatever you want but it's not the reality of the situation.

[Mad Max]

Now wait a minute here....I don't see a bunch of hyper liberal cherry picked links to rationalize my bull**** so I don't think that is fair.

Haha you’re right I got carried away. My apologies.

[DetoxTent]

"When".... I'd like to see it before I die, preferably with a few years to spare.

That's what my father said when he passed at 80 in 2019. A lifelong Bills fan who had heard the same from several other Bills coaches over the years.

[Mace]

We're in the 8th year of a program, 7 with Josh Allen, this isn't fresh anymore. They're still working on receivers and a passing offense after just coming up with an ol and a legitimate threat at rb.

They're not a hungry team on fire with enthusiasm...a motivational coach works best with young guys and we patch yearly with vets. They're placid...when not if reflects their yearly blown games....we'll be fine next week or the week after...or the week after.... coach says so.

McD is going to rah rah. I'm tired of it. His players are comfortable in their happy underachiever space because there is always maybe if you just believe and coast along because your boss says it's all dandy.

No.... it's not all dandy, we're losing ground and McD needs to step up his clapping and lip service. Imho.

[Typ0]

McD is going to rah rah. I'm tired of it. His players are comfortable in their happy underachiever space because there is always maybe if you just believe and coast along because your boss says it's all dandy.



The effects of that are culturally profound! Nice job putting that into words. It's the "Process" they are in they need to "Trust". It's like the Jews trusting the Gestapo and getting onto the train. Our guys don't need to worry about a lot of **** as long as they follow McDermott's process. That is all that really matters.

This can work in a lot of environments not sure about the NFL where you are better off having pissed off intense freaks running the coach over than someone who is so humble the only person they are going to run over is themselves.

But he gets along great with his guys I'm sure he does.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

No not really. Mostly to yourself. It effects how you see everything because the context is simply what you are doing and how you can grow.

Diggs goes out for a cross route and Allen throws the ball 2 feet short. Diggs response is to ask himself what HE could have done to help that play succeed NOT worry about that being on Josh Allen.

It is not about fault and/or who is responsible. It simply is the mentality I am very focused on ME and what I need to do to keep growing.

It NEVER happens when people don't feel emotionally safe. There is no emotional safety when there is no trust.

I would even say there are things about being in the NFL that destroy the emotional safety so it's the idea of the growth mindset is fundamentally flawed in the NFL. Just having the media be the way they are destroys the growth mindset in some ways.

Do something else not something that is properly aligned with what you are trying to achieve and can support it not destroy it!

My point is there is a lot of honesty, accountability, and transparency BEHIND the door. Guys being called out by coaches, by each other. The plays that happened the past Sunday is played to everyone more than you know. They know what is the call from the coaches, they know what happened, who did what. It is pretty much black and white for everyone involved, coaches included. But to us fans, reporters, they lie, maybe white lies. That's the context.

It happens in all line of business as well, different levels. Because there is something called trade secret.

[sahlensguy]

My point is there is a lot of honesty, accountability, and transparency BEHIND the door. Guys being called out by coaches, by each other. The plays that happened the past Sunday is played to everyone more than you know. They know what is the call from the coaches, they know what happened, who did what. It is pretty much black and white for everyone involved, coaches included. But to us fans, reporters, they lie, maybe white lies. That's the context.

It happens in all line of business as well, different levels. Because there is something called trade secret.

And you know what that all leads to, right?

Arrogance

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Like it or not, a football team, pretty much like a business, is a dictatorship, not a democracy like a government. The holy concept of honesty, accountability, and transparency lives from a rank to the next chain of command, having nothing to do with the public or fans. Thus the ultimate responsibility goes to the ownership. If the ownership sees his subordinates having the honesty, accountability, and transparency, that's the end of it. If the ownership judgement is not up to par, the whole organization is in trouble. In an open market economy, that organization would fold quickly and be replaced by a capable one. But NFL is not exactly open market - teams like the Bills with 17 years draught still survived.

Don't for a minute think Terry Pegula is hands off. When he purchased team, he consulted a lot of people. Bill Polian suggested him to hire a football czar to oversee football operations. Pegula didn't go for that, instead he has HC and GM report to him directly. He wants to know what is going on. And McDermott is not his first hire either.

[sahlensguy]

Like it or not, a football team, pretty much like a business, is a dictatorship, not a democracy like a government. The holy concept of honesty, accountability, and transparency lives from a rank to the next chain of command, having nothing to do with the public or fans. Thus the ultimate responsibility goes to the ownership. If the ownership sees his subordinates having the honesty, accountability, and transparency, that's the end of it. If the ownership judgement is not up to par, the whole organization is in trouble. In an open market economy, that organization would fold quickly and be replaced by a capable one. But NFL is not exactly open market - teams like the Bills with 17 years draught still survived.

Don't for a minute think Terry Pegula is hands off. When he purchased team, he consulted a lot of people. Bill Polian suggested him to hire a football czar to oversee football operations. Pegula didn't go for that, instead he has HC and GM report to him directly. He wants to know what is going on. And McDermott is not his first hire either.
I'm not expecting honesty. But dont't be hypocritical. Don't preach hungry and humble and then act entitled and arrogant.

[notacon]

I have confidence (although not necessarily "full" confidence) in Sean McDermott as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

The fans that DO NOT don't matter very much because......


The ONLY person's opinion that matters, Terry Pegula, is 100% McD and he has his full support and has backed that up with a contract through 2027.

Plus, as we found out today with the NFLPA's annual "report card" of players (https://nflpa.com/buffalo-bills-report-card-2024#team-travel), the BILLS PLAYERS have full confidence in McD as coach....and the players love ownership.

McD gets an "A" grade from the players.

Pegula gets an "A-" grade from the players.

Interestingly, KC players (https://nflpa.com/kansas-city-chiefs-report-card-2024) give Reid an "A+", but gave ownership an "F-"....32nd in the NFL. Ouch!!!

Basically, right now, the belly aching from the "fans" about McD is whistling in the wind.

[Mad Max]

I have confidence (although not necessarily "full" confidence) in Sean McDermott as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

The fans that DO NOT don't matter very much because......


The ONLY person's opinion that matters, Terry Pegula, is 100% McD and he has his full support and has backed that up with a contract through 2027.

Plus, as we found out today with the NFLPA's annual "report card" of players (https://nflpa.com/buffalo-bills-report-card-2024#team-travel), the BILLS PLAYERS have full confidence in McD as coach....and the players love ownership.

McD gets an "A" grade from the players.

Pegula gets an "A-" grade from the players.

Interestingly, KC players (https://nflpa.com/kansas-city-chiefs-report-card-2024) give Reid an "A+", but gave ownership an "F-"....32nd in the NFL. Ouch!!!

Basically, right now, the belly aching from the "fans" about McD is whistling in the wind.
Correct. Like it or not Opie is our head coach in 2024 so why people hand-wring wishing it weren’t so I don’t understand.

He also absolutely is on a timer which the hand-wringers refuse to believe. I personally don’t think he has more than one more collapse left.

[jamze132]

It has nothing to do with anyone's mentality.

We know there are two teams in the conference that we simply can't beat in the playoffs. We don't have the cap space to close the talent gap between us and them. There are several other teams that are gaining on us and either already have or are about to surpass us. And you're using the exception to prove the rule. Maybe a few teams that aren't as good as us won a SB. But there are a LOT more examples of teams as good or better than us that never won a SB.

So, believe whatever you want but it's not the reality of the situation.

You can’t say we can’t beat them. If KCs defense was in the position ours was in, we’d probably have won. If Hamlin didn’t die and come back to life, maybe the team wouldn’t have been so emotionally drained. Too many variables each season.

KC got lucky…they beat the Bills who had no LBs. They beat the Ravens who stopped running the ball like they had for 18 games. They beat the 49ers who inexplicably stopped giving the ball to McCaffery in the 3rd quarter.

[Typ0]

You can’t say we can’t beat them. If KCs defense was in the position ours was in, we’d probably have won. If Hamlin didn’t die and come back to life, maybe the team wouldn’t have been so emotionally drained. Too many variables each season.

KC got lucky…they beat the Bills who had no LBs. They beat the Ravens who stopped running the ball like they had for 18 games. They beat the 49ers who inexplicably stopped giving the ball to McCaffery in the 3rd quarter.

They did not get lucky they outcoached everyone and played smarter football. We don't prepare for that under McDermott how many times do you have to see the consequences?

[jamze132]

They did not get lucky they outcoached everyone and played smarter football. We don't prepare for that under McDermott how many times do you have to see the consequences?

I’ll not take anything away from KC…they took full advantage of injuries and ineptitude. Doesn’t mean we can’t beat them with a healthy roster, which is my point.

[Typ0]

I’ll not take anything away from KC…they took full advantage of injuries and ineptitude. Doesn’t mean we can’t beat them with a healthy roster, which is my point.

The health of the roster has nothing to do with it which is my point. The bottom line is, for whatever reason, when it really matters and the pressure is really on, our team can't think as fast as other teams and they get it handed to them.

Welcome to the Growth Mindset in the NFL. There isn't time for the better human **** that takes too much to play out in the NFL.

People are fooled by McDermott because he's really smart and a great coach ... but his culture bogs them down at the worst possible moments. McDermott is a cerebral defensive guru whose only real downfall is his timing is bad...

[Woodman]

The full interview and article that NBC Sports refers to is from (where else...the best sports media source) The Athletic, by Tim Graham. It is a fantastic article....


Undeterred in Super Bowl pursuit, Bills coach Sean McDermott says “when, not if” (https://theathletic.com/5299472/2024/02/26/buffalo-bills-sean-mcdermott-nfl-combine/)

:gobills:

[Woodman]

And a big problem he has is being submersed in believing his own narcissistic bull**** and not making adjustments. Same ole same ole will get the same results .... so I say it remains an "IF".

:idunno: Everything is "IF" really.

[Woodman]

I’m not the guys biggest supporter but don’t understand the hate on this comment. You gotta believe before you achieve.

Also he’s now just bet his reputation. Takes courage and I commend him for it.

This is key!

[Woodman]

He could have easily said nothing. There was no gun to his head. Most coaches (including McDermott) anre very good ant saying nothing most of the time… even when they’re speaking.

I love the confidence myself.

Better to be upbeat than beatdown.

[OpIv37]

You can’t say we can’t beat them. If KCs defense was in the position ours was in, we’d probably have won. If Hamlin didn’t die and come back to life, maybe the team wouldn’t have been so emotionally drained. Too many variables each season.

KC got lucky…they beat the Bills who had no LBs. They beat the Ravens who stopped running the ball like they had for 18 games. They beat the 49ers who inexplicably stopped giving the ball to McCaffery in the 3rd quarter.

They beat 3 very good teams. They've been to 4 of the last 5 SB's and won 3 of them. That's not luck.

[OpIv37]

I’ll not take anything away from KC…they took full advantage of injuries and ineptitude. Doesn’t mean we can’t beat them with a healthy roster, which is my point.

Well, two things: first, there's never a guarantee of a healthy roster, especially in the playoffs. Second, we're 0 for 3 against the modern Chiefs in the playoffs. So until we actually DO beat them in the playoffs, there's no reason to believe we can. The Bills have won plenty of night games and at least 1 playoff game a year for the last 4 years, so it would be wrong to say that the Bills choke on the big stage. But KC is just slightly better in the big moments than we are.

[Woodman]

They beat 3 very good teams. They've been to 4 of the last 5 SB's and won 3 of them. That's not luck.

Will they (The Chiefs) win their division next year IYO?

[Mad Max]

They beat 3 very good teams. They've been to 4 of the last 5 SB's and won 3 of them. That's not luck.

They’re a skilled team obviously, but to deny luck is to ignore the facts.

They won 11 games.
Dominant teams don’t win only 11 games.

They’re very lucky that the three good teams they beat to win the SB this year (Dolphins don’t count) ALL did stupid/very stupid things to help them win.

They’re also lucky to have a HOF coach, TE and Kicker (and maybe QB) Without any one of the those future hall of famers they have zero rings.

Bills have one future HOFer…

Luck is huge.

[Woodman]

They’re a skilled team obviously, but to deny luck is to ignore the facts.

They won 11 games.
Dominant teams don’t win only 11 games.

They’re very lucky that the three good teams they beat to win the SB this year (Dolphins don’t count) ALL did stupid/very stupid things to help them win.

They’re also lucky to have a HOF coach, TE and Kicker (and maybe QB) Without any one of the those future hall of famers they have zero rings.

Bills have one future HOFer…

Luck is huge.

It's better to be lucky than good but it's best when your good and lucky.

[jamze132]

The health of the roster has nothing to do with it which is my point. The bottom line is, for whatever reason, when it really matters and the pressure is really on, our team can't think as fast as other teams and they get it handed to them.

Welcome to the Growth Mindset in the NFL. There isn't time for the better human **** that takes too much to play out in the NFL.

People are fooled by McDermott because he's really smart and a great coach ... but his culture bogs them down at the worst possible moments. McDermott is a cerebral defensive guru whose only real downfall is his timing is bad...

You can sit there and tell me if we had a healthy Milano and/or Bernard, Kelsey would have went off like he did and they’d put up 27 points?

[sahlensguy]

...

[sahlensguy]

You can sit there and tell me if we had a healthy Milano and/or Bernard, Kelsey would have went off like he did and they’d put up 27 points?

Impossible to say. With a healthy D, our offensive game plan probably wouldn't have been the effective ball control plan that it was. With Davis out and Diggs checked out, this may have led to, say, careless turnovers.

All I know, when it matters most, McD comes up small more often than not, and they don't.

[Cntrygal]

That's what my father said when he passed at 80 in 2019. A lifelong Bills fan who had heard the same from several other Bills coaches over the years.

Yeah, mine thought he might get lucky .... but he gained his skybox view last April.

[Woodman]

"When".... I'd like to see it before I die, preferably with a few years to spare.


20199
Just give me one before I die.

I'm wearing the shirt right now.

Got it for Christmas.

[DetoxTent]

20199


For Lecter...

https://i.etsystatic.com/40059290/r/il/0f0eeb/4491423432/il_600x600.4491423432_4dgq.jpghttps://www.etsy.com/listing/1372552220/buffalo-cat?click_key=41ac6d31aa591a309eb8be21c57f6509022d81b2%3A1372552220&click_sum=ed5102d9&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=one+before+i+die+buffalo+bills&ref=search_grid-646359-1-40&frs=1

[Woodman]

For Lecter...

https://i.etsystatic.com/40059290/r/il/0f0eeb/4491423432/il_600x600.4491423432_4dgq.jpghttps://www.etsy.com/listing/1372552220/buffalo-cat?click_key=41ac6d31aa591a309eb8be21c57f6509022d81b2%3A1372552220&click_sum=ed5102d9&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=one+before+i+die+buffalo+bills&ref=search_grid-646359-1-40&frs=1

:cheers:

[Typ0]

You can sit there and tell me if we had a healthy Milano and/or Bernard, Kelsey would have went off like he did and they’d put up 27 points?

Every little change is a different game. What of it? It was what it was. Or is what it is.

I see a game we could have won but refused to. They Chiefs are not Gods they gave us the football game and we refused to take it.

We were not well enough organized and/or prepared to win the football game.

[Woodman]

We were not well enough organized and/or prepared to win the football game.
and that's the bottomline.

[Typ0]

and that's the bottomline.

And that's the thing that "trust the process" refuses to correct as well.

[Typ0]

I'm encouraged about the hiring of all these coaches.

One of the things I keep seeing symptoms of with my limited constrained view if the difficulty sometimes the players can have translating what the coaches want them to do. The team can seem to get situationally paralyzed. It is not everyone playing like ****. They are getting pushed into the zone of proximal development then left there. It could just be because they are still kids being mentored as adults ... and they are adults too but they were just so close to being gifted kids you don't just take that away with a birthday.

The coaching has to learn how to translate it's values better and be clearer what it is asking the players to do.

This is big. So is what we are seeing evidence of learning or is it McDermott's reaction to getting overwhelmed last season and being a little more DC and a little less HC than he would have like to have been?

It matters in McDermott's heart and soul because what ends up playing it's way back out on the field is all of these people adding a lot of value and things being more dynamic than we have been seeing while at the same time players making less mistakes and the team looking like they are alert as opposed to a deer in headlights.

[Woodman]

And that's the thing that "trust the process" refuses to correct as well.

Agreed it's a big problem.

[Woodman]

I'm encouraged about the hiring of all these coaches.

One of the things I keep seeing symptoms of with my limited constrained view if the difficulty sometimes the players can have translating what the coaches want them to do. The team can seem to get situationally paralyzed. It is not everyone playing like ****. They are getting pushed into the zone of proximal development then left there. It could just be because they are still kids being mentored as adults ... and they are adults too but they were just so close to being gifted kids you don't just take that away with a birthday.

The coaching has to learn how to translate it's values better and be clearer what it is asking the players to do.

This is big. So is what we are seeing evidence of learning or is it McDermott's reaction to getting overwhelmed last season and being a little more DC and a little less HC than he would have like to have been?

It matters in McDermott's heart and soul because what ends up playing it's way back out on the field is all of these people adding a lot of value and things being more dynamic than we have been seeing while at the same time players making less mistakes and the team looking like they are alert as opposed to a deer in headlights.

:10: Excellent post!!