By: Robert Quinn | 2 hours ago
When the Buffalo Bills hired new head coach Sean McDermott, one of the first things he did was sit down for a meal with some of the team’s all-time greats from the early 90’s including Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Darryl Talley and Steve Tasker.
This move excited fans and former players, as the previous coaches hadn’t given much consideration to the thoughts of these legendary players that really made the team a powerhouse during their epic Super Bowl runs.
Talley appeared on The Buffalo News’ ‘The Tim Graham Show’ to discuss the meeting with McDermott, offering his thoughts on the new coach and his opinion on the future of the team.
“It meant a lot to us to know that he wanted to know what we thought, you know, just the idea of sitting down and talking to him and getting a feel for the way he’s trying to go and progress, the process that he’s got,” Talley said.
He continued with an eye-opening comment, stating that McDermott being hired was the best thing to happen to the franchise since Marv Levy, the head coach of those storied teams that will be remembered forever in NFL history.
“Honestly, I think he’s the best thing the Bills have gotten since Marv (Levy),” said Talley. “He reminds me of a young version of what Marv Levy would have been like. He’s very astute to what’s going on in and around him and I don’t think that he’s afraid to let somebody go out and play. Once the system is put in place and he wants to hold people accountable. So, with that being said, I think it bodes well for him because that’s what everybody needs – accountability.”
Talley was asked about former Bills coach Rex Ryan, who was well-known for being a ‘players coach’ that ‘let his guys run loose’ and what his opinion was on how a coach can find a way to hold players accountable while also letting the players be themselves.
“Winning starts with structure,” Talley said. “There’s got to be some structure there and that’s what I see him (McDermott) bringing is structure to it and structure and accountability are the two biggest things that I see him bringing. His idea to motivate people, you know motivate guys to play, I think he has to resort to what Marv did. He said ‘I don’t want to motivate players, I want motivated players.”
“You have to take responsibility for what you’re doing. Knowing your assignments, give everything you have, giving yourself an opportunity to play, doing everything in your power to put yourself in the best possible position and sometimes guys just don’t do that. Sometimes it takes someone to say, ‘look, this is what you have to do’ and I think that’s what you guys (the Bills) have gotten.”
These are some strong sentiments from Talley – one of the primary leaders of Buffalo’s storied teams and a player that many believe should be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
He’s always been vocal and unfiltered when it comes to giving his thoughts on the team – whether tweeting during games or speaking with The Buffalo News. For him to be this optimistic about coach McDermott and the future of the team speaks volumes and it only echoes the views of just about every national pundit that’s covered the team’s front office makeover during the offseason.
McDermott is a first-time head coach and training camp still hasn’t even begun, but for the first time in years, there’s a glowing optimism that hasn’t been seen around One Bills Drive in quite some time.
http://billswire.usatoday.com/2017/06/03/former-bills-lb-darryl-talley-says-sean-mcdermott-reminds-him-of-young-marv-levy/
Comment