By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills once again faced an embarrassing loss, this time at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. The game was representative of the team’s season: a glimmer of hope squashed by more talent, execution, and coaching.
The Bills (2-5) entered the second quarter tied with the Colts (2-5) in a scoreless game. After tight end Charles Clay fumbled during the second quarter, the game took a downward turn for the Bills. By the end of the half, the Bills were down by three scores.
It’s not the first time that Buffalo has watched games get out of hand in a hurry. In fact, four of the Bills five losses fall into this category–at least the In all five losses, there have been moments of self-destruction on the team.
McDermott addressed the most recent atrocity during this post-game comments.
“We’ve got to like I said, hit the reset button. Go and look at the film and learn from it. A, it’s got to hurt. The minute losing gets easy and easy to take, is not what we’re looking for.” While losing isn’t getting any easier, these types of games are becoming more familiar for the Bills. Nine of McDermott’s 12 losses as the Bills head coach have been double-digit losses, including seven of 21 points over more,” McDermott said.
“It’s got to hurt and that’s where it starts. And then you’ve got to go look at the tape and make sure we’ve got the right personnel on the field. Fundamentally, we’re doing things right. I know we have some young players out there and they’ll learn through this. I think as a group, we’ve got to learn from this and continue to drive towards our goal here,” McDermott added.
Here’s the problem: this has been stated several times. It’s one thing to lose with lesser talent on the field. It’s no secret that Buffalo is facing an uphill climb against any team with respect to their skill level. However, the lack of consistent progress, coupled with regression during the season, is a massive issue. McDermott’s get-out-of-jail card of making the playoffs last year is wearing thin. Losses are one thing–blowouts are an embarrassment to the glorified “process” of reaching their goal.
The discipline on defense was lacking on Sunday. The offense barely resembles something that a mid-major college could produce. There are far too many holes on this roster for a professional football team. That falls on McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. They have not put their young players in a good situation to succeed. Now, the team has to play the “growing pains” and “moral victories” game.
So, what could hitting the reset button mean? On one level, it’s the organization taking an honest look at their progress and how they are moving toward their long-term goals. But McDermott & Co. have watched games get out of control several times, seven by a gap of 20 points or more on seven occasions, and this can only reflect on a team that has issues with preparation and planning.
Buffalo could hit the reset button on several players who are not part of the long-term vision of the team. Is the team in a holding pattern? At this point, it’s difficult to ascertain how some of these players fit into the team’s vision. It’s probably too difficult to flip the roster in-season, so they have to settle with the players they selected in August.
Still, it doesn’t seem as if this is working out seamlessly. Their franchise quarterback is injured, their most talented player is being evaluated for a possible concussion, the quarterback is a journeyman who wasn’t on a roster two weeks ago, the defense lacked discipline against a run game that has struggled this season, and the play-calling could not match a rookie head coach.
That’s a lot of things that are not moving in the right direction.
“When you try and get things moving in the right direction, that’s one of the first steps, in my opinion. Losing has to matter, has to hurt and you go from there,” McDermott said.
If losing hasn’t mattered, then what is this team doing? The reset button is far from what needs to be pushed if there are concerns about losing mattering.
If the team wants to hit the reset button on the season, then they need to do the things that they discuss ad nauseam: Play fundamentally sound football, call plays that tip the scale in the favor of the Bills, and put themselves in a position of strength in all phases of the game. However, if the team met these goals, a reset button would not be needed. Several times, Buffalo has not earned the right to win games, and this is ultimately what needs to change. A loss is one thing, getting outworked, outcoached, and outperformed is another issue.
The Bills have made their bed, and now they must sleep in it. They must make the best of the situation that the front office has created.
The upcoming week does not get any easier. The New England Patriots stroll into New Era Field for a nationally-televised Monday night game. The Bills need to find a way to be competitive and keep next week’s game close. This falls on the coaching staff.
Otherwise, the reset button be tossed aside for the panic button.