Is this the year? The Bills, again, have a legitimate shot to reach the Super Bowl. Go Long sits down with Sean McDermott, the man who's always been central to everything in Orchard Park.
Powerful stuff. Big time respect for Coach McDermott to not only take the interview but to give you an extensive look into his world. Many a petty coach would have shown you the door after the series you wrote (which BTW is what brought me to this excellent Substack) but it's refreshingly manly to see someone not only stand up but to do so in such a gentlemanly manner.
This is such a good read. Thank you. Well done to Coach McDermott for sitting down with you for so long. As a Giants fan with no hope of winning a Championship for years, I’m rooting for the Bills over the next month.
There’s so many levels and layers to this one, Ty. Might be the best reporting yet in an amazing story arc. Everyone who reads this can’t walk away without believing that McDermott bleeds for Buffalo and wants that ultimate win as badly as anyone.
Many of your readers will want to see exactly what’s in that prep packet. And I’d love to be a fly on the wall with the “4th quarter decisions” council …
And from a modern journalism perspective, we’re gonna need you to break down your game tape this off-season with our guy Brian Moritz on Covering This Bills Team After You Wrote The “Mean” Thing. Lots of gems, I bet, in how to be a pro’s pro in a world of quick takes and toxic discourse.
I really appreciate he made the time to do this right now. Definitely have a different perspective on the head man having read this; there’s more self-awareness than I would have thought before reading and comfort in one’s own skin is the single trait I’ve seen in the most successful people in high pressure roles, that I’ve been around. I’ll say this: it comes across clearly that he takes self-improvement and learning from mistakes so seriously as he approaches his other professional duties.
Tremendous interview, and tremendous respect for Sean for sitting down with you and answering these questions. The man is a true Western New Yorker and I am behind him all the way.
Absolutely. Says a lot that he would agree to this.
Coaches aren't perfect. Have always thought of coaches similar to teachers: most of them are 'solid' in what they do, knowledgeable and able to get through to their audience in a good manner, though the ultimate achievement level of the group depends on the collective talents of them. A select few coaches are awesome and rise above the crop. A few are awful.
Much like Mike McCarthy, McDermott isn't perfect, but think he's pretty good. Rooting for him to get a breakthrough.
Phenomenal interview. I've done a 180 on McDermott over the past 12 or so months. No one's perfect, obviously, but the way he's been able to adapt, grow, and change is pretty remarkable. He's the right guy for this team right now.
My first 2 questions to Sean are were you unaware of how many timeouts KC had when you took over defensive play calling costing our team a chance to possibly advance to and win a Super Bowl? Furthermore if it had been suggested that holding/tackling or by any other means physically restricting the receivers from catching the ball and of course being penalized for such taking precious seconds away why was that something that you obviously in 20+ years of defensive coaching never considered? As a Christian man how do you not own it? And as a Christian man how can you promise the fans that you have replayed instances of obvious failures "millions" of times in your head and in your stomach " a million more "; your post game quote relating to situational strategy went from " practiced almost daily " to the next day " practiced " tirelessly, non stop" What a load of ridiculous crap! And now " I bleed (points to heart) for this win, and that is REAL" or is it more bullshit? Your heart is REALLY BLEEDING SEAN? Usually he prefaces statements like these with a " Believe me ". I do believe this - you have been doing everything you can to make this team as good as it can be. Problem is you have never been part of a championship caliber team. Andy Reid knew it. And some of us fans know you will never know what it takes to guide a team to a Super Bowl win. You tried to screw us again by allowing a shotgun formation on 3rd and goal from the two ( why not spread out the defense with an opening look of shotgun then have Josh step toward the line as if calling an audible or protection change then step to the center for a quick hike and sneak?) And instead of placing the games outcome in the hands of Josh and Joe you relapsed to your " playing not to lose" and relying on your defense which did exactly what we knew it would do including leaving their primary red zone target wide open for the 2 point conversion. Thank God he dropped it or we would have had to endure your strategic running out the clock playing for overtime out of fear of Josh turning the ball over due to being sacked/pressured.
Nice read. The offense has had a record breaking year. The Defense has struggled, especially in the 2nd half of the season. I wonder if McBeane missed an opportunity to bring in a 2nd set set of eyes from the outside for the Defense. Pete Carroll, Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban? Head scratching since Sean is on the Defensive side of the ball.
Powerful stuff. Big time respect for Coach McDermott to not only take the interview but to give you an extensive look into his world. Many a petty coach would have shown you the door after the series you wrote (which BTW is what brought me to this excellent Substack) but it's refreshingly manly to see someone not only stand up but to do so in such a gentlemanly manner.
Great journalism. And great conversation. Props all around.
This is such a good read. Thank you. Well done to Coach McDermott for sitting down with you for so long. As a Giants fan with no hope of winning a Championship for years, I’m rooting for the Bills over the next month.
There’s so many levels and layers to this one, Ty. Might be the best reporting yet in an amazing story arc. Everyone who reads this can’t walk away without believing that McDermott bleeds for Buffalo and wants that ultimate win as badly as anyone.
Many of your readers will want to see exactly what’s in that prep packet. And I’d love to be a fly on the wall with the “4th quarter decisions” council …
And from a modern journalism perspective, we’re gonna need you to break down your game tape this off-season with our guy Brian Moritz on Covering This Bills Team After You Wrote The “Mean” Thing. Lots of gems, I bet, in how to be a pro’s pro in a world of quick takes and toxic discourse.
As always, fabulous stuff.
I really appreciate he made the time to do this right now. Definitely have a different perspective on the head man having read this; there’s more self-awareness than I would have thought before reading and comfort in one’s own skin is the single trait I’ve seen in the most successful people in high pressure roles, that I’ve been around. I’ll say this: it comes across clearly that he takes self-improvement and learning from mistakes so seriously as he approaches his other professional duties.
Tremendous interview, and tremendous respect for Sean for sitting down with you and answering these questions. The man is a true Western New Yorker and I am behind him all the way.
Absolutely. Says a lot that he would agree to this.
Coaches aren't perfect. Have always thought of coaches similar to teachers: most of them are 'solid' in what they do, knowledgeable and able to get through to their audience in a good manner, though the ultimate achievement level of the group depends on the collective talents of them. A select few coaches are awesome and rise above the crop. A few are awful.
Much like Mike McCarthy, McDermott isn't perfect, but think he's pretty good. Rooting for him to get a breakthrough.
Great interview with rare in-depth insight into what drives Coach McDermott. Clearly no one tries harder to do the right thing the right way.
Phenomenal interview. I've done a 180 on McDermott over the past 12 or so months. No one's perfect, obviously, but the way he's been able to adapt, grow, and change is pretty remarkable. He's the right guy for this team right now.
My first 2 questions to Sean are were you unaware of how many timeouts KC had when you took over defensive play calling costing our team a chance to possibly advance to and win a Super Bowl? Furthermore if it had been suggested that holding/tackling or by any other means physically restricting the receivers from catching the ball and of course being penalized for such taking precious seconds away why was that something that you obviously in 20+ years of defensive coaching never considered? As a Christian man how do you not own it? And as a Christian man how can you promise the fans that you have replayed instances of obvious failures "millions" of times in your head and in your stomach " a million more "; your post game quote relating to situational strategy went from " practiced almost daily " to the next day " practiced " tirelessly, non stop" What a load of ridiculous crap! And now " I bleed (points to heart) for this win, and that is REAL" or is it more bullshit? Your heart is REALLY BLEEDING SEAN? Usually he prefaces statements like these with a " Believe me ". I do believe this - you have been doing everything you can to make this team as good as it can be. Problem is you have never been part of a championship caliber team. Andy Reid knew it. And some of us fans know you will never know what it takes to guide a team to a Super Bowl win. You tried to screw us again by allowing a shotgun formation on 3rd and goal from the two ( why not spread out the defense with an opening look of shotgun then have Josh step toward the line as if calling an audible or protection change then step to the center for a quick hike and sneak?) And instead of placing the games outcome in the hands of Josh and Joe you relapsed to your " playing not to lose" and relying on your defense which did exactly what we knew it would do including leaving their primary red zone target wide open for the 2 point conversion. Thank God he dropped it or we would have had to endure your strategic running out the clock playing for overtime out of fear of Josh turning the ball over due to being sacked/pressured.
Nice read. The offense has had a record breaking year. The Defense has struggled, especially in the 2nd half of the season. I wonder if McBeane missed an opportunity to bring in a 2nd set set of eyes from the outside for the Defense. Pete Carroll, Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban? Head scratching since Sean is on the Defensive side of the ball.
What a fantastic article…exactly why I subscribe and love your content, Tyler! Love that you two sat down like that…