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Patience is a Virtue with New HC Sean McDermott

By Erik Smeal

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott stands on the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott stands on the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Buffalo Bills hiring Sean McDermott as their next head coach, the franchise needs to give him time to build the franchise and work towards success.

The Buffalo Bills have named their 20th Head Coach in franchise history, Sean McDermott. In what could be the most challenging head coaching vacancy this off season, McDermott has his work cut out for him.

There are many questions McDermott will have to answer. Who will be the quarterback in 2017? What changes will be made on defense? What will happen with the 24 players that will become free agents in just a few months? Those are just a few questions that will need to be answered sooner than later.

I also have a few questions that could take longer to be answered. How will Bills players react to a new coach who seems to be the opposite of Rex Ryan? At first glance, it seems as if McDermott will bring more discipline and accountability to the locker room. Several former players and coaches including Ron Rivera, have given great reviews of McDermott.

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With everything that has been said it seems like it could be a smooth transition. On the other hand it will be a lot different than a Rex Ryan led team. Some players (LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins) have openly voiced the need for more discipline and accountability, so the players could welcome McDermott’s style with open arms. There also have been a few questions of character and commitment by some of the players as well.

McDermott has been in the league for almost 20 years, but this is his first head coaching job so there will be some type of transition period. Going further on my question above, McDermott will need to evaluate the roster and find the type of players he wants on this team next season and beyond. That’s why I believe McDermott should be given the sufficient time he needs to establish his team.

Doug Whaley described this team as “close” to a playoff team, which could be a blessing or a curse for McDermott. With so many questions on the roster such as QB and the list of the Bills free agents, how close are the Bills to being a playoff team? Here is a list of the free agents this offseason.

If the Bills are going to move forward with the thought that they are close to a playoff team, they have some quick decisions to make on those free agents. Next season’s roster could look a lot different. All things that factor in on what Coach McDermott will have to work with moving forward. I really like the hire and think he will bring a lot of positive changes to the Bills.

Everyone knows the Bills head coaching carousel for the last 15+ years, so I won’t go into the painful details. The bottom line is that the Bills need to instill full confidence in McDermott and let him go to work. No rumors, no deadlines. The fans need to hit the reset button and give Coach McDermott some time to put his team together.

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Take a look at the teams usually in the playoffs. Most of those teams have had their head coach in place for several years. How many years were there rumblings in Dallas about firing Jason Garrett?How about Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati? Even though the Bengals had a rough year, they had several key injuries including their best wide receiver AJ Green.

The Bengals have made the playoffs the last 5 consecutive years, which Bills fans would love to have right now. Those are just a couple of examples, here is a list of longest tenured head coaches and you will see a pattern of winning teams. Teams that have made the playoffs several times during the Bills 17 year playoff drought.

This isn’t a flashy hire or a ticket sales hire. This is a build a long term competitor hire. I agree with the firing of Rex Ryan because the writing was on the wall. I also don’t blame the Pegulas for hiring Rex Ryan either. Doug Marrone opted out of his contract and left abruptly. The Bills had to suddenly find a new head coach and fast.

Next: 5 Reasons Why Hiring McDermott Was a Good Move

Rex Ryan was one of the experienced candidates and was in high demand. The Atlanta Falcons would have most likely signed Rex if the Bills let him leave after the second interview. The Bills had to make a move, they chose the coach with the most experience and who had some success against Bill Belichick. That didn’t work out and I think it was the right time to move on from Rex.

This time the Bills should approach the hire differently. Let Coach McDermott start with a fresh slate. It may take some time, but I believe he can make the Buffalo Bills a playoff team.

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