The Mighty O’Ba Sports Report: Tough Remaining Road for the Hometown Team

By Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

This has been a challenging season for the faithful of Western New York because the Buffalo Bills have had their struggles the entire season. This season has gone so bad that people are now stating nationally that Sean McDermott, despite his success, could be on the hot seat because of the high expectations of this franchise for the last few years.

Most people believe the franchise has one of the most talented rosters in the league, but injuries and poor coaching decisions have hurt the fortunes of this team. There have also been some questionable personnel decisions which include giving the 33-year-old Von Miller one of the richest defensive contracts in the league. McDermott/ Beane also gave an in season extension to tight end Dawson Knox, when many people believe that money should have been used to keep Tremaine Edmonds, who has since signed with the Chicago Bears.

Knox, who was having a below average year, is on Injured Reserve requiring wrist surgery. McDermott and Beane also moved up in last year’s draft to select Dalton Kincaid, who I believe is the better tight end of the two, but started the season running what the NFL calls 12 personnel, which is another name for a double tight end formation.

Many of the offensive decisions this year I believe led to the firing of Ken Dorsey last week, as the Bills suffered a critical home loss to the Denver Broncos. The bottom line is that all the struggles of this team lay at the feet of Sean McDermott, who was given full charge of the football operation when he was hired. Ultimately full blame for the demise of this team or its success rests with him, especially on the defensive side of the ball because of the absence of Leslie Frazier.

Coach McDermott decided to call the defense and at times has been caught being too aggressive allowing opposing offenses the opportunity to target the cover deficiencies of the Bills defensive backs.

The Bills play The Philadelphia Eagles next week at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and the Bills have very little room for error if they expect to win the division or yet alone qualify for the playoffs this season.