National reactions: Bills, Sean McDermott questioned by some over Ken Dorsey firing
The Buffalo Bills are the talk of the NFL and football world but for all the wrong reasons.
On Tuesday, the team announced that offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was relieved of his duties. With Dorsey out, quarterbacks coach Joe Brady now jumps into the OC role.
Time will tell if it was the right direction… but regardless, Buffalo is now hoping Brady and quarterback Josh Allen can turn things around and fast. At 5-5 overall, the Bills are easily out of the postseason picture right now. There’s still time, but not much.
Even so, the NFL is a react-right-now league. The national football world certainly did that and some aren’t so sure firing Dorsey was the right idea.
Here’s a national media roundup following the Bills’ decision to fire Dorsey:
Doug Farrar, NFL Wire
Sent this to a friend, and I think it’s relevant.
The thing with Josh is not the system. It’s keeping the risk/reward barometer stable in his head with the right concepts. Daboll had a very good feel for when to turn it loose, and when to tamp it down. Dorsey treated him like…
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) November 14, 2023
Steven Ruiz, The Ringer
McDermott has let his DC and OC go in the last 12 months pic.twitter.com/7TizK9B0pA
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) November 14, 2023
Bill Barnwell, ESPN
Very surprised they would make a move in-season. The offense has been inconsistent, but they moved the ball well yesterday and were let down more often by fumbles. Do they make this move if the 12-man penalty doesn't happen and they win? https://t.co/bghukVH3TE
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 14, 2023
Mike Sando, The Athletic
I'm of the thinking Sean McDermott needs more help, not less. Frazier gone. Now Dorsey. #bills known mostly for meltdowns, not scheme issues, right? OFF was bad in Wk1 & last night. Was going to be mostly good in future regardless IMO. Still think this:https://t.co/6UppTFDCXB https://t.co/N5GSe3U3o8
— Mike Sando (@SandoNFL) November 14, 2023
Big Cat, Barstool Sports
McDermott in save his own job mode https://t.co/Cnl4FJxWcs
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 14, 2023
Kevin Wildes, First Things First
Ken Dorsey’s fault I guess. Can’t call handoffs and expect to keep your job. pic.twitter.com/Gb0N5MLMA1
— Wildes (@kevinwildes) November 14, 2023
Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
The #Bills lost 4 out of 6 at midseason. They turned over the ball 13 times.
That was 2021, and Buffalo ended up being one of the NFL’s hottest teams by playoff time.
Sean McDermott stuck with Brian Daboll, but moved on from Ken Dorsey. Will a similar turnaround occur? pic.twitter.com/OsYlA7UByZ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 14, 2023
Nate Tice, The Athletic
even better, that's literally the last drive with Ken Dorsey as the Bills playcaller
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 14, 2023
Mina Kimes, ESPN
Over the last month:
1st in success rate
8th in EPA/play👉 32nd in turnover margin 👈 https://t.co/44oaNqKKo2
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 14, 2023
Bill Simmons, The Ringer
Sean McDermott is like Lithgow in Cliffhanger right now – things are completely falling apart and now he’s taking out his own crew.
PS: This tweet was for @KyleBrandt only
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 14, 2023
John Shipley, Jaguars Report
I knew Ken Dorsey was screwed when he sent 12 players onto the field for a field goal
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) November 14, 2023
Ari Meirov, The 33rd Team
The moment Ken Dorsey will be remembered most for in Buffalo: pic.twitter.com/x1WcoSTY1c https://t.co/TvziXfsKyR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 14, 2023
Pat McAfee, Pat McAfee Show
HOLY SHIT https://t.co/7fVS1pi3Ge
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 14, 2023
Dianna Russini, The Athletic
Over the weekend I wrote about the Buffalo Bills, an organization hoping to remain consistent with their staff all season. That changed today.
A lot of the pressure on Ken Dorsey was similar to the pressure that was being put on Brian Daboll back in 2021.
Here’s how it was…— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 14, 2023
Seth Wickersham, ESPN
The same Broncos defense that gave up 70 points to the Dolphins just ended the tenure of Josh Allen's offensive coordinator.
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) November 14, 2023
Michael Silver, San Francisco Chronicle
The NFL is amazing. Sean McDermott–who made himself his own defensive coordinator–blitzes recklessly, allowing the Broncos to get in FG range. A bonehead special teams penalty negates a miss. Broncos make the next kick. McDermott fires his offensive coordinator…
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) November 14, 2023
Mike Greenberg, ESPN
If the #Bills don’t have 12 on the field last night, they don’t fire the coach today.
Doesn’t make a lot of sense, except that sometimes you gotta blame someone before everyone blames you.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) November 14, 2023
Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus
I'm not saying Buffalo's offense is perfect, there's clearly some issues to anyone watching it.
But the biggest problem right now is by far the turnovers, and in critical situations, and I'm not sure that's a static constant as a problem.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) November 14, 2023
