Buffalo Plus Podcast: Buffalo Bills PLAYERS ONLY OFFENSE MEETING, Time to PANIC? - Summary

Date: November 10, 2023
Hosts: Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Notable Guests/Comments: Latavius Murray (audio), Sean McDermott (audio)

Main Theme

The episode provides an in-depth analysis of the Buffalo Bills’ recent “players only” offensive meeting, the reasons behind it, and whether fans should be concerned about the team's trajectory. Jenna and Dan break down the current issues plaguing the Bills offense, from scheme vs. execution debates to questions about leadership, confidence, and upcoming challenges for the team.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Players Only Offensive Meeting

• Latavius Murray led a players-only meeting for the offense.
  • The meeting was not team-wide but focused on the offensive unit, sparked by a sense of underperformance and the need for ownership.
  • Latavius, though in his first year with the Bills, stepped up as a veteran voice.
  • Quote: “I want to win... I’m just trying to find answers, I think, like everybody else.” — Latavius Murray (00:00)
• Clarification and reaction:
  • Initial confusion over whether it was a full-team or offense-only meeting.
  • Both hosts noted it's concerning this is the second such meeting this season, which is not typical for recent Bills teams.
  • Jenna: “The fact that you’ve had to now, a couple weeks later, have to have another offensive-only meeting is very much concerning.” (03:48)

2. Leadership Dynamic

• Latavius’s role highlights leadership questions.
  • Notably, Josh Allen did not call the meeting.
  • Allen’s leadership style is described as “more of someone who does things by action.”
  • Khalil Shakir’s comments after the meeting highlight the offensive talent available but underscore ongoing issues in “putting all these pieces together.” (03:29)
• Sense of ownership:
  • Murray’s motive: “...the players need to take ownership... we have to go out and execute.” (05:16)

3. Scheme vs. Execution: Dorsey’s Offense Under Fire

• Offensive scheme critique:
  • Ken Dorsey’s offense is described as more “option-based,” forcing players to read and react rather than dictate and attack.
  • Compared to Brian Daboll’s prior offense, which was more aggressive and allowed players to play fast, Dorsey’s system leads to hesitation.
  • Dan: “It’s hard to play fast when you’re reacting... instead of saying, I’m running a slant, I’m going to beat you to the spot.” (07:04)
• Identity crisis and rhythm:
  • Repeated references to players talking about lacking rhythm, and the offense not playing “fast and free.”
  • Jenna: “I feel like they have been handcuffed... as opposed to just run out there and go show off the athleticism.” (07:32)
• Execution and coaching:
  • Debate over whether it’s bad roster construction or misapplication of talent.
  • “Is the coaching staff using the players to the best of their abilities?” — Dan (10:12)
  • Jenna suggests the coaching staff may have too much belief in the players (“maybe that is also to a fault.”) (10:18)

4. Analytics vs. The Eye Test

• Analytics say the offense is still highly ranked, but the eye test does not match.
  • Bills are still top of the league in advanced stats like EPA and DVOA, “even though they’ve had this rough stretch.”
  • The hosts are skeptical about drawing comfort from analytics:
  • Jenna: “No one who actually watches the games, including the players... [believes] this team is fine.” (11:50)
• Fan & social media divide:
  • Debate is reflected in fan sentiment; social media split sharply between optimists and skeptics.

5. Locker Room & Team Confidence

• McDermott’s perspective:
  • Coach Sean McDermott remains confident in the team despite adversity and says there’s work still to do.
  • Memorable quote:

    “Confident. Confident in our team, confident in our coaches, confident in our players, confident in our staff. Doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do... doesn’t mean we don't have a gap to close.” — Sean McDermott (16:39)

  • On adversity: “Every year is hard... you come out of it and you’re saying, hey, dang it, we were pretty good... So it’s never easy, but the belief is important.” — Sean McDermott (17:09)
• Are players accepting mediocrity?
  • Dan notes post-loss body language looked resigned more than angry.
  • “Maybe they’re at acceptance... past bargaining, past anger. It’s just acceptance.” (16:14)

6. Urgency and Upcoming Schedule

• Bills are 5–4, currently out of the playoffs.
  • Jenna: “If the season were to end, they would not be in the playoffs. And this is an unfamiliar spot...” (04:10)
• Tough upcoming stretch:
  • Consensus that confidence level is low (Dan: 3/10, Jenna: 5/10) for the team’s ability to adjust in the short term. (14:39–15:23)
• Urgency to change:
  • Dan: “Banging your head against the wall and expecting a different result is not working for me. So I would love to see some sort of change.” (21:44)
• Injuries on defense add to pressure:
  • Updates on Terrell Bernard and others missing practice. Defensive depth is being tested. (19:22–20:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “I want to win... I’m just trying to find answers, I think, like everybody else.” — Latavius Murray, on leading the meeting (00:00)
• “The fact that you’ve had to now… have another offensive only meeting is very much concerning.” — Jenna (03:48)
• “It’s hard to play fast when you’re reacting... That’s the difference.” — Dan (07:04)
• “I feel like they have been handcuffed... as opposed to just run out there and go show off the athleticism.” — Jenna (07:32)
• “Is the coaching staff using the players to the best of their abilities?” — Dan (10:12)
• “No one who actually watches the games… [believes] this team is fine.” — Jenna (11:50)
• “Confident. Confident in our team, confident in our coaches, confident in our players, confident in our staff... but we have a gap to close.” — Sean McDermott (16:39)
• “Maybe they’re at acceptance. Maybe this is where they are.” — Dan (16:14)
• “I want to see loose cannon Josh again. I want to see ... the cockiness.” — Dan (19:05)
• “Banging your head against the wall and expecting a different result is not working for me. So I would love to see some sort of change.” — Dan (21:44)
• “You don’t have a players only meeting when the sun is shining.” — Jenna (17:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Latavius Murray Audio & Meeting Context: 00:00–02:57
• Leadership & Josh Allen Discussion: 02:57–04:10
• Scheme vs. Execution Analysis: 05:16–10:31
• Analytics/Eye Test/Offensive Identity: 10:31–12:58
• Locker Room Health & McDermott Quotes: 14:25–17:42
• Team Confidence & Urgency: 14:39–15:36; 18:15–18:58
• Injury Updates & Defensive Outlook: 19:22–20:24
• Closing Thoughts on Urgency, Schedule, and Changes Needed: 20:58–22:03

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• The hosts' tone is urgent, candid, and at times frustrated—reflecting concern over the team’s trajectory.
• There is skepticism about relying on analytics to summarize the Bills’ struggles, and repeated calls for visible change (philosophically and personnel-wise).
• The mood is one of “wait and see”—the team still has top-tier talent, but must prove it now, and the upcoming games are pivotal.

Conclusion

This is a critical moment for the Buffalo Bills, with a mounting sense of urgency inside and outside the locker room. A players-only meeting led by a newcomer signals grave concern on offense. The show unpacks the roots of these struggles—both schematically and in execution—and lays out what needs to change, all while providing insight and some humor. The message: It’s time for the Bills to deliver, or risk a lost season.

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