ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Sean McDermott’s “calculated risk” lasted exactly a half.
A week ago Wednesday, he announced that starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was being replaced by rookie fifth-round draft choice Nathan Peterman for the game in Los Angeles against the Chargers.
What happened next has been fodder for discussion since last Sunday.
Peterman threw five interceptions in the first half, three in the opening period, and McDermott pulled him in favor of Taylor at intermission of a 54-24 rout.
On Monday, the first-year Bills coach actually intimated that Peterman was still in consideration to start tomorrow’s game at Kansas City against the division-leading Chiefs.
However, two days later, McDermott made the only logical announcement, revealing that Taylor would, indeed, be the starter.
And during his media-day interview session, Taylor admitted, “It’s been an interesting set of days but it’s the National Football League. You’ve got to be prepared for anything and you can’t let things break your focus. Whether it’s last week or this week, I’m going to prepare and do whatever it takes to get this team to a win. (It was a) long trip back (with a) bunch of mixed emotions after a loss like that.
“You never let things surprise you. My focus has still been the same. I’m going to continue to be the leader that I am, the player that I am, week in and week out. As a team, more importantly, we’ve got to fix what we haven’t done right the last three weeks and get back on the winning side. Guys in this locker room are ready to go out there and fix that.”
But what about Taylor’s psyche?
In benching him, McDermott was effectively saying he wasn’t good enough. And only an unprecedented disaster by Peterman put him back on the field after a mere 30 minutes.
But the coach had already made his feelings clear about Taylor’s future and the QB admitted he disagreed with the decision.
So does the veteran feel he has the full support of his coach?
“I believe I do,” Taylor said. “The relationship is still there. Ultimately, we’re here to win games. That’s really what cures a lot of things. We’re both working hard to do whatever it takes to find a win.
“I also believe I have the full support and confidence of my teammates. It’s us that have to go out there and make plays, that’s really what truly matters.”
How does he deal with the feelings of betrayal?
“Put it behind, learn from it, visit it, maybe sometime down the line,” he said. “Right now, it’s about the Chiefs and whatever it takes to find a win.”
But while he felt McDermott had made a mistake in benching him, Taylor kept it to himself.
“I personally didn’t take my thoughts (to the locker room),” he said. “ I’m not sure what other guys talked about amongst themselves or whether things were taken (against) the coach.
“I had to be prepared just in case I was to go into a game and still be in tune mentally with the preparation throughout the week.”
But, even though Taylor has been reinserted in the lineup, what does it portend for his future?
“I haven’t really thought about that, I don’t control that,” he said. “All I can control is what I do week-to-week and that’s what I’m going to focus on.
“I was told I’m going to be the starter this week and that’s how I’m handling my business, doing whatever it takes, pouring all my time and energy into preparation and getting everyone on the same page.”
Unfortunately for the Bills, their problems aren’t centered on quarterback.
Buffalo has surrendered a franchise-record 135 points in being blown out the last three games … and Taylor doesn’t play defense.
“This team is very capable of making the playoffs,” he said. “ We have a whole bunch of talent, so we have to do whatever it takes to fix things that we haven’t been doing so well and get back on the right track.
“It’s just getting everyone back to playing the style of football we were playing in the five games that we won. When you turn on the tape, it’s was just a different style of football that you’ve seen from us (the last three weeks). We have to get back to doing that. That’s with myself, as well as other leaders on this team.”
Does he worry that Peterman might replace him again?
“I never play looking over my shoulder,” he said. “I didn’t in the past, and I won’t in the future. I focus on what I have to do as a player, getting better and leading this team.
“There’s always been a chip on my shoulder; from when I was playing rec league, even up to when I was drafted in the sixth-round, and things that I’ve been through throughout my time in the NFL. It just made that chip bigger.”
The oddity, of course, was that while some Bills fans were curious about what Peterman would do and weren’t particularly bothered by Taylor’s benching, McDermott was filleted by the national media for doing it with the Bills in the midst of the playoff chase.
But while the former Raven relished the backing, he admitted, “ I’ve always been confident. I don’t necessarily rely on other people, what do they say or don’t say to push my confidence any way. I appreciate the support, but that doesn’t have anything to do with us trying to get a win this week.
“I’m as confident as ever in my ability, and this team’s ability to go out and finish out the season in a positive way. We have a great opportunity in front of us to go on the road against a very good team and perform well. “
(Chuck Pollock, a Times Herald sports columnist, can be reached at cpollock@oleantimesherald.com)
