Anyone who has worked in or been associated with any organization
of any size knows that one of the most common and enduring issues which besets
them is the curse of meetings. The wasted time, the unnecessary blathering on
of those whose opinions really don’t matter, the inability of participants to
decide anything beyond the date and time of the next meeting – yes time spent
in meetings is easily the most unproductive portion of the average person’s
work effort, week in and week out. Keon Coleman, at the ripe old age of 22, has
apparently learned this lesson already and has decided to demonstrate, in a
very public and open manner, his disdain for meetings. Reached for comment late
yesterday in Orchard Park after his team’s big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
Coleman reminded everyone that in meetings he actually did attend last spring with
his agent and with NFL scouts, he made it abundantly clear that meetings were
not something he was interested in. He had nothing to add, he said, before he
got up and left, to any meetings, except of course this particular one in which
he described his unwillingness to attend meetings. He offered to read the
minutes of meetings afterward if he had time, which he suggested that he
probably would not. So, this business of Coleman repeatedly being late to
meetings or blowing them off entirely should be no surprise to Bills head coach
Sean McDermott or to offensive coordinator Joe Brady. It is therefore unconscionable
for the team to have made him a healthy scratch yesterday for reasons which were
explained as “not performance related”. They knew his position on meetings.
He has faced disciplinary team sanctions before for this
issue but they were limited to being benched for the first offensive series.
Yesterday’s “healthy scratch” was a first for him and hopefully the last time this
needs to be addressed. It is truly astounding to think that this guy can not
get himself to team meetings on time or, in some cases at all. As the 33rd
overall pick in last year’s NFL draft, Coleman signed a four-year $10 million+ rookie
contract with a signing bonus of $4.2 million and over $9 million guaranteed.
The opportunities for Coleman – personal, professional and financial – are truly
massive compared to the average American and with effort, focus and hard work, he
should easily be able to secure a coveted second NFL contract which would
create long term financial security for himself and his family. His on-field
results have been mixed through his first season-and-a-half but the potential
to emerge as a solid NFL receiver is clear. I can not imagine how frustrated
his agent must be with all of this. Does he need a new alarm clock? Was he just
trying to get a jump on the Black Friday pre-sales? Maybe he’s renting an
apartment in Fort Erie and was delayed at the border. I have no idea what
personal demons Coleman may be battling – and if he suffers from any form of
mental illness or has substance abuse issues (neither of which has been
reported) help is available for these. He can obviously afford the help if he
needs it. Joshua Palmer, Mecole Hardman and Tyrell Shavers dressed and
contributed yesterday in Coleman’s absence with Shavers probably being the odd
man out if and when Coleman decides to show up on time for team meetings. Too
bad because Shavers had a strong game with a nice touchdown catch.
The game yesterday featured the partial return of the
reckless 2018 Josh Allen. Fortunately, the much-improved version of Josh Allen
of the last few years carried the day in the end as he accounted for six
touchdowns on the day – three running and three passing. His two-handed chest
pass attempt near his own goal-line early in the game, which was easily intercepted,
was the worst example of the young Josh Allen, with his second interception on
a ball he tried to force to Dawson Knox who was double-covered being the less
egregious example. Otherwise, he has a fantastic game and looked like the MVP
from a year ago.
The main problem for the Bills this season – and last season
as well – is their inability to stop the run. As a fan watching, it is so
frustrating – almost demoralizing – to watch the defence get gashed repeatedly
on the ground series after series. The front seven just aren’t big enough or
fast enough to shut down the run and force their opponent to throw. Without
Josh Allen and his high-powered offence to save the day, the Bills wouldn’t be
where they are which is in a playoff position and only a game-and-a-half behind
the Patriots for the division lead. Ed Oliver, how’s your bicep feeling these
days?
I managed to catch most of the second half of the Grey Cup
last night and was happy for the good folks of Regina who partied well into the
night celebrating their team’s big win – only their fifth ever which seems incredible
in a nine-team league. Montreal made it close but fell just short as quarterback
Davis Alexander heroically battled a pulled hamstring to almost complete the
comeback. The stands in Winnipeg looked full too.
Up next for the Bills is a short week and a trip to Houston to face the Texans on Thursday night. The Bills are early 3.5-point favourites and the status of Texans first-string quarterback CJ Stroud is uncertain. The Texans narrowly beat the now 1-9 Titans yesterday on a late field goal. If I were Keon Coleman, I would be in the team meeting room right now preparing slide decks, flip charts, brewing coffee and arranging pastry platters and fruit trays.
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