notwoz

You want an announcer? Hire Alex Trebek. By the way, a bumbling fool is not a that, a bumbling fool is a who. People are who, things are that. Just a little grammar lesson in case you don't want to sound like a bumbling fool. Or, maybe, an illiterate.

I think that someone who turns a $25K investment into a "$900 million" entity is probably not a moron. True, tax dollars were used to build the stadium decades ago (I remember that it was decades ago because I went to the first game ever -- against the Washington NFL franchise with the racist name). However, the local governments put money into the stadium because they thought they could get something in return -- sales tax revenue, whatever. If the local and state governments don't get enough in return, it's not Ralph's fault, but the governments' fault. Maybe the state and county should have said, sure, we'll give you money, but we want a guarantee that the Bills will stay in WNY in perpetuity. In that case, there probably would never have been a stadium in Orchard Park and the Blls would have been history long ago. Likewise, people who buy tickets are entering into a business arrangement, not some kind of lifetime annuity. I give you money, you provide something in return, whether it's wings, pizza, beer or a football game. Once the game is over, the contract is over. Same holds true for season ticket holders. Once the season is over, so is the contract. You provided money, the team provided a product -- good, bad or indifferent (i don't recall any of the tickets I bought gauranteeing anything other than a place to park my fanny.) The argument that somehow Ralph Wilson owes Buffalo something rings hollow. He's actually tried to make a go if it in a market that can't compete with the high-profile markets . WNY doesn't hold any attraction for someone who wants to be an NFL owner. It has no economy and no economic growth that I can see. There's no big corporate base to buy up luxury suites (which is where the owners make a real killing, ask Jerry JonTes.) Taxes are oppressive. The city, county and state have been losing population for decades. The state government is a joke that borders on the immoral and criminal. And the situation shows no signs of turning around. So as much as it pains me to even think such thoughts, enjoy the Bills while you can, because unless Jim Kelly has a billion dollars hidden up his butt, they are history once Ralph dies.

That's the sad truth. the Bills were a business decision, not a civic endeavor. As a businessman, his goal is to get the greatest return on his investment. The whole issue wouldn't be such a concern if the Buffalo area had a multi-billionnaire who was a great football fan. How about the Sabres owner, or maybe the Rich Products family. They've got the cash. Or maybe the family that owns Delaware North (the Jacobs brothers?). Outside of those two names, I don't see anyone in WNY with pockets deep enough to invest in a football team that is in a small market with little likelyhood of turning it's situation around. It pains me to think about it, but when Ralph goes, the Bills are probably gone as well.

Quite simply, too many people don't like the Chan Gailey because he is not a marquis name. He's not Marty Schottenheimer, he's not Bill Cohwer, he's not Knute Rockne, he's not this season's hot coordinator. In other words, he's not the "easy" choice. A few years ago, the Washington NFL team with the racist name hired Joe Gibbs for a second go-round. That was a great marketing move. Everyone in DC envisioned a return to the glory days. Unfortunately, it was a terrible decision for the team and for Joe Gibbs, who only tarnished his reputation. In a way it reminds me of what corporate IT people called the "IBM" syndrome back in the 1980s. Corporate types would pick IBM for their computer needs and if it turned out badly, they'd say "But it was IBM, how could we know they couldn't do the job?" As for me, I'll wait and see. Gailey seems to be a decent offensive mind. If he and Buddy pick a good defensive coordinator and staff, pick some good talent in the draft and free agency, then we could have a good team again. If that happens I'll be happy. If if doesn't -- as Scarlett O'Hara says in Gone with the Wind, "tomorrow will be another day."

Everything on these boards has ben discussed to death. But thanks for the reminder. I'll keep searching for "something new"

Given, the ineptitude of the Bills organization, that's hard to comprehend, although I'm in total agreement

He's probably wondering what the unemployment benefits are like in California.

And what are the odds that the Chargers will provide that escort?

Wide right. Ouch.

Bingo. That's the way it's done

Game over

If the first quarter is any indication of how this game will end, it looks like Russ Grimm is going to have plenty of time on his hands to interview in Buffalo next week. AND, if the first quarter is any indication, I'm not sure Grimm deserves an interview.

That's cowwect

Here's an interesting take on Danny Snyder from the Washington Post's Michael Wilbon. Basically he says that unless Snyder does keep his nose out of the front office, the team is going to continue suffering from "celebrity" football. http://views.washingtonpost.com/world-wide...ml?hpid=artslot

Interesting story in the New York Times about the revenue lost to local business, people and government when the Bills play in Toronto. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/sports/f...mp;_r=1&hpw

Bingo! The hiring of the right GM is key to the resurrection of the Bills.

As a DC-area resident and someone who loathes the local football team with the racist nickname, I'd love to see that combination in action.

Maybe it's the beer, but I swear that Sean Payton looks like Lee HarveyOswald

Montreal won the Grey Cup. Isn't the Montreal coach one of the names mentioned as a possible candidate for the bills' head coach?

50? I'd love to see 80, 90, or 100. Also, hate to say this but Greg Williams is quite the defensive coordinator.

TO's history is that he's a pretty good soldier his first year (so far that's been true in Buffalo). It's the second year and beyond that he turns into a prima donna. That said, I'd be quite happy to see him come back for another season. What's the probability that he will return? My guess is somewhere between no way and probably not. That equation depends on which other teams might be interested in him.

Agreed. It's not where you pick in the draft order, it's how well you draft. And unfortunately for Bills fans, the Bills haven't drafted well, overall. That's why the Bills need a front office that has a vision of what makes a winning franchise and picks talent accordingly.

Actually I liked Jackson's score. Or more accurately, I like the attitude in going for the score. The Bills had their collective foot on Miami's throat and decided to stomp on it. If the score were 31-14 before Jackson scored, I would have thought taking a knee might have been appropriate. But with a 10 point margin at the time, the Bill decided to go for it and end any fantasy the Dolphins might have had in staging a comeback.

that's the name of the game. Get a GM who knows football and how to put football talent together into a cohesive unit and how to hire a coach who can fulfill that vision. Then you have a fighting chance.