May Day 10

On one hand, I'm grateful for Wilson and recognize him as being 'the father of the Bills'. I am glad for Pegula and the team staying. However, the team went through about 57 years of terrible ownership with a couple perfect storm blips of success. MAYBE Pegula finally got it right with McBeane... but we will see, a lot to do there (Im optimistic). Wilson never really seemed 'all in' on Buffalo and since I can remember (early mid 80s), there was always a shroud of a threat of relocation, and Wilson never put us at ease. In fact, you can argue that with the original Rogers deal for Toronto games, the wheels were put into motion for a Rogers purchase/relocation (however he passed away and his family became dysfunctional and they spent a trillion dollars on NHL rights). Without Terry Pegula, the Bills would likely be a lame duck right now, destined for Toronto, LA, or Vegas. To be honest, if we had a 50 year old Ralph Wilson as owner of the Bills, I would find another team or something else to do.

I'm just glad that this conversation isn't relevant any more in the present time.... only to untangle what happened in the past. What a miserable experience as a fan.

russ brandon got imto the sports field to be a gm. that was his dream. he came onto the bills scene and was a key figure for business backs the bills, and monetizing training camp into an event at his alma mater. wilson took to him. he was able to learn the ropes a but under john butler and would study the cba. donahoe wasnt a fan of his and there was a bit of division. one of levy's main objectives was to get brandon up to speed. brandon began getting involved and learning much deeper into player evaluations and x's and o's. ralph and russ wanted him to get a shot to make a name for himself before mr wilson wad no longer the owner (and the team likely to move) and he was given the gm title. he wasnt ready, but that was his shot. fans were ready to revolt, so they installed nix as a front man to appease the masses, brandon was still very intimately involved, and that continued through whaley. i honestly think he is walled off now as guys like beane, mcdermott (and marrone) dont want to stake their careers and reputation) in the hands of bad devision makers. i find the idea that russ brandon was thrust into the gm role kicking and screaming to be funny. if modrak was "really the gm" all those years, they would just name him gm

all a byproduct of the bills' shell game of accountibility that alliwed them to maintain the status quo for so many years.

He was kind of a staple. Usually, when equipment guys are let go, it is either because of a huge mess-up, or a series of small and careless ones (after 35 years, Id say he wasnt continually messing up).... or they are grabbing a few too many 5-finger discounts and/or selling stuff. Its also possible that with new restructuring, personnel, etc, you have a 35 year man who is resistant to change and isn't easy to work with a new guard.... you can get wide-eyed 23 year olds to work twice as hard for half the pay, and never question anything. When I worked there, I had one interaction with him. Its possible he might have been busy or something, but the interaction has always left me with a negative opinion of him.

He didn't (and never does) say anything... I wonder if HBO has anything to do with pumping the brakes on releasing the final 2 books. Im not so worried about Winds of Winter as much as Dreams of Summer.

I could see him earning a lot on his second contract and then bailing. He thinks he can build Amazon 2. Give him $100 Million and a pile of ambition and smarts, and he could be out of football in less than 10 years. Maybe not, I don't know. I also worry whether or not he may be distracted by other endeavors while he is playing and may not give 200% to NFL preparation.

I'm actually worried that he is too mature. He seems like he could make his money and without warning cash out of the NFL for other endeavors.

i like team graham and his show on mondays and wednesdays. i tune in and its a breath of fresh air and through much less of a filter. i actually really do like sullivan a lot. its nice they can cover things other than the bills and sabres. a also do like jeremy white too though. our age group isnt really represented in local sports media. i think he does well on the radio and seems to put effort into watching/attending sports... something schopp, bulldog, and even howard come off at times being tired of... and i like those gus too, its just a little tired.

i wonder if Belichick staying another year or 2 hinged on Kraft being able to give McDaniels what he wanted. BB was fairly close to the vest until after the Superbowl, then told Kraft to keep his OC, and he will remain (and likely pass the steering wheel off for 2019 or 2020)... which is what caused the late push

There has to be some sort of Karma equalization with New England, right?

wow. sleazy move

"Robot Dave" A guy who claims to have sources with 300 followers.

some context https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2018/02/05/morning-sports-update-brandon-browner-posted-a-rant-on-the-patriots-benching-malcolm-butler It sounds like he was just spewing frustration for his friend getting benched, and not inside info. You do have to wonder how that plays with Butler's teammates though.

I dont think Belichick is competing for influence. I believe the day he perceives he doesn't have 100% of the influence he is going to decide to leave (and that day may have passed).

They had a captive ticket base due to the playoff runs of 06 and 07, tickets being very cheap vs box office, and the existence of the waiting list. It has created a false demand. They have had routine and harsh price increases throughout the decade, along with a disregard for fans, which (people here will cry) has gotten even worse since Russ "marketing genius" Brandon has been brought in as president. Last year's fan appreciation 5-cent Key Bank sunglasses for the first 10,000 fans was a slap in the face. It sounds petty, but I nearly tossed my season tickets for that final straw, but talked myself into hanging on for a new coach and possible success. The bubble is going to burst this offseason, and its going to be ugly. They have avoided the bubble in the past a few times. Almost hit it in 2010, but we had the Miller/Myers miracle run to the Division title. When they regressed again the following season, people were again fed up, but Pegula mania took over in the Spring and the future looked limitless. Then again in 2013, but there was a lockout, and everyone had like half their tickets paid in advance so it was easy to stick it out. Then, the following year when the theory of tank started and everyone expected a guaranteed Pittsburgh/Chicago run. But now I dont see anything thats going to prevent the STH bailing like rats off a sinking ship. This team is pretty far off, Tim Murray messed up bad and salted the earth.

I wouldnt deny their dynasty and how it probably will never be equaled (although LeBron has his own thing going in the NBA) But I dont think it is all Brady's doing. I credit Belichick for most of it. Brady is a great QB and his dedication/mind is top notch for the position... but without Belichick, there is no dynasty IMO. But we will never know.

haha , yeah. I don't see how a Patriots fan would feel bad about that stat.

I respect that, and don't think you're wrong.... and I realize Im likely in the minority.... but I put a lot more stock in the team and coaching. I place much more of the Patriots' success at the feet of Belichick. Brady is great cerebrally to run the offense and make excellent snap decisions and throws, but without the Patriots, I don't think he sniffs the "team accolades" that he gets with the Patriots, which is what is used to put him over the top. Elway, Manning, and Marino, I thought were much better pure QBs who dealt with much more flawed teams and coaches, which prevented them obtaining the gaudy team accomplishments.

oh yeah, that's right.

I don't put as much stock into straight up Superbowl performance/record as the rest of the world. Straight up quarterbacking. If I was a GM, and all players from history were available to build my franchise Manning Marino Elway Brady Favre Montana Unitas Most people would yell at me for downgrading Montana and Brady.... but I think both those guys were insulated in juggernaut organizations and systems. If Brady was drafted by any other team, IMO he would not be nearly the same. Same with Montana. While Manning and Marino and Elway would elevate any team they were put on.

I like Edmonton's the best. I liked it the days before they became mainstream. Chicago and Buffalo were the only ones. Buffalo's in the aud really filled the room and was awesome.

do you think he knows when the game is over? or does he try to line up for the next play and someone taps his shoulder to tell him its over

i wonder if that concussion shook him up

that was an awful call on the review