May Day 10

Jim Kelly

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That isnt quite true anymore. They figured out that they can make good bucks by scheduling tough games out of the gate. The tomato can games are spread out a lot more. There are good games on every week. If one game is a blowout, there are 25 others to choose from. With the NFL Sunday, we are stuck with the Giants, Cowboys, Jets, and Patriots and whatever they are doing (other than the Bills).

MLB has been ruined by Tony LaRussa and the introduction of over-managing and over-managing pitchers. Way too long. NFL is getting ruined by too many/too much commercialization and breaks. NHL has gotten way too choppy and way too structured/systematic as well. NBA I dont pay much attention to. I think the first major sport to figure out that they can score more viewers by reducing the games down to 2-2.5 hours will get a huge boost. Olympic hockey was great in that regard. The World Cup this summer will be further proof. People are too busy to invest that much time and the action/intensity is better when compacted. So many people just DVR completely or leave a lag and fast forward through commercials anyways. Might as well just have major sponsors shell out for some in-game visibility.

Im at the point where I am checked out a bit. I would perhaps make a difference if the Bills were in the running... but who knows. As it is, the games are too long, too many breaks, too many rules/interpretations, etc. Even fantasy seems to have grown a bit stale. There are only 2 networks carrying games on Sunday and only 1 slot there are 2 at once, so when you have a commercial, you are "stuck". NCAA I love. The game is more exciting (mainly because you have a bigger variety of talent levels amongst players), atmosphere is amazing compared to 95% of the NFL, if there is a commercial, there are 20 other games on you can flip to, its on from like noon to 2 AM if Hawaii is home, it is much more fun and interesting to gamble on (spreads, huge o/u, etc)... Since I discovered the awesomeness of NCAA, my Sundays have been spent often doing other things (unless Im at a Bills game).

Unfortunately I believe another one will be to rip the game from "real fans" by way of uprooting a few teams with deep roots like the Bills, chasing around false gold in Toronto, London, etc.

The bubble will burst on the NFL at some point I believe. Hoping the Bills are still here when that happens because the NFL will have to kiss their real fans' butts.

I had to move away. Entry level wages out of college were too low. Couldnt get ahead. Got some experience and lived elsewhere... and was able to move back for a decent job after 8 years. The prices here are laughable, even including taxes. I have friends who recently moved back as well and brought spouses who never lived here. Unanimously they are in love with the area and in shock at the cost of, say going out for dinner/lunch. Even after a year or 2 living here. Coming from a place like the Mid Atlantic area, and being able to easily afford a decent sized house on the water with a dock... especially since you are still in civilization... is great.

I have mentioned it a lot, and it usually sees minimal to no response from the "Comeback game shouters"... but the way tickets are sold nowadays (instant and electronic) along with the ease of the resale market would nearly ensure 100% sellouts if/when the Bills ever get good... Just looking at the secondary market for tickets in (2009?) and (2011?) when they had good starts (for friends who "suddenly" wanted to go), the cheapest tickets were very expensive (like 200-400% more than face). Along with variable pricing, they would have to cap STH just like the Sabres IMO. The perceived demand continues to drive demand (and price increases), even through some bad seasons. Look at the Sabres. Couldnt sell out the Aud in 1992-1993 with the most exciting team in franchise history. Now look. Even with 2 playoff appearances in like 7 years. They also claim they have added 15% from Rochester and 15% from Southern Ontario since then. And the stadium is smaller.

I agree and this should have been done years ago. People trip over themselves usually for early games... especially if they start hot.

they came close to winning one more game than they came close to winning in 2012. Definitely worth the increase

Some Bills fans are actually upset about this and still clinging onto this idea? Its really amazing and interesting from a psychological standpoint

People at TBD arent the problem. We arent the fans that have been alienated long ago and/or bandwagoners. Generally, most of us buy tickets (and those who arent STH would probably buy more if/when December games mean something).

Why keep it alive at all?

isnt that just your speculation?

OK. so the Bills are only heading toward a decade and a half of failure because of Tom Brady. No wonder Buffalo as a region cant get out of its own way.

I think a large part of that, especially since the 2007 season is a weak Division. A ton of the Patriots' success in the playoffs has been based on them securing home playoff games (by the 5 or 6 cake-walks per season). They still definitely deserve credit, but it doesn't excuse the Bills from not making the playoffs in forever IMO. They still only finished 2nd one time and 6 straight last place finishes. These are the Jets and Dolphins too, who really haven't been too good either. Anyways, I do think the Patriots are ripe for the picking (and have been). Im hoping this is the year the Bills do it. I think they are close, but it is predicated on Byrd, Manuel improving, and having another good draft to go with the 2013 draft.

I would actually be much more comfortable with the suck if the team's future was stable. We are running out of time here. One or 2 good seasons and the swell of support and excitement will make it more difficult for the NFL to allow a relocation. As it is now, a lot of people are fairly apathetic towards the franchise

2000 2000 NFL AFC East 4th 8 8 0 2001 2001 NFL AFC East 5th 3 13 0 2002 2002 NFL AFC East 4th 8 8 0 2003 2003 NFL AFC East 3rd 6 10 0 2004 2004 NFL AFC East 3rd 9 7 0 2005 2005 NFL AFC East 3rd 5 11 0 2006 2006 NFL AFC East 3rd 7 9 0 2007 2007 NFL AFC East 2nd 7 9 0 2008 2008 NFL AFC East 4th 7 9 0 2009 2009 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 0 2010 2010 NFL AFC East 4th 4 12 0 2011 2011 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 0 2012 2012 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 0 2013 2013 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 Is that not monotonous? Wild prediction.... they will end up between 4-7 wins again this season. Something is broken there. This is a revenue sharing and capped league. To miss the playoffs and come in last or 2nd last place that many times is a huge mathematical long shot.

that could be it. I really do not think they sign the deal, only to axe it less than a year later. There were no revelations that came to light in that Atlanta game. It was the same crappy atmosphere and same result.

she has some awful eyebrows

it has always made me uneasy that she is the one who is the Bills' rep for the Toronto thing. Almost like it is predetermined she is going to land on her feet with the Toronto ______ NFL team.

There is definitely price changes coming with or without the Toronto series. My tickets are improving from no video board view to video board view.

I would trade the uncertainty with anyone, but would maybe think about Jacksonville because they lack the history/fans to perhaps save them in the long run. If you look only at football.... would probably take the Bills over Cleveland (who knows), Jax, Washington, Minnesota?

As a STH, Ill happily pay for an increase. Tickets are laughably cheap anyways... even for a team who hasnt won a playoff game in nearly 2 decades