May Day 10

Do you think everything that happened in that game play for play would be identical leading up to that point if played in Orchard Park? The Bills are a decent home team. Pretty bad on the road. Win percentage in Toronto is .143 The Bills have better results playing at home. When you have a franchise that deals with things like untimely fumbles, bad challenges, bad play calling, bad luck, etc, they need every advantage and every single inch they can grab onto. This season they had a .571 win percentage at home and the 3 losses had 3 playoff teams to the ropes. In Toronto Id give them maybe a 65% chance to win that game? At home, maybe 80-85%? Im sure it would reflect change in Vegas odds as well. That difference, and the "near miss" of that game, psychologically moves everyone to the compelling conclusion that "they win this game if it was in Buffalo". So much, that Brandon himself has generally admitted the game may undermine winning.

I really will never believe this series is truly about regionalizing the Bills for either side. At least as a primary function. I believe that it is/was seen as a good revenue stream for Mr. Wilson, and a dress rehearsal/foot in the door for Rogers to one day own the team and move them to Toronto. The Bills' regionalization will and does lie Hamilton and south IMO and they have done a good job drawing fans from there (independent of the series). I believe this in large part is a result of the Canadian dollar, the surge in Canadian to US shopping, and the great pregame and game atmosphere at the stadium. Now if they can mine Toronto for businesses, especially those with US operations, and provide packages to get them to games down here, that would be wise. Toronto citizens though will not root for a Buffalo team in droves though IMO. In fact, if this series continues, because it received some press, it will become more of "a thing" to show up in the opposing team's garb and cheer loudly against the Bills.

Well we did have an 80K+ capacity then and any game then would sellout in today's stadiums. Anyways. Its well documented that in Buffalo there is a working class element to the crowd/college atmosphere that is lacking in most NFL venues. I dont think we have the best fans or anything, but the atmosphere in RWS is up there among the best when the game means something. A home playoff game at this point would be crazy IMO. edit: Green Bay seems like the only crowd to really come across on TV so far

I was thinking that yesterday. Especially the Philly game. I wonder if it was the audio mix on NBC

Im good with not going to that garbage.

Im not sure if the NFL wants that game. All parties had egg on their face after this season's game. The Bills lost a close one in a season they really did have a look at the playoffs and also had more people rooting for the visiting team from 1000 miles away despite this "regionalization effort", Toronto again showed that they have trouble filling the place for the day they covet the Bills. This time it had some coverage nationally (internationally), so I wouldnt be surprised if all 3 parties are looking to alter or abolish the agreement.

Colts and Bengals too, huh?

I think we should all have a tablet underneath the seats and all vote on the next play call

That's basically what I do to stay sane about it. I have said before, that I would be happier if the STH price was the same, Regular Season games were more, and the preseason games were less/free. It did kind of tick me off though during the last Toronto deal when they decided they didnt want the preseason game anymore and we were "stuck" with it. The only reason I feel like the "evaluation" of the Toronto series is legit, is Im not sure if Brandon openly admits it is anything but a resounding success unless there is real smoke there. I suspect Rogers could possibly be the ones looking into axing the series as they cannot get people to go no matter what the price point. This year more than any it has given their hopes to land an NFL team (The Bills) some bad press going against it.

I want to know why they are saying they will give Byrd an offer now and want him back. Also want to know about what goes into "evaluating" the Toronto series. Why werent these 2 things "evaluated" last year when they could have been resolved without a problem. You can argue those 2 things are negative factors in costing the Bills a playoff spot, in which management was negligent

in my mind, the toronto series being "under review" is a copout. What is being reviewed and how long could it possibly take? Does someone have a 1-6 on one piece of paper, and a 4-3 on another in front of them? I know there are contractual things that need to be ironed out, but I work in contracts and it is normally plain and simple/ black and white. I also want to know why this is an issue now and not reviewed under the previous evaluation a year ago when they could have not entered the contract. Same type of thing with Byrd. What is going on with that offer they said may be coming? Was it there last year, and if not, why now and not before he was able to have a negative influence early in the season and on some young players? Im not sure if it was brought up, but I would to see what they plan on spending in 2014 in relation to the cap.

I dont know what the deal is, but Brandon is always let off the hook when it comes to questioning.

I dont know what they could do next. They used "The Big One" last year with Wilson "stepping down" and Brandon "Taking over" with a sudden full commitment to winning. They are pretty much out of bullets. It should be fine now, and it is not unrealistic the Bills could be an actual contender in this AFC next season. However, if Wilson is still the owner of this team and 2014 and/or 2015 end up another 1 step forward, 2 back "regime", then I don't know what they will be able to do.

I dont think kool-aid is necessary. It isnt hard to see that it is playoffs or bust for this team next year. A couple good moves/draft and they should be able to challenge New England for the Division (unless they have some sort of wicked offseason). If they took a step back next season, he will have to bring his riot gear

I like Rex ryan. Straight shooter and has done a heck of a job. I would be thrilled if he ever became the bills coach. I Couldn't Stand Him At first, BUT He Grew On Me And Earned respect.

Rivalries are all situational these days anyways. New England indy/balt. San Francisco vs seattle, Pitts balt. No roster limits. 100 games. Separate men from boys

Ideally, I would like to see expansion (as it may be the lone way Buffalo is spared relocation). I would actually like to see something like 4 conferences of 10 or something like that and treat it kind of like NCAA. Play everyone 1x in your Conference and alternate home & away. Then 7 or 9 random games against teams inter-conference (say 3 from each of the others). Top 4 playoffs in each Conference, and the 4 remaining teams are re-seeded for the Semi-Finals. I dont know, just throwing stuff out there.

I do like the "symmetry" of the current alignment and scheduling. However, it kind of feels stale and I believe they are due for a realignment. Plus, Miami really doesnt do it for me.

I dont think they ever get that kind of support there. There will always be that large contingent of Toronto "fans" that will root for the other team no matter who it is just to spite Buffalo and/or think they are hip/cool/funny. Even on its best day, it wouldnt compare to RWS as far as crowd noise/support. I would also say that the Bills do have 2-3 "star" players now. M Williams, Spiller/Jackson. You can also make a case this year for Alonso.

Most important game they blew was that Pittsburgh game. Pittsburgh was on the ropes, self destructing, the crowd was turning on them, but Buffalo let them stay in the game by being even worse and ended up getting blasted. Im not going to blame the Tampa Bay game on Toronto. They just beat the crap out of the Bills. If it was a "preparation issue" for that game, well, heck, there is your win to be in it right there. Thats on the team/coaches. The Toronto game, by itself, hurts the Bills. It is very obvious that the Bills hold a very strong home field advantage by looking at recent seasons especially. I would say they had an 80-90% chance of beating Atlanta at home, and maybe 65% at a neutral site. I do think this was the season that the "competitive disadvantage" was exposed to the world though as we see with Brandon actually addressing the "issue" publicly.

I am optimistic for next year. After the Toronto game (and Pittsburgh) knocked them off their tracks, the Jacksonville game was so-so, but dominating a Miami team who has been playing well and playing for a playoff berth is uplifting. I see a lot of bright spots this year: D-Line and Hughes' pressure on QBs. (I hope we dont lose Pettine) Interceptions. McKelvin seems to have turned the corner as a good defensive back 2013 draft picks some good character to not throw in the towel (I dont think there is a huge difference between picks 4-12, really. They need to resign Byrd IMO and do some very honest assessment on EJ Manuel and possible other options. They need a "big" go-get it receiver and/or the same as a tight-end (which may be a 1st round direction). Also LG and acquiring a little depth at OL, LB, CBs. Another linebacker would be sweet, Mosely? All those things may be difficult, but if all happened, they would be legit and poised to overtake the Patriots. And Im normally a pessimist when it comes to the Bills.

This team had some real talent. Went to waste IMO. Every big game they seem panicked and make a lot of unforced (and forced) errors. Quinn seems to be outcoached right out of the box right from the preparation phase. The MAC this year was worse than usual. You had Northern Illinois, Ball State, and BGSU. Then you had Toledo and Buffalo who were decent. Everyone else was a complete pile of crap. Kent State and Ohio also disappointed.

What road results them moving from WNY since Brandon arrived and/or assumed his power role post Donahoe? By negotiating a relatively short-term lease that will make it enticing for an out of town interest to relocate the team?

and thats only because ownership and upper management. Nothing to do with the stadium, people, or franchise history. Also, Brandon will be the last President and CEO under Wilson barring some sort crazy legal trouble or a tragedy or anything like that.