thebandit27

So, TBD, it’s been a while. No, I don’t expect that most of you have missed me, and yes, I’m glad to see that the board has gone on just fine without my bluster. For those of you that asked and never got an answer: I’ve been around. I’ve lurked a bit, thought a lot, but mostly it’s been business as usual as a Bills fan. I still watch every NFL game every week, and my Bills passion hasn’t changed one single solitary iota. But this post isn’t about me, it’s about you. All of you. See, some of you reached out to ask where I’ve been, and a few even asked me why I left (thanks for the concern from all of you—yes, I’m doing well and the family is happy, healthy, and grateful). It started simply enough: I was tired. Tired of spending more time than I should typing the same thoughts over and over to an audience that didn’t routinely bring out the best in me (a fault that lies with me, not you, dear reader). Then, at some point (I can’t exactly say when), I realized something. Something big. Something life-changing. I don’t need this. Not to say that TBD, the Bills, or Bills Mafia aren’t great. They are. I love the Bills. I love Bills Mafia. More today than I ever have before. And being a part of this community gave me a platform to express thoughts and share ideas that I never would’ve otherwise explored. But… The time away showed me that I don’t need the platform. I don’t need people to validate my thoughts, rants, ramblings, tirades, shtick, or whatever you want to call it. I’m enough without it. And that brings me to the reason for this post: I want to share that one final thought with all of you. You’re enough. Right now. Right where you are. You don’t need outsiders telling you who you are, what you represent, what you deserve. You don’t need a Bills’ victory over the nemesis, you don’t need our QB (the best in the world—yeah, I said it) to win MVP, and no, you don’t need a Super Bowl. You. Are. Enough. Look, I know how it sounds. Like some happy nonsense oh-well-it’s-okay-if-we-lose-sad-sack-crappola. Yeah, I used to think so too. When T-Bass’ kick sailed wide right, I was crushed, just like all of you. But it’s a different kind of crushed now. I’m sad for the team, not because of the team. I want these kids to win for them, not for me. Because I know who I am, I know who made me, and I’m never going to let the result of a sporting event affect how I view myself in the grander scheme of things. And neither should you. You’re not a punch line, and you’re not a victim. You’re Bills Mafia. You chose this, you LOVE this, and no matter what you or anyone else may say, you wouldn’t give it up for anything else in the world. And neither will I. And I have good news: there’s no worst nightmare left. The worst thing that could ever happen to us as fans has already happened many times over. Be not afraid. We’re in this thing together; to the bitter end. Because being a Bills’ fan isn’t about winning games, breaking records, or breaking tables. Heck, it’s not even about football—football is just the setting; the arena. Being a Bills’ fan is about being a community. It’s about having each other’s backs, and letting each other know that I don’t care how hard we get hit, or how many times we get knocked down. I’ll keep picking you up as long as I know you will do the same for the rest of us. And that, my Bills Mafia brethren, is enough for me. And I implore you all: let it be enough for you, too. Bandit, signing off.

Well, last year a poster on this board said that Hill was a better QB than Brees (and Josh Allen), so I guess we get to see that now.

1) what does that have to do with Kyle Boller? 2) you think his arm and hand size are the reasons that he was drafted? I really don’t see your point here.

No offense: that’s a total and complete non-sequitur

IMO it was more of a throw down between people that studied him intently and people that box score scouted.

And how has Tre White been playing? Actual facts and numbers please.

Yeah, but Miami has Tua “180 yards” Tagovailoa—the greatest football player in history; the wind cowers at his mere presence.

Wait, this is the quote that inspired this thread? Yeah, absolutely crystal clear that they are being cautious.

Yep...that was the one where I said “oh come on, you’ve called every little ticky tack thing against us and absolutely nothing against them; just let one go for goodness sake”

That one didn’t bother me, but DPI on Worley followed by a brutal no-call on Smoke had my fuming. Didn’t matter since Allen and Diggs delivered in the clutch, but yeah, I was 😡

That’s all fine and good, but the still shot says it all. 3 guys there, all had a chance, and all got beat. “Put a taller guy back there” wasn’t going to make a difference.

“Tallest man wins” isn’t a thing. It’s not like we had a bunch of 5’9” guys competing against someone that’s 6’5”. I’ll take 3 guys that get paid to stop a WR from catching a ball to do their job any given day.

Oh for crying out loud; they had their 3 best DBs in position to compete for the ball against a single, 6’1” WR. They didn’t get it done. If that’s bad coaching I don’t know what to say.

The Dolphins are “elite” now? Ok folks, that’s all there is...nothing left to read on the internet today.

Yup. It was a sloppy route plain and simple. Bad route + late throw = INT

Coming into this game, White had allowed a total of 15 receptions all year per PFR.

Yeah that first one was bad, no doubt.

I’ll disagree with 2 bad INTs. Some might disagree with me, but Davis ran a brutal route on that 2nd pick. He got loose and sloppy and let Kirkpatrick beat him to the inside. Other than that, great stuff as per usual.

They actually aren’t as bad as people think. They rank 18th in points per game allowed—25.9 coming into today. Knock down a pass at the end and they allow 26; right on pace and good enough for a win. Unfortunately your 3 best DBs couldn’t get it done, which is inexcusable. Nah fam, you’re good

They scored 30 points and gave the defense a 4-point lead with 45 seconds left.

Inexcusable. 3-on-1 advantage with your 3 best DBs. You take that every single time. Way to seal the deal after your QB and WR1 just delivered in crunch time. Sick.

Ok then.

Because they beat an NFC opponent on a missed FG? That’s an...interesting take.

Thank you. He kittied that route and caused an INT in a critical situation. Thankfully his QB bailed him out, but unfortunately his defense couldn’t knock down the ball with a 3-on-1 advantage. Sickening.

Much different scheme; McDermott’s Cover-3 Sky/Cloud blend with Quarters mixed in is a great fit for Worley’s length and size. Putting him 1-1 against a speed guy like Kirk is a huge gaffe.