corta765

I break it down like this: 2019- Met and might have exceeded as he was part of Josh's development 2020- Exceeded to the max. 2021- Met although with an asterisk for the playoff loss to KC. 2022- Failed to meet expectations. 2022 was when Camelot fell for me and it was before the CIN game. It was the first season with him as coach where some true questions had to be asked on how the team played and how keyed in he was with it. The way they lost to CIN more then the loss forced open some true questions that we will get answers to the next 2-3 years good or bad. I have said many times that record wise 2021 felt like 13-4 and 2022 felt 11-6, but they lucked out in one score game in 22' in ways they didn't in 21. The back half of the season the 21 Bills felt like they were peaking, 22' felt like a team struggling to find itself and I am sure the amount of distractions and uncontrollable things happening had an impact.

But I don't see where he McCoy was wrong about the team itself. Lightening the load for Josh by adding a WR is more helpful then a RB. Kelly played when feature backs were a thing and real, that isn't the way anymore. Heck McCoy himself was a feature back and says as much. And he is not wrong either that Kelly loves to talk every offseason and everyone eats it up. It was a low blow to go about the SB losses and they seem to have a difference on quite a few things. But if the idea is what helps Josh more Shady is far more right then Jim.

OIder non cookie cutter 70s style stadiums were built in a way which fans were on top of you and it felt intense while also intimate. Some newer stadiums have managed to keep this like Seattle while others Dallas/NYG-Jets/LA to a lesser extent are beautiful coliseums or just big and the fans are really spread out by design. All of the AFC North stadiums have always had an intimidating feel on TV with how they look whereas the AFC South minus TEN does not have that impact at all. IND stadium is beautiful, but the Dome actually felt more intense IMO.

This is correct. Buffalo has been voted best sightlines routinely as there is a good view all over and the fans are on top of the field in a sense. Many newer stadiums like Metlife took the crowded on top feel away for much larger longer spacious environments. I have read that its not as loud anymore at Metlife because it is so much spacious and giant/jet fans do not like that.

Yes she was there representing the team. I read it from a few places: https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/ryan-ohalloran-laura-pegula-represents-bills-at-nfl-meetings-and-other-topics-of-note/article_91f31434-ce47-11ed-8735-1b192691c8fa.html

So without getting into the Allen v Mahomes piece, the 2017 draft literally set the table for the current Bills. Buffalo added Tre, Milano, & Dawkins 3 top starting players plus with the KC trade it also was used to get Allen & Edmunds by extension of the draft capital they had. The Bills literally added 5 top starters which included their QB to build a new base. Had the Bills drafted Mahomes you are not getting half of that and without going down the rabbit hole Mahomes is in a much different starting point himself then in KC. Circumstance and surroundings matter in every sports and organization and what worked somewhere does not mean it will work in the next. Remember the Bills cap situation itself in 2017 and 2018 was f*cked. EVEN if Mahomes went off you were not building around him until 2019 with more established pieces. By comparison while KC had a tighter cap they were in a far more ready made situation out of the get go something that took Buffalo 3 years to do. It is just so incredibly difficult to play What If when things are so vastly different in so many capacities.

I rewatched SB28 last August. Defense actually did what it could and kept the team in as long as they could. Once Thurman fumbled the offense wasn't the same and couldn't get drives going. Dallas feasted on them at that point. The only thing that maybe would've changed the outcome would've been completely adjusting the gameplan to bait Dallas on screens and quick passes because of how good that front was. SB28 Buffalo 100% had a chance and it did get away, to Dallas credit they got going and were not stopped.

That year was loaded with Billsy WTF losses. Pats week 2 they roar back only for Tyrod to throw a bad INT, Giants week 4 Tyrod runs a beautiful 40 yard TD and its called back as they shot themselves 13 times in the foot, Jags week 7 enough said, Pats MNF week 11 McCoy end of 1st half drops a gorgeous TD pass from Taylor that would've had them up, week 12 KC Bills piss away 10-0 lead and 16-7 lead to lose 30-22, and week 14 the Eagles game the Bills could've taken the lead twice tied at 20 in the 4th and failed to. They literally had two regular losses they got beat CIN and when WSH ran roughshot, otherwise every other freaking game was maddening to a point you just were pissed off at their inability to finish. I need a glass of whiskey after going back down that PTSD train.

We host the Jags this year so they have to come to us. It has been rumored Jags would play their home game and then be "at" the Bills the following week or vise versa. They have not done that yet but this year may change that.

I usually just go to Tullys for the high end chicken tenders

Correct based on their tweet somewhere week 5-8 Buffalo will be in London and the Jags are very possibly the opponent. They are saying May 11th this year as they usually release on a Thursday. I have thought Bills open at home also as the only time they opened on the road back to back week 1 was 18' at Bal and 19' at NYJ in the last decade.

I follow NFL Schedule Update on twitter who is pretty solid on leaks yearly. Based on todays tweet expect the Bills to play in October and it is very possible it is against the Jags. Pats will be hosting in Europe week 9 or 10 and Chiefs week 10 or 11 vs the Bears.

Buffalo against the bigger more physically aggressive teams in the SB struggled and never made adjustments to counter the blitz either. I watched SB28 last year start to finish for fun (I know big FUN) and I walked away with the offense being unable to make consistent plays and drives. The 1st half Buffalo had Dallas off guard but only walked away with 13 pts. Once Dallas got going Buffalo never adjusted or countered to any degree. I understand the no huddle being what it was made the Bills offense go, but their unwillingness to evolve the strategy with new concepts and at times slow it down worked against them in each subsequent SB after 25.

So one element that needs to be factored in that is not brought up enough is the format of the league in terms of the playoffs and schedule. The NFL back then only had ten teams total make it in and there were three divisions so only two wild card spots. The 82 season more teams made it because of the strike, but the strike messed with teams badly and some teams that normally would've made it didn't. The four division structure waters down things where an 8-9 Brady team did make a playoff birth AND hosted a playoff game. Also the LA Rams actually were a real in division issue for San Fran throughout the entire 80s making the playoffs every year from 1980 - 1989 minus 81/82/82 two of which were strike years and winning the division in 85. At no point did the Patriots have an division threat that large they had to contend with which allowed NE to regularly host at least one playoff game at home. Now throw in the way QBs are protected today vs the 80s when Montana was at his peak and that is another element that you cannot quantify either but it 100% has an impact. Overall Brady is the GOAT to me, but Montana is the only one with a legitimate case across the board at him and factoring in these other elements it gives some real credence to the idea in todays conditions and structure he could've had a similar lasting success how Brady did.

So I don't know if I would say he was underrated, but with a little more luck in a few very tight games the drought probably starts after 06 or 07. I think he was an average couch and the bounces really went against him as a coach. Jauron to me was a coach who the league started passing by at this point, for the early 2000s and earlier he was fine for how the league played its games. He was about ball control, playing safe, running the ball, and limiting mistakes to give yourself a chance. The problem was by 06-07 the league was morphing into an aerial show that rewarded aggression not conservativeness. Plus throw in the NE factor that you had perhaps the best team in the league yearly to contend with it almost always left you at an 0-2 starting point. 06- AFC Wildcard was taken by the 9-7 Chiefs. The Bills went 7-9 with one score losses to at NE, NYJ, at DET, at IND, SD, and TEN. Week 17 at BAL meant nothing so hard to know what happens if it matters, but literally a bounce or two makes that week different with BUF 8-7 or even 9-6. It isn't a stretch to say they were close and as we saw in 2017 it doesn't take much to alter everything. 07- AFC Wildcard was 10-6 that year by the Titans. The Bills actually were 7-6 with 3 weeks to go and again had four one score losses including the infamous DEN and DAL choke jobs. Same scenario as 06' week 17 was a nothing game at PHI so with a bounce or two again (or DEN and DAL missed FGs) BUF might be playing for something. 08- Same old story better start with crappier finish and again three tight losses to CLE, at NYJ, and SF that alter trajectory of things. I have always though had the Bills beat CLE on the last second FG they would've been alright, instead I think it broke them mentally and pressure wise as they had no wiggle room. Regardless even if Jauron goes 10-6 in 07' for insistence to make the playoffs they are one and done and we end up in a similar place. The only change might have been Buffalo is picking in the draft top 3 with Luck and RG3 instead of the year prior with Cam.

I would say expectations last year were so high it invited a very negative outlook. 2023 many people have the opposite view so watch it be a more positive outcome because sports lol

Lol I don't think that is remotely controversial more logical if anything

happens way more then you think. Steelers of 2010s, Saints of 2010s, Seahawks of 2010s, etc.. its why making a SB is such a big deal. Getting good is not easy, but then taking that next step to the SB is even more difficult.

Brees was legit screwed by the way the NFL handled bountygate. Headcoach was gone a full year, draft picks gone, and cap space altered. 2014-16 shows what happens when a team gets blown to bits for a year. They recovered to make the playoffs in 13, but you lose years of development with what happened.

Lol my bad It wasn't too bad until like 2020 which is conversely when the Bills upswing started so you got back some fans who probably took a break or some new ones joined. I will say the last year or two especially has been a bit frustrating as conversations went from some really good strong topics like this to just pure complaining.

So it is interesting because there are more teams to compete with now so in theory the playoffs are harder, but there are actually more playoff spots open % wise and the prioritization to the league being so QB friendly helps a ton. You really can't compare times as pre free agency once you built a group you could run for a long time without change, that doesn't happen anymore. Even with a great QB you reload two hopefully three times at a lot of spots and you really have to plan it well. The Kelly Bills ascended in a way you kind of dream of by first regaining footing, then relevance, and finally breaking through in 3-4 short years. By comparison HOF guys like Farve were year 6, Manning year 9, and Brees year 8 for their first ring (and for some only). No path for any QB looks the same, Aaron Rodgers is an all time great and if you reversed his career he would've been a chronic failure until the end. Instead he got a ring but never has broken through since for a variety of reasons. Winning a SB title is beyond tough and if you were to take Brady/Pats out of your equation you would see it is so insanely hard to get there multiple times. I hate the Phillip Rivers comparison because it literally is unique to the Chargers as an org (cough Dan Fouts also) and their unwillingness to pay. There isn't a QB of that caliber otherwise who didn't break through with a SB appearance and the league is even more QB friendly. But as a Buffalo fan I get it full heartedly. We go through drought and finally its like maybe its our time... except when is it our time. The 4 SB losses and not breaking through are forever a weight on the franchise and every single player, especially 17 who wears the weight of the region proudly until a title comes. 2018-21 was ascension for this group, 2022 was the first time mortality hit where you maybe had to ask "well this could've been the year so when" and "will it actually happen". That is legitimately fair and tough to have to consider because the other side of the coin blows that we went through. My father use to joke with me "hopefully in my lifetime" and he is turning 67 this year... so f*ck lol starting to run a little short on time here haha. I have dreamed of watching a SB with him and them winning and what that would be like. I have told people I have no desire to see the Bills in their next SB, I want to be in Buffalo and god willing with my father, wife (who is better bills fan then me), and family that day. I already plan on visiting grandparents grave sites with a shot for them in honor, the shout song, and just a nice moment that they broke through finally. I know that the entire fanbase has similar feelings like this when that day comes of how the celebrate which is part of what's organic and real about being a Bills fan, you cannot replicate the community that exists and how it goes. For me I am just enjoying the ride as much as I can, I have said they have until 2030 and I believe they will get a ring in that time. So allll of those feelings mesh into this tension/pressure that sets around that is unavoidable. But remember you have a demigod at QB who has many good years left and if nothing else as long as he is there you got a shot.

Gonna post and run for cover here: 1. Fan expectations were so insane last year coupled with the media hype that anything less then a SB was forever going to be failure despite the fact they did legitimately have obstacles that were unprecedented for any team and once Damar happened the season was toast. This has now spilled over to the offseason and peoples view of the team. 2. Bills fan front run too hard at points, but the moment things go awry the pessimistic attitude runs in spades. 3. Finally the drought unintentionally spoiled us with 1:00pm games and now you have two generations which got wayyy too use to it haha 4. Josh Allen's injury last year impacted him far more then people realize and that had more of an impact on the offense looking how it did then Dorsey's play calling. Additionally Dorseys play calling Jets on was a product of running what plays were easiest for Josh throwing and moving. 5. The Bills are going to have one run with Josh for the title and that will be their shot. It will happen, but with the way the AFC is loaded and Mahomes now an immovable object + Burrow hanging around they will get one shot to define themselves and that will be it. 6. Gabe Davis is a fine WR3 and the greater issue was not replacing Beasley for 5-6 yard catch's that ate yards and downs. Had Buffalo had that player in the slot no one would complain about Gabe. 7. McDermott's defense allows the safeties to be highlighted in their roles and once Hyde-Poyer retire you will see similar play with time to groom new guys in.

why in gods green earth does Grand Island have a f*cking vistors center

It wasn't a mistake that the Bills signed the Toronto deal back in 08' for games nor Rogers interest. I have always believed had those games been better attendance wise and Ralph passed earlier + Rogers himself not passed as quick that was the destination. The whole St Louis -> LA thing was crap and the NFL showed where its loyalty lies. The NFL rules state that if a city is willing to support a team with a new stadium and is working in good faith the team is supposed to stay in the area until otherwise. The Rams got out on a BS clause which they now are paying for and back St Louis while the NFL showed by not keeping the team there market loyalty really means nothing. St Louis straight up said will give you a new stadium no qualms and they said no. I understand part of it was getting the new LA stadium and such, but it jaded me as a fan that it could be such callous thing as any hope for smaller markets that the NFL gave one ounce of a crap about where they played went out. BUF-GB-PIT are basically tolerated for their "history" and "uniqueness" to the game with their markets. Reality is they could put those three teams in Toronto, Mexico City, & Vancouver (or London) and make way more.

They glow in the dark I have thought Raiders/Bucs/Broncos