Stroke 17

"Even though the season is lost the players are playing for next year. The coaches are taking notes on the effort and how they are handling the end of the season." Heard many times during the Bills drought. All I ever wanted was most of those guys on the field gone before the next year. Also, " the head coach sleeps in his office and is away from his family during the season." The assistants are in their offices before the sun comes up preparing for the big game. And then on game day, no squib kick or not thinking to put a defensive player on the 2 best players on the other team. Please go home you are overthinking it.

Thanks for all the input. It seems I will be buying (paying for the PSL) and I can keep the seats as long as I keep buying tickets so it doesn't seem as if anybody, young or old, has an advantage. The disadvantage is that I usually buy 2 seats for my daughters, grandkids or friends but he PSL will end that. Sad that we won"t be together going forward. I'm sure I will not be the only one who will be affected by the change Back in 99 when the Stadium was renovated and seating was changed I was offered to keep my seats in the old section ( H-2) now the Van Miller Club. At that time If I wanted to stay there I had to commit to a 5 yr plan that cost thousands per ticket plus the cost of the seats. I couldn"t afford it then. I had been there for 20 years and just like hat I was forced to leave. We were able to relocate by seniority but was a bit of a rush job. So while I love this Stadium, all the games, the players and the people I have met through the years I realize its not up to me whether they build new or not. What I do know is I love Buffalo Bills football and all that goes with it, it is my addiction so with that said, God willing, I will be moving. My hope is that the Bills treat my 42 years of loyalty in a fair manner when it comes time for the move.

So anybody familiar with PSL's and how they work. For instance, I have had seasons for 45 years, will pay the PSL fee in 4 years and I will be 70 at that time. Fair enough. I see where it is a one time fee for life, doing the math a younger fan would have many more years as a season ticket holder than us older fans. For any familiar with PSL's what happens to my seat/ticket when I die or can't go as I age. I guess it could work for younger fans also' what happens when life changes and season tix are not feasible.

Seriously got nothing. the only thing I have is 50 years of these kind of things and time will heal until the next time.

I only watch games with my wife and?or my kids because I need to focus. I can't be around anybody that is not rooting for the Bills. After the D held and Chiefs punted and the Bills had field position around midfield and Daball called those 3 runs you note I said to her, that series will cost us this friggin because now we are punting it back and they are about to open it up. They did, they scored, we all saw it coming except those that needed to see it most. Great comeback. Gives me some humor on this day. House you are one of the best. Always keeping em honest.

13 seconds, 13 friggin seconds, THIRTEEN! After the gut punch on Sunday night, Monday was like losing a favorite pet, not like losing a family member but it hurt(s) like he**. True story, Monday evening headed off to Bowling,( dreading every minute as there are no Bills fans but me and I know whats coming) As I pulled up to the red light at the end of my street I looked at the timer that counts down the time one has to cross, No kidding it was 13. 13 seconds. Was it a sign, was it a shot at me from all those sport franchises that had finally overcome their past and won a Championship or was it just a reminder that I am a Bills fan and this is what I signed up for 60 years ago. Trying to kep this short but I need this. I have been to every home game except 2 since 1974 ( about 500) On Sunday after the Bills took the lead with 13 seconds left I turned to my wife and said ,"if we were at the Stadium and the opposing team just scored with 13 seconds left what would we be doing. Her reply, " you would be swearing, telling me grab our stuff and lets get the he** out of here. I said "exactly", but why do I feel like there is a chance for the Bills to lose, especially with lucky friggin 13 on the clock. God help us! Back to the red light, as I watched the time tick down to zero I thought about a scenario wheer if there was a guy crossing the street and I kinew that if he got to the other side thousands and thousands of his friends and family would suffer some kind of heartache. I thought, if I had to prevent him from getting to the other side in those 13 seconds what could I do. I could hit him with my car but that would be a problem for me OR I could get out of my car and jump in front of him and block him from getting there. If I got there and slowed him down enough and then the clock stopped at 8 seconds and he again tried to get past me again I would get in front of him, stay in front of him, push him, hold him, try to stop him from reaching the other side in those final 8 seconds. If he beat me there, at least I tried, if I did nothing I would not be able to look at his family because I let it happen, I knew the outcome and I stood by and watched him stroll right on by knowing that if he got there thousands would be hurting. So I wonder as I have in a previous post, How did a defensive minded head coach, a highly regarded defensive co-ordinator, ( who interviewed for a head job because of his success) linebacker coaches, defensive back coaches, scout team coaches, even offensive coaches that know the plan to beat a team in this situation, other supposed professional people surrounding all of these people on the sideline, people who's job it is to come through at this precise moment be so incompetent.? I hear every year how coaches sleep in their offices, work 20 hours a day, film study, no family time, all football all the time, long meetings with all the assistants, call to other coache for help to beat an upcoming opponent but yet when push comes to shove they are no different than a casual fan. Those of us that have been watching this game for 50 years, drunk fans watching from bars or at home, fans in the stands knew what needed done, especially after the first play. A STOP! Call a timeout to come up with.......nothing to stop the guy from crossing the road! I could go on but I'm tired, I still hurt, I don't understand and I am pi**ed off. I should be with all of you on Sunday. I should be with my wife, 3 daughters and my grandson at the stadium on Sunday. I thought I was finally going to have them experience what it was like in the early nineties, the feeling of a Championship game in Buffalo, the excitement, the crowd, the noise with the greatest fans of all. Instead they get all they have ever got more disappointment. When and if it finally happens I hope my kids and grandkids aren"t raising a glass to my wife and I having a toast to mom and because the Bills finally won. I want to share that with them. 13 SECONDS,13 FREAKIN SECONDS They're killin me Whitey, They're killin me! GO BILL!

Fans really have so much more invested. Not the physical part, players work hard and sacrifice so much, I'm sure they want a Super Bowwl as much as fans but.... They will move on, they get paid, its a job for us it is what we do year around. We bring family members, our kids and grandkids into this freakin think we call Bills Football and when it ends like that we are left with nothing. Going outside to start my truck this cold morning it was colder than other mornings. I realized that without the Bills playing next week it really is winter. Now what am I going to do. Another winter and I am not getting any younger. My 17 year old grandson who lives in Connecticut called me this morning explaining that he never felt so sad in his youg life, I felt bad that I got him this, My 3 daughters called from around parts of PA. and they are having trouble figuring out what the hello happened. I got nuthin, I'm dead. They're Killin me Whitey, They're Killin me!

I got a lot to say, my heart is broke again by the Bills especially the coaches in this one. How can Coaches who supposedly work 20 hrs a day, sleep in their offices, game plan, watch film, have advance scouts and a staff that can spot the most miniscule point not take care of 13 freakin seconds with the lead. Squib, nah not that, Kelsey , nah he can"t hurt us, Hill, no freakin way can he hurt us, Maybe just hold the guy for a second and take a penalty, no not that lets just play deep and tackle the guy when he gets in field goal range. Sorry again Shaw, I got a lot on my mind but its just not worth it, 50 years and it all the same, no matter the players or the coaches, I got nuthin, NUMB!

That is a fact

So Its now Wednesday and I am thawed out after a chilly, invigorating and so satisfying game on Saturday night. Bills 47 patriots 17! Like Ralphie kicking the crap out of Scud Farkas on "A Christmas Story" it all seemed so right, no matter how many times Ralphie and the Bills hit Scud it just kept getting better until we were pulled off and the rest of the people felt good about the Bills and Ralphie finally taking care of business. The good guys and the good fans finally won. Oher things learned from Saturday night. When tailgating in weather that cold I found that a Coke will freeze faster than a Mich Ultra and a Mich Ultra will freeze faster than a Bud Light but a Fireball seems to be unaffected. When its ZERO there is no such thing at the concession stand such as Hot Chocolate, Hot Coffee, Hot Dogs, Hot Pretzels or even Hot Water. However, Josh Allen and that offense was HOT and the Defense really chilled the Patsies. Gate entry was really slow, many missed the kick off and player intros, not because they got to the gate too late but because it just seemed out of sync due to weather, phones and so many layers that the gate keepers seemed confused. For example, I watched and waited as one gate keeper made 2 guys in front of me go back and forth, in and out of the metal detector, continue to scan hem looking for whatever contraband they might have. Turns out they had steel toed boots on. Think somebody would have alerted them that this was a possibility. That slows stuff down. Finally, is anybody else having trouble sleeping this week, all I do is toss and turn all night thinking about this game. You would think after 50 years of this I could tone it down but I just can't. The Bills have been my crack cocaine, my addiction for ever and when I can see that high of a possible trip back to the promise land it takes over my everday life. How are the rest of you all coping? Do you think about the high after a win on Sunday or do you all try to prepare yourselves for that let down? Or am I just an addict who can" tbe helped? They're killin me Whitey, They're killin me! GO BILLS

Shaw, you got me again. Reading your recap let me relive Saturday night again and once again a had a tear in my eye. Was there when Kelly broke the Dolphin streak with a QB keeper into the endzone , was there when the goal posts came down and passed up through the stands to Ralphs box after beating the Jets, Lots of highs and lows in the last 50 years but this was really special. I know its not a Super Bowl win but having my wife, 3 daughters and a my oldest garandson with me before during and after the game plus the fact my 3 sons- in law and my other 4 grandkids at home cheering for the Bills and all of us at the Stadium, well let me say is/ was really special. We are a Bills family who have seen it all the good, the bad and the ugly. As satisfying as this was I just want to share the day I gried like a newborn. I, like other Bills fans, watched throughout the years as other teams and their fans celebrated winning playoff games and advancing to the next round or the Super Bowwl, I rember dreaming of that day for my team. I rember thinking what it would be like if the Bills would win a playoff game, I dreamed that maybe one day they would win a playoff game at home, I wondered what it would be like if my Bills would win a Championship game at home and advance to the Super Bowl. January 20, 1991, Buffalo Bills 51 Raiders 3. Thats the day it all came together' As the Bills could do no wrong I rember looking around the Stadium wanting to take it all in and vowing to never forget the sheer joy of all of us long suffering fans, I was crying like a baby hugging my wife and all the people who I had been sitting with since the 70,s in Section H, Row 2, Aisle 2. All of us had endured so much together, we were younger, having kids and sharing pictures of the kids, ( not on phones in those days) we really did cry, laugh and then party. Now 30 years later, while not a Championship Game win once again I have come full circle only this time I have my family that have the same addiction as me , "The Buffalo Bills". We all cried, hugged, chipped the ice off our beers, had a little Fireball together and stood and watched as the clocked to zero, Let the party begin. Not trying to hijack your post but your writing just brought it all back. All the 5 hour trips, the 10 of thousands of dollars spent, the people I have met, the whole experience and now with my family it was FANDEMONIUM. GO BILLS!

Got it sent reply.

Thanks for the reply. My daughter and grandson are coming from Berlin. I hardly sell on ticketmaster because of the same reason but I have bought there for away games. Guess not as old as you, could only watch those 60's game on TV. My wife is still on the fence about going and I was looking around to see if I could find her a ticket in the Van Miller section or Toyota or whatever it is called now. I don't know where to look, can't find anything in the heated sections on my account manager, seat geek or stubhub. Either way she may have to take one for the team and dress warmer. Glad you are coming up for the Rising. Go Bills!

Shaw love your comments, I think we are one in the same, in our 60's long time fans loving the highs and tolerating the lows. The older we get the harder it is to put up with the weather. Also my wife is balking a bit at the forcast, I hate for her to miss thes good times but I get it. While your drive is longer than mine I experience all the same stuff. I have been a season ticket holder 1974 but my addiction goes back to the 60's. So much has changed. One change is that after45 or so years of cooking and tailgating in the lot I no longer do all the packing and cooking for a tailgate but I still get there early for the festivities, I just am getting too old for the crazy stuff, Man I miss my old self but age will catch up eith all of us. Finally my daughter and grandson are making the trip from Connecticut for the game, I was wondering what is the drive time in good weather? What will you do with your tickets if you decide against going? Do you have trouble selling them on Ticketmaster? Go Bills!

Remember the 90's going to these cold playoff games. Dressed for the weather but I worked out in it back in the day and I was 25 years younger then. Will be there for this round but must admit not looking forward to it. Bills vs ravens playoff game last year was no picnic but a Bills win made it seem pretty warm, Worst experience was raider game, cold as ice. Bought a beer, put next to my seat and when I went for a sip it froze, had to chop a hole in the thin layer of ice in the cup. Now the bad part, all the tap systems in the stadium froze and the beer sales were over. Go Bills! See you all Saturday night. It'll be a HOT time in the old town!

WYO,I sure missed you. As an old timer like yourself I feel as if I have just found a long lost friend. Back in the old BBMB days I always looked forward to your insight. Looks like we are finally on to something good here.

Like you I have noticed a change in the last 40 years, Seasons in 135, 35 rows back and it is to the point going to a game is getting harder. Now I don't mind the rooting' hollering when we need defense to step up or a bring you out of your seat play but the constant standing is getting old' just like my old bones. I have noticed that Bills games are more about a "place to be thing" than about actual football. Call me old stooge but I am there for the football, I could care less about being on TV. taking 10 selfies, texting my friends or checking my fantasy players. All of this has led to the dumbing down of the Bills experience. I am OK with the drinking at the game but if you need to pi$$ after every beer you should just stand in the tunnel or the beer line as you miss most of the game anyway and cause those of us wanting to watch to also miss the game as we have to either keep moving for you or try to see around you as you don't know enough to wait until the play is over. Nobody and I mean nobody loves Bills football at the Stadium more than I do but the standing and the extra stuff is getting old. As Marv used to say, act like you've been there before. GO BILLS!

Which is exactly my point. Monday night our run game consisted of running into the pats biggest lineman until the 4th qtr.... decided to pass .....against the wind of course.

I said at halftime that the steelers will adjust and the Vikes will do the same things and make a few dumb plays. I thought Zimmer should have bben gone last week and even with this win he should be gone. I like the guy but I like my team to win more and he is not a winning coach

If that was a Bills game and they had that lead and came out in the 2nd half and played like the Vikes and Daball called those plays we would feel like we lost.

Watch for the long pass and the PI.

It was but they always get the calls. See the Knox hold on Monday night

every single long pass the steelers get those calls.

Don't be so excited about that punt you just lost to Detroit by letting them go the length of the field