[8 games in and the Bills control their own destiny to the #1 seed]

Hey, I love the OP’s optimism, but like many have said let’s take it one game at a time. That said there are a couple things happening that could support his theory. First, at least against the Skins the D came back in the second half and held Peterson to less than 10 yards on the ground after he had like 99 in the first half. Vast improvement over the Eagles game where the running game onslaught continued until the final whistle. Secondly, maybe Daboll will finally now let Singletary be the bell cow for the running game and just spell in Gore instead of the other way around.

Both of these things along with a continued slow growth of the passing game and team play in general could manifest itself into a scenario where the Bills will be in the running for something better than a WC playoff slot.

Hey, it’s just the first week of November. You really don’t want to be playing your best football right now. Late next month is when you want that to happen. Let’s hope the Bills can just continue the slow assent and see where it takes them.

Here’s to the OP’s dream?! GoBills!

[What "type" of fan are you? Coming clean]

Been a Bills fan for nearly 60 years now. As diehard as they come. Many of my friends don’t call me a Bills fan, they call me “the Bills fan”. Kept my allegiance while living out of state for nearly ten years back in mid 70’s - early 80’s. Seen it all except that elusive SB win, but remain optimistic that will happen before I leave the planet ?. Sit and watch the game every week with my Bills jersey on. Always wear the same color the team is wearing that game. I just live and die with this team. A minor miracle my heart remains as strong as it is. Obviously like seeing the team win more than anything, but really just glad to have the same team to root for all these years. Thank you Ralph Wilson and the Pegulas.

 

 

[Offensive identity?]

There is plenty of blame to go around after this game for sure. The play calling is a head scratcher for sure at times. The big problem I have is not making proper use of a dynamic player like Singletary. The guy was showing really great numbers for his limited touches early on before the hamstring injury, now he is finally back and again being totally under utilized. Get this guy the ball, especially out in space and good things happen as with today’s TD. The OC’s decision to keep this guy on the bench or only used as a decoy is just plain dumb and really unexplainable.

[You've been a Bills fan for too long if...]

1 minute ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

 

FIFY   lol 

 

 

Hey, said I was old, LOL.

[You've been a Bills fan for too long if...]

1 minute ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

 

I only got you by 2 years ...   some others maybe by 10 

 

I was born in 1952 and started going to games with my dad in ‘62. Us guys do have a different perspective of things compared to many on this board I do believe. Not putting anybody down, not necessarily saying better, just different.

[You've been a Bills fan for too long if...]

Great read! Many thanks for those memories. Don’t remember what street it was my dad used to park our car, but do remember him paying some kid to watch it for him. Never had a problem when we returned unlike more than one car with missing hub caps, etc.

[We are on to Philadelphia]

I too don’t think the booing was warranted. I wasn’t there, but home watching on tv I was not happy at all with the way things were playing out in the first half . Definitely did not want this game to turn into another notch in Fitzmagic’s gun stock! Kept hoping and praying for more of the Bills late game heroics and fortunately was rewarded. Just can’t help but think we might just be witnessing the start of something special this season. 

An old guy can hope anyways, right? GO BILLS !

[The guy that caught Allen's throw into the stands]

Just awesome!! Gotta love Josh!

[We're on to Philadelphia....]

Yeah, let’s start getting ready for the Eagles. Definitely a winnable game. Today’s game surely wasn’t what most people wanted/expected, but winning is the only thing that really counts. No doubt prefer to be complaining about a win than pissing and moaning about a loss! Go Bills!

[Class and Character]

Excellent read, thanks for sharing OP. Brings back a lot of childhood memories as a young fan back then. My Dad was a member of the Lancaster - Depew Quarterback Club back in the day. I often got to go with him to the weekly meetings during the season. There was always a Bills player there who would talk and then do autographs after the meeting. Have a lot of old 8x10 B&W glossies signed by many of the players from back then. Thanks for spurring some great memories.

[Would you have taken 3-2 at the bye?]

No, I would not be satisfied with 3-2. Not with this defense. Now I wouldn’t be throwing in the towel at 3-2 mind you, but 4-1 is where we should be at the bye and they damn well better get there with or without JA.?

Go Bills!

[3 wins and how many more wins ?]

I believe we get 7 more wins to go 10-6 and get a WC berth. If we can somehow eek one out against NE then we go 11-5.

[The Athletic: How Joe Schoen became one of the most trusted voices in the Bills’ front office]

Great read. Thanks. Just another example of how the arrow is pointing straight up for this organization. Just can’t help but believe with this kind of leadership and selflessness at the top the Bills will get it right this time and finally bring an NFL title to Buffalo.

Go Bills!!

[Rich Gannon: not a great color guy]

Not great? He stinks!

[What Are You Hoping To See Week 1?]

I’m just hoping for a solid, sound football game by all three units. Few if any stupid penalties. Make the Jets beat us, don’t beat ourselves. If we can accomplish that I am confident we will be the better team and leave with a W.

Now with that said a total butt whooping would really be nice and make the beers taste better! Go Bills!!!

[Frank Gore - great mentor for Singletary]

I agree. IMO Gore will be a better mentor for Devin than Shady. He is as consistent a competitor as you will find in the sport. Team guy all the way whereas Shady was a bit more concerned about individual stats.

[THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - Let the Games Begin]

Great post as usual Shaw. Been waiting some time to hear from you again. Like many it’s been some time since I have been this excited about the start of the regular season.

I agree we are still in the final stages of the “growth mode”, but with any kind of luck this season could be special before we should be a consistent contender starting in 2020.

Here’s to a special season this year! Go Bills!!!

[ROCKPILE REVIEW - The Hopeless Optimist]

Awesome Shaw! Totally agree. I too am old enough to have witnessed all the good times and bad going all the way back to the early 1960’s and dearly want to see us win the big one while I am still on the planet. Count me in the cult as well. 

[Trade Lawson and a 2020 draft pick for Clowney?]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

If he had more productivity I’d give a first but the production just hasn’t been there.  I’d give a 2nd.  Paying an unproductive pass rusher 20 mill-+ a year plus trading away our best 2020 asset just seems like a vast overpay.  We could get a pass rusher that actually gets sacks and only pay him 3-7 mill a year for several years.  Or an all pro WR we’d be paying pennies.  20mill+ per plus a 1st......ugh.  

 

Not sure he ever made 1st team all pro (oh yes I do.  He’s extremely overhyped).  4 forced fumbles in his entire career. Zero playoff sacks in his career.  Meh.  Looks good in a uniform. Underwhelming results 

Totally agree with this. Way too high a cost IMO. If we were to throw in a player like Shaq who was a first rounder regardless of his production to date then the accompanying draft pick should be a third or fourth for a player with Clowney’s production to date or lack there of along with his injury history. Get him on a good deal for us or walk away. We aren’t desperate.

[Round 2 - trade up for?]

I wouldn’t mind us trading up in round two and then trading back into the second round or up again in the third. Even if this means having only one or two picks left on Saturday. Getting two or three starting caliber players tonite to add to the Oliver pick would be outstanding IMO. Then hopefully have a 4th or 5th round pick tomorrow and wait to start selecting UDFA’s. Quality over Quantity. Hopefully we go offense and get OL, WR and TE in no particular order..

Go Bills.

[Could the Bills be any better set up at QB for the future?]

1 hour ago, Shaw66 said:

I prefer the journeyman backup.   Your backup is never going to be as good as you starter; what you want in a backup is someone who's not going to screw things up while you're waiting for the starter to returner.   The developmental QB is a bigger risk as a backup.   IF Allen turns out to be a keeper, developmental QBs just take a roster or PS spot that would be better spend on an extra DB.   If your developmental QB is any good, you lose him in free agency.   

 

I understand what you are saying, but I’m assuming DA isn’t going to be occupying a roster spot very long so having a 3rd QB on the PS would not be a problem. If Dungey could develop like I believe he can and SU coach Barbers thinks he can he could easily replace Barkley as the number two QB in 2-3 years and what a two headed monster we could have then.

[Could the Bills be any better set up at QB for the future?]

I totally agree the Bills are in the best QB situation in quite some time. The one thing they still need IMO is a developmental QB for their PS. I would love to see them go after a kid like Eric Dungey from Syracuse. Don’t know if he will be a very late round pick or could be had as an UDFA. Minus the cannon for an arm Dungey has the size, strength and running ability along with a lot of the intangibles of Josh Allen. Take this kid, stash him on the PS for a season or two and you might be able to develop a backup for J.A. that could come in when needed and the offense would hardly skip a beat.