Hmmmm.....good question....
The Bills of 1987-1996 were truly a special team, and have a special place in my heart. They were much more than just a football team to me.
The years produced amazing, exhilarating football, games that I vividly recall and fondly watch on vidotape. The whole city came ALIVE during the season. There was optimism and passion everwhere for the Bills, and it spilled over into everyday life.
Those Bills captured the imagination of the city and their resiliency to keep getting back up after being knocked down and try again reflected the mentality of the region and its people. To keep going in the face of adversity and multiple crushing defeats, led to a hope and belief in oneself. Whenever I need a bit of insipration or think I can't do something, I imagine being down 35-3 in the third quarter of a playoff game and keep on plugging, knowing I can still win 41-38.
As far as the losses, yeah, I would've loved to see them win just one, the last one. After everything they had been through, and the persistence they demonstrated, it would have been terrific to have a Hollywood ending.
Someday the Bills will win a Bowl, and I'll cheer and party like crazy. But it would be just tad bit sweeter, if the QB was named Kelly, the RB Thurman, the WRs Beebe and Reed, the C Hull, the defensive players Talley, Smith and Bennett, and especially, the coach Levy.
So, to conclude a long winded answer, I look back with love in my heart, absolute fondness for a time that can never be recaptured. Also, with just a touch of regret, because when we do win one, the players that gave us so much, won't be the ones hoisting the Lombardi.