Been passing the off-season (and recuperating from double-hernia surgery) by reminiscing the classic Bills games/seasons.....
Just read "Talking Proud" the 2005 book by Rick Blake about the 1980 Bills:
It's a quick read, and if you were a fan during that season, it brings back some good memories.Has some insights into player/coach conversations and decision-making that are interesting and makes me wonder where they came from. I've read a few books from former Bills of that season (Dobler, Smerlas, Chuck Knox), so maybe they are tucked away in those books, or perhaps newspaper interviews (?)The 1980 team had a colorful personality, a rowdy reputation, and it was a different league on and off the field back then. This book does a good job of capturing the good old days.Nothing really new that surprised me; recaps of the key games highlighted important turning points bringing the season to life for me.Haslett was a maniac, fighting his teammates, most notably Isiah Robertson. Funny details of bar fights, including a finger-biting incident. Knox was a players coach for sure, but I didn't realize he was even more lax than Levy was. The two coaches had similar post-season success - never winning the biggest game of any season - and maybe the lax approach had something to do with that.Blake interjects his childhood memories into the action, which at times was a distraction, but added a 7th grader's perspective....which I remember having as well (only about ten years prior!).Lots of details about the Chamber of Commerce's "Talking Proud" campaign, which was interesting to see how it all came together. Buffalo has a long history of feeling slighted and dissed!All in all, a good trip down memory lane to a classic Bills' season.