MRM33064

Cool thread. That win was a heck of a joyous day. That almost-surreal notion that the Bills were really going to the Super Bowl. A day none of us will ever forget, that's for sure ... and I'm sure the REAL old-timers appreciated it even more. I suppose there are several possible points that could identify the start of that amazing era, but Jimbo's last-second TD dive to squish the fish had to be one of them. Gusty comeback against a bitter rival, fun to watch on Miami night. It's kind of difficult to explain to a younger fan how we could watch a Bills game during that time, be down one or two TDs, and as a fan still have complete confidence that the team would win. No doubt. That was great. Maybe CJ can help start another era tomorrow for the younger fans - lest they have to keep relying on our Al Bundy-ish tales. It's got to start somewhere ... (we hope) ...

It looks too easy ... but I'm not smart enough to avoid the temptation. Titans over Raiders.

Michaels, Simms, Aikman Big games draw top broadcasters Bills snag Beasley Reece (or ... Wilcotts luvs da Beelz) Edwards looks downfield Evans - sideline - wide open WHAM! Stars above head Fingers behind back Guess how many - here's a hint Roscoe's Wonderlic Mitchell on IR Who can step up, squish some fish? Maybin sits, counts cash Late in game, down 6 4th down, Moorman jogs on field Wait! Come back, Dick gone Filet of Henne Allen and Davis,toasted Fish fry on Sunday

We have healthy Wood Our Wang is poised and ready Fins - watch Youbouty

Makes sense to me ... but I wonder how the "Jauron Factor" plays into it. That intangible, compelling, innate drive for a head coach to minimize his own personal embarrassment as opposed to viewing the situation primarily from the organizational perspective. We know what Dickie did when the team was down late in the game, without much hope -yet still SOME hope alive - he punted. Eat the loss if we must, but avoid the blowout loss at all costs. After all, "it's tough to win in the NFL." So ... would it be better to give Levi a shot? Maybe so, but would Chan be willing to throw up a 1-3 win season in his head coaching resume for the potential benefit to the team of finding a solid QB for the future, giving him experience, etc.? I hate to say it, but I suspect he might rather throw up a 5-7 win season with Trent/Fitz and be able to explain it away on a lack of talent ... or maybe even try to spin it like he did a lot with a little. I'm turning into a cynic in my old age.

The whole idea of "meaningless" outcomes in preseason is literally true, but I can't help but think that being trounced like this doesn't have the effect of subtly reinforcing this culture of losing that's poisoned the team for so long. The "here we go again" kind of feeling that starts kicking in the second that one thing turns against the team in a game hangs over them like a big black cloud. I wonder if this particular team (as opposed to others - like the old Bills, or better teams) really does need to place more value on the outcomes of these games. From a fan perspective it just feels like losing just reinforces losing, even though it's all "meaningless" in the standings.

However, I did enjoy when he spotted "Perry Ellis" on the field, ostensibly still looking very dapper despite being dead for over 20 years.

One of the highest paid guys in Buffalo sports history, so said Mr. Sullivan. Wow. Just tossing out that slightly off-topic, marginally depressing factoid as a conversation biscuit.

Go BILLS for we are here to cheer for you .... go BILLS .... A true musical classic - followed closely by that Opera-dude who closed his song with the grand ending: "Goooooooooo ..... <dramatic pause> ....... BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELS*" *Apologies to Solomon Wilcotts.

Well, if Eric is healthy ... maybe we can give Ed more time to develop. In other words, if we've got Wood at the start of the season we may not need to show off our new Wang.

During the draft process, I think we can fairly assume that any time Buddy talks he is lying ... or exaggerating ... or trying to make some other team believe something that isn't true ... or telling the complete truth ... or ... misleading the media ... or trying to increase the trade value of a player ... or .... all of the above. Tough to accurately evaluate anything but actions while the game is still on here.

I usually agree with the beloved OBD darling (!!) Jerry Sullivan, but I think he's off-base today. For once, in a heck of a long time, we actually select one of the consensus best players in the entire draft - and we don't "reach" for him. Yes, the Bills have a boatload of needs, and RB may not have been at the top, but an offensive playmaker is definitely included in that list. I'm willing to give Buddy&Co. the benefit of the doubt on this. Net/net, the draft just started - there's a long way to go - and we already have one of the best players that was on the board.

Raffi Torres. He's clearly the last piece we need to make a championship run. Wait, wrong team .... sry ....

Agreed. Random addition: Steve Young is at least 74.6% blowhard. Slightly less than Mark Schelerth.

I like this Spiller pick. The needs are a-plenty, but "playmaker" is certainly one of them, and this kid is that. Also, FWIW, it is a nice (albeit admittedly largely meaningless) feeling that we actually selected a player in the first round somewhere near his perceived market value ... as opposed to our typical pattern of grabbing a guy when we could've likely traded down and still snagged several picks later.

The flurry of activity regarding Curtis Modkins has thrown every NFL front office into turmoil.

No idea, but I'll throw out a guess: Cam Cameron, Jim Bates. Assistant HC Dan Reeves. Not sure Chan's implication that we might get some unknowns was anything but a "company line" kind of courtesy nod/CYA move to Buddy and Ralph.

A few to start: Fifteen calls per day! Buddy's phone won't stop ringing Wrong number? Again? Ten million dollars Star coach will turn us around! Mouth wrote check, can't cash. Marty wants the job Wherever he goes, he wins Ralph says "No, bad fit." Big search underway Thanksgiving With Shanahan Bills fans, the turkeys Buddy's first big hire "Hey, I didn't ask for it" Odd job description Russ rings up Cowher Bill ducks call, shaves off moustache Desparate to hide.

... because we all will be, forever. It's in our DNA. Unfortunately, Ralph has known this since the beginning. We huff, we puff, we complain, we moan .... and then we buy tickets, NFL Sunday Ticket (for those of us out-of-town), jerseys, and every training camp take an itsy-bit of comfort in the fact that everyone is now 0-0.

If I remember correctly, the hiring of Marv Levy (the first time!) had the gravitas of a popcorn fart. Chan's hiring has roughly the same vibe. That said, we got an experienced guy that has won. The burden is still mostly on the Nix/Modrak/Guy team ... two-thirds of which should've been jettisoned three weeks ago. It seems to me that is the much bigger concern.

Agreed ... and in this case he happens to be a lot more than 80% correct himself, albeit in somewhat whiny fashion. Gailey may be the right hire, but there are obvious questions about a process that ended up how it did after the Bills organization itself fed high expectation.

.... with Art Wander (Tiny Tot of the Kilowatt) the offensive coordinator, and JR Gach, defensive coordinator.

Well .... who's left .... so far it's: Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Drew Brees. Great QBs make for great passing offenses, great passing offenses are helped by the absence of wind, and a great passing offense is the key to winning in the modern-era NFL - which, I believe, is precisely what the NFL wants. I'm sure I'll draw some flames for this, but I think the old cliches ("Defense wins championships", "3 yards and a cloud of dust", and so forth) are largely remnants of bygone era. It's the exception to the rule.

Candidate #242 - OJ - just turned the job down. Next up on the HC candidate offer list - Carl Mauck (Candidate #243), followed by Solomon Wilcots (Candidate #244), and then the newly-available Conan O'Brien. Elvis-Guy-With-The-Guitar is on deck, then the Earl of Bud. Anyone? :-)

How about a timely reminder: "I'm NOT going to be the Alabama coach" said angrily, by a guy who accepted the job about a week or so later. No matter what anyone says - ESPECIALLY publicly, nothin's off the table until we hire the coach or a candidate is contractually unable to accept the job. Yours truly, Bill Cowher optimist