I want to really enjoy this season, I really do. But yes, 2008 and 2011 still stick in my craw. In 2008, I was convinced that Trent Edwards was the answer at QB. He seemed smart, poised with the football and a cerebral QB in the vein of Tom Brady. Then Arizona happened and I really think it wasn't the hit itself, but Trent's fear of getting hit again, that ruined him. When he made comments about how there was more to his life than football and he "wasn't a fan of the Bills" I knew he was done.
2011 was definitely tempered by 2008. Not only that, I never believed in Fitzpatrick as a quality starting QB. He was making plays but it just seemed "lucky". Not only that, the team had paper thin depth. By the end of the season, most of our receiving corps were street free agents. That year was just a punch to the gut of being a Bills fan.
Ironically, I get to watch Brian Brohm now play his first game as starter for my Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL. Irony...
Going to this year, we've got two wins where I thought we'd have two losses. It's been fun but EJ is still a young, learning QB and he's going to still have his growing pains as a QB. There are going to be games where we're going to need him to throw 30+ passes and we'll see how he does in those situations. I love our defense though. Their "Janet, Ms. Jackson if you're nasty" nasty!