tjprime Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Interesting thought/discussion by a few guys at work today. Despite being certain that Gailey has more than a few tricks up his sleeve offensively once the season starts; one guy was arguing that he'd willing LOSE to to both the Chiefs and Raiders to keep certain wrinkles "in pocket" to use against the Patriots to try and get the monkey off the Bills back. He argued that it would do more for the teams collective psyche to beat a divisional rival that everyone consistently believes will be a playoff team, than "2 meaningless wins against meaningless teams." Didn't matter if it was a tight game with a chance to pull it out against the Chiefs or Raiders, if you had to pull a new trick out you don't. He was very clear in the fact that it wasn't that you don't play to win those 2 games, BUT that you save items strictly for the Patriots. Not just specialty plays, but you hold off on running a regular play saving it for the Pats. Guy 2 believes Buffalo cannot compete with the Pats this year, BUT thinks if they win the first 2 and make a game out of the Pats rather than "the usual annihilation" it would serve this team well in the overall turnaround and get more team members buying deeper into what "Gailey is preaching" and with another off season spent offensively that Buffalo will be a playoff team. Both acknowledged that yes you game plan for teams and put in wrinkles to take advantage of match ups, but Guy 1 was talking about not using certain plays in the playbook, even if it cost you the Chiefs/Raiders game, strictly for the element of surprise against the Pats. At the risk of sounding homerish, I'd like to go 3-0 but feel Guy#2 scenario of 2-1 after week 3 is possible. I also believe the vast majority of the current 53 man roster is already buying into what Gailey is selling. What I don't buy into is saving things especially if you're trying to win. If you're trying to win you put your cards on the table and go all out. You don't sacrifice a win to save a play that may or may not work to help you maybe beat another team. Anything less is playing not to lose and I had enough of that under Jauron. New wrinkles, sure but not at the risk of costing you a game. So my vote is no, you don't save anything. So what's your vote: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramblin' Rob Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 absolutely not. Anyone who thinks otherwise is....uummmm well lets just call them severely misinformed on how a football season/game works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 It's a rhetorical question, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Winning can become contagious. If we start with some wins, our chances of winning against the Pats increases even if we exposed everything in the cupboard. Anyway, Gailey has a fertile mind. The success of current offensive options will only give him more options in future games. Our only goal right now should be to beat the Chiefs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I know it feels like we get killed by the Pats* every year, but in reality 8 of the 15 losses since the 2003 win have been by 14 points or less. In fact in the last 6 losses, only one was a blowout. 2010 - loss by 8 and 31 pts 2009 - loss by 1 and 7 pts 2008 - loss by 10 and 13 pts PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiley Dear Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) 3-0 > 2-1 > 1-2 > 0-3 Edited September 6, 2011 by Camel's Toe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Winning the first two games could set this franchise back 15 more years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Winning the first two games could set this franchise back 15 more years. Agreed, it would mean a lower draft pick and we can't have that here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I'd rather win every game we can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truth on hold Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) No way, 2 conference wins are better than 1 division win. Dont give into the pats like this. Losing mentality IMO Edited September 6, 2011 by Joe_the_6_pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cincinnati Kid Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 If you talk to the Raiders they'll tell you going undefeated in your division doesn't even get you to the playoffs...Gotta win as many as you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I'd rather win 2 games than one any day of the week. Just saying. Regardless of division opponent or not. So no! IMO if we have a good first game against the Chiefs an win with a purpose we will be flying high going into week 2 at home against the Raiders. It will show we can stop the run of both those teams (if we win we will have to stop the run) and will give us a whole new sense of confidence on defense. I don't think our offense will have many problems. It was shown last year our defense was the big problem. With 2 wins to start the season and our team as confident as it's been in years we COULD suprise everyone and beat the Pats. Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 "You play to win the game" (Herm Edwards). You do everything you can to win every game you play, until you've lacked down a bye week for the playoff's, you "play to win the game" in whatever way it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfreak Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Interesting thought/discussion by a few guys at work today. Despite being certain that Gailey has more than a few tricks up his sleeve offensively once the season starts; one guy was arguing that he'd willing LOSE to to both the Chiefs and Raiders to keep certain wrinkles "in pocket" to use against the Patriots to try and get the monkey off the Bills back. He argued that it would do more for the teams collective psyche to beat a divisional rival that everyone consistently believes will be a playoff team, than "2 meaningless wins against meaningless teams." Didn't matter if it was a tight game with a chance to pull it out against the Chiefs or Raiders, if you had to pull a new trick out you don't. He was very clear in the fact that it wasn't that you don't play to win those 2 games, BUT that you save items strictly for the Patriots. Not just specialty plays, but you hold off on running a regular play saving it for the Pats. Guy 2 believes Buffalo cannot compete with the Pats this year, BUT thinks if they win the first 2 and make a game out of the Pats rather than "the usual annihilation" it would serve this team well in the overall turnaround and get more team members buying deeper into what "Gailey is preaching" and with another off season spent offensively that Buffalo will be a playoff team. Both acknowledged that yes you game plan for teams and put in wrinkles to take advantage of match ups, but Guy 1 was talking about not using certain plays in the playbook, even if it cost you the Chiefs/Raiders game, strictly for the element of surprise against the Pats. At the risk of sounding homerish, I'd like to go 3-0 but feel Guy#2 scenario of 2-1 after week 3 is possible. I also believe the vast majority of the current 53 man roster is already buying into what Gailey is selling. What I don't buy into is saving things especially if you're trying to win. If you're trying to win you put your cards on the table and go all out. You don't sacrifice a win to save a play that may or may not work to help you maybe beat another team. Anything less is playing not to lose and I had enough of that under Jauron. New wrinkles, sure but not at the risk of costing you a game. So my vote is no, you don't save anything. So what's your vote: Of course you wouldn't. To fans, playing the Pats is a bigger game than most, but to the players and coaching staff, each game has to be as big as any other. Besides, if Gailey is this offensive genius that many claim he is, he should be able to come up with something new each week. Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountDorkula Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I voted yes, just because I wanted to go against the norm. I feel like being an outlaw today. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoner7 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 We need to beat the Pats and start competeing in our own division Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 If you talk to the Raiders they'll tell you going undefeated in your division doesn't even get you to the playoffs...Gotta win as many as you can. Talk to the Bucs too, 10-6 and no playoffs... win them all 19-0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills!Win! Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 They should save all of these plays for the Superbowl this year guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Interesting thought/discussion by a few guys at work today. Despite being certain that Gailey has more than a few tricks up his sleeve offensively once the season starts; one guy was arguing that he'd willing LOSE to to both the Chiefs and Raiders to keep certain wrinkles "in pocket" to use against the Patriots to try and get the monkey off the Bills back. He argued that it would do more for the teams collective psyche to beat a divisional rival that everyone consistently believes will be a playoff team, than "2 meaningless wins against meaningless teams." Didn't matter if it was a tight game with a chance to pull it out against the Chiefs or Raiders, if you had to pull a new trick out you don't. He was very clear in the fact that it wasn't that you don't play to win those 2 games, BUT that you save items strictly for the Patriots. Not just specialty plays, but you hold off on running a regular play saving it for the Pats. Just win, Baby. A 2-0 team has a lot more confidence than a 0-2 team and a coach with "tricks up his sleeve" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beebe's Kid Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Agreed, it would mean a lower draft pick and we can't have that here. No...hold on...this is a great idea. Lose for the draft!! Then we can add one good player per year, and we'll magically become a beacon for FA's and we'll be able to retain any talent we do have because they will love playing on a losing team that supports losing so it can get a high draft pick. People's draft fetishes are pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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