Perception of the Team. From an Ex Bills Fan

[Dr. Trooth]

First, no attempt here to disparage or launch an assault on you Bills fans or team in any way. Just my honest unbiased perception of the current state of the Bills. So, please, don't be offended. Some of it may be your own perception.

 

After being a fan as a kid, going way back to the mid 60's, and even attending one of the Bills four Super Bowls, I'd become disgusted with the ambivalence of the Bills ownership and what I'd been seeing for several years, especially from 2010 forward. It just was not my Bills anymore. So, I'd had enough, looked at it as a good marriage gone bad and finally run it's course. I divorced and flipped from being a Bills fan to being a Steelers fan. I still very much enjoy football and follow a few teams, but I'm done with the emotional investment in the Bills. The Steelers are what I wished the Bills were or could become. I mean, come on, what Bills fan wouldn't enjoy, on average, a legitimate expectation of the Bills being in the playoffs 63% of the time and a 20% expectation that they will get to the Super Bowl each year... one every eight years (8 Super Bowl Appearances in 40 years). And, I believe the Steelers will either be in the playoffs again this year and have a meaningful game in week 17.

You guys are dealing with considerable uncertainty in the Post Ralph era. The ownership, front office, coaching staff, and the potential for either relocation or a new stadium. It does make me a bit sad about any potential for relocation, but for you it's got to be gut wrenching as highly engaged Bills fan. I feel for you and I'm pulling for you to get the right owner and for the stadium thing to work out if that's what it takes.

Even if a new owner takes over tomorrow, though, and is committed to Buffalo, there's likely to be another purge & rebuild, this time perhaps from top to bottom... which may not a bad thing long term, given their performance over the past umpteen seasons. I do hope you Bills fans get an owner that is committed to winning instead of continually pulling at your heart strings and picking your pockets. You're long overdue. If anyone deserves a winner it's you Bills fans. But, it's going to take some time for the new owner to right the ship... example... new NFL owners Khan and Haslam. How are Jacksonville and Cleveland progressing right now?

As for the Bills team right now. Believe it or not, I actually do see some good things, which I hope new ownership spots as well. But, I also see some big question marks, namely...

• Brandon. Brandon has been a good soldier for Ralph, just like Littman. He's a good guy that did his best to operate within the confines of Ralph's parameters. The question is, if the new owner makes the "W" a top priority does Russ have what it takes to meet those expectations? After 17 years in Ralph mode (no win mode) does he really know what it takes to win?
  

• Whaley. Good football mind, great professional. Like Brandon, he too operated within Ralph's parameters. Except for the drafting of Manuel (some blame it on Buddy Nix) he appears to have done a pretty darn good job of drafting, but as far as bringing in good veteran free agents... Legursky, Chris Williams, Alan Branch, Moeki, Rivers... it seems like Ralph mode to me, although Spikes seems to be a good one. Mike Williams seems to be a good aquisition, but who was behind that, Marrone or Whaley? Whaley does have a track record with a winning organization (Steelers). If the drafting of Manuel doesn't define him though, it may be the fact that he thought Sammy Watkins was the answer instead of being hell bent on getting a real QB. Watkins may well be very good, but will the new owner hold Whaley accountable for not having a QB that can get him the ball?
  

• Roster... seems solid. Potential top 5 defense. If there are holes it would seem to be OLB and OG... but a huge one at QB.
  

• QB.... Manuel? The perception of Manuel around the league, media, and most fans of football is not good. The media consensus is that he's somewhere between 30-32 of starting QBs and there's a reason for that. I'd heard about his struggles, but I only caught a part of one preseason game and my impression is that he just does not have the QB gene or natural QB mental acuity. Does not have pocket presence. Sees the rush way too much instead of looking down field, which causes him to make a misstep in the pocket, allowing his protection to break down. Result, sack or errant throw. He also does not get the ball out on time, and has a huge accuracy problem. A QB must make their decision and get rid of the football within 1.8 -3.0 seconds from snap to release 90% of the time. Check the stopwatch on your cell phone the next time Manuel plays . Better yet, have that cell phone stopwatch handy the next time you see Brady, Brees, or Manning play. It's consistently under 2.5 sec. And, Marrone's recent public discontent with the backup QB situation? That was brought up in a conversation with a couple of friends, one a Steelers fan, the other a Patriots fan and it was like whoa, all three of us thought... wasn't that a veiled shot at the QB situation in general, including, and specifically, at Manuel? Was it publically and emphatically directed as much at Whaley? I mean, what coach bitches publically about his backups if he's got an established starter? Does John Fox voice displeasure over Osweiller when Manning is his starter? Is Sean Payton worried about not having a good backup for Drew Brees? If Matt Ryan or Phil Rivers were the Bills starting QB right now instead of Manuel, do you believe Marrone would have expressed his displeasure with the backup QB situation publically, like he did? If either Ryan or Rivers were the Bills starter going into the season, would you care if the Bills backup QB was Tuel? Isn't the backup's job for an established QB to take a knee and once in a while hold the fort down for a game or two if the #1 goes down? If you have to bring in competition at QB, you have a problem. Roethlisburger, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, Brady, Wilson, Rivers, Ryan, Stafford, Luck.... do any of those guys have competition? So, I get the vibe that Marrone doesn't believe in Manuel as a bonafide or established QB and was behind the aquisition of Kyle Orton, not so much to be a backup as to be a lifeline for the team when he pulls the plug on Manuel.
  

• Marrone. Is he a good HC, and more importantly the right HC for the Bills? Well, he was hired when the team was in Ralph mode, so it was only fitting, and true to form, that soon after he was hired, the Bills FO would proceed to emasculate him by getting rid of a vet QB that was serviceable (until a better option was available) then serving him up two vet QBs, one being a concussion or doormat away from ending his career (which happened) and another vet that never accomplished anything. If that wasn't enough, they draft EJ Manuel... a 4-12 year project, if ever. It's like out of the gate Marrone was set up to fail (that's about the time I'd had enough and bailed as a Bills fan). Will the new owner recognize what the FO served him up, or will Marrone take the fall because of the FO's ineptitude in handling the QB situation? I see Marrone as a HC that is in "win now mode". I can't say I see the same from the FO, or maybe they just don't know what it takes to win after being in Ralph mode for so long. In your eyes, has the FO demonstrated they know what it takes to win? I get the feeling that Marrone has a better feel for whether a guy can play at a high level than Whaley. Marrone seems to want high functioning players and Whaley seems to just want to plug holes. Is it just me, or do you see the same? Marrone wants a QB.... so give the guy a QB and then assess his ability as HC. Does Marv Levy go to the playoffs without Jim Kelly? What's the common denominator of every playoff team in the last several years? QB, and a few of those teams have great ones. It wouldn't surprise me if Marrone gets canned if the Bills don't make a quantum leap this year. Personally, and stating this as an ex Bills fan removed from the emotional attachment, I think that would be a big mistake, but hey... it's your team. If he does get canned I believe it will work out for Marrone. I can see him being the successor to Tom Coughlin as the next Giants HC in a year or two. Bills loss, Giants gain.
  

Right, wrong or indifferent, but respectfully, that's my perception of the Bills team, without bias. I do wish you a successful season (please beat the snot out of the Patriots Dolphins and Jets). I may check in with you guys once during or after the season. Peace be with you. Go Steelers, but Go Bills too.

[buffaloriles]

go away?

 

like i don't understand: if you're an EX-Bills fan stay that way and go away. Why are you here?

 

QB.... Manuel? The perception of Manuel around the league, media, and most fans of football is not good. The media consensus is that he's somewhere between 30-32 of starting QBs and there's a reason for that. I'd heard about his struggles, but I only caught a part of one preseason game and my impression is that he just does not have the QB gene or natural QB mental acuity. Does not have pocket presence.

 

OK. Thank you for a damning assesment on OUR QB after a portion of one game on the pre-season. As a heads up most of the media hasn't watched more than 10-15% of his snaps. I guarantee you that.

 

I've watched 100% of every snap of a QB who went 4-6 and 5-5 if you give him Atlanta. He wasn't Johnny Unitas, but he wasn't Blaine Gabbert either. You're just saying stuff to say stuff and I don't know why. I don't value your uniformed and speculative opinion; and i don't know why anyone else should.

 

Go away. You left this fanbase and we don't need any more mouthbreathers talking out of their ass like you.

 

At least MitchMurrayDowntown, Kelltyto83TD, and BuffaloBarbarian WATCH the games AND troll us.

Edited September 2, 2014 by buffaloriles

[Kirby Jackson]

Anyone that "flips teams" has no credibility as you are a bad fan. I didn't bother to read past that. I feel bad that you spent any time writing it. Your time would have been better served researching a new team in case the Steelers run into some adversity. I heard that Pats are accepting applications. That organization is full of fake fans like you.

[YoloinOhio]

How do you just become an ex bills fan? If you can just flip a switch, I have a hard time believing you were ever a real fan. Sorry. If it was that easy, after 14 years many of us would have moved on to something a lot less painful.

[bg17]

OP never recovered from Bills passing on Nassib.

[Mango]

I would argue that you were never a fan to begin with. I don't give a shiiiite how many super bowls you went to.

 

I stopped reading after that. Opinion no longer valid to me

[Jim in Anchorage]

You sure know a lot about the Bills for someone who doesn't care about them.

[filthymcnasty08]

There's no quitting the Bills to go to another team…..if you quit the Bills, you quit on football altogether (and Buffalo). Could never live with myself….going to Steelers games as some kind of latch-on to their tradition of greatness.

[TH3]

By the length of your post - which I doubt most will read....you seem like you are trying to validate your decision to become an ex-fan. I am not sure how anyone becomes and "ex" Bills fan if you were one to begin with....

[Kipers Hair]

I actually thought it good and insightful. Once removed from the Kool-Aid Bills fog, what you have written is about right. It all hinges on Manual - like going into his SR season at FSU, he has to prove it...and, if he proves it like he did his SR season, we'll be OK...on the field at least. As to the ownership, everyone had better hope for the best...

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

@Dr. Trooth: I remember your post when you made your decision. I am sure a lot of folks will rip you again, so I won't bother.

 

I did have a legit question-- do you feel yourself having the same fan-intensity/emotional investment as a Steelers fan, as you did when you were a Bills' fan?

[Dirtbag]

thank you for this. you've inspired me to become a seattle fan.

 

...

 

as a seattle fan, i thought you buffalo fans would be interested in hearing an outsider's perception of your team. you might find the insight surprising:

 

we outsiders have serious questions about your quarterback situation. we're just not sure if ej has the "it" factor. also, we are unsure about your coach. this is his second year, so we will have to see how he does. have you devoted any threads to these topics?

 

good luck to your team this year, bills fans! i hope you beat everyone you play (unless it's seattle in the super bowl lololololol).

[eball]

I waste far too much time on this site, but the OP's post is the very definition of a waste of time. "Ex" fan? Buh-bye.

[thewildrabbit]

I can associate with someone getting so fed up with the past owner that they jump ship to a different team, and If I had moved to a different locale I might have done the same.

 

It has been a very difficult 14 years, and knowing that the owner wasn't vested in winning over the team making a profit. His downright refusal to draft a QB with a first round pick, build a proper O line, hire a top NFL head coach.

 

Lets hope the new owner wants to win as badly as the greatest NFL fans on earth

[RyanC883]

Anyone that "flips teams" has no credibility as you are a bad fan. I didn't bother to read past that. I feel bad that you spent any time writing it. Your time would have been better served researching a new team in case the Steelers run into some adversity. I heard that Pats are accepting applications. That organization is full of fake fans like you.

 

+1. I moved from Binghamton, NY to Pittsburgh at age 12. At that time the Bills had just lost their 4th straight Super Bowl. To make matters worse, the Steelers would make the AFC Championship game that year and (thankfully) loose to the Chargers. (imagine a bunch of middle school kids finding a Bills fan just moved into Steeler land. Thankfully a very very small minority actually liked the Bills because Kelly is from nearby).

 

Prior to moving I made a bet with my 6th grade teacher. He figured I would become a Steelers fan within a matter of years. I need to find that teacher to collect! Go Bills!

Edited September 2, 2014 by RyanC883

[Coach Tuesday]

I don't understand. You don't get to choose these types of things. Being a Bills fan is the equivalent of having a 50-pound iron ball chained to your leg by your dad when you're 2 years old. And all he says to you is, Sorry, I've been carrying this around my whole life, now you've got one too, best of luck with it. And there is no key. Choose? There is no choose.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

thank you for this. you've inspired me to become a seattle fan.

 

...

 

as a seattle fan, i thought you buffalo fans would be interested in hearing an outsider's perception of your team. you might find the insight surprising:

 

we outsiders have serious questions about your quarterback situation. we're just not sure if ej has the "it" factor. also, we are unsure about your coach. this is his second year, so we will have to see how he does. have you devoted any threads to these topics?

 

good luck to your team this year, bills fans! i hope you beat everyone you play (unless it's seattle in the super bowl lololololol).

 

This is great.

[quinnearlysghost88]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Judas

[mead107]

Go back to your steelers. Please. They have the oldest D of any team.

 

Will you quit them if they do not go to the playoffs in the next 10 years.

[TallskiWallski83]

Illl be a bills fan until I die or the team moves away, its not by choice, I was born into it. Dont kid yourself, you were never a fan of this team

 

 

and please, dont jump on the bandwagon when were good again and act like you were there for the whole ride.

Edited September 2, 2014 by TallskiWallski83

[mead107]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Judas

good one

[MDH]

You sure know a lot about the Bills for someone who doesn't care about them.

 

Hah, that was my first thought as well.

[buffaloriles]

More from the "voice of reality":

 

Hi all. The voice of reality 'weighin in'. I know, I haven't posted in a long time. To explain, about a year ago, after being a Bills fan for a bizillion years and going through the last 13 or so years of futility... the absolute worst stretch of football in Bills history, I came to the realization that it's likely not going to change for quite some time, if ever... at least probably not in my lifetime. So, I viewed my allegiance as a Bills fan as if it were a marriage gone sour and it was time to do something about it. Of course, no marriage is ever perfect. It has its ups & downs and bumps in the road. But, something satisfies or fulfills you emotionally attached enough to keep you in it, whether it's actually love, friendship, kids, money, sex, stability, yadayada. In a lot of marriages gone sour, it sometimes starts with a separation and then gradually you get used to it, begin to move forward and sometimes find another old lady before you're even actually divorced. That's where I'm at. I finally had enough and bailed on the Bills after last season. By summer, I found a new old lady... the Steelers. After the first 5 weeks of the season, I was thinking WTF? Am I cursed? Why does it seem that I follow teams that suck? Well, I decided to hang in there with the Steelers and was rewarded. In the end, although the Steelers didn't make the playoffs, they were relevant right up until late in week 17, and looking forward, their prognosis with the Rooney's in charge is much better than the Bills. But enough of that. I just decided to get away because there wasn't much evidence to convince me the Bills would pull it together and be competitive. You might not like it, respect it, or care that I flipped. I'm not disparaging Bills fans, and won't, or am I pitting Bills fans against Steelers fans or any other team. Just sharing how I dealt with the Bills suckage.

 

So, now I'll get on the topic of the Bills. What's the problem? Trust me, it ain't Marrone or Hackett, or Crossman (what coach or OC is going to the playoffs with Manual, Tuel, and/or Lewis). As far as Marrone, I haven't seen a Bills coach shake up a roster during the season as much as he has, ever... maybe Saban. I actually think Marrone's continual in season shakeup is indicative of the true lack of talent that Buddy and Brandon tried to convince everyone that the Bills had. Marrone is doing the best he can with what he's been given (a lot of players that have never seen more than 7 NFL wins in a season and seem to be quite comfortable with that). He doesn't have much say in free agency or what they'll spend or how many draft picks they have, and maybe not a whole lot in who they draft. So, where I see the problem, looking at the past 14 or so years is twofold... it comes down to two common denominators...

 

1) the first common denominator is "Buffalo". The area has been in consistent economic decline since the mid sixties. There was a brief uptick in the mid to late 80's and then freefall. NFL teams aren't financially viable in that type of environment and free agents don't want to come there or want more money than their fair market value to do so. Most big cities in economic decline have turned it around... Pittsburg, St. Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore were once in similar decline as Buffalo but found their way back. Buffalo is different. Turning Buffalo around would almost be akin to turning water into wine because it has to contend with Albany... the NYS political dysfunction and corruption machine. There are 19 million New Yorkers. 11 million of them live below the northern boundaries of Rockland and Putnam counties, roughly 400 miles from Buffalo. The other 8 million New Yorkers living north and west of that don't matter to the politicos and they don't give a ****. As long as they got NYS taxpayer money in their pocket, that's a cash cow for them. Sure, they might throw a bone or two or some candy to upstate once and a while, but absolutely no significant or long term measure to turn things around is ever going to happen. And, wait until the casino money starts rolling in if you don't think the corruption can get any worse. The NYS population is aging, retirees gradually moving out of upstate because they can't afford to live there, and the younger ones are moving out of state as well because there aren't any jobs... and loads of you transplanted WNYers on this board know exactly what I'm talking about. So, will the team move? Eventually, I believe it will. But, within the next 10 years, I don't see any venue that the Bills could move to and provide new ownership a significant ROI for what they'll need to have to pay for the team and make it competitive if the team is purchased in the next three to four years... and certainly not in LA where no one gives a rats a$$. You're looking at between $1.2 - $1.5 billion to buy this team... and then the expense of relocation at a time when taxpayers are fed up with opening their wallets to big profit centers that do nothing but continually suck money out of them? (PS. the $120M taxpayer money for the improvements at the Ralph was only political payback for the $5 billon Barclay Arena and Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn)

 

2) the second common denominator is Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon. We all know Ralph's age, and, who knows if he'll be around in 3 or 4 years. God will make that call. And, Brandon is nothing but an extension of Ralph. This crap about Brandon having no restrictions to run the franchise is exactly that, crap. Ralph Wilson is still the owner and the Bills will, and do, operate within the parameters he sets forth. Only things within those parameters are in play. Kind of like a deck of cards, there are still only 52 cards. Not 53, 54, 55... etc. , play em. Brandon, in particular, is a mystery man to me. He's in his 40's and top dog of an NFL franchise with one of the worst W/L records during his time on the Bills payroll. And, he probably will still be Pres. for at least a couple more years. After Ralph passes, what is Brandon's future? I mean, his legacy is one of failure in terms of W/L record. That has to work against him in the NFL or any other winning sports organization. I can't imagine him working for the new owner, whomever that may be. What other team owner is going to give him a shot at a position like he has now if the expectation is W's or even a moderately competitive team? I mean... he hasn't demonstrated he's had "W" success anywhere that I know of. So, basically what I'm saying... 1_ as long as Ralph is the owner, W's are a mirage, and 2_as long as Brandon is in charge, ditto That is not to say that if Brandon bolts to take a high level executive position at Walmart or other corp. that the next Bills pres. will be any different. Ralph is still holding the same deck of cards, and they are stacked against anyone that has a passion for the "W"... And, Whaley? If he's any good, why is he wasting his time with the Bills? He's in a no win situation. I don't understand why he would he allow himself to be put in that position at his relatively young age and risk his reputation and football future. I don't get it.

 

So, there ya have it, my take, for what it's worth. Now that I'm shacking with the Steelers I don't worry about the Bills, but just like 31 other teams, I keep an eye on em. However, I do feel bad for you guys. There's still a connection and I have nothing against you. I didn't flip because of you or anything you did. You definitely deserve a hell of a lot better, and, certainly the drafting of Manual must have been one hell of a roundhouse kick to your gut as a Bills fan. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with that pick for a couple of years before the next guy comes in. I wish you well, but for me, I'm looking forward to a big Steelers rebound in 2014.

 

DUDE-- YOU ARE INSULTING TO THE CITY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BILLS FAN. YOU ARE THE DEFINITION OF A BANDWAGONER. YOU BROKE WITH YOUR COMMITMENT. YOU PICKED A HOTTER WIFE. NOW LEAVE US IN PEACE. GO. Can you not see that you aren't welcome here? There's is so much condescending BS in your post i didn't even know what to bold.

Edited September 2, 2014 by buffaloriles

[1billsfan]

By the length of your post - which I doubt most will read....you seem like you are trying to validate your decision to become an ex-fan. I am not sure how anyone becomes and "ex" Bills fan if you were one to begin with....

 

 

I think he's worried that the Bills have a real team on the rise and his Steelers are in a downward spiral that will last past Ben's "sell by" date. Rothlesberger has nobody other than Antonio Brown to throw to and the defense's best player will be a rookie. That's not a good sign.

[stony]

Whoa Dr. Tooth, you know more about the Bills than most of the posters on here. Kinda fishy...

[Buffaloed in Pa]

Your take on the Bills and EJ are truthful. But I would just stop watching the Bills ,instead of front running. If we ever get a franchise QB watch out. It`s sorry that the rest of the team has to suffer because of QB play.

[stony]

More from the "voice of reality":

 

Hi all. The voice of reality 'weighin in'. I know, I haven't posted in a long time. To explain, about a year ago, after being a Bills fan for a bizillion years and going through the last 13 or so years of futility... the absolute worst stretch of football in Bills history, I came to the realization that it's likely not going to change for quite some time, if ever... at least probably not in my lifetime. So, I viewed my allegiance as a Bills fan as if it were a marriage gone sour and it was time to do something about it. Of course, no marriage is ever perfect. It has its ups & downs and bumps in the road. But, something satisfies or fulfills you emotionally attached enough to keep you in it, whether it's actually love, friendship, kids, money, sex, stability, yadayada. In a lot of marriages gone sour, it sometimes starts with a separation and then gradually you get used to it, begin to move forward and sometimes find another old lady before you're even actually divorced. That's where I'm at. I finally had enough and bailed on the Bills after last season. By summer, I found a new old lady... the Steelers. After the first 5 weeks of the season, I was thinking WTF? Am I cursed? Why does it seem that I follow teams that suck? Well, I decided to hang in there with the Steelers and was rewarded. In the end, although the Steelers didn't make the playoffs, they were relevant right up until late in week 17, and looking forward, their prognosis with the Rooney's in charge is much better than the Bills. But enough of that. I just decided to get away because there wasn't much evidence to convince me the Bills would pull it together and be competitive. You might not like it, respect it, or care that I flipped. I'm not disparaging Bills fans, and won't, or am I pitting Bills fans against Steelers fans or any other team. Just sharing how I dealt with the Bills suckage.

 

So, now I'll get on the topic of the Bills. What's the problem? Trust me, it ain't Marrone or Hackett, or Crossman (what coach or OC is going to the playoffs with Manual, Tuel, and/or Lewis). As far as Marrone, I haven't seen a Bills coach shake up a roster during the season as much as he has, ever... maybe Saban. I actually think Marrone's continual in season shakeup is indicative of the true lack of talent that Buddy and Brandon tried to convince everyone that the Bills had. Marrone is doing the best he can with what he's been given (a lot of players that have never seen more than 7 NFL wins in a season and seem to be quite comfortable with that). He doesn't have much say in free agency or what they'll spend or how many draft picks they have, and maybe not a whole lot in who they draft. So, where I see the problem, looking at the past 14 or so years is twofold... it comes down to two common denominators...

 

1) the first common denominator is "Buffalo". The area has been in consistent economic decline since the mid sixties. There was a brief uptick in the mid to late 80's and then freefall. NFL teams aren't financially viable in that type of environment and free agents don't want to come there or want more money than their fair market value to do so. Most big cities in economic decline have turned it around... Pittsburg, St. Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore were once in similar decline as Buffalo but found their way back. Buffalo is different. Turning Buffalo around would almost be akin to turning water into wine because it has to contend with Albany... the NYS political dysfunction and corruption machine. There are 19 million New Yorkers. 11 million of them live below the northern boundaries of Rockland and Putnam counties, roughly 400 miles from Buffalo. The other 8 million New Yorkers living north and west of that don't matter to the politicos and they don't give a ****. As long as they got NYS taxpayer money in their pocket, that's a cash cow for them. Sure, they might throw a bone or two or some candy to upstate once and a while, but absolutely no significant or long term measure to turn things around is ever going to happen. And, wait until the casino money starts rolling in if you don't think the corruption can get any worse. The NYS population is aging, retirees gradually moving out of upstate because they can't afford to live there, and the younger ones are moving out of state as well because there aren't any jobs... and loads of you transplanted WNYers on this board know exactly what I'm talking about. So, will the team move? Eventually, I believe it will. But, within the next 10 years, I don't see any venue that the Bills could move to and provide new ownership a significant ROI for what they'll need to have to pay for the team and make it competitive if the team is purchased in the next three to four years... and certainly not in LA where no one gives a rats a$$. You're looking at between $1.2 - $1.5 billion to buy this team... and then the expense of relocation at a time when taxpayers are fed up with opening their wallets to big profit centers that do nothing but continually suck money out of them? (PS. the $120M taxpayer money for the improvements at the Ralph was only political payback for the $5 billon Barclay Arena and Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn)

 

2) the second common denominator is Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon. We all know Ralph's age, and, who knows if he'll be around in 3 or 4 years. God will make that call. And, Brandon is nothing but an extension of Ralph. This crap about Brandon having no restrictions to run the franchise is exactly that, crap. Ralph Wilson is still the owner and the Bills will, and do, operate within the parameters he sets forth. Only things within those parameters are in play. Kind of like a deck of cards, there are still only 52 cards. Not 53, 54, 55... etc. , play em. Brandon, in particular, is a mystery man to me. He's in his 40's and top dog of an NFL franchise with one of the worst W/L records during his time on the Bills payroll. And, he probably will still be Pres. for at least a couple more years. After Ralph passes, what is Brandon's future? I mean, his legacy is one of failure in terms of W/L record. That has to work against him in the NFL or any other winning sports organization. I can't imagine him working for the new owner, whomever that may be. What other team owner is going to give him a shot at a position like he has now if the expectation is W's or even a moderately competitive team? I mean... he hasn't demonstrated he's had "W" success anywhere that I know of. So, basically what I'm saying... 1_ as long as Ralph is the owner, W's are a mirage, and 2_as long as Brandon is in charge, ditto That is not to say that if Brandon bolts to take a high level executive position at Walmart or other corp. that the next Bills pres. will be any different. Ralph is still holding the same deck of cards, and they are stacked against anyone that has a passion for the "W"... And, Whaley? If he's any good, why is he wasting his time with the Bills? He's in a no win situation. I don't understand why he would he allow himself to be put in that position at his relatively young age and risk his reputation and football future. I don't get it.

 

So, there ya have it, my take, for what it's worth. Now that I'm shacking with the Steelers I don't worry about the Bills, but just like 31 other teams, I keep an eye on em. However, I do feel bad for you guys. There's still a connection and I have nothing against you. I didn't flip because of you or anything you did. You definitely deserve a hell of a lot better, and, certainly the drafting of Manual must have been one hell of a roundhouse kick to your gut as a Bills fan. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with that pick for a couple of years before the next guy comes in. I wish you well, but for me, I'm looking forward to a big Steelers rebound in 2014.

 

DUDE-- YOU ARE INSULTING TO THE CITY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BILLS FAN. YOU ARE THE DEFINITION OF A BANDWAGONER. YOU BROKE WITH YOUR COMMITMENT. YOU PICKED A HOTTER WIFE. NOW LEAVE US IN PEACE. GO. Can you not see that you aren't welcome here?

 

Or, you know, just draft a good QB and #'s 1 & 2 don't really matter.

Edited September 2, 2014 by stony

[MarkAF43]

I could never quit on this team. Unless the first name is no longer Buffalo, It'll be my cross to bear, just like so many others.

 

 

19-0 BABY!!!!!

 

Lets Go Bills!!!!!

[Bill from NYC]

I don't understand. You don't get to choose these types of things. Being a Bills fan is the equivalent of having a 50-pound iron ball chained to your leg by your dad when you're 2 years old. And all he says to you is, Sorry, I've been carrying this around my whole life, now you've got one too, best of luck with it. And there is no key. Choose? There is no choose.

Best post of the thread!

 

My daughters are now Bills Fans, and it's my fault. They tell draft day stories about me, and call me after the first round of every draft to this day to hear me lament, and try to soothe the pain I am usually in from stupid moves.

There is nothing we can do. There just isn't. We are in this mess together unless they leave town. Then of course all bets are off.

 

Good luck to the OP, I could just never quit. The truth is, I don't want to either.

[Nervous Guy]

BOOOOOOOO

[SwampD]

More from the "voice of reality":

 

2) the second common denominator is Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon. We all know Ralph's age, and, who knows if he'll be around in 3 or 4 years. God will make that call.

He already made that call.

[What a Tuel]

I don't know about the rest of you, but the last 14 years have been bad, but I have still had a good time rooting for my Bills day in and day out, and will continue to do so. We will make it back to the playoffs, and we will win a Superbowl. I don't need to attach myself to another team to make sure I get that experience. I am just fine rooting for my team, and I will leave it with this:

 

Fight on, my men,” Sir Andrew Said

“A little I’m hurt but not yet slain.

“I’ll just lie down and bleed a while,

“And then I’ll rise and Fight again.

Edited September 2, 2014 by What a Tuel

[Buffaloed in Pa]

History channel stuff Tuelie. I want results now.

[drinkTHEkoolaid]

Everyone reaches their breaking point sooner or later. Cant fault anyone from getting burned out after decades of ineptitude and failure. Who knows if there is another 5 years of this crap I may be there. At some point in my adult life I would like to be a fan of a team playing meaningful games in December.Think of that. There is an entire generation of lost bills fans who have never witnessed success.

 

Well im still here and much to my wifes disappointment im still emotional invested in rhe bills

 

 

[YoloinOhio]

I don't understand. You don't get to choose these types of things. Being a Bills fan is the equivalent of having a 50-pound iron ball chained to your leg by your dad when you're 2 years old. And all he says to you is, Sorry, I've been carrying this around my whole life, now you've got one too, best of luck with it. And there is no key. Choose? There is no choose.

This. If we could choose, we wouldn't be Bills fans, I assume.

[mead107]

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/revenge-of-the-rust-belt/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

 

 

Pittsburg not the best turn around.

Edited September 2, 2014 by mead107

[YoloinOhio]

Your take on the Bills and EJ are truthful. But I would just stop watching the Bills ,instead of front running. If we ever get a franchise QB watch out. It`s sorry that the rest of the team has to suffer because of QB play.

Also too bad the rest of the team suffers when the D gives it up like its prom night, but whatev.

[thebandit27]

I'll second what a lot of you have said.

 

We are Bills fans, period.

 

If we fall, we fall together.

[Dirtbag]

Well im still here and much to my wifes disappointment im still emotional invested in rhe bills

i'm fairly confident that the op would suggest you divorce her immediately.

[nucci]

No such thing as an ex-Bills fan.