Buffalo Beeeews Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 There are all kinds of embarrassing records/moments in sports: The previously winless 0-18 Sixers... The winless Detroit Lions of 2008... The 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks debacle.. Four straight Super Bowl losses (I don't consider this an "embarrassment,by the way, but fans outside of the Bills do)... But when you stand back and look at the last 15 year's of this playoff drought, it's quite astounding that one professional sports team, especially in this day-in-age of salary caps/free agency etc., can miss on as many things as they've missed on in this span... Nobody expected the team to win in 2001, as the Bills at that point were dubbed as being in "salary cap hell", and we went 3-13. But the following year, things seemed on the up and up with the drafting of rookie sensation Mike Williams out if Texas and the acquisition of Drew Bledsoe from the Patriots. I'm sure nobody realistically expected playoffs in 2002, but the Bills did finish at a respectable 8-8, a 5 win swing from the disastrous year before. And the offense was transforming into pure dynamite! 2003 had to be "their year", right?!..The Bills, fresh of an outstanding 2002 offensively, added crucial parts to solidify their defense. Acquiring standout linebacker Takeo Spikes from the Bengals, and even scooping up VERY recently released Safety Lawyer Milloy from the Patriots, just six days before the home opener! The Bills unleashed an embarrassing 31-0 thrashing of the defending Super Bowl champions. However, the week 17 matchup between the divisional rivals, although ending eerily with the same score, would find the Bills at the opposite end of that score. Even though the Bills started like a house of fire in 2003, injuries, inexcusable losses to less talented opponents would catch up with them throughout the year, as the Bills and Pats would head in opposite directions after week 1. The Bills finishing 6-10...the Pats winning a second consecutive Super Bowl. The 2004 campaign began with the hire of offensive guru Mike Mularkey as the Bills new Head Coach. This was supposed to be the spark that put Bledsoe and co. over the hump. Instead, the Bills started 2-5. But a late season surge put the Bills in prime position to get into the postseason. At 9-6, the Bills simply needed to get a victory over the Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium and they were in! In fact, Pittsburgh, with their postseason seed already established, played mostly their third stringers against the Bills.And the Bills we still caught flat footed! 2005 brought a year of a youth movement at the quarterback position. The Bills handed the reigns over to Tulane rookie JP Losman. And over the course of the next few years, even though showing glimpses of promise, the game overwhelmed Losman as well as new Head coach and alleged defensive guru, Dick Jauron. 7-9 was seemingly the expectation of the team until 2009 arrived...when the Bills signed a man who was the polar opposite to not only the image of its franchise, but it's fans and city. But at this point, all of the above were willing to do whatever it took to end the playoff drought. Along he came..he had left America's Team for "North America's Team" (whatever the hell that meant). But T.O. was never enough alone to get the Bills in serious contention in his short tenure, and would move on to Cincinnati. In 2011, the Bills would race out to a 3-0 start under yet another new Head coach, Chan Gailey. This was even the year the Bills would end the losing streak to the hated Patriots, overcoming a 21-0 deficit at the Ralph, only to see players drop like flies yet again throughout the year, and another 6-10 season. Gailey would be fired after the 2012 season, and Doug Marrone would take the reigns. But Marrones teams would fair only mildly better. Average quarterback play from rookie EJ Manuel and journeyman backup Kyle Orton did give the Bills a 9-7 2014 record. However, inexcusable losses to the Oakland Raiders and other sub par opponents proved the Bills weren't ready for the postseason. So, here we are. 2015...and the Bills bring aboard the infamous Rex Ryan. A an who not only came from the rival New York Jets, but led them to two consecutive AFC Championship game appearances in the process. Although Ryan's departure from the Jets was awkward, resentful and much publicized, the Bills needed a new attitude! They needed someone to give this defense, that although they led the NFL in sacks in 2014, that extra push to perhaps shoulder the load that a new offense learning a new system under Greg Roman couldn't provide this year. They needed someone to push this defense to become...a bully. To become "the greatest defense of all time". Instead, we sit at 5-6. W seemingly have a coach who has no urgency to beat opponents outside of New Jersey and Foxboro, MA. We have a defense that makes Spencer Ware look like Christian Okoye back in the '90s. We have a quarterback who, although athletically talented, looks lost in his reads every single time he drops back to pass. We have an all world receiver, who's offensive coordinator goes away from him inexplicably after having 100+ yards in one half. We have a team that loses games it should win. (See the Jaguars game in London, see last week after racing to a 10-0 lead in KC). How can a franchise miss on things for this long?! When will this nightmare end for us?!!!... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBaumer Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 The main problem that I see is that the WHOLE team can NEVER get it right during the game (unless we play Miami). If the defense plays lights out, the offense sucks. If the offense puts up 30 points, the defense gives up 31. If both offense and defense are playing ok, the special teams are disastrous. Add some REALLYYY bad coaching along the way and there you have it. Oh yeah, we still don't have a QB and that trumps EVERYTHING above. Good qbs overcome all those mistakes I mentioned and until you have one, you see a different way to lose every single time..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st Ammendment NoMas Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 it is truly pathetic and you wonder if it will ever end and we will be a prominent powerhouse again. With this pattern and Rex in charge, I doubt it comes anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahnyc Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Maybe we needed more seasons where we finished with just a couple of wins so that we get better picks in the draft. We really have not had a shot at the few franchise QBs that have been available in the draft. I believe Dareus was a top five pick, but we have not had many others during these non-playoff years (other than Mike Williams). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 When? Moments after the Bills clinch a WC spot in week 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanNC Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 It will end when it ends. People can have fun anointing the Bills a playoff team in August every year, but for me until the clock reads zero in a playoff clinching win I'm just going to expect to continue watching Groundhog Day every fall Sunday going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I used to say that I want to watch the Bill in the SB with my dad 1 more time before he dies. Now I am being realistic and saying I just want to watch a playoff game with him CBF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I used to say that I want to watch the Bill in the SB with my dad 1 more time before he dies. Now I am being realistic and saying I just want to watch a playoff game with him CBF for a moment I thought you were going to say I want to watch the Bill in the SB with my son 1 time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Buffalo has won exactly 40% of their games since the 2001 season after Sunday's loss. Now that's consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Wagon Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Maybe we needed more seasons where we finished with just a couple of wins so that we get better picks in the draft. We really have not had a shot at the few franchise QBs that have been available in the draft. I believe Dareus was a top five pick, but we have not had many others during these non-playoff years (other than Mike Williams). 2004 - Big Ben was there at 9, we stayed put at 11, took Lee Evans then traded the next year's 1st for JP Losman at 22 2005 - No pick, Rodgers drops to 24, 4 picks after the spot we traded the prior year (pick 20) came up 2006 - We have pick 8 and took Whitner, Jay Cutler (say what you will about him, but he was the best QB from this class) went 11 2007 - All the QBs from this class sucked 2008 - Ryan went #1, took McKelvin at pick 11, Flacco goes 18 2009 - Stafford was the only QB who wasn't garbage, went #1 overall 2010 - Every QB = Bad (Bradford was the best) 2011 - Cam went #1, we were 0-8 then decided to win 4 of our last 8. Andy Dalton (he's meh, but winning) went 1 pick after we took Aaron Williams in round 2 2012- Luck went #1, we took TJ Graham at #69, Russell Wilson went #75 2013 - We took EJ, the whole class is garbage 2014 - Bortles went 1 pick before us, passed on Carr/Bridgewater Ever since 2003 we missed chances to draft Eli / Rivers / Big Ben / Alex Smith / Matt Ryan / Stafford / Cam / Luck / Bortles / Jameis / Mariota (2 SB winning QBs) due to winning too many games. We've passed on opportunities to draft Rodgers / Cutler / Flacco / Dalton / Wilson / Carr / Bridgewater (3 SB winning QBs). "Franchise QBs" have been there when we've drafted, we've just done a poor job of evaluating the available talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 It's so effing depressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBaumer Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 2004 - Big Ben was there at 9, we stayed put at 11, took Lee Evans then traded the next year's 1st for JP Losman at 22 2005 - No pick, Rodgers drops to 24, 4 picks after the spot we traded the prior year (pick 20) came up 2006 - We have pick 8 and took Whitner, Jay Cutler (say what you will about him, but he was the best QB from this class) went 11 2007 - All the QBs from this class sucked 2008 - Ryan went #1, took McKelvin at pick 11, Flacco goes 18 2009 - Stafford was the only QB who wasn't garbage, went #1 overall 2010 - Every QB = Bad (Bradford was the best) 2011 - Cam went #1, we were 0-8 then decided to win 4 of our last 8. Andy Dalton (he's meh, but winning) went 1 pick after we took Aaron Williams in round 2 2012- Luck went #1, we took TJ Graham at #69, Russell Wilson went #75 2013 - We took EJ, the whole class is garbage 2014 - Bortles went 1 pick before us, passed on Carr/Bridgewater Ever since 2003 we missed chances to draft Eli / Rivers / Big Ben / Alex Smith / Matt Ryan / Stafford / Cam / Luck / Bortles / Jameis / Mariota (2 SB winning QBs) due to winning too many games. We've passed on opportunities to draft Rodgers / Cutler / Flacco / Dalton / Wilson / Carr / Bridgewater (3 SB winning QBs). "Franchise QBs" have been there when we've drafted, we've just done a poor job of evaluating the available talent. That's the stinger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWATeam Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I used to say that I want to watch the Bill in the SB with my dad 1 more time before he dies. Now I am being realistic and saying I just want to watch a playoff game with him CBF I hope your dad likes salad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick the Greek Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I think the Pats* being the team of the decade has contributed a lot to the problems. If we were in a division that was up for grabs once in awhile, we might fare better.. Then again, probably not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Western Bulldogs in the Australian League, 1 premiership win, 1954. Melbourne and St. Kilda clubs both last won a title in the 60's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Wagon Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 That's the stinger I still can't get over 2004. I was really high on Roethlisberger, not moving up to get him, then trading up to get Losman, then missing out on Rodgers with the pick we traded was the ultimate kick in the juevos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 2004 - Big Ben was there at 9, we stayed put at 11, took Lee Evans then traded the next year's 1st for JP Losman at 22 2005 - No pick, Rodgers drops to 24, 4 picks after the spot we traded the prior year (pick 20) came up 2006 - We have pick 8 and took Whitner, Jay Cutler (say what you will about him, but he was the best QB from this class) went 11 2007 - All the QBs from this class sucked 2008 - Ryan went #1, took McKelvin at pick 11, Flacco goes 18 2009 - Stafford was the only QB who wasn't garbage, went #1 overall 2010 - Every QB = Bad (Bradford was the best) 2011 - Cam went #1, we were 0-8 then decided to win 4 of our last 8. Andy Dalton (he's meh, but winning) went 1 pick after we took Aaron Williams in round 2 2012- Luck went #1, we took TJ Graham at #69, Russell Wilson went #75 2013 - We took EJ, the whole class is garbage 2014 - Bortles went 1 pick before us, passed on Carr/Bridgewater Ever since 2003 we missed chances to draft Eli / Rivers / Big Ben / Alex Smith / Matt Ryan / Stafford / Cam / Luck / Bortles / Jameis / Mariota (2 SB winning QBs) due to winning too many games. We've passed on opportunities to draft Rodgers / Cutler / Flacco / Dalton / Wilson / Carr / Bridgewater (3 SB winning QBs). "Franchise QBs" have been there when we've drafted, we've just done a poor job of evaluating the available talent. Also dont forget the instances where teams have been able to put decent QBs in place. Arizona with Warner and Palmer. Denver with Manning. Drew Brees was had as an FA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 for a moment I thought you were going to say I want to watch the Bill in the SB with my son 1 time Oh man, That too..but will I be around long enough... CBF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Wagon Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Also dont forget the instances where teams have been able to put decent QBs in place. Arizona with Warner and Palmer. Denver with Manning. Drew Brees was had as an FA Brees was the one we are closest to, from the story I've heard he was on the plane to head to Buffalo when the Saints stopped it and gave him what he wanted. That's an all time "what if". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog69 Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 It will end when we find a great QB and a coach smart enough to know how to use him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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