Would you prefer to make the playoffs or get the #1 pick?

[Greg S]

9 hours ago, JetsFan20 said:

 

As a die-hard Rangers fan I feel like Im in the minority, but I’d prefer to make the playoffs. 
 

Obviously the #1 pick is a great consolation prize and I was stoked to get it, but at the end of the day I want that shot at a championship. 
 

In the NBA I’d definitely take the #1 pick, but the other three sports (Baseball, Hockey, and Football) are definitely random enough to give any playoff team a fighting chance at a title. 
 

What are your thoughts? Would you rather win a game or series and make the playoffs or lose that game or series and end up with the #1 pick?

 

I ask because I respect Buffalo sports fans.

 

I'm an Islander fan and you can enjoy the #1 pick. I will enjoy Isles-Caps playoffs. One more day until they drop the puck.

[Captain Hindsight]

9 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I think the answer is it depends on your team and the draft. It is normally playoffs but if you’re like a .500ish team with little upside maybe not. That holds especially true in a draft with a generational talent at a crucial position. As an example, if I’m a Jags fan this year, I’d rather get Lawrence than be 9-7 and get crushed in the playoffs. I’d say that it’s playoffs 95% of the time but there are exceptions. In the NBA that number can drop as low as 50% depending on the top of the draft. 

I personally hope the Jags give Marrone an extension after Gardner Minshew plays well enough to get to 7-9 and they languish in obscurity for the next 5 years

[BarleyNY]

It depends who you are as a team.  If you are a well run team missing a top QB then a shot at an elite QB might be the bit of luck you need to get to a SB.  If you are a well run team with a top QB then you’re taking the playoffs.  If you’re a poorly run team then it probably doesn’t matter much either way.  You might as well take the playoffs for a change.

[JetsFan20]

5 minutes ago, Greg S said:

 

I'm an Islander fan and you can enjoy the #1 pick. I will enjoy Isles-Caps playoffs. One more day until they drop the puck.

LaFreniere is going to be wearing a Rangers sweater though. 

[Greg S]

9 minutes ago, JetsFan20 said:

LaFreniere is going to be wearing a Rangers sweater though. 

 

McDavid wears an Oilers sweater and how is that working out for them in terms of winning. The Rangers have a good young team already. I give them credit as they have done a nice job rebuilding their team. If he pans out then its great for the Rangers but lets see how he does. Some picks are successful and live up to the hype (Peyton Manning) others don't (Ryan Leaf).

[MAJBobby]

10 hours ago, JetsFan20 said:

 

As a die-hard Rangers fan I feel like Im in the minority, but I’d prefer to make the playoffs. 
 

Obviously the #1 pick is a great consolation prize and I was stoked to get it, but at the end of the day I want that shot at a championship. 
 

In the NBA I’d definitely take the #1 pick, but the other three sports (Baseball, Hockey, and Football) are definitely random enough to give any playoff team a fighting chance at a title. 
 

What are your thoughts? Would you rather win a game or series and make the playoffs or lose that game or series and end up with the #1 pick?

 

I ask because I respect Buffalo sports fans.

Superbowl or Bust.

21 minutes ago, Greg S said:

 

McDavid wears an Oilers sweater and how is that working out for them in terms of winning. The Rangers have a good young team already. I give them credit as they have done a nice job rebuilding their team. If he pans out then its great for the Rangers but lets see how he does. Some picks are successful and live up to the hype (Peyton Manning) others don't (Ryan Leaf).

 

That Tends not to happen in Hockey

[JaCrispy]

Its weird to say this but I don’t really care about this season without fans, so I would say #1 pick...just feels like scrimmages and exhibition...discuss ?

Edited August 11, 2020 by JaCrispy

[JoPoy88]

44 minutes ago, JetsFan20 said:

LaFreniere is going to be wearing a Rangers sweater though. 

And? Awfully excited over a kid that’s yet to play a game.
 

coming back to a Bills board to gloat over your hockey team winning the draft lottery? It’s like you aren’t even trying anymore. Pathetic.

[Orlando Tim]

The only sport where a #1 pick really matters is the NBA. The rest you need to build a team around them. In every other sport I would rather make the playoffs because once in the playoffs a little luck and you can make a run.

[stinky finger]

2 hours ago, JetsFan20 said:

I look at the NY Giants in both 2007 and 2011. 9-7 type teams that got hot at the right time to make a super bowl run. 
 

There are countless examples of this from all sports. 
 

That said I agree the Rangers situation was a little different. It would almost be the same as if the Jets were awarded the #1 pick after losing to the Bills in Week 17 2015.
 

Still, to me fans have a tendency to overhype draft picks. I’m sure LaFreniere is going to become an excellent forward, but you don’t want to put too high of expectations on a 18 year old kid.  

 

Lundquist - the Rags WERE NOT making a run.

 

Re: LaFreniere - High expectations for an 18 year old? You can forget about that. The expectations are already there and will remain. What bears watching is how he handles it from a NY perspective.  

[Greg S]

16 minutes ago, JaCrispy said:

Its weird to say this but I don’t really care about this season without fans, so I would say #1 pick...just feels like scrimmages and exhibition...discuss ?

 

I thought it would be like that as well. While its certainly different given the times you still want your team to win. For me with the Isles and the NHL playoffs I will be cheering them on like I always do. When the Bills kickoff against the Jets it will be the same thing. I will be cheering them on just like I would during a normal year.

[CuseBill]

Next time JetsFan20 is going to start a discussion with the question:  "Would you rather be asked a really stupid question or would you rather be asked an intelligent question?"

[Greg S]

5 minutes ago, inaugural balls said:

 

Lundquist - the Rags WERE NOT making a run.

 

Re: LaFreniere - High expectations for an 18 year old? You can forget about that. The expectations are already there and will remain. What bears watching is how he handles it from a NY perspective.  

 

Even though the Rangers are an original 6 team, play in MSG, and have an extremely large fanbase, they aren't a high profile team with the NYC media. The media here could care less about hockey. When it comes to sports in the NY Metro area its all about the Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets, and Knicks.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

44 minutes ago, inaugural balls said:

 

Lundquist - the Rags WERE NOT making a run.

 

Re: LaFreniere - High expectations for an 18 year old? You can forget about that. The expectations are already there and will remain. What bears watching is how he handles it from a NY perspective.  

 

Kakko put up 10G and 23 points... What can you really expect from another 18 year old?  40ish points?  Maybe?

[machine gun kelly]

I understand the reference given the Rangers draft spot, but to pick a maybe draft pick vs. playoffs is not even a question.  Think how long it will take Cincinnati before Burrow can even make an impact.  What about Mario Williams, Clowney, and so on.  I guess if my team was a dumpster fire like the Jets, I guess I’d pick the top draft considering they’ll be contending for that pick.

[C.Biscuit97]

Pretty interesting question.

 

1 - 17 years without that playoffs made me open to doing bad things if it guaranteed a playoff spot (I would be dexter like and only hurt and people).  It is absolutely much harder to miss the playoffs 17 years than luck into a spot like we did in 2017.  It is mind blowing how incompetent the Bills were.  
 

2 - 2 berths in 3 years is nice so now the goal is bigger.  I have serious doubts about Allen.  If I knew he would have a similar passing year this year to last year, I would totally want the number 1 pick.  Imo, I think Lawrence and Fields (and possibly Lance, though I haven’t seen a ton of him) are better prospects.  This is a team that a good qb could step into and be an instant SB contender for 15 years.  That would be worth it for one bad season.

 

but this is moot because no matter how talentless the Bills have been, they always manage to win like 6 or 7 games at worst.  That’s been the problem.  They haven’t hit rock bottom enough. 

48 minutes ago, Greg S said:

 

Even though the Rangers are an original 6 team, play in MSG, and have an extremely large fanbase, they aren't a high profile team with the NYC media. The media here could care less about hockey. When it comes to sports in the NY Metro area its all about the Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets, and Knicks.

I mean that pretty much the case in every US market for hockey.  I grew up playing and loving the sport (was my favorite sport for awhile).  But it’s never going to be huge in the States.  They had a LA-NY finals a few years ago and the ratings were still meh.

[Bill from NYC]

4 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Pretty interesting question.

 

1 - 17 years without that playoffs made me open to doing bad things if it guaranteed a playoff spot (I would be dexter like and only hurt and people).  It is absolutely much harder to miss the playoffs 17 years than luck into a spot like we did in 2017.  It is mind blowing how incompetent the Bills were.  
 

2 - 2 berths in 3 years is nice so now the goal is bigger.  I have serious doubts about Allen.  If I knew he would have a similar passing year this year to last year, I would totally want the number 1 pick.  Imo, I think Lawrence and Fields (and possibly Lance, though I haven’t seen a ton of him) are better prospects.  This is a team that a good qb could step into and be an instant SB contender for 15 years.  That would be worth it for one bad season.

 

but this is moot because no matter how talentless the Bills have been, they always manage to win like 6 or 7 games at worst.  That’s been the problem.  They haven’t hit rock bottom enough. 

I mean that pretty much the case in every US market for hockey.  I grew up playing and loving the sport (was my favorite sport for awhile).  But it’s never going to be huge in the States.  They had a LA-NY finals a few years ago and the ratings were still meh.

Good post although I disagree about Fields, whereas I prefer Allen. I think that Allen is a much better prospect but of course this doesn't make me correct.

 

Again, I liken Lawrence to Elway in terms of pure, measureable talent. Quite the compliment, no?

[C.Biscuit97]

2 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Good post although I disagree about Fields, whereas I prefer Allen. I think that Allen is a much better prospect but of course this doesn't make me correct.

 

Again, I liken Lawrence to Elway in terms of pure, measureable talent. Quite the compliment, no?

Definitely agree on Trevor, though he did take a step back last year.

 

what don’t you like about Fields?  I think he has it all.  I Know OSU’s offense is very qb friendly but he also completed 69% of his passes at Georgia.  Georgia would be national championship front runners if that racist baseball player didn’t make Fields transfer. 

[1ManRaid]

I'm not crapping on you as a person, I'm crapping on your dumb ideas and threads.

 

"Would you rather have a good competitive team, or suck so bad you get the At Least You Tried consolation prize?"

[C.Biscuit97]

3 minutes ago, 1ManRaid said:

I'm not crapping on you as a person, I'm crapping on your dumb ideas and threads.

 

"Would you rather have a good competitive team, or suck so bad you get the At Least You Tried consolation prize?"

I get your point but it’s a good question.  Like if I’m on the team, of course I wanna win.  But as a fan would have rather sneak in the playoffs on a miracle like we did in 2016 knowing we weren’t really good or have 15 years of an elite qb?  It’s a no brainer.  

[1ManRaid]

2 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I get your point but it’s a good question.  Like if I’m on the team, of course I wanna win.  But as a fan would have rather sneak in the playoffs on a miracle like we did in 2016 knowing we weren’t really good or have 15 years of an elite qb?  It’s a no brainer.  

Dude, you think it's a good question because of your hate ***** for Josh Allen and love any opportunity to talk about our need for an "elite QB".

[tcampbell104]

make the playoffs. the number one pick would mean the season really sucked.

[C.Biscuit97]

Just now, 1ManRaid said:

Dude, you think it's a good question because of your hate ***** for Josh Allen and love any opportunity to talk about our need for an "elite QB".

Yeah my bad.  I’m not head over heels in love with our 56%, sub 200 yard passing qb.  I’m crazy for thinking this team would be better with Watson or Mahomes.  Silly me.

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

1 minute ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Yeah my bad.  I’m not head over heels in love with our 56%, sub 200 yard passing qb.  I’m crazy for thinking this team would be better with Watson or Mahomes.  Silly me.

 

You are more than justified in thinking Josh Allen may not pan out.  That said, in practice, you do come off as pretty unreasonable about JA. 

[NoSaint]

12 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I think the answer is it depends on your team and the draft. It is normally playoffs but if you’re like a .500ish team with little upside maybe not. That holds especially true in a draft with a generational talent at a crucial position. As an example, if I’m a Jags fan this year, I’d rather get Lawrence than be 9-7 and get crushed in the playoffs. I’d say that it’s playoffs 95% of the time but there are exceptions. In the NBA that number can drop as low as 50% depending on the top of the draft. 

bingo. 
 

getting in on a couple lucky bounces in a weak division doesn’t move the needle for me if I’m in qb purgatory. 
 

if I’m a solid team that wouldn’t need tooooo many breaks to make noise in the playoffs I’d take that 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

5 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

bingo. 
 

getting in on a couple lucky bounces in a weak division doesn’t move the needle for me if I’m in qb purgatory. 
 

if I’m a solid team that wouldn’t need tooooo many breaks to make noise in the playoffs I’d take that 

 

After years of being in that 10th pic range, this should be the answer for every Bills fan. 

[Jauronimo]

Would you rather be the leading scientist in your field or get the mad cow disease?

 

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/harry-caray-space-the-infinite-frontier/3505886

[JetsFan20]

1 hour ago, dneveu said:

 

Kakko put up 10G and 23 points... What can you really expect from another 18 year old?  40ish points?  Maybe?

I’m hoping LaFreniere is more like Sid the Kid, Matthews, McDavid. Instant star. 

1 hour ago, dneveu said:

 

Kakko put up 10G and 23 points... What can you really expect from another 18 year old?  40ish points?  Maybe?

I’m hoping LaFreniere is more like Sid the Kid, Matthews, McDavid. Instant star. 

[foreboding]

Seriously? Of course playoffs, otherwise it is another season of misery. A winning season is fun.

[nedboy7]

Why answer this? 

[aristocrat]

i'd prefer to win the super bowl but that's just me

[Kirby Jackson]

I think that the drought years jaded us. The goal isn’t “get to the playoffs.” The goal is “compete for a championship.” Every decision that is made should be done with that in mind. Everything else is a waste of time. The Bills should want the playoffs this year as they are constructed. The Jets or Jags should be hoping for the 1st pick and a chance to change their future. 

[H2o]

[Hapless Bills Fan]

13 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

Andrew luck retired because he just didn't want to play anymore and was beat up

 

He was on Pace to break lots of major passing record in NFL history if he kept playing

 

Brees and Luck each average 1.98 passing TDs per game 

 

Average yards per game all time

 

1- Brees 281.5

2) Stafford 275.3

3) luck 275.2

 

Luck was literally entering his prime for a QB and if he played as long as Brady or Brees he probably would have taken down those records.

 

Your points are fully valid, but I think the concept it reinforces is that even picking a highly talented #1 overall pick QB does not guarantee team success

It's just one part of a picture that includes keeping the guy clean and upright and fielding a defense.  Perhaps Luck would not have retired if he weren't so freakin' beat up.

 

 

 

[JustWinPlease]

Do you want to make the playoffs just that one season? Then take the playoffs.

If you want to make the playoffs every year and compete for multiple championships, you take the #1 pick in the NHL...at least that's how it's supposed to work.

[PJBrown7]

With this team it’s playoffs all the way! We’ve been to rebuild. I never want them to be as bad as being in contention for the number one pick ever again. I’d rather have a 20 year run like the patriots did where we pick in the bottom 1-5 Because we’re in the mix every post-season.

[Greg S]

3 hours ago, PJBrown7 said:

With this team it’s playoffs all the way! We’ve been to rebuild. I never want them to be as bad as being in contention for the number one pick ever again. I’d rather have a 20 year run like the patriots did where we pick in the bottom 1-5 Because we’re in the mix every post-season.

 

Forget the Patriots. Take a look at these stats. Since 1970 the Steelers have a regular season record of 444-282-2 (.635) and an overall record of 480-305-2 (.635). They have made the playoffs 30 times, won their division 22 times, played in 16 AFC championship games, 8 Super Bowls, 6 Lombardi Trophies. Since 1969 they have had only 3 head coaches, Chuck Noll 1969-91, Bill Cowher 1992-06, Mike Tomlin 2007- present. I want the Bills to try and follow the Steelers way of doing things. They not the Patriots are the real model franchise to follow.

Edited August 11, 2020 by Greg S

[GunnerBill]

33 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Your points are fully valid, but I think the concept it reinforces is that even picking a highly talented #1 overall pick QB does not guarantee team success

It's just one part of a picture that includes keeping the guy clean and upright and fielding a defense.  Perhaps Luck would not have retired if he weren't so freakin' beat up.

 

 

This is true but the argument on the flipside of that - ie. that it would be better to back into the playoffs that one time - doesn't stand up to scrutiny if the basis for that argument is "winning above all else." Those Colts teams Luck took to the playoffs his first three years and to the AFCCG his 3rd year before the injuries started to hit would have been 4 or 5 win teams AT BEST without him. So if you care about making the playoffs then the decision of the Colts to knowingly tank 2011 once it was clear Manning couldn't play and draft Andrew Luck led to playoff appearances and playoff wins. It didn't lead to a Championship..... but the Colts trading for Carson Palmer (as was rumoured at the time) to take a veteran 2011 team to a potential wild card spot wouldn't have led to that either. In the Colts case sucking for Luck was the best way to make the playoffs and win playoff games.

 

It is a rare situation. @Kirby Jackson acknowledged that in his response and I wholeheartedly agree. Jameis Winston for example was a consensus #1 pick but I wouldn't have advocated a team sucking for him. I didn't advocate teams "tanking for Tua" who is a fine prospect and may have a good career. But in the case of the 2011 Colts and the 2020 Jaguars.... trying to find a vet QB and some vet sticking plasters to aim to be a game either side of .500 is the wrong strategy. The Jags should tank and take Trevor Lawrence. They will not be the horrible irrelevance they have been for most of the past decade for much longer if they do.

[GunnerBill]

15 minutes ago, Greg S said:

 

Forget the Patriots. Take a look at these stats. Since 1970 the Steelers have a regular season record of 444-282-2 (.635) and an overall record of 480-305-2 (.635). They have made the playoffs 30 times, won their division 22 times, played in 16 AFC championship games, 8 Super Bowls, 6 Lombardi Trophies. Since 1969 they have had only 3 head coaches, Chuck Noll 1969-91, Bill Cowher 1992-06, Mike Tomlin 2007- present. I want the Bills to try and the follow the Steelers way of doing things. They not the Patriots are the real model franchise to follow.

 

The Steelers have also only had consecutive losing seasons twice since 1970. Incredible. Twice they went 7-9, 6-10 mid 80s and late 90s. Tomlin has never been below .500. Their consistency is staggering. 

[machine gun kelly]

Greg and GB, well said.  It is daunting how well the Steelers have done for basically 50 years.  That’s insane.  Another team not as winning, but nevertheless a winning team is Denver.

 

They just have winning cultures and if we keep McBeane together for the next decade or hopefully longer, we can be another team with this culture.  I don’t see the Pegulas as wanting to make quick or cheap decisions.  They will love having the feather in their cap of a kick butt Bills team for many many years.  As he said a long time ago, when this virus is behind us someday, he just needs to drill another hole to make $.

Oh and god bless them for it.