Anyone Else Having Trouble Dealing with this Success?

[Shaw66]

I have to say I find myself not knowing how to deal with success.  

 

I can't remember what it was like 30 years ago when the Bills last were a good team.  I don't remember how I felt or I behaved.  

 

I've spent 30 years wanting the Bills to be good again, and the early indications are that it is happening.  They could collapse, of course, but I believe McDermott knows what he's doing, and he's building a serious winner.  But as the national media begin to notice the Bills, I don't know if I want or like the attention.  

 

On one of the games last night, one of the announcers said something like "Don't leave Buffalo out of the conversation.  Buffalo is for real."   Something.  I heard it and realized it was the first time I'd heard a genuinely positive comment about the Bills, a full-fledged statement that the Bills are among the best, since the early 90s.   It sounded so unusual, and I realized that I didn't know how to react to it.   A few years ago, I was thrilled just to hear an announcer say the Bills could be trouble for some teams.  But this was different.  This was a statement to the effect that the Bills could beat anybody.  I didn't know how to take it.  

 

Then I pick up my local paper, which covers the Jets, Giants and Pats, and there's an AP article about how there's an offensive explosion going on in the NFL, and the accompanying photo is an action shot of Josh Allen.   In the article, Jon Gruden says this:  "You watch Buffalo's offense, they can do a lot.  The quarterback can complete passes left-handed.  The guy's a beast standing back there.  They got a pretty good attack."

 

I find myself hoping friends won't ask me about the Bills, because I don't know what to say.  One thing I do say is, "I told you this was happening."   But then I quickly add, "they aren't good enough yet."  It's like I don't know how to deal with the success.  It was much easier when no one had any expectations for the Bills; losses weren't disappointing then.   But now if they lose, people will want to know what happened, or people will say, "see, same old Bills."  It all feels so strange. 

 

This is going to take some getting used to.  

[TBBills]

We'll I am also a Yankees fan so.... Nope

[Your Brown Eye]

[Aussie Joe]

No - I deserve it.

[Dragoon]

Yes. I’m waiting for God to smite us. It’s going to happen any game now. 

[H2o]

I was a bit apprehensive watching how the 2nd half unfolded against the Rams. When Josh stepped out on the field for that last drive in the 4th quarter you were thinking that something Billsy would happen, kind of like the Texans game. It almost did early in the drive with the penalties and a sack, but Captain Clutch said this will be our normal no more. He made play after play and against one of the better teams in the NFL imo. We also finally got the benefit of a call for once that game which set up that throw to Kroft for the game winning TD. Allen had a similar opportunity last year, but missed Knox in the corner of the endzone. Not this time. Not this year. This is a different team, with a different vibe, and almost a completely different QB outside of the individual himself and the nameplate on the jersey.  

[Seasons1992]

I was at the grocery store yesterday morning, and the security guard at the registers saw my Bills hoodie and said unprovoked "you guys look really good." I said "so far, so good" and left it at that.

 

It's weird, but so much fun to watch on Sundays. Reminds me of being a 12-15 year old again in the early 90's.

[CLTbills]

The difference, though, @Shaw66, is that in 2008, when they started 4-0, we all knew deep down that the Bills didn't have nearly the talent to compete. In 2011, with Fitz at the helm, same deal. Had some good players, but I knew in my heart of hearts, that it was a .500 team.

 

This group is different. They have elite talent up and down the roster, and they are arguably the best-coached group in the NFL.

[Shaw66]

15 minutes ago, TBBills said:

We'll I am also a Yankees fan so.... Nope

Perfect.  Right.  If you're a Yankees fan, you live with great expectations (despite the fact that Yankees haven't won anything for a while), so positive press seems normal.  It's what you're entitled to.  

Edited October 6, 2020 by Shaw66

[CLTbills]

Just now, Seasons1992 said:

I was at the grocery store yesterday morning, and the security guard at the registers saw my Bills hoodie and said unprovoked "you guys look really good." I said "so far, so good" and left it at that.

 

It's weird, but so much fun to watch on Sundays. Reminds me of being a 12-15 year old again in the early 90's.

I was wearing my Josh Allen jersey at the mall on Sunday afternoon before the game (4:25 starts are weird....) and some random dude wearing a Panthers shirt said "hell yeah man, I love your jersey!" Another, as I was walking through the doors of the mall, wearing a Carolina Panthers mask, yelled out at me, "4-0 baby!!"

 

I feel like Ricky Bobby. I don't know what to do with my hands. Haha.

[RoyBatty is alive]

I will only answer AFTER we win the Super Bowl...or at least go to another one.

[thebandit27]

Nope

[Shaw66]

2 minutes ago, H2o said:

I was a bit apprehensive watching how the 2nd half unfolded against the Rams. When Josh stepped out on the field for that last drive in the 4th quarter you were thinking that something Billsy would happen, kind of like the Texans game. It almost did early in the drive with the penalties and a sack, but Captain Clutch said this will be our normal no more. He made play after play and against one of the better teams in the NFL imo. We also finally got the benefit of a call for once that game which set up that throw to Kroft for the game winning TD. Allen had a similar opportunity last year, but missed Knox in the corner of the endzone. Not this time. Not this year. This is a different team, with a different vibe, and almost a completely different QB outside of the individual himself and the nameplate on the jersey.  , 

I wasn't thinking "something Billsy would happen."   That much I'm beyond.  Like other people have said, I now expect that Josh will do something.  Third and 22?  We've got a shot.  So I'm personally confident.  But when I hear someone else say the Bills are good, all I can say is "yeah, well, we'll see."  

 

I need to see them beat KC, or the Packers.  And I need to see them beat the Pats.  

[Gregthekeg]

The company I work for is based out of Boston and NYC, and as you can imagine I usually get quite a bit of grief during the season usually.  Now everyone always starts the call with "Greg is the only one happy because of his damn Bills"  I just keep thinking in the back of my head that it is going to all come to a screaming halt and dont think/feel their success is sustainable.  

 

That being said, last week during the raiders game on a 3rd and 6 my wife looked at me and noticed that I was not on the edge of my seat and made a comment.  I then realized I wasn't worried about Allen not getting a first down, or them running a dumb shotgun draw handoff or something in hopes of getting better field position.  That was my aha moment that I might actually be comfortable with them being good.  

 

4 weeks into the season I will not say they are world beaters, but they are making it fun to watch!

[BuffaninSarasota]

No......although sometimes I find myself waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Certain aspects of the D still concern me.

 

Having said that, we no longer have the luxury of staying under the radar.....both Nantz & Romo said the Bills are for real, Allen is for real.

 

I appreciate your perspectives on the history of the Bills & what it means to today's realities...

[Ramza86]

Since i live miami, i know fans from many diff teams.

 

I just say yeah they are playing well and josh is playing great.

 

 

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 minute ago, Gregthekeg said:

The company I work for is based out of Boston and NYC, and as you can imagine I usually get quite a bit of grief during the season usually.  Now everyone always starts the call with "Greg is the only one happy because of his damn Bills"  I just keep thinking in the back of my head that it is going to all come to a screaming halt and dont think/feel their success is sustainable.  

 

That being said, last week during the raiders game on a 3rd and 6 my wife looked at me and noticed that I was not on the edge of my seat and made a comment.  I then realized I wasn't worried about Allen not getting a first down, or them running a dumb shotgun draw handoff or something in hopes of getting better field position.  That was my aha moment that I might actually be comfortable with them being good.  

 

4 weeks into the season I will not say they are world beaters, but they are making it fun to watch!

 

 

I have had similar "aha" moments. Whenever a Bills QB would throw a ball into tight coverage i have been programmed to assuming an incompletion if not an interception, now it is really amazing how many times the Bills come up with the ball.

[H2o]

9 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I wasn't thinking "something Billsy would happen."   That much I'm beyond.  Like other people have said, I now expect that Josh will do something.  Third and 22?  We've got a shot.  So I'm personally confident.  But when I hear someone else say the Bills are good, all I can say is "yeah, well, we'll see."  

 

I need to see them beat KC, or the Packers.  And I need to see them beat the Pats.  

I didn't mean you and in you personally my friend. I meant the proverbial "you" as in many of the Bills fans in general.  

[chaccof]

I'm really interested in seeing how social media influences the Bills and the fans.  Back during the Glory years of 88 to 94 there was no social media, lots of media for sure, but not social media like boards and blogs, and instant opinions and news.   Back then there just wasn't enough outlets to report out on every little thing that happened like there is today.  It sure is nice to have them in the conversation again though.  

[Juice_32]