Von Miller’s path to Bills in first foray into free agency: ‘Buffalo just chose me’

[Buffalo_Stampede]

4 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

And also, are we talking about Buffalo as a location in the northeast, or Buffalo as the Buffalo Bills organization?

It all goes together. Right now players want to play here to win, but we’re still not a dream destination. Dallas and others have it so easy.   
 

This is also the number 1 reason I wanted a dome. It factors into a players decision. 
 

 

[Patrick Duffy]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

In your opinion the Rams, Cowboys, and Bills all offer a player the same money, where is the player signing? You could probably list 10 other cities players would have discussions about.

 

Its just a reality the Bills have to deal with. That’s why it was even a story that players were contacting the Bills this year. Probably half the league gets calls from players, the Bills typically have to convince players to come here.

It depends if said player wants to sign with team that has good chance at a Championship. Which I assume more do than not. 

[purple haze]

1 hour ago, Big Blitz said:

 

 

I think he meant because it is home.

 

I'd much rather these guys just say it - it's about the money AND best chance to win.

 

 

But I agree I really don't care how honest he wants to be, we paid you a ***k ton of money no one wants to hear anything other "sure there were 1 or 2 other teams I considered but I chose Buffalo this is where I want to finish my career."  

 

They all have second thoughts.  Of course they do.  

 

But part of our "process" here is....not the stuff he keeps saying out loud.  

 

Spare me the "he had a Bills hat" on his shelf in his draft year.  Don't care.  Or "Buffalo chose me."  My God.  Stop it. 

 

 

D-line remains my #1 concern with this team - lots of new faces and chemistry that's going to take time it is no different then OL.  And we payed a 33 year old to come play in a lead role.  You better freaking ball.   

No reason to take offense.  If that’s his story that’s his story.  Makes sense.  Most people have 2nd thoughts about things much less impactful in their lives.  His story has no bearing on anything relevant.  
 

When the whistle blows Miller will give everything he’s got to help get these wins; as he always has, as he knows everyone expects.   

[Buffalo03]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

I don't recall him saying definitively that he was going to back out, and that he had decided that he would tell Beane face-to-face that he wasn't signing. I remember him saying he was having serious second thoughts and doubts, but not that he was planning to back out. I certainly may be wrong, but that's how I remember it.

He said that on his plane ride here that he was gonna tell us that he was gonna go back and resign with the Rams. He said it right in his introductory press conference 

[BillMafia716ix]

The fan base between LA and Buffalo doesn’t even compare. Everyone is always skeptical about Buffalo until they actually get to experience it. 

[Royale with Cheese]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Ugh. How many players ever speak honestly in the media? 
 

Buffalo is definitely a place players want to play because they can win, it’s not a dream destination. 

 

I guess they all lie.

[Big Turk]

Don't have a subscription, but luckily as a software engineer, I know how to parse and read HTML

Edited July 7, 2022 by Big Turk

[FilthyBeast]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Believe it or not this is an honest view on how free agency works. It’s a huge decision and until they sign players likely go back and forth when they have options.

 

Buffalo is not a dream destination for any player. 

 

This is the cold hard reality that most fans will never accept. For those of us that were raised in the area, it shouldn't even be offensive or disappointing to here these type of things because every knows the situation with the weather and other limitations with midsized northeastern type of city.

 

But even with the Bills now perceived as a premier organization in the NFL, it's not going to change the perception of 20 year old men who have other interests in life than just their career. Same reason why most Bills players (including JA17) have other homes in more desirable locations and don't spend their entire offseason here.

 

Regarding Millers comments though, I'm not sure why he is even saying these type of things publicly though because it's going to make fans turn on him quickly especially if he gets hurt or fails to live up to whatever lofty expectations have already been bestowed upon him. It's also not a good look and confirms that we did have to overpay and outbid everyone else to get him here.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Just now, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I guess they all lie.

They get media training for a reason. 
 

I don’t want to ruin your belief that Buffalo is the number 1 free agent destination in the NFL though.

[TBBills Fan]

Id work for @Gugnybt no less than 250k annually.  

[Royale with Cheese]

5 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

They get media training for a reason. 
 

I don’t want to ruin your belief that Buffalo is the number 1 free agent destination in the NFL though.

 

That's not what I said Senor Dramatic.

 

I will 100% acknowledge Buffalo is towards the bottom of cities that most players would want to play in.  But to say that "not one single player has/had a dream to play here" is something I don't agree with.

 

Why even have this discussion anymore?  You've made up your mind.  I could quote a player, like Jones, who said they really wanted to be here and you can always use the "they aren't honest with the media" jibberish.  

 

I happen to believe that some are honest but that won't even cross your mind.  

Edited July 7, 2022 by Royale with Cheese

[Patrick Duffy]

1 minute ago, FilthyBeast said:

This is the cold hard reality that most fans will never accept. For those of us that were raised in the area, it shouldn't even be offensive or disappointing to here these type of things because every knows the situation with the weather and other limitations with midsized northeastern type of city.

 

Winter in Buffalo probably isn't a lot of players cup of tea, but a winning team with serious chance to win the SB can overcome that lot of the time

[Buffalo_Stampede]

2 minutes ago, FilthyBeast said:

 

This is the cold hard reality that most fans will never accept. For those of us that were raised in the area, it shouldn't even be offensive or disappointing to here these type of things because every knows the situation with the weather and other limitations with midsized northeastern type of city.

 

But even with the Bills now perceived as a premier organization in the NFL, it's not going to change the perception of 20 year old men who have other interests in life than just their career. Same reason why most Bills players (including JA17) have other homes in more desirable locations and don't spend their entire offseason here.

 

Regarding Millers comments though, I'm not sure why he is even saying these type of things publicly though because it's going to make fans turn on him quickly especially if he gets hurt or fails to live up to whatever lofty expectations have already been bestowed upon him. It's also not a good look and confirms that we did have to overpay and outbid everyone else to get him here.

Miller has been saying this the whole time. He put out a video basically showing all of this.

 

He still signed here. It’s not much different from Kelly still telling the story about not wanting to be in Buffalo. So many players have the same story about growing to love Buffalo.

[eball]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

 

Buffalo is not didn't used to be a dream destination for any player. 

 

Fixed it for ya.

 

Great read.

 

[Royale with Cheese]

Just now, eball said:

 

Fixed it for ya.

 

Great read.

 

 

If they say they do, they're liars.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

3 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

That's not what I said Senor Dramatic.

 

I will 100% acknowledge Buffalo is towards the bottom of cities that most players would want to play in.  But to say that "not one single player has/had a dream to play here" is something I don't agree with.

 

Why even have this discussion anymore?  You've made up your mind.  I could quote a player, like Jones, who said they really wanted to be here and you can always use the "they aren't honest with the media" jibberish.  

 

I happen to believe that some are honest but that won't even cross your mind.  

It’s a question they already know is coming from the media. I don’t even know why the media asks those questions. I guess they know some fans love to hear those scripted answers.

[Royale with Cheese]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

It’s a question they already know is coming from the media. I don’t even know why the media asks those questions. I guess they know some fans love to hear those scripted answers.

They’re all liars.  Settle was practicing his wohoo in the mirror to sell the lie to us fans…that SOB.

[Nineforty]

15 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Don't have a subscription, but luckily as a software engineer, I know how to parse and read HTML

that seems way more elegant than zooming out on a webpage to 1% so you can copy and paste the text into a word doc

[FilthyBeast]

10 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Miller has been saying this the whole time. He put out a video basically showing all of this.

 

He still signed here. It’s not much different from Kelly still telling the story about not wanting to be in Buffalo. So many players have the same story about growing to love Buffalo.

 

I get it but he's not going to win over any fans if this season doesn't play out as expected, which in most fans minds apparently ends with a parade in downtown Buffalo hoisting the franchises first Lombardi.

[teef]

do i have to pull this car over?

[DrDawkinstein]

16 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Miller has been saying this the whole time. He put out a video basically showing all of this.

 

He still signed here. It’s not much different from Kelly still telling the story about not wanting to be in Buffalo. So many players have the same story about growing to love Buffalo.

 

Very true

8 minutes ago, Nineforty said:

that seems way more elegant than zooming out on a webpage to 1% so you can copy and paste the text into a word doc

 

If it works, it's a good solution.

[SCBills]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

If Von plays a season here and Beane/McDermott have to talk him into playing for us any further, then sure, I’d be concerned.  
 

That’s your scenario.  
 

Sealing the deal on a sales pitch is not the same thing.  

[Bray Wyatt]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

 

I understand the worry especially with the first part, but that isnt exactly apples to apples. Those people who left were already at the place and decided to leave, in this case Miller had his first chance to choose where he would go, and with all of his options it ended up being Buffalo. He may have second guessed it prior, but I do not see him waffling on it now (granted he wouldnt publicly anyway). 

 

We will know the answer once the live bullets start flying, I am sure the rams opener may mess with him some, but then the next week the home opener against TN I think (maybe hope lol) that will validate his decision. Maybe even winning that first week would help more.

[Warcodered]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

Because the reason they gave their notice in the first place was because they didn't really want to be there.

 

This article concerns the hell out of me.  My biggest takeaway is that Beane and Co., had to talk Miller into signing.  He clearly admits that Buffalo was not his first choice and that he was having serious second thoughts.

 

I hope this ends well.

 

That's not really the same thing at all, that's a situation where someone has reached the point of wanting to leave and is waffling on the decision. Von Miller's situation is in FA at a time when he has to decide where he may likely finish his career and his having trouble making up his mind, but eventually went with the Bills. It makes perfect sense for him to be like that in that situation, but that situation is done he made his decision.

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, BUFFALOBART said:

He is signed. Why the worry?

 

What else are we supposed to do in July? Enjoy time with our families? YUCK!

[Augie]

4 hours ago, Gugny said:

I can't tell you how many times someone at work has given me their notice and when I talk them into staying, they still end up leaving in less than a month.

 

Why?

 

 

 I hope they don’t mention you by name. That would be poor form and have the potential to be very hurtful!  

 

Freddie Freeman recently had a similar situation when he returned to Atlanta (like Von opening in LA) and had some seller’s remorse. If I’m already rich, I’m going to do what makes me happy and the difference between $140 Mil or $165 Mil is not changing my world. Life is too short to do things just for money once you are already set. 

 

I hope Von gets settled in and falls in love with the culture and the locker room. EDIT: And the FANS! He’s gotta love the fans! 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Augie

[ProcessAccepted]

3 hours ago, BRH said:

There are non-stop (not just direct) flights daily between Buffalo and Denver, Dallas, and LA.  What other cities does he "spend a lot of time in"?

 

Other than that, it was a great article.

How can a flight be non stop but not direct? Do you mean fly to Toronto and drive down?

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, ProcessAccepted said:

How can a flight be non stop but not direct? Do you mean fly to Toronto and drive down?

 

I’m guessing a parachute is involved?  🤷‍♂️

 

That didn’t make sense to me either, but since you asked, now I’m curious again. 

[The Wiz]

6 minutes ago, ProcessAccepted said:

How can a flight be non stop but not direct? Do you mean fly to Toronto and drive down?

 

2 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’m guessing a parachute is involved?  🤷‍♂️

 

That didn’t make sense to me either, but since you asked, now I’m curious again. 

Is a flight that stops to drop people off/pick up people and then leave considered non stop or direct?

 

Like I don't need to get off the plane but it does stop?

Edited July 7, 2022 by The Wiz

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, The Wiz said:

 

Is a flight that stops to drop people off/pick up people and then leave considered non stop or direct?

 

Like I don't need to get off the plane but it does stop?

 

Neither. And do they even do these anymore? I havent had a connection where I stayed on the plane since I was a kid in the 80s.

[eball]

4 hours ago, BRH said:

There are non-stop (not just direct) flights daily between Buffalo and Denver, Dallas, and LA.

 

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

2 hours ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

 

Winter in Buffalo probably isn't a lot of players cup of tea, but a winning team with serious chance to win the SB can overcome that lot of the time

It's not just winter... Buffalo is not a nice city. Some people don't like to admit it, but I struggle to think of another NFL city that is in worse shape.

[Patrick Duffy]

8 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

It's not just winter... Buffalo is not a nice city. Some people don't like to admit it, but I struggle to think of another NFL city that is in worse shape.

Well, it's been a long time since I have been in the area so don't know how much changed or whatnot, but I enjoyed it when I did go myself. What is it that makes you feel that way? 

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

49 minutes ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

Well, it's been a long time since I have been in the area so don't know how much changed or whatnot, but I enjoyed it when I did go myself. What is it that makes you feel that way? 

It's almost like there is no city. It's just a bunch of downtrodden streets and there is no walkable downtown where people go. There is no nice area, save for the small area around the hockey arena and waterfront.

[The Wiz]

2 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Neither. And do they even do these anymore? I havent had a connection where I stayed on the plane since I was a kid in the 80s.

The last time I flew from Vegas to Rochester, we stopped in NYC and people got off and we continued to Rochester. Probably 3 years ago it was. 

[Patrick Duffy]

3 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

It's almost like there is no city. It's just a bunch of downtrodden streets and there is no walkable downtown where people go. There is no nice area, save for the small area around the hockey arena and waterfront.

 

Well, same as in lots of cities, there's always some ppl that like and some dislike. I'm assuming you are located in Buffalo area or were at some point for a while? I guess it was so enjoyable for me due to the excitement to go to the game and only visited a handful of times. 

 

 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 hour ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

It's not just winter... Buffalo is not a nice city. Some people don't like to admit it, but I struggle to think of another NFL city that is in worse shape.

I wouldn’t go that far. It’s a small city. It’s like many cities in the country it’s just very small.

 

 

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

56 minutes ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

 

Well, same as in lots of cities, there's always some ppl that like and some dislike. I'm assuming you are located in Buffalo area or were at some point for a while? I guess it was so enjoyable for me due to the excitement to go to the game and only visited a handful of times. 

 

 

I'm not from there, but I've spent weeks there recently

50 minutes ago, BUFFALOBART said:

...Sounds like you have never set foot, in the city of Buffalo.

I have, many times and for extended periods. I'm very familiar with the city and the surrounding areas. Locals don't want to hear it, but there's nothing special about Buffalo. It's a very dirty, dilapidated, small, hurting city

Edited July 7, 2022 by Giuseppe Tognarelli

[Dirtbag]

27 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

I'm not from there, but I've spent weeks there recently

I have, many times and for extended periods. I'm very familiar with the city and the surrounding areas. Locals don't want to hear it, but there's nothing special about Buffalo. It's a very dirty, dilapidated, small, hurting city

this really works if you imagine it being said by werner herzog.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

Great article.  I don't care how it happened. I'm just happy he's here