Big Turk Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 During realignment in 2002 when Houston became the 32nd NFL team, Wayne Huizenga, then Dolphins owner, was given the option to join the AFC South to make it more geographically sensible, but he chose instead to maintain the old AFL Rivalries... So Indianapolis got moved instead. It was bad enough to have Tom Brady in the division all those years...could you imagine if Miami left and we had to deal with Peyton Manning too?? https://phinphanatic.com/2019/08/08/miami-dolphins-looked-like-moved-afc-south/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffBillsForLife Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 In a different timeline, we play in the rustbelt division with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit. 7 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uninja Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 1 minute ago, Big Turk said: During realignment in 2002 when Houston became the 32nd NFL team, Wayne Huizenga, then Dolphins owner, was given the option to join the AFC South to make it more geographically sensible, but he chose instead to maintain the old AFL Rivalries... So Indianapolis got moved instead. It was bad enough to have Tom Brady in the division all those years...could you imagine if Miami left and we had to deal with Peyton Manning too?? https://phinphanatic.com/2019/08/08/miami-dolphins-looked-like-moved-afc-south/ Instead of beating each other up in the regular season they just did it in the postseason. Wouldn’t have made a difference for the Bills. We were objectively terrible for a solid 15 years. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyBatty is alive Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 We were "dead" anyway with Brady era so what difference does it make. I would have liked to see 2 contests each seasons between Brady and Manning and the Pats would not have been able to treat the AFC East like their playground. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Big Turk said: During realignment in 2002 when Houston became the 32nd NFL team, Wayne Huizenga, then Dolphins owner, was given the option to join the AFC South to make it more geographically sensible, but he chose instead to maintain the old AFL Rivalries... So Indianapolis got moved instead. It was bad enough to have Tom Brady in the division all those years...could you imagine if Miami left and we had to deal with Peyton Manning too?? https://phinphanatic.com/2019/08/08/miami-dolphins-looked-like-moved-afc-south/ Peyton Manning and Brady in the same division, sucks for everybody else in it, but that would have been some great football. Edited October 3, 2022 by Warcodered 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongo Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 6 minutes ago, BuffBillsForLife said: In a different timeline, we play in the rustbelt division with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit. I always thought it made sense for Baltimore to go AFC East (then all 4 would be on the East coast) and we go to AFC North. Seems to make more sense. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) If I remember correctly, Mr. Wilson declined a move to the AFCN, also citing the desire to maintain rivalries. Edited October 3, 2022 by WhoTom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollars 2 donuts Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) 10 minutes ago, BuffBillsForLife said: In a different timeline, we play in the rustbelt division with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit. I have always been a proponent of a Bills-Pitt-Cleve-Cincy division, myself. The longest driving distance traveled in that new division, 6.5 hours to Cincy, would be the closest opponent we have if they were in the AFC East between Miami, NY, Buffalo, NE and Cincy. Edited October 3, 2022 by dollars 2 donuts 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongo Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 Just now, dollars 2 donuts said: I have always been a proponent of a Bills-Pitt-Cleve-Cincy division, myself. Exactly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UConn James Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 5 minutes ago, Bongo said: I always thought it made sense for Baltimore to go AFC East (then all 4 would be on the East coast) and we go to AFC North. Seems to make more sense. It would have made geographic sense. Absolutely. But it wouldn’t have been right in any other sense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasteddie Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 It's like having the Cowboys in the NFC east. I guess they had to put them somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 3, 2022 Author Share Posted October 3, 2022 26 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said: I have always been a proponent of a Bills-Pitt-Cleve-Cincy division, myself. The longest driving distance traveled in that new division, 6.5 hours to Cincy, would be the closest opponent we have if they were in the AFC East between Miami, NY, Buffalo, NE and Cincy. Interestingly enough it would be shorter than any drive in the current division setup. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 29 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said: I have always been a proponent of a Bills-Pitt-Cleve-Cincy division, myself. Yeah, having us flip places with Baltimore would be great for everybody, imo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollars 2 donuts Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 2 minutes ago, Big Turk said: Interestingly enough it would be shorter than any drive in the current division setup. Exactly. Turk, can image every road division game is same day driveable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billz4ever Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 59 minutes ago, Big Turk said: During realignment in 2002 when Houston became the 32nd NFL team, Wayne Huizenga, then Dolphins owner, was given the option to join the AFC South to make it more geographically sensible, but he chose instead to maintain the old AFL Rivalries... So Indianapolis got moved instead. It was bad enough to have Tom Brady in the division all those years...could you imagine if Miami left and we had to deal with Peyton Manning too?? https://phinphanatic.com/2019/08/08/miami-dolphins-looked-like-moved-afc-south/ The Bills might as well have not existed through most of the Brady/Manning Era anyway. We were that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 3, 2022 Author Share Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Billz4ever said: The Bills might as well have not existed through most of the Brady/Manning Era anyway. We were that bad. Except that we really weren't. We only finished with 5 wins or less 3 times over that period and finished with 7, 8 or 9 wins 9 times. We finished with a net point differential of more than -100 only 3 times, and a positive point differential 4 times. That isn't "bad" in a traditional sense, that is just mediocre. Which may explain why we were so mediocre for so long...we always were picking outside of the area where you could get can't miss QB prospects. Edited October 3, 2022 by Big Turk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Red King Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 People are drifting from the OP. Miami leaving would have made more sense then Indy. It shouldn't have even been a choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) 43 minutes ago, fasteddie said: It's like having the Cowboys in the NFC east. I guess they had to put them somewhere. This wouldn't have worked? Edited October 3, 2022 by Warcodered 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostbitmic Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 44 minutes ago, fasteddie said: It's like having the Cowboys in the NFC east. I guess they had to put them somewhere. Atlanta used to be in the NFC West 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billz4ever Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 6 minutes ago, Big Turk said: Except that we really weren't. We only finished with 5 wins or less 3 times over that period and finished with 7, 8 or 9 wins 9 times. We finished with a net point differential of more than -100 only 3 times, and a positive point differential 4 times. That isn't "bad" in a traditional sense, that is just mediocre. Which may explain why we were so mediocre for so long...we always were picking outside of the area where you could get can't miss QB prospects. Mediocrity is the same or worse than being bad in my book. You're either a playoff team or you're everyone else. Being mediocre is worse than being bad because you're not a playoff team and you're not going to get great draft picks either, which I think was part of your point there at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 3, 2022 Author Share Posted October 3, 2022 1 minute ago, Billz4ever said: Mediocrity is the same or worse than being bad in my book. You're either a playoff team or you're everyone else. Being mediocre is worse than being bad because you're not a playoff team and you're not going to get great draft picks either, which I think was part of your point there at the end. Yeah...I mean look at Indy...they lose Peyton Manning, have a bunch of other injuries the next year and get the #1 pick and take Andrew Luck. He retired early, but he was definitely a franchise QB...they replaced Manning with one single terrible year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwight in philly Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, WhoTom said: If I remember correctly, Mr. Wilson declined a move to the AFCN, also citing the desire to maintain rivalries. Heard the same thing.. Ralph wanted the Bills as is.. (was) Edited October 3, 2022 by dwight in philly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billz4ever Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 1 minute ago, Big Turk said: Yeah...I mean look at Indy...they lose Peyton Manning, have a bunch of other injuries the next year and get the #1 pick and take Andrew Luck. He retired early, but he was definitely a franchise QB...they replaced Manning with one single terrible year. Losing sucks, but in hindsight, I would've taken a couple basement finishes if it meant truly getting to rebuild this team and not suffer in the depths of mediocrity for years and being given false hope year after year that some old, tired, retread coaches, couple free agents and some uninspiring draft choices were going to be what was going to pull us out of our deep funk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 3, 2022 Author Share Posted October 3, 2022 6 minutes ago, Billz4ever said: Losing sucks, but in hindsight, I would've taken a couple basement finishes if it meant truly getting to rebuild this team and not suffer in the depths of mediocrity for years and being given false hope year after year that some old, tired, retread coaches, couple free agents and some uninspiring draft choices were going to be what was going to pull us out of our deep funk. Maybe it was all meant to happen that way so we could get Josh Allen. It seems worth it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billz4ever Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 Just now, Big Turk said: Maybe it was all meant to happen that way so we could get Josh Allen. It seems worth it now. Yeah, even though we haven't won anything yet, Josh Allen is a special player and we are lucky to have him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA OC Bills Fan Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 1 hour ago, WhoTom said: If I remember correctly, Mr. Wilson declined a move to the AFCN, also citing the desire to maintain rivalries. Absolutely correct. Wilson didn’t want to lose the Miami rivalry which was still big at the time. I remember I completely agreed and was thankful for his stance but now believe that was silly. Would much rather be in a rust belt division with Pittsburgh Cleveland Cincinnati. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 I think Buffalo and Miami both wanting to stay in the East is more about wanting to be part of a division with the NYC market in it. Imagine how irrelevant the Bills would have become finishing 3rd or 4th every year in the AFC North for 2 decades. And Miami has more in common with the NYC market than they do their true southern brethren. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man with No Name Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 Should still flip with Baltimore. We would form much stronger rivalries with Pitt and Cleveland almost immediately. I do understand the relevancy of the market though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVandalay Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 4 hours ago, BuffBillsForLife said: In a different timeline, we play in the rustbelt division with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit. I once realigned the NFL by mascot with a buddy of mine. If my memory serves me correct we were in the Wild West division with Cowboys, Redskins, Chiefs. I'm going to have to dig this up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chongli Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 3 hours ago, frostbitmic said: Atlanta used to be in the NFC West Yep, and the MLB Braves too (in the NL West). And the Arizona Cardinals used to in the NFC East. 5 hours ago, Bongo said: I always thought it made sense for Baltimore to go AFC East (then all 4 would be on the East coast) and we go to AFC North. Seems to make more sense. Baltimore used to be in the East with us. 5 hours ago, Big Turk said: During realignment in 2002 when Houston became the 32nd NFL team, Wayne Huizenga, then Dolphins owner, was given the option to join the AFC South to make it more geographically sensible, but he chose instead to maintain the old AFL Rivalries... So Indianapolis got moved instead. It was bad enough to have Tom Brady in the division all those years...could you imagine if Miami left and we had to deal with Peyton Manning too?? https://phinphanatic.com/2019/08/08/miami-dolphins-looked-like-moved-afc-south/ Indy used to be in the East with us and New England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 24 minutes ago, chongli said: Yep, and the MLB Braves too (in the NL West). And the Arizona Cardinals used to in the NFC East. Baltimore used to be in the East with us. Indy used to be in the East with us and New England. Yeah I know...they were bottom feeders along with NE during the Kelly years. Jon Hand used to always seemingly hurt Kelly tho so the Colts kinda sucked. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reks Ryan Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 From a financial standpoint Huizenga didn’t want to lose all the guaranteed ticket sales every year from NE, NY, & Bills fans visiting S. Florida. Personally, I’m glad we kept the traditional rivals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVandalay Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 I get they wanted to keep rivalries together but really what should have happened is that Miami should have gone to the South, Indy to the North, and Baltimore to the East. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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