(Perhaps) Unpopular Take: I have no expectations for the Bills going forward, and I’m ok with it.

[AMMOT23]

yesterday, i had the opinion of  foreiting the bengals game and just moving on,i would of been fine with it. today im not so sure they can move on properly yet,the organization definatly has there work cut out for them getting these kids ready to play at the level they have been performing at all year,i feel whatever the outcome is i am going to be ok with it,if we lose to the pats ,(bengals??),and get bumped the first round,so be it i totally understand why

[BillyBilliams]

I personally think this team will be fine.  Even during the 5 minute warm up period, Diggs was out there rallying the troops.  I know the next few days are critical times as they do brain function tests.  I’m optimistic he’ll be ok.  I’d that is the case, I don’t see this being something that derails them.  This team is extremely close and have some pretty great leaders as players, coaching staff and front office.  They are getting back to work today and preparing for the Patriots.  It’s a good thing they are trying to get some normalcy.  Like I said, I know a lot of people are going to wonder how these guys can keep playing, and that’s understandable if you haven’t dealt with something like this before.  You just have to keep going.  You can either let something like this derail you, or you can use this as notification and play for him and overcome yet again another obstacle.

 

This team is so damn battle tested.  Between the injuries, the East Buffalo shooting, the moving to Detroit, to the second blizzard that killed people.  They’ve been through a lot.  I’m sure it is exhausting, but this could also be yet another reason for a rally cry.

[H2o]

Football is second to everything right now. These guys are all just worried about their teammate. We are all worried about him, his health, and his recovery. Heck, it seems like the entire league and every NFL fan is out here praying, donating, and sending well wishes to Damar. That said, if reports come out about Damar in the next 24 hours that are positive then watch out. These guys are going to turn into a bonafide, single purposed, freight train. It's going to be like Rocky II when he's sitting beside Adrian's side after she has the baby and slipped into a coma. She wakes up and says, "There's one thing I want you to do for me.........Win..Win." 

 

 

[machine gun kelly]

I was listening yesterday to Pat Kirwan on MTC and he spoke on a similar topic. I believe it was with the Jets, a player was hit with friendly fire, and the player was paralyzed.  It changed the game and went from winning the gam to losing.

 

So later in the week, there was good news from the hospital on his prognosis, and it galvanized the players.  They had their best game of the year.

 

Eventually the player walked again, but never played anymore, but he was able to coach high school football.

 

I believe his point was some good news was helpful to the team to flip the script.

 

Positive news on Damar would give a real shot in the arm for the team.

3 minutes ago, H2o said:

Football is second to everything right now. These guys are all just worried about their teammate. We are all worried about him, his health, and his recovery. Heck, it seems like the entire league and every NFL fan is out here praying, donating, and sending well wishes to Damar. That said, if reports come out about Damar in the next 24 hours that are positive then watch out. These guys are going to turn into a bonafide, single purposed, freight train. It's going to be like Rocky II when he's sitting beside Adrian's side after she has the baby and slipped into a coma. She wakes up and says, "There's one thing I want you to do for me.........Win..Win." 

 

 

Water, that is one of my favorite clips from movies as a kid.  Thanks for sharing.

[KHAN]

I have no expectations moving forward for this season.

 

But a voice inside my head is creating a script where Damar pulls through, and the team goes on a run to win it all. I feel like winning it this year would mean more than all the other tough playoff/Super Bowl losses combined. There was just a report that doctors have seen positive readings they were hoping for over night. I'll take any good news I can get at this point.

[Nuncha]

“A little I'm hurt, but not yet slain; “I'll just lie down and bleed awhile, “And then I'll rise and fight again.”

 

Perfect description of Buffalo, the Bills, and their fans.

 

 

 

[SoMAn]

15 hours ago, eball said:

There’s another thread that lists out what the community of Buffalo and the Bills have dealt with over the past year…it’s almost unbelievable the amount of tragedy, turmoil, and just plain bad luck that has befallen WNY and our favorite team — and none of it self-inflicted.

 

The Bills have to feel mentally exhausted.  They’ve had to overcome so much, and now this.

 

I’m happy with their 3rd consecutive AFC East title and big wins in big moments.  Josh is “the guy” and will be for years to come, but the defense has been decimated by key injuries all season and when combined with the mental fatigue and trauma, I think it is just too much to overcome going forward.

 

I am proud of the team, the coaches, the fans, the community…proud to call myself a Buffalonian.

 

Go Bills.

 

I understand where you're coming from, but I can't go along with that mindset.

We all feel for Hamlin, his family, and his Bills' brothers, but the world doesn't stop.  These players and coaches have invested many many hours of blood, sweat, and tears since the start of mini-camps just to get to this point in the season.

Should Damar give up his fight? Of course not. Neither should his teammates.

They should all continue to fight.  Isn't that likely what Damar and his family would want? 

Maybe getting back to the routine with their teammates will be a needed step in dealing with the emotional trauma they experienced less than 48 hours ago.

I can think of no greater tribute to DH than to fight like warriors and continue to strive for being world champions. 

It's my opinion that giving up on the season is antithetical to everything the Buffalo Bills and their leadership represent.

Battling on wouldn't be disrespectful to Damar. On the contrary. It would be a fitting show of support and solidarity.

Edited January 4, 2023 by SoMAn

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Yep. I think the snow storms were a foreshadowing. Everything is out the window, and anything is possible now. We could lose 40 to 3 in the wild card round or go on one of the most epic playoff runs every witnessed. 

[BillsVet]

48 minutes ago, BillsFanSD said:

Anecdotally, it seems like NFL players as a group are able to compartmentalize things like we all do.  We've all seen lots of games where the ambulance had to come out for somebody, and within 10 minutes everybody is playing more or less normally.  It would be interesting to dig back through those games and see to what degree the team with the injured player under-performed going forward.  I don't think I've ever noticed an obvious pattern of teams dropping off, but of course my not noticing it doesn't mean that such a pattern isn't there. 

 

Unpopular take:

 

I have never liked comparing even a violent game like the NFL to war.  One is not like the other no matter how many times they are mentioned together.  Marv often used to say that a NFL game was not a must-win, WWII was a must win.

 

That said, there are men in women in the US who have served in wartime and attended memorial services of those recently killed in action.  Those surviving service members did not have the option of calling it a day and retreating into permanent despair.  Losing a friend/fellow team member suddenly is a trauma and unfortunately people must return to their duties and later home to face some real serious demons.

 

We pray for Damar, his family and hope for his recovery from this tragedy.  It may not be the time today or tomorrow to play a game, but there is a healing in moving forward with the season.  It is not time to quit, suspend expectations and remain in a pit of despair because of this.  I'm not calling into question anyone's toughness, mentally or physically either. 

 

Human beings must, given the world we live in, strive to overcome even extreme adversity.  Sometimes that adversity is going to be more than we think we can handle and there is no manual to do this.  I saw Dan Orlovsky on ESPN the other day go his route...and I think it's a good start toward working through the tragedy. 

[KDIGGZ]

So the Bills are supposed to practice today. Does anyone know if they are? I hope they don't force them to if they aren't ready and they are told it's optional. They might want to practice just to get out and be with their teammates but I would leave it to them. If they want to forfeit the game Sunday I'd be totally ok with that too

[Bruffalo]

It's hard not to be spoiled by the last few seasons, but if we all survived the drought years, I'm okay with whatever happens from here on out. 

[JMM]

15 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

yep this

 

personally if Hamlin makes a full recovery that's a Super Bowl right there

THIS!!!!! Nothing else matters.  NOTHING.

[BillsFanNC]

Heard Sal paraphrase a bulldog take this AM and I have to agree.

 

Basically whatever the team and organization as a whole decide as to their approach to the season going forward, I'm on board with it.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

22 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

So the Bills are supposed to practice today. Does anyone know if they are? I hope they don't force them to if they aren't ready and they are told it's optional. They might want to practice just to get out and be with their teammates but I would leave it to them. If they want to forfeit the game Sunday I'd be totally ok with that too

They're having meetings and a walkthrough was reported

[Warriorspikes51]

The Bills players likely believe that Hamlin would want them to move forward with the season.

If Hamlin continues to get better.....this team could be dangerous to face 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

You never know how a team is mentally until the game. I've coached (and supposed signs) like good practice/ Bad practice can very often be incorrect readings with teams. I'd like to think that the news of Damar improving continues today and the team strike a rallying cry of "Do it for Damar or he'd want us to take care of business" become the reality. Bottom line is we won't know until Sunday at 1:00. I kind of look at it like a bank, you make deposits and take out money. Have the Bills got enough left deposited emotionally after the events of this year? 

[dakrider]

 I think just getting thru their game on Sunday is going to be tough.  Their going to have very little preparation and their not going to be focused on the Patriots. And as mentioned they might rest some guys and stuff too.  Their probably just going to go thru the motions this week and then have to somehow regroup for the playoffs. 

 

 

 

[Never NEVER Give-up]

10 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

There is a good deal of moping being attributed to a guy who is fighting.    

. . . and he wouldn't appreciate the moping!

The Team (we all) need to hear Damar will be OK - this not knowing has us all in an emotional limbo.  Seeing players faces (esp Josh) on Monday told us all that no one is ready to play - and we can't blame them. 

If/when we get some good news from Damar, I see this team rallying around it and springboarding it thru the post season.

 

In the meantime we wait in anguish, with hope.

[hondo in seattle]

I admit I'm greedy.  I want Hamlin to recover and the Bills to win the Super Bowl this season.

However, if I could get just one, it's not even close.  My hopes and prayers are with Damar.  

[Johnnyp566]

I respect everyone going through their range of thoughts right now. I would just caution everyone that while right now in this moment saying you don’t and won’t care may not hold true. At the end of the day if the Bills are down 3 in the Super Bowl and get the ball back with 1:30 on the clock I will guarantee that everyone making these statements will in fact care. I don’t think anyone should be judged either way right now but especially those who are going to remain fully invested in the football season. 

[Logic]

I'm a bit late to this thread, but I just wanted to say that I'm in total agreement.

Human beings can only take so much trauma, so much grief.

I won't list out all the things that this community and this team have been through this season. Everybody knows.

 

Given how much focus, commitment, fortitude, and effort is needed to win three straight playoff games and a Super Bowl, and given how draining and exhausting the past seven months have been, I would not fault any of the players one bit if they just don't have it in them. How could they?

 

All of this doesn't even bring into account the rotten injury luck this team has had this year. Yes, every team goes through injuries. But losing guys the caliber of Micah Hyde (our defensive leader and basically a coach on the field) and Von Miller (our best defensive player and the piece we were all told was missing in our Super Bowl chasing efforts), and having our QB play half the year with an injured throwing elbow....it's a lot to overcome.

As others have said, it sure hasn't felt like "our year", and it continues not to.

I have nothing but compassion, empathy, and love for the players and coaches and the community of Buffalo. I will stand with them no matter what, will cheer the players when they take the field, and will hope for the best. But "expectations"? I don't have them any more. If the Bills DO somehow, some way happen to win it all, it will be the greatest story in football history, given the adversity they've overcome. Personally, though, I've begun to make peace with the reality of the situation. 



 

[BarleyNY]

I support whatever the team needs collectively and the players need individually. I know the team is providing counseling and other resources, which is great, but sometimes things take time to process. 

[Beast]

I want the Bills to smash the Patriots this Sunday. 

[LABILLBACKER]

48 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

I admit I'm greedy.  I want Hamlin to recover and the Bills to win the Super Bowl this season.

However, if I could get just one, it's not even close.  My hopes and prayers are with Damar.  

Yup....Damar getting better is our Super Bowl this year.  Everything else is just noise.

[BuffaloMatt]

Group hug

[phxbacker]

17 hours ago, galept said:

This moment could serve as a rallying cry come playoffs. Emphasis on could.

 

Once more unto the breach, dear friends?

 

If they complete the goal of winning the superbowl this year, they will have to make an NFL film about it for sure !

 

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

1 hour ago, Beast said:

I want the Bills to smash the Patriots this Sunday. 

 

*****.  Yes.

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Human beings can only take so much trauma, so much grief.

I won't list out all the things that this community and this team have been through this season. Everybody knows.

 

Given how much focus, commitment, fortitude, and effort is needed to win three straight playoff games and a Super Bowl, and given how draining and exhausting the past seven months have been, I would not fault any of the players one bit if they just don't have it in them. How could they?

 

 

 

Fortunately your first statement is inaccurate........or the human race would have been wiped out by trauma alone long ago.

 

It's important to grieve but you also have to get back to your life.    

 

As @BillsVet aptly noted.......lowering expectations(apathy) is not a positive solution........if you are lowering expectations that is a personal choice and probably better left unsaid.......because the players WANT the fans to be passionate about their work.     

[Logic]

13 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Fortunately your first statement is inaccurate........or the human race would have been wiped out by trauma alone long ago.

 

It's important to grieve but you also have to get back to your life.    

 

As @BillsVet aptly noted.......lowering expectations(apathy) is not a positive solution........if you are lowering expectations that is a personal choice and probably better left unsaid.......because the players WANT the fans to be passionate about their work.     

Fair enough. I suppose I should have extended the first sentence to say "Human beings can only take so much trauma, so much grief...before it begins to affect their mental/emotional wellbeing to the extent that their focus and/or work performance can begin to suffer."

Your third line is probably quite right, though. The players will likely be depending on the passion and enthusiasm of fans to help get them through the coming weeks. Fortunately, I'm guessing the fans at Highmark Stadium this weekend are going to be incredibly loud.

[Mango]

I have lost a lot of energy about this season. I hope the team is OK, just as humans. 

Surely I will root for them but with little expectation.

I am in favor of whatever the Bills want to do going forward. If they are able to get up and bring all of their "We are doing this for Damar" energy. I will do the same. If they want to cash in their chips, I will be right their with them.

 

I am vehemently against playing the Bengals game over for the sake of playing it over and ranking the lower seeds. 

[Lfod]

I've always just looked at it as entertainment. I don't get a free car or anything if they win a SB so it's not like I have ever had anything personal at stake.

 

It's better when the team you root for is relevant and doesn't suck. 

[Motorin']

52 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Fortunately your first statement is inaccurate........or the human race would have been wiped out by trauma alone long ago.

 

It's important to grieve but you also have to get back to your life.    

 

As @BillsVet aptly noted.......lowering expectations(apathy) is not a positive solution........if you are lowering expectations that is a personal choice and probably better left unsaid.......because the players WANT the fans to be passionate about their work.     

 

Until we hear from McDermott, we really won't know what the team needs or wants from us as it pertains to this Sunday. 

 

They may want a return to normal, get back to their routine. And if that's the case, I expect Coach to communicate that to us at some point later in the week.

 

At the same time, they may have zero desire or ability to step on the field this weekend without knowing how their brother is going to be ok. Not because they want to sit in a dark room and mope or feel sorry for themselves. But because they simple may not be able to generate the level of violence needed to play this sport and protect themselves on the field when their whole being is dedicated Hamlin's well being. 

 

I may be completely off base, but I think it's something we should at least consider as a reasonable possibility until we hear an update from the Bills about this weekend's game. 

 

 

 

[LabattBlue]

10 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

Until we hear from McDermott, we really won't know what the team needs or wants from us as it pertains to this Sunday. 

 

What the team needs or wants from the fans?   Not sure what you are expecting. 

Edited January 4, 2023 by LabattBlue

[Chandler#81]

19 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

yep this

 

personally if Hamlin makes a full recovery that's a Super Bowl right there

As a spectator and devoted fan, I’m weary from this season as well. Should the curse be lifted, ancient Indians rise up through the 50 yard line singing Alleluia and we manage to steal the Lombardi, I’ll be in Buffalo for the parade. But with a calm smile & teary-eyed, rather than the euphoria I’ve always imagined..

18 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

Why?

Cuz @ScottLaw says so! 
-like his views are ever taken seriously..🤦‍♂️

[Motorin']

6 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:

What the team needs or wants from the fans?   Not sure what you are expecting. 

 

I don't have any expectations, and that includes not placing any expectations or demands on how the team handles themselves this week. 

 

 

[LabattBlue]

4 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

I don't have any expectations, and that includes not placing any expectations or demands on how the team handles themselves this week. 

 

 

You stated, “until McD speaks, we won’t know what he needs or wants from us”.  I asked what you think those “needs or wants” would be?

Edited January 4, 2023 by LabattBlue

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, LabattBlue said:

You stated, “until McD speaks, we won’t know what he needs or wants from us”.  I asked what those “needs or wants” would be?

 

"The NFL announced Tuesday that it planned to play this weekend’s games as scheduled. However, the situation is subject to change as the circumstances surrounding Hamlin, as well as both teams, continue to evolve."

 

I'm saying that I think waiting to hear from coach on what the team needs moving forward. 

 

I don't know what that is, as I'm not Coach McDermott. 

[ShakAttack]

To be completely honest, I feel like as of right now, I do not really care as much about the games, playoff seeding, etc.

 

But I think once that Pats game kicks off, I will be sucked right back into it all for the same reasons I became a football fan in the first place:

 

This sport is the ultimate distraction and escape for me and I have been rooting for this team practically my entire life; I do not follow any other team in any other sport, so in my case, whether I like it or not, I think I will be caught up in the hype of the next game as soon as it starts.

 

as for the players, I think many of them will be too. Over the years, I have watched many of these players lose a loved one right before playing a game, and I cannot remember one time where the player did not want to play that next game. Often times, they come out and play harder, better, because in their minds, they are honoring the loved one that has deceased. I realize every person is different, and I realize this situation was brand new to ALL of these players, but from what I understand about football players and their mentality, I do believe that for most of them, the football field will serve as the stage in which they honor Damar Hamlin on Sunday, and if they are successful in doing that, I think it would be a beautiful thing, and one of my fondest regular season memories as a Bills fan. 

 

[CorkScrewHill]

I have always been a build a team for a long run vs a buy a team for a year kind of guy. It changed a bit for me this year as I was diagnosed with cancer in October and later diagnosed as stage 4 since it has spread. I am not working today as I started my 5th round of chemo. So given my odds of being around longer term aren’t overly great I was really hoping for a Super Bowl this year because I am not certain if I get a next season. Having said all that, and I am fine as i am in my 50s and have had a great life, seeing a young man in that situation really broke me. I have shed a few tears about the cancer, but nothing like what I have shed for Damar. Him surviving would be greater than a SB victory for me personally. I have worked as a volunteer with teens for decades and when one of them achieves her / his dreams it is so rewarding for all that were involved with her / him making it. By all accounts he is a solid young man and I want with all that is in me for him to survive and thrive.

[BADOLBILZ]

4 hours ago, Motorin' said:

 

"The NFL announced Tuesday that it planned to play this weekend’s games as scheduled. However, the situation is subject to change as the circumstances surrounding Hamlin, as well as both teams, continue to evolve."

 

I'm saying that I think waiting to hear from coach on what the team needs moving forward. 

 

I don't know what that is, as I'm not Coach McDermott. 

 

 

When they are on the field next.........they will want passionate support.