[Vague Title] Fun

[SectionC3]

How do we get back to having it?  

 

It seems like a lot of Bills fandom has been joyless since last January.  It’s not entirely necessary to re-hash, but we’ve been through 13 seconds, the Tops massacre, Kim Pegula, an alleged gang rapist punter, Dane Jackson getting carted off, two blizzards, Murph, Damar Hamlin, the alleged drama involving a former companion of a certain player, the Bengals disaster, Josh/Stef drama, the self-inflicted mess last night, and now this allegation that Terry made a pretty awful comment that, if true, frankly would threaten his standing in the league.  At some point enough is enough and the whole thing is going to fall apart.  

 

So, my question is (fully mindful of the fact that rock bottom always has a trap door), what makes this fun and enjoyable again, for fans and for the team?  I have to say, I’m burned out by it all, and this is just entertainment for me.  I can’t imagine living it on a day-to-day basis.  So how does joy return to Bills football?

[Success]

High expectations are the enemy of fun.

 

Just ditch 'em.  It's not as easy as it sounds, but I'm working on it.  We have a good team - which is more than we could say for 2 decades.  They will win a lot of games. They could get hot in January and go on a run.  

 

It's easy to lose perspective.  This can absolutely be a fun, entertaining team.  The mindset of "I won't be happy unless we win a title" can be debilitating.

 

[julian]

Treat it like you should, it’s a form of entertainment, I’m not a fan a slapstick comedy so I don’t partake.

 

 If being a fan of any sports teams doesn’t bring you entertainment then walk away and find another form of entertainment.

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

How do we get back to having it?  

 

It seems like a lot of Bills fandom has been joyless since last January.  It’s not entirely necessary to re-hash, but we’ve been through 13 seconds, the Tops massacre, Kim Pegula, an alleged gang rapist punter, Dane Jackson getting carted off, two blizzards, Murph, Damar Hamlin, the alleged drama involving a former companion of a certain player, the Bengals disaster, Josh/Stef drama, the self-inflicted mess last night, and now this allegation that Terry made a pretty awful comment that, if true, frankly would threaten his standing in the league.  At some point enough is enough and the whole thing is going to fall apart.  

 

So, my question is (fully mindful of the fact that rock bottom always has a trap door), what makes this fun and enjoyable again, for fans and for the team?  I have to say, I’m burned out by it all, and this is just entertainment for me.  I can’t imagine living it on a day-to-day basis.  So how does joy return to Bills football?

 

You left out Knox's little brother, Dawkin's lady, Morse's concussion, and a slew of injuries.

[MJS]

It's fun when the Bills win (for me, at least). Losses aren't fun, but you just have to move on.

[Dillenger4]

win the next 2 games and then beat Miami at home in week 4. That would be: FUN!

 

Put yer hands on yer face OH NO!

[Success]

And, I would add - to get back to a sense of "fun," I'd recommend tuning out the media and all of the chatter online.  

 

The Bills seems to have acquired all of the hate and ridicule, without having the usual run of title success that generally inspires those feelings.  It's kind of a drag, and I never feel better if I listen to the talking heads or opposing fans out there.

 

[KDIGGZ]

Fun is the parade after the Super Bowl. Every game until then is a battle. Having high expectations is a privilege.

[UKBillFan]

2 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

Fun is the parade after the Super Bowl. Every game until then is a battle. Having high expectations is a privilege.

 

But I think football comes easier to those who enjoy it, rather than feel pressure and tension. I definitely think Josh is not enjoying it at the moment; could be another reason he seemed to be seeking hits and heroball yesterday; to get the buzz back. He needs to find another way and fast.

[Success]

2 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

Fun is the parade after the Super Bowl. Every game until then is a battle. Having high expectations is a privilege.

 

There is a New England podcaster I listen to once in awhile.  He makes fun of the Bills & their fanbase.   His basic premise is that sports are fun, and shouldn't be taken too seriously.

 

Then, last year, to poke fun at us when we won the division again, he said something along the lines of "real fans don't celebrate division titles."

 

Huh?

 

I celebrate every win during the season. I celebrate every division title.  If a fan is only going to celebrate winning a championship, that is a long, sad life of sports viewing. Even for the most blessed fanbases.

 

And it's why I don't envy Patriots Nation anymore.  They have had a re-set since Brady got there, and it's title or bust for every fan there.  I'm jealous of their past success - but not of how the years ahead are going to be for them.

 

[Jerome007]

That us fans have fun or not is our own choice. Some obviously choose misery ha ha. But for the BILLS to succeed, JOSH needs to have fun. He plays way better when loose. For good or bad, he is a big kid. Tense Josh doesn't cut it. Playground Josh wins games. And I'm... serious. Coaches have to find a way to have him focused, serious, etc. while letting him be relaxed at the same time. IDK how Daboll could chew it up openly yet let him play like a kid, but he did it. Maybe it was other players who could help him chill. IDK but they need to get back to that.

[HOUSE]

We need to blow out some lowly NFL  team like the Raiders

43-0 should work

[Jerome007]

Just now, Success said:

And it's why I don't envy Patriots Nation anymore.  They have had a re-set since Brady got there, and it's title or bust for every fan there.  I'm jealous of their past success - but not of how the years ahead are going to be for them.

I'm not currently like that at all, but watching other NFL games, and remembering many of the recnent dark years, post JA17 might be dull, real dull. So I'm enjoying it now

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

The most fun for me were the seasons before expectations. 19 and then even to a degree 20. The ones where you just don’t see it coming and good things feel nice. After 20, it’s sort of like you can ONLY be let down. It’s win the Super Bowl or be disappointed. I truly hate that feeling. Although we are very close to going back to a no expectations zone…but the reasoning is because we just aren’t good. That’s not the same fun as 19

[BillzFreak]

Honestly I've never gone into a season with expectations, I've learned that anything can happen in the NFL and for that reason I enjoy just rooting for the Bills to win. Literally Aaron Rodgers lasted 4 plays...4 plays after a whole off season of the media crowing the Jets. So for me I just enjoy football. I will root for the Bills win or lose because I enjoy the sport. But I will say this Buffalo finds more and more ridiculous ways to lose games, so I understand why people are hurt and angry after we lost like we did last night and the plethora of other times it's happened.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Winning 

[Mr. WEO]

Can we not cheapen the losses  the Topps massacre families suffered by bizarrely lumping it in to excuses for the Bills not showing up the for Bengals game last year?

 

for chrissakes.  it's disgusting.

[RunTheBall]

Just win baby

 

In terms of the Bills, it solves everything 

[uticaclub]

The last few years were fun. This year will just be frustrating and fully of misery. This team peaked, simple as that. Too many wasted & missed drafted picks, terrible allocation of FA money and awful gameday management has finally caught up with us. Everything is on Josh and if he isn't Superman, we lose. New coach/New GM/New expectations and it will be fun again

Edited September 12, 2023 by uticaclub

[Lost]

48 minutes ago, Success said:

High expectations are the enemy of fun.

 

Just ditch 'em.  It's not as easy as it sounds, but I'm working on it.  We have a good team - which is more than we could say for 2 decades.  They will win a lot of games. They could get hot in January and go on a run.  

 

It's easy to lose perspective.  This can absolutely be a fun, entertaining team.  The mindset of "I won't be happy unless we win a title" can be debilitating.

 

 

I'd be okay with a good team that loses an occasional close hard fought battle in a hostile environment.  But these very Billsy losses have a cumulative effect on the psyche.   It's hard to endure.