eball Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 The combined record of the Bills' 2008 opponents, sans New England, was a paltry 0.371 last season. The schedule is favorable in many ways -- no 3-game road trips, a relatively "easy" start, and heavy on divisional matchups late in the season when the team "should" be clicking. Also, it has been confirmed by Chris Brown that no Bills' opponent plays Buffalo after their bye week. With a solid draft and some good luck on the injury front, the Bills have no excuses for not finishing at least 11-5 and ending the longest playoff drought in team history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 I am agreeable to this perspective. Now we wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Spartacus Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 The home game in Toronto is a given WIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndirish1978 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Time to unleash the Mansters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 agreed. time to prove it. Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinky finger Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 I have us struggling to win 10 if EVERYTHING goes our way......which it won't. 8-8 anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Am I the only one who believes "strength of schedule" is one of the most worthless things on which to base any topic? Nothing personal, eball, but we're not playing last year's rosters, so last year's win/loss stats are worthless to this year's team. Why do people keep bringing this incredibly deceiving stat into conversations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Why do people keep bringing this incredibly deceiving stat into conversations? I am guessing that there are several reasons. Can't you think of one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Am I the only one who believes "strength of schedule" is one of the most worthless things on which to base any topic? Nothing personal, eball, but we're not playing last year's rosters, so last year's win/loss stats are worthless to this year's team. Why do people keep bringing this incredibly deceiving stat into conversations? Who would we rather play -- playoff teams from last year, or also-rans? Sure, some of the bad teams will improve, but will they suddenly become the Pats*? Unlikely. It's not the be-all-end-all stat some would have you believe, but geez -- 0.371 sucks. The Bills have got to take advantage of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 I am guessing that there are several reasons. Can't you think of one? One reason is probably that they want to draft a CB in the first round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Who would we rather play -- playoff teams from last year, or also-rans? If the team can't figure out how to beat NE* at least once, or really win the winnable games against the Lions or Browns of the world, or close out a 24-13 lead going into the fourth quarter in a home game, it doesn't matter what the records were on the other side of the ball the previous year. In 2006, the Browns were 4-12. The Giants were 8-8. The Broncos were 9-7. No playoffs for any of them in 2006. But three critical Bills losses in 2007. There's a difference between getting beat and losing, and until we can beat the teams we're supposed to beat, or take advantage of a special situation like the game against Dallas last year, then it's all just a waste of a discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 If the team can't figure out how to beat NE* at least once, or really win the winnable games against the Lions or Browns of the world, or close out a 24-13 lead going into the fourth quarter in a home game, it doesn't matter what the records were on the other side of the ball the previous year. In 2006, the Browns were 4-12. The Giants were 8-8. The Broncos were 9-7. No playoffs for any of them in 2006. But three critical Bills losses in 2007. There's a difference between getting beat and losing, and until we can beat the teams we're supposed to beat, or take advantage of a special situation like the game against Dallas last year, then it's all just a waste of a discussion. I hear what you're saying. I suppose that inherent in my original post is the notion that this is now the third year of the Jauron regime and there are truly "no excuses" other than going out and doing just what you suggest -- beating the teams you should beat and moving on. No longer can we say "these aren't Jauron's players" or they have to "learn a new system." There is some continuity that, when combined with a very favorable schedule (non-playoff teams), leads to my assessment that 2008 is put-up-or-shut-up time for these Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 I hear what you're saying. I suppose that inherent in my original post is the notion that this is now the third year of the Jauron regime and there are truly "no excuses" other than going out and doing just what you suggest -- beating the teams you should beat and moving on. No longer can we say "these aren't Jauron's players" or they have to "learn a new system." I agree with all of this. My biggest fear where our team is concerned this year is that we shiit the bed, don't make the playoffs, and have to start over again with new coaches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 The combined record of the Bills' 2008 opponents, sans New England, was a paltry 0.371 last season. The schedule is favorable in many ways -- no 3-game road trips, a relatively "easy" start, and heavy on divisional matchups late in the season when the team "should" be clicking. Also, it has been confirmed by Chris Brown that no Bills' opponent plays Buffalo after their bye week. With a solid draft and some good luck on the injury front, the Bills have no excuses for not finishing at least 11-5 and ending the longest playoff drought in team history. A gift for Ralph, eh? Buyer's (CBA) remorse?, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 I agree with all of this. My biggest fear where our team is concerned this year is that we shiit the bed, don't make the playoffs, and have to start over again with new coaches. Amen. I'm trying to convince myself that's just not an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 But Trent is only in his second year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 The combined record of the Bills' 2008 opponents, sans New England, was a paltry 0.371 last season. The schedule is favorable in many ways -- no 3-game road trips, a relatively "easy" start, and heavy on divisional matchups late in the season when the team "should" be clicking. Also, it has been confirmed by Chris Brown that no Bills' opponent plays Buffalo after their bye week. With a solid draft and some good luck on the injury front, the Bills have no excuses for not finishing at least 11-5 and ending the longest playoff drought in team history. Make sure to let those teams remember to stay bad.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Am I the only one who believes "strength of schedule" is one of the most worthless things on which to base any topic? Nothing personal, eball, but we're not playing last year's rosters, so last year's win/loss stats are worthless to this year's team. Why do people keep bringing this incredibly deceiving stat into conversations? We still win though. I think we actually win because our defense is going over the top this year and our offense improves marginally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 But Trent is only in his second year A decision presumably made by a coach going into his third year after two years of complete mediocrity. A coach, by the way, who has admitted that his nutsack is on the line this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 But Trent is only in his second year True. I hope that he doesn't suck after 4 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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