ndirish1978 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. Nope, can't slam you for this. I tend to be the eternal optimist type, but the organization simply hasn't given me a reason to have faith in the team. I'm not one of those people that will rant about how we're destined to never be a winner (teams can turn it around pretty quick), but things are certainly not looking up at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. Thing is, this team went 7-9 in 07 with a young team and injuries. Fast forward to 08, and with ultimately the league's second easiest scheduled only managed to duplicate their previous season's final record. 2009 already looks like an uphill challenge. ATL, NO, CAR, TB, HOU, IND, JAC, and TEN. Then NE, MIA, and NYJ 2x. About the only games I'm somewhat confident are CLE and KC. It's a long ways off, but they won't have a simple schedule in 09. I like Trent, but he needs to stand and deliver. Well, maybe not the stand part (hopefully he learned from the Wilson hit) but start making plays. And the Bills need to find players who make plays, not hard workers who are physically limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeJuiceSimpson Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. I agree with you on everything except the fact that drafting Pos was a good move. I think next offseason people will be calling him a bust. I realize the possible crucifiction I may face by saying this but I think the guy is absolute crap. I pray he proves me wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. Right there with you. At some point you run out of enthusiasm for a team like this. Even when it's been a lifelong passion. When you make the investment of time, money and emotion with little or no return on that investment - you find other places to invest those things. The season does look like an uphill battle and confidence in the coach is very low. I suspect that by the end of next season, fandom for this team will be at the lowest level in over 20 years. I'm not renewing Sunday Ticket this year for the first time since I moved away from Buffalo in 1995. Some of the younger fans (under 30) might have a bit more staying power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I agree with you on everything except the fact that drafting Pos was a good move. I think next offseason people will be calling him a bust. I realize the possible crucifiction I may face by saying this but I think the guy is absolute crap. I pray he proves me wrong. Come on, the guy had 110 tackles in what was essentially his rookie season. Overrated? Perhaps. Absolute crap? No way. He was an average starting MLB for us, not a piece of crap. The term "bust" is thrown around too lightly here. It seems like a lot of people define "bust" as simply not being in the upper eschelon of starters at a given position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drinkTHEkoolaid Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 i have no confidence in the direction of this organization. i feel as if there is impending doom at any moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeJuiceSimpson Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Come on, the guy had 110 tackles in what was essentially his rookie season. Overrated? Perhaps. Absolute crap? No way. He was an average starting MLB for us, not a piece of crap. The term "bust" is thrown around too lightly here. It seems like a lot of people define "bust" as simply not being in the upper eschelon of starters at a given position. I'll admit absolute crap might have been over the top, but he's ranked 16th in tackles for MLB or ILB. I think that's pretty poor for a projected first rounder that was a "steal" when we took him. DiGiorgio had 113 tackles in 07 and did it in 13 games. No I'm not saying Digiorgio should start but I think we should be expecting more from Poz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonInBuffalo Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I put myself into the "Doomed" category, possibly for slightly different reasons. As long as Ralph is alive, Brandon's job is going to be to put a "financial face" on the Bills that makes them a viable (i.e. relatively quick) sale when Ralph dies. Otherwise, Ralph's kids might actually have to declare bankruptcy just to pay the inheritance taxes, because unless the team sells, they probably won't have the $$ to pay those taxes. That means making at least $30 if not $50 million per season, so the new buyers will have enough slack to cover their financing charges. Which means they probably won't be spending even up to the cap anytime soon. When Ralph dies, the new owners will be faced with the same situation, except instead of making $30-$50 million per season, they'll just be breaking even without being able to afford to spend to the cap. It'll be a virtual lock that the team moves (probably to Toronto) within a few years after Ralph dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I am not as gloomy as I was a month ago, mostly because, I think I have thought this team has been heading in the wrong direction for years now, and the hiring of Marv Levy (who I love) as GM was the begining of the end for me. Oh, I don't mean I am not a Bills fan anymore, or that I am not going to follow them avidly, just that I am not going to live or die with their every off-season move, and trick myself into thinking they are getting better, until the results are there. Going into 2008, I was one who was sure that the Bills would be no better than 8-8, maybe even 6-10. So, they ended up 7-9. I shouldn't be shocked, but, it was the way that they got there that was so bad. I think the feeling of disillusion that so many have here, is stronger this off-season, than ever before. Nothing, I suppose, another 4-0 start won't cure... it would be one thing if the talent was hopeless (it isn't great, but there are some pieces) but you get the feeling this coaching staff, and owner could screw up the 1985 Bears if they got their grubbies on them... that is what is depressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennesseeboy Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm not at doomed by any stretch at this point. I think we have the potential for an excellent run game. I think TE had a tough go, but will perform much better next season, still think Evans is a possible all pro. Get us a little bit more in pass protection department and Haynesworth and a good DE in the draft and we'll be cooking with gas. Gotta admit at this point the schedule looks pretty grim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramius Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. No, there are lots of us that feel this way. Its very tough to get excited about the upcoming season when you know that the most likely scenario will be the same as it has been in the past few years. In a lot of games at the end, but ending up with a 5-7 in the win column. The Bills aren't going to be lighting the fire of excitement (at least for me) anytime soon if all they do is bring in some 2nd tier FAs and rely on draft picks. Ralph whined that the team doesn't have the talent (cheap copout to keep jauron), so i say to ralph...if you think we dont have the talent, then fuggin do something about it and bring in some talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIE HARD 1967 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 One big trade or one top free agent or draft pick and the excitement level will drastically change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfreak Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I can't slam you either. I am always optimistic every off season, have a smile on my face at Training Camp and enter the season, just confident this is the year. Like yourself, this year is different, so different. What has the organization done to leave any hope lately, nothing. Maybe our best player is a thug who will probably be gone soon, we have a coaching staff that can't win, an owner who won't do anything about it and fans who keep filling the stadium, so the owner has no reason to do anything about hit, he gets his bucks. As it has been said here over and over, we really are becoming a laughing stock, and for someone who has been a diehard Bills fan for over 35 years, it really sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 One big trade or one top free agent or draft pick and the excitement level will drastically change Not this year. Even optimistic fans have been down that road before. Before 07, this team spent money on Walker and Dockery while adding Lynch and Posluszny. The result was another 7-9 season. Before 08, they made the big move (for Buffalo) in acquiring Stroud and signing Mitchell. The took a top CB and tall WR. The result was another 7-9. IMO, it's going to take a whole lot in UFA for the fan base to get excited. When all the smoke clears, DJ is still the coach of the team. It'll be hard for the marketing folks to overcome that one little fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyDingo Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 "Ahem. Well, obviously the game didn't end the way we wanted it to. I though Trent had a terrific game. The first interception wasn't his fault and the fumble there at the goal line hurt us. But he's young and he'll continue to learn. We had a great week of practice; they practiced hard all week, they really did. So we're 0-8, not where we wanted to be half way through the season, obviously, but we've got a lot of football left and we're going to play hard. This is a hard league to win in. Questions?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKOOBY Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I forsee problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGimp Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Now that Jenkins and PizzaMan are re-signed there is no stopping them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndirish1978 Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Does anyone really see us getting Haynesworth though, really? Buffalo suffers from not being a "sexy" major city like NYC, Miami or Dallas. The team doesn't look like a contender and it doesn't appear the FO is changing that any time soon. Gonzalez reputedly vetoed a trade to Buffalo for those reasons. Do we really think we can make a major signing? I doubt RW will offer the kind of cash it would take to get Haynesworth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Does anyone really see us getting Haynesworth though, really? Buffalo suffers from not being a "sexy" major city like NYC, Miami or Dallas. The team doesn't look like a contender and it doesn't appear the FO is changing that any time soon. Gonzalez reputedly vetoed a trade to Buffalo for those reasons. Do we really think we can make a major signing? I doubt RW will offer the kind of cash it would take to get Haynesworth. True, Buffalo isn't a "sexy" city. From an optimistic standpoint, I'm sure there are free agents out there who would prefer the less sexy city. Many people do not desire the limelight. We can only hope Fat Albert is one of those people. Of course, that's assuming RW would dish out the necessary dough in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'll admit absolute crap might have been over the top, but he's ranked 16th in tackles for MLB or ILB. I think that's pretty poor for a projected first rounder that was a "steal" when we took him. DiGiorgio had 113 tackles in 07 and did it in 13 games. No I'm not saying Digiorgio should start but I think we should be expecting more from Poz. You have to dig a bit deeper though O.J... I'm not saying that you're right or wrong but consider this: 2008 Bills defense: 14th in points allowed, 14th in yards allowed, 971 plays against 2007 Bills defense: 18th in points allowed, 31st in yards allowed, 1047 plays against So the defense improved immensely, and again I'm not necessarily saying it's because of Poszlusny but the other feature of this is that our defense had 76 fewer plays against...less tackle opportunities. Personally I think he's a darn good player. As I've pointed out many times in the past I remember the dropoff for Ray Lewis after Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams left the Ravens. Posz is no Ray Lewis but like any middle linebacker, he'll only be as effective as the guys in front of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 As far as addressing the actual subject of this post, I am optimistic by nature and feel optimistic about the Bills. I've beaten to death the reasons elsewhere but need to mention them again: Ralph's Hall of Fame induction and necessary ceremony Bruce's Hall of Fame induction and necessary ceremony 50th Anniversary of the Team and season long festivities associated with it Fan anger over the retaining of Dick Jauron The hiring of one of the top college scouts in the NFL, Buddy Nix and the idea that he and Modrak will have more say in personnel and that Brandon and Jauron will have less Irregardless of being an optimist, I feel these reasons give critical mass to the idea that the Bills will make a push this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJBuffalo Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 We need a new coach before any upper echelon players come here. Do you think Boldin or Housh want to play for Jauron??? Please, I want a fiery coach in the mold of Lindy Ruff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Flanders Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I've been a fan since the '60s...cheered through the good times (Super Bowls) and cried through the bad (Super Bowls) but, like virtually all on this board, there was always "hope" and the flame inside never flickered... However, with me, something clicked following the Cleveland MNF game...something went off inside and left me with a feeling regarding this team that I've never experienced, even during the 2-14 years of '84-85 and at the end of Supe XXVIII against the Cowboys. Something went off, something more powerful than "Aw, the hell with 'em!" For there were hundreds of times I actually said it, after the Cleveland game, I could FEEL it. Some may ask, then why do you continue to hang on to a Bills message board, and that's a good question. But something, and I can't put my finger on it, is missing, and the flame inside is perhaps now nothing more than a spark. Like some have said, maybe a big FA or starting 5-1 next year ( ) may rekindle the flame...who knows. I just know right now, the despair I feel for our football team has never registered such depths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VJ91 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm sure I'll get slammed for posting this, but I cannot possibly be the only one who feels a bit hopeless entering the offseason. The FO has shown no signs of good decision-making in the past couple years apart from drafting Pos. While we were 7-9 a couple seasons ago, at least we appeared to be resilient. In its current incarnation I can't see this team being better than 8-8. Unfortunately, I can't say I hold on to much hope that we will bring in the right people to change that this offseason. This is the first time in a long time that I find myself struggling to see a silver lining with the Bills. I still support the team 100%, but I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Feel free to agree or call me a piece of Stevestojan for venting. I find myself struggling to find a silver lining with our economy. I gotta admit it's frustrating. Anyone else with me here? Oh, EVERYONE agrees with me? Now there's a surprise. OK, too sarcastic, right? Sorry. Well I say everybody just chill out and see what happens beginning March 1st. We might all think we're doomed, but then again, maybe the inner circle jerks will finally do some things right and put together a winning team next season. Crazier things have happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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