offde-fence Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've read this a few times over the last month or so - "To a lot of people this is not an ideal situation for me. But I’m here, and I’m making the most of it. I’m going to make the most of the situation." - T.O. referring to making it work here in Buffalo. He's making it sound as if the Bills are a team that players don't want to go to. Granted, that might be true for a lot of players, and that is what is so bothersome. Buffalo might not have the best night life, or the greatest city, or a lot of the off-field stuff, but it'd be nice if our F.O. could find a way to overcome that draw back with other incentives. Doesn't that bother other Bills fans, that our team should be viewed that way by pro players? It just feels like if we want to be competitve in the NFL, with that kind of reputation, then to counter that, or change it, the F.O. could put up the cash for the right free agents, and make the team a good one, one on the rise. May that be the case for us this year. (T.O. being an example?) Still, does it sound like he's here because he wants to be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThereIsNoDog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've read this a few times over the last month or so - "To a lot of people this is not an ideal situation for me. But I'm here, and I'm making the most of it. I'm going to make the most of the situation." - T.O. referring to making it work here in Buffalo. He's making it sound as if the Bills are a team that players don't want to go to. Granted, that might be true for a lot of players, and that is what is so bothersome. Buffalo might not have the best night life, or the greatest city, or a lot of the off-field stuff, but it'd be nice if our F.O. could find a way to overcome that draw back with other incentives. Doesn't that bother other Bills fans, that our team should be viewed that way by pro players? It just feels like if we want to be competitve in the NFL, with that kind of reputation, then to counter that, or change it, the F.O. could put up the cash for the right free agents, and make the team a good one, one on the rise. May that be the case for us this year. (T.O. being an example?) Still, does it sound like he's here because he wants to be? When you have people born and raised in Buffalo leaving in droves... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've read this a few times over the last month or so - "To a lot of people this is not an ideal situation for me. But I’m here, and I’m making the most of it. I’m going to make the most of the situation." - T.O. referring to making it work here in Buffalo. He's making it sound as if the Bills are a team that players don't want to go to. Granted, that might be true for a lot of players, and that is what is so bothersome. Buffalo might not have the best night life, or the greatest city, or a lot of the off-field stuff, but it'd be nice if our F.O. could find a way to overcome that draw back with other incentives. Doesn't that bother other Bills fans, that our team should be viewed that way by pro players? It just feels like if we want to be competitve in the NFL, with that kind of reputation, then to counter that, or change it, the F.O. could put up the cash for the right free agents, and make the team a good one, one on the rise. May that be the case for us this year. (T.O. being an example?) Still, does it sound like he's here because he wants to be? Seriously, what are the Bills supposed to do? Pay everyone an extra million bucks? Free lapdances at the Sundowner? The city is what it is. It has a reputation. And there are players in the NFL and NHL that won't play in Buffalo because they think the city is a sinkhole. As Bill Parcells once said "Winning is the best deodorant." Build a winner and most, not all, but most players will want to play in Buffalo. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justice Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 He signed his contract, didn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iinii Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Seriously, what are the Bills supposed to do? Pay everyone an extra million bucks? Free lapdances at the Sundowner? The city is what it is. It has a reputation. And there are players in the NFL and NHL that won't play in Buffalo because they think the city is a sinkhole. As Bill Parcells once said "Winning is the best deodorant." Build a winner and most, not all, but most players will want to play in Buffalo. PTR Exactly. put some hardware on some fingers and virtually everyone will beat a path to your doorstep. It is as simple as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Seriously, what are the Bills supposed to do? Pay everyone an extra million bucks? Free lapdances at the Sundowner? The city is what it is. It has a reputation. And there are players in the NFL and NHL that won't play in Buffalo because they think the city is a sinkhole. As Bill Parcells once said "Winning is the best deodorant." Build a winner and most, not all, but most players will want to play in Buffalo. PTR Good post. Look at the New Jersey Devils. They were called a Mickey Mouse organization by arguably the greatest player ever. They were a joke who were consitantly at the bottom of the league during their first years in New Jersey. Now the Devils are a powerhouse three time champion who has only missed the playoffs once in the last 20 years. Now They are respected around the league as a winner and one of the best run organizations in the league. They don't really have a problem keeping their players (Brodeur has stayed there his whole career) or getting free agents. If the Bills win there will be players who want to come here. For now they have to make prudent free agent acquisitions draft incredibly and spend money wisely keeping the best talent but not overpaying for it than if they start to win players will stay and players will come. If you win they will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I recently met an ex-player who played one year on the Bills and three on the 49ers as a back-up in the mid to late 90s. He said the Bills were a much better organization than the 49ers, from the owner to the management to the stars to the back-ups. He hated when he heard he was traded to the Bills and then immediately loved it when he got to Buffalo. Still considers himself a Bill and is still friends with a ton of players from that long ago. Loved living in Buffalo and playing on the Bills and he said a lot of players in the league feel that way. They don't want to come here and then as soon as they do, they love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DazedandConfused Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've read this a few times over the last month or so - "To a lot of people this is not an ideal situation for me. But I’m here, and I’m making the most of it. I’m going to make the most of the situation." - T.O. referring to making it work here in Buffalo. He's making it sound as if the Bills are a team that players don't want to go to. Granted, that might be true for a lot of players, and that is what is so bothersome. Buffalo might not have the best night life, or the greatest city, or a lot of the off-field stuff, but it'd be nice if our F.O. could find a way to overcome that draw back with other incentives. Doesn't that bother other Bills fans, that our team should be viewed that way by pro players? It just feels like if we want to be competitve in the NFL, with that kind of reputation, then to counter that, or change it, the F.O. could put up the cash for the right free agents, and make the team a good one, one on the rise. May that be the case for us this year. (T.O. being an example?) Still, does it sound like he's here because he wants to be? My sense is this a pretty good situation for TO in terms of football. His partner WR is a speed guy who almost certainly demands a dt. There is a pro bowl runner attracting attention away from the passing game. The young QB us not likely to be a threat to the TO personality like McNabb or Garcia and does not have the rep of Romo so TO runs the roost, The problem for TO is that Buffalo ain't LA and this small town does not fit his star needs. However, Toronto is just up the road and it would help to hace him market the club there. He only has a 1 year deal so whats the problem do whsts the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agilen Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I think it just means that TO needs/gets a lot of attention on a national stage, thus Dallas was a "good situation" for him, the Giants or Redskins would have been good for him, etc. Nothing to do with football, everything to do with the fact that the dude has his own reality TV show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omar Little Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I recently met an ex-player who played one year on the Bills and three on the 49ers as a back-up in the mid to late 90s. He said the Bills were a much better organization than the 49ers, from the owner to the management to the stars to the back-ups. He hated when he heard he was traded to the Bills and then immediately loved it when he got to Buffalo. Still considers himself a Bill and is still friends with a ton of players from that long ago. Loved living in Buffalo and playing on the Bills and he said a lot of players in the league feel that way. They don't want to come here and then as soon as they do, they love it. The Sabres' Craig Rivet agrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bills fan Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Maybe it's not an ideal situation due to the fact that The Bills haven't been to the playoffs in a decade or so. <shudder> I don't think he's referring to the city of Buffalo at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zazie Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've read this a few times over the last month or so - "To a lot of people this is not an ideal situation for me. But I’m here, and I’m making the most of it. I’m going to make the most of the situation." - T.O. referring to making it work here in Buffalo. He's making it sound as if the Bills are a team that players don't want to go to. Granted, that might be true for a lot of players, and that is what is so bothersome. Buffalo might not have the best night life, or the greatest city, or a lot of the off-field stuff, but it'd be nice if our F.O. could find a way to overcome that draw back with other incentives. Doesn't that bother other Bills fans, that our team should be viewed that way by pro players? It just feels like if we want to be competitve in the NFL, with that kind of reputation, then to counter that, or change it, the F.O. could put up the cash for the right free agents, and make the team a good one, one on the rise. May that be the case for us this year. (T.O. being an example?) Still, does it sound like he's here because he wants to be? No team with our continued coaching tenure and sad record over the last decade, is attactive to players. I think TO has had a great reception and likes the fans and the city too. If there was ever a time to be disgruntled about coaching, this is it. I think when DJ personally blows a couple games for us and is outcoached weekly, TO may speak up. TE is not Jeff (if it walks like a duck) Garcia or Tony Romo, TOs problem this time will not be the QB it will be DJ. And rightly so I may add. Just a prediction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrLocke Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I recently met an ex-player who played one year on the Bills and three on the 49ers as a back-up in the mid to late 90s. He said the Bills were a much better organization than the 49ers, from the owner to the management to the stars to the back-ups. He hated when he heard he was traded to the Bills and then immediately loved it when he got to Buffalo. Still considers himself a Bill and is still friends with a ton of players from that long ago. Loved living in Buffalo and playing on the Bills and he said a lot of players in the league feel that way. They don't want to come here and then as soon as they do, they love it. It's driving me nuts I don't know who you're talking about. I'm assuming since you didn't state the player's name he didn't want you to do that. Would you mind giving us a hint as to who it was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 It's driving me nuts I don't know who you're talking about. I'm assuming since you didn't state the player's name he didn't want you to do that. Would you mind giving us a hint as to who it was? He wouldn't care if I named him, he'd probably love it. Went out drinking with him again this weekend and he's a maniac, and great guy. But I'll keep you guessing. He didn't play much at all in the short time he was on the Bills, mostly because he was behind two established starters that the Bills coaches loved at that time. That's the first hint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeFerguson Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 He wouldn't care if I named him, he'd probably love it. Went out drinking with him again this weekend and he's a maniac, and great guy. But I'll keep you guessing. He didn't play much at all in the short time he was on the Bills, mostly because he was behind two established starters that the Bills coaches loved at that time. That's the first hint. My first guess is Chidi Ahanotu, but I think it's an incorrect one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've read this a few times over the last month or so - "To a lot of people this is not an ideal situation for me. But I’m here, and I’m making the most of it. I’m going to make the most of the situation." - T.O. referring to making it work here in Buffalo. He's making it sound as if the Bills are a team that players don't want to go to. Granted, that might be true for a lot of players, and that is what is so bothersome. Buffalo might not have the best night life, or the greatest city, or a lot of the off-field stuff, but it'd be nice if our F.O. could find a way to overcome that draw back with other incentives. Doesn't that bother other Bills fans, that our team should be viewed that way by pro players? It just feels like if we want to be competitve in the NFL, with that kind of reputation, then to counter that, or change it, the F.O. could put up the cash for the right free agents, and make the team a good one, one on the rise. May that be the case for us this year. (T.O. being an example?) Still, does it sound like he's here because he wants to be? TO is in his mid 30's and going to a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 10 years. I believe he is just referring to the lack of the Bills success and not anything to do with the City. Usually at the end of ones career, a player tends to chose teams on the cusp of a SB and not a team struggling to make the playoffs. Don't read more into this than necessary. If the Bills win, they will attract FA's period... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offde-fence Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 I think the answer is having the right people in the organization that will be consistent in making good football decisions, from coaching to players, so that every year the Bills can field a team that challenges. Philly, N.E., Indy, Pittsburgh, come to mind. Winning and showing that the organization knows how to do it regularly - that is the way to change that view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiemonster Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 What other people think about Us, Our city, and Our Team, is none of our business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorCal Aaron Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 He wouldn't care if I named him, he'd probably love it. Went out drinking with him again this weekend and he's a maniac, and great guy. But I'll keep you guessing. He didn't play much at all in the short time he was on the Bills, mostly because he was behind two established starters that the Bills coaches loved at that time. That's the first hint. Who is Tony Cline, Alex? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrLocke Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 He wouldn't care if I named him, he'd probably love it. Went out drinking with him again this weekend and he's a maniac, and great guy. But I'll keep you guessing. He didn't play much at all in the short time he was on the Bills, mostly because he was behind two established starters that the Bills coaches loved at that time. That's the first hint. Sean Moran was my first guess, but I know the Bills didn't trade for him and he was here more than one season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Who is Tony Cline, Alex? Decent guess. Tony Cline was one of his two housemates. It's not an easily recognizable name at all, but he has a famous athlete brother. That's the second clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeFerguson Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Decent guess. Tony Cline was one of his two housemates. It's not an easily recognizable name at all, but he has a famous athlete brother. That's the second clue. Ok, so the next guess would be Justin Armour, but he does not have a famous athlete brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Ok, so the next guess would be Justin Armour, but he does not have a famous athlete brother. Justin Armour was the other housemate. He told me a funny story about them. The first week he is there he shares a house with Tony Cline and Justin Armour on Elmwood. It's his first practice and being on special teams he has to be at the stadium an hour earlier than the other players. Armour and Cline change the clock on his schedule an hour behind, and set the clock next to his bed a half hour ahead. So he wakes up and thinks he's totally fukked because there is no way he can get to the stadium on time. He jumps into his car and races 80 mph to the stadium. A cop pulls him over going 80 in Lackawanna and he's schitting his pants. He tells the cop he just got traded to the Bills and has to get to the stadium because he's already late and they fine you $500 or something for every minute you're late. The Buffalo cop yells "Follow me!" and gives him a police escort to the stadium with the siren blaring. Ralph Wilson is in his office with Butler and Levy in a meeting and they look outside when they hear the siren, then he leaps out of the car and runs up to the practice field, which is locked. And Butler comes down and says "What the hell are you doing here?" you're not scheduled to be here for another hour (since Armour and Cline had screwed him over and changed his schedule) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrLocke Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Kevin Williams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Kevin Williams? Nope. New hint. His college quarterback a couple years was an infamous player on the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThereIsNoDog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 He jumps into his car and races 80 mph to the stadium. A cop pulls him over going 80 in Lackawanna and he's schitting his pants. He tells the cop he just got traded to the Bills and has to get to the stadium because he's already late and they fine you $500 or something for every minute you're late. The Buffalo cop yells "Follow me!" and gives him a police escort to the stadium with the siren blaring. Well this part reveals that he's white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeFerguson Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Justin Armour was the other housemate. He told me a funny story about them. The first week he is there he shares a house with Tony Cline and Justin Armour on Elmwood. It's his first practice and being on special teams he has to be at the stadium an hour earlier than the other players. Armour and Cline change the clock on his schedule an hour behind, and set the clock next to his bed a half hour ahead. So he wakes up and thinks he's totally fukked because there is no way he can get to the stadium on time. He jumps into his car and races 80 mph to the stadium. A cop pulls him over going 80 in Lackawanna and he's schitting his pants. He tells the cop he just got traded to the Bills and has to get to the stadium because he's already late and they fine you $500 or something for every minute you're late. The Buffalo cop yells "Follow me!" and gives him a police escort to the stadium with the siren blaring. Ralph Wilson is in his office with Butler and Levy in a meeting and they look outside when they hear the siren, then he leaps out of the car and runs up to the practice field, which is locked. And Butler comes down and says "What the hell are you doing here?" you're not scheduled to be here for another hour (since Armour and Cline had screwed him over and changed his schedule) A relative of mine owned that house on Elmwood. She became friendly with Justin Armour. This relationship culminated with an invite to the locker room after the Bills-Dallas game of week 4 in 1996. It was a rainy day, Todd Collins started, and we won 10-7. Justin didn't play, but Tony Cline did. My dad, three brothers, and I all got to stand around Armour's locker. We met several players that day, among them was Tony Cline, who had a locker right next to Armour. One of the coolest experiences ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeFerguson Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Nope. New hint. His college quarterback a couple years was an infamous player on the Bills. Is the QB Billy Joe Hobert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fixxxer Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Karl Wilson??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorCal Aaron Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Was this person ever on the active roster or a practice squader? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DazedandConfused Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I think it just means that TO needs/gets a lot of attention on a national stage, thus Dallas was a "good situation" for him, the Giants or Redskins would have been good for him, etc. Nothing to do with football, everything to do with the fact that the dude has his own reality TV show. Agreed. The funny thing is that after watching thr beginning of the first episode of the TO show (and after a short viewing tuning switching to something more interesting when I realized the Bills are going to be a later plot line in this "reality" show is that the true measure for TO of how well Buffalo is a good place for him or not is how well it fits into the storyline of his telling his tale. My guess is that if the Bills are winners in 09 then TO being part of this winner is the likely plot line. If the Bills do not win, then the plotline is how TO deals with adversity. If there is something else going on in his life (will TO marry or settle down for example) TO is likely fine as a Bill as his dealing with the team will be background noise rather than major plot. If on the other hand the team does not do well and there are no other significant plotlines then my guess is TO acts a fool to make for interesting TV. The answer for the Bills is the same as always. Just win baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Was this person ever on the active roster or a practice squader? Not sure. I know he didn't start any games, and he was on the team less than the full season. He said the Bills traded him back to the 49ers at the end of the season. I know he was on the team and was there for awhile as he told me all kinds of pretty specific stories of the players and the coaches and going back to alumni games, etc. And to this day, he keeps sending Bills hats and jerseys to his brother who yells at him that he was a 49er, what is he sending Bills hats for, to which he says he considers himself a Bill. His brother confirmed this to me. Another clue, his brother was an all-star player in a different sport. Last Saturday night, the second night I went out partying with him we were both liquored up and I mentioned Andre Reed. Even though it was about 1 am, he says, "Let's call him!" He shows me Andre's number on his phone, calls him and puts it on speaker phone next to my ear. It's pretty funny and Andre's voicemail comes on but he says, "This is Andre... blah blah blah" and I can recognize his voice so I knew it was him. The first night I was out drinking with him he had told me he was still good friends with Andre from that one season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeFerguson Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Not sure. I know he didn't start any games, and he was on the team less than the full season. He said the Bills traded him back to the 49ers at the end of the season. I know he was on the team and was there for awhile as he told me all kinds of pretty specific stories of the players and the coaches and going back to alumni games, etc. And to this day, he keeps sending Bills hats and jerseys to his brother who yells at him that he was a 49er, what is he sending Bills hats for, to which he says he considers himself a Bill. His brother confirmed this to me. Another clue, his brother was an all-star player in a different sport. Last Saturday night, the second night I went out partying with him we were both liquored up and I mentioned Andre Reed. Even though it was about 1 am, he says, "Let's call him!" He shows me Andre's number on his phone, calls him and puts it on speaker phone next to my ear. It's pretty funny and Andre's voicemail comes on but he says, "This is Andre... blah blah blah" and I can recognize his voice so I knew it was him. The first night I was out drinking with him he had told me he was still good friends with Andre from that one season. Did this guy play offense or defense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorCal Aaron Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 We're looking at 1995 because that's the only year Armour was on the Bills (Cline 95-97 , Marv's last year was 97). If he played with Gunrack, he wasn't on the active roster in 1995 (no Huskies on the 1995 roster). I doubt this guy was anything more than a PSer. He probably was plucked or signed as a FA, then let go and reacquired by the 49ers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rstencel Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Was thinking Darren Walker then realized the dates talking about, and realize dont even have a good guess other than Olandis Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 We're looking at 1995 because that's the only year Armour was on the Bills (Cline 95-97 , Marv's last year was 97). If he played with Gunrack, he wasn't on the active roster in 1995 (no Huskies on the 1995 roster). I doubt this guy was anything more than a PSer. He probably was plucked or signed as a FA, then let go and reacquired by the 49ers. It was 1996. Armour was still on the Bills I think for the whole season, he just didn't play. He might have been hurt. The next year, 1997, he went to the Eagles. He could have been a PSer, I don't know. He was on defense though. The QB wasn't gunrack, he was more famous and more infamous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorCal Aaron Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Spartacus Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 It was 1996. Armour was still on the Bills I think for the whole season, he just didn't play. He might have been hurt. The next year, 1997, he went to the Eagles. He could have been a PSer, I don't know. He was on defense though. The QB wasn't gunrack, he was more famous and more infamous. Brad Lamb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeFerguson Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I give up. So do I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 It's listed in this article. Is this our very own Kultarr? http://www.ipass.net/kultarr/offseasonanalysis.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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