Success

Summer is awesome. But I appreciate the uniquely Buffalonian perspective of the OP.

Yep. A really good first step is to acknowledge that this should be a goal we all share, no matter where we stand on the flag, kneeling, anthems, whatever.

We really need to have more tolerance for good people saying stupid things - or at least, things we perceive to be stupid. I believe 100% that Drew Brees is a good person. If we want an honest dialogue in this country, we can't create this tightrope that everyone has to walk verbally. It's okay for good people to disagree on stuff. I disagree w/ Brees. I was 100% behind Kaep & other players who kneeled. Peacefully, I might add. The reaction to his comments is so over the top to me. It's not like he's one of the cops who was on the scene w/ Floyd, or that all of a sudden he's this bad guy. People need to chill.

To me, I see it as more of a tribute to those who served when people make use of freedoms that other countries can only dream about. Think about the countries that we see as oppressive - some would throw people in jail for the perception that they may be "disrespecting" a flag or anthem. That's what makes America what it is - the ability to voice dissent in whatever way we choose, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. That's what the flag represents as much as anything else, at least to me.

Drew Brees isn't the problem. His statement was pretty tone deaf and I'm sure he regrets it (he did apologize), but people go WAY over the top in the internet age reacting to that stuff. He's not a bad person all of a sudden because of this - everyone loves to sit behind their keyboards now and act as instant judge & jury of people's lives. He apologized, and people should accept that and move on from it. There are much more important issues to discuss right now.

Exactly that. When you think about positive change throughout our history - most of it started with actions or words that made the status quo uncomfortable. People also have to look at intent. It was a strawman making the kneeling about our military, a distraction. That was clearly not the intent of those players.

Kneeling during the anthem sure doesn't look so bad now. Back then, the big fuss was that they couldn't protest more "politely," and not inconvenience our enjoyment of sporting events....couldn't they just find a quieter, less obtrusive way of protesting? Now, people seem to be ready to take any "peaceful" protest they can get. Next time....don't want to think about it if we don't start talking about the underlying issues, instead of making this stuff about "the flag."

Man, you've gotta be kidding me w/ "fuzzy britches." Been using "fussy" all these years. I thought it was some throwback thing that old dudes said, like "sports fans." But they really are fuzzy britches. It all seems so obvious now.

It's top of mind stuff. All of the other transaction & player development threads are fairly meaningless if the season is fully or partially cancelled. Not sure why it wouldn't be on the main board.

The flip side is that I realize at moments like this how much of a number Brady has done on me. I'm convinced he & Phil are coming back & will win the day on the last hole, with some miracle shot.

This is really true. I find that the Bills being able to play this year is a little consuming for me. As a fan, I've basically waited 20 years for this season. I've endured a lot (fan-wise) to get to a point where a division rival that has owned us is suddenly vulnerable, and our own team is finally built to contend. I want badly to see the script flipped, asap - to sweep the Pats and to take the division, and go on a deep playoff run. All to hopefully bury the demons that have built up over the years. I look at everything else that's going on, and of course feel sort of petty for making sports and the Bills such a priority. But it is what it is, as they say.

I think of it every time I see Gronk. He could have really hurt Tre. And when I think about the circumstances, it was really unforgivable. Late in a game where they had a 3 score lead against a team they owned. And he was just so upset that his jersey got tugged a few times.

In my world, if a woman either likes football, likes pub food, or plays guitar - she is hot.

Diggs COULD be the best WR in Bills history. Which would really be saying something, since we've had some stellar WR's. The man has serious talent. Allen needs to develop that chemistry w/ him that the great QB/WR combo's have always had.

I still think Darnold is the real deal, ghosts or not. I'm sort of anticipating the Bills battling the Jets for 1st place in the years ahead. Seems weird, but there it is.

We've earned it.

Spot on. There is a psychological factor at work when one team has dominated a division for so long. Ironically, the most apt comparison is the Yankees & Red Sox. The Red Sox had to overcome that psychological hurdle - which was much worse given the near-century time of ownership by the Yankees. They did it in dramatic fashion, which I wouldn't mind - but I'd prefer just blowing the Pats out twice and winning the division easily. We have the best team, and it's not that close.

I'd be shocked if he didn't issue a statement soon - but I agree. We've all made stupid mistakes. The key is understanding what you done, and who you've let down, and owning up to all of it. Sometimes, it's those low moments that bring out the best in a person. Here's hoping.

First 4 games are probably the easiest part of our schedule. Just thinking practically. Though, it could be more than 4 games.

C'mon, Ed. Hopefully, lesson learned. As long as he's back for the Pats games.

I'm ALL IN on Allen. I've seen enough to know that he will keep working & improving. He's one of those guys who may not quite make top 10 in stats, but will always find ways to win games. I think he's our guy throughout the 2020's and beyond. This year will tell us a lot more, obviously. They've given him everything a QB needs to succeed - this is the best WR corps we've had since Moulds/Price. Stoked. We waited 2 decades, but we're finally there. Now, if we could just get past this l'il virus thing...

Maybe I'm a homer. I go to some rival boards, and they completely dismiss Allen. They say we'll never be good while he's QB. I feel like I live in a different reality. 6-1 to close out 2018, leading us to the playoffs last year. Playing his best in the primetime games (Dallas, Pitt). He even led us to a winning FG position in that playoff game, before that phantom call on Ford. Guy's a winner, period. I could care less about stats. And the latter will improve immensely with a corps of Diggs, Brown & Beasley. I love, love, love that Pats fans are hyping Stidham and still think they could have the best QB in the division. I remember that kind of wishful thinking from all the way back into the Todd Collins days. Allen is going to keep the Bills on top for a long time - the wait is over.

Are we still debating this? He's a Patriot. He's the worst.

Yeah - that was a good one. Thoroughly enjoyable. Still a pretty bad heartbreak to joy ratio, but it's somethin'.

Same. I used to hate, hate, hate the Dolphins. Seems so quaint now. One of the worst things about the Pats domination is that I've found myself rooting for the Phins & Jets over the years. It's like we're all frat brothers who went through the same hazing now or something. I miss when the AFCE was a division of fierce rivalries top to bottom. Maybe we can get back there. Preferably w/ the Pats on the bottom.