SouthernMan

To paraphrase Rick Jeannert, "this team is scary bad!" Hope springs eternal, but if this roster and Bills squad were to have any success, every "if" in the supposition would have to swing in favor of the Bills. I think the only chance the Bills have to win a few games is early on in the season when their playbook is still something of a mystery to their opponents. Once it's confimed that there's no receiving corp or quarterback worthy of extra study time, the defenders will key on Spiller/Jackson, effectively shutting down the only hope of a spark. As for defense - what can I say? This scenerio cites a group of 'tweener DE to LB converts for the new 3-4 scheme. That should have our division rivals shaking in their hightops. Combine that along with a very suspect and/or inexperienced front 3 and it spells disaster. And once again, when the offense fails to sustain drives and score points, we'll see a defense quickly getting worn down and sucumbing to injury. As much as I want to be optimistic about this team, it would take a minor miracle for them to be competative, especially considering the strength of opponents on the schedule. Maybe we should just skip the season and start talking about the 2011 draft.

Exactly where is that located? Was it built using union labor? I understand what he was trying to say about not being a socialist. Everyone's so frigging sensitive today, you almost have to have disclaimer's to reduce the risk of engaging in politcal debate. I'm all about capitalism and the redistribution of wealth isn't ideology I subscribe to. That said, it would still be a nobel thing for the incredibly wealthy NFL machine to take care of it's aging veterans that established the foundation of today's league. They sacrificed their bodies in an era of inferior medical procedures, and many are left with chronic pain and other football-related health issues that make their daily lives a challenge. It would only be a temporary contribution by the NFL; though attrition, the older players who fall into this category will mostly be gone in the next 30 years or so. Apart from any political position, it would just be the right thing to do. It's not a legal or political thing. Simply a moral obligation. The NFL, who is always so protective of their wholesome image, needs to get on the right side of this. By "right", I mean "correct". : -)

Bell sounds like every other player - confident they'll be ready soon. All players say that. How'd that go for James Hardy last year? Maybe Bell will be ready, maybe not. I'd be disappointed if players didn't stay optimistic. They're usually working their asses off in rehab. I just can't put too much merit in their high hopes, sometimes based more in wishful thinking than their actual physical condition. I'd lean more towards Wilson's source than from the lips of Bell.

After some contemplation, I think I've produced the answer as to why the NFL draft gets us so excited. Yes, it's boring, drawn out, with little action, and yet still, it's better than baseball, which basically fits the same description. There's your answer.

It's because as a Bills fans, the "off-season" is our season. I can hardly sleep I'm so jazzed up with the prospect of more draft busts wearing our beloved ink-stain blue colors, come September. Who knows, we might even draft a DB in the first round! And as if that's not enough to make you wet your pants.....THE SCHEDULE's COMING OUT!!!! Whoopeee!!! September through December is just the precurser to our actual moments or hope and glory that come with the draft, OTAs, training camp, etc. Nobody can say we suck during these months. Well, they can say it, but it's a lot easier to categorically prove in the fall. Even when we get blown out by the Lions at the end of August, we can still say, "hey, it's just an exhibition - a meaningless game". Of course, if we're on the winning side of the blow-out, "we're going to the superbowl!" Yes Bill's fans, this is our season. The offseason. God bless Ralph Wilson for making it possible. Isn't being a Bills fan the best?!!? The best.

Look, I'm not going to sit through a 10 minute Youtubio just to see who the damn DC was. You mind letting us in? Has is been almost 12 years? Jeezus. I believe that's the VHS tape copy that I sent to Lori. 12 years ago...really!? This whole past decade has been one big sorry big blur of indigo blue.

Two of my favorites: Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head. ... Chuck Norris isn't hung like a horse.....horses are hung like Chuck Norris. Back to Tebow - Here's a scenerio I can see playing out: Bills trade down, say, 10 spots. Get the 19-20 pick and an extra 2nd rounder (maybe). I don't know nor have I looked up the draft position value points associated with it, so don't jump up my ass if this doesn't fit the points thingy you draftniks cling to. Bills take Tebow at #19 and go for tackles/LB/DL in round 2. Will they now look for a dominant Right Tackle with a lefty QB on board? I think the Redskins will grab Tebow at # 37 of they don't use their first pick for a QB. Just my 2 cents.

At least if he doesn't make it in the NFL it's encouraging to know he can fall back on a career as a wet nurse.

I want to say it's because they're (moneyman Littman and owner Wilson) too cheap to pay top FAs, but then they go and spend big $$ on the likes of Owens, Dockery, Walker, etc. This leads me to believe the decision makers aren't so much cheap as they are just plain stupid. There are players scattered thoughout this past season's playoff rosters who used to be Bills, but for whatever reason, the Bills saw them as expendable. They've contributed to teams like the Saints, Jets, Vikings, etc. The great irony of this post/thread is the fact that had the Bills not blown the 1st round pick on Maybin* last year, it would be showing all the signs of one of their best drafts in years. *in my opinion, it's a blown pick because at that high a draft position, the team should have someone who contributes right away - not a project. Does anyone who might want to debate the view think he'll be a starter this coming season? Barring a promotion via injury, I highly doubt you'll see his name at the top of the depth chart any time soon. I'd love to be proven wrong.

It wasn't actually a study, just a collection of semi-believeable factoids regarding weather. Again, for those who missed the point, how much merit is there with the notion of drafting or signing players based on their familiarity with cold. The same weather for both teams. Should a team draft a QB with greater velocity on the ball over a weaker armed QB with better feel for managing the game - all for the slightly greater possibilty of a bad weather game in December? I'll take the guiy with less arm who can win me three more games with his head, thank you. Exactly. Someone who gets it.

The theme of the post wasn't so much about Orchard Park weather conditions as it was about the false perception of frequent bad weather, and the fanbase's (and the team's) mindset regarding weather-based personnel decisions. i.e. - what level of concern or import should be given to weather when selecting a quarterback? As far as I'm concerned, it should have no effect. Get the smartest, best field general available who can run an offense in whatever's dealt to him. What do we want - some poo-say who can only function when skies are blue and the birds are singing? I assume if the athlete has made their way through the college ranks they can throw it better than Peter Brady. If the conditions are so bad (which I think I've established that they usually aren't), it's probably gonna be a day for running anyway, or at the very least, there'll be a QB on the other side of the field no better suited for the conditions. It's a wash. The Toronto series factors into the potential for inclimate weather for Bill's "home games", of which there are 8. Sorry you missed it. If it makes it any easier, let's just say there's a 1 in 8 chance for bad weather that's been eliminated for non road games. If you don't mind the Bills having a lefty QB, here's a possible candidate. Like T.O. - he already has his own reality show....

It was 8 seasons, and that was all that was available from that web site, ok? This was not a serious scientific study, so get your head out of the clouds professor. I didn't attempt to give any "definitive conclusion". I was simply providing some info I thought might be interesting when compiled and viewed collectively. To do a real study and comparative analysis, it would be necessary to get full details about the conditions, and then compare with other team's home conditions. Really, I don't care all that much that I would spend more than a few minutes looking into it. My bottom line was this: in my opinion, and my opinion only, the weather conditions are not as big a factor as the reputation would have one believe. It's subjective and somewhat inconclusive. And yes, you can maybe cite home games with more snow than the web site suggested. I think I said that it was not definitive and detrails were sketchy - just a basic outline. But over the past 8 seasons - how many "snow days" have the Bills really had where the snow was a factor in the running or passing game? I'd be surprised if it was more the 5 or 6 times. Over 8 seasons? Big deal! In my estimation, hardly worth being at the forefront of Buffalo homes game conversation. I guess it's just too easy to overlook the high number of perfect weather days in September and October. Who wants to hear that about Buffalo? The only thing that is for certain is that some TSW readers with nothing better to do will nitpick the post and try and find flaws to show how detailed and astute they are. I'm not a statistician. Get over yourself.

For a while, I’ve been wondering how much the reputation for adverse weather at Bills home games is exaggerated or real. This thought came about because it seemed to me like almost every time I’ve watched a November of December from Orchard Park in the past few years, the broadcast team makes a comment about the “unusually balmy weather”. For those of you who record and save all the games, go back and check them out. I’ll bet the weather is typical northeast autumn weather for the most part. Yeah, there’ve been a few games that were frigid, windy, snowy, rainy, etc. – but is it typical? Is is that much worse than about 10 other northeastern teams that play outdoors? I beleive I've seen more snowy conditions in New England and Denver. Lately, there’s talk around here at TSW and the local WNY gin mills about drafting a QB that can handle cold weather conditions in Orchard Park, and who’s not from California or some such place where they operated in ideal conditions at teh college level. How much of a factor should weather play in the decision, especially considering the inclusion of a December home game under the big top in Toronto? I’ve compiled data from a web site that gives temperatures and conditions for each game from 2002-2009. http://nflgateway.com/schedule.php?team=Bi...amp;season=2003 The weather descriptions are not all that comprehensive, and there were probably some windier than usual days not accounted for, but it gives some idea about what it was like. The weather conditions are approximate and as described on the web site, so don’t jump up my ass if they’re not exact or you remember it differently. I don’t know if this was a forecast or actual conditions. It may also be that when conditions were given as “rainy”, there was a short shower for a few minutes at some point in the game. I don’t know all the details. The idea of collecting this info is to get actual data and see if it would prove or disprove the preconceived perception that Bills home games frequently being played in blustery, blizzard conditions. I think you’ll find this interesting. Here are the findings for home games between 2002-2009: Sept. – total of 14 home games, Sunny (7), Cloudy (7 ), avg Sept temp: 70 Oct. - total of 15 home games, Sunny (7), Cloudy (6 ), Rain (1), Windy (1), avg Oct temp: 54 Nov. - total of 16 home games, Sunny (5), Cloudy (11 ), Avg Nov temp: 48 Dec/Jan – total of 19 home games, Sunny (4), Cloudy (7), Windy (1), Rain (3), Snow (4), avg Dec/Jan temp: 39 64 home games from 2002-2009 Average temp at Bills game: 52 degrees Cloudy: 31 times, or 48% Sunny: 23 times, or 36% Rain: 4 times, or 6% Windy: 2 times, or 4% SNOW: 4 TIMES, or 6% !!! The 2 Toronto games from 08 and 09 were counted as Sunny, with a temperature of 72 degrees. There were only two January games, so they were lumped into the December stats. I believe wind is probably a bigger factor than cold or snow. The Toronto games will reduce that effect as compared to pre-2008 stats. I just don't see that Bill's home conditions are all that unusual that it plays a huge part in drafting decisions. Draw your own conclusions.

I give him about a 1 in 5 chance of meeting expectaions for a high first rounder. I think the chances of him ending up in the Erik Flowers file is a whole lot better than being a starter on defense. There's nothing stupider in my opinion, than a team trying to mold a player into something he's not or hasn't proven with a consistent record over more than a handful of games. Maybin was a shooting star as a college senior. Very little to go on. These 'tweeners almost never work out. The Bills didn't have the luxury of grooming a player for the future. They needed an impact player immediately, and instead, ended up overpaying for a player that'll stick around longer than he should because of his draft position. He may turn out to be a good special teams player or broadcast color commentator someday. Good luck.

HUH? I have no idea what the hell you're saying at the end. Why did the barber want to trade places with you? Because of all your "high end" associations ? She (Ralph's daughter, I presume) would have thrown you out of where? Her hair stylist's salon? How? Why? Was she a silent partner in the business likely to excercise her right to remove patrons for bringing up the Bills during conversations that should stay on topic, meaning Rolex watches? FWIW - Since Ralph drives a Taurus, a Casio watch would have been fitting. On the other hand, considering his reputed health, sounds like she could still thrill him with a nice Rolex, then return it for a refund in the near future. A real win-win for the gal with the new perm! (LOL)

Nost Tackle Mike Lodish. Played 11 seasons from 1990-2000, appearing in 6 superbowls - most of any player ever. Superbowls: 0-4 with Bills, 2-0 with Broncos in '97 & '98. Made playoffs in 9 of 11 seasons, missing only with 1 season with Buffalo in '94 and another with Denver in '95. 6 superbowls in 11 year career. Amazing.

Right on. As a displaced Buffalonian in Atlanta, starving for a crumb of Bills news, it was part of the routine to watch the pre-game shows back in the day. When the Levy/Kelly regime was taking form, and Bills football was getting exciting again, I anxiously awaited the Buffalo News clippings sent from friends and relatives in Buffalo. Those communiques from back home and the ESPN or network (NBC and CBS) pregame shows was the full extent of getting our Bills fix. Later, publications like SHOUT! made it more tolerable, if they made it to our mailbox. It worked great in theory, though the omni-present conspiracy against anything Buffalo meant the US Postal frequently "lost" it somewhere along the way. In the late 90s, the internet burst full force onto the scene, with 24/7 access to any interest you can think of. That was the point at which the pregame broadcasts became obsolete for me. TiVo/DVR capabilities further streamlined the time I needed to devote to leisure and interests like The Bills. In fact, rather than sit down at noon on Sunday for pregame nonsense, I usually record the Bills, wait until 2pm, zip through the commercials, and finish up around the same time as everyone else. That's 2 hours of my weekend I can dedicate to something more productive. I supposed if the Bills were the media darlings of the decade with wider coverage by the pundits, I might be more inclined to watch. Of course I'd record it and skip all the Tom Brady and Tony Romo lovefests, pausing only at the first sign of the familiar charging bison logo. But all in all, I can do without the fratboy flavored gab fest on FOX or CBS. It's like steroid version of The View.

Marching bands? Classic Rock acts? Sounds like a call to Fleetwood Mac.

Finally, someone said it. I looked through 8 pages of this thread to see if anyone said the most obvious answer to the question. That little ol' band from Texas seems like the obvious choice for the first Superbowl in the new Dallas stadium. They're commercial as all hell, and certainly fit the bill for having wide appeal and putting on a rocking show for the masses. That said, they're another one of those bands whose best recorded work was albums 1 and maybe 2, and after that they sold out. Laughing all the way to the bank. Another classic Texan - Steve Miller. Fogarty would have the same marketing appeal as all the recent acts. Lots of well known classic hits and fun party songs everyone knows the words to. Eagles - same thing.

I asked the same question when it was first announced. http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/index.php?showtopic=107789 Getting wayyyyyyyy off topic here, but, it's really the offseason now......so those who don't care to hear a rant, you can now tune out. The Floyed Little HOF pick ain't nothing compared to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame choices, where the electors bend over backwards to vote in any urban doo-wop vocal combo, any early bluesman (who influenced future rockers, but didn't actually perform Rock & Roll) gospel singer, or just about anyone else Eric Clapton or his peers mentioned as a sidenote in some Guitar Player magazine interview. Guess which of these lists gives acts that are in the Hall of Fame and which one doesn't. The selection process is more of a friggin' joke that the NFL's. List 1: Pat Benatar Genesis Chicago Boston The Doobie Brothers Rush The Moody Blues Peter Frampton Cheap Trick Jethro Tull Alice Cooper Yes Emerson, Lake & Palmer List 2: Little Anthony & The Imperials The Ventures Grandmaster Flash Isaac Hayes The Staple Singers Frankie Lyman & The Teenagers The Impressions The Righteous Brothers Dinah Washington Bessie Smith Ma Rainey You'd think whomever is voting would at least know the definition of Rock & Roll. Yeah, I understand that the second list has several on it whose blues or gospel roots influenced future rockers, BUT THEY WEREN"T ROCKERS themselves. Nowhere will you find Bessie Smith defined as a Rock & Roll singer - which would have been impossible, since she died nearly 20 years before Rock & Roll was born! If influential people are the criteria, why don't they just induct John Lennon's Aunt Mimi for crissakes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Little I remember him as a player for the Broncos. A shifty little guy who could catch the ball as good as most receivers. A pumped up version of the Bills Mini Max Anderson - who ironically had jersey number, 22, half of Little's 44 number. But statistically, I don't see how he's even considered for the Hall - and now he's going to be inducted. OK, in 9 seasons he topped 1000 yards once - I'll give him that. Good for him, but to me, he was just another "pretty good" back from the 60s-70s era. Here's his rushing numbers from 67-75 381, 584, 729, 910, 1133, 859, 979, 312, 445 = total career rushing yards: 6,323 or around 700 per season. BFD! Are there not dozens of players more deserving than Little? What am missing here?

Ummmm...I believe he's referring to this year's best back- Fred Jackson. If he meant all-time best, that would be Thurman. OJ was the prettiest pure runner I've ever seen, but he was only average in the blocking and receiving dept. Thurman was still the best overall back ever to wear a Bills uniform.

I don't care if we can't get a 2nd, 3rd, or whatever. If the guy's a cancer on the squad, get rid of him - even if it means cutting him outright. He's not that good. I admit, he's got a powerful set of legs, and if he has a head of steam, can drag defenders for the extra yardage, but otherwise, he's useless, or maybe less than useless. His problem is that he thinks he's Barry Sanders and can use his juke moves to create a hole. Think of that Slinky toy you had as kid that eventually got all bent and twisted up. Now think what it looked like if you tried to get it to do the stair-walking trick. That's about what Marshawn Lynch looks like standing in the backfield with LBs converging. I wonder if we can get his mama to secretly throw him in the trash while he's busy at school. Like those busted childhood toys from our formative years, he'd never be missed.

Every year or so, some surprise team cones out of nowhere to make a run at it. The Bills are not that far away - really. They were right in the thick of it for most games. They just need to get over the hump. Not only that, but one or two key players can suddenly make the rest of the unit click - see Bruce Smith. If they go 3-4 and can find a good run stuffer, they're mabe a good linebacker away from a pretty decent defense. Year, I know, they could use a great pass rusher (cross out fingers for Maybin) and another LB or two, but what team has 11 probowlers in defense. On offense, I'd say a QB and WR away from being good (and good play calling would help). I still hold out hope that, barring injury, we have the makings of a good O-line. They're still young. I haven't given up on Demetrius Bell as the LT. He's still young and learning, and he did show promise. Will Wood be able to contribute - who knows? When they can even think about a superbowl will largely depend on how they approach the QB position. If they have to draft and groom a young guy who starts right away, could be starting all over again. I don't see any QB coming out in the draft that could fit the bill. Will Gailey and company come up with an offense scheme that will work with the players they now have. In today's NFL, a team can get turned around pretty damned fast. Look at the Dolphins turn-around 2 years ago. With the right moves, the Bills could be playoff contenders this coming season (Hell, even after blowing at least early 2 games that they should have won, they were still in the playoff race going into the last quarter of 2009, with a complete other roster on IR!!!). Unless Sanchez turns out to be the next Brady, the division is weakening and will be up for grabs nest year. Never say never. Every year some division, and often more than one, gets turned upside down from the previous year. Of course for the Bills, staying healthy has got to be to first order of business. No team can expect to compete with half of it's team in the training room or hospital.

Pretty ballsy to be thumbing your nose at the Patsys for not winning the big game in five years. I mean, considering your team in 15 years later has yet to find the QB to replace Jim Kelly, and the Bills haven't even sniffed the playoffs for 10+ years. What do they have, something like one playoff win in the last 15 years? Yeah, the Patriots can just jump up my ass!!! THEY SUCK - we rule!!!!