granitestatebillsbackers

Yet another reason we need a .500 season--or (dare I say it?) a winning season this year. Take a look at our series records against the '06 opponents and cringe. We've split with Jacksonville (3-3), and have an advantage in W-L vs. the Jets, Texans and Packers. The rest are on the wrong side of the ledger. Bills Fan: The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love

Read yesterday's item about the Tampa 2 defense. You'll feel better about the defensive personnel we have in place if you keep an open mind. Or have I been hitting the Bills Kool-Aid...hmmmm....

I'm with you guys. Let the "experts" complain. We are going to come out of this draft stronger on the lines, and stronger in the backfield. Now, if we can just get that QB situation squared away...

You want to know the best and worst all time helmets? Instead of asking knuckleheads to hold forth in YAIP (Yet Another Internet Poll), take a look at merchandise sales. In the end, that's all that matters. It's not about the aesthetics of white feathers on green helmets (ugh!) or purple. For every one of us that can't stand the green and white, there are 50 Eagles fans pounding the bar yapping about bringing back the retro unis. All USA Today had to do was put up the top 10 helmets/logos in terms of merch sales, and there's your answer. The good ones transcend city/franchise borders. And guess what? Start winning Super Bowls or going deep into the playoffs every year, and your helmet starts getting popular, too. Amazing! Related note: this is what astounds me about the eternal debate on TBD about the Bills uniform. You might hate the red stripe, and I might love it. You might have your living room painted Desert Mesa, and I might think it looks like crap. It all comes down to $$$.

I agree. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, because this is his opportunity (this season) to step up and be a team leader. However, this is the same dude who declared himself the league's best, so my belief in him is conditional. If he doesn't light it up this year, not only will the Bills be thinking about dealing him, but his stock is going to drop precipitously. TBD readers aren't the only ones who took notice of his comments.

Four ways the Bills can increase merchandise, uni and ticket sales: 1. Lower the prices to a level that decreases margin but increases units sold. More people in Bills unis = more buzz = perception that the team, while still on the wrong side of the W/L ledger, is on the way up. There are other franchises that have much fan love (merch sales) even in the face of losing seasons. 2. Tell the person who runs merch at the Bills online pro shop to get their head out of their *ss. I live in NH and have a toddler. There is one lame jumpsuit available for a kid his size (watch for Sean Quinn in the 2028 draft)--no shirts, no unis, no hats. There are many, many more Bills fans with kids that should be decked out in Bills gear--esp. in the Buffalo area. 3. Offer merch and unis at a discount for out-of-town fans. There are enormous Backers chapters--and other, like mine, that are growing rapidy. You want to get the colors out there (it's not going to happen on national TV this year)? Get fans into the colors--all over the US. 4. Fill the stadium by making it possible for fans in surrounding regions to get to the game by the busload or planeload--even more than now. I'm talking double or triple the number of people that show up now. Package deals, discounted bus tickets, etc.

True, but the rat bastards are watching their team get picked apart.

When San Diego fails to seal the deal and Drew Brees is on the open market, we should grab him. Better than Losman or Holcomb. I am a fan of JP, but if someone better is on the market, we've gotta take a run at it. If that doesn't happen, my fear is that we are going to have another year of the veterans wanting to win now and not supporting Losman. Fast forward to 2007 indeed.

*cricket cricket cricket*

Gotta love those Pittsburgh fans!

A point of information--and nothing more: John Riggins reported this afternoon on the "Afternoon Blitz" (Sirius Radio) that after the former MVPs were all introduced they were herded wayyyyy upstairs to seats in section 700. Apparently, they were right across the aisle from a SRO section. Now, I don't think the NFL owes these guys anything, nor do they owe the NFL anything. But c'mon, NFL. You couldn't come up with some decent seats for some of the best players in the history of the league?! Montana has a huge ego, and Bradshaw's not far behind. It is possible that they weren't happy with the accomodations. Riggins is a class act. Hearing him complaining (a little bit, mind you, and then he moved on quickly) really got my attention.

Promo, I think this is a viable idea. The Patriots, while they play on a single field, have proven that they can draw fans from a large area. Worried about the "fan atmosphere" in Toronto? Fill some buses up with Buffalo fans and set aside a parking area for tailgating. The Canadians will catch on fast enough. I'm amazed at how many people aren't willing to find a solution to keep this team in Buffalo. If anyone thinks it's a slam dunk (sorry to mix my metaphors) that they are going to remain, they're delusional.

This goes against the "conventional wisdom" on this board, but I like the current uniforms. So will the rest of you when this team starts winning again! GO BILLS!!! WHATEVER THE UNIFORM!!

I would love to see the two of them playing. Humina!!

It would appear we have plenty of them already.

Oh please. ENOUGH with the drama. From a die-hard fan with a steelworker father who lost his job on Christmas Eve after Bethlehem Steel announced it was leaving Lackawanna (is that "gritty, blue-collar work ethic" enough for you?), I am NOT mourning today, nor am I feeling any pain. Die-hard Bills fans know there are better days ahead. They may not come as fast as everyone in this "USA Today, just-add-water, instant scratch ticket" sports culture may want, but they are coming. Oh yeah--Dad likes the Jauron choice, too. GO BILLS!!

Me: Hi, my name is Mike and I want Dick Jauron and the Bills to succeed. All: Hi Mike! Me: I am 46, have been a Bills fan for about 40 years. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. All: <concerned looks> Me: As much as guys like Connor Byrne of RealFootball 365 and various media knuckleheads try to convince me otherwise, I just cannot stop thinking that DJ might be successful here--you know, build an O-line, run the ball 30 times a game and build a dominant defense. Me: Marv, grant me the strength to keep watching the Bills, The courage to not cut and run on the team I love, And the wisdom to wear the colors whenever I can. All: AYYYY-MEN! Ok, it is your turn. Reply, voice your support for DJ and the Bills even though it is not fashionable or whiny enough to admit that you're a fan. We'll never reach the numbers that Soprano and the Negative Neds achieved--but you'll be going on the record and when DJ and the Bills succeed, we can celebrate. Our fellowship will get us through this. GO MARV! GO DJ! GO BILLS!!!!

Me: Hi, my name is Mike and I want Dick Jauron and the Bills to succeed. All: Hi Mike! Me: I am 46, have been a Bills fan for about 40 years. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. All: <concerned looks> Me: As much as guys like Connor Byrne of RealFootball 365 and various media knuckleheads try to convince me otherwise, I just cannot stop thinking that DJ might be successful here--you know, build an O-line, run the ball 30 times a game and build a dominant defense. Me: Marv, grant me the strength to keep watching the Bills, The courage to not cut and run on the team I love, And the wisdom to wear the colors whenever I can. All: AYYYY-MEN! Ok, it is your turn. Reply, register your support for DJ and the Bills even though it is not fashionable or whiny enough to admit that you're a fan. We'll never reach the numbers that Soprano and the Negative Neds achieved--but you'll be going on the record and when DJ and the Bills succeed, we can celebrate. Our fellowship will get us through this. GO MARV! GO DJ! GO BILLS!!!!

Oh, I remember the Eighties all too well. You just gave me heartburn.

We're probably around the same age. Hey, the owner and GM are octagenarians--there's hope for us yet! A bunch of us will be streaming into The Ralph with our walkers and Rascals. GO...cough..cough...BILLS!! <taking oxygen>

1965 here. As a five-year old. I had "55" on my Bills helmet. When you start your fan career rooting for a punter and linebacker, THAT'S insanity! GO BILLS!!!

Last time I checked, winning gets asses in the seats. That, or a fiercely-loyal fan base. A non-NFL person looking at this board would think that the Bills pull about 14,000 per home game. Since we didn't really win much last season, must be the fiercely-loyal fan base, right? That's why it's great being a Bills fan. Win or lose, there are going to be plenty of people just like me who love this team and want it to improve, win, go to the playoffs and then (finally) win a Super Bowl.

Wait--people believe that an NFL team that wants to get to the playoffs actually alters its drafting and FA strategy to SELL MORE JERSEYS?!!!! Here is the thought process of 90% of the posters on this board: "Sherman. Big salary. W-L record. Goooood. Jauron. Chicago. Detroit. W-L record. Baaaaaad. Wilson. Cheap. Cheapcheapcheapcheapcheap. Therefore, Wilson + Jauron = same old same old" Actually, Jauron signed for $2.0 million per year + all the Super Mighty Tacos with extra cheese he and his family can consume. *THAT* is what gave him the edge over Sherman. Less money, and willingness to be paid in kind with tacos.

Now let's see if we can all get behind Dick Jauron like true Bills fans. Why, I'll bet that within an hour or three there will be nearly 34,000 posts and over 500 replies stating, in so many words, "y'know, maybe he wasn't the dude that I wanted as HC, but I'm a Bills fan so I am going to support my team." Hahahahahahahahahaha <falling out of chair laughing> hahahahahahahahaha!

Well said!