vorpma

Tom Day played Basketball at North Tonawanda High School in January of 1966, during the game he grabbed a wig and dancerd AK Flip Wilson. During the dance he grabbed me and danced with me out on the court. The crowd loved it, Tom Day was not only a great ball player but a great man. The players in those days were normal guys, you could find them anywhere. My Dad use to play Eucker with Tom Janik, John Mazur (Bills Coach) and Ernie Warlick. I really miss the old AFL.

I not only remember this game, I attended it. Think I was 14 at the time.

Lou Saban needs to be on the wall; understand RW's opposition but Lou retains a critical yet positive component of Buffalo Bills history. Come on Raplph!

Please, give us an open air stadium with natural grass - and mud old style AFL/NFL. Imagine watching a game in December with playoff implications; in the snow and the mud. It makes me cry! Come on, get away from the domed game, football is an outdoor game.[/b]

Sorry, still not sold on the Bills Front Office or Coaching Staff; I see another below 500 season. They simply have no depth and cannot compete in the AFC East.

Are you serious - are you a Bills fan!

A great cover CB, shut down sort of guy. I remember him picking off a pass in 1978 against the Jets and taking it back 80 yards. Thanks for the post.

The only reason this discussion is happening at all is because the economy of New York, primarily Western New York is in the tank and has been for over thirty years. There is a continuous brain drain from western New York and with it goes the entertainment dollar, not to mention Corporations can find much friendly locations to operate from. I love western New York and want the Bills to stay forever, however, the area remains in freefall. I for one agree with Tom Brady's comments about Hotels in the area - just another indicator of the poor situation. When do we say enough and start forcing elected officials to create a business friendly environment to not only keep the Bills - but bring back jobs and business!

I'm on with your first two choices! The Bills had a strong Safety back in the late 60's named John Pitts who was a true cheap shot artist. One game Larry Czonka was rambling down the sidelines for a long run, slowed down to take a shot at Pitts, as in a combination forearm elbow and got called for a 15 yard conduct penalty. The Dolphin sideline, the crowd, and annoucers went beserk.

DITTO! Could not agree more.

I still hate the NFL and the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts - they are not AFL Teams. And Love Namarh for his bold statement and following through! The AFL is the greatest era of football ever! I was 12 years old and Namath beating the colts was awesome for AFL fans - screw statistics! Like it or not I want the Patriots to kick ass on the Giants. Great Post!

Being an avid old AFL fan, I love that statement! And I love all the posts regarding Namath, for me it brings back a different era of football, one that can never be replicated. The AFL! He was still Johnny U!

Len Dawson was phenominal - coupled with Hank Stram they were offensive masterminds. I read they used 18 different offensive formation when they beat the Bills in 1966 to go to the first SB; 26 when they beat the Vikings. Dawson was not known for a great arm but he was an extremely accurate QB. True, Joe Willie gained fame on his big win over the Colts but I would take all the above mentioned QBs over number 12. Great post!

As a old, die hard, American Football League fan I am happy to hear of the documentary and definitely want to see it. Totally agree Kelly had a much greater career than Namath, but never underestimate his Super Bowl win -it was huge. Hard to explain the rivalry back in those days, but it added to the greatness of the game. The flashy, hip Namath facing off against the old school, crew cut Colts. Bills fans cheered the Jets as much as they did the Bills during the Super Bowl, it was emotional. During several Bills Jets encounters during the mid 60's when Buffalo had a dominating Defense, I remember players like Rom McDole and Tom Day sacking Namath is a very gentle manner due to his knees. I attended the home opener in 1969, and when the PA announcer introduced the World Champion New York Jets, War Memorial Stadium exploded in a standing ovation. Of course 1969 was the last year for the AFL; what a fantastic era of football. What great players with character and class!

Jerry Gray and Ted Cotrell!

This is a team that is not even close to making the playoffs, even without injuries. The quick start would have been dosed with cold reality the second half of the season!

Still have to disagree; giving up 400 yards a game and you have to admit they got some lucky bounces against New England. The Chiefs, Raiders, Eagles, Redskins, and Broncos are not true tests as most average teams can remain competitive, bottom line is they still lose consistently in the AFC East. Why has this team consistently suffered the massive injuries over the last decade? At this point in time they do not have a proven QB, an improving O-Line, questional receiving Corp an aging above average RB and the jury is still out on Spiller though not convinced worth a first round pick. The Defense is horrible and needs to be totally rebuilt; the D alone is going to produce another losing season. Who are we going to waste a first round pick on this year, even if the talent is there the coaching will ensure mediocrity!

Could not agree more; 6 - 10 next year possibly.

The Bills are not only not a good football team, they fall considerably short as a competitive organization in the modern NFL. A decade of pitiful drafts, no front office, inadequate and poor free agent signings, average at best starters and no depth what so ever. They were still giving up over 400 yards a game the first six weeks and in the NFL eventually good teams are going to figure you out - regardless of injuries. I am not sold on Nix, Gailey nor the current roster and believe the current coaching staff is not competitive. The Jets and Dolphins will get better and the patriots will remain the monster of the AFC East; we were 1 - 5 against it this year. During the 1990's this team did not go free agent wild but did make key aquisitions that made them playoff contenders - Ted Washington, Bryce Paup and we paid Jeffcoat 3 Million a year to rush the passer on third down. Quality veteran players wanted to be in Buffalo! Until we create a quality organization you will get more of the same? 10 - 6 good grief!

Put everything into the Offense! We do not have a competitive front office, a competitive scouting department, a competitive coaching staff; average talent at best for starting teams and no depth what so ever.

The bottom line is the Buffalo Bills are not a competitive organization, from the front office down to the second team players. Ten years of horrible drafts, poor selection of free agents, horrible coaching from the HC down to position coaches have taken a toll. My family bought season tickets in 1960 and continues to frequent the Ralph on Sundays though not with season tickets at the moment - I love the team and the city. But until the house is cleaned and a competent FO in place, we will keep getting more of the same. I look back on the 80's and 90's, the great drafts, trades, free agent aquistions and not why the reluctance to replicate the organizational mode of this time period - Bill Polian through John Butler. Commencing with the arrival of Jim Kelly in 1986 through 2000, a 14 year period, the Bills went to the playoff nine times, were competive just missing the playoffs four times (in the hunt until week 15), and produced numerous HOF and all pro players. This current organization is dysfunctional and has been for the last 10 years; don't see anything changing for 2012 either.

As painful as it would be, clean house throughout the entire organization and bring in a proven GM, then start from scratch.

We can debate the 2011 season forever, but as great as the season started warning signs were clearly visble. The Bills are (barring current injuries) an improved team, however, not a playoff contender. This franchise has been destroyed by injuries over the last ten years, is it the luck of the draw or are there other reasons behind it. I contend the failure over the last ten years rests with the front office followed a close second by the coaching - the two really are inseparable. From 1987 through 2000 - the era of Polian/Butler - the Bills failed to reach the playoffs four times but were still in the hunt until week 13 or 14. Great FA aquisitions such as James Lofton, Quinn Early, Ted Washington, Bryce Paup, and many other players, not big names but still made great contributions kept the team competitive. Players wanted to play in Buffalo, winning organization, friendly to veterans, and the potential for a super bowl ring were always a draw for great players. The Bills retained Jim Kelly, Thurmon Thomas, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, Steve Tasker, Kent Hully and others for well over ten years. Until the organization puts into place a strong competitive front office committed to winning and a coachiong staff comprised of men who attract winning places things are not going to change.

Did you watch the same game I watched yesterday - offensively speaking your comments are close but this defense is horrible!

I rest my case!