dcjoev Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) Fellow posters... With your blessings, I'd like to get your thoughts on a column I wrote about "BillsMafia." I covered the Bills for a TV station a few years ago and now write as a hobby, so please don't think I'm fishing for hits, cuz I can care less about them. I actually had an exchange with some of you last month and told you I wouldn't bombard you with my articles about the Bills. But I trust your judgement about the direction the team is going in and really want to find out how you feel about the BillsMafia movement. I think it is continuing to gain steam and players are buying in and having a ball with it. Of course, it may be a passing fad, but it definitely helped in the recruiting and/or welcoming of free agents the last two years (Barnett, B. Smith, Mario & Mark A.). I also like the fact that all of its proceeds go towards good causes, like Hunter's Hope and cancer research. I write for BR and understand that many of you avoid it like the plague. So, please don't feel obligated to read what I've written. I just want to start a friendly dialogue about BillsMafia, if you read my content or not. "#BillsMafia is more than just a hashtag. It's a movement and a way of life." Read how it's suddenly changing perceptions of the NFL team and the city of Buffalo. Edited April 2, 2012 by SDS Spam
BillnutinHouston Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 I'd give an A for the content, it's cool and all, but I really dislike the "slideshow" style presentation. Not user friendly unless you're ADHD. Overall, cool.
NoSaint Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 I'll click the link if you promise it's not split into a dozen pages with 3 sentences on each. I'd give an A for the content, it's cool and all, but I really dislike the "slideshow" style presentation. Not user friendly unless you're ADHD. Overall, cool. Sounds like that question is answered. That's how BR gets so many page views. Awful format to read though.
Offside Number 76 Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 I'd give an A for the content, it's cool and all, but I really dislike the "slideshow" style presentation. Not user friendly unless you're ADHD. Overall, cool. As soon as I saw it was BR, I knew it would be a slideshow. Sorry, OP; I'm sure your article is interesting, but I'm not headed to that site.
dcjoev Posted April 1, 2012 Author Posted April 1, 2012 Thanks BillNutinHouston. I appreciate it. In all actuality, I'm not fond of slide shows either and never have been as a reader or a writer. They're just as hard to create, then they are to sift through. But in a case like this one, it allows me to add more features to a piece, like the "Buffalo's Back" video. Slide show publishing also offers more room for headers, which I utilized on each slide (for quotes from the Godfather & Goodfellas movies).
NoSaint Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 On the topic - I like the enthusiasm but I don't get the "mafia" aspect or connection to the team/city/anything bills related. anything to energize, and for a good cause to boot, is good..... But it seems random. Atleast the "who dat nation" stuff down here has a connection to the teams history- as obnoxious as who dats can be sometimes.
ofiba Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 On the topic - I like the enthusiasm but I don't get the "mafia" aspect or connection to the team/city/anything bills related. anything to energize, and for a good cause to boot, is good..... But it seems random. Atleast the "who dat nation" stuff down here has a connection to the teams history- as obnoxious as who dats can be sometimes. Did you read article? He explains the origins.
dcjoev Posted April 1, 2012 Author Posted April 1, 2012 What's up, NoSaint. To answer your question, I never do the 2-3 sentence slide shows. I think those writers truly are trying to get clicks, because anybody can write a meaningless short story. I actually believe that I'm a better researcher than writer and I sometimes write too much, because I dont like to leave out anything that I've found on a topic. Of course, I have a lot more room to express myself now than I did on television. When I was anchoring & reporting, scripts had to be "quick n dirty", without the fluff. It could be agonizing as a writer, but In TV, you really have to let video, sounds on tape & interviews tell the story. Internet, newspaper & TV are definitely different animals!
NoSaint Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) Did you read article? He explains the origins. I've read about it before but honestly it always comes off more as it sounds cool than a true connection to the team, city, or history I guess... I think on a personal level id enjoy it more if it was more of an organic feeling to how it came about as opposed to "coming up with a nickname" threads for players - which is the feel I get. I'll give credit that it's been successful, and I like the goal, I was just sharing my views on the term "bills mafia." I just don't think it's something I'll buy into, but I'm not trying to rain on any parades. Edited April 1, 2012 by NoSaint
DrDawkinstein Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 I've read about it before but honestly it always comes off more as it sounds cool than a true connection to the team, city, or history I guess... I think on a personal level id enjoy it more if it was more of an organic feeling to how it came about as opposed to "coming up with a nickname" threads for players - which is the feel I get. I'll give credit that it's been successful, and I like the goal, I was just sharing my views on the term "bills mafia." I just don't think it's something I'll buy into, but I'm not trying to rain on any parades. We're all currently creating history. Everything needs to start somewhere. I feel the fact it was players (Barnett, Florence, SJ, etc) that really ran with this does tie it to the team and the fans. Just my 2 cents.
NoSaint Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) We're all currently creating history. Everything needs to start somewhere. I feel the fact it was players (Barnett, Florence, SJ, etc) that really ran with this does tie it to the team and the fans. Just my 2 cents. We will see if my feelings change with time. That's an angle I was going to mention but had accidentally left out. The fact is though that buffalo, the bills, players and fans have little to do with the word mafia. It could work itself into the fabric of the team and region but as of now it's still working its way in and not spotlighting an existing thread in the proverbial tapestry. Obviously a work in progress but it still seems more like "hey this sounds cool"when I hear it than something of deep buffalo pride.... But one day kids might know it as something they grew up with and have in their identity. I know I mentioned the who dat angle which has built over time, which this may in it's own way go. I think what I'm talking about preferring is something like the packers-cheesehead movement, where it's grounded in the community, more natural and not just a cool phrase..... If that makes sense Edited April 1, 2012 by NoSaint
benderbender Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 Atleast the "who dat nation" stuff down here has a connection to the teams history- as obnoxious as who dats can be sometimes. The Bengals totally hijacked the "who dat" with "who dey" and that cheapens both. Excellent for making Saints/Bengals fans furious.
NoSaint Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 The Bengals totally hijacked the "who dat" with "who dey" and that cheapens both. Excellent for making Saints/Bengals fans furious. I do thoroughly enjoy that.
DrDawkinstein Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 We will see if my feelings change with time. That's an angle I was going to mention but had accidentally left out. The fact is though that buffalo, the bills, players and fans have little to do with the word mafia. It could work itself into the fabric of the team and region but as of now it's still working its way in and not spotlighting an existing thread in the proverbial tapestry. Obviously a work in progress but it still seems more like "hey this sounds cool"when I hear it than something of deep buffalo pride.... But one day kids might know it as something they grew up with and have in their identity. I know I mentioned the who dat angle which has built over time, which this may in it's own way go. I think what I'm talking about preferring is something like the packers-cheesehead movement, where it's grounded in the community, more natural and not just a cool phrase..... If that makes sense I hear ya on the theme aspect of it. However, sometimes those seem even more forced when people try to tie too much together, and get all cutesy. But I definitely get where you are coming from.
Buffalo Barbarian Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) Fellow posters... With your blessings, I'd like to get your thoughts on a column I wrote about "BillsMafia." I covered the Bills for a TV station a few years ago and now write as a hobby, so please don't think I'm fishing for hits, cuz I can care less about them. I actually had an exchange with some of you last month and told you I wouldn't bombard you with my articles about the Bills. But I trust your judgement about the direction the team is going in and really want to find out how you feel about the BillsMafia movement. I think it is continuing to gain steam and players are buying in and having a ball with it. Of course, it may be a passing fad, but it definitely helped in the recruiting and/or welcoming of free agents the last two years (Barnett, B. Smith, Mario & Mark A.). I also like the fact that all of its proceeds go towards good causes, like Hunter's Hope and cancer research. I write for BR and understand that many of you avoid it like the plague. So, please don't feel obligated to read what I've written. I just want to start a friendly dialogue about BillsMafia, if you read my content or not. "#BillsMafia is more than just a hashtag. It's a movement and a way of life." Read how it's suddenly changing perceptions of the NFL team and the city of Buffalo. Bleacher reports get grilled on here but I like a lot of the articles and feel they are more than just kids having fun. Really had no idea that it was a real group, good to see that it is doing good. Edited April 2, 2012 by Beerball removed link
ndirish1978 Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) I liked it, Solid B Edited April 1, 2012 by ndirish1978
NewEra Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 1333240857[/url]' post='2427310']We will see if my feelings change with time. That's an angle I was going to mention but had accidentally left out. The fact is though that buffalo, the bills, players and fans have little to do with the word mafia. It could work itself into the fabric of the team and region but as of now it's still working its way in and not spotlighting an existing thread in the proverbial tapestry. Obviously a work in progress but it still seems more like "hey this sounds cool"when I hear it than something of deep buffalo pride.... But one day kids might know it as something they grew up with and have in their identity. I know I mentioned the who dat angle which has built over time, which this may in it's own way go. I think what I'm talking about preferring is something like the packers-cheesehead movement, where it's grounded in the community, more natural and not just a cool phrase..... If that makes sense Jim Kelly didn't ever use a machine gun, but it was a nickname. I love the fact that the players are giving themselves an identity. I could careless if the word mafia has anything to do with them.
BEAST MODE BABY! Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 If you don't think Bills Mafia is something to talk about, Mario Williams went from 500 followers to over 12,000 followers on Twitter the day Buffalo signed him. Bills fans rule.
Tipster19 Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 I don't know about the whole premise but then again I really don't care because I LOVE the whole unity thing between the players and fans. Anything that creates comradity between the Buffalo fans and it's players is a HUGE thumbs up in my book! I also appreciated and enjoyed the education of this BillsMafia thing because I had no idea what this was all about. Furthermore I thought you did an EXCELLENT job writing that article, I would love to be able to write about the Bills. Thanks for your passion and thanks for sharing that article with me. Go Bills!
dcjoev Posted April 1, 2012 Author Posted April 1, 2012 I'm liking the feedback I've got from you guys so far and really appreciate it. I have to admit that I held off on writing a story on BillsMafia because I thought it wouldn't last. I live in DC, but grew up in Rochester through the 70's and 80's, when the Italian Mafia was alive and well. I remember watching the violence play out on the news as a kid and asking my Mom & Dad if it was real. I later found out how real it was, when I researched it in college and learned the intracacies of the infamous A & B Teams that existed in NY State. It's true all right and you should google it sometime. So, I'd have to say that the Mafia moniker is a bit surprising to me (from a Twitter standpoint), because I wonder how many of those who came up with it, really know how close it actually was and/or still is to them. Upstate New York was notorious for mobsters back in the day, but many of them got pinched and didn't get out of jail til they were in their late 70's and 80's. But "The Families" still exist and perhaps the BillsMafia thinks that a "tie-in" to the name is warranted, because of their proximity (the past few decades) to organized crime.
Recommended Posts