Pilsner Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) Some here want players with character who can produce. Others want players who just produce no matter what their mentality is even if it's questionable off the field. I know some of our beloved Bills of the past weren't so straight laced. But I'm talking about the Bills of present. Just to get a gauge of the peeps on here, who cares about our present day Bills having character and who doesn't? Assuming production is equal no matter the mentality. I know it's a stupid question but seeing some posters not caring about character much and only wanting production has been a bit thought provoking to me. As I grow older and I hope a bit wiser I think more fans would prefer to have both attributes in our players. If our players can just produce, perhaps that's all that counts in some books. At this point in my life I can't throw all my fanaticism into a team without character. What would this say about me? What would this say about you as a person? Our current team is growing before our eyes and it's being built the way it should be. Life and our team, without character what else is there? Winning without character is just...well I think many of you get the drift... What are your thoughts? Would you rather win with character or without? In the end does it matter to you? If this thread dies right off the bat....well then that will give me an impression too...not the one I would be looking for but an impression nonetheless.... Edited April 6, 2012 by Pilsner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I'd avoid guys with character issues if I were the Bills GM. Especially within the first three picks of any given draft. Right now, my first three picks in the 2012 draft would look something like this... 1. David DeCastro OG/Stanford 2. Mohammad Sanu WR/Rutgers 3. Bobby Wagner OLB/Utah St. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geno Smith's Arm Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) I think every NFL team has some great guys, and some bad guys, and everything in-between. The Bengals might have some of the greatest fathers, giving neighbors, and kindest humanitarians, all mixed in with some bad apples. There are a lot of people involved in the makeup of an NFL team. I'm sure there are guys on the Bills right now, that I would want nothing to do with, and others that I would think are really good people. Edited April 6, 2012 by Matthews' Bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimer1960 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 For me, the concern about potential draftee's character is more about bust-factor than just that I want to root for a "good guy". Players who have shown poor off-field judgement or poor work habits or extremely selfish attitudes (IMHO) bring an increased probability of not panning out at the pro level. I am completely aware that some of the best players in the NFL also carry these characteristics, but there is a history of draftees failing at the NFL level because of these traits. All things being fairly equal, I'd prefer the equally talented or slightly less talented draftee with the drive and work ethic to maximize his potential over the more talented guy that has baggage or poor work habits. Of course, I find it easier to root for try-hard, high-character guys like Fred Jackson and Kyle Williams, but at the end of the day, I am cheering for production at the NFL level and can over-look a certain amount of "terd-ness" in players just as many of us still watch movies by certain actors or love the music of certain musicians even though they may exhibit horrible behavior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) It's all about production to me. The way you stated your question, "Assuming production is equal no matter the mentality.", I would take the player with character of course. Who wouldn't? But if the choice is a player with "character" with a production of say 75% and a player who lacks character with a production of 90%, I take the 90% production every time. This is just football after all. If the topic were dating my daughter, it's character all the way. Edited April 6, 2012 by CodeMonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I would say the most important character trait a football player should possess is Chroise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealityCheck Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Some here want players with character who can produce. Others want players who just produce no matter what their mentality is even if it's questionable off the field. I know some of our beloved Bills of the past weren't so straight laced. But I'm talking about the Bills of present. Just to get a gauge of the peeps on here, who cares about our present day Bills having character and who doesn't? Assuming production is equal no matter the mentality. I know it's a stupid question but seeing some posters not caring about character much and only wanting production has been a bit thought provoking to me. As I grow older and I hope a bit wiser I think more fans would prefer to have both attributes in our players. If our players can just produce, perhaps that's all that counts in some books. At this point in my life I can't throw all my fanaticism into a team without character. What would this say about me? What would this say about you as a person? Our current team is growing before our eyes and it's being built the way it should be. Life and our team, without character what else is there? Winning without character is just...well I think many of you get the drift... What are your thoughts? Would you rather win with character or without? In the end does it matter to you? If this thread dies right off the bat....well then that will give me an impression too...not the one I would be looking for but an impression nonetheless.... It's simple psychology. You want to take solace in the fact that your irrational obsession with a sport you don't play and requires your emotional and financial investment is played by men that you can identify with because you are living vicariously through them. To complete the fantasy in your mind you and others need to feel that these players are the salt of the Earth off the field to justify your obsession and connection with them as they are a fictional representation of the you that you will never be. When they screw up in life you are then incensed and self-righteous about it and once again have a mechanism to artificially improve your self esteem. I only ask for one thing. "Just win baby!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazed and Amuzed Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 While I do believe that character IS important, I also believe in 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances. I know its not a popular opinion in this "I want results now world" but we have to remember that these are young men, young men who deal with a lot of stress and pressure at times. We as fans, along with the media are hugely responsible for this and yet we condemn them. Just because these kids are gifted athletes doesn't mean they are super human, a lot are from different social and cultural environments that people like me and you may not be able to relate to or maybe we can, I can't say. What I can say is that I'm a six time felon, been arrested more times than I can count. I've alienated more people and family members I can count, including my son. I've been fired time and time again and being a six time felon finding jobs has always been deservedly difficult. I'm a drug addict and an alcoholic, two stigmas I never thought I could allow to creep out of my mouth, however today i have no problem admitting. I was given so many chances through my life that I lost count, that is until the age of 31. I've got 2 years sober now, my family back, engaged with a daughter on the way and I own 2 business today, but before all of that though I reach out to help others find another chance. Whether it be their second, third or 20th. Character IS important but ones deeds as a young man should not define them for life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1B4IDie Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 It's simple psychology. You want to take solace in the fact that your irrational obsession with a sport you don't play and requires your emotional and financial investment is played by men that you can identify with because you are living vicariously through them. To complete the fantasy in your mind you and others need to feel that these players are the salt of the Earth off the field to justify your obsession and connection with them as they are a fictional representation of the you that you will never be. When they screw up in life you are then incensed and self-righteous about it and once again have a mechanism to artificially improve your self esteem. I only ask for one thing. "Just win baby!" Wow! That's it. You blew my my mind. I never understood why these people care what these men do in their personal lives. That's it. You've explained. + 100 I don't claim to be holier than the players. "Just win baby!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I like when the Bills win, but it's hard to root for aholes. It's pains me that the Cowboys smoked us in 2 straight Superbowls with criminals, drug addicts and flaming aholes. I couldn't feel good about admiring those teams as they're currently up for parole. "Just win baby" doesn't work for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) I like when the Bills win, but it's hard to root for aholes. It's pains me that the Cowboys smoked us in 2 straight Superbowls with criminals, drug addicts and flaming aholes. I couldn't feel good about admiring those teams as they're currently up for parole. "Just win baby" doesn't work for me. I never understood why fans of a team care about what the teams players do off the field. Makes no sense to me. I don't know the players or interact with them directly in any way. These guys run around and hit each other for a living. Why would anyone hold them up to an inflated standard? So getting smoked by the cowboys if their roster was filled with Mother Teresa types would have removed your pain? Not mine. Weird, but to each his/her own. OJ is in prison now. Does that change your opinion of him as a Bill? Edited April 6, 2012 by CodeMonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I never understood why fans of a team care about what the teams players do off the field. Makes no sense to me. I don't know the players or interact with them directly in any way. These guys run around and hit each other for a living. Why would anyone hold them up to an inflated standard? So getting smoked by the cowboys if their roster was filled with Mother Teresa types would have removed your pain? Not mine. Weird, but to each his/her own. OJ is in prison now. Does that change your opinion of him as a Bill? Yes it does. OJ is dead to me. If he walked right in front of me, what do I say to my son? There goes a great football player. There goes a criminal? Or just say nothing? When idiots mock fan support by acting immorally (is that a word?) worse, criminally, it all makes sports less important to me. Sports figures used to be heroic. Now they just play sports for a living. If your Doctor was convicted for distibuting Oxy or watching kiddie porn, would you feel any different about him? or could you separate the two because he's a really good doctor. I think we should hold each other to a higher standard, football players included. I seem to be in the minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never NEVER Give-up Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Did YOU ever play football at the HS or college level? Overcrowed locker rooms and a great # of guys you don't like - because they're jerks. I remember all too well. We look at the Bills and almost unconditionally love them. But sometimes there's a real jerk or a troublemaker and many call for that guy to be shipped out of town (Whitner, Lynch are the 1st guys that come to mind.) Then there's all-around good guys that seem to be our core - Fitz, Kelsay, Kyle, Stevie, Andy, Eric, Dareus, Barnett, Mcgee, Sheppard and Florence. These guys are the reason we love the Bills. We love them and want them to win so bad - for themselves - we want to see them get the accolades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just in Atlanta Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Character is important. The Bills have this culture now--guys who love the team, are jovial, and non prima donna-ish. I love this team's cast of characters--from the top down. Having said that, I'm not too worried about things like underage drinking and DUIs, assuming the DUIs don't continue (Floyd). And I don't know the details behind Merriman and his previous steroid issue, but he seems like a great guy and I love having him on the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrobot Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Character is important. I just wouldn't want them to be Burfict! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Character is important. I just wouldn't want them to be Burfict! My god is that awesome.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Character guy but he has to have skills. Defintely don't want some bone head like Burfict or Janoris Jenkins who has kids with multiple girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmsmystic Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 (edited) Let's be clear- there should be a difference between personal character and football character. I for one don't care much if off the field these aren't aces- most aren't. This history of the NFL is laced with hard drinking, drug using wife cheating superstars- that's fine. A lot of you people where way to self righteous running Lynch out of town for personal issues or Whitner for being a twitter clown. Those guys can play on my team What I do want is FOOTBALL character- practice hard, play hard, work to get better, study the game, be intense. Edited April 8, 2012 by hmsmystic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SelmonSmith6378 Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Well, character can change over a certain amount of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Character is a requirement. I would hope so. Football skills equate almost directly to football, and Character applies to every facet of life. I can never get behind a questionable character. This is one reason i am a Bills fan. I think we have players and fans of very good morals mostly. And have players here that use use their good fortune from football skills to better the surroundings. now please, make no mistake i have no problem with taking Rothlisburger, his girlfriends like Marcia or The dirty Sanchez out for a good sit down on the bench to clear the head a little! i did not say "I" had to have good character Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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