Dr. K Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 This may be a useless post, but I've been thinking about this particular version of the Buffalo Bills and I just have the feeling that this time it is not a mirage: this team is going to get to be VERY GOOD. There may be some surprises on personnel, and they will have to draft well next year and the year after. But there's something about these guys that has me believing. And I say this having predicted last winter that they would be lucky to win three games this season, later revising to five. I was not impressed with the hire of Marone and had no faith they would have anyone who could play quarterback. But I take all that back now. I think Marone may not be the smartest coach in the NFL, but he knows something about people, not to say young football players. His emotional but straight-from-the-shoulder style will I think really work with this team, and the players are going to play way above people's expectations of them. I'm thinking, barring catastrophic injuries (and maybe not even then), this is a winning football team this season, a good bet for the playoffs and maybe more. If I were a Pats fan, I would not be feeling so smug about the next meeting of the two teams, even though it will be in Foxboro. That's about all I have to say, for whatever it may be worth, which probably isn't much. As you were, men.
filthymcnasty08 Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 "this is a winning football team this season, a good bet for the playoffs and maybe more" Crawl - Walk - Run - Sprint - Superbowl ^^^^ (^^^^ - Denotes our current state) I love the optimism brotha....lets win 2 in a row....re-evaluate then.
White Linen Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 This may be a useless post, but I've been thinking about this particular version of the Buffalo Bills and I just have the feeling that this time it is not a mirage: this team is going to get to be VERY GOOD. There may be some surprises on personnel, and they will have to draft well next year and the year after. But there's something about these guys that has me believing. And I say this having predicted last winter that they would be lucky to win three games this season, later revising to five. I was not impressed with the hire of Marone and had no faith they would have anyone who could play quarterback. But I take all that back now. I think Marone may not be the smartest coach in the NFL, but he knows something about people, not to say young football players. His emotional but straight-from-the-shoulder style will I think really work with this team, and the players are going to play way above people's expectations of them. I'm thinking, barring catastrophic injuries (and maybe not even then), this is a winning football team this season, a good bet for the playoffs and maybe more. If I were a Pats fan, I would not be feeling so smug about the next meeting of the two teams, even though it will be in Foxboro. That's about all I have to say, for whatever it may be worth, which probably isn't much. As you were, men. I can certainly appreciate your optimism but to say we're a "good bet for the playoffs and maybe more" is a terrible bet. This team struggled to win against an awful Carolina team and lost to a NE team that was at it's worst. I'm not down on us but we're not a playoff team and beyond. I actually think we're more talented than both teams we played so far and barely won one of those games. To me that means a lot has to come together and we're cautiously bringing EJ along. That's not a team poised for the playoffs and beyond. The future looks bright but the future isn't this year I'm afraid. I've said this a million times if I've said it once, great teams have a great QB and a head coach and QB with a great relationship. EJ appears to have the skills on the field and the mind to become a real good QB. Marrone and EJ seem to have the individual personalities to achieve the desired relationship needed to lead this team together. For those reasons I think you we can believe the "same old Bills" era is over. How far we take it from there is all on EJ's shoulders.
Wazzu Bill Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 (edited) I'm thinking, barring catastrophic injuries (and maybe not even then), this is a winning football team this season, a good bet for the playoffs and maybe more. If I were a Pats fan, I would not be feeling so smug about the next meeting of the two teams, even though it will be in Foxboro. I agree completely...although I'm not sure if I would put any money on us making the playoffs this year. HOWEVER there is a difference between this rebuilding season and previous rebuilding seasons...where before it was "we need new players at every position and coaching staff" it's now "we have good players here and there, all we need is a few holes to fill and we'll have a sure playoff contending team" That being said, the AFC is really up in the air this year so who knows? Edited September 19, 2013 by iEat_Phins
DerekJ Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 I can certainly appreciate your optimism but to say we're a "good bet for the playoffs and maybe more" is a terrible bet. This team struggled to win against an awful Carolina team and lost to a NE team that was at it's worst. I'm not down on us but we're not a playoff team and beyond. I actually think we're more talented than both teams we played so far and barely won one of those games. To me that means a lot has to come together and we're cautiously bringing EJ along. That's not a team poised for the playoffs and beyond. The future looks bright but the future isn't this year I'm afraid. I've said this a million times if I've said it once, great teams have a great QB and a head coach and QB with a great relationship. EJ appears to have the skills on the field and the mind to become a real good QB. Marrone and EJ seem to have the individual personalities to achieve the desired relationship needed to lead this team together. For those reasons I think you we can believe the "same old Bills" era is over. How far we take it from there is all on EJ's shoulders. Totally agree. Right now, I have that same feeling that I had in the late 80s that tells me there is something different about this team. Playoffs this year is a stretch though I would be more than pleased it it was to come to pass. Realistically, this team is finding its way. EJ is more than a project but quite a bit less than the polished QB we had in Kelly back then. I like the pace with which the coaches are bringing him along. I'm looking more for competitiveness with steady improvement out of the team this year. I'll probably be on the edge of my seat all season. Once I go back to pacing, muttering to myself and screaming at the TV, I'll know that the Bills have finally arrived.
Dr. K Posted September 19, 2013 Author Posted September 19, 2013 I can certainly appreciate your optimism but to say we're a "good bet for the playoffs and maybe more" is a terrible bet. This team struggled to win against an awful Carolina team and lost to a NE team that was at it's worst. I'm not down on us but we're not a playoff team and beyond. I actually think we're more talented than both teams we played so far and barely won one of those games. To me that means a lot has to come together and we're cautiously bringing EJ along. That's not a team poised for the playoffs and beyond. The future looks bright but the future isn't this year I'm afraid. I've said this a million times if I've said it once, great teams have a great QB and a head coach and QB with a great relationship. EJ appears to have the skills on the field and the mind to become a real good QB. Marrone and EJ seem to have the individual personalities to achieve the desired relationship needed to lead this team together. For those reasons I think you we can believe the "same old Bills" era is over. How far we take it from there is all on EJ's shoulders. I think yours is a more rational estimation than mine, and if I were betting I'd take your advice over mine. I am basing my estimation a bit on intangibles. I just feel that these young players are going to respond to Marone's style of coaching. I believe, like Marone, that talent is essential, but that esprit d'corps or motivation makes a difference in the end. I expect these players to learn rapidly and play hard. I of course don't and can't guarantee anything. I just have a feeling, based on what we've seen and how they've responded. Did you see the clip on the bills website of Marone's postgame talk to the playersa? A moment at the very end struck me, when one of the players, walking away from the huddle of players after Marone is finished and Kyle Williams gives him the game ball, says, "That's what I'm talking about." The sound of that just speaks to me of a big change in attitude. We'll see whether this means anything at all.
Prickly Pete Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 I think the NFL is full of mediocre teams, and that the Bills defense will be good enough to keep the team in almost every game. If the offense progresses nicely, they can make the playoffs. I wanna see a couple more games to get a feel for this team. After the first quarter of the season, we should have some kind of idea what the team can do.
billsfan89 Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 I just hope for .500 or better and EJ looks legit
zazie Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 the upcoming game will tell the story - Geno vs. EJ. If the Bills made the right choice will be evident in the head to head.
PromoTheRobot Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 It's great to see so many people upbeat on the Bills again, and I do think they are getting better. Just keep in mind they are still a young team and they are going to have some bad moments. Try not to freak out when they happen. PTR
Dragonborn10 Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 7-9 with a lot of "if only" moments 1. If only Stevie doesn't drop third down pass..
Nanker Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 It's great to see so many people upbeat on the Bills again, and I do think they are getting better. Just keep in mind they are still a young team and they are going to have some bad moments. Try not to freak out when they happen. PTR THIS crowd? Are you kidding? That's gonna be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtyByefOvgQ
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