Dr. Trooth Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Hi all. The voice of reality 'weighin in'. I know, I haven't posted in a long time. To explain, about a year ago, after being a Bills fan for a bizillion years and going through the last 13 or so years of futility... the absolute worst stretch of football in Bills history, I came to the realization that it's likely not going to change for quite some time, if ever... at least probably not in my lifetime. So, I viewed my allegiance as a Bills fan as if it were a marriage gone sour and it was time to do something about it. Of course, no marriage is ever perfect. It has its ups & downs and bumps in the road. But, something satisfies or fulfills you emotionally attached enough to keep you in it, whether it's actually love, friendship, kids, money, sex, stability, yadayada. In a lot of marriages gone sour, it sometimes starts with a separation and then gradually you get used to it, begin to move forward and sometimes find another old lady before you're even actually divorced. That's where I'm at. I finally had enough and bailed on the Bills after last season. By summer, I found a new old lady... the Steelers. After the first 5 weeks of the season, I was thinking WTF? Am I cursed? Why does it seem that I follow teams that suck? Well, I decided to hang in there with the Steelers and was rewarded. In the end, although the Steelers didn't make the playoffs, they were relevant right up until late in week 17, and looking forward, their prognosis with the Rooney's in charge is much better than the Bills. But enough of that. I just decided to get away because there wasn't much evidence to convince me the Bills would pull it together and be competitive. You might not like it, respect it, or care that I flipped. I'm not disparaging Bills fans, and won't, or am I pitting Bills fans against Steelers fans or any other team. Just sharing how I dealt with the Bills suckage. So, now I'll get on the topic of the Bills. What's the problem? Trust me, it ain't Marrone or Hackett, or Crossman (what coach or OC is going to the playoffs with Manual, Tuel, and/or Lewis). As far as Marrone, I haven't seen a Bills coach shake up a roster during the season as much as he has, ever... maybe Saban. I actually think Marrone's continual in season shakeup is indicative of the true lack of talent that Buddy and Brandon tried to convince everyone that the Bills had. Marrone is doing the best he can with what he's been given (a lot of players that have never seen more than 7 NFL wins in a season and seem to be quite comfortable with that). He doesn't have much say in free agency or what they'll spend or how many draft picks they have, and maybe not a whole lot in who they draft. So, where I see the problem, looking at the past 14 or so years is twofold... it comes down to two common denominators... 1) the first common denominator is "Buffalo". The area has been in consistent economic decline since the mid sixties. There was a brief uptick in the mid to late 80's and then freefall. NFL teams aren't financially viable in that type of environment and free agents don't want to come there or want more money than their fair market value to do so. Most big cities in economic decline have turned it around... Pittsburg, St. Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore were once in similar decline as Buffalo but found their way back. Buffalo is different. Turning Buffalo around would almost be akin to turning water into wine because it has to contend with Albany... the NYS political dysfunction and corruption machine. There are 19 million New Yorkers. 11 million of them live below the northern boundaries of Rockland and Putnam counties, roughly 400 miles from Buffalo. The other 8 million New Yorkers living north and west of that don't matter to the politicos and they don't give a ****. As long as they got NYS taxpayer money in their pocket, that's a cash cow for them. Sure, they might throw a bone or two or some candy to upstate once and a while, but absolutely no significant or long term measure to turn things around is ever going to happen. And, wait until the casino money starts rolling in if you don't think the corruption can get any worse. The NYS population is aging, retirees gradually moving out of upstate because they can't afford to live there, and the younger ones are moving out of state as well because there aren't any jobs... and loads of you transplanted WNYers on this board know exactly what I'm talking about. So, will the team move? Eventually, I believe it will. But, within the next 10 years, I don't see any venue that the Bills could move to and provide new ownership a significant ROI for what they'll need to have to pay for the team and make it competitive if the team is purchased in the next three to four years... and certainly not in LA where no one gives a rats a$$. You're looking at between $1.2 - $1.5 billion to buy this team... and then the expense of relocation at a time when taxpayers are fed up with opening their wallets to big profit centers that do nothing but continually suck money out of them? (PS. the $120M taxpayer money for the improvements at the Ralph was only political payback for the $5 billon Barclay Arena and Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn) 2) the second common denominator is Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon. We all know Ralph's age, and, who knows if he'll be around in 3 or 4 years. God will make that call. And, Brandon is nothing but an extension of Ralph. This crap about Brandon having no restrictions to run the franchise is exactly that, crap. Ralph Wilson is still the owner and the Bills will, and do, operate within the parameters he sets forth. Only things within those parameters are in play. Kind of like a deck of cards, there are still only 52 cards. Not 53, 54, 55... etc. , play em. Brandon, in particular, is a mystery man to me. He's in his 40's and top dog of an NFL franchise with one of the worst W/L records during his time on the Bills payroll. And, he probably will still be Pres. for at least a couple more years. After Ralph passes, what is Brandon's future? I mean, his legacy is one of failure in terms of W/L record. That has to work against him in the NFL or any other winning sports organization. I can't imagine him working for the new owner, whomever that may be. What other team owner is going to give him a shot at a position like he has now if the expectation is W's or even a moderately competitive team? I mean... he hasn't demonstrated he's had "W" success anywhere that I know of. So, basically what I'm saying... 1_ as long as Ralph is the owner, W's are a mirage, and 2_as long as Brandon is in charge, ditto That is not to say that if Brandon bolts to take a high level executive position at Walmart or other corp. that the next Bills pres. will be any different. Ralph is still holding the same deck of cards, and they are stacked against anyone that has a passion for the "W"... And, Whaley? If he's any good, why is he wasting his time with the Bills? He's in a no win situation. I don't understand why he would he allow himself to be put in that position at his relatively young age and risk his reputation and football future. I don't get it. So, there ya have it, my take, for what it's worth. Now that I'm shacking with the Steelers I don't worry about the Bills, but just like 31 other teams, I keep an eye on em. However, I do feel bad for you guys. There's still a connection and I have nothing against you. I didn't flip because of you or anything you did. You definitely deserve a hell of a lot better, and, certainly the drafting of Manual must have been one hell of a roundhouse kick to your gut as a Bills fan. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with that pick for a couple of years before the next guy comes in. I wish you well, but for me, I'm looking forward to a big Steelers rebound in 2014. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Welp. See ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) So, there ya have it, my take, for what it's worth. Now that I'm shacking with the Steelers I don't worry about the Bills, but just like 31 other teams, I keep an eye on em. However, I do feel bad for you guys. There's still a connection and I have nothing against you. I didn't flip because of you or anything you did. You definitely deserve a hell of a lot better, and, certainly the drafting of Manual must have been one hell of a roundhouse kick to your gut as a Bills fan. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with that pick for a couple of years before the next guy comes in. I wish you well, but for me, I'm looking forward to a big Steelers rebound in 2014. Um... thanks? Edited January 19, 2014 by YoloinOhio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Dr. StrangeTrooth or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Steelers Edited January 19, 2014 by uncle flap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Dr. Trooth or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Steelers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 OP: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) That's a lot of typing...hope you didn't do all that from ur phone Edited January 19, 2014 by Max997 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cage Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) 1) the first common denominator is "Buffalo"... Really? All that typing to start with that. So a bunch of men (coaches and players) from every part of the country that are hired and drafted onto this team can't play well because of the Western NY economy? That's silly. By that logic the team should be undefeated in Toronto. Would the team instantly contend for the SB if it was moved up there? We attracted Free Agents just fine when the team was doing well. And Mario Williams last year when the team appeared on the upswing. Hockey players had no problem coming to Buffalo just after the start of the Pegula regime. Robyn Regier waved his no trade clause to come here and Christian Erhoff also signed long-term in Buffalo after getting traded here just a few days before free agency began. The NY Islanders tried the same trick with him the week before, but he wouldn't sign there ... so that's a pretty lame reason Edited January 19, 2014 by cage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transient Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Dr Trooth, you ignorant misnomer. My personality profile is not at issue here, any more than is your inability to achieve orgasm. The issue is the Bills. How can we expect to have the confidence of any football team when we stab one of our most faithful allies in the back. I suppose you'd like us to conduct our football fandom the way you conduct your private life, hopping from bed to bed with anyone that can do you some good. Then what do you have? An old, dried-out scuzz that no decent football team would want as a fan. Is that what you want for the Bills? It's too late for you, "Trooth", but our fanbase still has some dignity left, you hosebag! But I suppose that sort of fashionable promiscuity means nothing to someone like you, Trooth, who hops from bed to bed with the frequency of a cheap ham radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamSandwhich Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Often time's, in a messy divorce, the two parties don't like each other. They remain sour toward each other and are often spew vitriol and hatred. No one's gonna miss a turncoat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills1960 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Last time I checked, teams that draft well end up winning Super Bowls. And coincidently, when you're drafted by the Bills, you have to then play for the Bills. So who cares if Buffalo was a barren wasteland, they're under contract and they're professionals who, believe it or not, like to win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokinES3 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 How does one switch teams? I can understand ceasing to follow the Bills and bowing out... But to become enthusiastic and excited watching another team succeed? It wouldn't be possible for me. The divorce analogy doesn't work. I think a Bills Super Bowl would far and away surpass the pleasure any vagina can supply. I loathe being born into this fanhood sometimes, but I wouldn't change it for the world. You're probably a lifelong quitter Trooth. Spare us your opinion. Often time's, in a messy divorce, the two parties don't like each other. They remain sour toward each other and are often spew vitriol and hatred. No one's gonna miss a turncoat. Indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prissythecat Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Hi all. The voice of reality 'weighin in'. I know, I haven't posted in a long time. To explain, about a year ago, after being a Bills fan for a bizillion years and going through the last 13 or so years of futility... the absolute worst stretch of football in Bills history, I came to the realization that it's likely not going to change for quite some time, if ever... at least probably not in my lifetime. So, I viewed my allegiance as a Bills fan as if it were a marriage gone sour and it was time to do something about it. Of course, no marriage is ever perfect. It has its ups & downs and bumps in the road. But, something satisfies or fulfills you emotionally attached enough to keep you in it, whether it's actually love, friendship, kids, money, sex, stability, yadayada. In a lot of marriages gone sour, it sometimes starts with a separation and then gradually you get used to it, begin to move forward and sometimes find another old lady before you're even actually divorced. That's where I'm at. I finally had enough and bailed on the Bills after last season. By summer, I found a new old lady... the Steelers. After the first 5 weeks of the season, I was thinking WTF? Am I cursed? Why does it seem that I follow teams that suck? Well, I decided to hang in there with the Steelers and was rewarded. In the end, although the Steelers didn't make the playoffs, they were relevant right up until late in week 17, and looking forward, their prognosis with the Rooney's in charge is much better than the Bills. But enough of that. I just decided to get away because there wasn't much evidence to convince me the Bills would pull it together and be competitive. You might not like it, respect it, or care that I flipped. I'm not disparaging Bills fans, and won't, or am I pitting Bills fans against Steelers fans or any other team. Just sharing how I dealt with the Bills suckage. So, now I'll get on the topic of the Bills. What's the problem? Trust me, it ain't Marrone or Hackett, or Crossman (what coach or OC is going to the playoffs with Manual, Tuel, and/or Lewis). As far as Marrone, I haven't seen a Bills coach shake up a roster during the season as much as he has, ever... maybe Saban. I actually think Marrone's continual in season shakeup is indicative of the true lack of talent that Buddy and Brandon tried to convince everyone that the Bills had. Marrone is doing the best he can with what he's been given (a lot of players that have never seen more than 7 NFL wins in a season and seem to be quite comfortable with that). He doesn't have much say in free agency or what they'll spend or how many draft picks they have, and maybe not a whole lot in who they draft. So, where I see the problem, looking at the past 14 or so years is twofold... it comes down to two common denominators... 1) the first common denominator is "Buffalo". The area has been in consistent economic decline since the mid sixties. There was a brief uptick in the mid to late 80's and then freefall. NFL teams aren't financially viable in that type of environment and free agents don't want to come there or want more money than their fair market value to do so. Most big cities in economic decline have turned it around... Pittsburg, St. Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore were once in similar decline as Buffalo but found their way back. Buffalo is different. Turning Buffalo around would almost be akin to turning water into wine because it has to contend with Albany... the NYS political dysfunction and corruption machine. There are 19 million New Yorkers. 11 million of them live below the northern boundaries of Rockland and Putnam counties, roughly 400 miles from Buffalo. The other 8 million New Yorkers living north and west of that don't matter to the politicos and they don't give a ****. As long as they got NYS taxpayer money in their pocket, that's a cash cow for them. Sure, they might throw a bone or two or some candy to upstate once and a while, but absolutely no significant or long term measure to turn things around is ever going to happen. And, wait until the casino money starts rolling in if you don't think the corruption can get any worse. The NYS population is aging, retirees gradually moving out of upstate because they can't afford to live there, and the younger ones are moving out of state as well because there aren't any jobs... and loads of you transplanted WNYers on this board know exactly what I'm talking about. So, will the team move? Eventually, I believe it will. But, within the next 10 years, I don't see any venue that the Bills could move to and provide new ownership a significant ROI for what they'll need to have to pay for the team and make it competitive if the team is purchased in the next three to four years... and certainly not in LA where no one gives a rats a$$. You're looking at between $1.2 - $1.5 billion to buy this team... and then the expense of relocation at a time when taxpayers are fed up with opening their wallets to big profit centers that do nothing but continually suck money out of them? (PS. the $120M taxpayer money for the improvements at the Ralph was only political payback for the $5 billon Barclay Arena and Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn) 2) the second common denominator is Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon. We all know Ralph's age, and, who knows if he'll be around in 3 or 4 years. God will make that call. And, Brandon is nothing but an extension of Ralph. This crap about Brandon having no restrictions to run the franchise is exactly that, crap. Ralph Wilson is still the owner and the Bills will, and do, operate within the parameters he sets forth. Only things within those parameters are in play. Kind of like a deck of cards, there are still only 52 cards. Not 53, 54, 55... etc. , play em. Brandon, in particular, is a mystery man to me. He's in his 40's and top dog of an NFL franchise with one of the worst W/L records during his time on the Bills payroll. And, he probably will still be Pres. for at least a couple more years. After Ralph passes, what is Brandon's future? I mean, his legacy is one of failure in terms of W/L record. That has to work against him in the NFL or any other winning sports organization. I can't imagine him working for the new owner, whomever that may be. What other team owner is going to give him a shot at a position like he has now if the expectation is W's or even a moderately competitive team? I mean... he hasn't demonstrated he's had "W" success anywhere that I know of. So, basically what I'm saying... 1_ as long as Ralph is the owner, W's are a mirage, and 2_as long as Brandon is in charge, ditto That is not to say that if Brandon bolts to take a high level executive position at Walmart or other corp. that the next Bills pres. will be any different. Ralph is still holding the same deck of cards, and they are stacked against anyone that has a passion for the "W"... And, Whaley? If he's any good, why is he wasting his time with the Bills? He's in a no win situation. I don't understand why he would he allow himself to be put in that position at his relatively young age and risk his reputation and football future. I don't get it. So, there ya have it, my take, for what it's worth. Now that I'm shacking with the Steelers I don't worry about the Bills, but just like 31 other teams, I keep an eye on em. However, I do feel bad for you guys. There's still a connection and I have nothing against you. I didn't flip because of you or anything you did. You definitely deserve a hell of a lot better, and, certainly the drafting of Manual must have been one hell of a roundhouse kick to your gut as a Bills fan. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with that pick for a couple of years before the next guy comes in. I wish you well, but for me, I'm looking forward to a big Steelers rebound in 2014. Good luck cheering for the Steelers . But might have been better to pick the Bengals or Colts, who have developed a pretty good nucleus of players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first_and_ten Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Trooth...don't let the door hit you on the way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Good luck cheering for the Steelers . But might have been better to pick the Bengals or Colts, who have developed a pretty good nucleus of players. 100% agree. Why pick one with an aging QB when you have P. Manning JR. in Andrew Luck. Any why pick a team on its way down. If you wanted an aging QB, go with Denver or NE. The Stillers seem a stupid pick unless you live in Stiller country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Glad you have made a full recovery Dr. and have no lingering symptoms . Colon cleansing can do wonders for a viewpoint . Good luck and best wishes in your future endeavors ! : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Flutie Band Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 you are doing it all wrong dr trooth here is what i do: i ACCEPT that the bills stink and will continue to stink - they are a bottom tier franchise in the league and that is not debatable you view them as the loveable losers and dont get delusional with playoff talk you just hope they win some close exciting games and maybe take a run at beating the patriots then, you watch lots of other games, play fantasy football, and develop favorite teams and individual player around the league and watch them for example, i love drew brees - i watch a lot of saints games and just love rooting for that guy. the seahawks are my 2nd favorite team and i am rooting for them hard this weekend. teams i kinda like include: saints packers seahawks colts broncos teams i tend to root against include: patriots jets dolphins steelers texans cowboys 49ers the bills arent like a bad marriage, they are like a bad FAMILY MEMBER. you cant divorce them, you just have to accept it and learn to live with it. also if you go from the bills to the steelers you were NEVER a real bills fan never. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 you were NEVER a real bills fan never. Amen. No running back to root for Bills when we kick ass next year. A Bills fan is resilient and loyal. You are not cut from that cloth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 A turncoat troll. That's a 1st.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonabb Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Hi all. The voice of reality 'weighin in'. I know, I haven't posted in a long time. To explain, about a year ago, after being a Bills fan for a bizillion years and going through the last 13 or so years of futility... the absolute worst stretch of football in Bills history, I came to the realization that it's likely not going to change for quite some time, if ever... at least probably not in my lifetime. So, I viewed my allegiance as a Bills fan as if it were a marriage gone sour and it was time to do something about it. Of course, no marriage is ever perfect. It has its ups & downs and bumps in the road. But, something satisfies or fulfills you emotionally attached enough to keep you in it, whether it's actually love, friendship, kids, money, sex, stability, yadayada. In a lot of marriages gone sour, it sometimes starts with a separation and then gradually you get used to it, begin to move forward and sometimes find another old lady before you're even actually divorced. That's where I'm at. I finally had enough and bailed on the Bills after last season. By summer, I found a new old lady... the Steelers. After the first 5 weeks of the season, I was thinking WTF? Am I cursed? Why does it seem that I follow teams that suck? Well, I decided to hang in there with the Steelers and was rewarded. In the end, although the Steelers didn't make the playoffs, they were relevant right up until late in week 17, and looking forward, their prognosis with the Rooney's in charge is much better than the Bills. But enough of that. I just decided to get away because there wasn't much evidence to convince me the Bills would pull it together and be competitive. You might not like it, respect it, or care that I flipped. I'm not disparaging Bills fans, and won't, or am I pitting Bills fans against Steelers fans or any other team. Just sharing how I dealt with the Bills suckage. So, now I'll get on the topic of the Bills. What's the problem? Trust me, it ain't Marrone or Hackett, or Crossman (what coach or OC is going to the playoffs with Manual, Tuel, and/or Lewis). As far as Marrone, I haven't seen a Bills coach shake up a roster during the season as much as he has, ever... maybe Saban. I actually think Marrone's continual in season shakeup is indicative of the true lack of talent that Buddy and Brandon tried to convince everyone that the Bills had. Marrone is doing the best he can with what he's been given (a lot of players that have never seen more than 7 NFL wins in a season and seem to be quite comfortable with that). He doesn't have much say in free agency or what they'll spend or how many draft picks they have, and maybe not a whole lot in who they draft. So, where I see the problem, looking at the past 14 or so years is twofold... it comes down to two common denominators... 1) the first common denominator is "Buffalo". The area has been in consistent economic decline since the mid sixties. There was a brief uptick in the mid to late 80's and then freefall. NFL teams aren't financially viable in that type of environment and free agents don't want to come there or want more money than their fair market value to do so. Most big cities in economic decline have turned it around... Pittsburg, St. Louis, Cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore were once in similar decline as Buffalo but found their way back. Buffalo is different. Turning Buffalo around would almost be akin to turning water into wine because it has to contend with Albany... the NYS political dysfunction and corruption machine. There are 19 million New Yorkers. 11 million of them live below the northern boundaries of Rockland and Putnam counties, roughly 400 miles from Buffalo. The other 8 million New Yorkers living north and west of that don't matter to the politicos and they don't give a ****. As long as they got NYS taxpayer money in their pocket, that's a cash cow for them. Sure, they might throw a bone or two or some candy to upstate once and a while, but absolutely no significant or long term measure to turn things around is ever going to happen. And, wait until the casino money starts rolling in if you don't think the corruption can get any worse. The NYS population is aging, retirees gradually moving out of upstate because they can't afford to live there, and the younger ones are moving out of state as well because there aren't any jobs... and loads of you transplanted WNYers on this board know exactly what I'm talking about. So, will the team move? Eventually, I believe it will. But, within the next 10 years, I don't see any venue that the Bills could move to and provide new ownership a significant ROI for what they'll need to have to pay for the team and make it competitive if the team is purchased in the next three to four years... and certainly not in LA where no one gives a rats a$$. You're looking at between $1.2 - $1.5 billion to buy this team... and then the expense of relocation at a time when taxpayers are fed up with opening their wallets to big profit centers that do nothing but continually suck money out of them? (PS. the $120M taxpayer money for the improvements at the Ralph was only political payback for the $5 billon Barclay Arena and Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn) 2) the second common denominator is Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon. We all know Ralph's age, and, who knows if he'll be around in 3 or 4 years. God will make that call. And, Brandon is nothing but an extension of Ralph. This crap about Brandon having no restrictions to run the franchise is exactly that, crap. Ralph Wilson is still the owner and the Bills will, and do, operate within the parameters he sets forth. Only things within those parameters are in play. Kind of like a deck of cards, there are still only 52 cards. Not 53, 54, 55... etc. , play em. Brandon, in particular, is a mystery man to me. He's in his 40's and top dog of an NFL franchise with one of the worst W/L records during his time on the Bills payroll. And, he probably will still be Pres. for at least a couple more years. After Ralph passes, what is Brandon's future? I mean, his legacy is one of failure in terms of W/L record. That has to work against him in the NFL or any other winning sports organization. I can't imagine him working for the new owner, whomever that may be. What other team owner is going to give him a shot at a position like he has now if the expectation is W's or even a moderately competitive team? I mean... he hasn't demonstrated he's had "W" success anywhere that I know of. So, basically what I'm saying... 1_ as long as Ralph is the owner, W's are a mirage, and 2_as long as Brandon is in charge, ditto That is not to say that if Brandon bolts to take a high level executive position at Walmart or other corp. that the next Bills pres. will be any different. Ralph is still holding the same deck of cards, and they are stacked against anyone that has a passion for the "W"... And, Whaley? If he's any good, why is he wasting his time with the Bills? He's in a no win situation. I don't understand why he would he allow himself to be put in that position at his relatively young age and risk his reputation and football future. I don't get it. So, there ya have it, my take, for what it's worth. Now that I'm shacking with the Steelers I don't worry about the Bills, but just like 31 other teams, I keep an eye on em. However, I do feel bad for you guys. There's still a connection and I have nothing against you. I didn't flip because of you or anything you did. You definitely deserve a hell of a lot better, and, certainly the drafting of Manual must have been one hell of a roundhouse kick to your gut as a Bills fan. Unfortunately, you'll have to live with that pick for a couple of years before the next guy comes in. I wish you well, but for me, I'm looking forward to a big Steelers rebound in 2014. First, as a lifelong Bills fan, I actually understand the need to get something positive from your NFL experience and don't actually hold that against you. That's your right and I think, if you truly follow through and ignore them, AND the Steelers actually continue to win, you'll be better mentally for it. However, you couldn't be more misininformed on the decline of Buffalo relative to other cities and the cities you have mentioned. I have spent the better part of the last 4-5 years focusing entirely on "decline" and you are nothing more than the average guy on the street when it comes to knowledge of decline. You read the paper occasionally, you see some vacancy, you complain about taxes, you mumble about bad governance (trust me, much of continued problem is self-inflicted) but you now zero actual facts. So many things you mention are flat out wrong... like the fact that NYC doesn't throw us an occasional bone... without them much upstate would struggle mightily. The economic production and revenue generated in the greater NYC area dwarfs upstate and it subsidized US not the other way around. You need a geography less. There is a difference between "city" and region. You use them interchangeably to make your flawed argument. Looking at cities alone (the legal entity just like the city of Buffalo) every single city you mentioned.... Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincy and Baltimore lost population form 2000 to 2010. Cleveland in fact lost 17%! These "cities" are very much still in their decade over decade decline. Their regions are a different story, some with some minor growth, some with steadier growth. But by and large, the cities have major problems that impact the region, but I don't have time for an urban geography lesson to explain that. They all to a large extent ahev major problems with intra-regional competition that is good for single places but bad for the whole. The fragmented regionalism that holds us back holds them back... you can move forward a singular economic entity in the global economy, which regions, when its constituted with self-interested communities... think Amherst's tax breaks that steal business from other communities... that doesn't make us better. But keep on thinking somehow we're alone, that all other declining former manufacturing and industrial cities have figured it out. Edited January 19, 2014 by zonabb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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