BADOLBILZ Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 In an anonymous poll of NFL players by ESPN the mag that comes out 8/22 the Bills were the second most reviled destination next to Oakland(23%). People will take that as a shot at the region......but what it really underscores is that making the playoffs is the minimum standard for a successful season. There are people here who have defended the organization because they have had so many 6-7 win seasons and only lost x number of games by a touchdown or less but the bottom line is that players respect winners and winners make the playoffs. 8-8 or 3-13 it doesn't really matter. Gotta make those playoffs to remain relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Double their salary for what? to play in Buffalo? Buffalo will never be a high profile destination for free agents to flock to even if they get a new stadium which is why they need to draft well and sign a lot of mid to low tier free agents like they did this offseason. Most players tend to like Buffalo once they get there. There will however always be players who prefer to play in cities like Buffalo instead of NYC or Philly but at the end of the day winning and most importantly money talks. Edited August 16, 2014 by Max997 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) As a "Bills defender" I will say that it's impressive that they have been able to recruit like they have. When they get guys in the building they close at a high percentage for a bad team in a non desirable location. Obviously Mario is a prime example but Fletcher, Spikes, Spikes and Milloy come to the top of my head. Edited August 16, 2014 by Kirby Jackson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 If they win, and El Petulante is the owner, players will want to come to Buffalo. I agree with Bado, it's the losing culture and recent history more than small market and crappy weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 No question; this team's lousy record over the last 14 years hurts their reputation with players. Winning fixes everything. I don't think it's necessarily playoffs or bust for this regime, but they need to look the part of a playoff team (a la Arizona last year) if they want upcoming FAs to take them seriously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 The Sabres were in the same boat. Then El Petulante became the owner. Josh Gorges chose Buffalo over Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 Double their salary for what? to play in Buffalo? Buffalo will never be a high profile destination for free agents to flock to even if they get a new stadium which is why they need to draft well and sign a lot of mid to low tier free agents like they did this offseason. Most players tend to like Buffalo once they get there. There will however always be players who prefer to play in cities like Buffalo instead of NYC or Philly but at the end of the day winning and most importantly money talks. Apologies it was in the descriptive line which is very small.........the question was fill in the team...."I'd have to get paid double my salary to play for ........" and 19% of respondents said the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Apologies it was in the descriptive line which is very small.........the question was fill in the team...."I'd have to get paid double my salary to play for ........" and 19% of respondents said the Bills. That's a really stupid question, the way it is worded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiostyle Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Winning fixes everything. Truer words have never been said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Truer words have never been said Except for, perhaps, bacon is delicious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I do get the impression that a lot of players would probably prefer not to play in Buffalo. However, when the Bills express interest in a FA, he starts doing his due diligence and talking to players, coaches, agents and others about Buffalo. And while some will say the night life and weather sucks, others will say the fans are awesome. A lot of ex-Bills have great things to say about their time in Buffalo. And then the FA starts reconsidering his low opinion of the Bills. But, as others have already said, the biggest thing (next to money) is winning. When the Bills start winning again, FAs will start looking differently at Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orton's Arm Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 That's a really stupid question, the way it is worded. Agreed. On another matter, polls like this hint at the correct way of turning the franchise around. If Buffalo is considered the second-worst destination for free agents, then that would make it very difficult for the Bills to become the Ravens of 2000. Granted, that task would be difficult for any team. But it would be especially difficult for Buffalo, given the low regard in which the team is currently held. On the other hand, a franchise quarterback can serve as a cornerstone around which to build a team. If the Bills had a young Peyton Manning under center, we'd become a destination for free agents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipster19 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 It couldn't be that the New York State taxes have anything to do with it now, could it?? I don't believe that some of the main reasons that players don't want to play in Buffalo is because of the region and/or wiinning or being successful. The days of the blood-n-guts players are long gone, it's all about the duckies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I do get the impression that a lot of players would probably prefer not to play in Buffalo. However, when the Bills express interest in a FA, he starts doing his due diligence and talking to players, coaches, agents and others about Buffalo. And while some will say the night life and weather sucks, others will say the fans are awesome. A lot of ex-Bills have great things to say about their time in Buffalo. And then the FA starts reconsidering his low opinion of the Bills. But, as others have already said, the biggest thing (next to money) is winning. When the Bills start winning again, FAs will start looking differently at Buffalo. I posted this a few times before but during one of the drafts a bunch of years ago, Mike Tirico reported that players around the league hated the idea of going to Buffalo but once they were there, they loved it. Granted, that was years ago and they probably hate losing, but I believed it then and believe it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 You would think teams in Miami, SD, Tampa, Dallas, etc with great weather and a lot to do would be in the playoffs all the time. Instead it's teams like Pitt, Green Bay, Indy, NE. Like bandit said, win and they will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJDK Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Winning fixes everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCD Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I just left NY and wouldnt come back for the same salary.. If you wanna double it, maybe i come back for a year or two. Let me know.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 It wasn't just players Buffalo's had a problem acquiring. They had a serious issue finding coaches and front office staff which seems to have improved since Nix was put out to pasture. It's a step in the right direction, but as has already been acknowledged, winning cures a lot of problems. For example a team like Seattle, who after winning year to year, can attract guys to take less money who want a legit shot at a championship. For that reason, they don't have to overpay anyone and can be more flexible with their cap spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34-78-83 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 It may be a little bit more difficult for our Bills but the current organization has shown the ability to get quality free agents to come in and contribute, and this regime also seems to understand that a team can and should be built via the draft. While the QB position is still a work in progress there is no denying the high level of talent on our football team overall currently. As far as the rest, as others have said, winning will take care of it. It's also notable that the organization has recently been able to bring in players that truly want to be here. It wasn't just players Buffalo's had a problem acquiring. They had a serious issue finding coaches and front office staff which seems to have improved since Nix was put out to pasture. It's a step in the right direction, but as has already been acknowledged, winning cures a lot of problems. For example a team like Seattle, who after winning year to year, can attract guys to take less money who want a legit shot at a championship. For that reason, they don't have to overpay anyone and can be more flexible with their cap spending. Nix had a LARGE part in the improvement you speak of - specifically Whaley, along with a much better draft eye and approach of late. Make no mistake he is still a strong voice in Whaley's ear in regards to player e v a l. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 As a research nerd (well, former research nerd, I guess) I'd love to see the methodology, the instrument, the sample and the data. While I don't doubt Buffalo isn't high on the list for most players, conclusions such as "doubling the salary" demand further analysis. That and reporters have no idea of how to analyze research, plus what typically passes for research these days is horrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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