Questions for those of us who endured the drought

[BillsFan619]

As most of us know, the drought from 2000 to 2016 was brutal. That’s why we even say things like PTSD when something bad happens. Heck, it became so much a part of us that we came up with our own bills way to say it, “BBFS”.

 

Obviously though, it’s been different lately. We have been in the playoffs the last three out of four years, won some playoff games, went to the AFC championship game, just signed our franchise guy through 2028. Heck, even the national narrative is starting to change.

 

So, here’s my questions. Because the BBFS was so strong, when did your perspective of the team and your BBFS start to change? Also, do you still struggle with BBFS or has the recent success changed that overall?

 

For me, it started with the Cowboys game in 2019. It was like, “Oh, wow, we were on the road on the national stage and beat a decent/good team.” It was cemented last season with our eight game winning streak.

 

It feels great to once again be heading into a season, barring major injuries, that we’re a force to be reckoned with. It feels great going into games (most games) feeling like we will win instead of hoping that we will.

 

Would love to hear your thoughts as well, Bills Mafia. Let’s go Buffalo!

Edited August 7, 2021 by BillsFan619

[JMF2006]

I have said it before and will say it again.

 

I knew things were going to change for the better when the hired McD as coach.

[First Round Bust]

its been incremental...McD...Beane...blowing it up...ending the drought..drafting Josh and Edmunds in first round, teh very same draft without giving up a future numero uno..more drafting White and Oliver and mid-late gems like Davis and Bass...replacing coaches and O coord...Diggs...watching Josh develop into franchise qb with all those comeback wins (quality comeback example: LA Rams at home last year)..so to pinpoint one thing is the confidence the team, fans and franchise has in believing in Josh and when you came aboard with that I guess.

Edited August 6, 2021 by First Round Bust

[BillsFan619]

11 minutes ago, JMF2006 said:

I have said it before and will say it again.

 

I knew things were going to change for the better when the hired McD as coach.

You’re a better man than me, bro. 🤣

 

I love McD but didn’t like the hire at first.

[Rubes]

8 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

As most of us know, the drought from 2000 to 2016 was brutal. That’s why we even say things like PTSD when something bad happens. Heck, it became so much a part of us that we came up with our own bills way to say it, “BBFS”.

 

Obviously though, it’s been different lately. We have been in the playoffs the last three out of four years, won some playoff games, went to the AFC championship game, just signed our franchise guy through 2028. Heck, even the national narrative is starting to change.

 

So, here’s my questions. Because the BBFS could be so strong, when did your perspective of the team start to change? Also, do you still struggle with BBFS or has the recent success change that?

 

For me, it started with the Cowboys game in 2019. It was like, “Oh, wow, we were on the road on the national stage and beat a decent/good team.” It was cemented last season with our eight game winning streak.

 

It feels great heading into the season, barring major injuries, that we’re a force to be reckon with. It feels great going into games (most games) feeling like we will win instead of hoping that we will.

 

Would love to hear your thoughts as well, Bills Mafia. Let’s go Buffalo!

 

I think it's a good question. When did my perspective start to change? For me, it was during the 2017 season, McDermott's first. We started strong, going 5-2 to start the season, but we had been through that before. I'm sure everyone else was like me in saying, "Sure, but we'll see what happens the rest of the way." It's all about how you finish, rather than how you start.

 

So when McDermott's team finished the season 4-2, that was a good indicator that things were changing. The real moment, the one moment when I really thought things were changing for the Bills?

 

Had to be the moment when Andy Dalton threw that 49-yard TD pass to Tyler Boyd on 4th-and-12. I mean, I nearly ***** my pants.

 

[BillsFan619]

2 minutes ago, First Round Bust said:

its been incremental...McD...Beane...blowing it up...ending the drought..drafting Josh and Edmunds in first round...more drafting White and Oliver and mid-late gems like Davis and Bass...replacing coaches and O coord...Diggs...watching Josh develop into franchise qb with all those comeback wins (LA Rams at home last year)..so to pinpoint one thing is the confidence the team, fans and franchise has in believing in Josh and when you came aboard with that I guess.

Good thoughts, thanks for sharing.

[JMF2006]

5 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

You’re a better man than me, bro. 🤣

 

I love McD but didn’t like the hire at first.

 

The hire I hated was Wrex...I knew he would mess this team up.

 

When they gassed him less than 2 years into his 5yr deal I was ecstatic

 

I could just tell by his presser this guy(McD) was the real deal,he was humble and sincere. 

Edited August 6, 2021 by JMF2006

[BillsFan619]

3 minutes ago, Rubes said:

 

I think it's a good question. When did my perspective start to change? For me, it was during the 2017 season, McDermott's first. We started strong, going 5-2 to start the season, but we had been through that before. I'm sure everyone else was like me in saying, "Sure, but we'll see what happens the rest of the way." It's all about how you finish, rather than how you start.

 

So when McDermott's team finished the season 4-2, that was a good indicator that things were changing. The real moment, the one moment when I really thought things were changing for the Bills?

 

Had to be the moment when Andy Dalton threw that 49-yard TD pass to Tyler Boyd on 4th-and-12. I mean, I nearly ***** my pants.

 

Yup, BBFS was strong in 2017! I’m referring to your thoughts about fans thoughts about the 5-2 start in 2017.

 

I’ve been a fan since before the SB years and that 4th and 12 play is one of the most special in my fandom (I’m sure it is for many).

[TFBillsfan]

For me it was finally last year when we were expected to sweep the Patriots and did! Those demons have been exorcised and now the mentality has shifted to expecting to win. This team is so hungry and believes winning the Super Bowl is a reality!

 

[Saxum]

22 minutes ago, JMF2006 said:

I have said it before and will say it again.

 

I knew things were going to change for the better when the hired McD as coach.

 

I started having issues when Rex was hired.  

 

I did not like Coach McD at first:

• as substitute GM firing scouts, etc. things which did fall within his area of expertise
• coach selection hiring coaches who IMO were not as qualified as coaches we currently had because he knew them (old boys network) - I stated at time with each and every coach mentioned gone in first year.  Lots of new head coaches have issues first year and rather than hiring whoever he could find even if not first choice he should have worked with coaches who were willing to work with him. 

 When Beane joined I was much more comfortable.

 

I have no issue with his coaching especially now but if Beane were to retire I would not be comfortable with him doing duo role even keeping current front office staff working for him.

[Gonzonzo]

Its starts whith Mc Dermont, who looks like a serious and pasionate man (not like Jauron or Rex Ryan or even Marrone).

 

If I look for a play, I think it was the Cam Newton fumble.  The moment we recovery the ball, the moment I feel the Witch died and we became a winnning team .

[Let's Go Buffalo]

I always think back to the "Snow Game" vs. the Colts in that 2017 Season as the turning point. Going into that game, we knew that we had to win that one to have a shot to make the playoffs that season. I figured once we got that playoff drought monkey off our back, it would ultimately pave the way for better things to come. 

[ChasBB]

For me, it started with that 1st playoff appearance.  Sure, Cincy helped us to get in, but the Bills took care of business by winning in week 17 to give themselves that opportunity.  Sean McDermott got the best out of a roster with marginal talent and that told me things would only go up from there.

[MJS]

So most of my fandom has been during the drought. I'm only 32 years old, so the last time the Bills won a playoff game I was just too young to really remember it. I do have fond memories of Eric Moulds, Doug Flutie, even Drew Bledsoe.

 

But most of my years of really caring about the Bills was just abysmal. Not usually horrible enough to get a top draft pick, and when we were close we had no confidence that we would pick a difference maker anyways.

 

But the biggest thing? Every coach we hired just seemed like a buffoon. I just never had confidence in them. It was obvious we were scraping the bottom of the barrel for these coaches. I always had to convince myself that they might be ok.

 

McDermott, though? I was legitimately impressed with him and thought he could be different. Beane, too, was impressive to me. McDermott breaking the drought really shows me he was different as well. It's only been uphill from there.

 

Josh Allen showed a lot to me his rookie year. He had no talent on offense to help him. He put the offense on his back every game. He had some lows and some highs, but he was a fighter. That Minnesota game and the well 17 Miami game really shows me he had potential to be good.

[BillsFan130]

1 hour ago, JMF2006 said:

I have said it before and will say it again.

 

I knew things were going to change for the better when the hired McD as coach.

I wish I had that confidence. If I remember correctly, I believe I was calling for his head after the blow out loss to the chargers in 2017 lol. Shows how much I know.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

In 2014 once Orton took over, this team stopped being a joke. EJ was the last domino to fall. Once he was taken out of the equation, I felt like this team could actually be something. From the lions game with Orton, through now, it’s been different. EJ was the last thing that just made me feel helpless. The guy was a completely overdrafted bust that held us back. Just the bookend of a post Flutie misery.

Edited August 6, 2021 by Brianmoorman4jesus

[Buffalo03]

1 hour ago, BillsFan619 said:

As most of us know, the drought from 2000 to 2016 was brutal. That’s why we even say things like PTSD when something bad happens. Heck, it became so much a part of us that we came up with our own bills way to say it, “BBFS”.

 

Obviously though, it’s been different lately. We have been in the playoffs the last three out of four years, won some playoff games, went to the AFC championship game, just signed our franchise guy through 2028. Heck, even the national narrative is starting to change.

 

So, here’s my questions. Because the BBFS could be so strong, when did your perspective of the team and your BBFS start to change? Also, do you still struggle with BBFS or has the recent success changed that overall?

 

For me, it started with the Cowboys game in 2019. It was like, “Oh, wow, we were on the road on the national stage and beat a decent/good team.” It was cemented last season with our eight game winning streak.

 

It feels great heading into the season, barring major injuries, that we’re a force to be reckon with. It feels great going into games (most games) feeling like we will win instead of hoping that we will.

 

Would love to hear your thoughts as well, Bills Mafia. Let’s go Buffalo!

The 1pm truthers loved the drought days. No playoffs every year but dammit...the Bills were on at 1:00

Edited August 6, 2021 by Buffalo03

[Rico]

All started when Ralph was out of the picture. After Pegs got the team, it did take a couple years for him to wake up. I wasn’t sold on McD when he was hired, but I was more than willing to give him a chance. The day after the 2017 draft when Whaley was fired, I felt very good that things were finally going to turn around. Making the playoffs and breaking the drought cinched it, and the firing of Russ Brandon the following spring was the icing on the cake.

 

God bless Pegs, McD, Beane, and especially today God bless Josh Allen. Thank you so much.

[clayboy54]

My expectations of mediocrity started when Harvey Johnson became coach the first time. I absolutely loved the Chuck Knox hire and was so mad when Ralphie Boy caused him to leave. I hit rock bottom with the Hank Bullough hire. Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled with the hiring of Marv Levy either, but that worked out, of course. Since those times, I just roll with the team as it comes. The good times are precious as gold to me. I just enjoy the ride either way.

[PromoTheRobot]

Did it suck? Yes.

Is this better? Yes