corta765 Posted June 12 Posted June 12 (edited) I got to thinking that we are closing out the tenth year since Ralph passed and the Bills were bought by the Pegulas. Many many changes have happened so figured it would be fun to chronicle and look back as a group. The Good The team ending the drought. It hung like a dark cloud forever and then in the most unlikely of seasons as the team was clearly in transition lightning struck and it ended in the best of fashion. The 2017 season will hold a special place to me as a fan after going through the drought and attending so many games in that period. Josh Allen being draft AND developed AND then turning into a demi god of a QB that even Chief fans fear. The fact the Bills actually did their homework and drafted a QB was cool. The fact they helped to properly develop him was honestly surprising. The fact this QB then worked to become the player he is now is truly stunning and something I will never take for granted. Division titles, playoff wins, and the team turning into a perennial contender. I get it the SB win and ring is needed, but it has been awesome the last bunch of years in this time and plenty of memorable games and moments The 2020 season. For those of us who were little dudes/dudettes or not born during the 90s run the idea of playing to make a SB and the energy excitement leading up to it was something we never got. 2020 was a dream season despite not being able to see it in person and after they beat BAL it was pretty surreal to know they actually were that close. Sucks they didn't close but for a lot of us it was that first feeling of "oh wow this is awesome and completely different". Pegula's ownership and commitment to the team. Overall they have invested heavily in the team and facilities which constantly get rave reviews from players. The brand of the team is as strong as it ever has been which just feels other worldly. Ralph was fine and a good owner but the team was long in the tooth when the Pegula's took over just in terms of brand and being a 21st century team. They also have stayed the heck away from the team in terms of football decision for a while now other then writing checks which is all that is needed The evolution of Bills Mafia to something nationally that has a real vibe and connection across the board. Winning helps of course, but it does feel like the fanbase has evolved and widen which is awesome. New Stadium. Whether it ended up being a reno or a new stadium something was needed for the long term and it is nice this is done. LeSean McCoy. Major shout out to him as he was just a great player to watch in his time here and was a huge reason for the drought going away. McBeane. All they've done is stabilize the team and turn them into a consistent winner. Helping to accelerate the Patriots decline. This was quite fun to see happen and put them down. Kyle Williams getting to go to playoffs. Beating Dallas on Thanksgiving The Bad The Rex Ryan era. Buffalo wasted two years of good talent and time with Rex who looked as though the game had passed him pretty quickly. Worse was the fact the team constantly had drama leaking out that seemed never ending. 13 Seconds. I have generally avoided mentioning this much as I believe Josh and the boys will get a ring before the decade closes, but they wasted a golden opportunity with the offense at its peak because of coaching. Damar Hamlin nearly dying on the field. Happy it turned out ok, but this was just awful and it also felt like the season ended that night. Aaron Williams career having to end due to injury. Yes Landry cheap shot'd him, but the game against NE in 2015 week 2 resulted in him being carted off the field in ambulance. Just as he was turning into a truly good safety his career ended short. That sucked. Eric Woods career ending in it's prime. I hate we never got to see Wood with Josh as it would've been so fun. The two players I will hammer forever as wall of fame guys during the drought are Wood and K Williams. The incoming PSL's which are going to alter the stadium seating and fanbase in a sizable way. The stadium will be loud still, the fans will come, but you are going to lose communities of fans who have sat together forever because of this as they move to cheaper seats or worse can't go at all. It is a crappy price the fans have to pay to keep the team as it finishes evolving to todays NFL. Weather forcing home games to be moved either time or location wise. The limited amount of fans who got to see the team in 2020. The team finally evolves into its best form in 30 years and maybe 10,000 people total were live in Buffalo to see them. I understand COVID and why, but still was tough. Soul crushing losses to NFC teams for four years in a row. 2020 Cards Hail Mary, 2021 TB OT loss, 2022 Vikings OT loss, 2023 Eagles OT loss. Ironically after these losses the Bills went on runs the remainder of the year, but for four years in a row now the Bills have played in game of the year type games and lost. Turf on Thanksgiving. Successfully took Tre White and Von who were both each playing at a high level out for the year. Tre White going from future hall of famer to being cut. This one forever sucks as he had become a true all pro and his career was forever altered with the knee injuries. The Raiders loss in 2014 that took the Bills out of the playoffs. This was a fun team with that defense and it fell apart at the worst time possible. Only silver lining was Marrone left then (although I think even with the playoffs he would've tried to leverage leaving anyway). The Weird Vontae Davis retiring at half time. Incredibly weird weird thing while somewhat funny. LeSean McCoy's female only party which ended up leaking online and yeaaa god knows what was happening there The start of Bills fans throwing adult toys at Tom Brady every home game from 2016 on. Again hilarious but weird Bills fans gaining national recognition somewhere around 2014-15ish for just doing outlandishly insane things which includes breaking tables, setting themselves on fire, qui pro quo adult acts for jerseys, and many other things. We have a brand and part of it is apparently we are certifiably insane as a group Sean McD's apparent 9/11 pump up speech on team work Doug Marrone apparently meeting Tim Graham in an airport hanger to discuss his criticism of the football team and the fact he actually branded himself Saint Doug Everything related to the Rex Ryan era The color rush game where the NFL allowed the Bills to wear Red and the Jets green successfully making the game unviewable for those with seeing issues. Simple solution was available for this not to happen Weird weird weather during the 2021 season. For some reason virtually every home game that year had incredibly strong weather ranging from a monsoon vs the Texans, hurricane winds vs NE, snow multiple times and then to finish the year the frozen playoff game vs NE. Allowing a TD against the Jets in the 2016 finale as they decided on the kick return to just not touch the ball or call a fair catch. Nathan Peterman ever being a starting QB and every snap of his existence. Dan Carpenter getting laser'd in the eyes on field goals in 2014 in Detroit Kyle Orton's outfits Why the Bills were not credited for a TD against the Texans in the 2019 playoff game on the kickoff in the 2nd half. Never has been explained fully and it has felt the refs gave Houston a favor there. Both London Bills games All of the Bills away games in general against Jacksonville. Just weird weird losses ranging from heart breaking London 2016, boring playoff game with zero offense 9-3 2018, whatever the heck the 2021 loss in Jags was, and last years London loss that successfully took out half the Bills defense for the year. Edited June 12 by corta765 11 11 11 Quote
Logic Posted June 12 Posted June 12 Great memory. I had forgotten a lot of that stuff. Looking at how far the Bills have come in the past decade is absolutely WILD. From a toxic, dysfunctional dumpster fire of an organization that had to overpay for middling free agents and whose future in Buffalo wasn't certain, to one of the top franchises in the league -- with stable ownership, front office, and coaching -- which is locked into Buffalo for the foreseeable future. From perennial afterthought in the midst of a 17 year playoff drought to perennial contender that has won the division four years in a row. From never any national TV exposure to some fans complaining that we have TOO MANY primetime games. From a carousel of quarterback mediocrity to having a likely Hall of Famer and undeniably at least the second best quarterback in football. It has been an absolutely wild ride this past decade, and after feeling like we were at the lowest of lows as a franchise, we are now in a Golden Age, only one Lombardi trophy away from it being the BEST era of Bills football in history. Amazing. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! 7 1 Quote
corta765 Posted June 12 Author Posted June 12 4 minutes ago, Logic said: Great memory. I had forgotten a lot of that stuff. Looking at how far the Bills have come in the past decade is absolutely WILD. From a toxic, dysfunctional dumpster fire of an organization that had to overpay for middling free agents and whose future in Buffalo wasn't certain, to one of the top franchises in the league -- with stable ownership, front office, and coaching -- which is locked into Buffalo for the foreseeable future. From perennial afterthought in the midst of a 17 year playoff drought to perennial contender that has won the division four years in a row. From never any national TV exposure to some fans complaining that we have TOO MANY primetime games. From a carousel of quarterback mediocrity to having a likely Hall of Famer and undeniably at least the second best quarterback in football. It has been an absolutely wild ride this past decade, and after feeling like we were at the lowest of lows as a franchise, we are now in a Golden Age, only one Lombardi trophy away from it being the BEST era of Bills football in history. Amazing. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Haha it was a fun write up. Truthfully my favorite part was the Weird section as there really has been some just incredibly odd things that have happened. 3 Quote
Long Suffering Fan Posted June 12 Posted June 12 17 minutes ago, corta765 said: Haha it was a fun write up. Truthfully my favorite part was the Weird section as there really has been some just incredibly odd things that have happened. Agree. Some of those things did not really fit into either good or bad but were just....weird. I appreciate the work you did on this. I'll add a few: GOOD: Sammy Watkins being traded during training camp. Me reading Astro's notes all the time about how he was dogging it in practices, then the trade happened, and I wondered then if there was a real culture change coming. We'll never know how important of a message this sent to the team. Hyde and Poyer - as someone who loves good safety play, it was a joy having them as a tandem. The Bills switch to being more aggressive on fourth down somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd year of McBeane. Taron Johnson's interception return to win a playoff game against Baltimore. I have watched the Turning Point (?) clip about that play so many times. BAD: Preposterous Punts that had me yelling at the screen before the Bills changed on that front. WEIRD: Recent history is dangerous to label because time changes perspective, but the entire Diggs Drama (TM). How did they go from Bromance to Breakup off the field (Josh only texted Diggs after the trade?)? That's weird enough, but then add to it the on field drop off in Diggs production? Weird. Side note - I love how you put the Rex Ryan era in both Bad and Weird, because it was. 🙂 3 Quote
rusty shackleford Posted June 12 Posted June 12 Ralph is rolling in his grave knowing they brought naming rights back to his stadium. Quote
mushypeaches Posted June 12 Posted June 12 3 minutes ago, rusty shackleford said: Ralph is rolling in his grave knowing they brought naming rights back to his stadium. That's funny - like he wouldn't have taken the money from whatever company ponied up for it after the Rich's contract expired Quote
corta765 Posted June 12 Author Posted June 12 22 minutes ago, Long Suffering Fan said: Agree. Some of those things did not really fit into either good or bad but were just....weird. I appreciate the work you did on this. I'll add a few: GOOD: Sammy Watkins being traded during training camp. Me reading Astro's notes all the time about how he was dogging it in practices, then the trade happened, and I wondered then if there was a real culture change coming. We'll never know how important of a message this sent to the team. Hyde and Poyer - as someone who loves good safety play, it was a joy having them as a tandem. The Bills switch to being more aggressive on fourth down somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd year of McBeane. Taron Johnson's interception return to win a playoff game against Baltimore. I have watched the Turning Point (?) clip about that play so many times. BAD: Preposterous Punts that had me yelling at the screen before the Bills changed on that front. WEIRD: Recent history is dangerous to label because time changes perspective, but the entire Diggs Drama (TM). How did they go from Bromance to Breakup off the field (Josh only texted Diggs after the trade?)? That's weird enough, but then add to it the on field drop off in Diggs production? Weird. Side note - I love how you put the Rex Ryan era in both Bad and Weird, because it was. 🙂 I almost listed Hyde & Poyer in good as they were great I just was running too long. T Johnson for sure but I had that with my 2020 moment kind of. Yea the whole Diggs thing is wild as he still attributes Josh for so much. I really wonder what happened after that Bengals game or during that just caused everything to flip so fast. Lol REX 1000% was bad and weird 1 Quote
Long Suffering Fan Posted June 12 Posted June 12 19 minutes ago, corta765 said: I almost listed Hyde & Poyer in good as they were great I just was running too long. T Johnson for sure but I had that with my 2020 moment kind of. 7 minutes of awesomeness... 1 Quote
Just Jack Posted June 12 Posted June 12 1 hour ago, corta765 said: All of the Bills away games in general against Jacksonville. Just weird weird losses ranging from heart breaking London 2016, boring playoff game with zero offense 9-3 2018, whatever the heck the 2021 loss in Jags was, and last years London loss that successfully took out half the Bills defense for the year. That was 2015. I remember because I took my then GF/now wife and it was just about a year after we started dating, so a lot of her family/friends were expecting me to propose to her there. Not at the game, but in London in general. 52 minutes ago, 14774 said: Toronto Toronto was farther back than 10 years, still under Ralph's watch. I'll add my bad, the swag and promo giveaways have gone down a lot in the last 10 years. Used to look forward to getting my season tickets each year to see what they included in the package. Now it's just the cards and parking passes, maybe a printed-out schedule. 1 Quote
Logic Posted June 12 Posted June 12 (edited) I just wanted to mention this: You already talked about hastening the Patriots' demise and about Allen's greatness, but... Specifically, that "perfect offensive game" in the playoffs against the Pats is one of the most enjoyable things I've ever watched. That should get its own category called "extreme schaudenfreude". It was as if the previous two decades of frustration and futility against the Pats just...washed away in the span of one football game. It was SO therapeutic and SO fun to watch. Generally speaking, some of the ways we've crushed our division rivals' dreams in recent years has been firmly in the "good" column. The year the Pats media declared the Bills' AFC East dominance over and Mac Jones the new Tom Brady, only for us to win the in-season rematch and the playoff game. The way we've continued to smack around the Dolphins and the way we won the division against them last year despite their several game lead on us. There has definitely been a sprinkling of bad, and a healthy dose of "weird" (I'll second the notion of the Diggs/Allen bromance/breakup progression being a very bizarre unsolved mystery), but overall, I think the "good" column has been chock full for most of the past decade. Edited June 12 by Logic 2 1 1 Quote
corta765 Posted June 12 Author Posted June 12 Just now, Logic said: There has definitely been a sprinkling of bad, and a healthy dose of "weird" (I'll second the notion of the Diggs/Allen bromance/breakup progression being a very bizarre unsolved mystery), but overall, I think the "good column" has been chock full for most of the past decade. I would even add that the Rex idea was not the worst and it was the first time since Chuck Knox the Bills hired a coach who had brand name and some real respect in league circles. That to me was still a win for ownership even if it ended up going sideways. We joke how bad the Bills Rex era was but there is an alternate universe they beat MIA and then the NYJ to make the playoffs in 2016 and he ends up a hero. Quote
Logic Posted June 12 Posted June 12 8 minutes ago, corta765 said: I would even add that the Rex idea was not the worst and it was the first time since Chuck Knox the Bills hired a coach who had brand name and some real respect in league circles. That to me was still a win for ownership even if it ended up going sideways. We joke how bad the Bills Rex era was but there is an alternate universe they beat MIA and then the NYJ to make the playoffs in 2016 and he ends up a hero. Absolutely. It's easy to sit here in hindsight and say that it was an awful idea to hire Rex. The reality of the situation is that there was some real merit to the notion. Rex Ryan had led the Jets to two straight seasons where they won back-to-back road playoff games and qualified for AFC Championship games. He routinely beat the Tom Brady Patriots in both the regular season and the playoffs. He brought a swagger and a national interest to the Bills that had been sorely lacking for a very long time. We all know how it wound up playing out. It was clear from day one that he lacked the discipline needed to continue to be a successful NFL head coach, and it showed in the sloppy, undisciplined, brain fart riddled play of his defense. Aside from that, I think that NFL offense just evolved past his defensive schemes and he had no real answers. Anyway, no matter how cynical anyone can be now with 20/20 hindsight, I'd be willing to be that every single one of us were excited when he was sitting at the Big Tree with Jim Kelly and eating wings and talking big things to come. Alas, we now seem to have the diametric opposite of Rex Ryan as our head coach, both in terms of personality and coaching style, and in terms of the type of defense he employs. 1 1 Quote
Buffalo03 Posted June 12 Posted June 12 2 hours ago, corta765 said: I got to thinking that we are closing out the tenth year since Ralph passed and the Bills were bought by the Pegulas. Many many changes have happened so figured it would be fun to chronicle and look back as a group. The Good The team ending the drought. It hung like a dark cloud forever and then in the most unlikely of seasons as the team was clearly in transition lightning struck and it ended in the best of fashion. The 2017 season will hold a special place to me as a fan after going through the drought and attending so many games in that period. Josh Allen being draft AND developed AND then turning into a demi god of a QB that even Chief fans fear. The fact the Bills actually did their homework and drafted a QB was cool. The fact they helped to properly develop him was honestly surprising. The fact this QB then worked to become the player he is now is truly stunning and something I will never take for granted. Division titles, playoff wins, and the team turning into a perennial contender. I get it the SB win and ring is needed, but it has been awesome the last bunch of years in this time and plenty of memorable games and moments The 2020 season. For those of us who were little dudes/dudettes or not born during the 90s run the idea of playing to make a SB and the energy excitement leading up to it was something we never got. 2020 was a dream season despite not being able to see it in person and after they beat BAL it was pretty surreal to know they actually were that close. Sucks they didn't close but for a lot of us it was that first feeling of "oh wow this is awesome and completely different". Pegula's ownership and commitment to the team. Overall they have invested heavily in the team and facilities which constantly get rave reviews from players. The brand of the team is as strong as it ever has been which just feels other worldly. Ralph was fine and a good owner but the team was long in the tooth when the Pegula's took over just in terms of brand and being a 21st century team. They also have stayed the heck away from the team in terms of football decision for a while now other then writing checks which is all that is needed The evolution of Bills Mafia to something nationally that has a real vibe and connection across the board. Winning helps of course, but it does feel like the fanbase has evolved and widen which is awesome. New Stadium. Whether it ended up being a reno or a new stadium something was needed for the long term and it is nice this is done. LeSean McCoy. Major shout out to him as he was just a great player to watch in his time here and was a huge reason for the drought going away. McBeane. All they've done is stabilize the team and turn them into a consistent winner. Helping to accelerate the Patriots decline. This was quite fun to see happen and put them down. Kyle Williams getting to go to playoffs. Beating Dallas on Thanksgiving The Bad The Rex Ryan era. Buffalo wasted two years of good talent and time with Rex who looked as though the game had passed him pretty quickly. Worse was the fact the team constantly had drama leaking out that seemed never ending. 13 Seconds. I have generally avoided mentioning this much as I believe Josh and the boys will get a ring before the decade closes, but they wasted a golden opportunity with the offense at its peak because of coaching. Damar Hamlin nearly dying on the field. Happy it turned out ok, but this was just awful and it also felt like the season ended that night. Aaron Williams career having to end due to injury. Yes Landry cheap shot'd him, but the game against NE in 2015 week 2 resulted in him being carted off the field in ambulance. Just as he was turning into a truly good safety his career ended short. That sucked. Eric Woods career ending in it's prime. I hate we never got to see Wood with Josh as it would've been so fun. The two players I will hammer forever as wall of fame guys during the drought are Wood and K Williams. The incoming PSL's which are going to alter the stadium seating and fanbase in a sizable way. The stadium will be loud still, the fans will come, but you are going to lose communities of fans who have sat together forever because of this as they move to cheaper seats or worse can't go at all. It is a crappy price the fans have to pay to keep the team as it finishes evolving to todays NFL. Weather forcing home games to be moved either time or location wise. The limited amount of fans who got to see the team in 2020. The team finally evolves into its best form in 30 years and maybe 10,000 people total were live in Buffalo to see them. I understand COVID and why, but still was tough. Soul crushing losses to NFC teams for four years in a row. 2020 Cards Hail Mary, 2021 TB OT loss, 2022 Vikings OT loss, 2023 Eagles OT loss. Ironically after these losses the Bills went on runs the remainder of the year, but for four years in a row now the Bills have played in game of the year type games and lost. Turf on Thanksgiving. Successfully took Tre White and Von who were both each playing at a high level out for the year. Tre White going from future hall of famer to being cut. This one forever sucks as he had become a true all pro and his career was forever altered with the knee injuries. The Raiders loss in 2014 that took the Bills out of the playoffs. This was a fun team with that defense and it fell apart at the worst time possible. Only silver lining was Marrone left then (although I think even with the playoffs he would've tried to leverage leaving anyway). The Weird Vontae Davis retiring at half time. Incredibly weird weird thing while somewhat funny. LeSean McCoy's female only party which ended up leaking online and yeaaa god knows what was happening there The start of Bills fans throwing adult toys at Tom Brady every home game from 2016 on. Again hilarious but weird Bills fans gaining national recognition somewhere around 2014-15ish for just doing outlandishly insane things which includes breaking tables, setting themselves on fire, qui pro quo adult acts for jerseys, and many other things. We have a brand and part of it is apparently we are certifiably insane as a group Sean McD's apparent 9/11 pump up speech on team work Doug Marrone apparently meeting Tim Graham in an airport hanger to discuss his criticism of the football team and the fact he actually branded himself Saint Doug Everything related to the Rex Ryan era The color rush game where the NFL allowed the Bills to wear Red and the Jets green successfully making the game unviewable for those with seeing issues. Simple solution was available for this not to happen Weird weird weather during the 2021 season. For some reason virtually every home game that year had incredibly strong weather ranging from a monsoon vs the Texans, hurricane winds vs NE, snow multiple times and then to finish the year the frozen playoff game vs NE. Allowing a TD against the Jets in the 2016 finale as they decided on the kick return to just not touch the ball or call a fair catch. Nathan Peterman ever being a starting QB and every snap of his existence. Dan Carpenter getting laser'd in the eyes on field goals in 2014 in Detroit Kyle Orton's outfits Why the Bills were not credited for a TD against the Texans in the 2019 playoff game on the kickoff in the 2nd half. Never has been explained fully and it has felt the refs gave Houston a favor there. Both London Bills games All of the Bills away games in general against Jacksonville. Just weird weird losses ranging from heart breaking London 2016, boring playoff game with zero offense 9-3 2018, whatever the heck the 2021 loss in Jags was, and last years London loss that successfully took out half the Bills defense for the year. Only 10 years? I feel like it's been 15 2 Quote
mannc Posted June 12 Posted June 12 To the weird category, I would add the Kim Pegula health saga and the way it has been handled by the franchise. 1 1 Quote
Rubes Posted June 12 Posted June 12 I have nothing to add, just wanted to say that was an awesome writeup, top to bottom. 1 Quote
14774 Posted June 12 Posted June 12 2 hours ago, Just Jack said: 2 hours ago, 14774 said: Toronto Toronto was farther back than 10 years, still under Ralph's watch Thank you, you are correct. It was such a horrendously bad idea that it has been permanently imprinted in my memory. Quote
PonyBoy Posted June 12 Posted June 12 1 hour ago, mannc said: To the weird category, I would add the Kim Pegula health saga and the way it has been handled by the franchise. John Murphy stroke and Van Miller never calling a Bills SB win could be listed in the weird and bad maybe too. Good post by OP still though. Quote
Old Coot Posted June 13 Posted June 13 8 hours ago, rusty shackleford said: Ralph is rolling in his grave knowing they brought naming rights back to his stadium. That's Rich. 2 Quote
ganesh Posted June 13 Posted June 13 (edited) great stuff... The no punt playoff game where we whooped the Patsies has to be right there in the "The Good" list. It felt so good that day Renewal of the Miami-Bills rivalry The loss against Minnesota with the fumble on the goal line was terrible. We gave it to them Kim's health - Not so good Edited June 13 by ganesh 1 1 Quote
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