Lori Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Bills - Rams I'll toss in a bonus quote from Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Burwell and fellow columnist Bernie Miklasz, who I cite at the bottom of the preview, are in fine form this week ... As I cast my envious eyes towards Motown where the early stages of a palace coup within the Detroit Lions organization is ongoing, I keep wondering: When, oh, when will it happen here? This is not piling on. This is pure public service. I have been covering sports for more than 30 years, and I can honestly say that I have never been around an operation like the Rams. It's well past time to tear this thing up and start all over again, but the ax still hasn't fallen. So I guess the best way to help move that objective along is by a constant and loud drumbeat for change. The change I'm talking about isn't the superficial band aids that keep happening around here, as they try and patch up the gaping wound that has bled all the life out of this mortally wounded franchise. Quarterbacks and cornerbacks, defensive ends and tackles. These are what we now euphemistically call More Lipstick, More Pigs (and that's only because we can't call it %*@!, and #@*!! in a family newspaper). (more at link: Wrong Rams people are making changes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Another masterpiece!!! Looking back, qbs with concussion problems often play better after a rest. Bledsoe comes to mind, no? I hope the Bills are able to score early, and then simply tee off on Green. I thought he was finished years ago, but they all scare me when they are playing the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Flanders Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 they all scare me when they are playing the Bills. Agreed...and especially after watching the USC game last night. "...that's why they play the games!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Agreed...and especially after watching the USC game last night. "...that's why they play the games!" Before the game last Sunday, I was amused when people kept telling me how many touchdowns the Bills were going to win by. I'll use the same reply now: the Bills should win this game, if they don't keep the Rams in it with turnovers and mistakes ... but they proved last week that they aren't immune to those miscues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ (not THAT RJ) Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Before the game last Sunday, I was amused when people kept telling me how many touchdowns the Bills were going to win by. I'll use the same reply now: the Bills should win this game, if they don't keep the Rams in it with turnovers and mistakes ... but they proved last week that they aren't immune to those miscues. So true. What really struck me from your excellent preview, though, Lori, was that the Bills and Rams have only played nine times since 1970, even though the Rams were the first NFC team the Bills played in a regular season game. Granted, before 1978 the number and pattern of interconference games was a bit more random, and I should track down one of my packed-away media guides, but I wonder if there are any other non-expansion teams the Bills have played fewer times? Conversely, is there an NFC team the Bills have played significantly more often than any other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Surprisingly, they've only played Cleveland 13 times since the merger. That's by far the fewest games against a non-expansion AFC foe. As for the NFC, it's actually pretty close to the average. The Bills have played no more than 11 games (Minnesota, Philly, Washington) against any NFC team, and not counting Carolina, no fewer than seven (New Orleans). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ (not THAT RJ) Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Surprisingly, they've only played Cleveland 13 times since the merger. That's by far the fewest games against a non-expansion AFC foe. As for the NFC, it's actually pretty close to the average. The Bills have played no more than 11 games (Minnesota, Philly, Washington) against any NFC team, and not counting Carolina, no fewer than seven (New Orleans). Thanks Lori. I feel guilty making you do research that I could do myself, but appreciate the info. That is interesting about Cleveland. I guess outside of Baltimore/Indy (obviously), whom they played much more often, the Steelers would be far ahead of the Browns among pre-merger NFL teams that have played the Bills. It certainly feels as though the Bills and Steelers have played a bunch of times... Off the top of my head, I can remember 1970, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007.. Though even that is only 20 times... I obviously need to get back to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Flanders Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Surprisingly, they've only played Cleveland 13 times since the merger. That's by far the fewest games against a non-expansion AFC foe. As for the NFC, it's actually pretty close to the average. The Bills have played no more than 11 games (Minnesota, Philly, Washington) against any NFC team, and not counting Carolina, no fewer than seven (New Orleans). Isn't Tampa Bay ('76 expansion) the only NFL team that's yet to play in Orchard Park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Thanks Lori! Great read. This game skeers me, we should dominate but this is a desperate team. If they can get off to a decent start we may have our hands full. On the other hand, if we can get an early lead it will be game over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted September 27, 2008 Author Share Posted September 27, 2008 Isn't Tampa Bay ('76 expansion) the only NFL team that's yet to play in Orchard Park? Yup. The cRavens made their first trip here last season, and all three recent expansion teams have also played at RWS. As such, the Buccaneers are the only team I've never seen in person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Reading Burwell's article, it's obvious that unlike the salary cap, the NFL cannot create parity among front offices. Teams like the Rams, Cardinals, Lions, Chiefs, and Bengals have been led by inept management, and in some cases, facilitated by owners who don't care. How else can anyone explain the Rams and Lions being led by the same pitiful execs for so long? I've had issues with the Bills front office, but their shortcomings pale in comparison to other franchises. There seems to be a plan in Buffalo, which is far more than teams like the Rams can offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Yup. The cRavens made their first trip here last season, and all three recent expansion teams have also played at RWS. As such, the Buccaneers are the only team I've never seen in person. i flew down for the bucs game a few years back when the reigns were given to losman. great stadium with a HUGE Buffalo fan base. if you get the chance to go to their stadium it would make a real nice weekend trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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