BillsVet Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Three years ago the Bills entered the offseason fresh off a 5-11 record, the firing of a maniacal GM and an abrupt departure of their HC. In came Levy and Jauron to right the ship, but three 7-9 seasons later it would seem only the means to achieve mediocrity have changed. In 06, the Bills schedule included 8 games against eventual playoff teams. In those eight contests, Buffalo managed a 1-7 record, while going 6-2 against other opponents. The Bills entered the bye week 2-5, but finished 5-4. Beating the Jets 31-13 in the Meadowlands represented their lone victory versus a playoff-bound team. Buffalo's combined opponents winning percentage was .539. 06 Bills strength of schedule Fast forward to 08. Buffalo played the 31st ranked strength of schedule, finished 2-8 in their final 10 after starting 5-1. Individual player talent may be similar from 06 to 08, but the end results suggest that the sum isn't nearly greater than the parts. Upgrades are still required at a host of positions, namely C, TE, SLB, and DE. Contrast that with the varying and obvious needs this team has had after 06, 07, and 08 and it seems nothing changes in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magox Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Three years ago the Bills entered the offseason fresh off a 5-11 record, the firing of a maniacal GM and an abrupt departure of their HC. In came Levy and Jauron to right the ship, but three 7-9 seasons later it would seem only the means to achieve mediocrity have changed. In 06, the Bills schedule included 8 games against eventual playoff teams. In those eight contests, Buffalo managed a 1-7 record, while going 6-2 against other opponents. The Bills entered the bye week 2-5, but finished 5-4. Beating the Jets 31-13 in the Meadowlands represented their lone victory versus a playoff-bound team. Buffalo's combined opponents winning percentage was .539. 06 Bills strength of schedule Fast forward to 08. Buffalo played the 31st ranked strength of schedule, finished 2-8 in their final 10 after starting 5-1. Individual player talent may be similar from 06 to 08, but the end results suggest that the sum isn't nearly greater than the parts. Upgrades are still required at a host of positions, namely C, TE, SLB, and DE. Contrast that with the varying and obvious needs this team has had after 06, 07, and 08 and it seems nothing changes in the end. and your point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PushthePile Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I agree with you that the product on the field is not any better. However, I do think this group of players is younger and has alot of room to improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Three years ago the Bills entered the offseason fresh off a 5-11 record, the firing of a maniacal GM and an abrupt departure of their HC. In came Levy and Jauron to right the ship, but three 7-9 seasons later it would seem only the means to achieve mediocrity have changed. In 06, the Bills schedule included 8 games against eventual playoff teams. In those eight contests, Buffalo managed a 1-7 record, while going 6-2 against other opponents. The Bills entered the bye week 2-5, but finished 5-4. Beating the Jets 31-13 in the Meadowlands represented their lone victory versus a playoff-bound team. Buffalo's combined opponents winning percentage was .539. 06 Bills strength of schedule Fast forward to 08. Buffalo played the 31st ranked strength of schedule, finished 2-8 in their final 10 after starting 5-1. Individual player talent may be similar from 06 to 08, but the end results suggest that the sum isn't nearly greater than the parts. Upgrades are still required at a host of positions, namely C, TE, SLB, and DE. Contrast that with the varying and obvious needs this team has had after 06, 07, and 08 and it seems nothing changes in the end. BUT we're also no worse than we were 3 years ago. That makes it ok, right? RIGHT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 I agree with you that the product on the field is not any better. However, I do think this group of players is younger and has alot of room to improve. Seasons that refrain has been heard among Bills fans since 2006: 3 The goal of rebuilding remains to improve and contend for a title. Not improving or getting worse probably means the power brokers in the front office don't know how to get better. But that's another story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marauderswr80 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 yes we get that we suck......thanks for pointing that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Total bulls#it. A unit-by-unit analysis, plus an examination of the age of key players and salaries, reveals this team is in FAR better shape than the mess it was in 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Total bulls#it. A unit-by-unit analysis, plus an examination of the age of key players and salaries, reveals this team is in FAR better shape than the mess it was in 2005. Well they may be better than the 05 team. The problem is relative strength in the division. Relative strength is the only test that counts. They are not better relative to the other AFC East division teams. It is a very ugly situation to be in. Right now if the Bills played every division team again I suspect a record of 0-3. Only dramatic off season moves will change that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 The point is not to demonstrate the obvious that Buffalo isn't good enough. But right now, after three years of rebuilding, saying they're anything less than much improved from 06 to 08 is not good enough. As a previous poster noted, the Bills have taken a back seat to the other 3 teams in the AFC as they've leveled off at 7-9 in the past three years. Perhaps we'll be surprised on 2/27 when UFA begins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Three years ago the Bills entered the offseason fresh off a 5-11 record, the firing of a maniacal GM and an abrupt departure of their HC. In came Levy and Jauron to right the ship, but three 7-9 seasons later it would seem only the means to achieve mediocrity have changed. In 06, the Bills schedule included 8 games against eventual playoff teams. In those eight contests, Buffalo managed a 1-7 record, while going 6-2 against other opponents. The Bills entered the bye week 2-5, but finished 5-4. Beating the Jets 31-13 in the Meadowlands represented their lone victory versus a playoff-bound team. Buffalo's combined opponents winning percentage was .539. 06 Bills strength of schedule Fast forward to 08. Buffalo played the 31st ranked strength of schedule, finished 2-8 in their final 10 after starting 5-1. Individual player talent may be similar from 06 to 08, but the end results suggest that the sum isn't nearly greater than the parts. Upgrades are still required at a host of positions, namely C, TE, SLB, and DE. Contrast that with the varying and obvious needs this team has had after 06, 07, and 08 and it seems nothing changes in the end. Primary problem is that neither team had a solid QB. Put Kurt Warner in a Bills uni this past season and the situation would have been different. Not saying a huge difference bit I could argue for 10-6 and not 7-9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Primary problem is that neither team had a solid QB. Put Kurt Warner in a Bills uni this past season and the situation would have been different. Not saying a huge difference bit I could argue for 10-6 and not 7-9. What about with decent coaching? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San-O Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Three years ago the Bills entered the offseason fresh off a 5-11 record, the firing of a maniacal GM and an abrupt departure of their HC. In came Levy and Jauron to right the ship, but three 7-9 seasons later it would seem only the means to achieve mediocrity have changed. In 06, the Bills schedule included 8 games against eventual playoff teams. In those eight contests, Buffalo managed a 1-7 record, while going 6-2 against other opponents. The Bills entered the bye week 2-5, but finished 5-4. Beating the Jets 31-13 in the Meadowlands represented their lone victory versus a playoff-bound team. Buffalo's combined opponents winning percentage was .539. 06 Bills strength of schedule Fast forward to 08. Buffalo played the 31st ranked strength of schedule, finished 2-8 in their final 10 after starting 5-1. Individual player talent may be similar from 06 to 08, but the end results suggest that the sum isn't nearly greater than the parts. Upgrades are still required at a host of positions, namely C, TE, SLB, and DE. Contrast that with the varying and obvious needs this team has had after 06, 07, and 08 and it seems nothing changes in the end. Buffalo is going to be in real trouble this next year. Six wins will be tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcali Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Three years ago the Bills entered the offseason fresh off a 5-11 record, the firing of a maniacal GM and an abrupt departure of their HC. In came Levy and Jauron to right the ship, but three 7-9 seasons later it would seem only the means to achieve mediocrity have changed. In 06, the Bills schedule included 8 games against eventual playoff teams. In those eight contests, Buffalo managed a 1-7 record, while going 6-2 against other opponents. The Bills entered the bye week 2-5, but finished 5-4. Beating the Jets 31-13 in the Meadowlands represented their lone victory versus a playoff-bound team. Buffalo's combined opponents winning percentage was .539. 06 Bills strength of schedule Fast forward to 08. Buffalo played the 31st ranked strength of schedule, finished 2-8 in their final 10 after starting 5-1. Individual player talent may be similar from 06 to 08, but the end results suggest that the sum isn't nearly greater than the parts. Upgrades are still required at a host of positions, namely C, TE, SLB, and DE. Contrast that with the varying and obvious needs this team has had after 06, 07, and 08 and it seems nothing changes in the end. Yes we know that. Thats the sad part. Thats what the Bills are all about--ruining our sundays and crushing our hopes. Gee thanks Saint Ralphie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 What about with decent coaching? Hard to say because you would also need to add better front office. Seriously though better QB (not a knock on Trent he is inexperienced) cures a lot of ills. Name a playoff team that did not have a solid QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcali Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hard to say because you would also need to add better front office. Seriously though better QB (not a knock on Trent he is inexperienced) cures a lot of ills. Name a playoff team that did not have a solid QB. minnesota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPicc2114 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 They are a lot younger however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lets_go_bills Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hmm, no better than three years ago huh? Well, that explains the three straight 7-9s. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flbillsfan#1 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hard to say because you would also need to add better front office. Seriously though better QB (not a knock on Trent he is inexperienced) cures a lot of ills. Name a playoff team that did not have a solid QB. Trent is a THIRD YEAR VET with 2 solid years of STARTING experience. Two ROOKIE QB's led their teams to the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flbillsfan#1 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Total bulls#it. A unit-by-unit analysis, plus an examination of the age of key players and salaries, reveals this team is in FAR better shape than the mess it was in 2005. If this team is in FAR better shape than 2005, How many games do you predict the Bills will win in 09? As Dennis Green once said, you are what your record says you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SageAgainstTheMachine Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Trent is a THIRD YEAR VET with 2 solid years of STARTING experience. Two ROOKIE QB's led their teams to the playoffs. Anybody who thinks Joe Flacco "led" the Ravens to the playoffs wasn't paying close enough attention. More appropriately, he was decent enough that he didn't PREVENT them from making the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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