Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

[ghz in pittsburgh]

When 2002 ended, most of us had high hopes because we finally had a big time QB and a high-octane offense. Donahoe delivered with a slew of seasoned vets, Spikes, Adams, Posey, Lawyer. But the hope was squashed rather quickly in 2003 and Gregg Williams exited Buffalo.

When 2004 ended, we again had playoff in our hopes for 2005 when the team finisheded in a 6 and 1. They made a big change at QB and 2005 became a disaster and Mularkey exited the door.

2006 most likely will end in another positive note. My question is should we have high hopes again for 2007 after having bad experiences for those years.

[HHURRICANE]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

When 2002 ended, most of us had high hopes because we finally had a big time QB and a high-octane offense. Donahoe delivered with a slew of seasoned vets, Spikes, Adams, Posey, Lawyer. But the hope was squashed rather quickly in 2003 and Gregg Williams exited Buffalo.

When 2004 ended, we again had playoff in our hopes for 2005 when the team finisheded in a 6 and 1. They made a big change at QB and 2005 became a disaster and Mularkey exited the door.

2006 most likely will end in another positive note. My question is should we have high hopes again for 2007 after having bad experiences for those years.

Easy:

1) Gilbride.

2) MM and and an inexperienced JP

3) This time we have the same coaching staff and no major changes to the core. In addition we should be able to add some talent, which we need. I think this will have a completely different outcome. Jauron can coach.

[Pride]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

Because in those years... we only beat the teams we were supposed to beat, and got blown out by teams that were clearly better than us.

This year... we are competitive in almost every game (minus chicago and detroit).

We have developed good youth rather than filled holes with aging vets on the downside of their careers. This gives our team an upside with experience being something that will increase, as opposed to vets physical abilities decreasing.

We seem to (jury is still out) have a level headed coach who is able to get the most out of his players. And on top of that, has instilled confidence and humility at the same time.

That is why I hope for good things next year.

[OpIv37]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

The big thing this year is that our team is very young- the young guys are only going to get better. And there are some other young guys- like McCargo and Youboty- who have a lot of potential but didn't really have the opportunity to contribute for various reasons outside their control (I have to say that I was NOT impressed with McCargo when he was playing, but I don't think we should give up on him yet).

And for the record, I had very little confidence after the 2004 season (and got trashed on this board for saying so). This time, I feel different- I feel like there is a lot to build on coming out of this season and we should be much more competitive next year.

[Novacane]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

The big thing this year is that our team is very young- the young guys are only going to get better.r.

If I may quote Mikey......EXACTLY!

[justasportsfan]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

This time, I feel different- I feel like there is a lot to build on coming out of this season and we should be much more competitive next year.

[LtBillsFan66]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

We have better coaches now.

[RockStar36]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

Bledsoe played good that year against teams he should have. When it mattered against a team's 2nd and 3rd stringers he really blew it.

I'm having a hard time believing that JP will do the same thing. And I can only imagine that he will get better going into next year.

This team also has a good young core of players. The defense will only get better with Simpson and Whitner having a full season under their belts. Players like Youboty have potential and can help out alot.

Plus it's been one full year under this coaching staff. We won't have to worry about everyone learning it next year.

[don137]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

JP is improving...Bledsoe was not going to get any better...A lot more youth now, while the OL still needs to gel more they are the best its been in years, more confidence in the GM.

[The_Philster]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

Youth is the key...we have young players and, in a lot of cases, rookies, in key roles. We didn't have nearly as much as that in 2002 or 204

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

The big thing this year is that our team is very young- the young guys are only going to get better. And there are some other young guys- like McCargo and Youboty- who have a lot of potential but didn't really have the opportunity to contribute for various reasons outside their control (I have to say that I was NOT impressed with McCargo when he was playing, but I don't think we should give up on him yet).

And for the record, I had very little confidence after the 2004 season (and got trashed on this board for saying so). This time, I feel different- I feel like there is a lot to build on coming out of this season and we should be much more competitive next year.

Holy crap - Op is now an optimist! Who would've thunk!

Welcome back OPIV!!!!!!!!

[Scumbag College]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

The 2004 run was different for several reasons to this current run.

1. Old players in 2004 vs. young players in 2006
2. Stupid Coach and GM in 2004 vs. Ivy League Coach and GM
3. In 2004, except for the Seattle the Bills beat some absolutely, positively lousy teams during that late year run. This year, we've beaten decent-good teams.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

The big thing this year is that our team is very young- the young guys are only going to get better. And there are some other young guys- like McCargo and Youboty- who have a lot of potential but didn't really have the opportunity to contribute for various reasons outside their control (I have to say that I was NOT impressed with McCargo when he was playing, but I don't think we should give up on him yet).

And for the record, I had very little confidence after the 2004 season (and got trashed on this board for saying so). This time, I feel different- I feel like there is a lot to build on coming out of this season and we should be much more competitive next year.

Ok, who signed on for OP and posted this?? Lol.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

The 2004 run was different for several reasons to this current run.

1. Old players in 2004 vs. young players in 2006
2. Stupid Coach and GM in 2004 vs. Ivy League Coach and GM
3. In 2004, except for the Seattle the Bills beat some absolutely, positively lousy teams during that late year run. This year, we've beaten decent-good teams.

1. is obvious.
2. not sure. At the time we all thought Mularkey was an up and comer and Donehoe wowed how many of us?!
3. That's actually a good point that I didn't think about. I don't know exactly the record of the 6 teams we beat in 2004 before losing to the backups of the Steelers. In the current stretch after the bye, the Bills beat a few decent teams, in particular, they beat teams on a hot streak.

[OpIv37]

Re: Why should we feel different now than the end of 2002, 2004?

Holy crap - Op is now an optimist! Who would've thunk!

Welcome back OPIV!!!!!!!!

I call it as I see it- over the last two years or so, there was a lot of reasons for concerns and pessimisms.

Right now, I still have some concerns about Jauron and this team has some issues to resolve- LB and Clements, for example. But overall, we have a very young team that's improving every week (which is what I was hoping for at the beginning of the season), we're .500 and although we lost some close games, we've hung with some very good teams. Things aren't perfect, but for the first time in several years it seems like there's more good than bad.