patmoran2006
12-10-2007, 05:54 PM
I think you have to be a VERY negative person in nature to say the Bills haven't at least met your expectations.
Anyone who knows me is aware I can be as critical of this organization as anybody. While I'm sure more than a fair share of people think I'm an ******* here, I'm also one of the first to admit I'm wrong about something, unlike soem others who go on and on, and search long and hard for a negative spin on everything good this team f'n does.
****, I predicted we were going to go 4-12 this season with all the injuries and inexperience. I know Im' not the only one who had us pegged for 4-6 wins this year either.
Bottom line: regardless of how many "bad" teams we beat; we beat them. A team that's growing is SUPPOSED to do that. At the end of the day, with all our shortcomings, with a little more experience we could easily be 9-4 right now. Maybe next year, as we're learning HOW to win this season; we hold on and win those games.
Look at the six games we lost. Two of them were to NE, maybe the greatest team ever. We lost to Dallas, a very strong SB contender in the last second. We also lost to Pittsburgh, one of the stronger teams in the league. Jacksonville is 9-4 for a reason. Only Denver has had a pretty ****ty year and even they are 6-7. I can't think of a game all year long we went into as the prohibitive favorite, laid an egg and lost.
NO matter what happens, this what we learned this year...
* Dick Jauron is a VERY respected coach around this league. I hated him, and I'm still not a big fan, but dont deny the job he's done this year. The injuries, QB shuffle, Everett. After an 0-3 start and all the injuries, this could have EASILY been a 2-14 season.. Jauron somehow kept them focused and confident, and they've won 6 of their last 8 to get into a playoff race. That's great leadership, I don't care what anybody says.
* We have a franchise QB in the making in Trent Edwards. He's smart, he's poised, he has a good arm. Overall, especially for a rookie, he's a good decision maker. He'll only get better with experience. Looks like we're going to have stability at the QB position and that's critical. Sorry JP, you'll be backing someone else up next year.
* Marshawn Lynch is a FRANCHISE RB, and Fred Jackson has emerged as a great second back. This will surely be one of the more lethal combos in the NFL for years to come.
* I DESPISED his signing, but Langston Walker has been worth every single penny of his contract. He has played very well and makes the OL one less position to worry about.
* Angelo Crowell has become one of the better LB's in football.
* Lee Evans can still make big plays and take over games offensively. He's also proven he's not a 16-game monster WR, and needs more help.
* The return game with McGee and Parrish is still very dangerous.
* Poz looked great before getting hurt and DiGiorgio has played admirably in his absence. He either starts next year or at the least, we have a lot better depth at LB because of him.
Now don't get me wrong, it's all not rosey. We still have some glaring weaknesses and we're NOT a true Super Bowl contender. But for the first time in at least a few years, I think you have to be naturally biased, or literally get off on being Critical of the Bills to not be optimistic about the immediate and near future of this club. Gone are the high-priced big mouths and in are young, talented guys that undeniably are playing for each other. Gone is the mental headcase (during games) at QB and in is some stability. Gone is the "when I feel like it" RB in McGahee and in is a real "beast."
By comparison, all our key "vets" that left during the offseason in pursuit of playing playoff games for a winning team. ALL Of them are on losing teams, and I do mean all of them.
Nate Clements (SF)- 3-10
London Fletcher (Wash) 6-7 (who I still respect a hell of a lot)
Takeo Spikes (Phil) 5-8 (totally irrelevent with them)
Willis McGahee (Balt) 4-9 (ha ha ha, that's my favorite)
Anyway. THere is a lot to be happy about. And this post won't be valid next year, because they will be EXPECTED to make the playoffs.
Anyone who knows me is aware I can be as critical of this organization as anybody. While I'm sure more than a fair share of people think I'm an ******* here, I'm also one of the first to admit I'm wrong about something, unlike soem others who go on and on, and search long and hard for a negative spin on everything good this team f'n does.
****, I predicted we were going to go 4-12 this season with all the injuries and inexperience. I know Im' not the only one who had us pegged for 4-6 wins this year either.
Bottom line: regardless of how many "bad" teams we beat; we beat them. A team that's growing is SUPPOSED to do that. At the end of the day, with all our shortcomings, with a little more experience we could easily be 9-4 right now. Maybe next year, as we're learning HOW to win this season; we hold on and win those games.
Look at the six games we lost. Two of them were to NE, maybe the greatest team ever. We lost to Dallas, a very strong SB contender in the last second. We also lost to Pittsburgh, one of the stronger teams in the league. Jacksonville is 9-4 for a reason. Only Denver has had a pretty ****ty year and even they are 6-7. I can't think of a game all year long we went into as the prohibitive favorite, laid an egg and lost.
NO matter what happens, this what we learned this year...
* Dick Jauron is a VERY respected coach around this league. I hated him, and I'm still not a big fan, but dont deny the job he's done this year. The injuries, QB shuffle, Everett. After an 0-3 start and all the injuries, this could have EASILY been a 2-14 season.. Jauron somehow kept them focused and confident, and they've won 6 of their last 8 to get into a playoff race. That's great leadership, I don't care what anybody says.
* We have a franchise QB in the making in Trent Edwards. He's smart, he's poised, he has a good arm. Overall, especially for a rookie, he's a good decision maker. He'll only get better with experience. Looks like we're going to have stability at the QB position and that's critical. Sorry JP, you'll be backing someone else up next year.
* Marshawn Lynch is a FRANCHISE RB, and Fred Jackson has emerged as a great second back. This will surely be one of the more lethal combos in the NFL for years to come.
* I DESPISED his signing, but Langston Walker has been worth every single penny of his contract. He has played very well and makes the OL one less position to worry about.
* Angelo Crowell has become one of the better LB's in football.
* Lee Evans can still make big plays and take over games offensively. He's also proven he's not a 16-game monster WR, and needs more help.
* The return game with McGee and Parrish is still very dangerous.
* Poz looked great before getting hurt and DiGiorgio has played admirably in his absence. He either starts next year or at the least, we have a lot better depth at LB because of him.
Now don't get me wrong, it's all not rosey. We still have some glaring weaknesses and we're NOT a true Super Bowl contender. But for the first time in at least a few years, I think you have to be naturally biased, or literally get off on being Critical of the Bills to not be optimistic about the immediate and near future of this club. Gone are the high-priced big mouths and in are young, talented guys that undeniably are playing for each other. Gone is the mental headcase (during games) at QB and in is some stability. Gone is the "when I feel like it" RB in McGahee and in is a real "beast."
By comparison, all our key "vets" that left during the offseason in pursuit of playing playoff games for a winning team. ALL Of them are on losing teams, and I do mean all of them.
Nate Clements (SF)- 3-10
London Fletcher (Wash) 6-7 (who I still respect a hell of a lot)
Takeo Spikes (Phil) 5-8 (totally irrelevent with them)
Willis McGahee (Balt) 4-9 (ha ha ha, that's my favorite)
Anyway. THere is a lot to be happy about. And this post won't be valid next year, because they will be EXPECTED to make the playoffs.