shelby
10-26-2008, 07:58 AM
Things run in cycles, and it appears that after the longest postseason famine in Buffalo Bills history the franchise is on the brink of football prosperity once more.
The parallels between this season and the season that launched the Bills' unprecedented Super Bowl run 20 years ago are downright eerie, and we're not talking about the lake or the county.
Consider these similarities between 2008 and 1988:
1. Identical 5-1 records through six games that include four wins to open the season, followed by a you-aren't-there-yet loss and a convincing back-on-track victory;
2. Up-and-coming stars at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and linebacker;
3. Even-keeled, Ivy League-educated head coaches who are beloved by their players;
4. Sell-out crowds at every home game;
5. A bandwagon crowded with members of the national media.
As that sage philosopher and wordsmith, Yogi Berra, likes to say, "It's déjà vü all over again."
Perhaps these Bills are ready to go back to the future.
The first third of this season definitely is analogous to the autumn of '88. And you'll find that the puzzle pieces are analogous, too, especially when you compare Trent Edwards and Jim Kelly, Marshawn Lynch and Thurman Thomas, Lee Evans and Andre Reed, Paul Posluszny and Shane Conlan, Dick Jauron and Marv Levy, Kawika Mitchell and Darryl Talley and Marcus Stroud and Fred Smerlas at similar stages of their respective careers.
Now, I'm not saying that the folks in Canton, Ohio, should start sculpting Hall of Fame busts for Edwards, Lynch and Jauron to go with the ones already in place for Kelly, Thomas and Levy. Nor am I saying this team is as talented as that '88 club, which also boasted all-time sack-leader and future Hall of Famer Bruce Smith as well as a superior offensive line, anchored by center Kent Hull. But this squad is at least good enough to dream. And some times history does repeat itself.
more... (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20081026/SPORTS03/810260434/1007/SPORTS)
The parallels between this season and the season that launched the Bills' unprecedented Super Bowl run 20 years ago are downright eerie, and we're not talking about the lake or the county.
Consider these similarities between 2008 and 1988:
1. Identical 5-1 records through six games that include four wins to open the season, followed by a you-aren't-there-yet loss and a convincing back-on-track victory;
2. Up-and-coming stars at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and linebacker;
3. Even-keeled, Ivy League-educated head coaches who are beloved by their players;
4. Sell-out crowds at every home game;
5. A bandwagon crowded with members of the national media.
As that sage philosopher and wordsmith, Yogi Berra, likes to say, "It's déjà vü all over again."
Perhaps these Bills are ready to go back to the future.
The first third of this season definitely is analogous to the autumn of '88. And you'll find that the puzzle pieces are analogous, too, especially when you compare Trent Edwards and Jim Kelly, Marshawn Lynch and Thurman Thomas, Lee Evans and Andre Reed, Paul Posluszny and Shane Conlan, Dick Jauron and Marv Levy, Kawika Mitchell and Darryl Talley and Marcus Stroud and Fred Smerlas at similar stages of their respective careers.
Now, I'm not saying that the folks in Canton, Ohio, should start sculpting Hall of Fame busts for Edwards, Lynch and Jauron to go with the ones already in place for Kelly, Thomas and Levy. Nor am I saying this team is as talented as that '88 club, which also boasted all-time sack-leader and future Hall of Famer Bruce Smith as well as a superior offensive line, anchored by center Kent Hull. But this squad is at least good enough to dream. And some times history does repeat itself.
more... (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20081026/SPORTS03/810260434/1007/SPORTS)