The Bills Zone Guide To Bills Botches

[topher180]

I'm not even 30 yet and I've had a lifetime of Buffalo Bills generated disappointments. Let us rejoice jaded fans, and at least find humor in all of our beloved team's failures in their 48 years of pathetic existence. I was thinking game performances only BTW....poor drafting could be a whole other thread.

Please add accordingly as I get the ball rolling.....

1) Wide Right

2) The Music City Miracle

3) 2004 - Week 17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers backups at home, effectively eliminating them from the playoffs.

4) 2007 - MNF Loss to Dallas at home on live TV despite a great defense effort and 6 Dallas turnovers. The Cowboys manage to score 9 points in 20 seconds and Nick Folk hits a 53 yarder to seal it, well twice.

I have others but don't want to hog all the goodies.

:poop:

[jamze132]

I'm not even 30 yet and I've had a lifetime of Buffalo Bills generated disappointments. Let us rejoice jaded fans, and at least find humor in all of our beloved team's failures in their 48 years of pathetic existence. I was thinking game performances only BTW....poor drafting could be a whole other thread.

Please add accordingly as I get the ball rolling.....

1) Wide Right

2) The Music City Miracle

3) 2004 - Week 17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers backups at home, effectively eliminating them from the playoffs.

4) 2007 - MNF Loss to Dallas at home on live TV despite a great defense effort and 6 Dallas turnovers. The Cowboys manage to score 9 points in 20 seconds and Nick Folk hits a 53 yarder to seal it, well twice.

I have others but don't want to hog all the goodies.

:poop:
Might as well add the Buffalo Bills charity game of 2008. Facing the Jets on the road, we were winning with 2:06 to go and decided to out think our opponent but ended up out thinking ourselves by believing that JP would be able to successfully execute the play. Of course we didn't and we gave the Jets the victory and sent them one step closer to the division title. I hope they at least give the Bills a Christmas card for their generous contribution.

[shelby]

Billy Joe Hobert's classic "i didn't study the playbook!"

[X-Era]

Billy Joe Hobert's classic "i didn't study the playbook!"
last years loss to Denver

The Darick Holmes fumble in the 49'ers red zone sticks out in my mind for some reason

I think Lindells series of misses fits too

[trapezeus]

losing at home to jacksonville in Kelly's last year. no one saw that loss coming. we all just expected to get to the next round. That was so humbling.

[justasportsfan]

It's an abussive/dysfunctional relationship. Fans keep beaten up by the team we love and we keep coming back for more.

[Jan Reimers]

Losing the AFC Championship to KC (after winning it the previous 2 years) in '66 (?) and missing out on the first SB.

[OpIv37]

How about the 2004 opener loss to Jacksonville, when we led the game until the very last play? Stupid Nate Clements.

[Historian]

Tom Dempsey's miss in the 1979 opener against the Fish.

[ddaryl]

Gee whiz guys ... why not push the knife in a little deeper.

I went from just being depressed, to being on a 24/7 holiday suicide watch

[OpIv37]

The 06 home opener against the Jets. JP puts up career numbers, but turns the ball over so many times that the Bills lose anyway.

[Historian]

Firing Polian.

[Jan Reimers]

The opener (I forget the year) when QB Tony Banks ran 25-30 yards on the last play of the game in a hideous loss to St. Louis. I kicked a stadium guard rail so hard on the way out that I had a lump on my shin for several years.

[billsfanone]

Dick Jauron's hiring.
Draft of Mike Williams.
Draft of Erik Flowers.
Draft of JP Loserman.
Mike Mularkey's hiring.
Gregg Williams' hiring.

edit: whoops you're sticking to games...

[Night Train]

I think if Jan,Historian,Mad Bomber & myself got together, we could complete a 200 page book on all the mistakes made since 1960.

[Jan Reimers]

I think if Jan,Historian,Mad Bomber & myself got together, we could complete a 200 page book on all the mistakes made since 1960.
But all of the crying in our beer could start a serious flood.

[ddaryl]

Firing Polian.


the curse of the Polian....

[RockStar36]

1. Last years Denver and Dallas game
2. The Jacksonville opener
3. Losing to Pittsburgh's 3rd string players, at home, with the playoffs on the line
4. The Jets opener with Bledsoe when Morton (I think) returned two kickoffs for a touchdown

[CuseJetsFan83]

4. The Jets opener with Bledsoe when Morton (I think) returned two kickoffs for a touchdown

yeah, i wanna say that was 2003 or 2004... morton's second ko return for a touchdown was in OT

[GreedoII]

The Phantom Pass Interference Game vs NE was a nightmare.

The Christie Miss in SD 1998 opening game

The Bruce Smith Stomach Flu playoff game vs Pitt (I mean seriously??)

The 1988 monday night game against Seattle when Sea botched their extra point but ran it in to go up 17-16. A classic

Ronnie Harmon Drop

The 10-5 TB game in 88 that blew our home field or the last game of the saeaon that yr against the Colts they lost to blow it. Take your pick

The Flutie fumble mia playoff game where Reed got penalized when he was clearly in for the score the play before.

the Buc game in 2000 whne we lost half our Defense to injury

Every game from 2001-2008

shall I go on??

[Historian]

Pat Toomay getting a personal foul because he bumped into a ref trying to make a tackle.

[Historian]

Darrick Holmes fumbling on the SF one yard line.

[trapezeus]

I think if Jan,Historian,Mad Bomber & myself got together, we could complete a 200 page book on all the mistakes made since 1960.

small font edition too.

[trapezeus]

phantom henry jones pass interference call in 98 or 99 in New england that gave the patriots the ball at the 1 yard line.

[Historian]

Dennis Shaw handing off to Manny Fernandez of the fish...

[Historian]

Letting Wallace Francis walk to Atlanta where he ends up on their Ring of Fame.

[Historian]

Leaving Ahmad Rashad unprotected so he can be claimed by Seattle in the 1976 Expansion Draft.

[Historian]

The Will Wolford escalator clause.

[Historian]

Fergy's delay of game at Cincinnati in the playoffs.

[Historian]

Ron Smith's TD in the SD playoff game.

[Historian]

Tom Cousineau

[Historian]

Chip Banks

[Historian]

Tom Ruud and Bob Nelson

[Historian]

Walt Patulski

[Historian]

Al Cowlings

(Then and now!)

[Historian]

The 1982 Players strike.

[Historian]

The 1987 Players strike.

[Historian]

Replacing the Shout song.

[Historian]

Red helmets because our quarterback is colorblind.

[Historian]

Kay Stevenson

[Historian]

Hank Bullough

[Historian]

Harvey Johnson (twice)

[Historian]

Haslett and Robertson fighting outside the Pierce Arrow.

[raphael120]

Don't forget Wide Right #2 against Cleveland this year.

[topher180]

2004 - Bills lose Week 2 game in Oakland....after a solid defensive effort keeping the Raiders out of the endzone for the most part, the bills manage to NOT punch it in on 4th and Goal. Maybe not the most noteworthy loss but sticks out for some reason. Another game where they had a chance to win up until the very end and manged to blow it.

[Jimbuktu]

What about McGahee can't get one yard in the season opener against the Pats two years ago? Jauron's debut.

That Darrick Holmes play really sticks out for me as well.

Can't believe no one mentioned Flutie beating us as a Charger.

Chad Morton **** was a heartbreaker in the Bledsoe debut.

Pennington's -- PENNINGTON!!! -- juke on the acient Eddie Robinson for the TD.

Alex Van Pelt's 35-0 loss to the Niners on Sunday Night

[Jimbuktu]

Vince Young ending our scant playoff hopes in a week 16 game at Buffalo. Bills can't tackle for ****, Jauron opts for a hail mary at the end instead of even trying a 50-ish yarder.

[RedEyE]

:ill:

[Dr. Lecter]

Personal foul on Andre Reed against the Fish because the ref leaned over him and Reed stood up, followed by the Midget fumble.

OJ ****ing Simpson.

Leading the 4th Super Bowl at halftime.

The QB triangle of terror - Dufek, Mathison and Ferragamo.

Just Give it to Them.

[billsfan0404]

I think it was in 1998, when the Pats scored as time ran out and our team had already gone to the locker room, but NE lined up for the extra point, handed the ball to Vinatieri and he ran in for the 2 pt conversion. I think that was on national tv, too

[Historian]

0 for the 1970's.

[Historian]

1971

[Historian]

1968

[Historian]

Kemp tears a knee in a sucide scrimmage in camp

[Historian]

Bills lose to expansion Bengals, 1968.

[topher180]

Personal foul on Andre Reed against the Fish because the ref leaned over him and Reed stood up, followed by the Midget fumble.

OJ ****ing Simpson.

Leading the 4th Super Bowl at halftime.

The QB triangle of terror - Dufek, Mathison and Ferragamo.

Just Give it to Them.

Werd.:D:

[SabreEleven]

I think if Jan,Historian,Mad Bomber & myself got together, we could complete a 200 page book on all the mistakes made since 1960.

or you could open an old folk's home.

[SabreEleven]

All 4 Superbowls.

[Historian]

Keep em coming folks!

I'm going to list the top 100 and write a book about it!

[Night Train]

Getting Rid of Chuck Knox was my bad memory. I was very bitter for a long time.

Back in 1977 when Jim Ringo (ugh) was our coach, the 2nd worst team in the NFL was 3 TD's better than the Bills. I was one of the 15,000 fans left sitting in the stands.

Wilson has a gift fall into his lap when Knox is hired in 1978 as Coach/GM. Knox changes the entire attitude of this team. He invents the "Talking Proud" campaign, which is corny but a monster success locally. Instantly starts making big moves in Free Agency & drafting many good players who contribute immediately. He's an absolute godsend for a morbid franchise that suddenly is a top 5 team.

Within a year, you cannot find an empty seat in our stadium (80,020 seats back then). Fergy is playing well at QB. Joe Cribbs is instantly good at RB. Jerry Butler & Frank Lewis at WR are both outstanding. Our 3-4 D is just swarming, led by Sherman White, Fred Smerlas, Jim Haslett, Shane Nelson, Lucius Sanford,Bill Simpson, Jeff Nixon & many more. Playoffs in 1980,1981.

1982 is a players strike & Ralph won't let Knox make any moves, due to saving $$ being his new priority (again!). Knox gives up & leaves for Seattle.

Knox loved it here, much like Polian & never wished to leave.

To think we could have had these 2 guys running our team for many years, which would equal winning pretty much every season. The Pittsburgh Steelers formula for the last 40 years. If it's working, DON'T fix it !

But no...Ralph had to stick his nose into things.. GRRRRRRRRRRR !

[Historian]

Losing Cribbs to the USFL over cash.

[Historian]

Losing Kelly to the USFL over cash.

[Historian]

Phil Dokes

[Historian]

Booker Moore

[Historian]

Perry Tuttle

[Historian]

Todd Collins

[Night Train]

Trading up for JP
Trading up for McCargo

[Jeff1220]

Trying to beat the Pats for the first time in forever...4th and long...Holcomb throws a 3 yard out - 7 yards short of the first down, but at least his completion percentage stays high :rolleyes:

[Historian]

Lamonica to Oakland for Flores and Powell.

[Historian]

Gilchrist to Denver for Billy Joe.

[Dozerdog]

1980 Playoff game Vs San Diego- Had a lead with 2 minutes left and gave up a 50 yard TD pass

[Dozerdog]

(Fill in points behind) with 10 minutes in the 4th quarter against (fill in team) 4th and 5-6 yards, you are on the (fill in team's ) 40 yard line,


.....and you punt

[Dozerdog]

Jacksonville home opener in 2005 - completing two 4th and forevers, and the Jags win with a "force out" catch in the end zone on the last play of the game

[HHURRICANE]

Ronnie Harmon dropping a pass in the corner of the endzone to beat Cleveland in the 1988 playoffs.

Taking Willis McGahee.

Taking two guys from the U in one draft.

[Dr. Lecter]

Ronnie Harmon dropping a pass in the corner of the endzone to beat Cleveland in the 1988 playoffs.

Taking Willis McGahee.

Taking two guys from the U in one draft.

And then hearing that Harmon blamed Kelly for the drop. ****ing idiot.

[HHURRICANE]

And then hearing that Harmon blamed Kelly for the drop. ****ing idiot.

Yeah, it hit him in his hands above the defender. Ronnie Harmon is probably one of the bigger disappointments coming out of college.

[Mr. Pink]

Jim Kelly for not handing the ball to Thurman Thomas more in SB XXV

[Historian]

Tony Greene's 105 yard int TD called back against the fish.

[Historian]

OJ Simpson: Decoy!

[Historian]

Sending Briscoe to the fish where he wins a Super Bowl

[Historian]

Derrick Burroughs personal foul in the 88 Championship game against the Bengals.

[Historian]

Bruce Smith's facemask call against the Bengals

(He actually had Esiason's shirt)

[Historian]

Letting Joe D go to Cleveland in his prime...

[Mr. Pink]

Historian...why is Chip Banks in your list?

Dude was my favorite player as a kid and a dominant LB who decided drugs were more important.

[Dozerdog]

Did anyone mention letting Bill Polian go yet?

[Historian]

Historian...why is Chip Banks in your list?

Dude was my favorite player as a kid and a dominant LB who decided drugs were more important.

We traded for him and he refused to come here, lol.

[Historian]

Benny Ricardo

[Historian]

George Jakowenko

[Historian]

Grant Guthrie

[Historian]

Cutting Gary Anderson

[Historian]

Butler's puny contract offer.

[Historian]

Tom Catlin laughing in Wilson's face after Knox quit.

[Historian]

Thanksgiving Day 1976

[Historian]

Thanksgiving Day 1994

[Crisis]

98...down 14-7 to miami, late drive downfield, kelly throws int to terrell buckley who takes it 93 yards...miami wins 21-7

[Devin]

Did anyone mention letting Bill Polian go yet?

I dont know but that has to be one of the biggest.

[SabreEleven]

Jim Kelly for not handing the ball to Thurman Thomas more in SB XXV

The coaches for not making adjustments and getting out coached in SB XXV

[topher180]

Time to dust this one off people.....

The Week 1 Monday Night Loss v. the Pats, capped off by the Leodis fumble.

The Week 4 Miami game of the 2009 season. Too much to write about this, but not worth it. Gross.

[Oaf]

Titans game from '06. Going for it on 4th and 7 from the 29 down by one.

[Michael82]

Wow! This is the most depressing thread ever. If we made it a guide to Buffalo Sports Team Botches...it would probably be even worse. We truly are a cursed team and sports town. :ill:

I agree with others...that Titans game from 06 sticks in my head because we were on fire and if we won that game, we might have snuck into the playoffs.

I'd also add the Denver Broncos home opener where we lost a heartbreaker and had a player's career ended on our home turf.

How about the uniforms...and the Tom Donahoe hiring. You can definitely add those to the list of botches...

[SeatownBillsFan21]

I just read this entire thread and i gotta say its almost funny to me.This team is cursed. IMO

[Jan Reimers]

I just read this entire thread and i gotta say its almost funny to me.This team is cursed. IMO
I agree that we are cursed - with terrible management, beginning at the top.

[topher180]

Ronnie Harmon dropping a pass in the corner of the endzone to beat Cleveland in the 1988 playoffs.

Taking Willis McGahee.

Taking two guys from the U in one draft.

you make it too easy to jone dude.

[topher180]

Time to dust this one off people.....

The Week 1 Monday Night Loss v. the Pats, capped off by the Leodis fumble.

The Week 4 Miami game of the 2009 season. Too much to write about this, but not worth it. Gross.

The hits have just kept on coming haven't they?

Cleveland game this year - legitimate candidate for worst NFL game ever played.

Signing TO to generate buzz and ticket sales, only to watch him complain, sulk, and not even give 50% by week 10.

Not moving Roscoe before the deadline, likely because they wanted too much compensation. Now, of course, instead of a conditional draft pick or something, the will get NOTHING! GOOD DAY SIR!

Our O-Line.

[Oaf]

After smashing the Pats and Jax in 03', letting Travis Henry throw the ball against the Fins.

[unpaid_bills]

week 10 vs Jags (i am just expecting the worst)

1. Hiring Dick Jauron
2. Re-upping him for 3 years after mediocre at best seasons
3. Suffering through yet another frustratring season with no chance of making the playoffs, no sign of light at the end of the tunnel

[airdog32]

Thanksgiving Day 1994
Historian you really need a new team you have way to many bad memories with this team!!! Why in the world have you stuck around so long!!!!!!

[Historian]

Historian you really need a new team you have way to many bad memories with this team!!! Why in the world have you stuck around so long!!!!!!

Jan and Mad have been around since day one, and they're still here.

To answer your question though....The Bills represent my life to me. Every milestone in my life can be attached to a Bills season. For example:

My first game at WMS against Atlanta, with my Dad and Grandpa.

When my Uncle got home from Vietnam, he took me to the 1971 opener against Dallas.

When my Dad was sick in the hospital, my Grandpa took me to the 1973 game against the Eagles. (Where Dempsey shanked the FG at the end)

The first game I drove (ie tailgated) to: A 1978 preseason game against the Steelers.

Freshman in college...opener against the fish in 1980, finally beating them.

Thanksgiving 1984, knocking Dallas out of the playoffs.

The two-man wave against Cleveland in 1985.

The day before I moved to Philly: shutting out the fish in 1987, 27-0.

Watching the first SB with Giants fans in NYC.

My wedding pictures on the field at the 50 yard line.

My first game as a Buffalo Bills Blue Coat.

The Woman Understanding Football clinic where I worked with Jeff Nixon.

My daughter's first game against the Ravens.

My son's first game against the Bears this preseason.

That's my whole life in a nutshell. And these are just a fraction of the memories that come to mind!

Not to mention all the wonderful people I have met in the parking lots, sharing beer and food, in the stadium, and yes, even online....all because of the Buffalo Bills Football Club.

That's why I stick around. Not because of the team's fortunes on the field.

It is comical to re-read this thread though....all the crap we all have had to suffer through in the last 50 years.

There should be a collage of each and every one of us in the PFHOF.

My Dad, my Grandfather, and both my Uncles (all now deceased) would have given their right arm to see this team win a Super Bowl.

So I guess..."Where ther's life, there's hope." to coin a phrase from Van Miller.

:)

[yordad]

I don't think it was mentioned: The Cleveland game last year. The last game I attended.

[Ground Chuck]

Ed Rutkowski fumbling at the goal line against the Raiders.

[airdog32]

Jan and Mad have been around since day one, and they're still here.

To answer your question though....The Bills represent my life to me. Every milestone in my life can be attached to a Bills season. For example:

My first game at WMS against Atlanta, with my Dad and Grandpa.

When my Uncle got home from Vietnam, he took me to the 1971 opener against Dallas.

When my Dad was sick in the hospital, my Grandpa took me to the 1973 game against the Eagles. (Where Dempsey shanked the FG at the end)

The first game I drove (ie tailgated) to: A 1978 preseason game against the Steelers.

Freshman in college...opener against the fish in 1980, finally beating them.

Thanksgiving 1984, knocking Dallas out of the playoffs.

The two-man wave against Cleveland in 1985.

The day before I moved to Philly: shutting out the fish in 1987, 27-0.

Watching the first SB with Giants fans in NYC.

My wedding pictures on the field at the 50 yard line.

My first game as a Buffalo Bills Blue Coat.

The Woman Understanding Football clinic where I worked with Jeff Nixon.

My daughter's first game against the Ravens.

My son's first game against the Bears this preseason.

That's my whole life in a nutshell. And these are just a fraction of the memories that come to mind!

Not to mention all the wonderful people I have met in the parking lots, sharing beer and food, in the stadium, and yes, even online....all because of the Buffalo Bills Football Club.

That's why I stick around. Not because of the team's fortunes on the field.

It is comical to re-read this thread though....all the crap we all have had to suffer through in the last 50 years.

There should be a collage of each and every one of us in the PFHOF.

My Dad, my Grandfather, and both my Uncles (all now deceased) would have given their right arm to see this team win a Super Bowl.

So I guess..."Where ther's life, there's hope." to coin a phrase from Van Miller.

:)
you should be inducted the 12th man you deserve it fans like you are what make teams like this one great win or loose we will all still be here, if by chance the team leaves WNY I beleieve you will be in the parking lot of the ralph tailgaiting!!!!!!!!

[Historian]

Its been discussed, lol.

[topher180]

...dusting this off with the opener upon us....it's quite epic if I may say so myself.

[topher180]

Having an obviously bad QB win your fake QB competition, only to cut him 2 weeks into the regular season.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

Hiring a quarterback on the grounds that he's good enough to be a backup but not good enough to threaten the starting quarterback-- only to put him in as the starting quarterback.

[topher180]

The Chris Kelsay extension. Wow.

[Ginger Vitis]

2000 MNF game at the end of the year against the Colts.. Wade Phillips thought the Bills were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs before the game started when they weren't..Bills go on to lose by 4 touchdowns

[Oaf]

2000 MNF game at the end of the year against the Colts.. Wade Phillips thought the Bills were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs before the game started when they weren't..Bills go on to lose by 4 touchdowns
Never heard that one.

[Ingtar33]

2000 MNF game at the end of the year against the Colts.. Wade Phillips thought the Bills were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs before the game started when they weren't..Bills go on to lose by 4 touchdowns

Never heard that one.


yep... that was what got wade fired (IMHO).

He felt we were done with no chance at the playoffs.. the colts had the EXACT SAME PATH to the playoffs the bills had (including the tiebreakers), a lot of crazy stuff had to go right to get in...

He told the sideline reporter within ear shot of his team that we were done, and no chance to make the playoffs.

The colt's coach was asked about that and he said something like "it's not over till it's over",

The colts absolutely rolled us, as the bills came out looking like they were planning their offseason, and Payton Manning played like his life was on the line. A few weeks later the Colts make the playoffs as ALL the improbably wins and losses happened around the league, meaning we would have made the playoffs as well had we not given up on the Colts game.