Thurm's official Bills Season prediction

[THATHURMANATOR]

10-6.

I see some of you predicting 3 or 4 wins. YOU MUST BE HIGH.

Reasoning for my prediction:
-Edwards reverts back to form.
-Schobel comes back and is near his old self.
-Owens Completely opens up the field for Lee, Marshawn, Jackson, and Reed.
-Maybin contributes much needed pass rush in as a hybrid pass rushing specialist.
-Newly Form line while young is full of nasty ass kickers, Some early mistakes are made but I bank on the unit being much tougher and deeper than we have had in awhile
-Mcargo actually contributes something.
-Special team solid as always
-Defensive backfield is on lockdown. (byrd finally gives us a ball hawk back there and Leodis assents into stardom)

Not all of the above need to happen for 10-6 to be reality but 1 point in particular not happening will really make it tough and that is Edwards. HE MUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP. I am not sold on Fitzpatrick as a backup that can do anything if forced to start AT ALL.

[trapezeus]

what is interesting about your prediction is that you are hoping for a perfect scenario of weak items coming together.
1. Schobel being relevant again and providing a pass rush
2. the OL gelling quickly and making the WRs and RB's able to perform well
3. Edwards staying healthy the whole way
4. McCargo doing anything positive
5. Maybin contributing big time despite not being an every down player.

And after all those things going right, you still see us as only a 10-6 team. if all that goes right, we should be a 12-13 win team, shouldn't we?

[THATHURMANATOR]

By the way I haven't been this excited for a season in awhile.

[THATHURMANATOR]

what is interesting about your prediction is that you are hoping for a perfect scenario of weak items coming together.
1. Schobel being relevant again and providing a pass rush
2. the OL gelling quickly and making the WRs and RB's able to perform well
3. Edwards staying healthy the whole way
4. McCargo doing anything positive
5. Maybin contributing big time despite not being an every down player.

And after all those things going right, you still see us as only a 10-6 team. if all that goes right, we should be a 12-13 win team, shouldn't we?
What do you mean by "weak items"

1) I don't think Schobel coming back and putting together a decent 8,9 sack season being way out of the realm of possibility.
2) I stated early mistakes will be made in my assesment. I still like the new players mentalities and talent
3) This is the one I am worried about.
4) I just threw this one on there and really maybe shouldnt have. I have just read recently that he is in good shape and we have a new line coach so I just was hoping a little there.
5) I hate when people read into things and put words in my mouth. Never said Maybin would contribute "BIG TIME". But putting pressure in the QB in any form is much needed.

[THATHURMANATOR]

And after all those things going right, you still see us as only a 10-6 team. if all that goes right, we should be a 12-13 win team, shouldn't we?
I don't know should we? You seem to have all the answers, why don't you enlighten us.

You must be one of the 3 win bores..... :ill:

[RamblingMisnomer]

10-6.

I see some of you predicting 3 or 4 wins. YOU MUST BE HIGH.

Reasoning for my prediction:
-Edwards reverts back to form.
-Schobel comes back and is near his old self.
-Owens Completely opens up the field for Lee, Marshawn, Jackson, and Reed.
-Maybin contributes much needed pass rush in as a hybrid pass rushing specialist.
-Newly Form line while young is full of nasty ass kickers, Some early mistakes are made but I bank on the unit being much tougher and deeper than we have had in awhile
-Mcargo actually contributes something.
-Special team solid as always
-Defensive backfield is on lockdown. (byrd finally gives us a ball hawk back there and Leodis assents into stardom)

Not all of the above need to happen for 10-6 to be reality but 1 point in particular not happening will really make it tough and that is Edwards. HE MUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP. I am not sold on Fitzpatrick as a backup that can do anything if forced to start AT ALL.

I think its a solid list overal. I think the line will take longer than some hope to gel, and alot of that hinges on being injury free. I dont think Byrd can come in and be the ball hawk, but I do like his potential for next year. But like you said everything hinges on Edwards. If he fails to take the next step, he might as well be done here.

I think 10-6 is stretching it to be honest, 8-8 is a successful season imo. This team is too young right now.

[THATHURMANATOR]

8-8 is not good enough. I am ready after not missing a home game in 7 years for the playoffs. It is TIME!

[RamblingMisnomer]

8-8 is not good enough. I am ready after not missing a home game in 7 years for the playoffs. It is TIME!

I just think you're setting yourself up for disappointment is all. I do hope you are correct though and if all your perdictions come true Im sure our record will be much closer to the 10-6 you perdicted than the 8-8 I perdicted.

[THATHURMANATOR]

I just think you're setting yourself up for disappointment is all. I do hope you are correct though and if all your perdictions come true Im sure our record will be much closer to the 10-6 you perdicted than the 8-8 I perdicted.
I am all about setting myself up for dissappointment. No big deal though I will be ok either way.

[kid mickey]

I'm going to throw this out here. It seems to be a new trend. It doesn't really matter what the Bills got or not, so here is my prediction 7-9.

[THATHURMANATOR]

I'm going to throw this out here. It seems to be a new trend. It doesn't really matter what the Bills got or not, so here is my prediction 7-9.
k thanks

[kid mickey]

Seriously you can't realistically expect more than that. If you do your either going to be upset or pleasantly surprised. I want to be pleasantly surprised.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Seriously you can't realistically expect more than that. If you do your either going to be upset or pleasantly surprised. I want to be pleasantly surprised.
Tell me why I can't realistically expect anything I want to.

I laid out my points as to why I feel the way I do.

What is your reasoning?

[ChristopherWalken]

Games the Bills SHOULD have won last year:

Buffalo @ Jets
SF @ Buffalo
Cleveland @ Buffalo

A mature team wouldn't have lost those 3 games. Record would have reflected 10-6 season (although it still wouldn't been enough for a playoff berth).

I think this season will be based solely on OL cohesion. As lack of could adversely effect Edwards health.

With that being said, some key offensive and defensive weapons have been added to this team that will "buy" the OL time.

I can very easily see a Bills 10-6 season. No way in hell they go 0-6 again in the division this year.

[Mr. Pink]

Reasons they won't go 10-6...

An inconsistent injury prone QB
An inexperienced o-line that will take time to jell.
Lack of a pass rush.
No defensive playmakers
Brutal schedule

They likely won't win only 3-4 games but 6-10 is more likely than 10-6.

[shelby]

i am bookmarking this thread for future reference.

:snicker:

[DMBcrew36]

I'm in the realm of 5-11, 6-10, 7-9... anyone predicting greater than 9-7 needs to put the crackpipe down and realize our D still blows and we don't have a cupcake schedule like last year.

[Bill Cody]

10-6 I agree. Why? Because I said so, that's why.

[Bill Cody]

I'm in the realm of 5-11, 6-10, 7-9... anyone predicting greater than 9-7 needs to put the crackpipe down and realize our D still blows and we don't have a cupcake schedule like last year.

Our D doesn't "blow". It didn't blow last year (it was average) and it should be better, maybe quite a bit better. Why is it fine to be whining, negative beotches but if you have even a whiff of optimism before we've even taken an F'in snap we're on crack? 10-6.

[TrEd FTW]

I'm in the realm of 5-11, 6-10, 7-9... anyone predicting greater than 9-7 needs to put the crackpipe down and realize our D still blows and we don't have a cupcake schedule like last year.

You don't know that. The NFL is too unpredictable every year to tell in July whether the schedule will be easy or difficult. Some teams come out of nowhere to contend, while others shrink from contention to the doldrums.

[Mudflap1]

Our D doesn't "blow". It didn't blow last year (it was average) and it should be better, maybe quite a bit better. Why is it fine to be whining, negative beotches but if you have even a whiff of optimism before we've even taken an F'in snap we're on crack? 10-6.

Because that is what this franchise has taught us to expect over the past 10 years......

[trapezeus]

I don't know should we? You seem to have all the answers, why don't you enlighten us.

You must be one of the 3 win bores..... :ill:

Thurm, i am one of the 3 win bores. I think Dick Jauron was lucky to go 7-9. i think he has gotten progressively worse for us. i think this year, he'll single handedly tank this team and with TO not putting up with something like that, we could have a huge catastrophic event.

The bills over the last 10 years have proved to us that they can not handle adversity....and since their coach can't handle it, it'll pass on to the team. That's where i am coming from.

as for your original post, i wasn't saying those things can't happen. i am rooting that they do happen. but the probability of each item happening is 50/50 and then lowered because jauron is the coach. That's my view.

Could we get a 100 year storm and have everything go right? Yep, and that's what i hope. but i don't think there is agood chance.

a different poster said it well, but the whole thing goes to the OL gelling and i think it'll take longer than we expect. If the OL plays well, the O plays well. and if the O plays well, i think our average defense is good when it isn't on the field all the damn time. also, they are notoriously bad at stopping 3rd down. if they can just get that under control, then we could have a good year.

but based on the probability, i think they are going to let us down.

[kid mickey]

Tell me why I can't realistically expect anything I want to.

I laid out my points as to why I feel the way I do.

What is your reasoning?
You are right you can expect 10-6 you are entitled to that. The thing about your points is that they can go either way.

Aaron Schobel could have a career year, or he could be like last year. He didn't have surgery he just healed on his own, which means things can get ugly.

Trent Edwards consistently checks the ball down, so until he shows a willingness to throw the ball deep Owens and Evans won't be that huge of a factor.

Aaron Maybin is a purely a speed rusher. I watched games of his and while he has an ultra quick first step he also gets swallowed by blockers, once their hands are on him he's done.

Marshawn Lynch is out for three games. Jackson had a career game against the Pats in the final week of the season, but don't think they won't game plan for him this time around.

The entire O-Line is reshuffled. You are realistically looking at two rookies starting week one and you are looking at a grand total of four guys playing positions they didn't play last year. If I am Trent Edwards I am a little worried.

These are all big questions and they can go either way, but I am telling you that 10-6 is a tad bit optimistic. 5-11 is a tad bit pessimistic and anything in between would be realistic so factoring everything in and coming up with a solid average gets you back to 7-9. Just playing the percentages.

[Captain Obvious]

For the record Thurm has never predicted less than 10 wins evey year since 2005

[Mr. Pink]

For the record Thurm has never predicted less than 10 wins evey year since 2005


Well eventually he'll have to be right!

[billogic99]

10-6.

I see some of you predicting 3 or 4 wins. YOU MUST BE HIGH.

Reasoning for my prediction:
-Edwards reverts back to form.
-Schobel comes back and is near his old self.
-Owens Completely opens up the field for Lee, Marshawn, Jackson, and Reed.
-Maybin contributes much needed pass rush in as a hybrid pass rushing specialist.
-Newly Form line while young is full of nasty ass kickers, Some early mistakes are made but I bank on the unit being much tougher and deeper than we have had in awhile
-Mcargo actually contributes something.
-Special team solid as always
-Defensive backfield is on lockdown. (byrd finally gives us a ball hawk back there and Leodis assents into stardom)

Not all of the above need to happen for 10-6 to be reality but 1 point in particular not happening will really make it tough and that is Edwards. HE MUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP. I am not sold on Fitzpatrick as a backup that can do anything if forced to start AT ALL.

I see nothing wrong with being hopeful, but I don't think it's possible to lose 9 games with one of the weakest schedules in the league in 08 not to metion the two previous 9 loss seasons and after starting the year 5-2 only to lose 7 0f the remaining 11 on that weak schedule. I could even understand being excited about the possibility of 10 wins if we had a new coaching staff. To expect the Bills to win 10 games with the 6th toguhest schedule in the league and the same staff following 3 consecutive 9 loss seasons doesn't seem logical. Every year there are many fans here predicting 10 or 11 wins and it's because of the addition and subtractions made during the off season, but the results are always the same.

[Bill Cody]

Because that is what this franchise has taught us to expect over the past 10 years......

So after sucking in the 80's we should have all predicted 7-9 every year in the 90's, right?

[Bill Cody]

I see nothing wrong with being hopeful, but I don't think it's possible to lose 9 games with one of the weakest schedules in the league in 08 not to metion the two previous 9 loss seasons and after starting the year 5-2 only to lose 7 0f the remaining 11 on that weak schedule. I could even understand being excited about the possibility of 10 wins if we had a new coaching staff. To expect the Bills to win 10 games with the 6th toguhest schedule in the league and the same staff following 3 consecutive 9 loss seasons doesn't seem logical. Every year there are many fans here predicting 10 or 11 wins and it's because of the addition and subtractions made during the off season, but the results are always the same.

Every year and I mean EVERY year teams that did well the year before do poorly the next and teams that sucked the year before do well. This garbage about "6th toughest schedule" is therefore MEANINGLESS at this point. NOONE knows good from bad until we're about halfway through the season. Was it "logical" for the fins to go from 2 to 9 wins in one year? 3 more wins is very doable. You want to stick your head in the oven because we've been disapointing for the past decade that's your right. But it's my right to say it doesn't have to continue this year and not be labeled some wild eyed optimist.

[billsfanone]

10-6.

I see some of you predicting 3 or 4 wins. YOU MUST BE HIGH.

Reasoning for my prediction:
-Edwards reverts back to form.
-Schobel comes back and is near his old self.
-Owens Completely opens up the field for Lee, Marshawn, Jackson, and Reed.
-Maybin contributes much needed pass rush in as a hybrid pass rushing specialist.
-Newly Form line while young is full of nasty ass kickers, Some early mistakes are made but I bank on the unit being much tougher and deeper than we have had in awhile
-Mcargo actually contributes something.
-Special team solid as always
-Defensive backfield is on lockdown. (byrd finally gives us a ball hawk back there and Leodis assents into stardom)

Not all of the above need to happen for 10-6 to be reality but 1 point in particular not happening will really make it tough and that is Edwards. HE MUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP. I am not sold on Fitzpatrick as a backup that can do anything if forced to start AT ALL.

I hope all this comes true. That's why I'll be watching and rooting for.

I think Schobel is too far fetched. I think he was incredibly overrated to begin with.

[bigbub2352]

Good Looks Thurm, i think we go 8-8 after we fire DJ for an 0-4 start and Bobby April is interim puts some passion in the lockeroom and then we finally make the jump next yr
Sorry dude we arent going anywhere with this bumble**** coaching staff and there schemes, especially Fewell's D and DJ game management ELCH!!!

Just saying we can add all the players we want it is still Skeletor and his minions at the helm

[Lexwhat]

You don't know that. The NFL is too unpredictable every year to tell in July whether the schedule will be easy or difficult. Some teams come out of nowhere to contend, while others shrink from contention to the doldrums.

So you actually think our 2008 opponents (Arizona, San Fran, St.Louis, Seattle / Denver, KC, Oakland, San Diego) could be MORE DIFFICULT than our 2009 opponents (Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Carolina, Atlanta / Houston, Indy, Tennessee, Jacksonville)??

Last year we played against the 2 worst Divisions in the NFL!! The NFC South and AFC South are obviously way more challenging.

[TrEd FTW]

So you actually think our 2008 opponents (Arizona, San Fran, St.Louis, Seattle / Denver, KC, Oakland, San Diego) could be MORE DIFFICULT than our 2009 opponents (Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Carolina, Atlanta / Houston, Indy, Tennessee, Jacksonville)??

Last year we played against the 2 worst Divisions in the NFL!! The NFC South and AFC South are obviously way more challenging.

I never said I thought that, but nothing in the NFL surprises me anymore. A year ago, did you expect Miami -- coming off a 1-15 season -- to go 11-5? Or for the Falcons to win their division? It's a crazy league.

For the record, I expect another 7-9 season.

[casdhf]

For the record Thurm has never predicted less than 10 wins evey year since 2005 THURM, is this true?

[THATHURMANATOR]

THURM, is this true?
I am pretty sure I have thrown a 9-7 in there one of those years. Captain Obvious is a flamer.

[Jan Reimers]

10-6.

I see some of you predicting 3 or 4 wins. YOU MUST BE HIGH.

Reasoning for my prediction:
-Edwards reverts back to form.
-Schobel comes back and is near his old self.
-Owens Completely opens up the field for Lee, Marshawn, Jackson, and Reed.
-Maybin contributes much needed pass rush in as a hybrid pass rushing specialist.
-Newly Form line while young is full of nasty ass kickers, Some early mistakes are made but I bank on the unit being much tougher and deeper than we have had in awhile
-Mcargo actually contributes something.
-Special team solid as always
-Defensive backfield is on lockdown. (byrd finally gives us a ball hawk back there and Leodis assents into stardom)

Not all of the above need to happen for 10-6 to be reality but 1 point in particular not happening will really make it tough and that is Edwards. HE MUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP. I am not sold on Fitzpatrick as a backup that can do anything if forced to start AT ALL.
That's a great, optimistic list. If everything on it comes to fruition, we should be 12-4, minimum. As an optimistic fan, I don't know why it can't happen.

[yordad]

Hell, if everything goes right they will be 16-0!

[yordad]

Oh, plus I am really beginning to hate the word "gel".

[mybills]

Edwards is the only one I'm worried about. Then again, TO or Lee, or any key player could break a leg in practice and Trent could stay healthy all year. But even if he does stay healthy, I'll still worry. He's not as great as some people give him credit for. :ill:

[Jan Reimers]

Edwards is the only one I'm worried about. Then again, TO or Lee, or any key player could break a leg in practice and Trent could stay healthy all year. But even if he does stay healthy, I'll still worry. He's not as great as some people give him credit for. :ill:
We should begin to see him emerge this year, particularly if the O-Line gels (sorry, yordad). He should have enough time in the system, plus a number of skilled offensive players. I will be very concerned if he doesn't improve substantially over last year.

[mybills]

I hate having to wait and see. He should have bounced back more than he did at the end of last year. It's like he milked the concussion excuse or something. :ill:

[Jan Reimers]

I hate having to wait and see. He should have bounced back more than he did at the end of last year. It's like he milked the concussion excuse or something. :ill:
I hear you, mybills. I was not happy about many of his performances in the latter part of last season, either. Without being a Trent apologist, it could be that the effects of his concussion lingered longer than we suspected.

[trapezeus]

two years ago, edwards showed that he works well in a fast paced huddle. he has the brains to move the ball. in fact, i'd venture to say he's at his best when they just run the plays.

I have more outward faith that edwards keeps building on what he has. but his health is a great concern and that line coming together makes it even more of a wild card.

[Bill Cody]

I am pretty sure I have thrown a 9-7 in there one of those years. Captain Obvious is a flamer.

You mean the Captain is....

:limp: ???

[Mudflap1]

So after sucking in the 80's we should have all predicted 7-9 every year in the 90's, right?

They didn't "suck" for 10 years straight in the 80s, it was only a couple of seasons. In the early 80s, there were some playoff teams. They sucked in the mid-80s, of which they changed coaches, GM, and brought in guys to get excited about, like Kelly. The Bills made the AFC Championship Game in the '88 season, and made the playoffs in the '89 season, winning the division both years.

In the 2000s, nothing good has happened. No playoffs, no division winners. A few good players brought in here or there, but that's it. And Jauron has been here going on four years, and has been 7-9 the previous three seasons. It's a long drought, and it has taught us as fans that until proven otherwise, don't expect "breakthrough" seasons. Of course I want to see it happen, but I can't expect it until shown otherwise.

Big difference.

Jon

[Bill Cody]

The worm has to turn sometime. Why not this year?

Last year our D was average but we had no pass rush. Will getting Schobel back and adding Maybin help? Yes. We'll see how much but no question it will help.

Adding TO helps. Adding talent to the O line helps, although it may take a bit for the line to reach its potential. And Edwards is healthy and has more experience. That helps.

Add it all up and it's 10-6.

[MassEffect218435]

-Edwards reverts back to form. So far his only "form" has been crappy QB play. Let's hope he moves past his "form."

[Night Train]

8-8

Our head coach KILLS us in 2-3 games a year and NEVER should have been hired.

There would be far less threads about talent concerns if a quality gameday coach with realistic schemes was leading us.

[SeatownBillsFan21]

If all of this were to happen than this team should finish WAY better than 10-6

[jamze132]

I think this year is going to come down to how the O-line plays. Our offense has the potential to put up a lot of points considering the playmakers we have at RB and WR. But if the O-line plays like crap, we won't win 10 games, much less 8. They are going to be the key this year.

I think our defense will hold it's own and our ST will be near the top again. It all comes down to the offense. I'm not even going to put it on Trent because I don't really think we need to worry about his game. I think he's good enough to be a successful NFL QB, as long as he can stay healthy. And staying healthy will mostly fall on the O-line and no one missing some BS assignment which allows him to be blindsided.

[footballhottie]

I would like to think 10-6 but anyone that thinks Edwards can stay healthy is out of their mind.

[CuseJetsFan83]

ok i am sure i will get burned for this but i can see 10-6 being possible IF and only IF trent plays mistake free, TO keeps drama to a minimum, and dick doesn't allow the playcalling to become so transparent that all defenses can read them.

going against the afc south and nfc south.... that can be anywheres from 1-7 to 6-2 depending on how streaky any of those teams are.

[Luisito23]

I predict that the Bills will have a better record than the Jets...Who's with me?

[CuseJetsFan83]

I predict that the Bills will have a better record than the Jets...Who's with me?

i don't think anyone would dispute that at the moment..... but after a few games who knows........

i'd be happy for 8-8 all things considered