Tweet
(warning, this is long, sorry sometimes I want to get on a soapbox)
You know I’ve been reading the threads since here since the boards opened, and I don't think I’ve seen more hopelessness in the fan base then I'm seeing now, or more viciousness toward eachother.
Ever since DL was hired to coach we've been on a downward spiral, from our status as a perpetually competitive team a few players away from the playoffs, to mediocre also runs, with no hope, in the class of the Detroit lions or Cincinnati Bengals (and even the Bengals, as horribly run as they are have been to the playoffs twice this last decade). I would like to add Arizona Cardinals to that list of losers, but since getting Whisenhunt they've turned it around, despite their cheapskate owner and mediocre drafting.
What actually puzzles me is the occasional bouts of irrational expectations that have popped up in the last few years. When I read here after the signing of Nix to be GM, that this is a good move, and most people seem excited, I scratch my head and ask "what could make you come to that conclusion?" But it never makes me angry... it's the result of those irrational expectations that become a problem.
Don't get me wrong, I WANT Nix to succeed, but there is one thing to consider first. A job search with only one real interview isn't particularly heartening. When Ralph signed him without even bothering to interview someone outside the organization, it seemed to me pretty clear this was not going to work out.
I remember after the Nix signing people saying with some of the strangest signs of delusional and misguided hope that we only had to wait and see who he'd get as a coach, to prove this was a brilliant hire. When the underwhelming Gailey was hired many of those same people, with even more desperation seemed to cling to the belief that Gailey's staff would be more impressive, and make up for him. We all saw how that worked out.
Then those people desperate to cling to their delusions held out hope we'd sign a "name" in free-agency... or we'd have a great draft, to make this all work out.
Yet every time the bills do nothing, we get these righteousness posts demanding action or proclaiming "this is enough!!! I’ve had it!!!" often form the same people who were defending or praising certain past actions, or even from people who hate everything the team does. I don't have a huge problem with irrational exuberance. But it seems a war has broken out on this board yet again between those who seem to think things will be alright, and those who are pissed.
I think as Bills fans we're better then spoiled 4 year old, like it seems these boards have devolved into. I know we're probably going to suck terribly this year. Sure I have some hope somewhere that Gailey has heretofore unknown and unseen coaching talents which will take the mess we have and mold them into a team I can be proud of. But I won't get my expectations up for it.
I think it's time we take our rose stained and... Yes... the dirt stained goggles off, and be a little more rational about this. I love the Bills, it will kill me to see them anywhere else. I love the city of Buffalo even though I’ve not lived there in nearly 20 years. I'd love a chance to move back some day.
Because we're fans of the buffalo bills we're tougher then pats fans, or colts fans. We're not selfish. And we're certainly not spoiled. Many of you have season tickets, I have held season tickets for years, even though I’ve only been to like 3 or 4 games in all that time.
We know the team sucks. We all probably know the team will likely blow this year. But that's no reason to savage each other, savage the franchise, or savage the players. That's no reason to start 10 posts a day proclaiming how mad you are, or how mad you are at the people who are mad. Personally I plan to watch every game this year... schedule allowing. I plan to wear my bills paraphernalia... and I plan to mock out Jets fans or Fins or Pats fans when one of their teams sucks as bad as us this year.
How about we behave with a bit more dignity in conversations with each other, maybe a little more respect for each other, and lower our expectations a bit. That way if something great happens we'll be happier for it. And when something doesn't happen... or at least something underwhelming, we'll not be so emotionally divested.
This will make you all happier... and perhaps make the conversations here a little more congenial.
The Bills suck, but don't let it be said their fans suck.
You know I’ve been reading the threads since here since the boards opened, and I don't think I’ve seen more hopelessness in the fan base then I'm seeing now, or more viciousness toward eachother.
Ever since DL was hired to coach we've been on a downward spiral, from our status as a perpetually competitive team a few players away from the playoffs, to mediocre also runs, with no hope, in the class of the Detroit lions or Cincinnati Bengals (and even the Bengals, as horribly run as they are have been to the playoffs twice this last decade). I would like to add Arizona Cardinals to that list of losers, but since getting Whisenhunt they've turned it around, despite their cheapskate owner and mediocre drafting.
What actually puzzles me is the occasional bouts of irrational expectations that have popped up in the last few years. When I read here after the signing of Nix to be GM, that this is a good move, and most people seem excited, I scratch my head and ask "what could make you come to that conclusion?" But it never makes me angry... it's the result of those irrational expectations that become a problem.
Don't get me wrong, I WANT Nix to succeed, but there is one thing to consider first. A job search with only one real interview isn't particularly heartening. When Ralph signed him without even bothering to interview someone outside the organization, it seemed to me pretty clear this was not going to work out.
I remember after the Nix signing people saying with some of the strangest signs of delusional and misguided hope that we only had to wait and see who he'd get as a coach, to prove this was a brilliant hire. When the underwhelming Gailey was hired many of those same people, with even more desperation seemed to cling to the belief that Gailey's staff would be more impressive, and make up for him. We all saw how that worked out.
Then those people desperate to cling to their delusions held out hope we'd sign a "name" in free-agency... or we'd have a great draft, to make this all work out.
Yet every time the bills do nothing, we get these righteousness posts demanding action or proclaiming "this is enough!!! I’ve had it!!!" often form the same people who were defending or praising certain past actions, or even from people who hate everything the team does. I don't have a huge problem with irrational exuberance. But it seems a war has broken out on this board yet again between those who seem to think things will be alright, and those who are pissed.
I think as Bills fans we're better then spoiled 4 year old, like it seems these boards have devolved into. I know we're probably going to suck terribly this year. Sure I have some hope somewhere that Gailey has heretofore unknown and unseen coaching talents which will take the mess we have and mold them into a team I can be proud of. But I won't get my expectations up for it.
I think it's time we take our rose stained and... Yes... the dirt stained goggles off, and be a little more rational about this. I love the Bills, it will kill me to see them anywhere else. I love the city of Buffalo even though I’ve not lived there in nearly 20 years. I'd love a chance to move back some day.
Because we're fans of the buffalo bills we're tougher then pats fans, or colts fans. We're not selfish. And we're certainly not spoiled. Many of you have season tickets, I have held season tickets for years, even though I’ve only been to like 3 or 4 games in all that time.
We know the team sucks. We all probably know the team will likely blow this year. But that's no reason to savage each other, savage the franchise, or savage the players. That's no reason to start 10 posts a day proclaiming how mad you are, or how mad you are at the people who are mad. Personally I plan to watch every game this year... schedule allowing. I plan to wear my bills paraphernalia... and I plan to mock out Jets fans or Fins or Pats fans when one of their teams sucks as bad as us this year.
How about we behave with a bit more dignity in conversations with each other, maybe a little more respect for each other, and lower our expectations a bit. That way if something great happens we'll be happier for it. And when something doesn't happen... or at least something underwhelming, we'll not be so emotionally divested.
This will make you all happier... and perhaps make the conversations here a little more congenial.
The Bills suck, but don't let it be said their fans suck.
Comment