BillsWin
09-15-2011, 09:53 AM
The Buffalo Bills' unheralded signal caller, Ryan Fitzpatrick, sat on a live feed in front of a duo of Showtime's Inside the NFL hosts last night and jokingly discussed his Harvard pedigree and the fact that his cranium is roughly the size and shape of a hefty watermelon.
But perhaps the most interesting comment by the quarterback, lovingly called 'The Amish Rifle' by fans and teammates, was made when Fitzpatrick discussed his team. He had a nickname of his own. He announced that the 2011 Buffalo Bills refer to themselves as, 'The No Names'.
It is hard to argue with Fitzpatrick on this point, as the Bills franchise has become a collection of misfits, unknowns, late round talents and largely overlooked players. Fitzpatrick himself, despite recording the league's best passer rating of opening week, still has his name misspelled on nfl.com. Ryan Fitzgerald, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, does not exist.
As I sit here pondering the future of the Buffalo Bills I ask myself, "Could a team of no names, a team that lacks the high-profile players of the NFL powerhouse, a team of many who play with a rather large chip on their shoulders, make a season one to remember?"
The answer, is it is way too soon to tell. But that does not stop a nation, a Bills nation from dreaming of the improbable.
We all remember the year in which the Bills, an upstart underdog, sprinted to a 5-1 start. We all remember the loud optimism that rang like a triumphant gong amongst the Bills faithful. And we all remember the crushing blow delivered by the shoddy coaching and vastly overpowered play in the second half of the year.
The problem with comparing the two seasons is this; they feel different.
It is not wise to take a one week sample and create hope. Not when we, as a fanbase have faced so much heartbreak, in its most humiliating and defeating forms.
But when you look at the way the team played, as a team, against the (albeit disappointing) Chiefs in week one, something seems different.
The QB was efficient and decisive, not merely effective. The defense was strong and unyeilding, not merely 'good enough'.
When the Bills needed a stop, they made a stop. When they needed to convert on third down, they converted on third down. They played as a team and WON as a team.
Talent, power ranking, hype aside, this team went to battle and fought for respect. Will that carry into a magical season? I don't know.
But I will be damned if I don't sit on the edge of my seat for opening kickoff this Sunday, and I will be damned if I don't count down the days, hours, minutes until this team, these "No Names" take the field again.
Because if there is one thing this Bills team proved on Sunday... Its not that they've 'arrived', its not that they are headed to the playoffs, its not that they can beat anyone... Its that they will play hard and they will fight to win and they will play with a chip on their shoulder and they are a different team.
So, I sit here and ask myself again... "Can a team of no names make a season one to remember?"
The answer is my friends, yes. They can. Will they? We'll find out Sunday and every Sunday they take the field this season.
But one thing is for certain, "The No Names" have won me over and despite my uncertainty in the number of wins they can produce, I cannot wait to watch them play again.
Raiders, you better be ready for the 12th man, and you BETTER be ready for this team.
Oakland, we're coming for you...
-BillsWin
But perhaps the most interesting comment by the quarterback, lovingly called 'The Amish Rifle' by fans and teammates, was made when Fitzpatrick discussed his team. He had a nickname of his own. He announced that the 2011 Buffalo Bills refer to themselves as, 'The No Names'.
It is hard to argue with Fitzpatrick on this point, as the Bills franchise has become a collection of misfits, unknowns, late round talents and largely overlooked players. Fitzpatrick himself, despite recording the league's best passer rating of opening week, still has his name misspelled on nfl.com. Ryan Fitzgerald, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, does not exist.
As I sit here pondering the future of the Buffalo Bills I ask myself, "Could a team of no names, a team that lacks the high-profile players of the NFL powerhouse, a team of many who play with a rather large chip on their shoulders, make a season one to remember?"
The answer, is it is way too soon to tell. But that does not stop a nation, a Bills nation from dreaming of the improbable.
We all remember the year in which the Bills, an upstart underdog, sprinted to a 5-1 start. We all remember the loud optimism that rang like a triumphant gong amongst the Bills faithful. And we all remember the crushing blow delivered by the shoddy coaching and vastly overpowered play in the second half of the year.
The problem with comparing the two seasons is this; they feel different.
It is not wise to take a one week sample and create hope. Not when we, as a fanbase have faced so much heartbreak, in its most humiliating and defeating forms.
But when you look at the way the team played, as a team, against the (albeit disappointing) Chiefs in week one, something seems different.
The QB was efficient and decisive, not merely effective. The defense was strong and unyeilding, not merely 'good enough'.
When the Bills needed a stop, they made a stop. When they needed to convert on third down, they converted on third down. They played as a team and WON as a team.
Talent, power ranking, hype aside, this team went to battle and fought for respect. Will that carry into a magical season? I don't know.
But I will be damned if I don't sit on the edge of my seat for opening kickoff this Sunday, and I will be damned if I don't count down the days, hours, minutes until this team, these "No Names" take the field again.
Because if there is one thing this Bills team proved on Sunday... Its not that they've 'arrived', its not that they are headed to the playoffs, its not that they can beat anyone... Its that they will play hard and they will fight to win and they will play with a chip on their shoulder and they are a different team.
So, I sit here and ask myself again... "Can a team of no names make a season one to remember?"
The answer is my friends, yes. They can. Will they? We'll find out Sunday and every Sunday they take the field this season.
But one thing is for certain, "The No Names" have won me over and despite my uncertainty in the number of wins they can produce, I cannot wait to watch them play again.
Raiders, you better be ready for the 12th man, and you BETTER be ready for this team.
Oakland, we're coming for you...
-BillsWin