A lost decade...

[CommissarSpartacus]

I haven't really been paying attention to the Bills much, so what's the deal?

This will be the 10th years since the debacle of JP Losman bit us in the ass. 10 years since we had a winning season.

It was among the dumbest things Ralph ever did, telling Mularkey they were letting Bledsoe go so they could start Losman over the objections of the people he'd hired to make judgments about how to win games.

Doomed us to 10 years of utter futility.

So, is there anything about the current administration that will make me stand up and say "Hey, maybe these guys ARE smart enough to get it done"?

Cuz from what I saw last year, both the coaching staff and the starting qb don't inspire much confidence.

Am I wrong?

[swiper]

Stick to Benghazi. You're doing good work with that. Trolling the Bills board is unbecoming for the third assistant director of 1980's Rob Lowe movie.

[jimmifli]

So, is there anything about the current administration that will make me stand up and say "Hey, maybe these guys ARE smart enough to get it done"?

Cuz from what I saw last year, both the coaching staff and the starting qb don't inspire much confidence.

Am I wrong?

To the best of our knowledge EJ has never stolen a boat. And none of his teammates tried to break his leg as a rookie. He managed that all by himself.

The current administration hasn't demonstrated any ability to do much more than the status quo. With the exception of Whaley, apparently he was highly regarded by someone other than us, but nobody knows by whom. He has at least shown a willingness to take risks. Some of them seem like smart risks, so he might not be an idiot like the last decade of GMs.

Mostly we're hoping the new owner cleans house in January.

[Fletch]

I haven't really been paying attention to the Bills much, so what's the deal?

This will be the 10th years since the debacle of JP Losman bit us in the ass. 10 years since we had a winning season.

It was among the dumbest things Ralph ever did, telling Mularkey they were letting Bledsoe go so they could start Losman over the objections of the people he'd hired to make judgments about how to win games.

Doomed us to 10 years of utter futility.

So, is there anything about the current administration that will make me stand up and say "Hey, maybe these guys ARE smart enough to get it done"?

Cuz from what I saw last year, both the coaching staff and the starting qb don't inspire much confidence.

Am I wrong?

No, you're hardly wrong. It's just that some people here had extensive difficulty with their toilet training when they were young.

There is no defense of the team for what you say. The big problem with most people that dominate message boards is that they usually can't tell that they're getting screwed on the front end of the developments, it takes them getting run over by the mack truck that others can see coming from a number of blocks away. Instead of being able to understand that they're in the process of getting screwed, you'll only hear it from them once it's past tense. We're getting screwed by Whaley, Marrone, etc. too.

It goes well beyond Ralph telling Mularkey to get rid of Bledsoe for Losman. The decision to trade away a 13th overall for Bledsoe was even dumber. Everyone went gaga over the thought that somehow it was a huge coup since Bledsoe played for the Pats and it was a double whammy. It was as double whammy alright, for the Pats.

Among Wilson's biggest blunders were hiring Donahoe and giving him the keys to the kingdom. He's what spawned a lot of it during his time here. Ever since Butler and AJ Smith left this team hasn't had a prayer.

These guys react like children because they have trouble adjusting to the obvious and because it's been stated a million times. Instead of not saying anything constructive or intelligent, they add what they know how to add.

[Fletch]

By the way, Whaley treats this team as if it's his personal casino. Marrone's next job should have been at DI-AA school. Hackett should be selling plumbing supplies somewhere.

[Oaf]

Marrone's next job should have been at DI-AA school. Hackett should be selling plumbing supplies somewhere.

Don't disagree, though I generally like DM.

[Fletch]

Don't disagree, though I generally like DM.

Sure, so do I. But being likeable doesn't answer the mail. I think that's the problem with this organization, when GM and coaching opening arise it seems like their first goal is to find people that are well-liked in the region instead of Coughlin types that are winners but may be rough around the edges.

Think about it, Nix was a good guy, so was Gailey. Everyone loved Levy, Jauron was not unlikeable. Donahoe was very nice and pleasant. I mean it's not like they hire *******s. Maybe they should. Polian was disliked by several in the organization after a while, Wilson and Littman included. Who would you have fired, Littman or Polian? Polian can be a little rough around the edges too.

Take Jon Gruden for example, does he fit the mold of the typical Bills hire from a personality perspective? Hardly.

This organization seems to be more concerned about their GMs and coaches getting along more at parties and PR events than they do about putting a winning team on the field. There's no argument to counter that since all the hires, at least the ones that come to mind, were really nice guys, just not winners or even had winning credentials prior to coming here and they've produced nothing but losing teams.

Belicheat isn't well liked, neither are the Harbaugh bros. Carroll is, but he's the odd man out. Coughlin has people on pins and needles often.

Those guys just win and don't care about being nice or good guys.

[Ginger Vitis]

Donahoe was very nice and pleasant.




No he wasn't.. His end of 2003 rant left him with egg on his face.. He could be rude and disrespectful with Bills fans.. A paranoid man who wanted to control what the media said about him and the Bills. There were stories about Bills employees being terrified of him and his sudden outbursts

[jamze132]

This team would be able to take the next step if EJ was an NFL capable QB. But since our roster doesn't possess one of those, the best we'll do if everything else falls into place is 8-8.

Whaley and Marrone's career's are on the line with EJ. The new owner is going to start allover next year. If we can get to 8-8, they may get another year to prove themselves.

[Night Train]

The coaching staff is still unknown but they have no shot if the QB play doesn't improve.

The D sure looks good.

[GreedoII]

I haven't really been paying attention to the Bills much, so what's the deal?

This will be the 10th years since the debacle of JP Losman bit us in the ass. 10 years since we had a winning season.

It was among the dumbest things Ralph ever did, telling Mularkey they were letting Bledsoe go so they could start Losman over the objections of the people he'd hired to make judgments about how to win games.



Doomed us to 10 years of utter futility.

So, is there anything about the current administration that will make me stand up and say "Hey, maybe these guys ARE smart enough to get it done"?

Cuz from what I saw last year, both the coaching staff and the starting qb don't inspire much confidence.

Am I wrong?



We will be waiting another ten with this crappy QB and Wilson leftovers lurking about. (Brandon/Littman/Overdorf/Nix/Carpenter)

[The King]

I agree on some level but I think there a few other factors. Bledsoe blew the doors off when coming here in 02. He threw for 4300 yards most by a Bills QB ever. He had two WR's with over 1200 yards.

He was also sacked 54x.

The Offseason that year was a disaster. The Bills traded Price for a 1st rounder (great move) but they let Centers walk a guy who caught 43 passes. They let Reimersma go and replaced him with Mark Campbell. The Bills let guys who pulled in 169 receptions for close to 200 yards and didn't replace them. They also completely ignored the need to stabilize a line for a non-mobile QB.

That year we wasted the first round pick on McGahee, took a lousy DE (Kelsay) in the 2nd, and a one dimensional LBer in the 3rd (Crowell).

We were a vertical offense that took everything away from a pocket passer and we ignored the glaring fact that he was sacked 54x. That was the nail in the coffin.

[JoeMama]

I haven't really been paying attention to the Bills much, so what's the deal?

This will be the 10th years since the debacle of JP Losman bit us in the ass. 10 years since we had a winning season.

It was among the dumbest things Ralph ever did, telling Mularkey they were letting Bledsoe go so they could start Losman over the objections of the people he'd hired to make judgments about how to win games.

Doomed us to 10 years of utter futility.

So, is there anything about the current administration that will make me stand up and say "Hey, maybe these guys ARE smart enough to get it done"?

Cuz from what I saw last year, both the coaching staff and the starting qb don't inspire much confidence.

Am I wrong?

Gee, thanks for the ground-breaking reminder that we've sucked the last 10 years.

I had totally forgotten.

Way to keep up with your Bills news. Got any other hot bombshells for us today?

[Bill Cody]

I agree on some level but I think there a few other factors. Bledsoe blew the doors off when coming here in 02. He threw for 4300 yards most by a Bills QB ever. He had two WR's with over 1200 yards.

He was also sacked 54x.

The Offseason that year was a disaster. The Bills traded Price for a 1st rounder (great move) but they let Centers walk a guy who caught 43 passes. They let Reimersma go and replaced him with Mark Campbell. The Bills let guys who pulled in 169 receptions for close to 200 yards and didn't replace them. They also completely ignored the need to stabilize a line for a non-mobile QB.

That year we wasted the first round pick on McGahee, took a lousy DE (Kelsay) in the 2nd, and a one dimensional LBer in the 3rd (Crowell).

We were a vertical offense that took everything away from a pocket passer and we ignored the glaring fact that he was sacked 54x. That was the nail in the coffin.

It wasn't just the sacks either. Bledsoe was taking a terrible beating behind a line that was not good. If he had had a good line, especially up the middle where a pocket passer needs it I think he would have thrown for 5000 yards. Instead they ignored the line and took away his weapons. When he failed they blamed him.

[Fletch]

I agree on some level but I think there a few other factors. Bledsoe blew the doors off when coming here in 02. He threw for 4300 yards most by a Bills QB ever. He had two WR's with over 1200 yards.

He was also sacked 54x.

He also couldn't find the end zone with any regularity with all of those yards.

- - - Updated - - -


Gee, thanks for the ground-breaking reminder that we've sucked the last 10 years.

I had totally forgotten.

Way to keep up with your Bills news. Got any other hot bombshells for us today?

LOL

[Fletch]

It wasn't just the sacks either. Bledsoe was taking a terrible beating behind a line that was not good. If he had had a good line, especially up the middle where a pocket passer needs it I think he would have thrown for 5000 yards. Instead they ignored the line and took away his weapons. When he failed they blamed him.

The left side of that OL was not bad at all. Jennings, Brown, and Teague at C. Teague wasn't great, but he was hardly a weak link. Overpaid maybe, but which Bills players aren't.

[coastal]

The highest paid player in the history of the franchise isn't here to be a leader.

[WagonCircler]

Same as it ever was.

But not for long.

[bleve]

Buffalo Busto Bingo has been fun.

[Bill Cody]

The left side of that OL was not bad at all. Jennings, Brown, and Teague at C. Teague wasn't great, but he was hardly a weak link. Overpaid maybe, but which Bills players aren't.

Jennings was a pretty good player I agree. Brown was a good run blocker but he could not pass block and he was getting old, they let him leave at the end of the year. Teague meh. The other 2 flotsam and jetsam.

[Bill Cody]

He also couldn't find the end zone with any regularity with all of those yards.

almost 24 points a game was pretty good. I'd take it right now and the league is way different now. Back then you didn't throw from the 2 yard line too much and we didn't need to.

[The King]

He also couldn't find the end zone with any regularity with all of those yards.


The most TD's thrown that season were 28, Bledsoe had 24.

[CommissarSpartacus]

Stick to Benghazi. You're doing good work with that. Trolling the Bills board is unbecoming for the third assistant director of 1980's Rob Lowe movie.

I can always spot a bitter Losmaniac by the way they whine...

[swiper]

I can always spot a bitter Losmaniac by the way they whine...

I was not a Losman fan. Who do you believe is/was the better: Losman or Manuel?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Gee, thanks for the ground-breaking reminder that we've sucked the last 10 years.

I had totally forgotten.

Way to keep up with your Bills news. Got any other hot bombshells for us today?

Another bitter Losmaniac. I feel your pain. It must be hard to live with the knowledge you were a fan of a guy that would make someone remember RJ fondly...

[CommissarSpartacus]

I was not a Losman fan. Who do you believe is/was the better: Losman or Manuel?

That's like asking what do you think is better- Cheez Whiz or Velveeta...

[swiper]

LOL at shiva's pent-up Losman rage.

- - - Updated - - -


That's like asking what do you think is better- Cheez Whiz or Velveeta...

ROFL. Ok.

[swiper]

Who do like better: Bobby Jindal or Ted Cruz?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Any team that could go from RJ to JP has a death wish...

How do you find a worse qb than the worst qb in the world?

That takes...what's the word for the opposite of talent?

[CommissarSpartacus]

Who do like better: Bobby Jindal or Ted Cruz?

Better for what? Feeding to the killer whales at sea world?

[JoeMama]

Another bitter Losmaniac. I feel your pain. It must be hard to live with the knowledge you were a fan of a guy that would make someone remember RJ fondly...

I remember both fondly. Talk about a pair of dreamboats.

I did like RJ back in the day. Hated the Losman pick on draft day 2004 but later convinced myself I liked him... maybe the tail end of 2005/early 2006. Oh well.

And if we're gonna start splitting hairs about whiffing on QBs, you're not sitting in an ivory tower, my friend.

You have Travis Brown, Kelly Holcomb, Travis Brown, Jared Zabransky, Nick Rolovich, & Tim Tebow on your permanent record.

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

The highest paid player in the history of the franchise isn't here to be a leader.


oh good. I'm glad you're turning this into a time to bash Mario. lol

[stuckincincy]

oh good. I'm glad you're turning this into a time to bash Mario. lol

I wonder if he got back that ring?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10233725/mario-williams-buffalo-bills-settles-lawsuit-engagement-ring

[Forward_Lateral]

10 years? Heh. It's been more like 20

[CommissarSpartacus]

I remember both fondly. Talk about a pair of dreamboats.

I did like RJ back in the day. Hated the Losman pick on draft day 2004 but later convinced myself I liked him... maybe the tail end of 2005/early 2006. Oh well.

And if we're gonna start splitting hairs about whiffing on QBs, you're not sitting in an ivory tower, my friend.

You have Travis Brown, Kelly Holcomb, Travis Brown, Jared Zabransky, Nick Rolovich, & Tim Tebow on your permanent record.

All better than JP and RJ...

[coastal]

oh good. I'm glad you're turning this into a time to bash Mario. lol
You've missed the point all along.

Fool's Gold isn't about Mario.

[Mace]

I'm personally just relieved it's only been one decade, seemed like more than that. I'll be more relieved when I can figure out what happened to the other ones I'm missing.

[OpIv37]

I haven't really been paying attention to the Bills much, so what's the deal?

This will be the 10th years since the debacle of JP Losman bit us in the ass. 10 years since we had a winning season.

It was among the dumbest things Ralph ever did, telling Mularkey they were letting Bledsoe go so they could start Losman over the objections of the people he'd hired to make judgments about how to win games.

Doomed us to 10 years of utter futility.

So, is there anything about the current administration that will make me stand up and say "Hey, maybe these guys ARE smart enough to get it done"?

Cuz from what I saw last year, both the coaching staff and the starting qb don't inspire much confidence.

Am I wrong?
you spend a lot of time on a Bills-based message board for someone who doesn't pay attention to the Bills.

[JoeMama]

All better than JP and RJ...

More like equivalents of JP and RJ.

Guys who didn't do much in the NFL.

I know in your head those guys were all HOFers railroaded by and NFL wide conspiracy to hold them down.

But since you're only tangentially aware of the NFL and the Buffalo Bills, I don't blame you for having kooky theories like this.

[Night Train]

I agree on some level but I think there a few other factors. Bledsoe blew the doors off when coming here in 02. .

He had a great first 7 games in 2002...then was figured out and a failure the rest of his Bills tenure.

Will never forgive him for that finale in 2004 against the Steelers 2nd-3rd stringers that could have clinched us a playoff spot. Must have one hopped a dozen easy throws to wide open receivers into the turf. Then the Bills compounded the QB problem by overreacting and handing the job to a raw Losman, who could throw one good pass (the bomb). Otherwise, he had a 10 cent brain for the position.

[Historian]

Donahoe forced Dwight Adams into retirement. (The best pro-personnel guy in the game) There goes your scouting dept.

He also squeezed out Rusty Jones, (The best S and C coach in the game) Here come your injuries.

That, plus questionable choices for HC, were a recipe for disaster.

[OpIv37]

He had a great first 7 games in 2002...then was figured out and a failure the rest of his Bills

I blame that on the FO and Kevin Gilbride as much as Bledsoe himself. Everyone knew he was immobile yet they neglected the OL. And Gilbride's offense was one-dimensional. When it clicked, it was spectacular, but he couldn't adjust or move away from the passing game wasn't working. I'm surprised he went on to so much success because his O in Houston was the same way.

[stuckincincy]

I blame that on the FO and Kevin Gilbride as much as Bledsoe himself. Everyone knew he was immobile yet they neglected the OL. And Gilbride's offense was one-dimensional. When it clicked, it was spectacular, but he couldn't adjust or move away from the passing game wasn't working. I'm surprised he went on to so much success because his O in Houston was the same way.

Buddy Ryan was right...

[don137]

It may very well turn into a lost generation. My son will be 15 years old next month. He was 4 months old when the Bills last made playoffs. If EJ does not improve greatly and no first round pick next year the Bills will miss playoffs again and in the foreseeable future. Thus they will have to start over at the QB position once again.

Sadly, I feel the Bills would an extremely competitive team with an above average QB. They have the tools to be good.

[OpIv37]

It may very well turn into a lost generation. My son will be 15 years old next month. He was 4 months old when the Bills last made playoffs. If EJ does not improve greatly and no first round pick next year the Bills will miss playoffs again and in the foreseeable future. Thus they will have to start over at the QB position once again.

Sadly, I feel the Bills would an extremely competitive team with an above average QB. They have the tools to be good.

The lost generation is a very real problem. And it's horrible timing too. As little as 15-20 years ago, you were stuck watching your local team and a couple of national games a week. Now, with Sunday Ticket and the Internet, anyone can follow any team from anywhere. The kids who only know the Bills from their suckage in the 2000's aren't going to jump on board.

It's an even bigger problem here in Md though, for the Redskins. The Ravens are taking over traditional Redskins country in the DC suburbs in MD and VA because the younger generation only knows the Ravens as being good and the Redskins being garbage.

[WagonCircler]

And if we're gonna start splitting hairs about whiffing on QBs, you're not sitting in an ivory tower, my friend.

You have Travis Brown, Kelly Holcomb, Travis Brown, Jared Zabransky, Nick Rolovich, & Tim Tebow on your permanent record.

Seriously. That deserves its own wing in the Hall of Shame.

I think shiva was quietly a Trent fan while on sabbatical. After all, he was basically Kelly Holcomb with even less talent.

[Historian]

It may very well turn into a lost generation. My son will be 15 years old next month. He was 4 months old when the Bills last made playoffs. I.

Funny you should say that, Don.

The day of the Wild Card loss to the Jaguars, I was building my daughter's crib, listening to it on the radio, as it was blacked out here in WNY.

Yesterday, her senior portraits came in the mail!

So it's been almost 18 years since we hosted a playoff game.

I sometimes wonder...Where did the time go?

[don137]

Funny you should say that, Don.

The day of the Wild Card loss to the Jaguars, I was building my daughter's crib, listening to it on the radio, as it was blacked out here in WNY.

Yesterday, her senior portraits came in the mail!

So it's been almost 18 years since we hosted a playoff game.

I sometimes wonder...Where did the time go?


Kids today look at me when I say I am a Bills fan with a puzzled look like why on earth would you be a. Bills fan. They only know of them being a bottom feeder team.

I remember sitting in front of Joe D at church a couple years ago (we go to the same church here in Charlotte). My son who was maybe 11 at the time said to Joe D. That he was a life long Bills fan. Joe D's response was 'you have had a tough life so far'.
My son asked me once how can I still root for the Bills after all these bad years. I told him it's in my blood and until they leave Buffalo that will not change. A true fan does not abandon their team. It only makes you stronger.

[CommissarSpartacus]

Seriously. That deserves its own wing in the Hall of Shame.

I think shiva was quietly a Trent fan while on sabbatical. After all, he was basically Kelly Holcomb with even less talent.

One of my biggest sources of amusement discussing the Bills is watching guys who supported stupid decision after stupid decision continue to insist they know more than the guys that DIDN'T support those stupid decisions.

Of course, the worst of those are the RJ/JP fans. Imagine, supporting screwing over the entire team to pimp Losman, a guy that the Bills paid $25,000,000 over 5 years
- a guy that was so stupendously lousy that when he was let go, he couldn't even get a 3rd string job with worst teams in the league.

How can anyone have that on their resume and not want to kill themselves out of embarrassment?

[stuckincincy]

One of my biggest sources of amusement discussing the Bills is watching guys who supported stupid decision after stupid decision continue to insist they know more than the guys that DIDN'T support those stupid decisions.

Of course, the worst of those are the RJ/JP fans. Imagine, supporting screwing over the entire team to pimp Losman, a guy that the Bills paid $25,000,000 over 5 years
- a guy that was so stupendously lousy that when he was let go, he couldn't even get a 3rd string job with worst teams in the league.

How can anyone have that on their resume and not want to kill themselves out of embarrassment?

I clicked off your Ignore status out of curiosity, to see if you exhibit the same kind of ill-mannered, ill-informed cant, diaper rash, and knee-biting abuse that you spew in the Spinzone section.

Yep.

Back you go.

[GingerP]

Losman, a guy that the Bills paid $25,000,000 over 5 years

Losman signed a 5-Yr/$7.7M deal as a rookie. He had escalators that could have earned him much more, but he never hit the triggers. He made nowhere near $25M.

[stuckincincy]

He made nowhere near $25M.

Not at all. My BIL is a retired postman who used to deliver to his address in Allentown, a big Victorian shared with others. They used to chat now and then. Nice young man, gave it a shot. Wherever he is, his memories of being savaged by folks in Buffalo are probably not forgotten. Even after the years, folks go after him. Why?

One could speculate that FAs come to Buffalo for the $, and not for any expectation of decent treatment from the press or from the stands. That's not a pleasant speculation. There are plenty of good vets that marched out of town over the years.

There is a limited number of roster spots across the 32 teams. What youngster would want to come here and be ripped?

[JoeMama]

One of my biggest sources of amusement discussing the Bills is watching guys who supported stupid decision after stupid decision continue to insist they know more than the guys that DIDN'T support those stupid decisions.

Of course, the worst of those are the RJ/JP fans. Imagine, supporting screwing over the entire team to pimp Losman, a guy that the Bills paid $25,000,000 over 5 years
- a guy that was so stupendously lousy that when he was let go, he couldn't even get a 3rd string job with worst teams in the league.

How can anyone have that on their resume and not want to kill themselves out of embarrassment?

You're thinking of RJ. He's the one who got the 5 year 25 mil contract.

JP never got paid by us beyond his rookie deal.

[CommissarSpartacus]

I clicked off your Ignore status out of curiosity, to see if you exhibit the same kind of ill-mannered, ill-informed cant, diaper rash, and knee-biting abuse that you spew in the Spinzone section.

Yep.


It's called consistency.

[CommissarSpartacus]

http://richretyi.com/football-player-boyfriend-makes-30-million-dollars/

My football-player boyfriend makes $30.1 million dollars

I had the pleasure of being treated to an NFL game in a luxury suite this weekend by an old work friend. The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals were playing and we watched from a luxury box filled with unlimited booze and food, mixing it up with local muckity mucks and people wearing oversize watches and rings.

With us was the girlfriend of the Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman – in third year with the Bills. When he was drafted, he signed a contract for $24.5 million over five years with a $5.6 signing bonus. If all the incentives in his contract are triggered and he doesn’t renegotiate before it’s up, he’ll earn at least $30.1 million for five seasons of work. That doesn’t include the $1,300 a week per diem all NFL players receive during the season for meals, nor does it include any endorsement deals.

...more...

[GingerP]

I'm not sure what the hell that link is, but he made nowhere near that. Those rookie contracts back then contained heavy escalators, which Losman never hit because he sucked. They may have reported it as being that big, but he earned nowhere near that amount of money.

The USA Today maintained a salary database up until the most recent NFL CBA, and it is still online:

http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/nfl/salaries/player/JP-Losman

Also, Spotrac tracks what NFL players make, though you need a subscription to see the older stuff. Losman's page will have the contract he signed on the right side:

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/j.p.-losman/