Are The Buffalo Bills Playing To Win or Playing Not To Lose In 2015?

[BillsImpossible]

Matt Cassel might as well have, "Game Manager," tattooed on his forehead. I love him as the Bills backup QB, but to have him start would be a waste of precious future franchise quarterback finding time.

Matt Cassel also comes with the, "Playing Not To Lose," tag permanently attached to his jersey.

Great quarterbacks make great plays to win championships. The game manager types seldom rise up to the occasion.

Matt Cassel might be good enough to take the Bills to 9-7, again. He's not good enough to lead this team to a Super Bowl victory.

So why bother? Why repeat last year with Orton 2.0? Just for the sake of making the playoffs?

F*&+ the playoffs, this team should be aiming for the Super Bowl, not the damned playoffs.

The Bills had to do everything under the sun to protect EJ Manuel in 2014. They didn't let Manuel try to win the game, they wanted him to manage it with simple plays that he simply could not execute. If he couldn't make the simple plays, what gives anyone good reason to think he can make the hard plays? EJ's a great guy, but he's not the answer.

The Bills have been playing not to lose for how long now?

Play to win. If the plan fails nobody can say the Bills didn't try and they pick early in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft to select their future franchise QB.

[Ginger Vitis]

This thread is not one of your better ones.... Before you can win the SuperBowl you need to make the playoffs.. And Im fairly certain regardless of the QB situation they will play to win games

On 2nd thought I kinda see the point of this thread.. Since you think Tyrod Taylor is destined to be a"superstar" you don't see the point of Matt Cassel being the Bills starting QB

[better days]

I think Rex & Roman are looking to win games.

As many as they can.

I expect them to start the QB that they believe will give them the best chance at doing that.

[Ginger Vitis]

The best example I can think of in the past a Bills team playing to try and keep the game close and not lose big was the 2006 Buffalo Bills and "Jauron" ball.. Ill always remember that year the Bills were in Indy and on one drive in tbe 2nd quarter it was was 3rd and 14 and Losman handed it off to Anthony Thomas.. Next drive same thing 3rd and 14 or 15 and another running play was called for Anthony Thomas...

Mission accomplished the COlts only beat the Bills by a point 17-16

[better days]

The best example I can think of in the past a Bills team playing to try and keep the game close and not lose big was the 2006 Buffalo Bills and "Jauron" ball.. Ill always remember that year the Bills were in Indy and on one drive in tbe 2nd quarter it was was 3rd and 14 and Losman handed it off to Anthony Thomas.. Next drive same thing 3rd and 14 or 15 and another running play was called for Anthony Thomas...

Mission accomplished the COlts only beat the Bills by a point 17-16

Dick Jauron: " It's hard to win in the NFL."

Yeah it is hard to win if you are playing not to lose.

[justasportsfan]

Look at Sexy Rexy's defensive philosophy. It's aggressive. It doesn't play to lose. It attacks because Rexy has a attacking personality. So I don't think his offense will play not to lose either. Even when his jets stunk last year, Geno/Vick attempted to make plays.

Dick Jauron is reactive. He plays not to lose on both sides of the ball. Even his OC's said so.

[Night Train]

The incredible amount of moves during this off-season screams Full Speed Ahead.

Rex & Co. expect to win right away.

[Zoneblitser]

Matt Cassel might as well have, "Game Manager," tattooed on his forehead. I love him as the Bills backup QB, but to have him start would be a waste of precious future franchise quarterback finding time.

Matt Cassel also comes with the, "Playing Not To Lose," tag permanently attached to his jersey.

Great quarterbacks make great plays to win championships. The game manager types seldom rise up to the occasion.

Matt Cassel might be good enough to take the Bills to 9-7, again. He's not good enough to lead this team to a Super Bowl victory.

So why bother? Why repeat last year with Orton 2.0? Just for the sake of making the playoffs?

F*&+ the playoffs, this team should be aiming for the Super Bowl, not the damned playoffs.

The Bills had to do everything under the sun to protect EJ Manuel in 2014. They didn't let Manuel try to win the game, they wanted him to manage it with simple plays that he simply could not execute. If he couldn't make the simple plays, what gives anyone good reason to think he can make the hard plays? EJ's a great guy, but he's not the answer.

The Bills have been playing not to lose for how long now?

Play to win. If the plan fails nobody can say the Bills didn't try and they pick early in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft to select their future franchise QB.

So go find that franchise qb you seem to think is out there, I will wait.

[Bill Cody]

Great quarterbacks make great plays to win championships. The game manager types seldom rise up to the occasion.

how profound. Can I quote you on this?


Matt Cassel might be good enough to take the Bills to 9-7, again. He's not good enough to lead this team to a Super Bowl victory.

So why bother?

Pretty sure part of the Bills charter requires us to field a team every year


F*&+ the playoffs

That was Ralph's approach for the last 15 years and he succeeded. Can't we at least try the playoffs? I've seen a lot of those games on TV and they look like fun


The Bills had to do everything under the sun to protect EJ Manuel in 2014. They didn't let Manuel try to win the game, they wanted him to manage it with simple plays that he simply could not execute. If he couldn't make the simple plays, what gives anyone good reason to think he can make the hard plays? EJ's a great guy, but he's not the answer.

Maybe not. But he was green and not ready to start. He did pretty much what most intelligent people expected, not much. Making the game more complicated would not have helped him. He was/is a project. Sort of like your binky Tie Rod. The plus for Tie Rod is he's had longer to learn what an NFL QB needs to do. Both Manuel and Tie Rod have accuracy issues. Tie Rod is faster but shorter. We'll see. All 3 QB's will get some chances. I'm one of the few here that hasn't written Manuel off, it's still early.


The Bills have been playing not to lose for how long now? mediocre players and mediocre coaching is more like it


Play to win. If the plan fails nobody can say the Bills didn't try and they pick early in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft to select their future franchise QB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W42iiCcFbxE

[Yasgur's Farm]

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-doubling-down-on-OTAs/55be1744-1012-4c43-b1c8-f3aefa37d3e6?campaign=fb_buf_article

“We had the two-spot drills, which we talked about, where you’ve got the first and second groups going on one part of the field and the threes going on the other,” Ryan said Monday night, in an appearance on The John Murphy Show. Quarterbacks EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel worked primarily with the first and second teamers at one end of the field, while QBs Tyrod Taylor and Jeff Tuel worked at the other end with the rest of the roster.

[BillsImpossible]

Look at Sexy Rexy's defensive philosophy. It's aggressive. It doesn't play to lose. It attacks because Rexy has a attacking personality. So I don't think his offense will play not to lose either. Even when his jets stunk last year, Geno/Vick attempted to make plays.

Dick Jauron is reactive. He plays not to lose on both sides of the ball. Even his OC's said so.

Really good points. Great comparison between Ryan and Jauron, it's a perfect example of playing to win vs. playing not to lose.

Even when the Jets knew Geno would make mistakes, they played to win.

The plan didn't work, they finished 4-12, but at least they got the best defensive player in the draft out it.

Matt Cassel is in the playing not to lose category of quarterbacks. He's a notch below the Tannehill's, Dalton's, and Smith's of the NFL world.

"Just get to the playoffs," should not be the goal. That's playing not to lose.

"Just manage the game, don't make mistakes, and be conservative with the football." That philosophy might make the playoffs, but that's about it.

Playoffs or not, a 9-7 or 10-6 or better season with Cassel at quarterback would really suck because the Bills would be drafting late in the first round with the same playing not to lose problem at QB.

If the Bills are going to win a Super Bowl in the near future, they're going to do it with a quarterback that takes chances, makes big plays and plays to win.

[BillsImpossible]

This thread is not one of your better ones.... Before you can win the SuperBowl you need to make the playoffs.. And Im fairly certain regardless of the QB situation they will play to win games

On 2nd thought I kinda see the point of this thread.. Since you think Tyrod Taylor is destined to be a"superstar" you don't see the point of Matt Cassel being the Bills starting QB

I hope he turns into the NFL's next superstar, I don't know if he is destined to become one, but there's only one way to find out, right?

You're right, I don't see the point of Matt Cassel being the Bills starting QB. He is what he is, and he's not going to win a Super Bowl Championship for the Bills.

He's good enough to get into the playoffs at most. He's a temporary patch on a persistent quarterback problem that is going to do nothing besides give the Bills a late first round draft pick.

[BillsImpossible]

I heard something really scary on WGR today.

Sal Capaccio said, "Matt Cassel could be the Bills quarterback for the next 2 or 3 years," if he has a good season.

Bulldog sounded like he wanted to smash his microphone and jump off the Peace Bridge.

[BillsImpossible]

So go find that franchise qb you seem to think is out there, I will wait.

There's only one way to find out. I'd rather, "tank," with Tyrod Taylor than swin and eventually sink with Cassel in the playoffs.

Hypothetical situation #1: Matt Cassel takes the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999 and finishes the regular season 10-6.

The Bills lose to a playoff team with a better quarterback, and end up with the 25th pick in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Hypothetical situation #2: Tyrod Taylor wins the starting job and flunks the season. The Bills finish 4-12 and get the 4th overall pick in the draft.

Which hypothetical situation would you rather have happen?

#1 sounds nice, would be a great short term boost but a long term bust.

#2 sounds bad, would be difficult to deal with but in the long term would be the best thing to ever happen to the team.

No, I'm not talking about the Sabres, but I am talking about how Terry and Kim Pegula might be viewing this situation.

[Ginger Vitis]

No, I'm not talking about the Sabres, but I am talking about how Terry and Kim Pegula might be viewing this situation.

In regards to the Bills "tanking" is the last thing the Pegulas are thinking

[Mace]

Cutting to the chase, the Bills are intending to win playing not to lose, and it just might work this time.

[BillsImpossible]

In regards to the Bills "tanking" is the last thing the Pegulas are thinking

Why would anyone ever tank such a thing?

Maybe because the Bills haven't had a franchise quarterback since 1996.

EJ Manuel is not a franchise quarterback. Matt Cassel is not a franchise quarterback either.

If the Bills give Tyrod Taylor a shot at being their franchise QB and he fails, both sides win.

Fans win, the Pegulas win, the coaching staff wins, and Buffalo wins with an early 1st round draft pick that will without a doubt be spent on a quarterback.

Next year's draft has more than a couple of potential great quarterback prospects.

If the Bills give Tyrod Taylor a shot at being their franchise QB and he takes the Bills to the playoffs in his first season, I think the Bills will win a Super Bowl within the next 3 years. Not having to pay a quarterback $20 million a season can keep the Bills defense where it needs to be.

The Seahawks are paying Russel Wilson 3rd round rookie money! That's why their defense is so good.

Besides having to sign Dareus to a $100 million contract, the Bills will be faced with trying to resign Bradham and Gilmore after the 2015 season.

Kyle Williams? Mario Williams? Both have huge cap hits.

If Tyrod Taylor takes the Bills to the playoffs in 2015, signing Dareus, Bradham and Gilmore will be a lot easier.

[Ginger Vitis]

Why would anyone ever tank such a thing?

Maybe because the Bills haven't had a franchise quarterback since 1996.

EJ Manuel is not a franchise quarterback. Matt Cassel is not a franchise quarterback either.

If the Bills give Tyrod Taylor a shot at being their franchise QB and he fails, both sides win.

Fans win, the Pegulas win, the coaching staff wins, and Buffalo wins with an early 1st round draft pick that will without a doubt be spent on a quarterback.

Next year's draft has more than a couple of potential great quarterback prospects.

If the Bills give Tyrod Taylor a shot at being their franchise QB and he takes the Bills to the playoffs in his first season, I think the Bills will win a Super Bowl within the next 3 years. Not having to pay a quarterback $20 million a season can keep the Bills defense where it needs to be.

The Seahawks are paying Russel Wilson 3rd round rookie money! That's why their defense is so good.

Besides having to sign Dareus to a $100 million contract, the Bills will be faced with trying to resign Bradham and Gilmore after the 2015 season.

Kyle Williams? Mario Williams? Both have huge cap hits.

If Tyrod Taylor takes the Bills to the playoffs in 2015, signing Dareus, Bradham and Gilmore will be a lot easier.

The coaching staff does not win if the Bills go 4-12... Rex Ryan guaranteed the Bills are going to the playoffs and they better do it ASAP as in 2015

[Mace]

The coaching staff does not win if the Bills go 4-12... Rex Ryan guaranteed the Bills are going to the playoffs and they better do it ASAP as in 2015

Nah, lets be honest.

[BillsImpossible]

The coaching staff does not win if the Bills go 4-12... Rex Ryan guaranteed the Bills are going to the playoffs and they better do it ASAP as in 2015

Playing not to lose is what this city has done for the past 60 years. It's time to win.

[mightysimi]

What is the status of the D by the time this mystical QB is drafted high and is ready to contribute which realistically is probably at lest 3 years down the road? Not everyone is Russell Wilson.

[Bill Cody]

Playing not to lose is what this city has done for the past 60 years. It's time to win.

Pretty sure the Bills coaches have eyeballs. If they've found the Holy Grail as you seem to think might be the case your boy will play. And if Tie Rod is indeed better than Cassell and EJ the fans will see it too. A lot of the games are even televised! They can't/won't keep the Super Bowl leader under wraps for long! Tie Rod is going to rise up! We's playing to win baby!

[mightysimi]

17406

[Zoneblitser]

There's only one way to find out. I'd rather, "tank," with Tyrod Taylor than swin and eventually sink with Cassel in the playoffs.

Hypothetical situation #1: Matt Cassel takes the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999 and finishes the regular season 10-6.

The Bills lose to a playoff team with a better quarterback, and end up with the 25th pick in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Hypothetical situation #2: Tyrod Taylor wins the starting job and flunks the season. The Bills finish 4-12 and get the 4th overall pick in the draft.

Which hypothetical situation would you rather have happen?

#1 sounds nice, would be a great short term boost but a long term bust.

#2 sounds bad, would be difficult to deal with but in the long term would be the best thing to ever happen to the team.

No, I'm not talking about the Sabres, but I am talking about how Terry and Kim Pegula might be viewing this situation.

I'm sure that would be fine for you but let's ask 10 year veteran Kyle Williams. How about 9 year vet Mario Williams. Leodus Mckelvin or anyone else who has more than five years here. They are not ready to play so we can draft a qb that needs three years to develop.

[Zoneblitser]

Are any of the qb's on the current roster able to be what we need to propel us to a Superbowl. Ideally none of them are but as we saw in 2001 the Ravens were able to carry off the Lombardi trophy with Trent fricken Dilfer. Defense can still win Championships. We have a great one with one of the best defensive minds to operate it. Have a little faith.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

A month ago, BillsImpossible looked at the schedule and predicted we'd go 12-4. (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/229166-2015-Buffalo-Bills-Schedule-Predictions?highlight=)

A few weeks later, he starts a thread saying the Bills hit "a grand slam" in the draft. (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/229295-2015-Buffalo-Bills-Draft-Class-Highlights-Doug-Whaley-Hit-A-Grand-Slam?highlight=)

Now he starts a thread where's just totally cool tanking the season for a top 5 draft pick?

BillsImpossible is just going to change his mind in a few weeks guys.

[mightysimi]

A month ago, BillsImpossible looked at the schedule and predicted we'd go 12-4. (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/229166-2015-Buffalo-Bills-Schedule-Predictions?highlight=)

A few weeks later, he starts a thread saying the Bills hit "a grand slam" in the draft. (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/229295-2015-Buffalo-Bills-Draft-Class-Highlights-Doug-Whaley-Hit-A-Grand-Slam?highlight=)

Now he starts a thread where's just totally cool tanking the season for a top 5 draft pick?

BillsImpossible is just going to change his mind in a few weeks guys.

next prediction is 0-0-16. All ties.

[BillsImpossible]

A month ago, BillsImpossible looked at the schedule and predicted we'd go 12-4. (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/229166-2015-Buffalo-Bills-Schedule-Predictions?highlight=)

A few weeks later, he starts a thread saying the Bills hit "a grand slam" in the draft. (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/229295-2015-Buffalo-Bills-Draft-Class-Highlights-Doug-Whaley-Hit-A-Grand-Slam?highlight=)

Now he starts a thread where's just totally cool tanking the season for a top 5 draft pick?

BillsImpossible is just going to change his mind in a few weeks guys.

What did I change my mind about? I still think the Bills are going 12-4 and I still think Whaley had a great draft.

This thread isn't about tanking, it's about playing to win or playing not to lose.

Another way of saying it is it's a thread about Tyrod Taylor (playing to win) vs. Manuel and Cassel (playing not to lose).

I think it's pretty obvious by now that the Bills are going to play to win and start Tyrod Taylor.

Rex Ryan gave Tyrod another vote of confidence yesterday, and Taylor was on the front page of the Buffalo News sports section today.

Every indication (and coaching philosophy) points to T-Mobile being the next Bills quarterback.

If Taylor fails and the Bills have a bad season, that's fine with me because at least they played to win.

If the Bills swing for the fences and strike out, I'm cool with that.

I'd rather go down swinging instead of bunting, walking, or just trying to get on the playoff base.

[BillsImpossible]

Play to win with Tyrod Taylor, or play not to lose with Matt Cassel or EJ Manuel?

Which do you prefer?

[Mace]

next prediction is 0-0-16. All ties.

You know, that record would be the most phenomenal NFL documentary film.