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I don't know how anyone else feels about it but as a Bills fan my five pre-season objectives for the Bills in any given year are, in order,
1) win the Super Bowl. That's what they play for and what we want as fans. Failing that,
2) make the playoffs. It feels better to have had a shot in the "tournament" than not, even if we lose. Failing that,
3) finish ahead of the fins. Always a good thing. Failing that,
4) Sweep the fins head to head. Failing that,
5) Split with the fins. Failing that, lock the basement door and wait for June.
The point is, a loss on Sunday has the potential to put in motion an array of outcomes, many of which COULD result in the basement getting locked. Here's why:
a) Losing Sunday, assuming Mularkey stubbornly decides that developing JP is his primary mission for the year, could result in a significant # of his players "tanking" the rest of the year. Don't believe it? NO could be the easiest remaining game left on our schedule. If we lose, players will ask themselves if in fact we can beat anyone. They'll stop "selling out" on every play and concern themselves more with their own health and stats. And this includes the defense. For example, last year the NY Giants D gave up an average of 17.5 points for their 1st 9 games with Kirt Warner at QB. With Eli Manning for the last 7 games that jumped to 27 a game. I don't think Eli's worse play accounts for all of that difference, if you catch my meaning.
b) If we go to 1-3 the SB and playoffs become lottery ticket long shots with JP at QB. Why? Because if JP "gets it" this year it won't be like a light bulb it will be gradually and that means going 9-3 the rest of the way is not realistic, particularly playing BB and NE twice.
c) It's early but the fins look quite a bit better than the 4-12 version from last year. If we go into that game 1-3 the pressure on JP from all sides will be greater than a piece of coal in a diamond mine. All the people that want him to stay in because benching him would hurt his confidence better think about what losing that game would do to him. I'm not being negative here just realistic.
Which brings me to the bottom line. If we're trailing by more than a FG at halftime on Sunday and/or the kid still is not on a first name basis with Moulds and Evans, I pray to God Mularkey has the sac to give the kid a nice view of the rest of the game and until further notice.
So good luck JP. Sunday's your Super Bowl.
1) win the Super Bowl. That's what they play for and what we want as fans. Failing that,
2) make the playoffs. It feels better to have had a shot in the "tournament" than not, even if we lose. Failing that,
3) finish ahead of the fins. Always a good thing. Failing that,
4) Sweep the fins head to head. Failing that,
5) Split with the fins. Failing that, lock the basement door and wait for June.
The point is, a loss on Sunday has the potential to put in motion an array of outcomes, many of which COULD result in the basement getting locked. Here's why:
a) Losing Sunday, assuming Mularkey stubbornly decides that developing JP is his primary mission for the year, could result in a significant # of his players "tanking" the rest of the year. Don't believe it? NO could be the easiest remaining game left on our schedule. If we lose, players will ask themselves if in fact we can beat anyone. They'll stop "selling out" on every play and concern themselves more with their own health and stats. And this includes the defense. For example, last year the NY Giants D gave up an average of 17.5 points for their 1st 9 games with Kirt Warner at QB. With Eli Manning for the last 7 games that jumped to 27 a game. I don't think Eli's worse play accounts for all of that difference, if you catch my meaning.
b) If we go to 1-3 the SB and playoffs become lottery ticket long shots with JP at QB. Why? Because if JP "gets it" this year it won't be like a light bulb it will be gradually and that means going 9-3 the rest of the way is not realistic, particularly playing BB and NE twice.
c) It's early but the fins look quite a bit better than the 4-12 version from last year. If we go into that game 1-3 the pressure on JP from all sides will be greater than a piece of coal in a diamond mine. All the people that want him to stay in because benching him would hurt his confidence better think about what losing that game would do to him. I'm not being negative here just realistic.
Which brings me to the bottom line. If we're trailing by more than a FG at halftime on Sunday and/or the kid still is not on a first name basis with Moulds and Evans, I pray to God Mularkey has the sac to give the kid a nice view of the rest of the game and until further notice.
So good luck JP. Sunday's your Super Bowl.
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