The #1 reason the Bills have stunk for so long.

[Mr. Cynical]

The trade for Rob Johnson.

If you look at all the QB classes from 1995 (when they took Todd Collins in the 2nd round as the heir apparent to Kelly), there was an incredible lack of any QB talent in the next 5 drafts. I mean seriously, look at the list:

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...B-1980-now.htm

So there literally was nothing they could have done (outside of Manning, but that wasn't an option), and it can be chalked up to bad luck with the timing of Kelly's retirement.

However, in 2001, the Bills had the chance to grab Drew Brees, but instead took Nate Clements. Why? Because they had made the trade for Rob Johnson and he was the starter.

That, IMO, is the #1 thing that set the Bills on their current path to misery. It's not the only thing, and they should have recovered many years ago, but again IMO this cut so deep that they never have recovered. Can't win without a QB and they haven't had one since Kelly.

[Luisito23]

Brees would've probably been send packing anyways...Remember it took him a while to get to where he's at...

By then, new coaches would've came and most likely would've wanted their own guy anyways.

[Thurmal]

Trading their 2005 first round pick so they could get back into the 1st in '04 to get Losman was worse. Coulda drafted Aaron Rodgers in 2005 had they kept that pick.

[Victor7]

Don't know about Brees. He was looking like an absolute bust through almost 4 full seasons before something went on in his head and it all changed. But make no mistake he was total **** early on and for quite some time.

This one's not really our fault since he went a couple of picks before us. But we came sooooooooo close to being able to draft Roethlisberger. I wonder if we would've done it and what would've happened.

[YardRat]

People ***** because Buffalo hasn't been able to find a QB (valid point) and/or because they haven't tried to find one (not really) but the bottom line is they have been pretty active trying to replace Kelly, they've just gone about it the wrong way...consistently looking for the 'quick fix' and trading away future assets (draft picks for Johnson, Bledsoe, Losman...hell, even Cassell) instead of being patient and using those resources to annually attempt to finally 'hit the lottery'. The funny thing is, some of those that bemoan the past acquisitions are probably the same ones that, every season, throw out the 'We should trade picks for Brees/Rivers/Whoever...Do whatever it takes to get them in here!!'

Don't give up future picks...draft a QB every year...go after the best FA's every year...until you 'get lucky'. Accomplishing the feat may be difficult, but the philosophy isn't.

[sudzy]

Don't give up future picks...draft a QB every year...go after the best FA's every year...until you 'get lucky'. Accomplishing the feat may be difficult, but the philosophy isn't.

That's the key, draft one. The Patriots have drafted more QBs since 2000 then the Bills have. It doesn't always have to be a 1st rounder. If there is a guy you like in the 3rd, 4th or even 7th draft him. There has been plenty of good QBs that have come in the mid to late rounds. You won't find any unless you try. The Bills wait until they are desperate, then they chase one. Either over drafting like EJ or trading for one. Then they refuse to draft another one until after that guy has failed. What's wrong with developing two QBs at a time? Chase JP and miss Rodgers. Chase EJ and miss on Bridgewater and Carr.

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

The trade for Rob Johnson.

If you look at all the QB classes from 1995 (when they took Todd Collins in the 2nd round as the heir apparent to Kelly), there was an incredible lack of any QB talent in the next 5 drafts. I mean seriously, look at the list:

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...B-1980-now.htm

So there literally was nothing they could have done (outside of Manning, but that wasn't an option), and it can be chalked up to bad luck with the timing of Kelly's retirement.

However, in 2001, the Bills had the chance to grab Drew Brees, but instead took Nate Clements. Why? Because they had made the trade for Rob Johnson and he was the starter.

That, IMO, is the #1 thing that set the Bills on their current path to misery. It's not the only thing, and they should have recovered many years ago, but again IMO this cut so deep that they never have recovered. Can't win without a QB and they haven't had one since Kelly.

Of QBs drafted 2004-2008, We've had 11. Maybe more.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

The problem is that the Bills keep changing and rebuilding or defense over and over and then saying : "offense? Just draft another halfback in the first. Can't lose! "

[BertSquirtgum]

Need to get that new stadium built. The team is cursed because their stadium is built on an indian burial ground.

[Yasgur's Farm]

Regarding quick fixes... Gotta give amnesty to GM and coach in order to draft/trade/FA for the future. As long as these guys feel the need to produce out of the gate, they'll make these quick fix decisions.

On the other hand... We haven't been able to entice anyone better than Whaley and Rex Ryan to head things up. Kind of a catch 22.

[Yasgur's Farm]

I guess this is the situation you need a Jerry Jones as an owner for a period of time.

[YardRat]

I guess this is the situation you need a Jerry Jones as an owner for a period of time.

Many will argue that Ralph meddled too much. Personally, I've always been of the mind that Wilson's biggest weakness was hiring guys to do the job, and giving them free reign. He didn't meddle enough.

[Yasgur's Farm]

The difference between Wilson and Jones is actual football talent understanding. Ralph couldn't have done it... Don't think Pegula is that guy either.

[Yasgur's Farm]

Bottom line... My #1 reason is that Ralph didn't get, or couldn't entice, above average coaches and GM's (Levy wasn't above average and Polian was homegrown)... And he didn't have the football talent smarts of Jerry Jones.

Our hope... Even though it doesn't appear that the Pegula's have the football talent smarts, they seem to have the potential to bring in the people that actually do.

Stay tuned.

[Night Train]

According to Jerry Sullivan, it's the delusional fans.

[The Jokeman]

The trade for Rob Johnson.

If you look at all the QB classes from 1995 (when they took Todd Collins in the 2nd round as the heir apparent to Kelly), there was an incredible lack of any QB talent in the next 5 drafts. I mean seriously, look at the list:

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...B-1980-now.htm

So there literally was nothing they could have done (outside of Manning, but that wasn't an option), and it can be chalked up to bad luck with the timing of Kelly's retirement.

However, in 2001, the Bills had the chance to grab Drew Brees, but instead took Nate Clements. Why? Because they had made the trade for Rob Johnson and he was the starter.

That, IMO, is the #1 thing that set the Bills on their current path to misery. It's not the only thing, and they should have recovered many years ago, but again IMO this cut so deep that they never have recovered. Can't win without a QB and they haven't had one since Kelly.

1995 was the year both Todd and RJ were drafted, so you could debate that the trade for RJ wasn't the mistake but rather the mistake was drafting Todd ahead of him. As had we drafted RJ it could debated we'd find out he'd be a bust sooner than later, never would have lost our 1st (and maybe use it on Tra Thomas) and 4th Round picks in 1998 etc.

[Ginger Vitis]

The way the 2004 draft played out had serious effects on the Bills that lasted for years... Donahoe wanted to trade up to 10 in front of the Steelers to take Roethlisberger.. He ddint offer enough to t he Texans who were picking 10th so instead of trading down the Texans stayed at 10 and took Dunta Robinson.. When you consider Donahoe gave up a 1st round pick to trade up for Losman why ddint Donahoe just offer the 2005 1st rounder to the Texans to go from 13 to 10.. Surely the Texans would have been more than fine with that and Big Ben would have been a Bill... How else the Bills were unlucky was when the Steelers were on the lock at 11 Bill Cowher wanted OT Shane Andrews but the owner whose biggest regret was not drafting Dan Marino in 1983 didn't want to make the same mistake again and told Cowher to draft Big Ben

Had Cowher gotten his way and taken Andrews the Jets @12 had Chad Pennington so they likely would have passed on Big Ben and Ben would have been there @13 for the Bills to take

[stuckincincy]

Many good comments in this thread.

I'd add years of poor drafting in the lower rounds. I can't recall the last time another team plucked a player from a Bills' practice squad.

[Turf]

#1 Reason. Bad GM's.

[mdcas22]

talent evaluation would be the #1 problem. they had chances to draft elite QB's but chose other's instead.