Well the school year is coming to a close, the NFL just released its full schedule for the 2007-2008 season, and a few things jumped into my mind. Mainly it was the fact that I am so glad I am not a Buffalo Bills fan.
Having grown up in Syracuse, I like to consider that neutral sports territory. My father, being from New York, grew up being a die-hard New York Giants fan, so I decided to invest my football support in the Giants as well.
Well, it is going to finally pay off to have a football team in Buffalo as the New York Giants travel to meet the Bills Dec. 23. Looks like it's an early Christmas for me.
Over the years I have watched the Bills, and I have seen them struggle while their fans suffer. A franchise that was on top of their conference, and regulars in the Super Bowl in the early '90s, seems to have dropped off the NFL radar. I just don't see how the AFC champions in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 can fall apart in a decade. The poor Bills continued to fight in the mid '90s but 1996 looks like the year where the downhill slope began.
In 1996, the Bills saw their commanding lead in the AFC East race disappear to the New England Patriots. They still made the playoffs, but as a wild card - and became the first victim of the Cinderella Jacksonville Jaguars. Team leader and the face of Buffalo Jim Kelly retired after the season, signaling an end to the most successful era in Bills history. Kelly's loss was felt big time in 1997, when the Bills stumbled to a 6-10 season, which would lead to head coach Marv Levy retiring after the campaign.
1998 rolled in and so did big 'ole Wade Phillips. Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie found themselves taking the snaps and eventually Flutie took the drivers seat and led the Bills to a solid 11-5 record in 1999. Then there is the infamous Music City Miracle. Sucks. Are you seeing where I am going with this?
Alright 2000, the millennium, time for the Bills to turn it around right!?
Wrong.
How about they cut the only ties left to the Super Bowl franchise era as the organization said peace out to Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith. So the Bills go 8-8, but Doug Flutie, like most people, thought Southern California was a better fit and packed up and headed to the San Diego Chargers.
OK, let's not panic here. We will simply bring in some new faces, some young guns and have a bright growing youth. Um, not so much.
2001 proved to be the worst season for the Bills since the invention of paper as they managed only three wins under new head coach Gregg Williams. 10 years ago this team was playing in its second consecutive Super Bowl, this can't be right. But, it is.
Drew Bledsoe, that's a good strong name. A name that will lead us places we used to be. Tom Brady not only took his job, but also won a Super Bowl back in New England. Bledsoe did a fantastic job of leading the Bills to a last place division finish and a record of 8-8.
How are you still a Bills fan?
Oh wait, maybe firing Gregg Williams and hiring Mike Mularkey and the team
There must have been angels in the end zone in 2004 because I don't see how a team can start 0-4 and finish 9-6. But it still wasn't enough. The poor old Bills couldn't win the only game that really mattered that season as they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final game, which cost them their playoff spot. That's not frustrating or anything.
But they have to be due for something good! Am I right? Well hey that Bledsoe guy didn't work out so we will release him and pop in Losman as the starter. J.P. started 1-3, which prompted Kelly Holcomb to replace him. Yeah, I thought it was a girl too. Losman would not see action again until Holcomb was injured in Week 10, what a heart breaker for fans.
With all this quarterback activity going on its no wonder the Bills finished with a 5-11 record and the firing of General Manager Tom Donahoe in January 2006. That same month, Mularkey resigned as head coach, I would have too. Dick Jauron was hired as his replacement.
And what about the latest drama for the great city of Buffalo? Sure we don't need Takeo Spikes anymore, our defense is that good. Oh and why have a solid running game when our quarterback is clearly a pro-bowler. Have fun in Baltimore, Willis McGahee.
Boy, with all those impressive season lately its weird that the Bills were actually thinking of moving the franchise. Peculiar.
Hey, let's not judge, 2007 could bring promise and power back to Buffalo. But I wouldn't hold your breath. I don't know if I mentioned how many Super Bowl wins the Bills have in this article. Well the answer is zero, because the A.F.L. doesn't count.
Wide Right. Go Giants!
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
