This isn’t 2008, literally or figuratively. On October 19, 2008, Bills fans started shouting from their roof tops that the Bills were destined for greatness and THIS was the year it would happen. On that day, the Bills beat San Diego, 23-14, and Trent Edwards (remember him?) bounced back from his concussion two weeks earlier, throwing for 263 yards and 1 TD. They proved that the debacle in Phoenix was the mirage, not the Bills. They sat 5-1. They averaged almost 25 points a game. Trent Edwards was asserting himself as the leader and player the great Bill Walsh had pegged him to be. So what happened? Three straight division losses and Monday Night Football happened. We had been tricked, duped, and bamboozled once more. They lost four straight and eight out of their last ten games.
Fast forward to the present. The Bills have just beat the Patriots in thrilling fashion to rise atop the AFC East standings, and they have become the buzz of national media. They have a competent quarterback. They have arrived! This is their return to prominence! Sound familiar? Yeah, it does, but it IS different this time. Why? Perception. Cohesion. Talent. A plan.
Perception: In 2008, Bills fans still had a glimmer of hope for their team because of the moderate success that Bledsoe had engineered with the club. There was a belief in Edwards and the team had what they believed was a young, up-and-coming defense. The additions of Langston Walker and Derrick Dockery to the offensive line were finally going to help solidify the line. It was false hope. It was all false hope. The Bills had neglected their offensive line and defensive line for years in the draft. They had thrown money at the only real free agents available in attempt to bolster the line. Edwards played scared. And the offense was abysmal. It was a mirage. A dirty, stupid, bitter mirage.
Fans have learned from that. We’re still delusional in our overall perception, but fans have tempered their enthusiasm with this team. Even with this early season success, fans are still at least somewhat reluctant to proceed without hesitation. We’ve been burned by the stove one too many times to get too far ahead of ourselves (well, some of us). Fans are appreciating this team for what they are, a young team, full of emerging stars, who will experience their ups and downs while continuing to learn how to finish games.
As a fan, it is hard to not look ahead at the schedule and play the “what if” game, but at least from my vantage point, I’m not expecting anything, and I don’t think I’m alone. Each Sunday is another opportunity to watch the team I love, and hopefully for a whole younger generation, a reason for them to fall in love with them. With leaders like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson and Freddie Jackson saying – and apparently meaning- the right things, who am I to question their focus and understanding that each week is a grind? I won’t, and you shouldn’t either.
Cohesion: The entire 2008 team never seemed to work. Can you imagine Trent Edwards, Lee Evans, and Marshawn Lynch kicking it in Arizona? Edwards was such a politician. Evans hated that Trent Edwards was his quarterback. Marshawn Lynch was his own brand. In sports, a collective belief in one another has a resounding effect. It’s not measurable, but everyone knows it exist. This team has that bond. Whether it be due to the lockout and having to organize team activities themselves or if it really is having someone like Ryan Fitzpatrick who has the ability to relate to everyone, this team has it. You hear it when the offensive linemen talk about the skill guys and vice versa. Maybe it’s because no one believes in them so they only rely upon one another. This team may be playing to prove themselves, but they are always playing to not let the guy next to them down. Don’t discount that. It’s powerful.
Talent: This team is more talented than the 2008 team. They have more complete, well-rounded players who do what it takes to win. After three weeks, it might be too early for a complete report, but go up and down those rosters and be honest with yourselves about which team is in better shape. The Bills are young in the right spots (offensive and defensive lines, WR) and seem to have a good veteran presence to compensate for slight deficiencies (LB and Secondary). This team is by no means perfect, but Buddy Nix and company have brought in football junkies, and it shows.
The plan: Lee Evans. Gone? Poz. Gone? Whitner. Gone? SHOCKING! Not really. It’s part of a plan. Lee Evans was one dimensional (no, I’m not hating). Poz and Whitner couldn’t cover (yes, I AM hating). They’ve been replaced with Stevie Johnson (a complete package receiver), Nick Barnett (who has shown glimpses as to why he’s the better cover guy), and George Wilson (who has already matched Whitner’s interception total from last year). These players didn’t match what the Bills wanted to do. Not to mention, some actually wanted raises.
On top of current personnel changes, Buddy Nix has spent the last two years building a bigger, more versatile football team. Chad Rinehart, Kraig Urbik, Erik Pears all increased the size of the offensive line and so far so good. Alex Carrington, Torrell Troup, Marcell Dareus and Kellen Heard have all increased the size of the defensive line. Just because Buddy has that southern twang to his voice certainly doesn’t mean he’s an idiot. I think people are starting to see that, but as a fan in the middle of everything you sometimes can’t see the finished product until it is right in front of you. He’s not there yet, but let’s not continue to kid ourselves that Buddy isn’t making every move with a distinct outcome in mind. He still needs to build the depth of this team and look for upgrades when available, but at least he’s putting his efforts in the right spot.
This isn’t a finished product, but in a way it is like tasting the Sunday sauce before it’s on the pasta. It’s still good. We should all enjoy this. We deserve it. THEY deserve it. This team is legit because over the last 16 games they’ve shown growth and resiliency and wherewithal. They aren’t going to win them all and once they do lose one, the rest of the national craze will subside a little, but just know that this time it’s different.
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