Can we Offer any form of Appeasement, Oh Sports’ Gods?
November 17, 2008 by Tim Anderson
Filed under Bills, NFL Football
I’m terribly sorry if you are seeking a finely tuned post game discussion describing plays, sequences, strategies or play calling, because you won’t receive one here. The reason is due to the fact that my mind can think no more this evening, and my heart can’t muster up the will to try. I’ll be honest with you Bills’ fans, I am a broken man as I type this blog, and the pain will not subside anytime soon. If you are to find any solace in this piece however, it will be to know that I bleed with you tonight, and likely for the remainder of this football year, as our season has likely just taken the last train out of town.
I’m sure there are those of you out there claiming “curse,” and you may well be right, because as irrational as that sounds, the thought is permeating my mind as well. What more do we need to do to appease the sports’ Gods? Have we not suffered enough? Is this our fate for the remainder of our sports watching lives, and if so, can we at least have some answers as to what we did to make you so indignant?
Others I’m certain are simply in a deep state of despair, and if this is something you can’t relate to, because it is only a sporting event, then I’m amazed that you’ve made it this far. It is more than just a game to those in Western New York. It is life, it is that which we look forward to, and that which brings us together as one. So, if you are feeling despair, and even if you have tears streaming down your face, believe me, I can relate.
Finally, I’m sure there are those that are throwing up their arms in disgust, and making bold statements like, “I’m through with this team,” or “These guys suck.” For those of you in this camp, I bid you a fond farewell, because I am nothing but proud of this team tonight, and those 70,000+ strong that never gave up hope, even when all seemed lost so often throughout this game. I know that what exacerbates our feelings of despair, is the fact that our team fought so hard, and were within an eyelash, on multiple occasions, of winning this game in a retributional style (referring to last year’s Monday Night loss to Dallas). However, it is that, which should make you feel good, that no matter what the circumstances, this team will come back again next week with the same heart, effort, and emotion. And so will you!
In closing, I’ll make one final plea to the metaphysical being that seems to watch over and haunt our beloved sports’ teams. However, if the plea goes unfulfilled, which has been the case in all of my other moments of weakness, then I’ll say this. Give us your best shot, because though you may knock us down, we’ll get back up and ask for more. You can’t break our spirits, because WE-ARE-BUFFALO!
Go Bills!
timanderson@sportstalkbuzz.com
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November 17th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I knew the game was over when Edwards completed the pass to Royal, and instead of hurrying up to the line to gain as many yards as possible the Bills formed a huddle. Settling for a 47 yard field goal into the wind with a kicker not known for his strong leg is absolutely asinine. I don’t care how many picks Edwards had thrown, not even trying to pick up another 15-20 yards there is inexcusable. In all honesty though Tim, I am not nearly as broken up as you over this loss. I know you felt the Bills were playoff contenders with a win tonight, but I must disagree. First, assume they won tonight as well as their next two very winnable games. That would put them at 8-4. The best case scenario for the remainder of the season would be a split with Dolphins/Jets, no way they win BOTH of those. There is no way they win a game in Denver in December, not gonna happen. Then we know they aren’t going to beat the Patriots. So even if they won tonight best case scenario would be 9-7, not enough for a playoff berth. I’m actually encouraged by some things I saw tonight. A return of the run game, who would have thunk it? The Bills defense being aggressive. You mean to tell me Kawika Mitchell is a good blitzer, who knew? All this despite most of the game without two starting defensive backs. Marcus Stroud was an absolute monster tonight. (On a side note, I’m a little upset the announcers made such a big deal of Shaun Rogers while barley mentioning Stroud. Rogers deserves kudos as he has been a beast this year, but Stroud has too, and Stroud outplayed him tonight. While we are on the topic of announcers, can we develop technology that allows us to turn off Kornheiser while still listening to Jaws. Jaws is probably the best analyst on television. He actually talks about the game and not stupid storylines, what a novel concept.) Sorry about that rant, I have been drinking tonight. I know Jaws criticized Lynch on a few occasions for not hitting the holes, but nobody can ever question this man’s heart. He goes all out on every single play, as does Fred Jackson. If the Bills can keep running like this, Edwards is going to start looking a lot better. I have been highly critical of the offensive line this year, but I have nothing bad to say about them tonight (even you Jason Peters.) It is now time to start talking about potential of young players on the team as well as what to do in the draft. I swear we are only one player away, ahh hope springs eternal.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:09 am
The sports Gods seem to be kicking a lot of fans in the ass these days. I cannot begin to know what it is like to be a Bills or a Sabres fan, or even a resident of Buffalo, as times have been tough, but I do know the hurt of watching my teams loose in the biggest games, (Raiders in 2002 superbowl, and Senators in 2007 stanley cup), so I can at least relate to you on many levels.
)
That said, look at it this way. The Bills were not expected to be a surefire playoff team, and having them sitting on the bubble is still pretty good, and your Sabres seem to be bouncing back, so although things could be better, they most certainely can be worse. (you could be a 2-8 Raiders fan, or a 6-9-3 Senators fan right now
chin up brother!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I too was devastated by this loss. I can live with the loss but what I am tired of living with (as I know many of you are) is the constant non stop Buffalo bashing by the commentators!! The best thing I heard them say about Buffalo was when they called Paul Posluszny the “Stud Linebacker”. I watch a lot of football and many differnet teams and I never hear the bashing of any team like the Bills. And how many more times must we hear about “wide right”? And of course the “Music City Miracle”. Are the Titans’ fans subject to constant reminders of the Super Bowl against the Rams when they came up 1 yd shy of winning? Has our team & the fans not suffered enough? Why must we keep reliving all the pain? I agree with the closing of your blog Tim, give us your best shot because we will get right back up. Buffalo does not quit
November 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
HAHA! I love the Kornheiser comment, and I would pay an unlimited amount of money for that technology. I also agree with your assessment of Stroud, who I thought played his best game as a Buffalo Bill.
Once again, as you said, we saw nothing but heart from Lynch and Jackson, and last night, we even saw it from our offensive line. This, in part, is what makes this loss so tough to swallow. Have we really been that deceived (unintentionally of course) by the 5-1 start this team gave us? I find it hard to believe that it was a total fluke, but then again, it’s hard to believe that the 0-4 since isn’t.
In any event, great comment and thanks for reading!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Chin is up bro! I know it could be worse, but when the game ended as it did, the only thing that goes through one’s mind is the negative in nature.
Nevertheless, that one was tough last night!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I agree! I guess it is part of a broadcaster’s job, and it is part of the history of the game, but god, how many times do we need to hear about Scott Norwood - if for no one’s sake but his! We do re-live those moments over and over in our heads enough, even without watching the games. So why must we be reminded as frequently as we are. Excellent point!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Not to make you feel even worse about this season, but the Bills 5 wins came against teams with a combined 14-36 record. I spent the off-season telling all the Browns fans I know that there was no chance they would repeat last year’s record for the simple fact that they were going from one of the easiest schedules in the league to one of the hardest. Unfortunately for Bills fans our schedule will be much tougher next year than it has been this year. The AFC South has two of the best teams in the conference. The NFC South doesn’t have 3 of the worst teams in the league. I hate to say this but even if the Bills improve in the off-season it will be tough for them to repeat their record this year. That is a scary thought since I don’t see them finishing better than 7-9 this year.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I’d love to disagree with you, but honestly I can’t. If you read any of my off-season stuff, and even some of my early season remarks regarding this team, you’d see that I have always used their schedule for this season as a key component to their contending for a playoff spot. So, as much as it pains me, you are spot on my friend. It won’t get any easier!
PS: I probably could have done without the stat regarding our wins being against teams with such a poor record (even though deep down I knew) however.