Tim Anderson

The bye week is a great time for bloggers to focus on issues not directly concerning the team they cover.  The issue that I intend to vent on, was one that I truly wanted to address immediately following Buffalo’s week 3 win over Oakland.  However, I thought the upcoming bye week would be a more opportune time.

Imagine you are at an NFL game, cheering on your favorite team.  In fact, I’m sure many of you have encountered this experience, including the 70,000+ that were also at the game I am referencing.  Buffalo had just called a time-out with less than 5 seconds remaining on the clock, and they were obviously preparing to send out the field goal unit to attempt the potential game winning kick.  However, Oakland still had 2 time-outs remaining, and of course my thought was that they would use one to “ice” the kicker.  Unfortunately, as many of you know, more often than not, the time-out is called not before the players have lined up, but just before the snap of the football.

So, as you may have guessed, I was fully expecting the aforementioned scenario to play out.  In fact, I was not even watching the play; I was watching Kiffin along the sidelines standing next to an official.  Bear in mind, I was sitting in the upper levels, but I was sure that I saw Kiffin try to get the TO just prior to the snap of the ball.  Now, with the crowd going nuts, there was no way I was going to hear a whistle even if there was one.  In any event, Lindell buried the kick, and almost everyone around me was going nuts.  I though, was skeptical, waiting almost 10 seconds to be sure that the kick was going to count, and that the Bills had won the game.

What is the point of this story?  Simple.  While the fact that coaches will call time-outs legally just prior to the snap of the ball may be annoying to the players, it is wildly unfair to those fans in attendance, who want to enjoy the biggest plays of the game without having to wonder whether or not it is going to count.  In some ways I felt cheated after the game had ended, and I’m sure that I wasn’t the only one.  On television, it is clear what is taking place in the game, but at the stadium, in all the confusion, it is often difficult to discern what exactly is happening on the field - especially in situations such as that. 

Ultimately, I would like for the NFL to re-visit this issue in the off-season, and perhaps make it illegal to call a time-out once the kicker has started his backward motion while moving into position.  This would be a simple rule to enforce, and I think you would find that time-outs to “ice” the kicker would actually drop in prevalence overall.

What are your thoughts?

Tim Anderson

As Abba once so poignantly said, “The history book on the shelf, is always repeating itself.”  Forgive the reference, but I happen to be comfortable with my sexuality.

Many local sports’ writers and fans alike, have paralleled this season with the 1988 campaign.  And, while I haven’t been one of them, I have referenced this point in the past, and couldn’t help but think of that ‘88 season when the Bills left University of Phoenix Stadium with their tails between their legs this past Sunday.  In fact, when I started thinking about the Bills since that “coming of age” year, I began to recall games very similar to that of the one in Arizona.  So, after doing a bit of research to confirm that my memory was still in good shape, I found that I was correct in my assertion that Buffalo have incurred similar defeats, all by at least 21-points, under similar circumstances - all in seasons where the team got at least as far as the AFC Championship Game.

Sunday October 2nd, 1988 - @ Chicago

Buffalo entered week 5 coming off 4 straight wins to open the season - 3 of which were by 3 points or less.  Nevertheless, they were off to their best start in years, and hopes were high going into their first real test of the year; a trip to Chicago.  The Bears wasted no time in seemingly exposing a pretender by defeating Buffalo 24-3.  But, pretenders the Bills were not, as they would go on to win their next 7 games en route to a 12-4 record, and a berth in the AFC Championship Game; a game in which they would lose to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Monday October 7th, 1991 - @ Kansas City

Buffalo were 5-0 entering their Monday night contest in Kansas City.  However, their aspirations for a 6th straight win to start the season were quickly diminished by a 33-6 butt-kicking at the hands of the Chiefs.  Christian Okoye stomped the Bills for 122 yards, and Buffalo left Missouri with a shattered ego.  Nevertheless, they would bounce back with 5 straight wins, and end the season 13-3.  Of course, we all know how the season came crashing down against the Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI, so I’ll go no further. 

Sunday October 4th, 1992 - vs. Miami

The Bills had been very good at home in their previous 4 seasons, but they were about to face one of their worst defeats there when Miami strolled into town for a week 5 showdown.  Buffalo were manhandled by the Dolphins 37-10, and turned the ball over 5 times.  The Bills actually dropped their next game to the LA Raiders, but followed that up with a 5-game winning streak, and finished the season 11-5.  Once again though, Buffalo would end the year with a defeat in the Super Bowl, this time to the Dallas Cowboys.

What does all of this mean?  Well, nothing really.  However, it is certainly an interesting way to consider just how this season might pan out.  Think about it, aside from this year, 3 times the Bills have started at least 4-0 since 1988, and on all 3 occasions they were stomped during their first defeat of each respective season.  Thought provoking, no?

I’m not in any way, shape, or form implying that this team is as good as any of those mentioned above, but you can’t help but wonder if there is a real chance that this group could still make some noise down the stretch, and potentially even win a playoff game.  Moreover, with affirmation from one of the great bands of our time, hope should resonate that our Bills may finally be ”meeting their Waterloo.”

Go Bills!

Tim Anderson

Word surrounding the team is that Trent Edwards did indeed suffer a concussion this past Sunday, and that he was feeling much better after the game had ended.  However, as many of you know, and as Dick Jauron pointed out, there is a protocol when dealing with head injuries.  According to Jauron, Edwards has begun that process, and he will monitored on a day-to-day basis until more is known.  If I were a gambling man, I’d say he’ll be back under center roughly two weeks from now. 

In other news, it is being reported that Roscoe Parrish may be recovering ahead of schedule, and he believes he will be back on the practice field next week.  This too would be very good news, as his loss has certainly impacted the offense as much as it has the special teams.

Of course, I’ll have more as it becomes available.  Until such time…

Go Bills!