Wait, the Bills HAD glory days?
ducking projectiles from Drain Bead
Are you saying the Wade Phillips/Rob Johnson pairing has left the fans of Buffalo in something less than a giddy state of hope?
It’s called Kurt Warner’s Crunchtime and the proceeds go to a camp for special kids (Warner’s adopted son is leaglly blind). He also has a candy bar of the same name. Cereal isn’t too good, but I liked the candybar.
What the Bills did to Flutie is incorrigible. As a native of New England, I can tell you the man is still a football God there, even if the last time he suited up for a New England area team was the season he spent backing up Tony Eason. He is by far one of my favorite players of all time, but apparently to the Bills he was just the back-up with the longest tenure in history. My god, he started 26 straight games, did AMAZING things in every one, showed more heart than any 30 other quarterbacks combined, and as soon as Rob Johnson is healthy, back to warming the pine for good ol’ Doug. Man that pisses me off. I was a big Bills fan during the Levy years, but their treatment of Flutie and the Triplets (Smith, Reed, Thomas) makes me want to put The Curse of the Bengals on them… Urgh…
Another football fanatic checking in. Also a Pats fan and Cowboy loather.
Here is what I love about football:
- The combination of grace and violence.
- Sunday afternoons are just not the same when you actually have to do stuff, instead of plant your ass in the recliner for the duration.
- Knowing the game better than my husband.
- The flea flicker.
- Endless analysis.
- The ebb and flow of player and team talent and expectations from year to year. (Saints excepted, of course)
- The occasional bonus of a Thursday night or Saturday game.
- Tight pants on tight butts.
Rereading the above, I realize that some of it sound a bit sarcastic, but I assure you, I really do love endless analysis and planting my ass in the recliner.
Here is what I hate about football:
- The Super Bowl–a bunch of once-a-year fans. Feh.
- Bad calls against my team.
- Paul McGuire
- Indoor stadiums and artificial turf.
counting the days
Bratman - that’s better, a little trash talking, I like it! As hard as I rooted for the Rams last year (hell, I had to, I had Warner, Faulk and Roland Williams on my money-league fantasy team), I don’t think they will repeat. They will make the playoffs again if only because the division is so weak. When it comes down to it though there’s just too many questions:
-Was Warner a one year wonder? How will his contract disputes affect him and the team? How will he react having Trent Green breathing down his neck this year?
-How will their offensive line hold up with the changes brought on by off season moves?
-Can Isaac Bruce remain healthy for a whole season again?
-Can Marshall Faulk remain healthy again?
-How will the coaching changes affect them?
A lot of things bounced the right way for the Rams last year, and I don’t see it happening again. It was definitely a fun ride last year though, culminating in perhaps the most exciting and entertaining Super Bowl ever.
-Was Warner a one year wonder? How will his contract disputes affect him and the team? How will he react having Trent Green breathing down his neck this year?
Contract negotiations are about over. With Trent Green healthy and ready to replace him, Warner will just have to be as good as last year or risk losing his job - I think this will push him to be better than just fold under pressure.
-How will their offensive line hold up with the changes brought on by off season moves?
The offensive line isn’t really a problem, my concern is defense, which they didn’t bother to beef up too much during the off-season.
-Can Isaac Bruce remain healthy for a whole season again?
That’s up to chance. You can say that about any player on any team. Plus, we have Ricky Proehl, Tory Holt, and others to fill the gap if he goes out. We’ll miss him, but we’ll be able to play still.
-Can Marshall Faulk remain healthy again?
See above. Plus Roland Williams and the addition of (an unproven, let’s hope he was worth the first round pick) Trung Candidate.
-How will the coaching changes affect them?
They know Martz and Martz knows the players. This isn’t a new person that’s being brought in, but someone who already knows the team’s key players strength and weaknesses.
I know the Rams are going to have a tougher time of it this year: tougher schedule, new coach, parts fell into place last year that might not be there this year, but look how Warner stepped up when the Rams had all their hopes on Green. That could happen again too. Besides, the core group is still here, they’ve had a whole season and the playoffs to know how to play the game together.
I will admit though, if the Rams don’t go to the Superbowl again, it’s because the Bucs knock them out.
(Lifelong Lions fan enters room to laughter and ridicule.)
Some schmo from the Sporting News apparently has my Lions making the Super Bowl this year. The Lions? The Cubs/Red Sox of the NFL?
Doesn’t he realize? When the Lions have the talent to do such a thing, they immediately either A. Let it go to their heads, get cocky and complacent; or B. Freak out, play nervous and blow it.
Once again, the NFC Central will be the home of the badasses. Chicago is expected to be very much improved. Where else could a team the calibre of Minnesota or Green Bay have a very realistic shot at finishing in last place?
Ah, nothing gets the heart racing like the Monday Night Football theme – both Hank Jr.'s version and the old one from the Frank-Howard-Dandy Don era, which you still hear snippets of on occasion.
Early Super Bowl Prediction: Jacksonville over Washington (Washington having beat my Lions in the NFC Championship game).
Mully - let me know if you need someone for your fantasy league.
Milo-
SO glad there is another fan of a real team. The Lions, Ross has this team going in the right direction, we’ll see if they got the horses but, I am having a tough time not getting to worked up.
PS Keyshawn was pretty good, fortunatly for us Lions fans he doesn’t have anyone throwing the ball to him or anyone to keep the triple team off him…
PPS I hate Danny Snyder. You can’t buy chemistry especially by spending way too much on over the hill guys. They only have maybe 2 years before they are buried in the cap! Good luck!
Don’t forget: Super Bowl XXXV will be played in Tampa. Will the Bucs be the first team to play The Game on their home field? People thought Atlanta had a chance last year, but we know what happened to them, right?
Yeah!!!
Go Bucs.
The Rams are going to have a much tougher road this year: first place schedule, Bucs & titans demonstrated how to contain the ram offense, somewhat rejuvenated NFC West, etc.
The Skins added a bunch of names to their deense, but they are old names. Bruce Smith is still a good player, but he’s not among the best anymore. Deon is still selfish and a step slower. It’s a travesty that he will relegate Darrell Green to nickel duty, and I don’t think Albert Connel has forgiven him the cheap shot, punch in the face from last year. Richie Rich is going to keep interfering with Norv Turner, further destroying team chemistry.
The Packers, Vikings, and Panthers have too many holes to get deep into the playoffs.
Bucs in teh Superbowl!!!
(where they probably lose to the Colts, but it’s at home, so you never know.)
I am an Arizona Cards fan here.
Yeah so or defensive front 4 is going to suck. I think Arizonas Offense will be better if Pitman, jones and Plummer stay healthy. Last year Arizona was killed by injuries, both on the offensive and defensive line.
WIll they make the play offs, not without a lot of luck.
Tampa, Washington, St Louis, Colts and Titans all have a good shot of winning. I think who ever has the least amount of injuries in key positions will end up winning it.
Osip
As you probably know, I am a Giants supporter.
All I can say is: Those who don’t stick with their teams in the bad times don’t deserve to celebrate in the good times.
That and, please break the Heisman jinx, Ron Dayne!! Please?!?!?
Anywa, I too missed football though I don’t pay much attentipon to pre-season shit. Can’t wait for the real kickoff though!
WOO!
Yer pal,
Satan
I HAVE BEEN SMOKE-FREE FOR:
Three months, two weeks, two days, 21 hours, 9 minutes and 15 seconds.
4315 cigarettes not smoked, saving $539.41.
Life saved: 2 weeks, 23 hours, 35 minutes.
You should try being a Chargers fan sometime… (I’m VERY used to the ridicule and laughter) But at least it has taught me how to be a good sport.
That being said hooray for Football. Time to watch big men kick some serious a**
I love Winter… football and hockey all at the same time. It couldn’t get any better unless we got rid of all that basketball nonsense.
Screeme
Hey – I was a Bucs fan back in the Leeman Bennett era. You better believe I know about the frustrations of pulling for a horrible team.
And, of course, once the Bucs finally turn it around I end up moving away. Feh! I will not become a Dolphfan. Not gonna happen.
I will buy tickets to watch the Bucs stomp them in their own crib, though. 
Proudest Monkey:
Amen and Amen. Paul McGuire is the most annoying sports broadcaster in the HISTORY of Broadcasting. He has all the qualities that made people loathe Cosell with none of the intelligence, wit, or entertainment value that made people love him. The only game I have trouble watching in any week is teh one he is announcing.
And I was not alive for it, but I believe that a small part of football died the day that the Minnesota Vikings moved from Municipal Stadium to the HHH Metrodome. Football is meant to be played in northern cities in cold weather. It is not a game to be played indoors or in the tropics. I will begrudgingly accept that the Super Bowl is played in places that make it exempt from weather considerations, but I still would rather see a National Championship played in Ralph Wilson Stadium or Lambeau Field in late January.
And to all of the people complaining about being hapless Lions or Chargers fans. I have two words for you: Rod Rust. Yes, I remember those seasons well. I watched every game then, and I don’t regret it. But I do believe Patriots futility is at least equal to that in Detroit and San Diego. Hell, the Patriots have hosted 2 home playoff games in history. Both occured at times when the head coach had all but quit (Chuck Fairbanks and Bill Parcells).
Thus proving neither one of you knows what it means to be a Lions fan.
Do you really think I will tolerate your whining, when both the Chargers and Pats have been to a Super Bowl? The Lions were last in an NFL championship game before there was a Super Bowl, 1957 to be exact.
The Lions have won exactly one playoff game since then. (And I was there, at the Silverdome. What an experience it was. Strangers were coming up to me, hugging me with tears in their eyes.)
Falcon, I can’t wait to see the 'Skins try to win with an overage team and a meddling owner. ( see exibit “A”- The Orioles) What are y’all gonna do when Dion stubs his toe in pre season and is out for the year? How are you gonna keep Samualson away from the all you can eat buffet at Horn and Horn?
I don’t have the hubris to predict that the Ravens will go all the way-yet. But we return one of the top 2 defenses in the league, and the offense has been signifigantly upgraded. Shannon Sharp and Ben Coats are the two best tight ends in the game. Look for Coach ( and former tight end ) Billick to ram a 2 tight end set in the opponents face each week. This is the year we beat the Jacksonville Jinx, and we whipped up on Tennessee last year. If you’re looking for a dark horse, like the Titans or Rams from last year, we’re it, baby!
Finally, I don’t especially like Dallas, but I love the way they make (blech!) 'Skins fans nervous.
GO RAVENS!!!
Whoooo hooooo!!! Silver and Black!!
Enter long-suffering and deluded Raiders fan!!
(insert boos and jeers here)
If we can keep our newly-acquired first round place-kicker out of jail long enough to kick 50+ yard field goals then we can go about forgetting the string of noodle-legged kickers who have worn the Raider uniform the last few years.
Gannon with Rodney Peete as backup (?), a defensive backfield full of free agents courtesy of SF, NO, Tennessee and Denver. New kid Porter playing next to Tim Brown, hopefully a good year of running from Kaufman and Wheatley.
:::Dusting off Darth Vader helmet::: Stomp the Donkeys! Grill the SeaChickens! Defuse the Bolt Boys! Scalp the Arrowheads! God I love the AFC West!
Meddling owner - most certainly, this guy makes Jerry Jones look like a disinterested party. Overage team? Not so fast.
This is the same team that should have beat Tampa Bay last year to go to the NFC championship game. They haven’t lost much. Yeah, their free agent signings are old veterans that are probably past their prime. But that adds depth and leadership. They have a lot of young guys - Westbrook, Connell, Alexander, Bailey, Davis, Hicks, Samuels, Arrington, etc. They are probably deeper than any other team at just about every position.
Best two tight ends? Maybe three or four years ago. How about a guy named Gonzalez in Kansas City? Walls in Carolina? Dudley in Oakland? Sharpe is coming off an injury and Coates is just washed up.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the Ravens will make a splash this year, but not on offense. Look at their QB’s for chrissake. Banks and Dilfer?? Their defense and special teams will carry them to (maybe) a wildcard berth.
My votes for teams to make some serious moves in the standings this year are the Bears and the Saints. I also look for the Jets to bounce back and take the AFC East (out on a limb on that one I know, it’s a gut feeling).