The Pessimistic Bills Fan
Dec. 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Fans sit in the snow covered seats before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
With the recent injury and surgery to Buffalo Bills Quarterback EJ Manuel, a first round pick in the 2013 Draft, many Buffalo Bills fans have developed the yearly depression many Buffalo fans go through, commonly known as the”Blues”. Each year, Buffalo Bills fans become excited for the upcoming season, even the most pessimistic fans, because it is the chance for a new start, new beginning, and the potential to have a decent, respectable season. By week five, Buffalo Bills fans are frustrated, whether it be with the coaching staff, overpaid players, or just their overall performance. By week 10, even the most die-hard Bills fans are already talking about next years draft and who they think will or should be fired from the coaching staff and front office. By week 11, Buffalo Bills fans won’t even watch the games due to the stress and high blood pressure they have developed from watching their hometown team get romped by their AFC opponents despicably on national television, which is ironic considering the number of “blacked out” Buffalo Bills games.
The “Blues” can sometimes develop deep into one’s mind, and in doing so a Buffalo Bills fan can have the “blues” for a whole lifetime. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, excessive drinking during halftime, throwing beer cans at the TV in frustration, deep heart wrenching sighs, and depression. This extreme case of the “blues”, if not monitored, can develop into a very severe case of the “blues”, which I like to call the Pessimistic Buffalo Bills fan. These fans believe in bad luck and strongly feel that everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. This season in particular, EJ Manuel’s knee procedure and the release of Rian Lindell has some Bills fans grumbling about the Bills and how they will have a mediocre season…it never ends.
However, this same loyalty to the negative mentality of the old ways, also comes with hope. Each season Buffalo looks forward to the upcoming season because it’s another chance for the organization to change and make moves, like drafting first round pick EJ Manuel; it is this hope that keeps us going. Bad news seems to be the blown out of proportion knee surgery EJ underwent this past weekend, the Mario Williams “scandals”; No matter what happens Buffalo Bills fans will be at the first home game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, drunk and cheering for their home team.
The situation Buffalo Bills fans are in this preseason is a different environment than recentbyears. We have a new organization run by an ambition front office, a youthful roster, and energetic coaching. Two preseason games in the defense looks great and EJ, besides his minor injury, seems to be coming along. Things seem to be getting done with this new organization, but most of all it seems that they are doing it right the first time. Now I acknowledge the fact that the team seems to be set on a path to success and are committed to following that path, but they have their work cut out for them. Preseason is preseason, that’s all it is yet people see one preseason victory/loss and people get really excited or they dreading. Preseason is a competitive atmosphere for those trying to make the final roster cuts. Wins/losses don’t matter, the main goal is to continue to get better until the season starts. So to all you Buffalo Bills fans, including my pessimistic brothers and sisters, don’t get hyped up from preseason play. Support you team but also be realistic, because the further you step away from reality the easier it is to fall into Pessimism.