If you’re tired of our playoff drought, then it’s time to realize why the Buffalo Bills are in one and why we haven’t gotten out of it yet.
It’s very difficult for any professional team — including the Buffalo Bills — to grow into a powerhouse in their league. Period. Some teams have already done it, some are on the verge and some are just not even close.
For the Buffalo Bills, many people thought we were on the verge of something great this season. At times, we’ve shown exactly that. However, we have once again failed to live up to the expectations set forth by ourselves — despite still having a slim chance of making the playoffs.
16 years — potentially going on 17 years — is a long time without a playoff game. As a 22-year-old, I have no memory of watching a Bills’ playoff game and it’s something I’ve been waiting forever for — just like every other fan. And each year, I would react the same way as any other Bills’ fan and ask for a change of quarterbacks and change of head coaches.
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When your team isn’t making things work, there’s two people that always get the blame — the QB and coach. They have the biggest responsibilities on the team and in return, receive the most heat when things go cold.
Now, I’m not saying that statement isn’t justified — because it is. For the past 16 years, our QB and coach have done a poor job of executing on game day and it has led to a change in personnel year after year.
However, it gets to a point where you change quarterbacks and coaches so often that you end up never giving your team a chance to find success — or at least build into it.
Think about it. The Buffalo Bills play in the greatest football league in the world with the best players and best teams you will ever find — yes, including us. In fact, there is 32 teams — including us — that go out there and fight for the same thing: the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
32 teams. One victor. I don’t think people understand how difficult it is to be that one victor. Not that it isn’t possible for Buffalo, but that’s a lot of teams trying to be that one. That’s 31 teams that – whether they made the playoffs or not — feel the same way by the end of the season.
But first, you need to make it to the playoffs and that has been the biggest thorn in the Buffalo Bills‘ back for the past 16 years and could be the same this season. As a result, Bills’ fans are starting to uproar and demand changes.
“Tyrod isn’t our QB, Rex is a terrible coach, bring back Manuel, throw Cardale in,” are just some of the phrases being thrown around by fans.
After a win vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bills’ fans starting to regain hope for a playoff push. One week later, they were ready to fire Rex and Rob, send away Tyrod and replace him with a rookie quarterback that has only seen preseason action and has been inactive almost all season long.
Related Story: ESPN's John Clayton Has Had Mixed Feelings With Tyrod Taylor
I mean, woah. Would that seriously put us in a better position than we are in now? Remember, we are still a team that opponents see as a threat.
Rex Ryan is a coach that brought our divisional rival New York Jets to the playoffs in his first two seasons as head coach with the team, which means he is capable of leading a team to the playoffs. Not to mention, both of the seasons he did it were with Mark “butt-fumble” Sanchez behind center and he was a fresh quarterback out of college.
Here’s some funny stats. In 2009 — the first season Rex Ryan made the playoffs — Mark Sanchez finished the season with 2,444 yards, 12 TD and 20 INT. The following season — Ryan’s second playoff appearance — Mark Sanchez finished with 3,291 yards, 17 TD and 13 INT.
So, how do the New York Jets with a terrible quarterback make the playoffs? Let alone make it to the AFC Championship game both those seasons and even beat the Patriots in the 2010 Divisional Round?
Better yet, why can’t the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs with a more experienced Rex Ryan, his brother right beside him and a better quarterback than Sanchez? Where does the blame go and what do we do with it? Well, that answer is simple:
First off, the blame doesn’t just go to Rex Ryan, Rob Ryan and Tyrod Taylor. The blame goes to the whole team.
You can’t fully blame Tyrod Taylor because he hasn’t been given a full chance to display his potential. Sure he misses open throws and makes the same mistakes every other young quarterback makes — that’s going to happen. Without a star wide-receiver or tight end, it’s hard for any quarterback to shine.
You can’t fully blame Rex and Rob because there’s a lot of gameplan-changing involved when an injury hits one of your major players. Imagine what it’s been like for the Ryan’s knowing that every week, another star player has missed time to an injury or suspension. As I stated earlier, it’s hard to have success when you’re switching personnel year-in and year-out — Rex and Rob are basically doing it every week.
The point is, it takes a balanced, clutch and healthy team to make the playoffs and it’s important that your backups are always ready to go just in case.
For the Buffalo Bills, who are sitting at 6-6 with a very slim chance at making the playoffs, the quarterback and coaches should not be a concern and should not be put in the hot seat until they are given a real chance to work things out.
All three of these guys — Rex, Rob and Tyrod Taylor — are capable of leading Buffalo to the playoffs. It’s just a matter of building the right talent around them. And with some of the wins we’ve pulled off this season, it’s clear that this team is so close.
The best teams in this league are the teams that have chemistry — especially at their core positions. It’s hard to build chemistry when you’re working with different people each year.
I mean come on, when was the last time a Buffalo Bills‘ season was this exciting?
Let’s go out there and give the Pittsburgh Steelers hell. Win, lose, playoffs, no playoffs, I’m gonna root for this team because it’s the only one I love.
What’s your prediction for Sunday’s Steelers-Bills matchup? Leave your comments below!