35 replies to this topic

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Quote

Angry Bruce Smith Says Bills Fans were 'Robbed and Cheated'
The Buffalo News -- February 12, 2000
By Allen Wilson

Bruce Smith said goodbye to the Buffalo Bills, but not before delivering a few parting shots.

Smith was reflective after he, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed were released Thursday. After having a full 24 hours to think about it, Smith's disappointment turned to anger.

"This organization did not show any class in this situation," Smith said Friday from his home in Virginia Beach, Va. "This is an awful way to treat guys who have given so much not only to this organization, but to the community as well. The people that I feel the most sad for are the fans of Buffalo. I feel that they got robbed and cheated. This organization will have to live with the consequences of its actions."

I believe we are still living with the consequences of this action.  The unceremonious dumping of 3 of the best players this league has ever seen.  Buffalo went from a desirable destination for players & coaches to being the NFL's figurative (if not literal) Siberia.  Having to completely over-pay marginal players to come here in free agency.  High draft picks playing out their initial contracts to get away via free agency (if not forcing a trade before then).  The Butler/Donahoe/Levy/Brandon/Nix carousel at GM making draft blunder after draft blunder.  Retread coaches or middling coordinators put in charge of the team on the field.   All of this eroding the fan-base.

[brambills]

I blame it all on Corey McIntyre... think about it!

[Haven Moses]

The way Lonnie Johnson was handled was terrible.

[SACKMARINO]

I say Karma due to Benching Flutie....

[Bills of Boston]

Ah yes, I remember it fondly....  my 14th birthday from sports hell

[zow2]

All i can say is that several of us middle aged fans predicted this.  I sat in the stands at Super Bowl 25 & 28.  I sat and drank beers with buddies and we all agreed., it's a guarantee that Buffalo will pay dearly for those dominant Kelly, Thurman, Bruce, Reed...years when we didn't win it all.  I said back then we'd be stuck in a generation of futility after reaping a decade of success.  Well, we're in it up to our necks.

[DrDareustein]

zow2, on 27 November 2012 - 03:51 PM, said:

All i can say is that several of us middle aged fans predicted this.  I sat in the stands at Super Bowl 25 & 28.  I sat and drank beers with buddies and we all agreed., it's a guarantee that Buffalo will pay dearly for those dominant Kelly, Thurman, Bruce, Reed...years when we didn't win it all.  I said back then we'd be stuck in a generation of futility after reaping a decade of success.  Well, we're in it up to our necks.

I was an adolescent during the glory years. My dad and I started going to games in 1986-87, and by the time I was old enough to really grasp what was happening, we were starting the upswing and winning the division.

We attended every home game through the glory years (and beyond), but after each dominant win he would tell me "Son, don't get used to this kind of football. Savor every game and every play as much as you can. This isn't how it normally is. This isn't a normal team. This will not last forever."

Well, unfortunately, he was more correct than he ever knew at the time. Success for Ralph Wilson is and always has been, more luck than brains.

Whether it is simply a return to the norm for this franchise, a curse by a star player, or payback for a few years of success... it sucks.

[Nervous Guy]

who placed a curse on them from '66 to '89?

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Nervous Guy, on 27 November 2012 - 04:04 PM, said:

who placed a curse on them from '66 to '89?

I'm betting it was Gilchrist

[Charles Romes]

Bruce could still play.  Dominated in his last game as a bill.  It was not the benching of an ineffective Flutie per se that was wrong.   It was the fact the owner mandated it.

[DrDareustein]

Question:

Nervous Guy, on 27 November 2012 - 04:04 PM, said:

who placed a curse on them from '66 to '89?

Answer:

Charles Romes, on 27 November 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

Bruce could still play.  Dominated in his last game as a bill.  It was not the benching of an ineffective Flutie per se that was wrong.   It was the fact the owner mandated it.

[John Gianelli]

I did it.  On a service trip to Mexico, instead of going with the rest of the group to visit a sick lady in her home, I went to the priest's rectory to watch the Bills-Titans playoff game on his t.v.  Home Visit-Stay Back = Homerun Throwback.  Bills haven't been the same since.

[marauderswr80]

Lost respect for Bruuuuuuuuuce ever since he stiffed me fan an autograph years ago! I was like 14 years old!

I have not been the same since! I cursed the team due to that!

[fansince88]

SACKMARINO, on 27 November 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

I say Karma due to Benching Flutie....

Untill Ralph sits on the 50 yard line and says he is sorry to Doug, we are doomed to mediocracy at best!

[BmoreBills]

SACKMARINO, on 27 November 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

I say Karma due to Benching Flutie....

It was Flutie's fault for Andre Reed's limited playing time anyway... karma my butt.

[seq004]

Bruce was great, but he was NEVER happy.

[Adam]

Haven Moses, on 27 November 2012 - 03:46 PM, said:

The way Lonnie Johnson was handled was terrible.

His play on the fake punt against Green Bay in 1997 was fantastic!

[GG]

I blame the small font size.

[Best Player Available]

This season's crash and burn, as history will show. Was caused by the Moorman curse. Add that with the existing Flutie curse, and figure on 15 more years of pain, at the minimum. At least he's still getting plenty of work with the cowgirls though.

[Bills!Win!]

Nervous Guy, on 27 November 2012 - 04:04 PM, said:

who placed a curse on them from '66 to '89?

McKinley