It seems like so long ago the city of Buffalo was buzzing with excitement about the possibility of the Bills in the playoff picture. Losses in seven of their past eight games have put a quick and abrupt end to all of that talk and has forced fans once again to focus on what could have been.The excitement from this season all started in week three when the Bills were able to force four Tom Brady interceptions and pick up their first win against New England since 2003. A Rian Lindell last second field goal gave the Bills a 34-31 victory. In that game, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for a total of 369 yards and 2 touchdowns. At the time, Fred Jackson was still active and healthy and he racked up 74 yards and a touchdown.
Even though the defense of Buffalo allowed just under 500 yards (495) to the Patriots offense, it seemed like it was the beginning of something special in Buffalo and maybe the re-emergence of the dominant Buffalo Bills like we saw in the early 1990's.
After that game, the Bills continued on to post a 5-2 record through eight weeks. Ryan Fitzpatrick was playing at a high level and was rewarded with a 6 year 59 million dollar contract (33 million guaranteed).
From that point on, the season completely turned on not only the players but the fans as well. The Bills went on a seven game losing streak and now sit at a disappointing 6-9. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been nothing short of disappointing and erratic. Star running back Fred Jackson is currently on IR with a broken leg, and star wide-out Stevie Johnson may be playing his last game in a Bills jersey this week. With so many saying the future looks bright, is that really the case?
If the Bills are able to get the 2011 first half Ryan Fitzpatrick, a healthy Fred Jackson, and a more team oriented Stevie Johnson, the yes the future holds some key promises. What if the gun-slinging less than trustworthy Fitzpatrick shows up at training camp next year? What is a disgruntled Fred Jackson doesn't get his contract extension he has been promised by Buddy Nix? What if Johnson demands too much money and once again the Bills let another player walk? What if they miss on yet another draft pick in this April's draft?
These are all possibilities and things that are not uncommon for the Bills and their fans. Year after year the season starts with such hope and ends with such disappointment. It is time for that hope to change into confidence and that confidence will come with a shakeup. The team has pieces in place on both sides of the ball but they need more. In this league, a team just simply cannot win with glorified backups in starting roles. Every team has injuries but the good teams can use what they have to make up and pick up the slack.
The Buffalo Bills need to gain a "killer instinct." Right now they do not have anyone on the roster that can add that spark. The problem with the team lies greater than winning ball games or making it to the postseason; It's about giving the loyal and under appreciated fans of this city something to cheer about and have hope in. Not the fake hope that every team has in week one of the regular season, but real hope, the kind of hope that goes way beyond football.
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