Anyone who has ever made it a point to visit Buffalo, NY is well aware that this city is famed for its die-hard Bills fans. Often quoting names from the so-called halcyon days such as OJ Simpson and Doug Flutie, these followers have developed an almost cult-like mentality. While loyalty is indeed an impressive trait, we still need to remember that the Bills have yet to walk away with a Super Bowl victory. Why is this the case? Is the team simply cursed or might there be a bit more to the equation? Let’s look at three concerns which experts have cited over the years.
A Lack of Coaching Diversity
It has often been said that variety is the spice of life. Unfortunately, the Bills have rarely taken this maxim to heart when it comes to leadership. Many fans feel that they are known for a rather conservative stance in regards to coaching choices. They fail to look outside of the proverbial box in terms of finding coaches with diverse expertise. As a result, the team is not as inventive or innovative as it possibly could be. This has been a problem for decades and unfortunately, it does not appear set to change any time in the near future.
A Missing Team Identity
Most teams in the NFL can be classified from a long-term point of view based upon their offensive and defensive strengths. This is another trait which the Buffalo Bills seem to be lacking. During the 1970s, the Bills were known for their strong offence alongside an extremely powerful front line (many players who have since achieved Hall of Fame status). This began to switch during the 1980s. The Bills were instead associated with passing due in no small part to the presence of Bruce Smith. Why is this an issue?
The problem with lacking a real identity is that the players themselves may not be fully aware of where their strengths lie as a group. Some also believe that vacillating between a running and a passing team has more to do with the whims of the coach as opposed to the talents of the players. Unlike games which involve a significant amount of chance such as roulette, little should be left to the imagination in terms of strategy.
Problems with Overall Team Cohesion
Money has also reared its ugly head. Icons including Fred Jackson and Flutie were known to be shoved off to the side in favor of up-and-coming stars who essentially increased the revenue of the organization as a whole. This obviously resulted in bad blood on occasion and therefore, it should not come as a surprise that team cohesion was sacrificed as a direct result.
What does the future have in store for the Buffalo Bills? Might they yet walk away with a Super Bowl win? Although nothing is for certain, it is clear that several strategies need to change if they ever hope to give the fans what they have been desiring for years.
