Bills could learn a lot from Buffalo’s “other” franchise

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, May 15, 2006  |  Comments( 11 )

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Over the last few weeks the city of Buffalo has been galvanized by a professional sports team, and it isn't the Buffalo Bills. Instead, it's the city's NHL franchise, the Sabres, that has been winning over the hearts and minds of countless people in Western New York.

The Sabres entered the season with experts and fans expecting little more than a dead-end year, but they've somehow become arguably the best team in the league. That was palpable on Saturday when they upset the number 1 seed in their conference, the Ottawa Senators, in overtime to clinch their best-of-seven series, 4-1. The Sabres will now move on to play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals. They should be the favorites to win that series and advance to the Finals. Never has a pro team from Buffalo won a title, so naturally the city is beside itself with excitement.

With the Sabres' recent success taking the region by storm, it's quite evident the Bills should take notice and try to duplicate their fellow Buffalo sports franchise next year.

This offseason, the Buffalo Bills have been thought of by experts as little more than a team likely to finish in last place, or close to it in 2006. 80-year-old GM Marv Levy has been ravaged by critics at every corner, and some of those criticisms have been unwarranted. On the other hand some have been deserved. Either way, next year could be a time to shine for the Bills, despite the fact that they've become somewhat of a laughingstock in the national media recently.

Much like the Sabres did last offseason, the Bills have stayed relatively quiet in free agency, in spite of the criticism they've received from everyone under the sun. They've opted to sign unheralded role players such as receiver Andre' Davis, tight end Robert Royal, offensive guard Tutan Reyes, center Mel Fowler and safety Matt Bowen. In fact, the Bills' biggest signing has been little-known defensive tackle Larry Tripplett, who actually is a very good fit for their new defensive scheme. In terms of big names the Bills' most notable acquisition this offseason has been receiver Peerless Price, who has been left for dead by two different organizations over the last nine months.

Levy has decided it would be best if he lived and died with his younger players, while some key veterans make contributions. For youngsters, quarterback J.P. Losman, running back Willis McGahee, receiver Lee Evans, offensive tackle Jason Peters, defensive end Aaron Schobel, cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty and safety Donte' Whitner are all expected to play major roles next season. Turning to a select group of veterans, offensive tackle Mike Gandy, linebackers Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher, cornerback Nate Clements and safety Troy Vincent are all viewed as key players for '06.

Almost identically, the Sabres decided it would be best to build from within for this past season, using youngsters like Derek Roy, Ryan Miller, Henrik Tallinder and playoff hero Jason Pominville as instruments in their success. Veterans like Daniel Briere, Mike Grier, Jochen Hecht, Teppo Numminen and Chris Drury have also come to the fore, propelling the hockey club to a shocking Stanley Cup run.

Now that the Sabres are experiencing such unexpected triumph, the entire Greater Buffalo region has climbed on their backs, desperately hoping this spring/summer thrill ride ends in a championship. After all, few things are more important to Buffalonians than finally celebrating a well-deserved title, and it may happen in a few short weeks. If not, it will be another year of excruciating disappointment for the area, but as usual, its constituents will find a way to move on and hope for next year.

As for the Bills if they want to be No. 1 in the city's mind again, they better start watching the toughness, determination and grit of a hard-working hockey team. Otherwise, mediocrity, not greatness, will continue to rule for Buffalo's football team.

Perhaps the Bills can find a way in '06 to be not just good, but scary good. The first step is to believe, which the Sabres have done.

Get more Bills insights at Realfootball365.com.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com
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