From: Don@wang.com (Don Rivard)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: Buffalo Bills
Date: 31 Jul 92 13:13:00 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Wang Labs Lowell Ma

In article <Bs4p7L.JDn@acsu.buffalo.edu> v077mdph@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (John of Gaunt) writes:
>Path: wang!das.wang.com!ulowell!news.bbn.com!usc!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!ub!acsu.buffalo.edu!ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu!v077mdph
>From: v077mdph@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (John of Gaunt)
>Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
>Subject: Re: Buffalo Bills
>Message-ID: <Bs4p7L.JDn@acsu.buffalo.edu>
>Date: 29 Jul 92 03:21:00 GMT
>References: <1992Jul27.030033.8073@math.ucla.edu> <CPM.92Jul27163911@clyde.clearpoint.com>
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>In article <CPM.92Jul27163911@clyde.clearpoint.com>, cpm@clyde.clearpoint.com
>writes...
>>In article <1992Jul27.030033.8073@math.ucla.edu> rfedkiw@sepulveda.math.ucla.
>edu (Ronald Fedkiw) writes:

>[predicitons deleted]

>>Do you really think they will go undefeated in their division? I predict
>>they go 5-3 in their division. Remember last year they split the season 
>>series with the pathetic Patriots in two close games. Didn't the Jets
>>come within an eyelash of victory over the Bills last year only to lose
>>it on a bad play at the end of the game. Both of these teams have improved 
>>from last year. Have the Bills?

>        The idea that the Jets have improved is debatable.  They'll probably
>have a new, rookie quarterback, plus other problems.
>        The Patriots have nowhere to go but up, but everything depends on the
>head coach.
>        The Bills, on the other hand, have certainly improved.  They have
>Henry Jones, who should be a better strong safety than Leonard Smith even if
>he does make rookie mistakes.  ( He's not a rookie, but saw very little playing
>time last year. )  Bruce Smith, taking a much more relaxed approach to rehab,
>will be back.  Phil Hansen will also be a new starter on the defensive line,
>and there are three new prospects there.  The linebacking corps is as strong as
>ever.  On the offense, they should remain strong.  The only likely lineup
>changes would be at fullback and guard, and those would be improvements.

>[silly comments deleted]

>>>If things were perfect, they could pick up one more early
>>>against SF or Raiders and/or pick up both games on the split.
>>>Of course, either of the above two would probably confirm a
>>>loss to Houston unless. Perfect season: 14-2
>>>If things don't go very well they could drop both games on
>>>the split and go 11-5.
>>
>>They will be lucky to go 11-5.

>        They'll do better than that, unless early-season problems hurt team
>morale and cause a complete collapse, in which case they'll probably wind up
>with a losing season.

>>>99% probability for playoffs
>>>75% probability to be in the AFC title game
>>>50% probability to be in Super Bowl
>>>25% probability to win Super Bowl
>> 
>>IMO,
>>75% probability for playoffs
>>40% probability to be in the AFC title game
>>20% probability to be in Super Bowl
>>10%  probability to win Super Bowl

>        These judgements are just too subjective for me.  I think they'll
>get to the playoffs, probably the Super Bowl, and lose again.

>>>By the way I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago
>>>and the odds on buffalo to win the AFC title were 2 to 1.
>>>This means Vegas gives them a 33% chance, but I gave them 50%.
>>>(sounds reasonable)
>> 
>>While you were in Veags did you put all your money on the Bills to go 
>>all the way :-)

>        I would, if I were in Las Vegas!

>>>Watch out for the Raiders and Houston this year.
>>>They could be spoilers.
>>>Although Buffalo will probably never play them,
>>>          ... KC and Denver could be playoff dangers.
>>>         (but I doubt it)
>> 
>>>  Any other AFC fans (especially in the East),
>>>  have any courage to post preseason predictions????
>> 
>>Yes, I think I have the courage to make a prediction. Since your predictions
>>only deal with your beloved Bills, I predict they will not do as well this
>>year as the last two. IMHO, they have already peaked as a team. They had
>>their chance to win the superbowl the last two years, but failed. This will
>>have an effect on them this year. They will not come out with the same
>>intestity as the last two years. Have the Bills improved as a team from
>>last year? Hows Bruce Smith? Can Kelly have another great year? Have they
>>signed any of the veteran holdouts?

>        Bruce Smith will not be quite his old self.  There are improvements
>elswhere, though, and Bruce will still be a great player.  Kelly did not have
>a great year last year.  He actually didn't play very well.  If the line holds
>up, and Kelly doesn't make as many mistakes, he'll do even better.  I'm sure
>he'll show the league he's better than Rypien and all the other pretenders out
>there, and that he's second only to Marino and maybe Montana.

>[first poster's concessions deleted]

>>>Ron Fedkiw (rfedkiw@redwood.math.ucla.edu)

>>Chris Martel
>>Clearpoint Resaerch
>>cpm@clyde.clearpoint.com

>Snoopy
Mark Rypien a pretender? I don't think so. Granted that Kelly is a GREAT
quarterback, but so is Rypien. He out played Kelly in the superbowl. I do
not know what kind of numbers that he put up last year, but he deserves alot
more credit than that. Could you PLEASE tell my what a guy has to do to 
get the credit he deserves. Buy the way I am not a Redskin fan or a 
big Rypien fan. I just feel that the guy gets no credit for what he has done.
He my not be the BEST, but he is certainly no pretender.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro