History of the Bills: 1974-1978

by MattRichWarren on Jun 21, 2009 6:00 AM EDT in Bills History Comment 18 comments

Ferguson_medium
Bills QB Joe Ferguson
(via buffalosportsmuseum.com)

1975 - The Beginning of the Downfall

1978 - Time for Changes

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Looks like ole Ralph has a history of keeping coaches too long.........

I guess the more things change……the more they do stay the same.

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting point, but I wonder if the worse pattern is the team’s long history of only rarely getting and keeping talent to improve the team.

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Jun 21, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He also has a history of keeping a tight check book as well, dating back to the 60’s.

Of course old Ralphie isn’t going to cut bait with a coach until it’s absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, many of us felt that time was this offseason, but he didn’t…..

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jun 21, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably because he did give Jauron that extension we all "heard" about......

and he didnt want to pay whatever it was gonna take to terminate him the hire a new guy……..

So much for cutting your losses……..instead we’ll just let em pile up.

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This era though, was when Ralph did start to loosen up the purse strings.

The contract he gave to O.J. in 1976 was huge for that era and completely shocking to the Bills faithful. Most people expected a trade because Ralph had never been a player in the high end contract game before. Of course, he had never had a player of that stature before. I actually think he’s been fairly reasonable with contracts since then. The Bills have lost a bunch of corners to free agency, but they’ve kept their share of high profile players, too. Wilson has to balance being competitive with staying viable in a small market with relatively smaller revenues.
Ralph has been very loyal to coaches and front office people who have returned that loyalty. Loyalty can be an admirable trait, but it has hurt the Bills at times.

by Gino Parilli on Jun 21, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now why is it that our present team looks a lot like the abismal one of the 70’s?

by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 21, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because our owner remains the same…and we’re still looking for the next Bill Polian.

If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...

by thatguy34 on Jun 21, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

OJ was traded for 5 draft picks, not just a lone 2nd rounder….

REc’d

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jun 21, 2009 11:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah but with how the Bills were drafting in the 70’s, it might have well just been a second rounder.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 22, 2009 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good catch K

And one was Tom Cousineau, who never signed and we got an ’83 pick for him – Jim Kelly!

So OJ ultimately begot Joe Cribbs and Jim Kelly!

OJ- The gift that kept on giving. At least Cribbs made the early 80’s fun and we al know what Jimbo did

by freddyjj on Jun 22, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I found that on Bleacher report...

but couldn’t verify it anywhere.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 22, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's some proof

March 24, 1978 — BILLS TRADE O.J. SIMPSON TO 49ERS
Buffalo traded Hall of Fame RB O.J. Simpson to the San Francisco 49ers for five draft picks.

From buffalobills.com

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Jun 22, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks boss.

How bout this one…

March 10, 1964 — BILLS LOSE $1 MILLON
Bills owner Ralph Wilson told the Buffalo Common Council that his franchise lost $1 million in its first four years of existence.

That was a heck of a lot of money to lose in 1964.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 22, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs