Vintage Buffalo Bills Documents, Vol. 1
by VolBrian on Jun 24, 2009 11:39 AM EDT
41 comments
Ed. Note, by Brian Galliford: I had an article ready to post for this afternoon, but I'll make you guys wait, because this post - another great one from VolBrian - is what y'all should be spending your valuable time on this afternoon. VolBrian, grandson to the first coach in Buffalo Bills history, Buster Ramsey, was kind enough to share some scanned documentation of his grandfather's for our reading pleasure. Be sure to rec and, more importantly, to thank him for his generosity. Enjoy! End Note
Here is another small sample of things my grandfather held on to through the years. As you can see, they have aged fairly well, with only some rust spots where staples were. We'll put them after the jump to save space.
These first two are some of his play-calling sheets he held on the sidelines on game days:
This one is one of his many scouting charts. I have many more for future posts:
The next few are some letters regarding player disputes with other teams and the Canadian league:
The rest are just some random letters and things:
And per the request of Kurupt:
Hope y'all enjoy this stuff, there will be more!
This FanPost was written by a registered user of Buffalo Rumblings. Its views do not necessarily reflect the views of Rumblings' editorial staff, but are just as valued as our own.
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Sweet
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
by J2 on Jun 24, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Awesome stuff man.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jun 24, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That was a lot better than the picture of Cooley’s playbook…….
by Pistol on Jun 24, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
"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 24, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those letters....
Are flat out, flippin’ awesome. What a different world it was back then.
by krytime on Jun 24, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Incredible!!!
This stuff is fantastic…I greatly appreciate the history lessons from your contributions…
I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!
by DBLuv on Jun 24, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WOW!
thanks for sharing, those documents are incredible!
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on Jun 24, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow!
This stuff is great, there must be more than enough material to write a couple of books about your grandfather.
Football. Bloody Hell!!
by gregeng on Jun 24, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love the Broncos letterhead.
No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.
by sireric on Jun 24, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That is classy, isn’t it! :)
I love me some DB's...I might just be Dick Jauron's long lost twin!
by DBLuv on Jun 24, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too. It might have been my favorite thing in this post.
by krytime on Jun 24, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just to piss Brian off....
+1
HAHAHAHAHA
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jun 24, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re like a child. It’s like you’ve reached summer and you’re acting like one of your students.
AND YOU DIDN’T EVEN REC IT
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jun 24, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I +1ed it. Why must I also rec it?
:-)
And I am still at school. No students, though. Packin it in baby!!!
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Jun 24, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to agree
I think the dude on the horse is holding a toothpick in his mouth. Great stuff there. Could you imagine seeing that on their helmets now?
Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!
by VolBrian on Jun 24, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank VolBrian
nice look into the past…
by NorCal BillsFan on Jun 24, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for sharing man. Great stuff.
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on Jun 24, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Question
Does the Statler Hilton Hotel still exist in Buffalo?
If so, what’s it like?
Obviously, form the return address on this stuff, that’s where the Bills offices where prior to War Memorial Stadium
Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!
by VolBrian on Jun 24, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great stuff obviously
Thanks always
The Bills CAN win any game
by killascript on Jun 24, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oops -- links didn't show up
Here they are in order of my posts
http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2007/statler/hotel_2/hotel_2.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9457945@N06/2687776654/
The Bills CAN win any game
by killascript on Jun 24, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks VolBrian!
This stuff is REALLY awesome – thank you so much for sharing with us.
by BuffaloWill on Jun 24, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely great stuff!!!
Many interesting things, but one thing I noticed on the scouting reports is that he used O’s for the offense but V’s for the Defense. Was there a reason or was that his personal preference?
On the document marked copy on the left side.
……Boston was interest in this player and it appears as if they should not have contacted him….
Guess the Pats were cheaters even back then :-)
The Prayer of Pass Rush - Hail Maybin, blessed with a quick first step, Bruce is with thee; most reverenced art thou among DEs in the AFC, and blessed be the fruit of thy pass rush. Holy Lord, Father of the swim move, we pray for our QB hurries to be numerous and our sacks to be plentiful. Be with us in Victory and at the hour of our Defeat. Amen.
by Joe P. on Jun 24, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lol at the Boston remark
and I’m not really sure, he may have just had his own way with that, I’m gonna review his playbooks when I get back to the office tomorrow for that answer…
Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!
by VolBrian on Jun 24, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about this one....
Both the Bills and Lions have had a rough year.
Some things never change, I suppose!
~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 25, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Answer
I reviewed some different things today.
When he was drawing up offensive plays, all defensive players were marked with "v"’s.
When he was drawing up defensive plays, all d-linemen were marked with "v"’s and all d-backs marked with "x"’s.
Now, the why, I can’t answer, but there it is…
Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!
by VolBrian on Jun 25, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was some excellent stuff, Brian.
It’s funny reading through some of that knowing how much the game has changed. It’s great that a team president from one team (Detroit) would send a letter to the coach of another team inquiring about how a former player fared. I just can’t imagine having so little access like that, especially compared to the endless amount of info available at the blink of an eye nowadays.
Again, that’s some great, great, great stuff.
Question for you….might you have a color photo of the Bills unis from their inaugural season?? I’ve seen black and white photos, sepia phots, paintings and football cards, but I can’t recall ever seeing a color photograph from an actual game. If you do have one, could you post that for us? I’d love to see that!!!
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 25, 2009 2:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes
I’m 100% positive I do, I just have to get some things together first. I’m not sure which scrapbook they are in.
I was gonna surprise you guys with this one, but at some point (I have to do some transferring) I’ll be posting actual video of the Bills training, scouting, and the coaches reviewing game film I believe. I haven’t watched it in a few years, but it’s basically like NFL Films stuff only I have it and not them. ;-)
Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!
by VolBrian on Jun 25, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ask and you shall receive!!
Edited with one a dug up pretty quick…
Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!
by VolBrian on Jun 25, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for this! The history of the franchise we all love is essential. It’s amazing to see direct source documents like these.
What a classy time to have lived.
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Jun 25, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Friggin great...
Fantastic reading, appreciate that you shared it!!!
by Goose22 on Jun 26, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is amazing stuff, Even future Steeler Great Chuck Noll got thrown under the bus for trying to steal a player.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by drinkyourmilkshake on Jun 26, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
American Football League
To see articles, football cards, etc. about the early Bills, as well as the Bills players in my American Football League Hall of Fame by going to http://www.remembertheafl.com
Remember the AFL!!
by Remember the AFL on Jun 28, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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