History of the Bills: 1979-1983

by MattRichWarren on Jun 28, 2009 6:00 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills Seasonal Archives

Smerlas_medium

Bills nose tackle Fred Smerlas
via www.thesunblog.com

1980 - First AFC East Division Title

1981 - A Return to the Playoffs

1982 - NFL Players' Strike, Playoff Door Closes

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Comments

Great writeup, great memories…but don’t get me started on Gary Anderson. There’s one dude who just didn’t want to play in Buffalo, and went about it an interesting way: missing nearly all his preseason FG attempts.

"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 28, 2009 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

Good Stuff Matt

With the pick the Bills selected LB Tom Cousineau….. opted to play in the Canadian Football League … they offered him double the money Buffalo offered.

Cribbs was unhappy with his contract and had been publicly fueding with Bills brass including calling the Bills a “no-class operation”.

After failing to agree to a new contract with owner Ralph Wilson, Chuck Knox left Buffalo.

And we wonder where Ralf got his reputation for being cheap.

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 28, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Stew Barber may have been WNY's least favorite citizen...

…even though he was undoubtedly just doing Wilson’s will. Barber did not seem to have a very subtle way of going about his business, though.
I was at that game in 1982 when Bradshaw had his -2 yards passing day. It was freezing, but the Bills managed to generate some offense. It was really exciting to see the Bills handle the Steelers like that. I hope that the current Bills eventually how to take advantage of the Buffalo weather. I really can’t remember an era other than this one where the Bills were the team that suffered when it got cold and snowy. It’s not just a matter of having Californians on the squad: OJ coped pretty well.
Thanks for the very well-written article, Matt.

by Gino Parilli on Jun 28, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks man.

Always enjoy your insights on these articles.

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 28, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Gino, and it amazes me that seemingly a large percentage of people don’t seem to think that practicing in the conditions matters.

"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 28, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Another great read here

As a matter of curiosity, how mant teams pre date the Bills?

Are there any former NFL teams that no longer exist, not just moved cities or changed names but have no current incarnation?

Football. Bloody Hell!!

by gregeng on Jun 28, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Here ya go

There’s a lot of franchises that bit the dust.

~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 28, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

Why am i not supprised to find that Buffalos all time record equates to about 7-9

Football. Bloody Hell!!

by gregeng on Jun 28, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

There were several leagues that folded...

including the first version of the Bills in the AAFC.

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 28, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

There are more teams not listed there too, I’ll try to find a longer list….

~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 28, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Those are all the teams I know...

That included the AAFC

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 29, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

For example, if you click on the Rochester Jeffersons team, you’ll see their head to head record against opponents.

Some listed as opponents include All Buffalo, All Tonawanda, Fort Porter, Rochester Scalpers, Syracuse Stars, Utica K of C….etc. Not sure what those teams are.

~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 29, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Those look like local All Star teams. The Utica Knights of Columbus was probably an exhibition game. That is so sweet. Football was so different back then.

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 29, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions