Worst Moments In Bills History, No. 20: Rob Johnson Over Doug Flutie
by MattRichWarren on Jul 1, 2011 1:17 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills History
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PrintThis is part of our countdown of the 25 worst moments in Buffalo Bills History. Check out the complete list, as well as the 25 best moments in team history, right here.
The Buffalo Bills went 11-5 in 1999, with Doug Flutie starting the first 15 games under center. With the final wild card spot locked up and no chance of movement in the rankings, Buffalo rested several key starters in the final regular season game - including their signal-caller. Rob Johnson came in for the resting Flutie, and what happened next is the 20th-worst moment on our list.
The Bills hosted divisional rival Indianapolis in the final game of the regular season. Unlike Buffalo, the Colts still had something to play for, and could lock up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs if things went their way. Johnson had his best day to date as the quarterback of the Bills, throwing for 287 yards on 75% passing with two touchdowns to lead the Bills' backups to a 31-6 trouncing of Indy.
Here's where the controversy began. After the game, Bills head coach Wade Phillips named Johnson the starter for the playoffs over Flutie. Later, he would say that team owner Ralph Wilson forced him to do it.
In the wild card round, Johnson was starting only his second game of the season when he faced off against the Tennessee Titans. He led the Bills to a late field goal which gave them a 16-15 lead, only to see the Titans win on a crazy kickoff return. (More on that play a little later in the countdown.)
Most Bills fans wanted Flutie to start the game, and to this day don't believe Buffalo would have lost that playoff game had the diminutive leader been under center instead of his surfing counterpart.
The controversy between the two was the sixth QB battle on NFL.com's Top Ten quarterback controversies:
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I’d never seen that video before. Aside from the weird X-Files alien chase music, it was great.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
Also: what in the bloody hell does Flutie see in the sky in the photo used for this post? Whatever it is, it’s caused him to be aroused in a diarrheic manner.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jul 1, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He is jumping to try and be as tall as David Robinson.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 1, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
That is decidedly less hilarious.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jul 1, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
But far less messy.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like Mr Stinkfinger came to town.
Jim Carrey has a bunch of turds living in his apartment.
It's Jim Carrey in "Whatever, You'll Pay to Go See It. F*** You!" June 12th
Dirty Mark Sanchez was there?
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Johnson had his best day to date as the quarterback of the Bills, throwing for 287 yards on 75% passing with two touchdowns to lead the Bills’ backups to a 31-6 trouncing of Indy.
And now the surreal part:
The 13-2 Peyton Manning went for 163 yards and no touchdowns.
Jim Carrey has a bunch of turds living in his apartment.
It's Jim Carrey in "Whatever, You'll Pay to Go See It. F*** You!" June 12th
Rob Johnson
GUy was so worried about his completion % He would take sacks over throwin the ball away. There for i remember him being hurt alot. I remember him hurting his hand and he went into the locker room and got a pain shot and came back out to play.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jul 1, 2011 1:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Don't Forget
Most Bills fans wanted Flutie to start the game, and to this day don’t believe Buffalo would have lost that playoff game had the diminutive leader been under center instead of his surfing counterpart.
On the other hand, the Bills started Rob Johnson and he DID win that playoff game, but I’m sure we’ll get into that in a later edition of this series…not that any of us are bitter about who the NFL thinks won this game.
Illinois: My governor is a bigger crook than your governor
Exactly.
I swear, if the initial call was ‘forward pass’ it would stand for sure, no matter how many people tell me it was a lateral. Maybe there’s not enough evidence to overturn a TD but there’s not enough evidence either way to my mind.
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
Well
The Bills likely wouldn’t have lost that game if Christie kicks the ball either one second earlier or later. That moment in time was perfection for the Titans. I don’t know that Flutie would have won the game, as much as I wanted him to play and feel the move not to allow him the opportunity was terrible. It was one of the freakiest outcomes in all of professional sports.
In my opinion. This all fell on Wilson. There’s no way Wade Philliips keeps Flutie on the bench after doing what he’d done. He was closest to the action, and at most, i’d say he would have felt even better about his chances of winning, knowing that Johnson could likely come off the bench and play to win under pressure. Johnson didn’t play well that day, but he also wasn’t as bad of a player we all make him out to be. He was an improper fit for the style of offense the Bills were running. That’s why I think Phillips would never have chosen Johnson over Flutie. The offesne had now become tailor-made for Flutie abilities.
Money is an evil thing. It likely contributed to denying the Bills a chance at something more.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions
Not sure what you mean
“Money is an evil thing. It likely contributed to denying the Bills a chance at something more.”
Are you saying that Johnson’s pay contributed to the decision? If that is what you are saying, I agree with that. But as far as money being evil, I would disagree with that. It is only paper. It cannot be evil.
Oh… and it’s not like it was just a bad decision like Trent over Fitz. This is a guy working his tail off and not losing his job and being benched for the playoffs. Waaay different.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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F’ing stunk. GD F’ing stunk. Flutie was a divisive force for the team, but he was the best thing the franchise had seen since Kelly, and remains the best QB since Kelly.
GD F’ing wrong. I’m conviced it was Wilson’s doing and to this day hold resentment over it. You don’t treat players or a team that way, no matter who you are.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
If it’s any consolation, Flutie was a huge prick predating this incident.
Jim Carrey has a bunch of turds living in his apartment.
It's Jim Carrey in "Whatever, You'll Pay to Go See It. F*** You!" June 12th
It’s not. He was a winner. This isn’t a book club, it’s a professional team where fans route for winning.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Plenty of teams have had pricks on them and they still won, Jordan is the all time A-Hole of the world basketball wise
And he still won 6 championships, the rule is pretty simple though, if you make it the playoffs with one guy NEVER switch QBs in mid stream, your talking about tossing 16+ weeks worth of time and trust built up between the players, that never sits well.
abayarde- "All off the pain will vanish The Whagonblaster will return and with a new MOTOR and attitude even BIGGER AND stronger THE EYE of the Tiger , will knock our enemies to the next Galaxy , WE the BUffalo Nation DO not know defeat , We do not know Surrender , We only know that if we fall we get up stronger , faster, better WE have the Technology to BUILD IT"
I soley blame wade phillips. Rob johnson has one great game coming off the bench. Wade phillips comes into town and wants rob johnson to be his franchise quarterback. So he pushes for buffalo to trade for him. Then when he finnally shows a spark in a game wade gives him the nod. It makes perfect sense to be coming from wade and not wilson.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jul 1, 2011 4:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The last playoff team...
It is hard to believe that was the last playoff game the Bills have played in. The Johnson over Flutie pick was a fiasco. Flutie got them there them was benched because RJ had 1 excellent game. Never understood and never will understand that move. I will say this RJ had a horrible first half against the Titans but played very good in the 2nd half and almost pulled out the win. Would Flutie have won, we will never know but I do know that I always felt Flutie could pull some magic to win a game.
RJ had a horseshoe up his butt ~~~he parlayed a couple of good games for the Jags into getting traded to the Bills getting a mind numbing $25 million contract and was cut a few years later signed by the Bucs who won the SB that year… He was in the right place at the right time.
.
"Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP."
- Joe Namath
Not cool Andre
I remember being at that game. Since the Bills had already locked up the playoff spot .. the thing the fans were focusing on most was Andre Reed catching his record breaking ball ( most catches in NFL history?). They kept trying to feed him.. and finally he got it after several attempts.. and it was basically a screen pass.
After the game I remember either listening or watching an interview where Andre was all irritiated because the record breaker was a “screen pass” and he felt disrespected. Classless.. That moment made me lose a lot of respect for Andre.
Kent Hull for Hall of Fame
Anyone know where I can get some Flutie Flakes? I’m feeling reminiscent.
Horrible, horrible decision to start RJ. A move like this will definitely piss the football god
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
Anyone know where I can get some Flutie Flakes? I’m feeling reminiscent.
I have 2 boxes with the cereal inside – bidding starts at $100,000 (pay my mortgage :-) )
When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.
by J2 on Jul 1, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry to undercut..but
I have a box (still with cereal) that I’ll sell for $40,000 or best offer that’s close, I really want to buy a new Camero….
"Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP."
- Joe Namath
booo
When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.
by J2 on Jul 1, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe I have one with cereal still, and held in plastic. Silly, I know.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoops
What I meant to say was, I can see why the football gods have given the Bills such bad breaks over the last ten years. Taking out a starting QB who lead the team to the playoffs and replacing him with his backup after ONE good game? Weak.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
I still have two boxes and need money to pay for my daughter's Freshman year in college
Who’s got the highest bid?
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 1, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully not your daughter!
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 1, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
HEY-YO!!!!
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 1, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Niiice
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Jul 1, 2011 5:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Worst Moments In Thor History, No. 1: Rob Johnson Over Doug Flutie
Rooted for him since BC. He beat Jimmy J and his bunch of Thugs.
He united our fanbase.
He sold all of the box seats that saved the Bills.
I live in TN.
I had tickets.
Ralph and Fat boy screwed me and the Bills.
These clowns down here still bring up “the play” (I will never say those evil words) every damn year and it still makes me want to puke.
We had an awesome defense and could’ve aguably made it to the Super Bowl.
Number ONE worst moment by far. It was self induced.
Wide right was just an unfortunate play.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 1, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions
I feel your pain...
I grew up in Nashville, and refused to jump on the bandwagon that everyone else seemed to when the Titans came to town. The Music City Mirage still haunts me every time I turn on the local sports radio and hear Frank Wycheck’s voice. It’s one reason to this day I still can’t get behind rooting for the Titans (unless they’re playing the Fins, Jets, or Pats).
On a lighter note, with the firing of Jeff Fisher, pending removal of Vince Young, and drafting of Jake Locker, I have a reason to actually watch local football coverage (if there is any) this Fall.
by APhoenixDestiny on Jul 1, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
The Titans will be horrible and the worst team in their Division.
Possibly bad enough to be in the Luck sweepstakes.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 1, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
My Dad and I bought Flutie Chargers jerseys in protest after he was moved.
We wore them to every game for the next 2 years… I still cant believe that OBD did that. This is #1 on the Most Dumb Moments in Bills History.
Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.
by bflo on Jul 1, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Number 1 and Rec'd.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 1, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Doug running for office in that picture?
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Jul 1, 2011 4:37 PM EDT reply actions
Cathartic
I’m still glad we’re doing this. So is my psychotherapist, who charges $500 an hour for Buffalo Bills fans. It’s not covered by BCBS, but it’s worth it.
Great post, Brian. Thanks.
This should be WAY higher on worst moments list!
I’ll never forgive Wade Phillips or Ralph Wilson for the bonehead call of starting Johnson. Doug Flutie was the heart and soul of that team. Johnson supporters (they are few, but I happen to know one) love to bring up the fact that without the ‘miracle’ return Buffalo would have won. Well to that I say, if Flutie had played that game, it never would have come down to the last play! The fact that the Titans went all the way to the SB and just barely lost makes it that much worse. Buffalo could have been world champs had we just stuck with Flutie!
Personally, I would have this #2 just behind “wide right.” You might not agree, but that’s how much I hated this.
Also, with all the talk about jerseys lately, I’ll add that the last Bills jersey I bought was a Doug Flutie one.
by gwattsbdw on Jul 1, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Hence, the flutie curse... Started here. No playoffs since.
by sketchydave on Jul 1, 2011 7:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Flutie curse is broken........
Another underdog (Fitz) beat out the Golden boy (Cap’in Checkdown) and he was shipped out of town because our leadership is a lot smarter than it was back then.
The underdog won. Hence, our curse is lifted, and the FATHER OF THOR, ODEN, WILL UNLEASH SPECIAL POWERS UPON OUR BILLS TO LIFT US INTO BATTLE AND DEFEAT OUR ENEMIES!!!!!!!!!
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 1, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
MRW
Never realized Son of Bum eventually stated it was Ralph’s decision. I know for a fact it was Ralph and always respected, although now without merit, Wade for taking the heat for it. Was it well known fact that Wade spilled the beans on Ralph? I never heard that—was it after Wade was dumped amid all the controversy ?
It was Cookie's turn to lead the "easiest exercise" during the Monday practice after a game-- he said-- "we're going to do deep breathing--everybody inhale--dehale "---As told by Jack Kemp at my high school sports banquet circa 1966.
besides what wade said how does anyone truly know (besides wade and ralph)
I have just a few points for people to consider
1. Wade Phillips has a reputation for losing playoff games
2. Wade was the one who wanted rob johnson and pushed for the trade for him
3. He wanted rob to be his franchise quarterback after one good game with the jags.
4. I am pretty sure he waited to say it was ralph’s decision until he got fired or was close to it
So is it not possible that after seeing another spark wade chose rob for the playoffs. Just like he had done when he threw the hopes of his carear in buffalo into rob’s hand. Also after he looked like a fool is it not possible that he tried to pawn it off on ralph to make it easier to say get a job.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
I haven’t found anything to say he said it publicly FWIW.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 2, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Imagine if the Packers benched Rodgers for Matt Flynn
Because that would be the equivalent of what the Bills did.
Did I mention the tank is a tank?
Not close. When the Pack drafted Rodgers it was as the heir apparent. When the Bills signed Flutie it was no such thing.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 2, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
i doubt wilson said sit him wilson was starstuck over flutie and was even going to use the number 1 pick on him in 86
MY 2011 ADOPTED BILLS OFFENSE ROSCOE PARRISH DEFENSE DONTE WHITNER IF HE DECIDES TO COME BACK
I was at the Colts game
Isn’t it sad how our franchises have gone in completely opposite directions since that day our backups whooped them.
"What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don't like it any more than you men." -Unnamed NFL CBA negotiator
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Jul 2, 2011 9:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
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