Enough With The Preseason Prediction Nonsense

I have to laugh sometimes when people talk about the Bills. I mean, my friends, family, strangers, work colleagues, whoever-- it doesn't matter--because the general consensus this off season is the Bills stink, their quarterback stinks, their offensive line stinks, whatever. So let's fast forward to April and grab Jake Locker, Ryan Mallet, or Andrew Luck.

Here's how the conversation typically formulates.

Me: "So, ugh...... how about the Bills this season, bro?"

Everyone who answers this question: "Are you kidding me? This team won't go anywhere this year. Hopefully we can get a high draft pick though."

Me (after a big sigh): "I think they could contend."

This is when I get laughed out of the room.

Every time.

But inside, I'm confused because people are so convinced the Bills will struggle, that somehow they have a crystal ball. Somehow they know this team can't compete. Fans now are predicting records of 3-13, 2-14, even 0-16.

Sure, there are plenty of question marks on this team, but does that automatically mean the Bills won't win?  

Hey, here's a thought. The Buffalo Bills won't stink in 2010. 

Preposterous right?!

The majority of Bills fans this off season don't expect much from this young group with a new coach, new GM, new personnel in what seems like a rebuilding year.

There have been so many predictions this off season pinning the Bills as bottom feeders. They may have good reasons for doing so, but it's to the point where someone like myself has to counter.

Eric Mangini replaced Herm Edwards in 2006 and drove the Jets to a 10-6 record. Saints coach Sean Payton followed. That same season Mike McCarthy led the Packers to 8-8.

In 2008, first-year man Mike Smith took Atlanta to the playoffs.

Last year, the Jets went to the playoffs under Rex Ryan.

Each year, a team comes from nowhere and surprises people, rises to the occasion. Why not Buffalo?

It's not even that I'm overly optimistic or convinced the Bills will be, for heaven sakes....good, but I won't sign the dotted line where I'm forced to have the same opinion as everyone else. 

Let's watch first.