Bleacher Report - Articles by Mandy Cameron

How Terrell Owens Can Go from Good to Great

Mandy Cameron — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:28:13 -0400

Candid, loyal and outgoing. Time and again those words are used to describe me. Whether it be from someone I just met, or a longtime friend. I proudly wear those words on my sleeve.

So what do these qualities have to do with sports? Allow me to elaborate.

I still believe O.J. is innocent. I know the facts, but I just can't wrap my mind around a Buffalo Bills icon doing something so horrible. He's freaking O.J. Simpson for pete's sakes! I love him!

I have all the faith in the world that T.O. is going to change his ways in Buffalo. He just needs to realize that our beloved team and its fans are willing to give him a clean slate and are welcoming him with open arms.

Let me address Terrell directly here for a moment.

Dude, if you want the ball, practice with your new, young quarterback. Timing is absolutely everything for the two of you. Edwards hitting you in stride will be your bread and butter. You'll see nothing but huge yardage and countless touchdowns.

Yep. You're good. But you can be great. Take a look at how Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison practice together. Two seasoned veterans who have been doing the same reps, week in and week out, for years. They're one of the best combo threats to ever take the field. It didn't come from just playing games together.

When you work as a team, you and your teammates become that much better. That cohesiveness is what will make you great and make the Bills great as a whole.

Why am I telling you this stuff? Two reasons.

Its apparent after all your years in the NFL, you still haven't grasped the fact that football is a team sport. But I believe you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Secondly, I love the Buffalo Bills. I want them to win the Super Bowl. That means I want you to win it too. I believe in you. I know you can zip all those nay-sayers' mouth's shut.

You can be taught almost anything. From how to catch a ball to drills that will make you run faster or build up your stamina. But you can't teach selflessness. That's something you need to look hard inside yourself for, and want to change. Then you and everyone around you will be better for it.

Call me gullible instead of candid if you want. That's okay. I'll take going into each season saying that we're going to win the Super Bowl, rather than thinking its another basement year, any day of the week. Because when that ring finally does come, after all the heartaches, it'll be that much sweeter.

Buffalo Bills, Give Me Something More

Mandy Cameron — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:21:03 -0500

Oct. 8, 2007, was the day I felt everything in the universe and beyond was aligned in my favour. All except for the fact that Buffalo was to get their butts handed to them on a silver star platter that night.

It was Buffalo's first Monday night game at home in 13 years. But it was much more personal for me. It was the one year anniversary of my mother's death.

I prayed all day to the Big Man upstairs, asking Him to let my mom come down and watch the game with me. Heck, maybe even let her have a hand in the game.

Little did I know, He did...

It just didn't have the outcome I had all planned out, up in my head. Luckily, I was able to look past the loss and find so much more.

Rejuvenation.

Buffalo has dished out more than its fair share of heartache. If this were a relationship, I would've left long ago.

Am I a sucker for punishment? Maybe. However, I absolutely love, appreciate, and thrive off of the high that an amazing Buffalo play continues to give me.

The few years prior to that Monday night game, Buffalo's playing was, shall we say, lackluster. And I think that's being generous.

I needed romance. A spark. I wanted that flame to burn inside of me again.

That MNF game gave it to me.

It was more than Greer stripping Owens of the ball on their two-point conversion try. Or DiGiorgio's interception.

We can't forget the touchdowns by Wilson and Kelsay off of interceptions, and as exciting as McGee's 103-yard kickoff return for a TD was, there was still an underlying "something" there.

Heart.

Every woman's prized possession. We always give all of ours. We need and want all of yours in return. Buffalo gave theirs to me that night. Again. I took it happily.

Pride.

I proudly watched one of the most exciting players to ever play the game receive his Hall of Fame ring at halftime. Congrats, Thurman!

Whenever I talk about that dynasty team, everyone seems to remember that they lost four Super Bowls in a row. I gently remind them of the talent that got them there.

Great players are just not made, or remembered, by their stats. Their legacy lives on in us because our parents instilled stats, combined with their love of the game, and a dash of excitement in their voices.

Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, and the likes thereof, will always be remembered in decades to come. I will teach my kids about them, and why they were so great. Just like my mother taught me.

God. Thank you for sending her down.

Mom. Thank you for being you. Thank you for the reminder that there is so much more than just winning (although it sure is nice).

Buffalo. Thank you for the emotional roller coaster. I'm staying on this ride for the rest of my life.

Buffalo Bills: A Glimpse into 2009

Mandy Cameron — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:02:28 -0500

With another below mediocre record under Buffalo's belt, it's once again time to look ahead to "next year." Two words fans are getting used to saying.

So, the question is, who should Buffalo's new additions in 2009 be, to change those two words to "Super Bowl"?

I'm going to state the obvious up front. (No pun intended.) They need to put a lot more pressure on the opposing quarterback. Without the presence of Aaron Schobel, the Bills' sacking ability was nearly non-existent—22 for the season, to be exact. Denney and Mitchell lead the team with a whopping four apiece.

Unless Buffalo trades up—which I don't see happening—Brian Orakpo of Texas is the only defensive end that I feel is worthy of a first round pick. Some might argue that Tyson Jackson out of LSU might be a good choice. I would agree. Just not for Buffalo's plan. He's not a "take down the QB" kinda guy.

Which leaves looking for a DE in free agency.

Hey, Buffalo! I'd love me some "Peppers" on my pizza with a side of wings. *wink wink*

The Bills have been lacking at tight end for quite sometime. A blocking TE is who Buffalo tends to focus on. How well is that working out?

I'll tell you. It hasn't. Not since Riemersma.

Maybe taking a chance on a 6'6" TE/WR out of OU is the way to go? Jermaine Gresham could very well widen the field.

I also think they need some leadership and experience at the QB position.

Trent Edwards was spot on before his injury. When he returned he seemed to have lost a good portion of his confidence. Something from which he seemingly couldn't recover. Which leaves me wondering, which Trent will show up next year?

Kerry Collins or Jeff Garcia would fit in nicely. They will fill two rolls well. Both are great mentors and will council Edwards through the mentality aspect of the game. Secondly, both are more than capable of taking the helm and leading the team down the field, if need be.

Every year Arizona was at the top of the draft. Their picks were solid, yet every year they'd remain in the basement in their division and in the league. It took a veteran quarterback with heart and a head on his shoulders to lead them to the playoffs.

A person like this is exactly who the Bills are longing for. They're hungry. They just need guidance. There are enough youngin's on the team. Buffalo needs to look for established players at this point.

I believe if Buffalo chooses carefully, fills the holes well, they could make a run to change their area code from 0-4-4 to 1-4-5.