ShareThisTypical reaction to the news that Terrell Owens had signed with the Bills: "Buffalo ... gee, I never thought of that."
That's because nobody ever thinks of Buffalo. Even when the Bills reached four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s, it seemed an eternal surprise they had reached that point. Considering that the franchise dates to 1960, I'd go as far as to say they're the most bland franchise in pro football history.
Chances are, they couldn't care less. I doubt they'd trade their track record for that of the Vikings, Bengals, Lions or Cardinals. The Bills sort of enjoy being a small-market treasure built on solid football rather than flamboyance.
But because the word came up, here's the complete list of flamboyant Bills stars over those 50 years: 1. O.J. Simpson. 2. Terrell Owens.
The Bills' record book is a stunning testament to achievement taken for granted: Jack Kemp, Cookie Gilchrist, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, with the occasional side of Flutie, Cribbs and Moulds. Try as you might, once you're past O.J., you simply can't find a Gale Sayers, Lance Alworth, Bobby Mitchell or Barry Sanders. The Raiders and 49ers packed more marquee stardom into single seasons -- pick any number of years -- than the Bills claimed in a half-century.
All of which makes Buffalo a dubious oasis for Owens, especially when the snow starts falling in earnest. Meanwhile, the countdown begins for quarterback Trent Edwards' seven stages of T.O.:
1. "Man, he's good. What a specimen."
2. "I'm going down in history with this guy."
3. "He sure seems to drop a lot of balls."
4. "Was that T.O. talking behind my back?"
5. "Now he's ripping me to my face."
6. "Didn't you hear me? I'm done talking about this guy."
7. "Make a decision: Either he goes, or I go."
E-mail Bruce Jenkins at bjenkins(at)sfchronicle.com.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit the San Francisco ChronicleColumn
I think this could be good
I think this could be good for this region, 1 it could bring in revenue if he brings his high rolling friends through more tv ads and spark the crowd at home games wich we havent had in a decade. His antics could spice up the offense and help defense see less of the field and who cares if he wants the ball give it to him. These players get paid to entertain us and by god he keeps me entertained wether its drama or scoring 18 tds a season. The man could clearly put on a show no matter what jersey he is wearing, so let Buffalo bask for a moment and get some kind of recognition because it feels good as a fan to have our team on the first line of every news paper now.
Your TO/Bills masterpiece....
"...because no one ever thinks of Buffalo."
You need to look-up all the NFL records the Buffalo Bills hold, pal. They are the only NFL team ever to win 4 straight league championships.
Let me know when the 49er's or the Patriots or the Cowboys or the Steelers can keep a team winning League championships for 4 straight years.
It's only been done ONCE since pro football began....by the Buffalo Bills!
Your TO/Bills article
Can you say greatest come back?
You need to research more than 10 years. Cookie was as flamboyant as they get.
Bills Records...
"Elias Says...
AND THIS IS WHY THEY PLAY THE GAMES...
Rian Lindell missed field-goal attempts of 20 and 40 yards in the Bills' 10-3 loss to the 49ers. So what, you ask? Coming into the game, Lindell had made 56 consecutive field goals of 40 yards or shorter, an NFL record."
Betcha' didn't know THAT, did ya', Brucie...