And if I remember that time correctly there were some players sent packing because they simply didn’t fit the culture (MR. Big Stuff)...

You just have never had the stability in the upper echelons of the Sabres organization to drive that culture, which would start with a seasoned, successful, president...
- Gr8daygo

Marcel Darius, Bill's took a huge 2 year hit on the cap, but we're thru with him .......

I know football is different, but the Sabres should have bit the bullet with okposo a couple gms ago.

Traded okposo with a young player or pick and move on

We need to start over, like the Bill's.

Culture is why the 2020 New England Patriots still won the division this year even though Tom Brady left. The Patriot Way set these guys up for a 11-5 terrific season

Oh wait. The Patriot Way was total horsepoop and was really just about Tom Brady being good? The Patriots sucked?
- jcragcrumple

I wouldn't say "The Patriot Way" was total horsepoop. The year Brady missed the entire season, they were still a playoff team. Having a winning culture can only get you so far. You still need the talent to get you the rest of the way. The test for the Patriots culture will be the next couple of years. If they could get back to being contenders within the next 2 or 3 years, I would say that their culture might have something to do with it.

Comparing the Bills and Sabres is comparing MREs to a 5 star steak dinner.

Both teams acquired talent. But if the Bills taught us anything, it takes a big machine a few years to bring in the right talent, and to intelligently fill gaps, with a strong focus on drafting well.

The Sabres are a train wreck on an atomic level because our owners are incapable or unwilling to make the right hires.
- TheSabresTaco

If they had the perfect Pres/GM candidate, who gave them an honest assessment of the organization, they'd never get the job.

Sabres on 11 game losing streak.

The Pittsburgh Penguins hold the record for the longest losing streak in NHL history at 18 games, which was set in the 2003–04 season; that team finished last in the NHL with a 23–47–8–4 record

The 18th game in this losing streak would be on 3/27 against the Boston Bruins.
They can set the record on 3/29 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

C'mon boys, you got this!!

To be fair they also shed cap like a mofo because of constant years of going for it to set them up to spend like bandits this offseason.

They had like 6 or 7 starters opt out of the season.

And they signed Newton a week before the season started, or at least it’s what it felt like.

They were set up to tank and won’t even be picking top 10.

I don’t see why the Pats cannot contend for a wild card spot this season. They had a boatload of cap space they could afford to overpay everyone they brought in for the most part.
- Pegullaville

Why didn't The Patriot Way convince players not to opt out or make Cam Newton better?

Newton signed July 8 btw.

I'm not saying culture is completely irrelevant, but I listened to the national NFL media slurp down the Patriots nonsense for over a decade, and let's be real: 90% of that narrative resulted from the GOAT being there for 20 years

Why didn't The Patriot Way convince players not to opt out or make Cam Newton better?

Newton signed July 8 btw.

I'm not saying culture is unimportant, but I listened to the national NFL media slurp down the Patriots nonsense for over a decade, and let's be real: 90% of that narrative resulted from the GOAT being there for 20 years
- jcragcrumple

It was the start of a PANDEMIC.........

It was the start of a PANDEMIC.........

- DirtyDan

I bet half of those players would have played if Tom Brady had been there. The risks didn't outweigh the reward

Lot's of "mcstupid " and then denial when called out for it.

Good post:



Blow this team up. Part it out soon .....
- Boss34

Not with the current brain trust, that’s for certain.... You thought the ROR deal was bad, wait till you see what Kim n Co. get for Jack and Dahlin and Samson...

maybe a guy like Gillis would take $4 million a year to build a winning culture in buffalo...

Marcel Darius, Bill's took a huge 2 year hit on the cap, but we're thru with him .......

I know football is different, but the Sabres should have bit the bullet with okposo a couple gms ago.

Traded okposo with a young player or pick and move on

We need to start over, like the Bill's.
- Boss34

Agree there but Terry and Kim like him too much. Good locker room guy, eh. The best would be retiring or raging jock itch, to ltir. And if Terry and Kim love him so much, give him a cushy harbor center gig...

Kevyn Adams Has no real power, paul hamilton has hinted many times that Ralph Krueger is running the show and not going anywhere, He also said it was Krueger that demand that Chris Taylor be let go .

Why didn't The Patriot Way convince players not to opt out or make Cam Newton better?

Newton signed July 8 btw.

I'm not saying culture is completely irrelevant, but I listened to the national NFL media slurp down the Patriots nonsense for over a decade, and let's be real: 90% of that narrative resulted from the GOAT being there for 20 years
- jcragcrumple

I agree with you.

Culture is a fad that is brought up by teams whom consistently suck.

However, the Pats won 3 Super Bowls in the early 2000’s and Brady ranked 14th in passer efficiency through 2001-2004 so saying it’s all because of him is false. The Patriots won 3 SB’s with average QB, strong running game, elite defences

Kevyn Adams Has no real power, paul hamilton has hinted many times that Ralph Krueger is running the show and not going anywhere, He also said it was Krueger that demand that Chris Taylor be let go .
- Therat36

I rather see Tayles as the head coach vs the worst coach I’ve ever come acrosst...

Kevyn has the power, but the lifestyle trumps his power. So if a move will impact the lifestyle he can’t make it.

Firing Ralph impacts the lifestyle, so it’s can’t be done....

If Ralph stays until the end of the season, I don’t see how any player would want to stay here or come here to play... it must be soul crushing and demoralizing to know you have zero support from your club. Your coach is awful, your gm is neutered and your owners are now overly concerned with the bottom line... yeah they make a lot of money to play a game, but no one wants to be in the environment they are stuck in currently.

Comparing the Bills and Sabres is comparing MREs to a 5 star steak dinner.

Both teams acquired talent. But if the Bills taught us anything, it takes a big machine a few years to bring in the right talent, and to intelligently fill gaps, with a strong focus on drafting well.

The Sabres are a train wreck on an atomic level because our owners are incapable or unwilling to make the right hires.
- TheSabresTaco

Well one can tell YOU never had Kosher MRE's....

If there's a fire sale, how much for Dahlin?

If there's a fire sale, how much for Dahlin?
- Aaron_85

No Dahlin, no cozens, should be no jack but listen... and I kinda like Borgen and Bryson.

I agree with you.

Culture is a fad that is brought up by teams whom consistently suck.

However, the Pats won 3 Super Bowls in the early 2000’s and Brady ranked 14th in passer efficiency through 2001-2004 so saying it’s all because of him is false. The Patriots won 3 SB’s with average QB, strong running game, elite defences
- Pegullaville

Well, at least it's not about the sad existence of the Sabres.

Well one can tell YOU never had Kosher MRE's....
- gcomella34

I've had the steak and potatoes. I suggested to Russ Salvatore Sr. to add it to his menu.

Well, at least it's not about the sad existence of the Sabres.
- TheSabresTaco

I mean we can also talk about how much luck was involved with Bledsoe getting hurt opening the door for Brady in the first place, the tuck rule, spygate, Falcons choke job, Not giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch from the one inch line, Frank Clark lining up offside in the 2018 AFC Championship on the Chiefs game winning INT leading to the Pats beating the Rams two weeks later.

Got to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good I guess but Brady and Bill were a match made in heaven and they got almost every bounce.

Bill's lost there swing Tackle to the Cowboys Ty Nseke

I agree with you.

Culture is a fad that is brought up by teams whom consistently suck.

However, the Pats won 3 Super Bowls in the early 2000’s and Brady ranked 14th in passer efficiency through 2001-2004 so saying it’s all because of him is false. The Patriots won 3 SB’s with average QB, strong running game, elite defences
- Pegullaville

And also by Belichick clones like Matt Patricia who try tough guy Patriot Way nonsense only to see it explode when players see through it and recognize it as unnecessary nonsense

Not with the current brain trust, that’s for certain.... You thought the ROR deal was bad, wait till you see what Kim n Co. get for Jack and Dahlin and Samson...

maybe a guy like Gillis would take $4 million a year to build a winning culture in buffalo...
- Gr8daygo

Currently, gmka should be dealing :

Hall
Montour
Miller
Staal
Risto
Sam

And I like risto, but do you really want the Sabres to give 7 million long term to either sam or risto?

Seems like a good time to start fresh....

I agree with you.

Culture is a fad that is brought up by teams whom consistently suck.

However, the Pats won 3 Super Bowls in the early 2000’s and Brady ranked 14th in passer efficiency through 2001-2004 so saying it’s all because of him is false. The Patriots won 3 SB’s with average QB, strong running game, elite defences
- Pegullaville

Passer efficiency = traylor lall being 4th in the nhl in high danger passing zones.

Brady was not the 14th best qb.
Maybe passer rating.

I thought you were past these type of running wins posts.

Tom brady won the patriots superbowls
Bill billicheat also

If they had the perfect Pres/GM candidate, who gave them an honest assessment of the organization, they'd never get the job.
- Lunaion

This is probably the most succinct and accurate post I have seen in a while.

I also believe that Kerry and Tim are unable to discern psychobabble from a real strategy to optimize the organization. The are enthralled with Ralph's corporatespeak, and are blinded to the results playing out before them.
They need help and don't know where to start to get it.

Very slow WR market, could really benefit the Bill's Samuel would be interesting

This is probably the most succinct and accurate post I have seen in a while.

I also believe that Kerry and Tim are unable to discern psychobabble from a real strategy to optimize the organization. The are enthralled with Ralph's corporatespeak, and are blinded to the results playing out before them.
They need help and don't know where to start to get it.
- IonSabres

The pegula's have been burned by the (rough around the edges) gm's. Whaley and tmgm.

They will not hire someone unless they respect them as human beings.

Being a female owner also puts the spotlight on firing guy's like russ Brandon and Gilbert ect. For "indiscretions". Tough spot trying to balance a gm who's nice, obedient and not a womanizer.


Lunaion definitely summed it up perfectly