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Buffalo Bills 5-1, then & now

Voice of the Bills: Team "more rooted in reality"
Posted at 4:39 PM, Oct 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-21 18:23:57-04

ORCHARD PARK, NY (WKBW) — It's been more than a decade since the Buffalo Bills started off this hot. But a reminder of that 2008 season is not a happy one for many long-time Bills fans. 7 Eyewitness News senior reporter Eileen Buckley takes a look back at how this team is different.

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New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.

In October of 2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year was a big hit. The presidential campaign featured Barack Obama, John McCain and Sara Palin and 'Live your Life' by rapper T.I. featuring Rihanna climb to number one on the Billboard chart.

Head coach Dick Jauron led the Bills, Trent Edwards was quarterback and running back Marshawn Lynch was in trouble with the law.

There’s nothing like a Monday after a Bills win and for fans. We’re 5 in 1, but we were there before - in 2008, so we came here to new era field to talk to an expert.

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John Murphy, Voice of the Buffalo Bills, outside New Era Field Monday reflected on 5-1 Bills then & now.

“I was there. I was doing play by play 11-years ago when they started out 5 and 1 and did not finish well, so it gives you perspective to know the season is long and that maybe is the most important thing and we’re not even at mid-season yet,” reflected John Murphy, Voice of the Buffalo Bills. “But you know it’s funny, I look back on that Eileen and I think that the Bills are much better shape than they were then.”

Murphy was back out at New Era Field Monday for his One Bills Live radio show. Murphy tells us he's confidence in this 5 and 1 team is much different than the team of 11-years ago.

“Yes, they were 5-1 in 2008, I feel this one is more rooted in reality – in terms of the character of the players on the rooster, the defense is great. I don’t think they had a great defense back in 2008,” said Murphy.

Murphy tells us even though Sunday’s win wasn't the greatest, it shows this team is “resilient” and he says it's more than fair for Bills fans to be excited.

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One Bills Live radio show, hosted by John Murphy with Steve Tasker & Eric Wood.

“Yesterday was not a great win, but you know it was another example of how resilient they are and how they find ways to win and that’s important,” Murphy said. "They get plays when they need them.”

So how are bills fans feeling?

“Wooo-whoo-who…that’s how it’s awesome. It gives us something to look forward to,” cheered Joan Carr, long-time Bills fan.

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Carr and Darby Carr are from Byron in Genesee County. They were outside of New Era Field Monday excited from Sunday’s win.

“I remember 2008 – it was heartbreaking to see it happen, but I never gave up hope,” recalled Darby Carr.

“I feeling hopeful for the first time in a very long time, very hopeful. These guys are awesome and it’s pretty darn exciting to watch a game,” remarked Joan Carr.