Which NFL Franchise is the Worst?

[Jim Gray]

It hasn't always been easy to be Dolphin fan over the past decade, but I believe we are moving in the right direction.  Despite our average record, most analyst see the Dolphins as a scrappy team that is going to fight hard.  I think a case can be made that the Dolphins talent has improved each year.  I'm optimistic about our future.  That said, I wonder about the fans of other teams that seemed to be in total disarray. 

Taking into consideration current talent, coaching, the front office and ownership, which NFL franchise is the most likely to disappoint their fans for years to come?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Several candidates....

1.  Bills -- Just like the Dolphins haven't done much since Marino left, the Bills have fared even worse since Kelly left.  And while the Dolphins seem to be moving in the right direction, the same can't be said for the Bills.  Both teams also have the problem of being in a division with two teams that will be fielding playoff caliber teams for the foreseeable future. 

2. Raiders - As long as Al Davis is running that team like it is 1970, the Raider fans are in for disappointment.  I predict KC wins 7 of the next 10 AFCW division titles.

3. Lions.  They are the Cubs of football. 

[Dave Gray]

I think there might be a changing of the guard from Detroit to Buffalo.

Detroit blows and has big-time problems with their team.  However, they've gotten a lot of that out of the way and are showing some improvement.

Buffalo has some history and when I think of the Bills, I imagine snowy football and dudes painted up, grilling in arctic temperatures.  However, now that the team is bad and the Bills aren't getting a lot of press, they're kind of a sad franchise. I think that the Bills suffer from the "new NFL" more than most other teams.

The hardcore nature of football is dying, and when you can watch in a warm house on a 60" HDTV, the incentive to freeze your nuts off dwindles.  For better or worse, the NFL is becoming entertainment, more than just sports.  It's what they have to do to give people a reason to come to the games.  We have good weather, live bands outside, tailgating, cheerleaders, etc.  Buffalo has less of all of that, because it's such a crappy environment.

I find myself going to sporting events now and then for teams that I'm not passionate about, because it's still fun: baseball, NCAA, high school.  I don't think I'd be willing to go watch a crappy Bills team in 0 degree weather.

[Spider-Dan]

Cincinnati.  They have fundamental ownership problems, and unlike Oakland or Buffalo, they aren't likely to change anytime soon.

[Jim Gray]

I'd be curious to hear from our members who support struggling teams other than (or in addition to) the Dolphins.

JTex - are you confident about the Giants moving forward with a resurgent Dallas and Philadelphia in the division? 
AZ - I know you went to the Cardinals game last week, is there a light at the end of the tunnel in Phoenix?  A few years removed from a Super Bowl and this team looks lost.
CF - I think you follow Tampa as well as the Dolphins.  Is this team for real, or is it all smoke an mirrors?
Stroke - The 49ers seem always on the verge of a breakout year, but haven't been able to get over the hump.  Is Mike Singletary the answer or the problem?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I don't think that is is the issue as much as the fact that Miami's population is about 10 times larger than Buffaloes.   

People who live in the North for the most part have learned how to have fun outdoors. Folks aren't staying home to watch it on TV more likely they are watching it on a portable TV while ice fishing or are skipping it to go skiing or snowmobiling. 

Some folks hide inside, for the winter.  Most do not. 

I We have good weather, live bands outside, tailgating, cheerleaders, etc.  Buffalo has less of all of that, because it's such a crappy environment.


I don't think I'd be willing to go watch a crappy Bills team in 0 degree weather.

[bsmooth]

I say the Raiders. They have had the talent to easily contend for the AFC each year for decades, and even to run deep ino the playoffs, but Davis keep sabotaging them.

[Tenshot13]

Hey Jim...I've lived in the Tampa area my whole life.  The Bucs are for real.  They've drafted amazingly the past two years and young guys are playing ahead of the curve.  Ill be shocked if Morris doesn't get coach of the year.  I think they are a year away from being an elite team.

[Jim Gray]

I'm torn between a few teams, but I think I agree with Spider-Dan that Cincinnati is the team that will most disappoint fans for the foreseeable future.  Plenty of talent, but no discipline and a coach that I think should have been given his walking papers years ago.  Add in a skin-flint owner and you have a recipe for failure.
 
I was tempted to select the Raiders, but I figure that Al Davis can't live forever.  He can't live forever.....can he?  The Arizona Cardinals haven't been mentioned yet, but I think they are another franchise with a cheap owner that undermines the team.  At least I think they have a good coach.  How about the 49ers?  With John York running the team for his wife, the 49ers are a shadow of what they used to be. 

[Thundergod]

Detroit. Seems like that team's been snake bitten. They haven't been able to put together anything remotely cohesive since the Barry Sanders days, and even then they were usually knocked out of the playoffs in round 1. They're sub .500 record year after year has to get REAL old for their fans. I feel bad for 'em.

[Spider-Dan]

I think Detroit's problems began and ended with Matt Millen.  Granted, it took ownership longer than necessary to get rid of him, and they haven't fully recovered from his influence yet, but they look to have good decision makers in place, and seem to be a team poised to make a big jump (if Stafford can stay healthy).

[BigDaddyFin]

I'll list four franchises that are the worst and I think the NFL should consider contracting.

1.  The Bills- Small market team, hasn't won jack shit.  Doesn't even play all its home games in its home stadium.

2.  The Jets- Haven't done jack shit in over 40 years.  Do we really need two teams representing NYC if one of them has this poor a track record?

3.  The Vikings.  This team also hasn't won a damn thing.  They had a couple big years back in the 1970's but aside from that and the occasional division title, do we really need them?  Especially when they play INDOORS?

4.  The Lions.  I actually feel bad for these guys because it was a proud franchise even when it was losing.  Now it's like watching a car crash.  Or the movie Groundhog Day.  Also haven't won anything in over 40 years.

[Pappy13]

They aren't the worst team, but this team may be one of the biggest disappointer's for the next several years.  Tennessee.  Yeah the Titans.  Hold on, let me make my case.

I think Jeff Fisher is close to being done and if he goes, then Tennessee will fall to the bottom of the league and stay there for a long time.  He's a great coach, but for as much talent as he's had to work with there the passed couple of years, they have not gotten it done.

Take Vince Young for instance.  Compare him to Henne, there's no comparison for raw talent, yet Vince hasn't really been that much more effective than Henne.  Oh yeah he has a great win loss record, but that's despite him rather than because of him. Most of the credit for those wins goes to Chris Johnson.  Young has got tremendous raw abilities, but he's been a huge head case and that's with one of the best coaches in the league.  If Fisher can't get Young to play then no one can.

The Titans have the talent and a good head coach and haven't looked any better than Miami this year.  Talk about disappointing.  If Jeff Fisher stays, they'll stay competitive, but he can't seem to get them over the hump.  I'm not sure what's missing, but if they ever lose Fisher this team will fall apart and with as much talent as the Titans have had, that's a lot more disappointing than the Bills in my humble opinion.

[Sunstroke]

The 49ers will be fine...we just need two things:

1) A head coach who actually understands how to be a head coach
2) A starting QB who is better than the average arena league QB

Take care of those 2 things, and the 49ers are golden. I don't even care about the owner, as I think his role in how the team performs is pretty insignificant.

[Dave Gray]

The 49ers will be fine...we just need two things:

1) A head coach who actually understands how to be a head coach
2) A starting QB who is better than the average arena league QB

I think the same could be said about any teams.  I think you'll be hard pressed to name very many great coach/QB combos that are on crappy teams.