The Buffalo Bills and their reputation have been dragged through the dirt one too many times.

One doesn’t have to go through the long list of heart breaks to comprehend just how rough it’s been for the Bills and for Buffalo fans since the team’s inception in 1960.

Even the current owners of the Bills, Terry and Kim Pegula, have taken blows from their own side since taking ownership in 2014 for a cool $1.4 billion.

Many looked at the hiring of former head coach Rex Ryan and retention of former general manager Doug Whaley to be their first mistake at the helm.

Ryan made promises he couldn’t keep nor fulfill.

Whaley’s prior faults seen by former head coach Doug Marrone slowly crept back to the surface and somewhat validated the sudden departure of the old coach, who now runs the show for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Just a couple years in as owners and there was a wakeup call for the Pegula’s. They were having growing pains with all eyes and hopes latched on in Buffalo; Bills fans just waiting for their savior to deliver a taste of long forgotten success.

The Pegula’s decided to fire Ryan and Whaley earlier in the offseason and made it their mission to learn from their mistakes. Presented now is a rock-solid foundation that is raising optimism in the city without a loud ruckus.

They’re building a foundation that demands respect not only within the confines of New Era Field but throughout every stadium in the NFL.

On Wednesday afternoon, Terry Pegula sat down on The John Murphy Show on WGR 550 and he was asked what expectations he had for the team in the upcoming season. Rather than answering the question with a record that he expected the team to finish with, the owner took a deeper outlook.

“My expectation is that we earn some respect on the field. I believe that’s important then wherever it falls, it falls. I really believe that.”

Pegula then further elaborated on whether or not he felt that Buffalo has been disrespected throughout the NFL and if he personally felt that disrespect.

“No, but that’s what you need to win. You need to have respect. When teams come in to Buffalo to play, they need to be talking about it on the way up saying ‘oh gosh, we’ve got to go to Buffalo. Let’s hope we can get one out of here.’”

Related 3 Bills who are key pieces of the Sean McDermott revolution

Patience is consuming much of the Pegula’s lives right now.

The Pegula’s also own the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL, who have gone through a major rebuild and have yet to see any major success.

When asked if it’s been difficult to remain patient, Pegula showed truly just how dedicated he is to see his plans through.

“No, not for me. We just keep trying and working. If you’re talking about the Sabres, we built on draft picks, we tore the existing team apart and built through the draft. With the Bills, you can see what we do – Obviously we do our draft work, but we’re trying to bring in quality free agents, leaders, the kind of guys Sean [McDermott] and Brandon [Beane] want on a football team that can help them in the locker room. “

When asked further about why they decided to go with Sean McDermott, Pegula harped on the attention to detail that McDermott has been lauded for throughout his career.

“When we talk to Sean, he’s such a diligent planner and he’s so thorough that he commands that. He’s got a plan, and part of his plan is bringing in players who think the way he thinks, and I think that’s a good way to start.”

What could really end up helping the Bills in their continued effort at snapping the 17-year playoff drought is a solid plan.

The Pegula’s brought in McDermott because he shows the planner mentality and actions needed to be a successful coach in the NFL. He’s detailed and relatively quiet – basically the anti-Rex Ryan.

Hopefully, Buffalo doesn’t have to wait long for their plan to come to fruition as the Bills take on the Minnesota Vikings August 10 at New Era Field.

If Buffalo fans do become restless, take a cue from the team’s owner and be patient.

newsletter Get 10 hot stories each day Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation. Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.