notwoz

It took an awful long time to make your point, but I gather that you think the Bills MUST draft Cam Newton, otherwise the team will wallow in mediocrity until the end of time. I'm curious. Why? Please offer some statistical reason, or sound logic. Saying that Bills fans don't want Cam Newton because he's not "Irish Catholic" is not a compelling reason. And it's insulting. Also, "elephant in the room" is an English idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored or goes unaddressed. It is based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook; thus, people in the room who pretend the elephant is not there have made a choice to concern themselves with tangential or small and irrelevant issues rather than deal with the looming big one. A "white elephant" is an idiom for a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost (particularly upkeep) is out of proportion to the possession's usefulness or worth.A burdensome possession; creating more trouble than it is worth. Since Cam Newton is not yet a "possession" of the Bills, he can't be the "big white elephant in the room." Just saying.

The 'Skins decade of mediocrity can be traced directly to the owner. This column (link below) does a good job of describing how the owner and his "Toys R Us" mentality has damaged the team: "In the last eight years the Redskins have traded away 22 draft picks for high-priced free agents, most of whom were busts." (in an tangential matter, I wish the Post has columnists as good as this, instead of Sully.) In Shanahan's defense, however, I've come to the conclusion that the nearly season-long melodrama between Shanahan and Fat Albert Haynesworth really was not about Fat Albert. Rather, it was Shanahan's way of telling Danny Snyder to keep his nose out of personnel decisions. If that's the case, then I have to give props to Shanahan for giving a big F-you to the owner. WaPo column

Just heard on the NFL Network that the Metrodome roof collapsed under 17 inches of snow. You'd think that a city up there would have a roof that could deal with more than 17 inches. It's not Houston, for pete's sake.

No freaking way, but thanks for thinking of me.

It's all image -- and Buffalo has an incredibly lousy rep when it comes to winter. Not that winter in Buffalo is without its challenges, but jeez, give us a break for Pete's sake.

I've got a lot of Pats fans as Facebook friends. They're insufferable.

About 7 or 8 years ago I was in Minneapolis for a conference. After one of the sessions, I stopped at the hotel bar for a burger and beer. The barmaid asked me where I was from and I said that I'm from the Washington DC area, but originally came from the Buffalo area. She said, with a totally straight face, "Oh it gets cold there." My jaw dropped when she said that.

Just saw something that says Evans could be out for the rest of the season because of the ankle injury. Sounds like Chan is happy with what he has and doesn't need Evans anymore.

That's funny -- I think it originally appeared in the Buffalo News after one of the Super Bowl losses. My father-in-law clipped it out the paper and sent it to me. I had it on my refrigerator for years.

Doubt it. NFLPA is a union and unions never, ever walk away from a situation just because a union member is in the wrong. Hasn't happened since before Walter Reuther. Ain't gonna happen tomorrow, either. I have two nephews who work in the auto industry in Detroit. Their stories about abusive behavior by union members would make you cringe. I also believe that Shanahan played this situation badly and it will reflect badly on him. It was obvious from the get-go that he didn't want Fat Albert around. Shanahan should have traded Fat Albert a.s.a.p. But instead he went off on this battle of the wills with Fat Albert and this is where he ended up. Personally, I hope this situation blows up in Shanahan's face.

Bingo! End of discussion. I think most of the world would agree with that statement

My take is that he learned which half he needs to replace.

That's true -- and the players he can't count on won't be back next year -- or whenever the next season might be.

Oh -- that makes everything perfectly clear -- like an azure sky. Personally, I think that facing a team with a higher level of talent is an omen, too. I also think that knocking the opponent's starting QB out of the game on their third offensive play is an omen too. And I'm sure that the Houston Oilers thought it was an "omen" when they faced Frank Reich on the day they endured the greatest comeback in playoff history.

So you're saying that two games in 50 years is a trend? Sorry, can't agree.

No -- he learned a lot about who is NOT going to be on the team next year.

I think he's decided who's not coming back next year. And that's a good thing.

Let's see, the Bills have a team with no discernable talent upgrade, an entirely different coaching staff, different coaching schemes and philosophies, and a ballbuster of a schedule, and you expect the team to have the same record or better? Let me know what you're smoking, because it must be pretty f'ing potent.

I like this quote: "I learned something about this team, don't ask me what, that's my business."

Examples, plz?

That's what Sabres fans say about backup goalies. Get some more talent on this team and backup QBs will look exactly like what they are -- backup QBs.

Let's just say the level of talent on this team isn't what it should be.

Just exactly what were you expecting this year? The Bills are a team that has sucked for a decade, but is actually showing signs of life. If you want to put yourself out of your misery, just let us know what caliber bullet you want. I'll be happy to Fedex one to you.

Um, no.

AMF as they say. I think the team is showing signs of life -- and of caring. It's going to be a tough row to hoe, but I think there are signs of life in the Bills. Let's huddle again this time next year and see how things are going.