Punch

According to the timestamp on the two posts he went from 0-to-60 on Andrew Luck info in 5 minutes! I wonder which identity he intended to use? Or how many others he also has... If that's the case, poor form.

Those same physical attributes that appear to make Maybin an intriguing fit at the tight end position are also what made him such an enticing prospect as a pass rusher. I think if his major problem so far is a lack of football instincts it won't really matter what position he plays. Although, if they're going to give up on him outright, of course it makes sense to at least find some use for him. Once upon a time, the Atlanta Falcons tried switching another pass rushing high draft pick, Aundray Bruce, from OLB to TE when he proved to not be a very effective football player, but the results of the experiment were pretty underwhelming (1 single career reception for 11 yards). In fact, Bruce had 6 sacks in each of his first 2 seasons and actually hung around in the NFL for 11 total years---- and he's still regarded as one of the biggest "busts" in NFL history. That shows how far behind Maybin is--- not even comparable to a giant bust like Aundray Bruce.

Good DNA, Dad was a NFL QB then a GM... Luck was a validictorian at his hs. Grew up in London and Germany.... Some cold weather.... He is 6'4 235 lbs,.... Young Redshirt sophamore,..... I Cant see him coming out I'm confused by how you replied to yourself; it sounds like a 2nd poster responding to the comment of the 1st poster. Is this proof that you have multiple screen names and forgot to sign in as your other identity?

I think losing Roscoe is going to be a huge detriment to the offense. Week after week he's made huge catches in 3rd and long situations. With Lee Evans also being hobbled by an injury in practice this week and the running game already struggling it's very possible the offense overall doesn't keep us in games the way it has the past few weeks. I'm just saying--- with an 0-8 team, things need to go our way in an overwhelming fashion to get off the schneid, and injuries to a major component like Roscoe Parrish decreases our chances of winning a game, IMHO.

"Racially condescending" was what I thought you were implying... BUT, I don't know that I think that particular quote is terribly patronizing. If the reference to Cookie "only having a high school education" was not a contextually appropriate response... in other words, if Ralph threw that in to the conversation as a means of slighting Gilchrist, only... then, yes, I think it's patronizing. Since he also referred to him as being smart, I doubt that is the case, though. Otherwise, the comment sounds very much like what many of Cookie's teammates, friends (including Larry Felser, for whom Gilchrist still cares deeply), and other AFL contemporaries have said about the man. I'll do some googling to see if I can find references of a similar, but perhaps more damning, nature.

Alright--- I apologize for any hubbub. I can certainly understand that if Wilson made racially condescending comments even during the early 1960s it could lead to this thought process. I plead ignorance to any specific comments but I'll take you at your word until proven otherwise. In 1969, James Harris was the first African American opening day starting QB in American pro football history, which he accomplished as a Buffalo Bill, of course. The 1st to start a game at QB, period, was Marlin Briscoe, who shortly thereafter became a Bill. To mention these two players it's fair to point out these facts. I'd also argue that the Buffalo Bills of the '60s were at the forefront of racial integration issues in pro football, on the merits of Cookie Gilchrist, Ernie Warlick, and Jack Kemp leading the discussion on the matter and protesting the many disadvantages that black players faced. It's not to Ralph Wilson's credit necessarily that his players took on these socially relevant responsibilities, but it's fair to mention. Gilchrist notwithstanding (I believe he had issues with both Saban and Wilson, but as a rather contentious figure during his playing days, he also had issues with the ownership and coaching staffs of every team for which he played), most African American players and coaches employed by the Buffalo Bills have had near universal praise for Wilson. Thurman Thomas, Darryl Talley, & Bruce Smith were players that discussed race openly during their playing days, but I've never heard a disparaging word about Ralph from any of them--- in fact, by all accounts, they love the man. The so called "Bickering Bills" of 1989 is the only instance where I recall a racially charged atmosphere at OBD---- and all parties have stated that the whole matter was blown way out of proportion by the media--- and none of it was linked to Ralph Wilson, anyhow. I think the fact Fewell was named the HC even on an interim basis kind of makes the point moot, no? I can't see an owner of a pro sports team having an aversion toward hiring black coaches and then signing off on one even for that brief of a period of time. Leslie Frazier isn't really well thought of at the moment, as his defense is crumbling (not his fault, really, but nonetheless), Vick was untouched by every single team but the Eagles, and McNabb is not a good fit for a young rebuilding team. If Andrew Luck were African American, declared for the draft, and the Bills held the #1 pick, Ralph himself would sprint to the podium to call his name, IMHO.

My "favorite" Shoppism was a comment he made referring to Jim Kelly as Mensa-smart about football. The point being, of course, that Kelly had exceptional football intelligence, which is not a terrible point--- until I read an older Buffalo News profile written by Larry Felser which happened to mention that Mike Shopp was a member of: Mensa. Suddenly, what seemed at first to be a rather innocuous comment about Jimbo became a brutally arrogant self reference. I liked him much better on WNSA when he was competing directly against Chuck Dickerson. After he came to WGR he started getting whiny and bloated with self importance.

My point: there was no substance to your post, so the appearance stood out, somewhat--- but not enough to hide the fact that you're a moron. Do you understand symmetry? Your "internet-tough-guy-pat-yourself-on-the-back-witticism" in response to the symmetry comment makes as much sense as your unsubtle accusation that Ralph Wilson is a racist. Internet grammar and punctuation doesn't bother me all that much, but if you want other posters to care enough to read your posts and take you seriously you should make the absolutely minimal effort it would take to at least resemble common english.

Quick--- give me tonight's lottery numbers!

somebody had to say it..can't prove it but it was likely a factor. the minority coaching rules were implemented with owners like wilson in mind. he has never had, nor ever will have a longstanding black head coach. leslie frazier apparently wasn't seriously considered either. It's funny... coldstorage5 capitalizes nearly every word in his post, then birdog1960 doesn't capitalize a single word/name/place in his response. There's an odd sort of symmetry to this, but the utter lack of a cogent point still bypasses any amusement otherwise produced. I may be going out on a limb here, but I think it's relatively safe to say the supposed point of these posts is absolutely ridiculous on it's face. We should probably leave it at that.

The count at this point in time: Lott 27 Atwater 3 Pretty decisive. For the record, the full extent of the "Pro-Atwater, Anti-Lott" argument that the Atwater booster was making in the shoutbox was thus: -Ronnie Lott's reputation was made by the 49ers "hype machine" alone. -Steve Atwater once hit Christian Okoye very hard and knocked him down. -Steve Atwater forced a (admittedly decisive) fumble in a Super Bowl -Ronnie Lott's play declined when he was with the Raiders & Jets. Our "Pro-Lott" (albeit not Anti-Atwater) argument: -Ronnie Lott was a 1st team All-Pro at Cornerback, Strong Safety, and Free Safety -had 63 interceptions and 5 return TDs to Atwater's 24 ints and 1 TD -was 4-0 in Super Bowls as opposed to Atwater's 1-2 (a team stat to be sure, but a point made as a counter) -the "fingertip amputation" at halftime, which is really just a colorful anecdote. -the fact that although he maintained a high level of play and in fact was an All-Pro and lead the NFL in interceptions in his first year with the Raiders, his play did not noticeably decline until 34 years old (and he played 2 more seasons after that)... whereas Atwater was forced into retirement at age 33. -the final and perhaps most decisive point is that the near consensus view of Ronnie Lott is that he is one of the Greatest Players in the History of the NFL... and Atwater, although very good, simply falls much much short of that status. Anyway, the shoutbox is overflowing with a global warming debate, so I felt the need to clarify the point of this thread for my own edification.

I'd love Wade... only as a DC. Unfortunately, there's probably a greater likelihood that Bill Polian would return to the front office than Wade returning in any capacity. Then again, stranger things have happened. After the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs Mike Grier told the media he didn't trust the direction of the Sabres organization to return, despite a suitable contract offer... then suddenly, 3 years later, he decides that he loves the organization's direction. I think the desperation of being a 35 year old out of work 3rd line grinder had something to do with his change of heart. If only it were that easy! I say Ralph allows Wade back as soon as he puts Lou Saban's name on the Wall of Fame.

There's absolutely no way fans would have accepted Fewell as HC--- no matter how good of a job he did as the interim HC in 2009, or as a DC. Plus, he was obviously not going to be brought back as strictly a DC, as much as we may have accepted that. But one fact remains: he has superior talent with the NY Giants' front 7. He may be a terrific DC, but the personnel he has operating for him is NFL elite--- he would not have that type of success here in Buffalo until the defensive roster is seriously upgraded. For the record, I am so far pleasantly surprised with Gailey as a HC and OC--- and to say I was less than enthused upon his initial hire is an understatement to say the least. If the defense continues to underperform after upgrades are made (assuming they're made) then a new DC is absolutely necessary. In fact, I'd welcome a new DC regardless for 2011.

I think it sounded something like this: KABOOM!!!

That's exactly who comes to mind when I see Dupree... whether or not his head was messed up, he could never stay healthy, anyhow. Nearly nonstop injuries from 1983-93... although, it may have been due in large part to the training & conditioning issues Switzer called him on.

LOL, great thread, Marauder24. Hey, this one time... at band camp... Atwater tackled Christian Okoye!

Over the summer he said he would "probably" go back to Stanford for another year, but wasn't gong to think much about it or make a decision until after this season. I think that was the only public comment he has personally made on the issue prior to this interview with Rome. His father, Oliver Luck, has made similar statements in interviews he's given in West Virginia. Pretty consistent, I guess... at least it sounds possible he'll come out!

I'd never before heard of Ken Hall, although his story is so amazing it initially reminded me of Sidd Finch, the young incredibly hard throwing pitching prospect that worked out for the NY Mets in the early '80s before ultimately giving up a baseball career . George Plimpton's terrific SI article on Finch: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119283/index.htm I had forgotten all about Marcus Dupree--- what a damn shame. Dupree reminds me, but of course for completely different reasons, of former Cincinnati Bengals QB Greg Cook: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d807434bc/Top-Ten-One-Shot-Wonders-Greg-Cook

Chad Jackson or Chad Simpson?

It's funny you would hold this opinion of Stevie Johnson considering how exuberantly you chose to fellate Eric Moulds in another thread. I loved Moulds too, but even in his NFL Playoff record setting performance against the Dolphins in '98 he didn't make enough of an impact for the Bills to actually win the game. Stevie's career trajectory is remarkably similar to that of Eric Moulds, oddly enough. On average, a wide receiver isn't likely to be the difference between winning and losing when a team like the 2010 Bills has as many holes as they do... in fact, I can't imagine a WR doing much more than Stevie has done these past 6 weeks. Maybe you should get your head out of your ass? Just a thought.

I didn't catch the post game this afternoon... was it much worse than usual?

Why on earth would they include a photo of Kelly from just after he had suffered a concussion against the Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI? Are they trying to infer something about Jimbo's mindset? What a weird photo selection.

Doesn't this subject come up from the Rogers' people every time the Bills play in Toronto? Obviously their interests in this deal are separate from the Bills' interests, so they're going to make noise every chance they get until what they want comes to fruition--- which I assume is either a permanent Toronto based NFL team or simply an attempt at selling more tickets to the games in this Bills series resting on the illusion that it will eventually lead to an NFL team in Toronto. Everything is marketing.

It's really funny that he chose to speak to Bruce Mathison--- I had a Mathison football card in my Stadium Wall profile page because I considered him to be literally the most obscure and perhaps awful player in the history of the Bills. Of course, as others have pointed out, another QB that transitioned from San Diego to Buffalo was not only an All-Pro that won multiple championships, but spent the rest of his very publicly successful life helping his adopted home in a very real way (as a politician) and also spoke glowingly at every chance of the people (which of course, may have also been political, but I digress...) rather than a loser like Mathison. Anyway, who cares? It's not the first time ("Warts, Love and Dreams in Buffalo" from Sports Illustrated 1/20/69), and certainly not the last, a writer will take the easy way out and write a hack job piece about the region. He obviously tried hard to make Buffalo seem insignificant by mentioning Z-grade celebs when much more famous and significant people have come from Western NY.

MattyT is right, wgr550.com has a photo of his locker with the #55 on his nameplate. http://www.wgr550.com/Bills-D-Talks-Merriman/8506461