May Day 10

The smart move was Vick bearing down and playing some good football for a season. People in Philly arent too upset he is getting that money. They believe he gives them a legitimate shot at winning it all. I agree that the way he plays is high risk for big injury in today's NFL. I will be interested to see Vick's actions once he gets some money under his feet. Its one thing to go around and mutter that dog fighting is bad, then sign autographs for some kids... but it would be a whole different thing if he took a large sum of money organically and started something to improve the lives of dogs affected by stupid actions such as his own.

Thats a great idea. A number of guys in our tailgate are UB alum and maybe we will do this for a few games.

Im on board with that concept. Was never a fan of te white charging Buffalo helmet, but these look sharp with the whole package

I gotta say, I dont get Phoenix. Dont really get Atlanta either. A championship in the last 20 years should be a disqualifier. I would say 1. Buffalo 2. Cleveland 3. Seattle

Pegula is going out of his way to lay the groundwork for his stance that he is going to publicly defend his players. This is part of his effort to position the Sabres as a good destination for other players. I dont believe Pegula is naive enough to think that all media is going to look and report positively on all players and happenings. (I hope not). At some point though he is going to need to balance being a "player's owner' with being a "fan's owner" As far as Regier goes, the team as it is, is far from shambles. They arent that many pieces away from being a real contender. It is also pretty clear Regier was hampered by quinn. Pegula even said that Regier wanted to sign Lydman and Tallinder but ownership wasnt willing to meet the terms. Its not too far fetched to think his hands were tied with a lot of things. with the self-imposed cap and ownership so accounting-driven, he had zero margin for error. We will see. The excuses are all gone for Regier and I dont think ownership is going to be willing to withstand all the fan reaction and bad press if Regier doesnt turn this team into a contender rather quickly. I think Regier has it in him... I would like to see he and ruff win a cup here, it would be a little sweeter with those 2 (especially Ruff)

They are in the small minority. I am a member of a few sabres boards (never heard of "Sabres Space"), have listened to Wgr for about 20 hours in the past week, and have spoken to about 10 close friends who are Sabres fans.... and the response is pretty overwhelmingly positive. Almost everyone wanted blood and wanted everyone fired immediately. That would have been an easy way to please everyone and make a splash, but a lot of fans and almost everyone outside of Buffalo would have known that would have been foolish. I think it isnt too far fetched to say that Regier is going to be evaluated and scrutinized based on the next 4-6 months. Pegula said all the right things. Im willing to see how things play out with Regier. If Connolly gets extended as the big move, Ill get pissed. However, Regier is a pretty well respected GM around the league (and Ruff is a top 5 coach). Just for those kids at Sabre Space, I hope Ralph Wilson buys the Sabres somehow.

i researched it a few years ago and determined without any doubt that it is an awful idea to go. A huge pain, a ton of waiting.... and the payoff isnt really that great once you get in.

Tampa sold for $110 million, Phoenix $150 million (less if you consider the public bonuses), Atlanta could be had for cheap, Dallas is always for sale, etc... That $250 million offer was just Jim Balsielle being belligerent and attempting to make an offer an owner cant refuse.

Ive heard various interviews. He seems very well educated on the history of the team along with anecdotes from his own experiences watching/listening to the team. If he isnt a pretty big fan he is going through a ton of trouble and doing a heck of an acting job to appear so. Schopp also has made the point numerous times that in the time Pegula was looking for a team, many other teams have been for sale for a lot cheaper. He waited for and chose the Sabres and spent a lot more money to buy them.

it is much more than that. He appeared very sincere and all the right things were said. Someone asked him about ticket prices and he was genuinely taken off guard as he hadnt even thought of that yet (through thoughts of building the best organization possible). Heard him on WGR today and again, hit it out of the park. He was even quoting Jim Dellavano's book (VP of the Red Wings). He also admits he doesnt have all the answers. His goal is to make the Sabres into the top or one of the top class organizations, where players are going to want to go to win the Stanley Cup. It doesnt seem like he is embellishing and I dont see any motivation for him to lie. If anything, setting the bar high does him a disservice. There is not one bone in my body that feels nervous or bad about this. In fact, this is probably top day for me as a Buffalo sports fan in my 32 years. He also defended Connolly and Niedermayer on the radio today which I really liked. That is going to go a long way to earn players' respect, and word spreads. And already they have waived Rivet. A move that 2 days ago would be unheard of and non-permissible.

that would be a pretty heavy moment for a fan of any variety. Could you imagine?

at least he is straight up and gives a definite answer on the Bills. we will see if things are different once he settles into his role in the community and the Bills are in peril. Im sure if someone was heading up a group and approached Pegula he would give it serious thought.

Itll be in LA I think (the site of Super Bowl I.)

when have we ever heard this stuff as Buffalo sports fans? "Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win the Stanley Cup." -- New Sabres' owner Terry Pegula "There is no salary cap in the National Hockey League on scouting budgets and player-development budgets," said Pegula. We will aspire to be the best in the League at finding, developing and keeping our players in their new Buffalo Sabre family." "Darcy (Regier, GM) will run a hockey department that I have previously said will have no financial mandates," said Pegula. "We're cutting the chains off and he's free to run with whatever he wants to do with scouting, player development, working with Lindy (Ruff, coach) and the coaches. We're going to pour some resources into that area of the team." "If I want to make some money, I'll go drill a gas well," said Pegula, who became a billionaire in the natural gas market. "We're not in this to save money."

one of the worst experiences of my life was during the San Diego game a few years ago, the power went out when I was in the bathroom. Disgusting, dank trough-bathroom... cave like with no natural light and overpacked with a hundred drunk dudes.

thats actually not a very good picture of her. she is better looking than that She is actually his wife's niece and isnt blood-related.

Arrowhead always comes across as nuts (when the Chiefs are in contention). I havent been to an NFL game outside of Buffalo even though I work about 1000 yards from Lincoln Financial Field. I know what you mean about too much 'sprawl'. They say that you can easily place Old Giants Stadium inside the New Giants Stadium and have plenty of room left over.

where are the rankings? I would be interested. oh, and Ralph Wilson Stadium is kind of an uncomfortable dump compared to almost every other major sports venue. It does have charm and IMO it is great as a fan, but it has to do with the fans moreso than the building. There is no stratification. Ordinary Joes can afford good seats. Food is cruddy, concourses and bathrooms are hideous..... Tailgating is legendary though http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ranking-the-NFL-Stadiums.html'>http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ranking-the-NFL-Stadiums.html is that it? Wow! didnt expect to be as high as #20. The summary there is pretty good found this one in my searching: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ranking-the-NFL-Stadiums.html #12?! It is all a matter of perspective though. I would much, much rather go to a game in the Ralph or Lambeau, etc... than go to a monstrousity with bells and whistles like the Jerry Dome lol that he deducts many points because the Raiders had metal bleachers. My seats at the Ralph are metal bleachers

very pleased the Packers knocked off the 2 criminal QBs. Would have been a real feel-good story if either of them won. Its always great when a team I feel neutral about wins the Superbowl. (I like/love 1 team, 'neutral' on maybe 8 teams, and hate the rest).

wow. thats funny stuff.

Arthur Moats

you and the NFL are also assuming the fans got the tickets at the box office and not from a scalper. I think that when the NFL offered ANY future Superbowl plus trip expenses, I would have been pacified. I think it is obvious the NFL wants to make it right.

why charging Buffalo. Wish they would go with the standing buffalo

I really enjoyed that article. Pretty awesome. Hopefully it keeps Mr Rich's interest and the Terriers benefit from their relationship. Im not sold on Rich buying any portion of the Bills. He had the opportunity to buy the Sabres at a bargain price, but never entered the equation. I played baseball with one of his sons (and met an adopted/pseudo son). They are great and very down to Earth and you would never guess they were from the kind of $ they are from. As far as MLB... it was between Buffalo, Denver, Miami, and New Orleans (I think). Rich pulled out at the last second for the economic reasons. The way baseball has gone, it was a wise move. I do recall Florida was a shoe-in and Buffalo had a pretty legitimate shot.

at first I was annoyed a little, I have to admit. I just read it as a cheap way for the NFL marketing to weave itself into the fabric of the USA. With increasing regularity, the NFL manages to annoy me and I look at a lot of things skeptically now. Thinking about it though. It is a great thing. You have 100 million viewers, mostly Americans, why not have the reading while we are all together in front of our televisions?