May Day 10

Im thinking that the culmination of surveys, studies, and general common sense will lead to a fairly football-game-centric experience. I do think we will see quite a bit more amenities and comfort, especially with the business-class, but in general, it will be built around 60,000 people wanting to be involved in a football game.

This x1000. If your looking for social lounges, bars, super comfy seats, bathroom attendants, 100 varieties of international cuisine.. then it isn't for you. If you want a throwback to how it used to be, and by all accounts when it was better, it is a top 3 stadium. I have said it before. I have friends from Boston who take a bus to the game here every season because it is such a great experience and they hate Gillette

I just thought of this for some reason: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon_boy_hoax#:~:text=The Balloon Boy hoax occurred,Falcon was trapped inside it.

I kind of disagree with some of the points though. It's much different than climbing everest. People don't pay attention to everest deaths because it's a steady flow of people and there is an average of like 5 deaths a year. This story isn't captivating just because the Titanic wreck, although it being the backdrop helps a bit. It's captivating because the idea of 5 people living in freezing cold in their own excrement, running out of breathable air inside a small iron lung with a lot of curious design "features"... is all horrifying. It also lends to interesting discussion.

I'm thinking it is gone and will never be located.

That logo is a callback to their logo from the 1960s, which I dont believe was ever on a helmet. If you are going to do a throwback with Detroit, Im not sure what you do. I think everybody would like a rollback to the Barry Sanders version.

Cowherd is very talented and its very hard to do what he does. He does come up with narratives and strokes them for a period of time. For awhile, it was the Bills were great and one of their strengths was coaching. Now, coaching is going to be a hinderance. If the team does well in the regular season, then it will be 'lets see if McDermott and Allen can actually get it done in the playoffs", then after the season, the narrative will change.

He is still hoping there is a chance the bills relocate and he won't give up until the new stadium is functional, and a game is being played

That isnt entirely true, although nowhere as extreme as the Aud. In the Air Canada center, there are railings in front of the seats because it is much more steep. I know Montreal got around code somehow as well. I have been to maybe 15 NHL arenas, and the First Niagara Center is the worst for the views (and a few other things), and I have never seen anything like how far away the seats are in the corners in our 300 level. If you are in the 100-level, there is a greater than 50% chance you need to watch a portion of the game on the scoreboard. Also, modern sports venues (including the new Highmark), have figured out how to overhang/tier the venue to bring the seating more vertical, closer to the action and provide a better experience. In Keybank Center, the seats just continually go back. I am jealous of UBS Arena in NY. As far as timing. Some arenas who were contemporary with First Niagara Center are or in talks of being replaced, so it isnt out of the question: Arizona and Ottawa come to mind. Most of them have had or have major renovations planned. I think Carolina has $200 Million worth, the Blues had $150 Mil, Montreal has a big one, so does Boston. I think Philly had one that was $350 Million. I do not think a new one will happen though. Especially since it would likely be built in-place or within a half mile. Ottawa and Arizona's new arena aspirations are based on terrible locations.

In a one-off game, Id take Belichick over anybody, even in 2023.

Maybe he is claiming an ailment so he doesn't have to participate, team doctors disagree, he sat out, and hence the inexcused absence of today? Just a guess

For all we know, Bills' management and coaches know the specifics. It would probably be a lot more damaging and immature for Diggs to publicly air the specifics. If he posted "Dorsey needs to be coaching a high school team" on social media, it would create a media storm as well as be humiliating for a lot of people. As a fan, it is frustrating to not know, and for it not to be fixed. Diggs is such a major piece of this offense and team.

Usher at the arena/ballpark

If money were no object, new sabres/events arena all the way. That arena is bad, and it goes into the bones. The giant ugly, noise sucking bubble roof, the gradual pitch of the seats with no overhangs, making bad sight lines and putting fans far away, and dungeon gridlock concourses. I've said it before, probably in this thread, but if Veterans stadium/three rivers/riverfront were a hockey arena, keybank center is it I do think money is finite though, and I'm not sure how much revenue delta there would be between keybank center and a new arena. I do hope we start the process soon though. The Sabres are bounding toward the end of their lease

Yeah. As the post below you says too. They looked sluggish down the stretch. Recency bias has everyone tampering expectations. Out of the gate, the Bills looked like an historically good team who could join the 85 Bears, 84 49ers, 98 Broncos, etc as a team that is greater than an average Superbowl champion. Injuries set in like a plague, especially on defense. Then the scheduling issues and weather took over. Then a player had to be resuscitated on the field in the middle of a game. Also factor in there may or may not have been a lingering injury to Allen's throwing arm. Yeah, very tough road.... But what if the beginning of the season is closer to what we have here... and now we have added some pieces? It could really catch everyone by storm.

9-8 is possible. I'd say at the lower side of within a standard deviation, and not unreasonable. I'd say the same with the jets at 13-4 but on the high end. It'll be a tough season

I would say Vikings easily and thats what my gut says. But I loathe their stolen/copied 'skol' chant they do and it makes me dislike their fanbase. Detroit is an easy one too. Fellow great lakes sufferors, you can argue no fanbase has had it worse unless you are 80+ years old and can recall Bobby Lane. I do not like that dome, it is so devoid of flavor on television. Chicago would be kind of cool. Would bring me back to my childhood when they were really good/great from like 1985-early in the Bills' superbowl run. I have always liked Seattle since I was a kid, with Steve Largent. Those flourescent tones in their uniforms are terrible though. I like the Geno Smith hero arc too. It would be a really awesome development if Green Bay surged to win their division and the Jets' season crashed and burned

Yeah, I don't think Bulldog has stepped foot in the studio for more than 3 years. I do like to listen to the younger guys. They aren't afraid (and are capable of) veering into basketball, soccer, wrestling, generally anything outside of buffalo which is refreshing when you dedicate 15 hours a day to 2 teams. I do appreciate schopp's show me proof approach. Nothing is worse than hearing Tom from cheektowaga's baseless trade proposal. But the gambling/fantasy stuff is too much. He and Bulldog are very stale.

I cant imagine how much they are paying Schopp and Bulldog. As someone who actually defends Mike Schopp, but has no idea what Bulldog brings to the table, those guys should be easy-cuts. I don't believe I have ever witnessed someone retaining a job, yet going through the motions for as many years as Bulldog has. He doesn't contribute anything of quality, puts little effort in, and clearly doesnt care. As far as Schopp goes... his who act is pretty stale, and honestly the constant fantasy and gambling talk is boring. They could replace them with any of those younger, hungrier, and most importantly cheaper kids and their station would be enriched for it.

My kid (10) just started to play lacrosse. He loves it. As a parent I really like it. There is a grassroots feel to it and we havent yet experienced the evil and devious nature of all the adults who thinks their kid is going to hit MLB or the NHL. It is a lot of good exercise. Teamwork is imperative. A good amount of physicality. Lots of skills transferrable to other activities.

This is really awesome. Great thing for Allen and the Buffalo Bills. They have gone from irrelevant to a major NFL Franchise

In general, jersey retirements are the best of the best Icons for the franchise, and usually should coincide with championship(s). It really should only be Perreault and Hasek. Miller and Horton are probably the most egregious, but Gare and LaFontaine are terrible as well (and LaFontaine is my all time fave). I get the significance of the French Connection, but Robert especially, and Martin shouldnt be retired numbers. Ryan Miller is a Sabres Hall of famer. Had 1 really stellar season and 2 good playoff runs. I believe he was a cezina finalist only 1 time. Compiled a lot of wins due to the abolishment of ties that coincided with the beginning of his career and longevity. Its a franchise that has won a total of 6 division titles in its history and have 8 retired numbers. Many good numbers are taken out of circulation. The bar has been lowered so much, what if we experience a truly great era like Tampa currently enjoys? Players are going to have to work letters or symbols into their jersey numbers.

I don't think anything beats a proper New York style, although I find it doesn't fill me up. I do like Buffalo style pizza though. If it is messed up though, it is really bad. I think you can get away with screwing up a NY style to some degree. I lived in New Haven for awhile and that stuff didnt impress. Never tried Detroit. Going there this fall, Ill make sure I give it a shot. I did like Chicago style, but I consider that more of a lasagna than a pizza

Pre-2000, maybe on par with the Bisons winning. AAA Baseball has turned into controlled scrimmages though over the years and has completely tossed aside any semblance of competitive sport. Normally in the playoffs, half of the team is gone or more. I see what you are saying with the accomplishments sitting equal of the Sabres. Its not equal, I dont think anyone makes that mistake. I would say, John Tavares could be considered on a short list of a Buffalo sports greats. We will also never see any NBA or NCAA banners up there unfortunately, and frankly, the Sabres have cheapened the honor with some hasty/questionable/laughable jersey retirements. Doesnt Toronto have a Bon Jovi banner? I know Philadelphia has a Pearl Jam banner. But the Championships are something. There are a lot of rabid fans in Denver who are really disappointed. Fans in Rochester talking trash that the Bandits finally caught up to the Nighthawks in Championships. It is a league with a >35 year history now. The Bandits are the keystone franchise. Its a cool and unique atmosphere that we should embrace.

Great atmosphere last night. Was a great time. No, it isn't on par with the 4 major sports, but it is a nice win. I used to kind of poop on the NLL years back... but in recent years I have gone to some games... not wearing a giant orange foam Sombrero or anything though. It is a really good and fun sport to watch. I used to love hockey in the 80s and 90s and so many things that made it thrilling have eroded. NLL scratches that itch. It's fast paced, blue collar crowd eating it up and into the game, an essence of violence and fighting and a game can spin out off its axis I believe in the sport and league in that it can grow its niche. If they can somehow bottle what the bandits have and find the right markets... it's remarkable the league has endured 35 years And imo, players not being able to retire from working forever at the age of 23 is a feature, not a flaw