May Day 10

My guess, and based on a bit of other smoke around this over the past 6 months or so... The Pegulas are selling a significant portion of the team. The other party might be Canadian and Key Bank Center operation is part of the deal, which might mean $ for renovations. So if another party is potentially dumping hundreds of millions into this property, viewing the shambles everything is in including a few thousand emotionally dead people every home game, they are probably demanding some sort of say/major shift in the hockey ops. Its possible too that the Pegulas have gotten fatigued and frustrated with running this team and the criticism that comes with it and actually want to step away/back. I have zero reason to believe the Pegulas would set this team up for relocation (I would be shocked), nor do I think there is much of a realistic market for NHL team relocation at this time. The only market I would fear from Buffalo's standpoint would be Houston. I also don't believe the NHL would be eager to lose the Buffalo market.

Say what you will about Belichick, he has a great respect for the sport, history of the sport, and strategy involved. I would bet dollars to donuts he likes and respects McDermott and the feeling is mutual, although there is likely a healthy competitive rivalry in there. Belichick likely has no use for bravado clowns like Rex Ryan. McDermott seems to publicly say and do the right thing, does things the right way, and has his team very well prepared. The prospect of defending Allen for the foreseeable future has to be a nightmare for Belichick though. The rollout run vs pass quandary is like a cheat play in Madden football that cant be defended.

The window is wide open as long as they have Josh Allen. This particular team as is? Perhaps next season, and then they will have to re-tool some position groups. Need to draft well and keep replenishing with cheap and capable players who contribute. A major key is going to be in finding the heirs apparent to Hyde and Poyer.

Overall, Id say that with a close loss to KC, I would consider this a 'successful' season... I'm sure the team wouldn't though. From a fan standpoint, they held serve. They lost a few games in the regular season they shouldn't have. It did seem like fortune wasn't on their side in some critical close games... but they still won the Division. The beat-down they gave New England was such a gratifying game. For us to finally get a full-throat home playoff game, and it ended up being a 3 hour bonfire where we were able to put the 20 year Patriots dominance over us to bed was amazing. All year we knew this season would come down to the game against KC. IMO, the winner of this game is going to win the Super Bowl. I dont think its fair for fans to give a Pass/Fail grade on this game. KC is a great team. Furthermore, they certainly have another really good kick at the can next season before they will be forced to make some roster adjustments and re-tool in certain position groups. They were almost certainly a 14-3 or even 15-2 team this season. There are some obvious holes and adjustments that can easily be made to augment this team. This team is pretty incredible. I believe their last 21 wins are all by 10 or more points, other than the Indianapolis playoff game. Other than that, their last 1-score win was the Cam Newton fumble game. Seattle 44-34 (+10) Chargers 27-17 (+10) 49ers 34-24 (+10) Steelers 26-14 (+11) Denver 48-19 (+29) New England 38-9 (+29) Miami 56-26 (+30) Indianapolis 27-24 (+3) Baltimore 17-3 (+14) Miami 35-0 (+35) Washington 43-21 (+22) Houston 40-0 (+40) Kansas City 38-20 (+18) Miami 26-11 (+15) Jets 45-17 (+28) New Orleans 31-6 (+25) Carolina 31-14 (+17) New England 33-21 (+12) Atlanta 29-15 (+14) Jets 27-10 (+17) New England 47-17 (+30) 21 wins, point differential 419. Average of 20 points. Im not sure what that means, other than maybe this is possibly an emerging historically good team. It has also already been a really fun ride. I dont think Im in the mood to stew all offseason in negativity and demanding changes, etc if they lose on the road to KC. Also, one thing this team need to accomplish is getting/finishing the clutch win.

Browns. For all the reasons mentioned. Crushed their steelers demon last year, nearly knocked kc off in the playoffs, and now this... not to mention the Bengals are now for real. From what's not mentioned, I'd say the qb class of 2021, more specifically Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson.

I saw Terry in the background in the lockerroom for McDermott speaking to the team after the game

The thought of hosting the AFCC is amazing

You have to wonder how the 70 year old head coach is looking at the situation in the division after the game. They need to play their best game to beat allen, and the bills look like they are going to be formidable for at least the near-term. The defense here is also a very underrated and over-looked thing. Everything will remain together and key pieces are in their prime. I doubted it a few weeks ago, but I wonder if he would jump at a Giants offer.

I don't think McDermott is in his head so much as Allen is.

If Jackson only held onto that interception

It was one of the best sporting events I have ever attended. It was just non stop satisfaction if you're a bills fan. It looked really packed. Actually not as many pats fans as normal. Crowd was loud and engaged the entire game to the point of singing and dancing every commercial break. Most people stayed to the final whistle. It was a 3 hour party. People were loud, even on the pats final possession. The bills pushed our tormentors' face in last night and it was fantastic. The cold was fine. No wind. Wear layers with a few hit hands and no problem. I was never cold

Its not a big enough market for 2 local-sports-only stations. 550 with the Sabres/Bills rights is a juggernaut locally. 1270 was pretty good for awhile. Bull (Gaenzler) had a good show to start. Covered a lot of different subject matter that 550 wont touch... towards the end though, he got back into his shock-jokey pukey delivery though which got annoying. Tim Graham had a great show too. Brad Riter is always solid. It was just spotty. Shows had low fanfare or marketing/buzz. Lots of syndication going on, etc. I like to hear coverage about local college hoops, UB Football, Bisons, Bandits, NBA, MLB, etc in addition to Sabres/Bills stuff. That is what made Empire Sports so good. You had to sit through other stuff to get to the Sabres/Bills but it made the other stuff interesting as well. 550 is 99% Bills and Sabres, and while I really like those things, it gets beat to death.

I was going to post something similar. Those kids always come on and do a great job because they are low-paid and hungry to put in the work, get experience, and someday hit the lotto of a good-paying gig in sports media. Bulldog just rolls out of bed and deals with the annoyance of a 3 hour show (I think the 4th hour is often pre-taped). To his credit, I feel Jeremy White still carries some of the youthful exuberance of his job. He still apparently really likes the sports he covers, has energy, and also doesnt seem to have 10 vacation weeks a year I really liked the CBS Sports radio affiliate. National shows, but I thought they were good. Unfortunately, 1270 changed into another box of hate and negativity. 1520 is a station I tune into sometimes, but its nearly 100% sports gambling, which gets redundant.

Where McDermott really shines IMO, is his ability to communicate with players and the mutual respect that seems to go on. I know its aggravating for us average joe's to hear, but the more NFL players are made to feel like Livestock, the less they are going to lay on the line. McDermott motivates these guys to put in the work, yet doesn't treat this like his personal prison camp. Somehow he runs a really tight ship, but also allows the players to be individuals. McCoy's battle against Trump, McDermott and even Pegula backed McCoy and they allowed the players to steer the ship. Even Beasley with his Vax thing. They really urged and tried to educate players... but ultimately, they wouldnt put an embargo on Beasley for having an opinion and never forced him to get the vaccine. I don't think they will ever stand in the way of a player trying to maximize his earnings/opportunity (and even go as far as to assist the players in career growth), whether here or elsewhere, and that also goes for the coaching staff. That respect given to players goes a really long way. It will get tested at some point, but for the first 4 seasons it has been executed marvelously.

This is all true. They have a really good shot in any game... but I don't see them running a 4 game gauntlet vs the playoff field like this

Bills @ Rams MNF or international Bills @ Chiefs SNF if they meet in the playoffs Bills @ Lions on Thanksgiving (them or Miami or Jax) Bills v Titans MNF if the Bills arent on Thanksgiving, I could see the Bengals/Bills on TNF Opener will be home against the Ravens

That team had an embarrassment of riches going into the offseason and completely dropped the ball.

The Patriots have always had fits against the Dolphins for some reason.

I think he has done an excellent job there.

I have said it before, but they should make a big deal and presentation to make "All Pro" teams. Maybe a 1st and 2nd team from each the AFC and NFC. Probably roll out the league awards too. Make a really nice show out of it. Try to get players to play roles in the show, show personality, etc. All star format just doesn't work well with this sport, especially with all the participants being individual 'brands' worth millions a year and have a lot to lose (and already over-worked). I remember how cool the 'All Madden Team' show was. If they did something like that but with 2021 technology and delivery... and make it important like the NFL can do... it can be much better than a pro bowl. Being all AFC/NFC/NFL will mean something too. Not "Tyrod Taylor should get a larger contract because he was in the Pro Bowl (as the 9th alternate).

Are the Colts going to completely pee their season away?

From 100 feet away, 7-10 seems good for the broncos in a pretty brutal division they shouldn't be ready to compete in. The team looked good and fought hard yesterday

My favorite all year was Millen It was a trainwreck... but in a way that was memorable and funny.

Lifetime would include my memory-on It starts with the 85 Bears. 07 Patriots 91 Redskins 89 49ers 92 Cowboys

This is always my first thought when the Giants job opens. I could see him jumping if the Gianta/Maras gave him exactly what he wants as far as autonomy, control, and... money. Belichick though seems to have prevailed in the Kraft/Brady/Belichick fight. I would imagine he is pretty comfortable and feels like Kraft will take care of his kid and his guys in McDaniel and fatso rocket science guy with the pencil, forgot his name. He is 70 and the Giants will be a moderate lift, although they seem to be in a pretty open division for the most part, and the NFC appears to be an easier road than the AFC in terms of young quarterbacks for the foreseeable future. There is light at the end of the tunnel here though for NE. They skated through a 1 year rebuild back into the playoffs/contention. They have a rookie QB who has had a really good rookie year. They have some cap space coming up to improve. They are ahead of NY by quite a bit. I cant see a 70 year old who desperately wants to win 1 (or more) championship taking a step back.