Marc in MontrÈal

Sit. Resting Allen and co. and avoiding injuries > Chasing the #2 seed

"During the NBA Finals, Donaghy said in a court filing that the league routinely encouraged refs to ring up bogus fouls to manipulate results, while discouraging them from calling technical fouls on star players." "Expert explains the many ways a crooked referee could fix bets" "Football [soccer] is in a disastrous state," said Chris Eaton, director of sport integrity at the International Centre for Sport Security. "Fixing of matches for criminal gambling fraud purposes is absolutely endemic worldwide ... arrogantly happening daily." Tim Donaghy Details How NBA Officials, League Allegedly Fix Games (Exclusive Interview Part 3) "Gimme a quarterback, an offensive lineman, and a defensive back," legendary sports gambler Lem Banker once told me, "and I can control the outcome of any football game." The reality is an aspiring game fixer doesn't need all three. One key player (or referee) could alter the outcome of any NFL game enough to cover the point spread. And it is much easier than you would believe to sink your hooks into such a person—and get away with it. (Source)

I'd be stunned to walk into any Cage Aux Sports and see a Bills preseason game. MLB, MLS, replay of the EPL or just RDS (French equivalent of EPSN) doing a special on PK Subban's tailor will be on before any preseason NFL game. Regular season maybe, if they play in primetime and there is no hockey games played somewhere in the world at the same time. Marc in Montréal

Your best bet is Champs Sports Bar. If it's not shown on one of the TVs just ask for it. http://www.montrealplus.ca/montreal/venues/champs-bar-restaurant Marc in Montréal P.S. Poutine and smoke meat are overrated if you ask me.

Glad you mentionned it cause it was exactly what crossed my mind. I thought I was the only one. Was just a teenager back then but I remember. It was a night game and Plummer stoned him. Which reminds me: Many years ago it seems like teams, in that precise situation, would fake a handoff to a (flying over the goal line) RB and do something else (hand off to another RB or pass). I guess they dont want to "sacrifice a body" anymore. Marc in Montréal

He probably meant it metaphoricaly... like kill the spirit the of the team. Marc in Montréal

Me: I'm going to a friend's house to watch the draft tonight. Her: Do the Bills draft 1st? (mocking me) So that's all I'lll have. To go along that thread :

"The draft is just going to be about plugging holes they created after the end of last season, with players no better and likely worse. You draft and develop a guy like Levitre, then just let him go. Same story as Antoine Winfield, Nate Clements, Ted Washington, Marshawn Lynch, Jason Peters, yada yada yada." Didn't know we drafted and developed Ted Washington. Marc in Montréal

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/50672179#50672179 Highlights For the first time he is going to workout this offseason. Well at least we know he's not on 'roids. Tashard Choice is a leader, off the field at least, and has had a positive influene on the team. Still likes Fitz but competition will be welcomed. Might be nailing that NBC reporter as we speak. Marc in Montréal

In trying to figure out how the Bills could possibly improve, I have thought of the following strategy. In a sense, on a short term basis, it could be considered a marketing disaster. Yet, over the mid and long term, it could prove to be successful. So, given the fact that… drafting is not a science and invariably luck is involved; we are not 1 or 2 players away (except if we land a franchise QB) from competing for a playoff spot – let alone a championship; one can only hope/dream to get 2-3 playmakers out a typical 7-pick draft, especially with the past GM we have had; it doesn’t seem like there’s another A. Luck in next year’s draft; Why not… trade all of our draft picks for multiple picks in next year’s draft and do the same the year after. Seven draft picks could then turn easily in 20+ draft picks (could be more, correct me if I’m wrong) 2 drafts from now. Now THAT would be a true rebuilding program! Not some half-ass “re-tooling” the lineup, changing 2 or 3 players here and there plan. What we would gain... current scouts would have more time to evaluate current freshmen and sophomores (extra edge come draft day, mind you in 2-3 years); most free agents do not want to come to Buffalo anyway, we wouldn’t lose much in becoming a free agent no man’s land for 2-3 years (which we practically are); we could steal other team's “gem” (read decently productive no names who take 2-3 years to develop hidden on practice squads) without cutting important players (we wouldn't have much of those at first anyway, kind of like right now actually); we would have a lot of of cap space as most players 26 and over would be let go (they would hit their prime before the big draft) or traded (even more draft picks!) the nucleus of the team would be made of players around the same age, which could help the team’s chemistry (if there’s such a thing) and identity (an overlooked aspect of a successful franchise, I find). I would think that many GM and coaches would salivate at the idea of truly being able to mold a team and not wait many years before their team fits their success criteria. Hence it would give us an edge in attracting a great GM/coach. Bottom line... We have been one of the worst franchises for the past 15 years. For most of those, rose-coloured glass removed, it was realistically over in November. What’s with waiting a few more years... P.-S. Only problem I see is the cap room for an oversized draft class. Capologists could shed light on that matter... Thanks, Marc in Montréal

Football : Bills... they won the AFC Championship 4 times... does that count? :/ Hockey : Nordiques. Won the NHL Championship in like 1908. They were called the Bulldogs, and I was not around. (sports fans in Québec City are so damn abnoxious nowadays, I want no part of that team if ever they come back. Still coolest sports jersey to me 'though) Hockey II : Team Canada (couple of gold medals) Baseball : Expos (realized baseball was a boring sport even before they left so I can't care less now) Soccer : France - World Cup 98, Euro '00. It was great!!! Marc in Montréal

Something I don't get here. If you get punched in the face and the refs are doing nothing about it, why not punch the guy in face as well, or better twist his helmet off. Worst case the refs are going to flag you but you will have force them to assert the situation and pay a closer look from then onwards. Is it just me or it's better to do something about it BEFORE bringing it up the a post-game interview. If not you just ask the coach for a sub to play a down and smack the guy in the face with an elbow. This is not a coktail party its a brutal game played by athletes (some if not most) on 'roids. If I'm the only one here who doesnt care about Williams' rant I'll shut up! Marc in Montréal

What's wrong with chasing girls, exactly? As far as I know it is not illegal and as long as it is done with mutual consent I see no arm and nothing immoral. As far as bible studies goes, well, if he can put up with the mysogonist views it conveys (Saint Paul) without throwing up, well, good for him. As far as the football player is concerned, I think he's decent, albeit a little overpaid. The move to the 4-3 means we will get more out of him (he just isnt a LB). He would fit well in a DE rotation. I say he makes the team (unless they want to save $$$ and resigned more important players) Marc in Montréal

So I never watched any of these draftees play a single down (save for Luck) so I guess I wasn’t caught up in the "who went where" drama, but I couldn’t helped being a little freaked out by how long the Commissioner and the picks held each others. It just look weird! If I'm the only one here I'll shut up but what has happened with the good ol' hand shake? I know it's been a couple of years since I've been to the US but this can't be common in any professional environment south of the border! Right? The Commissioner was welcoming these guys as if they were siblings you thought were dead or jailed in Vietnam for 20 years. Marc in Montréal

I didn't watch a single NCAA game this year and know nothing of that particular player. But with a name like that, aint no way he's falling. Marc in Montréal