Al Czervik

Hi everyone, I am from eastern Ontario and am excited to be touring the great city of Chicago for the first time this weekend. The wife comes from a family of die hard Hawks fans and she chose Chicago as the destination for her 40th birthday. We are catching the Hawks/Lightning game Saturday night but more importantly I am wondering how I am going to watch the Bills game Sunday morning? I searched the forums and it sounds like there are two bills backers bars.....we are staying in a touristy area (downtown?) a few blocks off the magnificent mile and both Bills bar's are about 25+ minutes out using public transit....from google maps. Though I would love to make an appearance at Lincoln Station, I am not sure I will be able to drag the wife for a half hour ride each way so I can hang out in a bar on a Sunday morning as we only have a few days to explore the many sights. I was wondering if anyone could recommend any decent sports bars that would be closer to where we are staying? Apparently there is a Hooters a couple blocks away, but the website says its closed and under construction. I am just hoping for a better option than drinking alone in the hotel room and streaming the game on yahoo....although I am not afraid of that. Or perhaps there are any other sights by LS that I could use as leverage to get us up that way for a few hours? Also I believe the game will start at 10:30 local time? Do bars typically have a time when they can open and sell pints on Sunday there? We are 11:00am here in Ontario. I am looking forward to this weekend and any advice would be appreciated! Go Bills! Paul

Just like every Monday I logged in this morning hoping to read Bill's recap....I hope you get well and are back in action soon Bill!

Get well soon!

I'm in on that action for a kid! Your pick of the 1, 2 or the 15 year old. No givesies backsies!

Good to see ya Spags!

I see what you did there...that's just excellence!

If that happens there is a 0% chance I'll be in any shape to make my men's league hockey game Sunday night.... Right now it's at about 25% no matter the score. Bills 24 Pats* 14

Thanks for the enjoyable read!! I look forward to Bill's weekly observations also....I say the more intelligent discussions the better!

Wow....didn't expect this would happen this year

Absolutely! It might not all pan out but its the best scenario possible for the team if it does

Totally agree....I'll hate seeing summer go but I'm jacked for the season to start!

Thanks Astro!! Been looking forward to your recaps this year!

HAHA....Fitzgibbons! I almost forgot about that....now those were the days Wow...that pic is amazing!.....a bunch of mean dudes right there. Beauties all of em!

1. Leafs 1. Bills 3. Blue Jays 4. Tigers 4. Sabres

Agreed! For winter games we usually bring slow cooker of home made chilli and a grill for a round of chilli cheese dogs....they always go well with the pints

Can you explain why ud say that BC? (disclaimer: your opinions always seem to have merit and good info) I know nothing about this pic....talk to me goose

Hey Bills fans.....I got caught up with putting kids to bed and balancing drunk neighbours in the garage....i missed the pic on espn online.....but definitely not what i I was expecting and not too popular pick with everyone so it seems. (disclaimer: im from east ontario and know jack about college players other than what I read on TBD) Thought ol or lb for sure....I hope doug picked a gem and the sentiment changes...but that aside I feel kinda meh. Bring on September and lets ride the off season wave as far as it will take us. Go Bills!!

Absolutely! He definitely did have a plan all along and got the last laugh. Check and mate

Good for Stevie....I always liked the guy and got a kick out of some of his jokes......glad it wasn't to NE

+1

Exactly! We're closer now than we've been in a long long time. It feels like next year is set up and right there for the taking.... AS much as I'd prefer to be in the playoffs, I'm actually excited about this off-season... - we have the chance to hire a fresh game changing coach....we've interviewed about 15 candidates, last coaching go-round we were hard pressed to find anyone who wanted the job. I really hope The Schwartz is kept for DC and assistant HC....I'm undecided on the OC after the recent offense allegations that have come to light. No matter this could have the biggest impact on the team and with new owners who can cut the cheque and make it happen, perhaps we have an advantage over other teams in the league for once? - new stable owners who have cash. The black cloud of relocation is gone and the cash is there to pay for better salaries and facilities and amenities. This can only help attract coaching candidates and FA's. - EJ was never supposed to be a plug in starter out of the draft. He was always a project and as predictable as the Kolb signing was, he was supposed to sit and work for a few years...not get thrown in without even a QB coach at the time. He's finally had a chance to do that this past year and lets hope he has gotten better. Either way our GM has promised to bring in some competition....lets hope its a decent veteran plus someone out of this draft. It will take some work from our GM to get the right personell but I don't think its a pipe dream to have one of the 3 playing well enough to equal what Orton could have given us. - yes our OL was a major issue. But it sounds like it was dysfunctional from the coaching on down. Whaley tried to upgrade thru the draft...which is where we should be trying to find our future starters. The 2014 results didn't pan out with the rookies, but obviously DW knows its an issue and will be addressing it...thru players and coaches. - there are a few other issues, like the TE debate, figuring out the pending FA's (Hughes, Searcy, Spikes?) and deciding if we can get other players to match the productivity for less cap hit...but this is all do-able. Bottom line this off-season should be exciting. There are number of tasks for Whaley to take care of but I actually trust him and am looking forward to where he is going to take us. Other than the last draft every decision has always had the shroud of Buddy Nix hanging over him. This is his off-season and his alone....even without a 1st rounder we have the draft and FA to plug some of these holes that kept us back this year. Sorry that was a bit long winded and perhaps a glass half full POV....but like I said I'm excited for where this team is heading! Go Bills!

I was drinking at a dingy sports bar in Kingston Ontario....I instantly went from hero to zero. Music City Forward Pass......what really burns is I honestly believe we had the team to go all the way that year....especially the D to take down the Rams.

I agree with everyone...I always looked forward to Bill's "Thoughts" after each game. Hope all is well and hope to see them again next year!

I'm with ya

Man that hair tackle was sweet!!