Peter

Jerry has been writing essentially the same "column" since he arrived at the Buffalo News. One of these days, I will have to try to dig up the article he wrote about Bruce Smith way back when. There is a difference between anti-establishment and just being a snarky, childish dick. This is the same guy who suggested that Terry Pegula is a racist and became a billionaire through dumb luck. As soon as I heard last year that the press' access to Mario was going to be limited, I knew that Sullivan's view of Mario would be slanted. Mario got 10.5 sacks last year while injured and, despite his injury, did not miss a game. Sullivan's take: Mario is a malingerer who is making excuses. In keeping with this narrative and his MO, on July 30th, Sully tweeted: "It's always something with Mario Williams" and essentially said the same thing on WGR. I love reading insightful, well thought out, provocative columns. The thought behind Sully's writing is about as paper thin as his (and apparently Justin Bieber's) sports knowledge (I had to laugh when Bieber did the same thing as Sully. How does a sports columnist not know that you do not walk over the team logo in an NHL dressing room?). Both Sully's questions (if you haven't, you should listen to the questions he asks at PCs) and his writing are merely designed to push his pre-existing narrative.

John, I find that you are about as professional as they come in the Buffalo media. That is why I restricted my comments to guys like Sullivan, Gleason, and Harrington. I watched the video and listened to an extended clip of the PC. Your exchange with Marrone just happened to be the culmination of a lot of people asking essentially same questions over and over (beginning the day before). There are some people in the Buffalo media who try to drive their narrative. Guys like Sullivan who tweeted on July 30th: "It's always something with Mario Williams" and who seems to be fixated on things like the fact that Mario has his own refrigerator. This is the same "sports" writer who apparently has the same level of sports knowledge (or lack thereof) as Justin Bieber -- they both do not know that you do not walk over a team logo in a dressing room whether it is the Buffalo Sabres or Chicago Blackhawks. Guys like Sullivan, Gleason, and Harrington have an agenda. An example of that with Sullivan and Harrington was that embarrassing Sabres PC. You do not appear to have an agenda like these guys. I think that is why people and the teams respect you more than these other guys.

I agree with your first paragraph - especially as it relates to guys like Sullivan, Gleason, and Harrington. Being a dick is not a prerequisite to being a good journalist. Jim Kelley was a great example of that. He learned from the master - Bill Parcells. I actually love watching Billy B. in his press conferences . . . and loved watching Parcells as well. They do not suffer fools. I would enjoy watching either of them respond to questions from Sullivan, Gleason, or Harrington -- if any of the three were to dare act the way they do with the Sabres or Bills.

Thanks for posting. If you had not posted this as an independent thread, I probably would not have seen it. My favorite part of the article:

Perhaps the media (rather than Marrone) should get a thick skin. I read the Buffalo News characterization of this and they used terms like Marrone "shot at him" etc. Before I heard the audio and saw the video, I thought that I was going to hear a shouting match. Instead, I heard Marrone merely being frustrated having to hear the same questions when he does not have the answers yet.

Isn't that Jerry Sullivan in front leading the mob?

Me too. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3682901

Has this coaching staff even met him?

Have the police checked whether Billy B. has a video of what happened?

I do not know whether he currently lives in Buffalo, but I seem to recall that there was a story about him moving back to Buffalo a few years ago.

I wonder if they have that same heartless guy cutting guys.

I just watched some highlights; he looks like a pretty good prospect.

FWIW, he was on the US Open coverage this morning.

Thanks Rubes. I appreciate it.

I love this show. Serious question to those who have read the books: I think that I am going to start reading the books. I presume that, even though I have watched each of the episodes on HBO, it will be both enjoyable and worth the commitment of time to start reading the books from the beginning. Am I correct?

As I recall, wasn't he given only about 12-18 plays at the most recent rookie minicamp?

There is now comparison. Moulds was one of our best WRs who ran all of the routes including going over the middle. Evans - not so much.

I agree as well.

Did you notice that EJ was wearing Buffalo Blue.

If it were so clear that EJ was going to be a 4th round (or 2nd or 3rd round) pick, why did the NFL invite him for the 1st round?

I have no problem with bringing EJ around slowly. I think Kolb is a pretty decent QB and will play a lot better behind our offensive line. I can see both of them playing with EJ getting his feet wet in certain packages. Either way, we have the luxury to do whatever is best for EJ's long term development.

The more I learn about EJ, the more I love the pick and believe in EJ. One of the things that EJ has going for that probably influences everything else is great parents. I love the fact that they were with him in NY and that his Dad was with him on the trip to Buffalo. You can tell that EJ has a great relationship with both of them. It is impossible not to root for this kid.

100%

Great minds think alike. I agree that it deserved its own thread.

This is so true. I totally agree with this. He seems like a great kid.