The Dean

I loved Irv. It is fortunate he was on the air in Buffalo, as I'm not sure he would have made it in too many other markets. It was our good fortune, too. I worked with a few reporters (in Boston and SF) who worked with Irv in Buffalo and they all had good things to say about him. Henry Tenenbaum told me he had use a different on-air name because they didn't want to have TWO obviously Jewish names on the same broadcast. So, in Buffalo, he was Henry Lawrence. He had a lot of respect for Irv. One of my favorite Irv moments is so bizarre, I can't even be sure it happened. I can find no evidence for it, but I remember it vividly. And one of my best friends swears he saw it, too. Perhaps we are just having a folie a deux. Anyway, on one of the primetime promos for the 11 PM news, the break was cut so close to the show, it seemed as though Irv interrupted the program (though clearly he didn't). What followed made it seem even more immediate and ominous: "Something terrible has happened! Details at 11." WTF? I remember looking out the window, switching channels to see what terrible event took place, etc. Then it occurred to me, if it was really that bad, we wouldn't have to wait until 11 PM. Classic! Another story I've often heard is, when coming back from a commercial, Irv was surprised/unprepared to be back on the air. Quickly recovering (hey, he's a pro) is supposed to have said. "Good thing I wasn't picking my nose". But that sounds a bit apocryphal, to me.

Good to know swiping those envelopes from the wedding, last Saturday, isn't considered stealing. My conscious was starting to get to me.

That's because Rex ruined him. What's so hard to understand? He was great before Rex. Rex ruined him and then he went to the Fins ruined (already ruined by Rex). Rex ruined Mario.He broke him. He didn't fix him before sending him on his way. But honestly, is Rex 100% at fault for ruining Mario? Of course not. I'm thinking maybe 60-75%, Even as I gain some respect for Rex as a HC, I can't deny he played a huge part in ruining the career of Mario Williams. He didn't follow a basic tenet of great management: Put your people in a position to succeed. Don't ask them, continually, to do things they are not qualified to do. Both, of course, are at fault. But Rex was the boss, and the boss gets the bulk of the credit, and the blame, in situations like this (as far as I'm concerned).

Ha! I think Brady wears heals when he's home.

Well, a bully (pretty much by definition) takes out the weak, but folds when confronted by real strength. I'd prefer he build a team that stood up to the bullys of the NFL, or won't be bullied by them. But I know, that's pretty high concept for some.

Disagree. Most great managers delegate. A very elite few, are successful excising complete control. Problem is, most who think they can excel without delegation (hubris), fail. The key is understanding what you do well, what your weaknesses are, and finding people you trust to delegate to. If Rex actually pulls it off, it will mean he might be one of the 2nd-chance HCs, who make their mark because they embraced the change. I was enraged when they hired Rob Ryan (a guy who failed, miserably, to run a competent defense). But the communication between the brothers just might be working. Rex, Rob and Rex's puppet, DC Thurman, seem to work very well together. Delegating the offense to Lynn is key, since I think the Ryans, by their very nature, want to destroy offenses. It is bred into them. I tend to think any input Rex has into the offense will likely be a negative influence.

Not exactly saying much, as last year's D was a disaster. But yes, the arrow seems to be pointing up. The addition of the injured guys should only help. Unless it doesn't. (Sorry)

Commented to a friend, he was so new to The Cap, he didn't know where to leap. Wrong crowd, Hunter! Still, they treated him with respect. I still believe he was an excellent pickup, given what was available, with a pretty big upside. Two catches, for two TDs in two games. Not two, er too, bad. I'd love to see him get more involved as the season progresses.

Felton has been kicking ass. Love to see a real fullback doing what needs to be done.

Sorry, my bad. D'oh! I guess that explains it, then.

I agree the block in the back was a crappy call, but I called it as soon as I saw it. The offensive PI against Goodwin was total BS as far as I could see.

Gilmore was probably at fault on that play, but it is impossible (without confirmation) to be sure. While football may not be a complicated game, defensive back coverage can be quite complicated (as can offensive line responsibilities, at times). Letting AW go was a mistake, IMO. I understood it, but never liked it. Because he didn't get INTs , some thought he wasn't that good, They were wrong. He was a stud. Gilmore isn't having a great year, but I think that's mostly because of his missed tackles, this year. Very odd for an OSU cornerback. He will get huge money in the offseason. And, while I like him, I'm not sure the Bills should pay what he will be offered by other teams. Players can be worth more to some teams, than they are to others. It's the nature of just about every sport. The Panthers are getting a lot of flack for letting Norman go. I don't necessarily blame them for not giving Norman the contract he got elsewhere, but I do blame them for not having a contingency plan. I'd like to think Whaley is a bit better than that.

So, you took your daughter to the park, but didn't take her into the game. You left her in the car? Dude, that's messed up. BTW, what happened to Bill? I hope he's OK? I thought there were several calls against the Bills that were very ticky-tack. One I think was non-existent. As far as Dareus goes, I'm relishing the fact he will join this defense, and be fresh, for the last part of the season. Maybe this is a good strategy after all.

Jack Nicholson? Hadn't heard that.

EVERY QB misses some opportunities. Still not sure what your point is. I think it's obvious, Cam isn't the issue with the Panther's at the moment. Just as Luck isn't the issue with the Colts.

Oh. Then there really is a problem.

Badol saying "I was wrong"? It may have happened in the past. I don't think I ever saw it, though.

Thanks. I saw a report he was in a boot.

Woods OK?

White. Standing Buffalo. End of story.

Seriously. Cam's the only reason they were in this game.

Indeed. I had momentarily forgotten about that. Good call (as usual, Dog). Sorry, not really familiar with the etiquette of strip clubs. Isn't pouring water on them encouraged? Or am I thinking about wet T-shirt contests?

Actually, I kind of get that. He really looks like is starting to enjoy being a Buffalo Bill.

Rex love? Ummmm---not yet. But I don't quite hate him as much as I did. That's progress. Completely agree. Bingo. I'm not a bandwagon guy. But I'm also not a guy who won't change his opinion, in the face of evidence. So far, Rex is doing a good job, the past few weeks, IMO. But he's done a good job in the past, and fallen right off the edge. So, I will wait, and evaluate later. But right now, his stock is rising, IMO.