The Dean

He isn't. They certainly use him to get more production, though. And, before you (or somebody else) uses a production = better player rant, ask yourself, "Is Wes Welker really a better WR than Larry Fitzgerald?"

Only if the networks count on sellouts in LA when they bid. Past history would tell them they may be in for some disappointment. Now, I would expect any new team to sell out for a couple/few years, while it still seems fresh. But after that, it's a bit of a crap-shoot. On the plus side, the LA market ratings will increase for LA road games (irrespective of the sellout) and for home games, assuming they sell out. If they don't sell out a home game, the LA market will lose a game that could be broadcast to that market. On the whole, it works out better if they have a team, but due to the market's overall low viewing level of NFL games (they seriously under perform based on their market rank) and the possibility of blackouts and loss of games to broadcast, it isn't as big of a differential as you might imagine.

Again they DON'T support their OWN CFL team. The only way they support their own NFL team is if that team is a contender, IMO (after the initial newness wears off, or course). I might be wrong, but they have yet to show otherwise. And yes, Southern Ontario has a lot of NFL fans. They have a lot of Bills fans. Still the attendance flounders when the Bills (easily the #1 team of So Ontario fans) play NFL games in Toronto. IMO, Toronto would be a worse NFL city than LA.

Whitner, Pos, Wilson and Florence are gimmes. The tough one is the 5th. Wrotto and Ayodele are decent backups in positions that aren't very deep on this team. Merriman is the big risk/big reward guy. I can't believe he is done this early in his career. But he may not be a factor next year, either. Youboty is the biggest puzzle, IMO. I can't remember him ever playing poorly, yet he can't see the field on game day. Yes he missed too much time with injuries over the years, but he always played very well. Still why keep a guy if you aren't going to use him?

I get your point. But I would rather see a win, no matter how well or poorly they play. But hey, that's me.

Well there are 3 Duff's locations near Buffalo. I think the closest one to where you are saying is the Depew location: 550 Dick Rd, Depew, NY 14225 I've never been to that one. It looks to be about 10 minutes or so (by car) from the hotel. The original location on Sheridan Drive isn't much further, actually. I've always like this Duff's a bit better than the one in Orchard Park. 3651 Sheridan Dr, Amherst, New York 14226 Finally, there is a Duff's right near The Ralph, in Orchard Park. If you don't get to another Duff's it's worth going to. But IMO, on game day you may not get their finest service or food. But it ain't bad, that's for sure. 3090 Orchard Park Road, Buffalo, NY 14224-4639 (Duff's Famous Wings of Orchard Park)

Care to explain?

Why Waffles? http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/12/22/joe-oconnor-why-the-leafs-waffle-dump-makes-sense/

My advice for novices is to try a good, but somewhat milder, cigar. The stronger cigars often can make newbies (and even experienced smokers) pretty sick. I'm not a Scotch drinker either. But I can appreciate a very good single malt, like Lagavulin for example. Tequila is another booze where I can really only tolerate something on the higher-end of the quality scale.

Hey, I took a shot. "Meathead" was Polish on All in the Family. I was thinking the same thing.

Outstanding! Winfield at #10 and the only CB in the group.

Since I've already started this LAMP thread, and discussed my plan to go outside and enjoy a drink (or several) and a cigar. Well, it was a lovely time. What some random event made it even more lovely. I live on the first floor of a condo complex and I smoke cigars on the screened-in patio. Apparently a group of friends rented a condo (or more) on the far side of my unit (I said "unit" hehe hehe). The quickest path from the cars to their unit was across the grass, past my patio. We exchanged "hellos" and "Merry Christmas" and such as they passed. On one pass a very attractive young thing (25?) said "Hello" as she walked toward the car. A few minutes later, as she was walking back, she launched into a twisting cartwheel/somersault thing. As she landed, she turned to me, laughed and scampered off. No big deal. Yet very nice, nonetheless.

Sorry. My bad.

Another Festivus miracle?

I know the hair mouth very well. Fortunately, like hangovers, I rarely experience this anymore. The exceptions would be when I smoke several cigars in a day and/or smoke a heavy cigar right before I go to bed. I recommend drinking plenty of water after smoking a cigar. Brushing your teeth afterward, and gargling with a mouthwash, peroxide or Alkalol helps, too.

I client-friend of mine, Charles, laid a box (25 sticks) of Cuban Bolivar Coronas Gigantes on me, yesterday. For those who look dark, full-bodied cigars, these are simply fabulous. I am certain they are legit, or as certain as I can be w/o actually buying them myself from the factory in Cuba. I smoked one yesterday, and it was delicious. It also whacked me pretty good. I am going to smoke another one, with a bourbon, in a few minutes. I also gave a couple away. The rest will go into the humidor for a while, as they could use some aging and will be better when they even out a bit. While I like some Cuban cigars, I'm not a guy who thinks cigars have to be Cuban to be good. In fact, I think Padron makes some of the world's finest cigars in Nicaragua. But Bolivars are among the best cigars from Cuba, or anywhere. I'll take a Bolivar over a Cohiba any day. Here's what they look like in the box: http://www.cubancigaronline.com/images/Bolivar_Coronas_Gigantes_lg.jpg He also gave me a couple of Vegas Robaina pyramids. This is a lesser known Cuban brand, but it represents real quality. Not quite as full as the Bolivar, they still have tons of flavor. They are named after Alejandro Robaina, a Cuban tobacco grower who died this past March. I have pictures of Charles and the owner of my cigar store with Mr. Robaina on the latter's porch at his Cuban farm. The Dean is in pretty good shape, cigar wise, for the near future, I'd say.

Me neither. I always found the best cure for a hangover was to start drinking again. Or sleep.

Why should the NFL move a team to Toronto? They have yet to demonstrate they can support a team. They sure do a poor job supporting their CFL team and the experiment with the Bills hasn't exactly been a success. I think a team in Toronto is a fantasy for the foreseeable future.

Only if you decide to define "good" in that way. It's an overly simplistic definition, IMO. Most of us know some teams are far better than their record, and some worse. The record reflects the entire year, which may include injuries, learning new schemes, different players at key positions, different coaches, etc. A team late in the year may be quite a bit different than the same team at the start of the year. Furthermore, every team starts the year at 0-0. Are all teams equally good then? If the Bills beat the Lions the first week of the season, and the Pats beat the Colts, both teams are 1-0. Would you define these teams as being equally good, based solely on that record? If so, I'd say your definition of "good" isn't reflective of the typical definition.

NSFW NSFW NSFW http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=john+valby+christmas&aq=0

What is the computer's opinion of how the Bills are using Tebow, this year?

If you have eggs, milk (and cream of some sort), sugar and maybe some cinnamon and/or nutmeg, you can make a homemade nog. Or you could just hit the rum. Myers and juice would make a good Christmas morning cocktail.

I would opt for Sahlen's natural casing dogs, but Zweigles are a good choice, too.

Well said. Shanahan is doing a really crappy job calling their plays, too.

Not your typical Christmas song, but maybe that's why it is so perfect for Christmas morning. The video isn't the greatest, however: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLl2mh6MmCI&playnext=1&list=PL766FA6264A10E867&index=96