The Dean

I've had grilled wings many times. They can be good. But, pretty much by definition, they aren't Buffalo Wings, IMO. They are grilled wings with Buffalo sauce, or whatever. Same thing with baked or breaded wings. Are Kentucky Fried chicken wings a valid option for this poll? I think not.

One of the few places that make wings that approach Buffalo quality has a big negative. They serve the entire wing (tip and all) whole. You have to separate them yourself, while they are hot and saucy. Really makes them far less enjoyable to eat, IMO. You seem to be in the minority on this take.

I'm sure a Chinese restaurant in WNY makes delicious wings. But that has nothing to do with Buffalo style wings. I'd put grilled strawberry wings in that very category. Flavorful chicken (any part) can be had all over the world. But when someone is discussing the best wings in Buffalo (and if you read further, you'd know he is looking for info for when he visits), you can be fairly certain they are talking about "Buffalo Wings". Dontcha think?

I believe Anchor was well before Duff's. There was a black owned restaurant making wings well before either (can't recall the name at the moment). But those were more BBQ flavored. Pretty good, though not real Buffalo-style wings, IMO. I assuming this is about BUFFALO Style wings. Grilled wings have NOTHING to do with Buffalo style wings, nor does a raspberry sauce. They may be delicious, but it's a completely different dish. Charlie's is very good. I'm a big fan of Glen Park Tavern on Main St in Williamsville. My tip is to go to a place that has excellent wings and beef on weck. Mr Dee's (and Mr B's) used to be very good options for both. I believe Bar Bill has a beef, but have never tried it. I'm sure those who are now local can give you some advice for places who do both well. Perhaps Gabriel's Gate?

While I haven't been there in awhile, I always thought the Sheridan Drive location was better than the OP spot.

I believe Gabriel's Gate and The Gate are the same place. The Gate is just shorthand.

Do you remember Rootie's Tap Room? That was near the Amherst campus. Great deals and terrific wings.. I miss that place. Outstanding post. What I tend to do these days here in Florida is take out naked crispy wings and sauce them myself at home. I used to bring in my own sauce to some places and ask them to use my sauce for the wings. Strangely I rarely had an issue with the staff. I also brought in extra sauce so they could have some, too. And unlike Gungy I like my wings served wet. Another plus for Duffs in my book. Under-sauced wings don't do it for me. I can deal with a little puddle if need be,

I agree too many places serve great wings for a two restaurant poll. This has already been done to death---typically by clueless outsiders (Food Channel, for instance), It's easy and mindless, IMO. With that said, I much prefer Duffs, whose style is most like the flavor of most of the area's great wings, IMO. Anchor is "different". I suppose if you prefer that difference, you'd take Anchor. Another reason is I like my wings SCREAMING hot (but still with the traditional Buffalo wing flavor). On that Duffs delivers while Anchor falls flat. Outside of WNY (and to an extent in WNY too) the size of the wing really isn't a huge issue to me. I'll take a scrawny wing, properly cooked and sauced over a big flabby undercooked mild or off tasting wing any day.

Hamlin, perhaps? I think that's what they hope. I see nobody on this list that will be someone they regularly miss, down in and down out over the season. But I think they might miss one of these in special circumstances. That's why I chose Roberts and Bojo. There WILL be situations when the Bills punt from deep in their own end. Maybe not many, but some. In those situations, Bojo might be missed. If none of the backup safeties/DBs work out, Marlow will be very high on that list. But I have faith in the Bills developing defensive backs.

Roberts is a safe choice, unless McKenzie or someone else can step in effectively. But the field flipper the team no longer has is Bojo. I think, Haack may prove an upgrade over the course of the season, but I think there will be situations we will miss Bojo when a punt really needs to be blasted 60 yards.

Agreed. The mere idea that you can be insulted when someone calls you by your name (which you use regularly) is absurd. Calling Deion "Deion" is not disrespectful in ANY way. On the other hand, once someone tells you what they preferred to be called, why not just call them that? (Baring of course, they ask for something like "Your Majesty" and they are in no way royalty.) Both were very immature in this. A reporter should be there to get the information. The better working relationship you have with the subject you are covering, the more information you are likely to get. There is nothing to be gained by making something this simply contentious. But Deion's reaction was very over-the-top. Does he forget dealing with the press is a big part of his job, too? He could have/should have been the bigger man. First guy I thought of. When a coach makes himself the story (as Rex did nearly ALL the time) you should reconsider the hire, IMO.

So you would reward a player who uses a situation to divide the team, simply to get a bump in his contract? He'd forgo the tradition route to that and, instead, use some cheap underhanded dishonest move for personal financial gain, at the expense of the team? That is the crux of the "what you are suggesting" biscuit. I do not have that low of an opinion of Cole. That would be horrendous, IMO and absolutely not a "process" move. Give the guy a bit of respect.

🙃 🤪 Logic is hard to be found in plenty of places lately. Oh, and IN, I guess.

Thanks. I was typing as I was eating/drinking. Thanks for the save.

I wasn't quite as high on the QBs from that class as others seem to have been. But I had two stong feelings concerning the top QB prospects: 1. Avoid Rosen completely. Just seemed way too soft and slight for my taste. 2. Avoid Baker early in the 1st round. Too many baked in negatives to risk on that valuable a pick, IMO. It's easier to fix bad footwork or arm motion than to fix a horrible personailty/attitude, as far as I'm concerned/ Bradford seemed like the most NFL ready of the group, but he also concerned me a bit with the turnovers. I didn't know a lot about Lamar's strengths at the pro level. Allen was the great unknown to me, shooting up the pre-draft rankings. Just a huge raw talent. I was happy, but a bit nervous, when the Bills picked him

I'm sure someone will give you a more complete answer, but just know only the top 51 contracts (the 51 most expensive contracts) and counted toward the cap. All the other players (including PS and camp fodder) do not count.

We've only just begun to live.....

😄

I saw a 60-something version of McDermott at the grocery store down here in St Augustine, yesterday. Same build, face and wearing the signature sun hat. I almost said, Go Bills or Hey Coach. I wonder where McD will be coaching in his 60s.

I agree in principle with your position on the safeties. But, and this is just from my impression of what I hear/read, as a pair, they are VERY highly regarded. I recall hearing/reading things like "among the best safety duo" "maybe the best safety pair". But I believe on an individual basis, they may not be considered "elite". And I understand why some think that. Not sure that matters that much to me, though. I'll take these guys back there any time.

I'm with you. I didn't even want to post in this thread but wanted to support your take. Horrendous thread from the get-go. Exposes some of the worst in some posters.

Right. An NFL division champ, that reached the AFC Championship game, will make radical changes to their line MID SEASON. Right. And put a rookie (3rd rd pick) at left tackle, replacing their best offensive lineman. Sure. Happens ALL THE TIME! BTW, I'm not discounting that this may be the best OL lineup down the road. But that ain't happening this year. My only contribution here is to suggest they make try to keep Bate's relatively clean to be ready to play C in a pinch, and not have to move Feliciano. But there is still a ways to go before we know. We could see another one or two guys pass through.

Again, thanks so much. We will be staying at Cherry Mills Lodge, which looks to be very close to both of those. And yes, we will be hiking (some of us more than others) and biking. But mostly drinking, I can't be clear enough about that. I appreciate the input. Of the local watering holes, got any favorites? I'm seeing Tennett's Iron Horse and the Thunderbird as a couple possibilities as well as a couple wineries. Feel free to message me if you don't want to further clutter up this thread with my nonsense.

Thanks, that's really good to know. The lodge claims to have Internet wifi, so I'll get it one way or another at the lodge, if it works. Since I will be on vacation, poor cell coverage appeals to me at the moment.

Pretty much the rule for many things. Although I'd say "cheap" and "easy" are subjective terms. What's cheap to one person is expensive to another.