TPS

Good point. I think you have to add that thinking to Gailey's comments about Evans needing to do more in the middle of the field, not just a one-dimensional threat. I don't think Evans fits what Gailey wants.

I agree with most of your morning musings BBB. About Evans, maybe we should've seen this coming earlier as Chan mentioned in the spring that he had to improve on a few things (something about going over the middle). Maybe Evans doesn't fit the Gailey mold? He also is one of the few holdovers from the losing mentality of the past--not that he has that mentality. The more I think about it, the more I agree with it. On Carrington, I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do. Sounds like he's ready to take the next step.

Not unlike what Belichek does--trade a vet just as he hits the tipping point. Only he gets a first rounder typically...

Buster's audition must have gone well. If Evans goes, you need a couple of deep threats, so it's Buster and Easely as the deep threats, Parrish and Nelson as the slot guys, and Stevie and Namaan as the possession guys. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts philosophy. Maybe it's also a break with the past loser mentality too...?

Yes, there is always a silver lining... I think the two Nix drafts have laid the foundation for "bad things" man. Both sides of the ball will be fun to watch for once.

There will be entitlement reform. This panel will be the scapegoat for the parties. Those affected most don't donate enough money nor do they vote in significant numbers to threaten the status quo.

We're talking two major parties and a panel made up of elected pols, and you are surprised by the selections?

I thought the 2010 draft class was one of the best in years. Unfortunately Batten and Easely were injured, so their development was set back a bit. This year's success will be highly dependent on some of those players--Spiller, Troup, Carrington, and Moats. If Easely, Batten and Wang contribute, all the better. Spiller would be my #3 key. If he has a breakout year, lookout! On defense, they now have the bodies to stop the run. We'll see if they have the teamwork. A front three of Dareus, Williams, and Carrington will be imposing. Yes, I am an optimist, and glad for it. However, based on the changes that I see, I thinkt there will be a swing of 7-10 points per game for the Bills. The D ppg should fall from last year's 27, to about 20-21. The O's should rise from 18 to 20-22, which will translate into more wins. There will be unexpected losses and wins. I've got them losing to SD, Philly, and Jets and Pats twice. It's quite possible they sneak a win or two from those six, to offset the probalbe unexpected losses. Obviously the Bills will need some luck this year, and I've always believed that the more optimistic you are, the luckier you tend to be. 10 and 6 baby! Back to the playoffs!

Looking at the schedule, I think the Bills have 5 games that will be difficult to win, and the remainder are in play. Four of the five are the 2 each vs. Jets and Pats, and then I'd throw in the Eagles. However, I won't be surprised if the Bills steal a game from either the Jets or Pats, or both. I think 10-6 is very doable. Primary keys: 1. RT. Bell stays healthy. I think the interior 3 will be very strong, and Pears will be serviceable. It won't surprise me (or anyone) to see the Bills pick up another tackle before the season starts. As is, with a healthy Bell, the line is better than last year. 2. Pass rush. Merriman stays healthy. While I think the defense will be siginificantly better this year, a healthy Merriman could make it lethal. The addition of Dareus, along with improvements from Troup and Carrington, solidifies the line, which will free up the LBs more. Other musings: Offense: - The running game should be significantly better based on a stronger interior line and improvement from Spiller. - Thigpen gives the Bills a true backup if Fitz goes down. - Chandler should be a pleasant surprise at TE. - The offense will be entertaining to say the least. Defense: - The safety play will be better with Wilson and a more experienced Byrd. - With a better pass rush, there will be more turnovers. - I think Carrington will move into a starting role by the bye. How to get 10 wins? I think the Bills can go 4-2 into the bye. Wins: KC, Oak, Cinc, and Giants (toughest). Losses: Pats and Philly. Remainder of games: Wash W Jets L Dallas W Fins W Jets L Tenn W SD L Fins W Denver W Pats L The real test for me is the first Jets game at home. Can a bigger, stronger Bills team now go toe-to-toe with the Jets? I think the Bills can make the playoffs if they win ONE of the four games vs Jets and Pats, and go 3-3 in the division, and 11-5 overall! That's my prediction. (Which is dependent on Bell and Merriman staying healthy.) Obviously, a run of injuries like last year would spoil this as well. Go Bills! (Optimistic) TPS

In the preseason, but I believe that Jasper will out-weigh him for the roster spot...

First Niagara announced they bought all 195 HSBC branches in WNY. First Niagara They are a growing regional power and just moved into their new corporate HQs in a refurbished building in what's known as the larkin district, out past chef's restaurant. HSBC will retain a presence in WNY, but it's uncertain to what extent. They are expanding the HSBC atrium building near the arena, but their lease is up on the tower in 2013, and they'll probably vacate.

I've lived in the Elmwood Village since moving to Buffalo from California a little over 20 years ago. It's a great neighborhood, with great bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. The first Buffalo bar I was taken to was Coles, a Buffalo institution. You can check out the EV Association web site for events and apartments at EVA A great site to keep up with what's happening in Buffalo from many different aspects is Buffalo Rising As a 30-something, the area that Dareustein suggested is optimal. Also easy walking distance to my 2 favorite restaurants--Left Bank and Bistro Europa. Good luck.

A 6-man front of Carrington, Dareus, Jasper, Troup, Williams, and Edwards. That would be fun to see...

nm

The line of Bell, Levitre, Wood, Urbik, and Pears will be better than last year's line. The interior should be stout. Wood and Urbik are maulers. Bell will be better and stronger. Having Pears at RT for the entire season is also better than the musical chairs of last year. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 excellent and 1 horrible, I'd say last year they were a 2, and they'll move up to a 3 easily. Quite possibly a 4 if Bell takes it to another level.

It's not much different than what Ron Paul suggested, eliminating the debt held by the FED. Here's a good discussion of the issues. Modern Monetary Theory The underlying argument relates to something I've always said: as long as there are excess labor and capital resources, you can create more claims (money) on those resources without iginiting inflation. If there is high unemployment and low capital utilization, then government can/should dificit spend to push the economy toward full employment. This idea is what economist Abba Lerner called funtional finance. The real problem, and the reason that the FED can't directly finance the Treasury, is that politicians have to be constrained. The power of the printing press is easily abused...

see B-News blog. Kawika guesses he's coming our way.

What happened to some of thsoe regulars? Bob Lamb, AKC, Kultarr, et al? Lenny in Sloan and his many incarnations was hilarious.

Looks impressive in highlights... Great recognition, and a good tackler.

You don't need forgiveness from those here, rather you better hope the WSJ copyright police don't hunt you down. Thanks for posting though. I think the article captures what most rust belt cities have done for years, going after the magic bullet, big box development, as opposed to focusing on cultivating small businesses and improving schools. Local entreprenuer Mark Goldman has been harping on this idea for years--quit throwing big sums of money at big projects hoping they will be the catalyst for urban development. In fact, he has been instrumental in getting a more demand-based development stategy for the waterfront.

The point of the Yahoo article was that the high top marginal rates coincided with higher growth in real gdp. And the other side of the coin, with the Bush2 tax cuts we experienced the lowest 8-year real gdp average in the post-war2 era. The Yahoo article also mentions a point I've made here before--low top marginal rates coincide with increases in inequality and asset bubbles/speculation. Just seems longer... This is just pure bunk, and is also a rehash. If you compare any Bush2 year with any historical post-war year with the same level of unemployment, revenues as a % of gdp are lower. The "full-employment budget deficit" is higher with those lower marginal tax rates. Yes, of course the deficit is an outcome of spending and tax decisions. The outcome of supply-side tax cuts has been larger deficits which is standard keynesian expansionary fiscal policy. Many left-leaning economists argue the main driver of future deficits is Medicare/Medicaid/and public pension benefits. Dean Baker talks about this all the time. Fix the health insurance issue, and the majority of future liabilities will be resolved.

In the next go round regarding expiration of the Bush tax cuts, I'd let the top rate expire and retain the rest. If I were czar, I'd suggest something completely different which would probably surprise you. Both factors were important. 6-7 million people were/are no longer paying taxes, sales were down, and asset prices fell. How many times did I tell you that tax cuts stimulate the economy by creating deficits? Laffer argued the main impact of lower taxes would be to increase savings, investment and work effort, thus increasing revenues, so there would be no deficit. Have we been arguing about this for 15 years now? God, I hope we don't end up in the same nursing home...

Yahoo

uhhh...because unemployment more than doubled. That was easy. And I hope that you would know by now that the government uses payroll tax revenues just like income tax revenues, so the old 10% pays 70% of taxes is BS. In fact, income tax revenues and payroll tax revenues are almost equal now as a % of gdp. As for the Kennedy tax cuts, they were made based on standard Keynesian theory that lowering taxes increases disposable income and consumption. Personal and corporate taxes were also cut to offset the fact that tax brackets weren't adjusted for the cpi back the--the so-called "bracket creep" problem creating "fiscal drag."

Condolences to you and your family Scott.