HopsGuy

Well played. I have 110k miles with them that might go up in smoke. Might be time for a trip to Vegas and/or San Francisco.

And to think I spent all that money on a Brian McClure jersey when I could have had that baby.

Like most Buffalonians, I'm a Rob Ray fan. He was a great part of those teams from the last decade and I was always happy to see that toothless smile after an improbable goal (remember the pasting the Sabres put on the Leafs in the '99 playoffs?). He's also been a stand-up member of the community as a lead spokesman (and actual "doer") in so many great causes. Sure he's right that the union is punishing him for declaring he'd cross the line. That's how unions work and a guy that is made in that union mold (nice guy, but willing to mix it up when needed) understands that. He's just voicing his opinion right now. Nothing wrong with saying it as long as he understand that he won't be getting much sympathy from the union guys. Anyway, the union will probably have to acquiesce before play can begin again. The NHL players must understand that the TV money the other sports get just won't be there for hockey. That said, their strategy should probably not be to block the salary cap, but more to ensure a great pension program for players (low age for benefits, low service requirements), so that more players that dedicate themselves to the game and make it to the top are provided for when their playing days are over (usually sooner than later). One more thing on Ray: This is about money. IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT MONEY. If he "just wants to play hockey" he can join a rec league.

My most memorable day had to be the Dolphins game in '90. Kelly was out because of a knee injury suffered against the Giants the previous week. Larry Norton and friends had made a parody of Free's "All Right Now" into "All Reich Now". I remember hearing that on Friday as my buddy and I pulled into the airport to pick up our friend at the Airport (everyone was coming home from college for the holiday break). We got a van (with driver) from Olean. Stuck a keg in there a we were all set to make our own version of Buffalo wings. Unfortunately, the coals my friend's parents provided were old and wouldn't light in the drizzling rain. We made our way over to the Winnebago section to beg for some charcoal. A fine gentleman set us up and we were ready to go. The goal posts came down that day as the Bills clinched (all together now) HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE THROUGHOUT THE PLAYOFFS, with a win over the hated fish. Good times, man. Good times.

Here's what's on the Bills' official site: New Jersey Rivaras Taste of Broadway 6-18 Maple Ave., Fairlawn (201) 7974878 Copperfield's Restaurant 1200 Route 73, Mount Laurel (856) 866-1077 Zagursky's Bar & Grill 43 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Whippany (973) 887-9636 ------------------------------------------------------ But really, ask around for sports bars. If that doesn't work, try the yellow pages. It really can't be that hard to find a sports bar these days, can it?

I'll vouch for the quality. The extras that Chris put in the 31-0 romp over the Pats to open the season last year were cool (extra highlights from NFL and ESPN). He edits the games by quarter and there's a chapter menu so you can get around the game easy. Good stuff.

Good interview, Chris.

Afternoon all. I'm currently downloading the programming for my folks new Tivo. Since I'm a grown up (although I won't admit it), it's really the only toy in the house today. It's raining in Central Florida and it's in the 50s outside. You can see your breath, but in a retirement community, that can be strangely reassuring. Nick, clue us in on Boxing Day. Most of what I know was gleaned from an episode of M*A*S*H. -Hops

It's probably a policy they have. On "Inside the NFL", Cris Collinsworth doesn't pick the game he calls.

What kind of beer do you like, and time should I be over?

I'd like to point out that the bottoming of the Bills in this ranking coincides with the recent upward move in the stock market (10/26). Of course, neither has anything to do with the other, but if the Bills lose you might want to think about liquidating your portfolio.

I believe he bought Marty Schottenheimer's house in Honolulu.

In 1978, at the ripe old age of 8, I attended my first Bills game. I had really only discovered football the previous season after watching the Vikings dismantle the Bengals on TV. I was convinced that Alan Page was the greatest football player on the planet and I was a Vikings fan. My father took this opportunity to teach me the evils of gambling by betting me that the Cowboys would beat the Vikings in the NFC championship game. I didn't even ask for points, so sure that the Purple People Eaters would destroy the Cowboys. I mean, "How could Glen Cambell compete with Alan Page?", I thought. Well I lost that bet ($2 IIRC), and then in my anger I took the Broncos in the SB. I swore off gambling on football for at least 10 years. During the '78 preseason, the Vikings played at Rich Stadium and I was sure that this year they would prevail. My father, wise man that he is, told me "Hops, you know we're going to the Bills game, so you should probably start rooting for them." We had tickets to the opener against Pittsburgh. We got to the stadium around about 2 hours before kickoff which pretty much puts the timestamp of my Bills affection at 1978-09-03 11:00:00. The parking lot was awesome. I had never seen tailgating before so I was sure that if this thing involved 80,000 people having a picnic at the same place, it had to be special. The game is blurred by the years, but I do remember that there were a few Steelers fans around us. They were okay, but there was some good-natured razzing going on. Also, LC Greenwood had yellow shoes. That's one of those things that an 8-year old takes note of. The Bills lost 28-17, but I was hooked. Bobby Chandler was now my favorite player, sorry Alan. 26 years later, we've got an important game coming up against the Steelers. Let's go Buffalo!

"My grandfather was on the first submarine. It didn't have a periscope. It had a kaleidoscope. [Makes gestures as if looking through a view finder] My God, We're surrounded!" "I had to get a new shadow. My last one wasn't doing the same thing I was." "I bought some powdered water, but I don't know what to add." "I once got a job at a factory where they made fire hydrants. You couldn't park anywhere near the place." ... and so on...

The food! How was the food!?!

The girl in #7 is gorgeous. I think she's with that dude because of the size of his... uhhh.... finger.

XXX XXXX

b.harami98, Congrats on your prognostication. I have a book recomendationfor you. -Hops

I'm gonna have to disagree with ya, Norm. Week 3 last year was the loudest I've ever heard that stadium except for the World Series game 4 victory over the Yanks (Cabrera HR in the 11th). It was almost like the Ralph when the Fish visit. Almost.

When I lived in the Town of Tonawanda, I was in a bowling league... PUCK BOWLING!!! You don't even have to put your drink down for that "sport". Good times... good times.

We met Herbstreit in Talahassee for the UF-FSU game in 2000. He was pretty cool with us and talked college football for about 5 minutes. My friend didn't make the trip because he was studying for the CPA. He's a huge Buckeye fan, so we put Kirk on the phone with him and had him tell my buddy what a PU&^Y he was for missing a great road trip. He said, "Why aren't you here? We're up to our hips in hotties!" Cool guy.

Because the sellers are more aggressive than the buyers. It's really just that simple. The rest is just noise.

I'm told it's not a pretty picture. But then again, there isn't anything wrong with Bonas that can't be fixed by what right at Bonas. The place is more than just a basketball team. I'll give Gothard a bit of a pass though. He was in a VERY difficult situation. I'm not sure what I would have done given those circumstances.

Try Football Outsiders. They have lots of stuff. Click on "Just the Stats".

I'm thinking the it's more of the curse of Jan van Breda Kolff. The bastard destroyed the Bonnies and now the Hornets (he was an assistant on Floyd's staff). Hey JvBK :I starred in Brokeback Mountain: !!