SoMAn

I'm not anti-Twitter or any of those platforms. I love access to so much information. But like anything else, moderation seems like the best course. I'm from the pre-internet, pre-cell phone era, and developed social habits without those vices. We had to organize meet ups and schedules remotely, through communication from (gulp) the landline phones that mom, dad, or some other person might answer when it rings (no caller ID of course) OMG! I just have to shake my head when I see a family sitting together at a restaurant, all ignoring each other and staring at their devices. Sad. I'll be back in a few minutes to check on if I got any 'likes'.

I'll bet those Jitterbug people have fulfilling social lives with actual people, face to face, and are able to articulate complete thoughts without expressing them through unintelligible grunts or emojis.

Somehow, I managed to live a reasonably full life for 50 years without following or being followed on Twitter when it first gained popularity. I get that a lot of people enjoy the interaction, but TSW and occasional Facebook is about all the social media I want to indulge in. I don’t want to be one of those people (especially the under 30 crowd) walking around staring at my mobile device all day like a damn zombie. I went to The grocery store yesterday, and from my car to the doors of the market I saw no less than three people walking towards the entrance with their eyes glued to their phone. What are you so afraid you’re missing?! I keep thinking if someone were to transport in time from 50 years ago to now and could see this activity, they’d think we’d all been hypnotized or gone nuts. I’m starting the believe that may be the case. end of morning rant 😉

Fixed (see image)

He’s not wrong about losing to 4 of 6 playoff team. The 2 wins were against Pats and Chiefs- 2 teams they also lost to (including playoff loss). The Bills are being hyped up pretty good, possibly because of their last 2 nationally televised playoff performances. But reality check- they lost 7 games last year. They have several new coaches and players. They DO have a much harder schedule. They’ve got their work cut out for them. There’s no guarantee they make the playoffs let alone super bowl. I think Warren is playing counterpoint to all the hype. We’ll find out who’s right in the next few months.

Not sure specifically which cases you’re referring to, but if there was indisputable proof of substance abuse or betting it may have been easier to make a decision on discipline. in this case, the grand jury didn’t find enough evidence to pursue prosecution. It sounds like more of a case of “he said she said”. I think the NFL was behind the eight ball trying to be fair. It’s more than likely that Watson acted inappropriately and possibly criminally, but without indisputable proof, how could the mediator or Goodell give a more severe punishment? As it is, they’re basically saying all signs point to Watson doing something that puts a stain on their brand. Here’s your slap on the wrist. Don’t do it again. Side note: i’ve yet to understand why Watson is portrayed as one of the greatest quarterbacks of the century, or at least among current starters. I can easily think of AT LEAST 8-10 QBs I’d take over Watson.

When my Buick Regal was on the fritz, Irv Weinstein rebuilt my carburetor. Hand to god. Azar just held the flashlight.

More accurate to say pre-70’s players often had a side hustle. Not so much since the merger, better TV money, and stronger Union/CBA. Back in the day, Some were interns at corporations or media, some got into ownership or partnerships in restaurants, others found regular jobs that were flexible enough to still play football in the fall. Training camp was actually used to get players back in shape. Today, players train year round and usually arrive to camp in football shape. From a fan perspective, game tickets were less than $10. it’s a different world

You picked up on both. Excellent! Especially the reference to the famous dogs playing poker artist from Krakow, Jackson Polack.

It amazes me how political views and personal choices have polluted every facet of our culture. I liked Beasley a lot for his contributions as a football player. Anything else I don't care about. If he wants to hang his toilet paper the wrong way - don't care if he want to tattoo his face with images of the 3 stooges - don't care if he rubs one out to Rosie O'Donnell - don't care if his favorite painter is Jackson Polack - don't care can he get a first down for the Bills when needed - ok, now you have my attention

So he pretty much plays the same role in the middle of the field as the Dutch Windmill obstacle at a putt-putt golf course. And he can run sideline to sideline too (and be second man in a on the tackle well past the first down marker). I'm old school, so I guess I just need to adjust my paradigm of what a middle linebacker is in the Frazier defense and accept that Edmunds is a valuable piece of that squad. I'm trying.

Conspicuously ignored - the many contributions of Cole Beasley. Yeah, I know - that's what they do when a player is not part of the coming season. But from a historical standpoint, anyone looking at this 10, 20 years from now may not even know that he was a big part of the success in 2021. After re-watching some of the late season games, I was reminded what a savvy ballplayer he is - finding seams, rarely dropping a pass, and giving everything he had to get that first down. Can't help but wonder if some of the personnel decisions were affected by a player's anti-vax position. There are at least 3 players I can think of that may fit that mold and are not at St John Fisher this week, including Beasley. I think he's going to be missed unless Crowder can fill that role with equal success.

wrong song

It said you can use the NFL App. I have the NFL app on my TV that comes with the Roku stick. I assume I can watch on the big TV using Roku.

Seems like a decent bang for the buck to me. $6.65/month (less than a coke at the movie theater) for all 22, replays, shortcuts, local radio broadcasts, live preseason, etc... What's that? Hawaiian noises?

Agree. Same as if you or I took a job position away from friends and family. We’d have made a personal choice to advance a career, but would still miss those cherished people who we can’t get together with on a daily basis. I suspect Miller will some time in the future express missing his current colleagues.

I had the idea that Milano was bigger, but you’re right- they’re about the same size.

Something tells me Bernard will have an impact. I know little about him, but all the comments and everything written about him indicates he’s ‘a baller’ who can play bigger than his physical size. It’ll be interesting to see how he’s used in the Bills’ defensive schemes. Could he make a position change to be an eventual replacement for one of our veteran safeties? Could he be an undersized pit bull like a London Fletcher or Sam Mills? He’s one of the newbies I’ll be following closely, hoping he’s the next ‘unicorn’.

Choice # 5: ‘who cares?’

He, along with all his teammates needs a taste or two of actual speed live action before the games start counting. He won’t experience the same intensity in team practice as he will in live action against an unfamiliar opponent with different defensive schemes than the one he’s been facing for the past 7 weeks. There are reasons golfers practice the driving range and putting green before hitting the links. if the concern is injury, well, I suspect the chances are greater coming into the season ‘cold’. For preseason games, he’d probably only see 3-4 quarters total. I believe he can survive that.

Realism? I realize it’s fashionable to knock Sullivan, but there’s nothing in his column I disagree with. There’s a ton of optimism for the coming season. Rightfully so. It’s our right as fans. Hope springs eternal at 0-0. Every season there are surprises and divisional standings that get flip-flopped. With only 17 games, there’s less margin for error/injuries. Anything can happen. The other unpredictable nature of sporting events is part of the reason we watch. If the Bills continue growing and the new pieces (players and coaches) work towards that end, this could finally be our year. Or…a misstep here or there and those lofty expectations will sadly go up in smoke. Sullivan isn’t wrong in playing counterpoint to the Bills’ PR machine and GMF. The only way to find out is by playing the games. Bring it on!

The Fridge - excellent choice. Leading into the draft, Tasker addressed the value of a memorable (or cool) nickname that has the potential to raise a prospects' draft position. It's marketing. In the same era as the Fridge was Bengals RB Icky Woods - another guy whose achievements on the field weren't necessarily commensurate with the attention he received nationally. But...he was on a decent team, had a nickname, and had a dance. Aikman and Bradshaw led teams to multiple NFL championships. Enough said. If you're measuring Namath against current athletic QBs and sheer physical ability, he's average. But, he was a pioneer in a still fledgling AFL. He was brash, fashionable, and colorful. Just what the AFL needed in the changing 60's to compete against the old school NFL. He was a charismatic QB who probably had the sort of leadership qualities that can elevate the level of play of the rest of the squad. Overrated? For me there's someone on the Bills team, but rather than beating that dead horse, I'll leave it alone.

If anyone gets kudos as ‘the drought-breaker’, his name is Sean McDermott. To Tyron’s credit, by all accounts he was a hard worker and good teammate. As the starting QB he had some positive traits, but there were still flaws in his game. His low interception numbers are more attributable to his phobia of throwing into coverage than passing accuracy. His legacy is that of a typical Journeyman quarterback-a guy who could be a serviceable understudy as a temporary substitute for the starter. Someone who is never expected to lead a team to an NFL championship. Someone who rarely gets a second contract with the same team. The big question that haunts me to this day- why would someone’s parents name them after a car part?

Kelly's 4 AFC championshjps against far tougher competition is a greater accomplishment than 2 AFL titles in an 8-team league when they didn't have to play the NFL (NFC). Kemp's 'title" games were maybe the equivalent of a AFC Championships today, though with less competition. Kemp was a very good QB, but not elite. He's not in the HOF for a reason.

On the contrary. It could potentially generate more revenue if there were 18 weeks of meaningful games. Sure, there would be 2 weeks off for any given team, but that's more TV exposure for other teams. TV is where the real money comes from in the NFL. An 18-week season with 2 bye weeks would mean more TV money.