SinceThe70s

My draft fatigue is at an all-time high. I'm getting to the point that I could care less who the Bills pick, just get it over with already and I'll deal. Is there really any valid reason the NFL doesn't schedule the draft earlier except for the hype machine?

If you'e traveling on I-95 through Connecticut you have to pass through Mianus.

What makes you so sure that "a few" teams will tank in 2018? Do you assume this is a yearly/common occurrence? If so, which teams tanked in 2017? If not, why is 2018 different?

Or Howard. One of the funniest thing ever posted was the Bills scout blasting the front office:

Reyes had a nice night WRT the bullpen, here's where I play both sides of the fence. I didn't like bringing in Famiglia for a 4 out save. He just hasn't done it that much. He's used to coming in to a clean 9th. At the same time, I grew up in an era where "closers" were expected to come in to high stress situations, put out the fire and finish the game. Which seems more in line with Calloway's plan. Overall I agree with you guys, bullpen management is a big concern. Not sure where I stand yet. Should Famiglia adapt or be coddled? And what's better for the arms? Always end on a high note: Little League team is 3-0. There's a kid on the team that is a HUGE Mets fan. He is pint size. Ripped a bases loaded line drive to get us rolling mid-game and me (coaching first) and him did the pepper shaker thing. He's a gamer. Good times.

Psssst. His source is Benjamin Moore. Mums the word.

I think what's odd about this year is how many pre-draft trades involving first rounders have already been made. That's not the norm, is it? I still expect a few more on Thursday.

Not true...and I only know this because I was checking it out last week. 9 over is 85-76. Still a good point. Average baseball the rest of the way keeps us in the mix.

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Ha! A good friend of mine went to see them with his niece (20+ years younger) a few years ago and knowing nothing about the band I mocked him. He's a Cowboys fan. Presumably you're a Bills fan. I'll give it a listen. EDIT: Listened to it. Not what I expected. Very 80's MTV. And that's not a bad thing. But not me now.

This ones for the hard rockers. I suspect Beavis and Butthead would approve.

Sooooo....they were wrong to pass on the Saints draft but right to take Couch? I get it, two different things WRT Couch/McNabb, but stlll the Browns got it wrong then and I hope whatever they do this year benefits the Bills. Browns, Bills and Pats each have two first rounders. I wonder if that's ever happened before draft day.

Pretty sure I saw a quote from Calloway on the broadcast crawl tonight to the effect "We're here to help players get better. As long as they're willing to be helped". Anyone see that? I was half watching and did a double take. If I got the quote and context right that's damning. And it's a +1 on the Calloway ledger. EDIT: they just mentioned this on the broadcast. Calloway said he's had success sending pitchers to the bullpen and bringing them back as starters....but the player has to be willing. Message sent. Love that Calloway did it publicly.

Full disclosure. I had to let google refresh my memory on the details after your post. Ditka traded his draft for the 5th pick and the 4th pick was Edgerrin James. WTF? Memory fades and I just had it in my mind that they traded their entire draft for #1. And then after passing on all the picks, the Browns took Couch over Donovan McNabb. Let's hope the Browns do Brownian things again this year and it benefits the Bills...however it all goes down!

I feel shame that I didn't get R.A. As a Mets fan It's unusual to be on the good side of a lop-sided trade. Nolan Ryan, Amos Otis,... Getting back to OP, this has been a great debate since I was a kid. I did a quick google to see if I could find the criteria for the award (beyond it's name!) and found the following: “There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier. “The rules of the voting remain the same as they were written on the first ballot in 1931: (1) actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense; (2) number of games played; (3) general character, disposition, loyalty and effort; (4) former winners are eligible; and (5) members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team.” (http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/08/29/here-are-the-mvp-voting-criteria/) If I remember correctly, Andre Dawson won on a last place team because his numbers were so much better than anyone else. Still tough to consider that "most valuable". But I wouldn't rule out based on winning/losing solely. Astros would not have made it to the WS without Altuve. But the same could be said of Verlander. Astros might not take it past the Yankees without him. If Altuve has the same exact year on a lesser team is he any less valuable? It's a team game. Pitchers typically get short-changed too. Probably because they have their own award. I always thought Mariano should've won one. And has anyone ever won the award with consideration given towards defense? More often than not it's a power hitters award. The great thing about the award is that it's completely subjective. Makes for great debate. In the end it doesn't really matter to me who wins, except it gives me something to talk about in between games and seasons.

I think there was Andre Dawson,. no clue on 1 and 2.

When he first hit the scene he had both the talent and the swagger and showed the potential for greatness. Now he has neither. Does anyone remember when Mets fans big fear was him signing with the Yankees when he hit free agency? I don't know what the roster implications are, but when Vargas is ready he should be sent to the minors. I don't think he'll ever resurrect his career with the Mets, best bet for him is a fresh start with a new team. Unfortunately his value is probably so slow it doesn't pay for the Mets to cut ties.

I checked and I think we're the only team that doesn't have a game on Thursday. Not that I care that we aren't playing on Thursday but eff u Fox anyway.

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought every team played a Thursday night game in past years. Seemed like they were usually division games too.

Here's a name I haven't heard in awhile: Jordanny Valdespin. The Long Island Ducks are a local Independent League team that attracts former Major Leaguers every year and apparently this year they have quite a few including Jordanny: https://www.newsday.com/sports/local/ducks/ducks-roster-loaded-with-ex-major-leaguers-1.18158260 Also, Bud Harrelson been involved with the Ducks from the start. Pretty sure he was manager the first few years, now he's a part owner., not sure if that goes all the way back.

Bugs Bunny

IMO, Lagares should get spot starts in center against lefties (not a platoon). in which case Conforto slides to RF or gets a day off. I don't have e strict number of games in mind, but slumps notwithstanding Conforto and Rosario should get the vast majority of playing time over the course of the year. I really like Lagares but injuries and lack of development at the plate have put hm where he is. I actually think Reyes should be given a start against the Braves...although it could be at 2B. SS for 3B. As long as he's on the roster we need to get him going and that ain't happening from the bench. We shouldn't be scared to sit a starter once in a while, it's actually a good thing over the long haul. Now if you want to move on from Reyes that's a different story, but it better be an upgrade and a guy that won't get a lot of playing time.

Crisis averted. Still concerns about how Calloway handles the bullpen, pitchers/catchers getting run on at will and I'd like to see the corner outfielders start hitting HR's but I certainly didn't expect a 13-4 start. First extended road trip on tap, hopefully they won't need the head socks again until playoff time. And on a personal note, my son was pumped to get back on the field tonight. 9-4 win, team is off to a 2-0 start and he had a solid game.

I was going to go with "a ladder" but I think this sums it up better. I don't see it as a pure statistical achievement. He needs to be defined as a great Bill not just a great player who played for the Bills. As Augie said, leading us to a SB would go a long way. As others have said, it's going to be tough because he lacks longevity as a Bill.