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Im digging the YTTV/ST multiview. Its like having a sports bar in your LR. No waitresses though. But yet another indicator of how ad driven the NFL is...as if people didn't know, alrready. 4 screens, 4 on commercial breaks. Not once, but 4 times and most games have just ended the 1st Q. SF has the weapons...and Prudy is using them to full advantage. He's getting the ball out quickly, he's finding the open guy and he's hitting them in stride. He's completely negating the Steelers pass rush. Ayuk is probably the most underrated WR in the NFL right now.

ON YTTV, I have the BIlls saved as an "add to library" option in the library. It showed up on the main screen for upcoming games. I hadn't realized ST would be starting todaay so it was a nice surprise. If was the first indication of Sunday Ticket showing up on my YTTV. My son and I split the cost of it, we just talked about what needed to be done to make sure both houses have access. It seemed to work fine today.

Well if people are doing the hindsight game, The Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith one pick after the Bills took Elam.

The allegations, if true, present some pretty sticky legal issues. If they obtained a conservatorship, the Touhey's (sp.) are under a legal duty to act in HIS best interest regarding his assets. Those assets would include his name and his story. It is an independent duty created by the legal nature of the conservatorship. If they simply gave away the monetary rights to his name and story...as court appointed conservators, they will have some questions to answer. Thy are not appointed to waste assets of the ward. In fact, a conservatorship is created to prevent wasting of the ward's assets. It gets worse if they personally profited from an asset of his that he never received a cut from.

I loved the 2nd series, when it was 3rd and 1 and then 4th and 1. Ankou stood up Q Nelson on both plays. On the 3rd and 1 play, Poona crushed the left side of the Colts' OL. On the 4th down play, he held his own. I did smile after the 3rd down play, where Boogie took an inside move and blew by rookie Blake Freeland to make the stop. I smiled because I watched him in the Senior Bowl practices and don't remember seeing anyone get beat so consistently to an inside move. The guy is going to have a short career if he doesn't fix that.

And....number 3 water main break occurred this morning, since the road was redone. Maybe 200 yards from where it broke last fall. Surprisingly, the water is still flowing somewhat. And I was going to make sun tea today so I filled my gallon pitcher last night. Coupling that with the drinking water I had in the fridge, I'd be OK even if it had been As far as power going out on one side of the street, that has happened here, and actually happened last week when it went out. As the repair trucks pulled up, I yelled across the street to the neighbors: "You people on that side of the street have no idea what its like for us on this side of the street!" They laughed and reminded me its happened to them in the past. They then made sure we were ok, but as the trucks were showing up at the time, I told them it wouldn't be that much longer. They hadn't known we were without power until the truck pulled up. I live in a good neighborhood with good neighbors.

There was also a run on MLB's in the 3rd round. Drew Sanders, Daiyan Henley, Trenton Simpson (who might not be a true Mike) and Overshown were all taken in the 3rd round before DW. All have some talent, all needed/need some work. Maybe you can argue that they could have taken Sanders in the 2nd...but I'd rather have Torrance. Give me what could be the best interior OL for a team with a shaky OL any day. Maybe you can argue they panicked a bit, watching so many MLBs go off the board. But idk, I like him..the more I watched his games after the draft, after watching some before, I like what he can do. When he learns the system, they can find a way to get him into games.

Just watching him last year...if you had him re-do all of the Combine drills he did, I have the feeling his RAS score would be a great deal lower. I certainly don't see him running a 4.4 shuttle or a sub 7 second 3 cone drill like he did in the draft process. I think his back problems are much more than they are letting on. He looked really stiff last year. It sucks to have those types of problems at such a young age...and especially considering his chosen profession. I can only ope they've resolved somewhat. But its only a hope.

I can understand about the freezing pipes. As hot as it gets here, it can get cold too. It can get as low as -25 in winter. I do have the pipes in the basement wrapped, and put covers on the outdoor faucets..Idk if that does any good. During a deep freeze run I the water on each faucet intermittently or leave it at a trickle. The lady Im seeing....they had to redo their Xmas Eve plans last year. The hostess (her niece) had her pipes freeze the day before..water everywhere I guess. Where I live, water mains are the problem. The city's water grid is about 100 years old, clay pipes, and they break cosntantly in extreme heat or cold. In a three block area on my street, they've broken about 8 times in the past 5 years. I understand the problem. But last year, they had a resurfacing project for my neighborhood. Asphalt and concrete were torn up, down to the base soil. but while they were doing all that..for the life of me, I don't know why they didn't just replace the water main. Within 2 months of finishing the project on my street, we had 2 more breaks. And frankly, the condition of the surface of my street wasn't that bad. But when we have a break and I run to the store for water, I always put a few gallons on some of the neighbors front steps. You do need water for morning coffee and teeth brushing.

Also in the Midwest (KS). Also, my power went out yesterday. My situation was/is different. In our case, a limb fell on a power line and broke the line, as well as a part of the pole. Since I live in a city...I got a text from the power company saying the power was out (yes, I already knew), with an estimated time of repair. A guy from the power company came by within a half hour to assess the damage. He told me he'd have to call a crew. This happened at 4pm. Estimated time for repair was about 2 hours. Problem, it was 105 yesterday at 4, with a heat index of 110. It wasn't getting cooler anytime soon. I could just leave the house for somewhere, anywhere, with AC. That was the advice I gave to my 70 year old neighbor. Problem 2, I have a dog and 2 cats. Going somewhere without them wasn't really an option unless I could take them. Filled their water dishes, added ice cubes and had the house buttoned up. Like in cold, in extreme heat, keeping doors and windows closed is the best you can do, for a while. The house is only insulated so well, attic insulation is ok. but none in the walls. As 6 pm rolled around, no repair trucks around. Ran to the hardware store to find some battery operated fans. ( after thinking to myself , Ill turn on a fan....after making some microwave popcorn, lol). Went through options in my head, in case they wouldn't be working that night. The basement, a few friends that would put up with my pets, etc. The last resort would have been getting a hotel room that took pets for the night. The house did get warmer, but it was still tolerable when they got the power back on at 7:30. I've considered a generator in the past or a solar with a battery back up. Here, the generator would have to be big enough to at least run a window AC unit. you can always run a window AC in one room and keep the door closed. Being in Kansas, I'd do a wind turbine, but houses are too close together and trees are too high. But power outages for me aren't common and the power is usually on pretty quick when it does. Last year, power went out 3 times in one week, due to squirrels. Each time, power was on in an hour or less. The Evergy guy just takes a telescopic pole and flicks the breaker on the pole. That's the B word about heat. In cold, you can always put on extra clothes. If needed, you can install a wood stove or a ventless gas fireplace. In heat, you can only take off so many layers.

Happy to see they are plugging Torrance in with the no. 1 Ol at times. He might not start week one, but he's going to be starting come playoff time. And he will be moving people. Spencer Brown...I only saw one glimpse of him in TC...and call it premature, an overreaction, or whatever, but it made my heart drop. It was on one of the highlight reels and it looked like a fumble drill. He got down to the ground OK, but watching him get up looked like my 61 year old, bad backed self getting up. It really didn't look good..especially for someone who is as good as an athlete as he is. I was actually encouraged to see that Tommy Doyle WAS NOT on the PUP to begin camp. I haven't written him off. Physically, he's got it and its why he was drafted. And it was known that his technique needed work and it was known that he wasn't a day 1 starter. But se had a full rookie year and a small part of last year to work on it. If he's improved on his technique, it lessens my concerns about Spencer Brown.

Excepting the 13 second game, the Bills playoff losses had a big common factor (besides the D not always showing up)...it was protecting Josh. Against the Texans, he was sacked 3 times and hit at least 10 times. Against the Chiefs in 2020, he was sacked 4 times and hit 10 times. Against the Bengals, he was only sacked once, but hit 9 times...and pressured all day long. It isn't a coincidence that in 2021, when the Oline was protecting better, he was hit 3 times in 2 playoff games...and they averaged over 40 points in the playoffs. This isn't unique to the Bills. In 2020, the Chiefs Oline, older and battered, was exposed by the Bucs in the SB. Mahomes was sacked 3 times and hit 9 times. In 2022, with a rebuilt Oline, the Chiefs didn't allow a single sack from one of the best defenses in recent history, a D that had 70 sacks for the season. It never ceases to amaze me that people insist on using the most valuable draft and FA'cy on having people who can get to the QB...but at the same time, believe that you can get anyone to keep the other team's pass rushers off your QB.

Terry Bledsoe suffered a heart attack in Feb of 1985. Polian took over draft duties that year, and was named officially as GM later in the year when Bledsoe couldn't return. Some of us old timers remember this. He had his problems in the draft. First, Ralph wanted to use the no. 1 pick on Doug Flutie. They had to talk him into Bruce Smith. Secondly, the USFL was still around and Bruce threatened to go there if they didn't offer him a decent contract. Considering they had 2 first round picks refuse to sign with Buffalo in recent years (Cousineau and Kelly), that would have been devastating for the franchise.

Let the pretty lady put a smile on your face

The Texans are probably taking Hopkins back.

A quick mention...for those in Buffalo who are fans of the old Buffalo Central Terminal. 20 years ago, Union Station in KC was in about the shape that the BCT is in now. They spent a chunk to renovate it and brought in some modern tenants. Its a show piece of the city now.

I live an hour from KC and my oldest asked if I wanted to drive to attend the draft. Nah. With my luck, I'm the guy on national TV, who is caught screaming WTF when they draft a DT at 27.

I don't think its a coincidence that a few weeks after the movie came out, Russ traded for Sammy Watkins. after the trade, Russ said something like "we wanted to make a bold move". Eerily similar to "make a splash".

The movie didn't put enough pressure on Costner in the movie: -he's drafting for Cleveland; -the night before the draft, his secret girlfriend/employee announces she's pregnant, so the late 50 something GM learns he's going to be a father for the first time; -his father, a legendary football coach whom he fired, dies a week before the draft; -the owner, a former vampire, implies he'll be fired unless he "makes a splash", basically telling him to take a QB that he doesn't want; -on the most important day of his career, he's given a 1st day intern who is put at a desk right outside his office; -his head coach, who he never wanted to hire, is contacting teams behind his back to set up a trade; -a few hours before the draft, his mother and ex-wife show up with his recently deceased father's ashes, demanding a memorial service on the spot; -he has to endure a conference call with Russ Brandon.

It does seem to do that. But when I use it..I tighten the bolt and test the adjusting screw to the chain before each use..It cuts down on it loosening. Its not built like a $300 or $400 chainsaw, but Im not a lumberjack or cutting down forests. Like I said, most of the limbs I have to cut are 4 to 6 inches. But I've had to cut some that were as much as 18 inches thick and i was surprised how well it did. And...Harbor Freight doesn't get enough credit for this. On the first one I had...I think the chain gear went bad. I took it into Harbor Freight. The cashier punched up my phone number and said I had 2 months left on my service agreement. She said, "leave this one here..and go grab another.." and told me the aisle number. When I got back, she asked if I wanted the service agreement for $2.00 or so. She said the 2 year period would begin on that day. No receipt, and an extra 2 years for $2.00. I can handle that.

Final...(probably not, I've become addicted to the PFN sim.) Traded 27 for 35, picked up no. 79 in the process: 35. Jack Campbell. LB Iowa. OK McD. You lost one guy on defense, and you got his replacement with your top pick. You've taken over the D play calling duties. In fact, you'll be getting Hyde back, a healthy Poyer and eventually Von Miller. Its up to you to make it work, especially in the playoffs. 59. Steve Avila G. TCU. Wasn't expecting him to be there, but there were other options at G and OT. Badass pass blocker, can be a great run blocker with some work. IOL just got better. If he wasn't there, I'd have taken Joe Tippman. An if neither were there, I'd be looking at Ricky Stromberg or Zavala from NC State a round lower. 79. Matt Bergeron OT 'Cuse. Id still take either Wright or Anton Harrison, but Ill settle for him. I liked him during the Senior Bowl practices, he held up pretty well, esp. in comparison with any of the other OTs there. There is a big drop off after him. It was time to take him. 91. Jonathan Mingo WR Ole Miss. "Look darlin, its Johnny Mingo, deadliest Wide Receiver since Randy Moss, they say. Should I hate him?" It was a tough choice between him and Tank Dell, because I like Dell, despite his size. With any of the small WR's you are going to take your chances that they get swallowed up in press coverage. Personally, I think Dell has as much of a chance of beating press coverage as any. But I like Mingo's size/speed/athleticism combination. Shakir gets to man the slot...he's itching for the opportunity. OR you can put either Davis or Mingo in the slot as a big slot guy. And frankly, if he was in this draft, he would have been taken 3 rounds earlier. 130. Riley Moss CB Iowa. Campbell's teammate finds a home in Buffalo. To be groomed as a replacment for Hyde and/or Poyer. 137. Yaya Diaby DE Louisville. He's there physically and mostly mentally, he needs some coaching on pass rush skills. a 4.5 40 and the 2nd fastest 10 yard split among De's at the combine. While learning the finer points of pass rushing, , he's a situational pass rusher. Set him outside in a Wide 9 or a little close on a stunt. He's got a great jump to the inside.

Whatever works for ya. I've got about 1/3 of an acre, a long narrow lot. In one shot, it can take between 40 minutes to an hour. You're right about the battery. The mistake I made was that it came with a smaller battery capacity. And a replacement battery (or an extra) is about the cost of the mower itself. So the battery lasts a half hour. Recharge time is about 2 hrs. But for me, it has its good side. Inching past my 60th year, any exercise is welcome. And since the battery run time is so limited...I pick up my walking pace to see how much I can get done in one shot. Either do it in the morning, then the evening and finish the next day. So I get 2 brisk walking sessions of a half hour or so. its lightweight, light enough to hang on a wall, but powerful enough to mulch. And I love the one lever height adjustment. And as I said, starting it is a stress reliever. With my luck and small engines...I've gone electric. Electric mower, electric trimmer, electric blower, even a small electric chain saw from Harbor Freight, which is perfect for the falling limbs in my yard, I get a ton of them. Literally. As I said, whatever works for people.

Or go electric/battery. Sunday, I had my front to do, as well as seed a few bare spots. My neighbor and I pulled our mowers out at the same time. I had my front done, grass seed down and raked in and was halfway through watering before he had his started. I spent a life time wondering if my gas mower would start, did I leave gas in the tank too long? does the carb need cleaning? etc. I like now like the idea of pushing a button and it goes.

Actually 2 came from the same team in the same year. Sedrick Ellis and Keith Rivers, 2008. Ellis didn't have a great 40 time, but he had a great senior year and was basically unblockable at the Senior Bowl. RIvers could fly and I thought he was going to be a Derrick Brooks. But then, 2008 was the year of the Top 10 defensive bust. Glenn Dorsey Vernon Gholston (sp.) Ellis Derrick Harvey Rivers Were all taken at spots 5-9 of that draft. But it was Ellis and Rivers that I thought would shine.

The Dancing Bear = Ron McDole. (DIdn't see anyone answer that one.)