scribo

Mr. Whitner.

I coach my 9-year-old son's football team. Since the first day of practice in pads, my entire coaching staff has stressed staying away from the collar, neck and helmet when tackling. It is true that horse-collar tackling is among the most efficient ways to bring a runner down, but the dangers are too severe to allow anyone to use the technique. Well, this past Saturday, our opponent used it throughout the game. On a number of occasions, at least nine times by my count, our ball carriers were brought down by horse-collar tackles. Each and every running back on my roster left the game injured from this type of tackle at least once during the game. We have not had any problem like this in our previous games or scrimmages. I spoke with the officials after the first occurrence of this type of tackle Saturday. I was told that this type of tackle is legal in our league; although, one official noted he feels it should be illegal. I am shocked that this type of tackle is not yet banned everywhere. The NFL outlawed it during the 2005 offseason and the NCAA did the same before this season began. But I have just been informed that the NFHS rules don't address it, so it is legal still. I am shocked and pissed. So my question to you guys, and I know I will get varying responses, do I have a right to be pissed or am I overreacting. I mean, I know there has been a whole lot of injury-free football played without that type of tackle being banned, but I think certainly is new and increased culpability for the county now that the dangers are so apparent and well publicized; especially, when it has been brought to the league's attention that a team used this technique numerous times in one game. What do you guys/gals think?

So Tom Cable is the new head coach. Mercury News Columnist Tim Kawakami reports...

Chris Brown blogs... He is on the stationary bike. But McGee and Parrish not at OBD.

Don't forget the Giants were down to the wire with the Bungles, now ranked in the 30s in most polls.

Here it is right from Boldin. Well, through Micheal Irvin, but here it is: The Arizona Republic reports... "When I talked to Anquan, I said, 'So what it is, man? How do you feel? Is it a concussion?' " Irvin said. "He said, 'Yeah. And I've got a fracture (sinus membrane). The doctors told me to take a week off, and then I'm going to come back and give them the dirt. I'm going to give it right back to them.' So, no Boldin this week, it seems. Good news since we're sans McGee.

The very interesting this here is that if this question was posed five weeks ago, just about everyone would have quikcly said they have no way to know if Edwards is going to last past this season. Now, just about everyone is sold on him, he is a canididate for league MVP and has what it takes to lead us to the promise land. I am not complaining, as I have been won over myself, but it is interesting. I think we have a very high quality "Big Three" now that, if healthy, will be take this team a long way. The most exciting aspect is that they are all so young. It is very reminiscent of when Thurmal was a rookie and Jimbo and Andre were connecting. We knew then something special was forming.

I would have to bet on the covering his ass part, as I don't believe he actually watched the Bills' game this week, so he didn't just get convinced.

On the flipside, the same site has a computer generated rankings and it is up-to-date, with us at #3!!!! Fox Sports' WhatIfSports Rankings...

Correct. He picked the Rams over us last week.

That site is an odd one. Here's how it works. The records are real time and updated automatically, so you are seeing current win loss record, but those are last week's rankings. Those power rankings are updated by Wed. or Thurs. each week. It is still too low for last week, though.

Chris Brown reported today the roof will be closed due to excessive sunshine rather than the heat. Yes, too much sun. This is a good thing, for sure.

With the first quarter of the 2008 NFL season in the books, SI's Peter King says.... Trent Edward is the league MVP. He also rates the Bills #5, overall, this week. MMQB reports... I was called a homer by a fellow Bills fan last week when I asked about this potential during a Tim Graham SportsNation chat. I fear we're bound to see Trent on the cover of SI before too long.

Don't you feel like you're stealing when you don't give your source credit? Also, maybe then you could blame your source for still listing Mr. Everett and Parrish while forgetting Lee Evans.

According to KFFL: Buffalo Bills Pos Player Name FA Status Previous Team Current Team QB Gibran Hamdan UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent QB J.P. Losman UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent RB Fred Jackson RFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent WR Justin Jenkins RFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent OG Kirk Chambers UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent C Melvin Fowler UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent OL Duke Preston UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent DL Copeland Bryan RFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent DL Ryan Neill ERFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent LB Angelo Crowell UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent LB John DiGiorgio RFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent LB Keith Ellison RFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent LB Kevin Harrison RFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent CB Jabari Greer UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent FS George Wilson UFA Buffalo Bills Free Agent I am not sure about the accuracy here as Lee Evans isn't listed.

Until tonight.

Greer was pretty much in the right place at the right time, but it was huge for the Bills as it shifted the momentum for good. Only one other play was by a team that won yesterday.

Not to mention, the Rams have been giving up about 30 points a week.

I hear it, too. He said we need to "slow down" the talk about the Bills. He basically said the best team we beat was the Raiders and then said he and Mike Golic could beat the Raiders. He also pointed out we are the only team yet to play a divsion opponent. He said the Bills can either build a big lead in the coming weeks of fall back into the pack. He said the Bills will fall back into the pack. He aslo said the Titans are much better than he Bills. I was irritated as Carter was saying this and neither Mike was disagreeing, but really, I am happy that there are still serious doubters out there. I want them doubting right up until the goalposts are coming down.

Especially if they cut him before Sunday.

McCain clearly "won" tonight, IMHO. It seems that's the overwhelming opinion of the talking heads, too.

Hmm. Brammer was never in the military and I doubt he likes the White Stripes.

Ha ha. Thanks. I was Joe in Crofton, MD, and Ready for the Pats* (WNY), too.

I remember it well. "Primetime" high-stepped it the final 15 yards or so with one hand behind his head looking right up the crowd. He was so proud of himself. He didn't care at all that his team was getting trounced. He has always been a jerk and he always will be.

I follow hockey and I know about his rep in Boston. That has nothing to do with this. You're saying you might rather have the Bills leave Buffalo than have Jacobs own the team. Well, I would rather lose a couple fingers than have the Bills leave Buffalo. So I cannot imagine how the team being bought by a guy who has proven he is dedicated to WNY could be worse than losing the team all together, no matter how terrible you think the guy is.