Offside Number 76

You're not worried about the over in the Old Browns-New Browns game? That could end 20-6, easily.

I'm tempted to say the same thing. I wonder if Jauron is tempted to listen?

In another thread I said I liked the call. In this one, I'll agree with you on Thomas. McGahee danced a little too long on that play, as if he were looking for six points instead of one yard.

So happy to see these responses on this thread--it WAS the right call.

Carson Palmer's home? EDIT: He's from Fresno which is located right where that coverage "blip" is, so I'm guessing--and I mean guessing--that's the reason.

No, Jones could not have been. Typical "conspiracy theory" reaction, maybe, but there was not a helmet-to-helmet rule then. See here and scroll to 1996 (ironically from a Steeler fansite): Linky So of course it was NOT some Pitt-bias-non-call. Gotta stop being conspiracy theorists, Buffalo, in business and in sport. This is my home, I love it, but I hate the "they're all out to get us" crap. We're good enough to succeed in this city without the copouts.

Unfortunately, for those of us with no broadband alternative but Time Warner, cable's days are not over.

I like your approach (by position and with logic). But will someone tell me how, after several years of suckage, Josh Reed gets yet another chance? Aiken blocks better, and as for actually catching a ball (as opposed to dropping it), I'd rather take my chances with Andre Davis.

That's alright. There hasn't ever been local ownership.

No turnovers? Not true. Willy fumbled and Temple recovered on fourth down in the first half. He didn't have the yardage for a first, so it would have been a turnover anyway. Also--record crowd at 29,000+ at the game? No. (I was there.) Maybe tickets sold/given. But definitely not at the game, with both endzones near empty (one was partially covered) and each upper deck at 75% capacity. 20,000 is an upper estimate. Everything else is right on, especially the goal line stand, which was awesome. It was fun, though, and good to see the alma mater win one. Still, the Bulls well outplayed Temple. Temple was very lucky even to gain OT.

I don't think there's much doubt about basketball after 2005 and the crowds the Bulls drew last year. As for football, I hope the NCAA gives Gill the time he needs. Finally the state hired a real freaking coach for UB.

I've been saying that for years. One of these days, either the NFL will wise up, or its customers will. Not soon. Sabres first (I've always been a bigger hockey fan, though), the rest of the NHL second, the Bills third, and the rest of the NFL, 99th or something. I'd rather watch UB-Auburn than Cowboys-Redskins.

I'm with you. Dallas looks damned good.

I like Aiken a lot, mostly because he's a terrific blocking WR. He must be used correctly to be effective--i.e., on both pass and run plays so the defense doesn't read run as soon as he comes in--but he's very good as a blocking WR. As a pure receiver, sure, he isn't that great. But he's no worse than Josh Reed (who doesn't block as well), either.

Now that I'm watching the Cincy game, I think Reed's days are numbered. Not so much for the interception, but for yet another drop--on the long ball in the first quarter. It's just too many drops over too many seasons with this guy. I'd rather give Davis a shot.

But it's much easier to blame it on a supposed "bush league loser mentality" of "the area" than to take the time either to understand how the broadcasting arrangements work or to understand "the area." Vegas, do Buffalo a favor: if you're here, either work to make the place better or leave. If you're not, stay away.

I don't think the cable provider reaps the ad revenue.

"The name change actually is old news. He had it legally changed without the hyphen in December 2004, as an acknowledgement of his father and grandfather. His father, London Baker, did not live with him growing up but was involved in his life all through his childhood. "My dad wanted to change my name back when I was in elementary school but it's a more difficult process when you're younger," Fletcher said. "My grandfather would always mention it to me in a not-so-subtle way as I got older because I'm the last male in the family who can continue the Baker namesake. So as a surprise to both of them, it was a Christmas present in 2004." This offseason, Fletcher legally changed it again, adding a hyphen connecting the two surnames. While the Bills' roster lists him as "Fletcher-Baker," he's not going to add Baker to the back of his jersey and he will continue to sign autographs using only "Fletcher."" That's from this article.

Sh*t. 17 years old. At least he passed while doing something he cared about, but hell, 17 years old. May God bless him and give comfort to his family.

Let's name a street downtown after him, and then hopefully some calls will go the Bills' way.

This is really too bad. One of the few truly exciting plays left in pro ball--a game which has become less exciting--is now emaciated.

Jauron needn't fear for his job if the Bills go 2-14 this year, and will do the smart thing by testing JP as starter.

I can't believe this still is even discussed. Holcomb will not win more than eight games no matter what year or team he plays for.

Unfortunately, after a fifteen-year decline, the Buffalo News is no better and no worse than most newspapers in this country. Fewer staff reporters mean more wire stories and syndicated features. The US is down to two great newspapers--the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal--and a small collection of good newspapers--the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe and maybe the LA Times. Everything else is fishwrap. Agreed that the D&C Bills coverage is better.

In case it hasn't been stated already (I didn't read through all 30+ posts): At least Comcast didn't get your area (or mine). That would be worse.