Whites Bay

As I sit here 12 miles (as the crow flies) from the border? That's easy. Cesar. THAT'S Canadian. "Cast your fate to the wind" - George Benson

We have a fruiting Stanley plum at the lake, and have a Santa Rosa and Shiro "on the way". My wife makes the BEST plum cake. It's like a strudel. Man, we're tap dancing for a week after harvest season.

This brought back memories of the Chiefs/Bills playoff game in January 1994. (Yes, I was there). Smith, Hansen and Wright all meeting for beers in the backfield with Joe Montana. To quote the New York Times: "The three of us hit him," said Smith, the All-Pro defensive end. "I think when he came down, his head hit the carpet and he went, 'Uhhh,' and we knew something was wrong with him then. I was trying to ask him if he was all right, but he couldn't comprehend what I was saying." My point? It happened once. It could happen again.

Make sure you check in for your flight a day ahead of time. Any time saving is going to help. But I wouldn't cut it that close. The Dulles option listed above might be a better idea. I've had WAY too many close calls. It's just not worth the ulcers and grinding teeth.

We need a new stadium with a retractable roof in the middle of downtown and all will be perfect.

The Bills beat the Pats* twice, but beat them by a higher margin at Foxboro than they do at The Peg.

I've been worried about running out of fresh water. Now I'm beginning to think we're going to collapse the earth's crust.

Ralph Is Cheap. I'm sorry. I had to go there before anyone else did.

I have been blessed such that I've been able to visit the Omaha Memorial twice in my career. I try to stay in shape; I work out regularly, but I was winded walking to the top of the hill from the beach on what is now an asphalt-covered pathway. It's f-ing steep. I can't imagine the hell that would have ensued while trying to yomp a 50-pound pack up THAT slope with VERY determined people trying to kill me. I'm not a right-wing flag-draped idiot. But I have to tell you something. Anyone who stands before the field of crosses and Stars of David and is not moved to tears has no business being part of this country. All those dreams washed away. It's unbelievable. And I guess if anyone's interested (which I doubt), drop me a PM and I'll send you a couple of pictures from my last trip there. A beautiful. haunting place.

This is correct, and this is exactly what I expect them to do. All we've been hearing is "Ground and Pound" since Ryan took the podium in January. Expect a series of 7- to 9-minute drives. So...what's it going to come down to? We'd all better hope that Roman has the O-line in FANTASTIC shape. It's going to be hot and sunny, and the O-line is going to be expected to beat Indy's D-line into submission. Long, horrible, pounding drives stretching into the fourth quarter in the blazing sun. 21-10, or 21-17 Bills if the O-line is in shape. If not...we're all REALLY pissed off on Monday.

I SO want to Google that and see if it's real, but I'm at work and I'll get a call from IT.

Following NFL.com. Still shows it's Chiefs pick. "Lies" - J.J. Cale

Idiot. If you consider that he was thinking with his "Richard"...it ought to tell you something about size.

THIS is a significant comment. BeerSphere, I hope I'm still around to remember this note when it comes time for the Bills to re-sign a "Kelly". If you think you've heard whining and screaming on this board to date....

I understand the vitriol directed at Marrone by this board, and it IS mildly amusing that either he, or his agent, shanked this decision. But trust me, he's the one laughing. He's sitting on the VAST majority of last year's $4 million (let's say he still has $3 million in the bank), plus next year's $4 million, or $7 million in the Bank of Doug. Think about it. If he's able to simply pull 6% out of the market, he's going to be collecting $420,000 annually for the rest of his life without ever touching the principal. When he dies, his kids become millionaires. He's changed the destiny of his bloodline for generations; very likely forever. Not a bad gig for a mediocre journeyman low draft-pick offensive lineman.

I know they're all grown men, and tough and physical and professionals. I'm quite certain Hoyer has spent most of his adult football life training himself to show no fear as the pocket collapses. But I have to believe that sometime in the next 72 hours, he's going to have that private moment where he reflects - probably while watching tape of Monday Night Football - and says "Jesus. I have a real problem here. I'm going to get killed."

I saw your note, and laughed so hard that I had to search for the film clip. It was perfect. WHAM!!! FACE PLANT!!!

Goodness gracious. THAT puts things in perspective. Let's hope it's the treatable variety.

Marcia. Yeah, I went there.

That wouldn't surprise me one bit. The Bills D-Line was stupefying against Kansas City. The Chiefs went backward for three downs on their first series. I don't know if professional athletes get scared before the Big Game, but this could be Eason-esque or Everett-esque. Just watched Jaws' "Key Match Up" on PTI, and he's calling it Watkins-Grimes. No way. It's the Bills' D-Line against the Dolphins' O-Line. The Bills will murdelize 'em.

THIS thread has morphed! But since I've already commented on hot dogs, I'm allowed to chime in on steaks. Dean, the last time I had a TRULY memorable steak was in Pisa (yes, THAT Pisa) about 22 years ago. And MAN. That was for-the-ages. I can't tell you what was different - and, no, it wasn't the ambiance. But it was not something from Texas, or Kansas City.

Zweigle's white hots with grilled onions and horseradish mustard. Nothing else need be said.

Zweigle's white hots. Period. It's a Rochester thing. Don't even bring Hoffman's up here.

And there goes Vick. America's Dumpster Fire continues.

I'm another who has joined this thread late, and I was spurred to do so by Sullivan's column in TBN this morning. One quote stood out in my mind: "The stakes will be the same as when Marrone benched Manuel: A team with playoff aspirations and a top defense can’t afford to wait for a young quarterback to develop. When you have players like Kyle and Mario Williams at the top of their games, you go for it.". That crystallized it for me. The Bills DO have a top defense. Weirdly enough, it's going to be even better next year with Kiko's return. Let's take advantage of it. Sign Orton up for three years and really groom a replacement QB for once, rather than looking for the next bolt from the blue at that position.