Whites Bay

Okay. This post wasn't supposed to go to PPP, but I'm not going to let this one drop. If the mods want to move this one, I'm fine with that. I'll be done here after this, in any case. 1) Dropping the "l". No, dropping the "l" would have meant that I was referring to "allot", which is to distribute, or to set aside. I'm guessing you didn't mean that, but instead meant "a lot". Two words. "A lot". Work on the space key. It's a big bar in the middle of the keyboard. 2) I didn't go to an Ivy League school. I went to a middle of the road private college, borrowed the money, and paid it all back over 19 years. I borrowed it because my parents - Goldwater Republicans - didn't have two cents to rub together. I don't feel any insecurity that I didn't go to an Ivy League school. Why do you? Some of my best friends from a long time ago are from Ivy League schools, and they washed out in the Game of Life. Big deal. I didn't. Sounds like you're trying the best you can as well. 3) I don't care that you served in the military. Your choice, not mine. Don't rub in in MY face, and, in fact, don't rub it in ANYONE'S face. It doesn't make you any more American, or any more patriotic. Just drop that action, bub. No currency here. 4) Good job on the degree in business. Good job on a degree in anything. I have several in science and in business. Do we compare GPAs now, or just thump our chests? 5) Insolent punk? I'm older than you, by a long stretch. Watch your mouth. I might be your next boss. For a short while. The game is lopsided, and all I can think about while watching this is that I pray that the Bills show more coherence on offense than does Washington. All I've read about the Giants had led me to indicate that their defense would #$*@ the bed this year, but it doesn't look to be that way. Or maybe the Redskins really are that bad. So how did they beat the Bills in preseason?

Wait a minute. If everyone hates the guy so much, why the suicide watch now that he's being shopped? If, of course, there's any truth to the rumor? And if he's being shopped, do you really think he'll be out the door in 64 hours? (J.P. Losman, drafted in the same round as McCargo, was shopped virtually all off-season with no takers). Assuming he's traded for another DT (a safe assumption), is it really going to affect the Sunday game if he really sucks that bad? Or is all this rationality just getting in the way of a good-ol'-fashioned-group-wrist-slitting? Carry on. We need the bandwidth.

And your spelling is "alot" like my beagle's. Can't be voting for Obama, that's for certain. You'd have had to have made it past fifth grade English. In fairness, I wouldn't get too exercised about it. The Redskins are biting the big green weenie, and this game is going to be in the books by about 9:30 P.M. Plenty early enough for Grandpa to give us a bedtime story.

Heckuva thing to say about your next President.

That could be VERY interesting news. In my days of following the Los Angeles Rams (going back to Roman Gabriel), I had to wait a long, long time for Joe Montana to finally come to earth. As the saying goes...."Time heals all wounds", and my wound has been two very good quarterbacks. Time took care of Montana, and maybe - just M-A-Y-B-E - it's starting to nip at Marcia's heels. Literally. Osteofissures in the foot can be a really tough issue. My mother didn't even know that she had a hairline fracture in her foot for about a year. It just caused her immeasurable pain. By the time it was properly diagnosed, the bone had healed out of position, and the foot had to be rebroken and reset (editorial note - sometimes I think my Mom is tougher than I am. That's a procedure I wouldn't want to endure, and it the pain must have been unbearable to subject herself to that course of action). Most of you have recently read the Buffalo News article about Ryan Denney, and his long road back from foot surgery. Doesn't it sound like a song sung in the tune of John McCargo and HIS foot surgery? Think "lots of little bones", and "really tough to set them back into place" and "the principal load-bearing member of the entire friggin' body". And Tommy Boy is going to try to tough it out, eh? Here's the deal.....IT DOESN'T HEAL UP PROPERLY UNLESS YOU PLANT YOUR @$$ ON THE RECLINER FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS. You don't have to look much farther than Denney, or McCargo, or even Stroud (ankle) to figure THAT out. I love it, Marcia. You're a hero, and an inspiration to us all. Get out there and show us you're Superman. We'll put a brass plaque with your name on it on our injury cart.

I just got that. No. No. No. Nothing in the NFL could be as funny as that. Please God. Please. A Fudge Packer. Jesus, you can't pay for entertainment like that.

Oh, I'm envious as hell, and hope one day to meet all of you. Okay, not ALL of you, but enough, anyway. I'll be here in the North Country, Molson Canadian in hand, my stomach in a KNOT. I'll be thinking of my mates at TBD, and if you listen closely, you'll hear a-howlin' from the Eastern basin of Lake Ontario.

I've screwed up on so many calls vis-a-vis players. I'm so glad to say I never screwed up on The Sheik. Good for the kid. Question, however - all the media reports I've read have said that he's had "2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and A sack in preseason". I'm picking nits, but didn't he have a sack in the Pittsburgh game AND in the Detroit game? That's a straw-man question...I'm telling you - he DID have a sack in both games. As I said after the Pittsburgh game...."That's a big kid". I like what he can do on the blind-side CB blitz. Watch for it a couple times this year, and watch it to be successful. Maybe even 3 times.

Looks like the boy took a wrong turn on his way out of Zion.

"I agree with this. I think part of that was a mind game that Belicheat successfully (almost Ha Ha) played on the whole league. The Pats were an incredibly talented team the scared people to death. By running up scores I think they created a myth that they couldn't be beat. The Bills were guilty of believing this. Last years Bills team was also an anomaly. With all of the injuries that we had there were time when I didn't think they were a legitimate NFL team and our offensive play calling was a joke. This especially true during the first game against the Pats when Wil!@#$ took out JP. I think we have better personnel and Turk appears to be a real OC. The Giants exposed the myth that the Pat couldn't be beat and I have seen the affect of that during the three preseason games that I watched." Let me further this point. There's no way in hell the Bills were going to beat the Pats* last year. No chance. Having Fairchild as the OC, however, guaranteed that the losses would be God-awful. Mark my words - the change in offensive coordinator this year may well turn out to be the single most important upgrade that the Bills make in 2008. More important than McLovin', more important than Hardy, more important than Stroud. "I don't agree with this simplistic statement but judging by the player performance that I saw things don't look good. The Pats o-line was beat on a regular basis." Herein is the nugget of the post. Preseason success or failure IS a bit of a chimera. Position/Skill players can come out of the woodwork with outstanding individual contributions (witness Action Jackson and Jabari Greer) and make the team, and everyone gets into a collective buzz. Individual performances in camp mean a LOT less than the strength of the lines. The lines - particularly the OL - are the key, the foundation. If these are struggling, it takes a cooperative effort on the part of 5 people to make it right. The key to that Pats* offense for years has been the protection afforded Marcia, and this protection lies in their blocking schemes and execution. I'm no particle physicist, but I believe it was the Giants' diagnosing of the Pats* schemes that brought the house down - and not necessarily outstanding individual performances by the Giants' defense. And you've had 31 teams studying that Super Bowl tape for about 7 months now. If the Pats* OL is struggling in the preseason, frankly I think it weighs a lot more into the overall chances for their success than Marcia's foot being in a boot.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. The Jets at 9-7? I have to watch myself, as this is one of those posts on which I could just go "off", and Lori's going to beat me into a sniveling pulp. I may not have a lot of pride, but I have just enough to avoid self-immolation. Ah, what's the use? Who in God's Green Acre gives a rat's hairy @$$ about that which a bunch of overpaid prognosticators on the Mickey Mouse Sports Network think or say? The ONLY reasons this collective hemorrhoid of humanity feel that the Jets are even SNIFFING a winning season are: 1) It's NYC. Big Market. Gotta get the knee pads for THAT action. 2) It's Favre. Big Name. Gotta get the knee pads for THAT action. 3) It's Mangini. A Belicheck derivative. Gotta get the knee pads for THAT action. I'll shut up and get off the board. I'm going to refer back to a very good post engendered by Tim Graham ("I'd Like Your Opinion"). That was quite something. I tip my hat to my mates on the Wall for a collective cerebral response. Nice to know it can arise when duty calls. Even so much as deigning to comment on the Jets being 9-7 strains credulity in light of a great post like that. Tell me you're better than that. Help me out here.

I was thinking he was rather like gastric reflux. There for a moment, painful, monotonous, and then gone. Preferably for a long time.

Hello Tim, I check the D&C every day, and look forward to coverage by Maiorana and Roth. Bob Matthews, not so much. I was surprised to see zero coverage of a very solid-looking offensive performance at Indy the other night. Understand that the reason I visit TBD (and occasionally post) is BECAUSE of the compendium of Bills information herein. I don't have the time or patience to listen to/watch/read about every snippet of information from a multitude of sources. Although much of the information presented on TSW is...well....inane, this is usually the best place to get the latest breaking news, because many people here DO watch national media outlets, and post instantaneously. Let me make a gratuitous statement - Lori Chase's gameday summaries are about the best thing going. Chuck Pollock is also well worth reading, and Scott Pitoniak's articles in the D&C are a must-read. I guess I don't take the time to tune into the national outlets because - God almighty - places like ESPN and the like are virtually unwatchable any more. I'm proud to say that I don't even know where ESPN resides on my cable channel array. As for the cutbacks in the local papers, this is sadly inevitable. The only reason my brother and I occasionally purchase the local paper (The Watertown Daily Times) is so that we can use the newsprint in the charcoal chimney to start the barbecue. That's not being said to be funny, it's reality. And it's a reality to which the Toronto Sun, The Toronto Star, and the National Post are not immune. You certainly know better than I do that the local papers are pulling people from other beats to cover the NFL north of the border. Fair enough. I think you'll see a high-water effect at the beginning of coverage, followed by a steady ebbing of interest. Toronto is a big, beautiful, self-absorbed city with hockey, followed by hockey, complimented by hockey, basketball, baseball, and a couple of other things to do besides sports. My gut call - and it's only a hunch, nothing more - is that the NFL is going to find it a MUCH harder slog to get the faithful to buy into the product north of the border. The league does appear to be a juggernaut at times, and it seems that they can put $%*#-in-a-box and make it sell, but keep in mind that they have failed on occasion, and have failed significantly. Witness two failed attempts at placing a team in Los Angeles, and witness the NFL Europe. The NFL Channel's ongoing struggle with Time Warner leaves THAT venture in the "jury's still out" phase. Thanks for dropping by. It's nice to know we're being included.

I know I'm probably stretching this analogy to the point of making it scream to where dogs alone can hear it, but when I hear that we need "at least one veteran back-up" in the defense, I think of the dreaded combination of Lawyer Milloy and Troy Vincent playing safety. Or Eddie Robinson at linebacker. Or Al Wallace (was that his name?) or Chidi Ahanitu (sp?) on the D-Line. Sorry, had to shudder for a minute. I'm back now. My point is.....no thanks. No. Nyet. Nada. Null. I can't say that "aged veterans" are one-dimensional (although Milloy was almost laughable in his last season), but they certainly have lost enough of their former dimensions that any rare display of a crafty, savvy veteran move is negated by the multitude of times someone younger leaves them looking for their collective jockstraps after a wicked spin juke. Plugging a veteran in for the sake of plugging a veteran in is Donohoe redux. I'd rather leave THAT mindset in the rearview mirror. If the "kid" is playing better, put him in and live with the mistakes. He'll grow into the position. The veteran just gets older.

Lori, It puzzles me beyond the bounds of my exotic imagination that the kids on this board don't learn from your delivery. You're a damn good writer, both in terms of substance and style. You've been told this a thousand times, and it's gone to your head. Well, it would have gone to mine, in any case. I tell you this to compliment you, but also as an attempt to present contrast to those on this board who actually listen to - and seem to take seriously - the exudate issuing from ESPN, Mike & Mike, or WGR. It leaves me scratching my head that people actually get their collective dander up about that oral flatulence. Hey TBD (and national media)...want a good read on the Bills? Her name is Lori Chase. WB

I'm giving it one more game. Like.....against Freeney. If, however, the line holds up against Freeney, that "poof" sound that you'll hear will be Peters'/Agent's bargaining position. What it ALSO means is that there will be two or three guys on the Bills who survive "The Turk" that shouldn't rest too easily. The Bills will get down to 53 players, Peters won't be in camp, and OBD going to snarf up every decent OT/OG on whom they can lay their hands. The roster doesn't get settled this year until about three days after the final roster cut.

I am so grateful for this post. Mucho appreciado.

I'll probably catch the requisite load of fecal material for this, but I've been impressed with Sheik Yobouty. I watched him come in on a CB blitz at the end of the game on Thursday, and he hammered the living snot out of the QB. That's one big kid. He really whipped the QB around for a little bit before he dropped him. It's probably too late for the Sheik to make the roster, but I hope he makes it for two reasons: 1) I think he'd be a good addition at the bottom end of the DB corps, and someone who might grow to the mid-level thereof; 2) I'd just like to see some of the Sheik trashers get the chicken bone stuck in their throats. But that's just me, isn't it?

Chicago at Buffalo 1992. We used to tailgate with about 7 groups, and it was our (my brother and I) turn to bring the food and beer. At the preceding tailgate party, some limp-wristed nancy-boy had brought Kentucky Fried Chicken and Genny Light. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Genny Light to a tailgate. But I digress. We determined that it was the very honor of our family name at stake to improve the program, so we spent hours shopping and preparing for the gig. The order of the day was chicken and beef kabobs (excellent, if you must ask). For drinks? Well, you can screw that Genny Light crap. This was back before NAFTA - we drove to St. Kitts and got Bradors. For those of you who have never had Bradors, understand that drinking a bottle of that brew is like putting blue steel in your mouth and pulling the trigger. I was so damn proud of myself, as I knew that THIS would be the tailgate party to end all tailgate parties. On to the big event. The grills are fired up, the kabobs are sizzling, and it's time to break out the cold ones. We'd brought our stash of hooch from Ontario, and someone else had brought a cooler full of.......Genny Light. You know where this is going, don't you? Guess which cooler they fell upon like locusts? The goddamn horse piss Genny Light!! Here I am sitting here with a cooler full of nectar-of-the-Gods Molson's Bradors, and these Philistines are reaching for Genny Light. It was like the whole world had suddenly overdosed on stupid pills. So what did I do? I did what everyone on this board would do. I started drinking Bradors like the world was about to end. What the hell? The schit's about $1.75 a bottle, and no one else deigns to drink it, and warm beer.....well, sucks. On to the game. I can't say that I blacked out, but I have to admit that my memories aren't the sharpest. On to the point of the post. I do remember standing on my seat with my brother holding my belt at my waist to keep me from spilling into the row in front of me. I'm not a big person, but I have a big voice. And I'm not kidding. I remember leaning forward with my brother holding me with all his might, and I screamed "DITKA.....YOU SUUUU---UUUUU---UUUUCCKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!! at the top of my lungs, and pointing to my crotch. I'm certain that if I could get the tape of that game, I could probably catch my voice on the national feed. I had a headache that lastest about 2 days after that one. Not one of my nobler moments. Ah, youth. By the way, where's The Dean?

I guess there WOULD be blood after three days. I'd need a nap afterwards.

My brother and I have ruminated on the Losman situation throughout training camp. Losman has done a superb job of: 1) Being the good sport, the consumate team player, the antichrist of whining. Locker room cancer? Forget it. The guy's a model citizen. 2) Being a damn good quarterback. A great quarterback? Hell no. But he's all business, he's acting like a veteran, he's a solid presence as the Number 2. He AIN'T doing this because he wants to be HERE next year. He's no dope, and neither is his agent. My guess? He'll have multiple offers once the season ends, but he's going to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings next year. Why Minnesota? 1) A solid Left Tackle 2) A so-so Running Back (just wanted to see if you're paying attention) 3) Nine (9) games guaranteed in a domed stadium, with an extremely high probability of 10 or 11 games in a dome per year. Think about it. With Peterson lined up in the backfield, opposing teams have to - HAVE TO - stack 8 in the box. If they don't, they'll get killed. No wind interference in the dome, his back side is covered, and his preference is to heave the bomb. Get him a couple of screamer WRs, and Losman will throw for 3,500+. The Vikes may not get far in the playoffs using that formula, but who in this forum wouldn't kill for 3-4 years of losing in the first few rounds of the Big Dance? Get your #7 Vikings jerseys lined up now.

I echo your caution about the injury bug, Bill. The Peters situation....not so much. But I can assure you that I'm keeping my rose-colored glasses and chest-thumping in the office to a minimum this year. I believe I read we had a league-high 18 players on IR last year. Talk about the wrong stat with which to lead the league. A couple of question/observations regarding the Jets and Dolphins: 1) If we could lead the league in injuries last year, what's to say it won't be the Jets and Dolphins? I guess my point is...relax. No one has any idea. I'm holding my breath, and praying the turf on the opposing sideline gets a lot more wear-and-tear from "the cart" this year. 2) Question. What is the bigger impact for the hapless Dolphins - the addition of Pennington, or the loss of Taylor? The buzz is all about Pennington, but - sheesh - Taylor was a Pro Bowler several times over. Pennington predictably couldn't throw more than 30 yards....I don't mean with accuracy, I mean he physically couldn't heave the rock that far, period. 3) Farve to NYJ may not be as bad as Namath to San Francisco, but it will more likely be along the lines of Montana to Kansas City. A good addition? Absolutely. The be-all and end-all? Not at 38-going-on-39. I can tell you that 39 is getting REALLY small in MY rearview mirror, and there's a lot of truth to the old line "And you know that you're over the hill when your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill". Favre's a good addition to the NYJ, but there are going to be a lot of teams that want to roll out the welcome mat. He's going to get hit a lot, and hit hard. And he's going to screw up. The Jets this year are not the Packers last year. You want rose-colored glasses? Go to a Jets fan board.

I'm just so grateful this is not Buffalo's media circus. The Peters issue is enough of a headache. Go, Farve, Go!

Along the same lines, I couldn't care less about the strength of the NFC....all I care about THIS year is the strength of the NFC West. I'm also buoyed by the fact that the Bills don't even sniff the West Coast. The farthest they're going to have to travel this year will be Phoenix, AZ. It's a lot of little things that add up to an increase in the probability that the season record will tip from 8-8 to 10-6. And that should be just enough. Good point on the AFC North/NFC East scheduling. Having only one playoff team from that group would be a BIG issue. Bummer about the AFC South/NFC Central. That makes me think the Bills are eventually going to be squaring up against the Titans or Jags. That September 14th game is going to be January in September for the Bills.

That's the one! Thanks, James. As I recall, that sweet move cost the Broncos a 3rd-round pick. Where's ItalianMobster when you need him?