Should we hope the bills lose games, like Jerry Sullivan said?

[FightinIrishBills]

Why does everyone think the Bills are going to be worse than last year? They have the same QBs, Same line(although now more experienced), some new talent on defense, strong secondary, strong runningbacks and a new head coach who is clearly lightyears better than dickie jauron. So why does this all add up to the team taking a step backwards from 6-10? Because they cut underperforming TO? please. they split with the jets and the dolphins last year and actually came really close to beating the patriots. all with the worst coach in the league...

 

Amen, brother. This is what I say to EVERYONE who shoots off doom and gloom predictions for the Bills. Look, I doubt anyone is rationally saying that the team is Superbowl, or for that matter, even playoff-bound. Yes, I know the schedule is tough but it's the NFL--teams that are good on paper and were strong the year before can fall off the map, and vice versa (look at the Pittsburgh Steelers last year as an example of the former).

 

But I really don't see how the Bills can be the abject worst team in the league, or even in the bottom 4 teams. Even with street free agents at OL, Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing up ducks, and Dick Jauron calling the shots for part of last year, we still ended the year at 6-10. What that tells me is that this team has more talent than those in both the media and within the ranks of Bills fandom care to recognize. At the very worst, I don't see how the Bills don't at least hold serve at 6-10 or perform even better.

[Delete This Account]

Sullivan has balls calling out the Bills for having a loser's mentality, then he suggests they tank games for a draft pick. If you have good scouting you don't need a high daft pick to find players. The Bills will be better served learning how to win now than act like they're doing everyone a favor by losing.

 

Sorry John, but this is what I hate about Sully.

 

PTR

PTR, you've been snookered by the original poster, who is a blowhard and a truth-twister because he conveniently left out what i believe to be some pertinent information from the chat, which i've just reviewed.

 

here is the ENTIRE response Jerry wrote:

"You're a fan. Set your goals high. But understand that the best thing for this franchise is to get a high draft pick in a year where there might be several franchise QBs available. Always be prepared for a surprise. You can enjoy a bad team if you see progress and pride in the younger guys."

what's wrong with that? and i believe it provides additional perspective to where he was going, which was curiously not included by the original poster, who also failed to mention that he/she signed on as "Porkiebelly fat fat."

 

porkiebelly fat fat then kept persisting writing: "No, sully, I am a football fan. I know what can happen when a team plays hard together."

to which Jerry replied: "They've played hard the last four years."

 

then porkhead, unsatisfied, provided his third question in something like 5 minutes, questioning whether Jerry respects the game.

i woulda called him a cretin, too.

 

porkjob got what he deserved in my opinion. and i find his posts to be untrustworthy.

 

jw

[Delete This Account]

John, I know it is in bad form to trash people in your field, but Sullivan is on the same talent level as Bob Matthews.

 

There's some really good ones out there (including you) so I disagree with the previous poster's generalization about "our journalists", but ugh. Sullivan. Ugh.

i disagree and you've been snookered by the original poster, who is untrustworthy.

 

jw

[Peter]

Sullivan is an a-hole and always has been. He would like nothing better than for the Bills to lose so that he can B word and moan.

 

P.S. I have a strong suspicion that he posts here. I wish he had the guts to admit it.

[purple haze]

Bills fans won't have to "hope" to lose games, it will happen anyway.

 

Delusions of grandeur have infected anyone who thinks the Bills will not be cellar dwellers in the AFC East this year.

 

This is reality.

 

Every team will lose games this season. I'm glad you know so much. What's the lotto number?

[Dan]

PTR, you've been snookered by the original poster, who is a blowhard and a truth-twister because he conveniently left out what i believe to be some pertinent information from the chat, which i've just reviewed.

 

here is the ENTIRE response Jerry wrote:

"You're a fan. Set your goals high. But understand that the best thing for this franchise is to get a high draft pick in a year where there might be several franchise QBs available. Always be prepared for a surprise. You can enjoy a bad team if you see progress and pride in the younger guys."

what's wrong with that? and i believe it provides additional perspective to where he was going, which was curiously not included by the original poster, who also failed to mention that he/she signed on as "Porkiebelly fat fat."

 

porkiebelly fat fat then kept persisting writing: "No, sully, I am a football fan. I know what can happen when a team plays hard together."

to which Jerry replied: "They've played hard the last four years."

 

then porkhead, unsatisfied, provided his third question in something like 5 minutes, questioning whether Jerry respects the game.

i woulda called him a cretin, too.

 

porkjob got what he deserved in my opinion. and i find his posts to be untrustworthy.

 

jw

 

well done, sir.

[bowery4]

haha jw calling out the op, who is such a wonderful poster along with mpl0000 that I block them both, gotta love it. Sully writes some decent stuff and some crap, just like anyone who expresses opinions about stuff, I don't agree with some of it and I do agree with some of it.

[mpl6876]

PTR, you've been snookered by the original poster, who is a blowhard and a truth-twister because he conveniently left out what i believe to be some pertinent information from the chat, which i've just reviewed.

 

here is the ENTIRE response Jerry wrote:

"You're a fan. Set your goals high. But understand that the best thing for this franchise is to get a high draft pick in a year where there might be several franchise QBs available. Always be prepared for a surprise. You can enjoy a bad team if you see progress and pride in the younger guys."

what's wrong with that? and i believe it provides additional perspective to where he was going, which was curiously not included by the original poster, who also failed to mention that he/she signed on as "Porkiebelly fat fat."

 

porkiebelly fat fat then kept persisting writing: "No, sully, I am a football fan. I know what can happen when a team plays hard together."

to which Jerry replied: "They've played hard the last four years."

 

then porkhead, unsatisfied, provided his third question in something like 5 minutes, questioning whether Jerry respects the game.

i woulda called him a cretin, too.

 

porkjob got what he deserved in my opinion. and i find his posts to be untrustworthy.

 

jw

 

Great post!

[Pilsner]

You Never Ever hope to lose. What if the players were ok with it? Why even practice, why even show up to games.

 

We have new players who want to fight and win. We didn't draft pansies.

 

Solid drafting and the option of trading up should always trump any benefits of tanking a season for a high draft pick.

 

Only losers would ever think losing is ok.

[Pilsner]

PTR, you've been snookered by the original poster, who is a blowhard and a truth-twister because he conveniently left out what i believe to be some pertinent information from the chat, which i've just reviewed.

 

here is the ENTIRE response Jerry wrote:

"You're a fan. Set your goals high. But understand that the best thing for this franchise is to get a high draft pick in a year where there might be several franchise QBs available. Always be prepared for a surprise. You can enjoy a bad team if you see progress and pride in the younger guys."

what's wrong with that? and i believe it provides additional perspective to where he was going, which was curiously not included by the original poster, who also failed to mention that he/she signed on as "Porkiebelly fat fat."

 

porkiebelly fat fat then kept persisting writing: "No, sully, I am a football fan. I know what can happen when a team plays hard together."

to which Jerry replied: "They've played hard the last four years."

 

then porkhead, unsatisfied, provided his third question in something like 5 minutes, questioning whether Jerry respects the game.

i woulda called him a cretin, too.

 

porkjob got what he deserved in my opinion. and i find his posts to be untrustworthy.

 

jw

 

 

Wow, good post Puts a lot of things into better perspective.

[Ronin]

Me: "I have more pride than to hope the bills lose to get a higher draft pick. If you think that, I dont believe you respect the game of football at all."

 

To All Here,

 

Here's the problem with the above statement and the rest of the big-man fan talk, instead of taking it up with Sully, someone that has absolutely no control, or who has only been critical of the team's moves to put together the sh!& product that they have, shouldn't this be your (and the other heroes') position towards the top 20 people in the Front Office?

 

Instead, people like Sully, whom you criticize, have offered sound advice to the team which if followed wouldn't have the team in the abyss that it's in.

 

Yet you'll defend the team's leadership and FO people that are really at fault.

 

If there is a reason to hope that the team loses games, then it's hopefully to get rid of the retards at OBD, because even if they get a franchise QB, they won't know what to do with him anymore than a dog would know what to do with a washing machine besides piss on it.

 

And here some (not sure if you) go again with Gailey and Modkins and Edwards.

 

Two years from now it'll be wash, rinse, repeat time again.

[bobblehead]

PTR, you've been snookered by the original poster, who is a blowhard and a truth-twister because he conveniently left out what i believe to be some pertinent information from the chat, which i've just reviewed.

 

here is the ENTIRE response Jerry wrote:

"You're a fan. Set your goals high. But understand that the best thing for this franchise is to get a high draft pick in a year where there might be several franchise QBs available. Always be prepared for a surprise. You can enjoy a bad team if you see progress and pride in the younger guys."

what's wrong with that? and i believe it provides additional perspective to where he was going, which was curiously not included by the original poster, who also failed to mention that he/she signed on as "Porkiebelly fat fat."

 

porkiebelly fat fat then kept persisting writing: "No, sully, I am a football fan. I know what can happen when a team plays hard together."

to which Jerry replied: "They've played hard the last four years."

 

then porkhead, unsatisfied, provided his third question in something like 5 minutes, questioning whether Jerry respects the game.

i woulda called him a cretin, too.

 

porkjob got what he deserved in my opinion. and i find his posts to be untrustworthy.

 

jw

 

I have heard Sully on air lose his cool when he was "had" in an argument a few times, not a sign of someone sure of himself. Alot of people are like that, I am like that.

 

But, he deserves some apologies and the benefit of the doubt here if this is indeed how the argument went down.

 

I want to trust what I read here, its been getting more and more difficult as the years go by here. Hopefully, just as winning will fix the team and fix the fans, winning will fix TBD, too.

[Hossage]

Wawrow, I feel I have described the discussion accurately. Sullivan went on and took shots at the bills in other ways. He sounds like mpl6876. You have missed some context as well, but I do not know how to link the entire conversation, even though I saved it. Your personal crusade against me is getting old. You know full well everything I have said on this site about Schobel is true, and you still take shots at me on other threads. You have resorted to petty name calling with me. I am surprised you do this because you are a professional journalist.

 

Go on, call me an untrustworthy blowhard again. I would have expected more from you, but after your defense of Jerry Sullivan in this and other posts, I should have known better.

 

You have misrepresented my remarks, taking my statements out of context. Only one of us is untrustworthy.

 

Here are his extended remarks on the subject in the proper context. Consider there is a two minute delay from when I type an answer to when it shows up.

 

Sully:

OK, sorry for the delay. My kid's haircut took forever and the system is slow.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:08 Sully

3:08 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

Can you tell Edwards to get a haircut?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:08 Tom

3:09 Sully:

Speaking of haircuts. I think he looks like a goofy teen-ager. I don't know. Maybe long hair is coming back in. I think he should get a Unitas crew cut.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:09 Sully

3:09 [Comment From Jeff A Jeff A: ]

Hey Jerry doesn't Trent Edward look like a grown up Justin Beiber with that hair

Friday August 6, 2010 3:09 Jeff A

3:09 [Comment From 4x4 Time 4x4 Time: ]

Bigger jerk...Tiger or Pitino?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:09 4x4 Time

3:09 Sully:

Tossup. I've sparred with both and come away thinking they were a little plastic.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:09 Sully

3:09 [Comment From Steve In Buffalo Steve In Buffalo: ]

Who's gonna have a more entertaining season, the Bulls or the Bills?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:09 Steve In Buffalo

3:09 Sully:

I think it's going to be a spirited battle to see who gets to 3 wins first.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:09 Sully

3:10 [Comment From Guest Guest: ]

Is Rex Ryan the George S Patton of the NFL?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:10 Guest

3:10 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

Is Fitzpatrick cut this yera?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:10 Tom

3:11 Sully:

I could see it. If they decide they'd rather groom Brown as the No. 3, they could cut Fitz. But I think it could be just as easily be Brohm. At least Fitz has a track record as a backup who can step in and play.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:11 Sully

3:11 [Comment From Jeff A Jeff A: ]

What is the over under for questions on who starts at QB for bills today

Friday August 6, 2010 3:11 Jeff A

3:11 Sully:

Same as for their win total -- 4 1-2

Friday August 6, 2010 3:11 Sully

3:12 [Comment From 4x4 Time 4x4 Time: ]

Yanks pitching going to hold out?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:12 4x4 Time

3:12 Sully:

It should, but I would be concerned about the postseason. Burnett is a head case and there's no telling whether Pettitte will be right when he gets back. I wouldn't rule out my Red Sox if their starting pitching continues to come together -- though I certainly worry about the Youk injury.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:12 Sully

3:12 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Bills should have a strong running attack?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:12 Chas

3:13 Sully:

Define strong. I don't see how a team with no downfield passing game can have a strong running game.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:13 Sully

3:13 [Comment From Chris Chris: ]

What is more likely, the Bills are in a fight for a playoff spot with a few games left in the season or they're in a fight for the #1 overall draft pick?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:13 Chris

3:13 Sully:

The latter.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:13 Sully

3:13 [Comment From Dr. Vinnie Boombatz Dr. Vinnie Boombatz: ]

Is Larry Quinn capable of feeling real emotion?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:13 Dr. Vinnie Boombatz

3:14 Sully:

Anger is an emotion. Spite is an emotion, I believe.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:14 Sully

3:14 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

Does it look good for Stevie Johnson to get a lot of playing time, and possibly starting? Appears competition is weak at number 2

Friday August 6, 2010 3:14 Tom

3:15 Sully:

I think he will get playing time. But I think Hardy is the probable No. 2. He looked good on a deep out the other day. Of course, I get very tired of hearing how good guys look in camp.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:15 Sully

3:15 [Comment From Wackojacko Wackojacko: ]

How many years before we can contend for a 7-9 season?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:15 Wackojacko

3:15 Sully:

Next year, perhaps.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:15 Sully

3:15 [Comment From BuffaloGal BuffaloGal: ]

I know there is not much to go on, but do you get a sense if Gailey will be a better game day coach than Jauron. Not a hard task, but you know what I mean.. basically, I don't want to see players confused whether they should be on the field in Week 10.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:15 BuffaloGal

3:17 Sully:

Jauron was the worst I ever saw, so you don't need much of a sense for it. The fact that Gailey is an offensive guy who has been a coordinator and a head coach suggests he knows how to think on his feet on the sidelines. But we'll see if he has the command to get things done under pressure against the clock.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:17 Sully

3:17 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Should Bills give JaMarcus Russell a tryout?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:17 Chas

3:17 Sully:

No.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:17 Sully

3:17 [Comment From 4x4 Time 4x4 Time: ]

Who blows up first - Ochocinco or TO?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:17 4x4 Time

3:17 Sully:

Ochocinco.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:17 Sully

3:17 [Comment From Porkiebelly fat fat Porkiebelly fat fat: ]

I just dont believe we have 7-9 as our goal for next year. We all know football is an emotional game, and players can develop. I do not accept goals that low.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:17 Porkiebelly fat fat

3:18 Sully:

You're a fan. Set your goals high. But understand that the best thing for this franchise is to get a high draft pick in a year where there might be several franchise QBs available. Always be prepared for a surprise. You can enjoy a bad team if you see progress and pride in the younger guys.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:18 Sully

3:18 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

Where will Kennedy end up?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:18 Tom

3:19 Sully:

Toronto, Anaheim, among others.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:19 Sully

3:19 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Will Shaq help the Celtics ?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:19 Chas

3:20 Sully:

Yes, assuming they don't expect him to be a primary guy anymore. I think they're expecting 18-20 minutes, some help in the post offensively and leadership for the young big men. Keep in mind, Perkins is out until at least December so they need someone to eat up minutes in the middle early

Friday August 6, 2010 3:20 Sully

3:20 [Comment From BuffaloGal BuffaloGal: ]

Is there any idea which players were PO'ed about the Tim Kennedy saga? How demoralizing for them after listening to their management's post season cry-fest.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:20 BuffaloGal

3:20 Sully:

Not privy, though Bucky says he heard there was some dismay. I can't imagine it going down that well within the team.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:20 Sully

3:21 [Comment From Porkiebelly fat fat Porkiebelly fat fat: ]

No, sully, I am a football fan. I know what can happen when a team plays hard together

Friday August 6, 2010 3:21 Porkiebelly fat fat

3:21 Sully:

They've played hard the last four years.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:21 Sully

3:21 [Comment From Darren Darren: ]

Loved your blog post on Shaq. Excellent, low-cost deal for the C's. Rondo must work on his shooting so defenders won't play 5 feet off him like Kobe did.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:21 Darren

3:21 [Comment From Steve In Buffalo Steve In Buffalo: ]

With all this talk of Luck/Locker/Mallet before the 1st 2010 preseason game, what is the incentive to even watch the Bills this year? I can't be "they need to bottom out" guy in early August. What's the point of all the offseason if its just "wait for next year" in Week 1? It's a really, really short 16 weeks.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:21 Steve In Buffalo

3:23 Sully:

Hey, the draft previews will begin any time now. That's the world we live in. If you have a sensible, long-term perspective on this team, you should be interested in the quarterback crop in college because your next playoff win might depend on one of them. What's wrong with that? You don't have to write off the season. Let's face it, the NFL relies on fans believing any team can go from bad to the playoffs in a single year. The Bills simply don't have the roster for that.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:23 Sully

3:23 [Comment From Pete Pete: ]

Do you see this as the begining of the end for Darcy? Even a 15 goal season for Kennedy elsewhere is going to looke very bad for him

Friday August 6, 2010 3:23 Pete

3:23 Sully:

You can never tell as long as Quinn is running the team.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:23 Sully

3:23 [Comment From BillsfaninRaligh BillsfaninRaligh: ]

If the Bills are as bad as we are expecting/hoping, what teams look like potential threats for the #1 overall pick next year. Cleveland/KC/Tampa Ban. Any others come to mind?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:23 BillsfaninRaligh

3:24 Sully:

Detroit as always. Oakland. St. Louis, of course.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:24 Sully

3:24 [Comment From Wackojacko Wackojacko: ]

How can an arbitrator say Kennedy is worth 1 million for 1 year but no team will pay him that?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:24 Wackojacko

3:24 Sully:

Why pay him that when they can sign him for less?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:24 Sully

3:24 [Comment From Porkiebelly fat fat Porkiebelly fat fat: ]

I have more pride than to hope the bills lose to get a higher draft pick. If you think that, I dont believe you respect the game of football at all.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:24 Porkiebelly fat fat

3:25 Sully:

I'm not asking you to hope they lose. You obviously don't grasp the fine points of the argument. Sorry for not "respecting" your favorite game. You can't even present a literate screen name. Get out of here, you cretin.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:25 Sully

3:25 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Do you see 60-65 wins for Heat with big 3 ?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:25 Chas

3:26 Sully:

Yes. But I think are vulnerable to a team with a strong inside game in the playoffs.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:26 Sully

3:26 [Comment From Jeff A Jeff A: ]

Porkibelly is a fan alright, a delusional one

Friday August 6, 2010 3:26 Jeff A

3:26 [Comment From Darcys 96 Astrovan Darcys 96 Astrovan: ]

Can somebody please help me? My owner insists on sticking his hand into every nook and cranny on me each morning, looking for loose change. Is this considered abuse?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:26 Darcys 96 Astrovan

3:26 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Should Pitino resign ?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:26 Chas

3:27 Sully:

He coaches college basketball in Kentucky. It would take a much larger scandal to knock him out of there.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:27 Sully

3:27 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

How about the sad Lorenzen Wright mystery?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:27 Chas

3:27 Sully:

Very sad. To me, it shows what can happen when pro athletes wander on the fringes of society after they get the big money

Friday August 6, 2010 3:27 Sully

3:27 [Comment From Loubert Loubert: ]

What are the chances that the Bills will have enough of a passing game to keep opposing defenses from stacking the line against the run?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:27 Loubert

3:28 Sully:

Slim. They can't even keep their own defense off the line in camp.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:28 Sully

3:28 [Comment From 4x4 Time 4x4 Time: ]

Surprised at the lack of "Big Name" movement at MLB trade deadline?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:28 4x4 Time

3:28 Sully:

Mainly that the Yankees weren't a big player. But don't forget guys can move later through waivers.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:28 Sully

3:28 [Comment From BLH BLH: ]

Unfortunately for Bills fans, the clock is ticking on this franchise. Their lease is up in three years, Toronto series $$'s are up after 2013 and of course the owner is 92 years old.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:28 BLH

3:28 [Comment From BillsfaninRaleigh BillsfaninRaleigh: ]

Porkiebelly fat fat - It is time to bottom out. Do you want to sit through a 7-9 season again? Look at the long term prospects

Friday August 6, 2010 3:28 BillsfaninRaleigh

3:28 [Comment From Adam Adam: ]

Why does it seem like our only two professional sports teams have the worst decision makers in sports at the helm? I don't want to sound like Chicken Little, but holy crap, choosing between the Brandon/Modrak/Buddy pupu platter and the Regeir and Quinn cruddy combo is no easy feat,

Friday August 6, 2010 3:28 Adam

3:29 Sully:

This might spur some hostile debate, but I think it has something to do with the fans showing up regardless. Also, I think a more vigorous and critical media would help.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:29 Sully

3:29 [Comment From Chris Chris: ]

"Why pay him that when they can sign him for less?" Then I guess he wasn't worth $1 million then, was he? If he's so valuable to teams, there should be multiple bidding for his services which would get the price back to at least $1 million, wouldn't it?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:29 Chris

3:30 Sully:

You could make a lot of Sabres available to the highest bidder without any other team biting. I think some team will sign Kennedy and be happy with him.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:30 Sully

3:31 [Comment From fred fred: ]

How embarassing is it that our hockey-mad town has a team/owner that is "over budget" with this lineup, yet still $9M under the cap?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:31 fred

3:31 [Comment From Darren Darren: ]

When will you show Aaron Maybin some respect?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:31 Darren

3:31 Sully:

When he makes a play or two.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:31 Sully

3:31 Sully:

Porkie is mad that I called him a cretin. He's apparently not aware that he's banned. Hey, where's Joe from NYC?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:31 Sully

3:32 Sully:

Wow, far too many comments to keep up with you. I must have been missed on vacation. Regrettably, I have one more week of vacation next week. Going to Cross Creek for a golf trip. I plan to break 90.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:32 Sully

3:32 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Maybin may be bust like Flowers a few yrs back?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:32 Chas

3:32 Sully:

He has a chance, though I doubt he will be that much of a disappointment.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:32 Sully

3:33 [Comment From Steve In Buffalo Steve In Buffalo: ]

I don't think we can "vote them out" with our pocketbooks anymore. Ralph always talks about how hard it is to keep it afloat here. Larry Quinn talks about it too. It seems both franchises hold the existence of the teams hostage against their fanbase. To quote V.O. Key-politics is about choice. We don't have true choice, either we have crappy teams, or no teams at all. I don't think that's very fair.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:33 Steve In Buffalo

3:33 [Comment From JB JB: ]

I may be naive, but I like the Bills positional players at almost every position except the most important, QB. If one of these guys could be average, I think I like the team. Problem is that none of the QB's are good enough at reading the field of play as it develops. I think they should get the Jets QB

Friday August 6, 2010 3:33 JB

3:33 Sully:

I wish I liked their outside linebackers more.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:33 Sully

3:33 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

Chances: Tiger Woods wins a major, or the Bills win a wild card game?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:33 Tom

3:34 Sully:

Tiger wins a major first. No-brainer.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:34 Sully

3:34 [Comment From Jim Jim: ]

Do you think the UB Bulls football team will fair better this year than last? It was very disappointing to go to those games, especially the Pitt game.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:34 Jim

3:34 Sully:

No. They lost too much talent and don't have a proven QB.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:34 Sully

3:34 [Comment From Chris Chris: ]

"You could make a lot of Sabres available to the highest bidder without any other team biting" Exactly. Doesn't that mean TK wasn't worth $1 million?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:34 Chris

3:35 Sully:

The point, Chris, its that the Sabres aren't getting value from the top forwards and it's a little curious to make a fine distinction over $100,000.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:35 Sully

3:35 [Comment From Tom D. Tom D.: ]

Following in the footsteps of Shaq vs. Rome, I'd like to challenge Larry Quinn to a fist-fight as the opening act for the next Thursday in the Square.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:35 Tom D.

3:35 [Comment From Jeff A Jeff A: ]

Come on I just figured this chat was now Joe-from nyc-free

Friday August 6, 2010 3:35 Jeff A

3:35 [Comment From Guest Guest: ]

What's the point of the salary cap if the small market teams still can't compete. Where we better off spending $35MM on salaries a few years ago?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:35 Guest

3:36 Sully:

Who says the small markets can't compete? The Sabres are spending big money on Vanek, Pominville, Connolly and Roy, not to mention Miller. What does that have to do with small market? They need to spend it better.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:36 Sully

3:36 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

Is there an unhealthy epidemic of gambling in USA?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:36 Chas

3:37 Sully:

YES. Don't even get me started. I call it the underside of the American Dream. I get sick every time I have some loser buying lottery tickets ahead of me in the supermarket.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:37 Sully

3:37 [Comment From Kevin, NYC Kevin, NYC: ]

The Bills are high on Spiller catching the ball out of the slot this season, and they said (and did) the same with Marshawn last season. Do you see a RB in the slot for the majority of their offensive sets this year?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:37 Kevin, NYC

3:38 Sully:

I could see it on a lot of occasions, I wouldn't say the majority. I would rather see them develop a viable third receiver. I remain skeptical about Spiller becoming some instant 50-catch, 600-yard guy. It's just not that easy.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:38 Sully

3:38 [Comment From Bufflorida Bob Bufflorida Bob: ]

Sully: Rumors of your demise have been greatly exaggerated. How many years did you cheer for the Red Sox when they were also rans and thought that they'd never win a World Series and here you are in 2010 and they've won 2? They always sold out Fenway even though they didn't always win. Cubbies another story minus the WS wins. The Bills may be onto something if the GM that you demean knows how to pick talent. I hope they exceed expectations. GO BILLS.....

Friday August 6, 2010 3:38 Bufflorida Bob

3:39 [Comment From 4x4 Time 4x4 Time: ]

Do you play hybrids, like em?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:39 4x4 Time

3:39 Sully:

Good question. Just got a set a couple of months ago and I love them -- though they can't prevent the occasional horrid swing.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:39 Sully

3:39 [Comment From Jimi Jimi: ]

Sully, in your article about Schobel, you said "Do we ever truly know these athletes? Did we ever know the Jim Kelly being portrayed in this new book?" I was wondering what you meant by the reference to Kelly and if you had read Jill's book in advance.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:39 Jimi

3:40 Sully:

Just a general reference and I think it's clear from the advance stories that Jim was no angel during his early years. Was the line really that obtuse?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:40 Sully

3:41 [Comment From SacramentoBillsFan SacramentoBillsFan: ]

Is there any reason to believe that a WNY ownership group will emerge to buy the Bills when Ralph dies?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:41 SacramentoBillsFan

3:41 Sully:

Not a compelling reason, no.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:41 Sully

3:42 Sully:

Welcome back.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:42 Sully

3:42 [Comment From Jeff A Jeff A: ]

Have you ever been getting gas and the guy in front of your is buying scratch offs for ten minutes like its the noco casino, pathetic

Friday August 6, 2010 3:42 Jeff A

3:42 Sully:

I've seen it all. I wonder how many kids go without dinner because of it.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:42 Sully

3:42 [Comment From Kevin Kevin: ]

Is CJ Spiller the perfect complement to capt. checkdown?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:42 Kevin

3:43 Sully:

Trent has been checking down quite well in camp, I see. I'm not sure it's a great thing for the No. 1 pick to be a perfect complement

Friday August 6, 2010 3:43 Sully

3:43 [Comment From Joe from NYC Joe from NYC: ]

Sully! How are you doing today? As usual, your love for the Celtics has clouded your vision. Shaq is an awful signing. He's a liabilty. Don't you remember how Cleveland couldnt play him against the pick n roll against Rondo?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:43 Joe from NYC

3:45 Sully:

We were wondering about you, Joe. Yes, I know Shaq is a bad pick and roll player. I thinke they will find a way to maximize his fading talents on offense and help him out on the defensive end. Remember, the Celtics have 4 players who were better than any of LeBron's supporting cast last season. Boston isn't deluded into thinking Shaq is anything more than a bit player at this point. On a per minute basis, he was still a very effective scorer last year.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:45 Sully

3:45 [Comment From Kevin, NYC Kevin, NYC: ]

What are the Bills going to do about their horrendous run defense this season? What will be done differently? They will see much more of the run now that teams will be hesitant to throw at their secondary.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:45 Kevin, NYC

3:46 Sully:

I heard Kyle Williams this morning on the radio talking about how they're going to "fit it up" differently this year. I'm sure that will be the case in the 3-4. But it's mainly the same group and I do have my doubts. Andra Davis will help Posluszny in the middle. The LBs have to be better this year, if they're healthy.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:46 Sully

3:46 [Comment From Bufflorida Bob Bufflorida Bob: ]

Sully: How much vacay do they give old timers like you? 6 weeks? You're off as much as the teachers. I'm envious...Will Favre play this year or not?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:46 Bufflorida Bob

3:47 Sully:

Five weeks after 20 years. Not such a big deal.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:47 Sully

3:47 [Comment From Yanks Fan Yanks Fan: ]

Do people in Buffalo know the history of the Red Sox and Ban Johnson? - The guy who stole Buffalo's guaranteed spot in the AL and put boston in place instead. If so, there'd be a lot less Red Sox fans in this city.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:47 Yanks Fan

3:47 [Comment From Chas Chas: ]

SI Where Are They Now Issue is good .. nice article on Stan Musial - most-underrated ever ?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:47 Chas

3:48 Sully:

He's up there. Check out Musial's numbers. He holds his own with Lou Gehrig. Did you know he had 3,630 hits -- 1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:48 Sully

3:48 [Comment From Get some Get some: ]

I think Kelly is running out of money and they are using this "i found god excuse" in the new book to get them back on their feet. Same thing happen to Thurman when he moved to Florida. now he's back and broke!

Friday August 6, 2010 3:48 Get some

Friday August 6, 2010 3:49 Sully

3:49 [Comment From Steve In Buffalo Steve In Buffalo: ]

I fail to see how fans can resent athletes for their off-the-field issues. They're not role models. Bill Clinton was a fabulous president by almost any metric you want to judge, and he was arguably a pretty terrible husband. His actions as president matter more to me than his as a husband. I don't need athletes to teach me how to act, or not to act. I have good parents, ya know, actual role models.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:49 Steve In Buffalo

3:49 [Comment From Anonymous Tom Anonymous Tom: ]

Hey Sully-What do you think of the decision to not allow anonymous commenting on articles in The News?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:49 Anonymous Tom

3:50 Sully:

I understand we're going to treat sports differently, which puzzles me. The world is changing and I don't have a big problem with it. I don't like people using fake names, but if the comments aren't offensive I don't have a problem with people being anonymous. Believe me, there's a lot of discussion going on within the News about this.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:50 Sully

3:50 [Comment From Terrence Miller Terrence Miller: ]

I don't get why people spend all there money at bills game, i just pack a sandwich and don't drink beer.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:50 Terrence Miller

3:50 [Comment From J (Milwaukee) J (Milwaukee): ]

I hear a lot of people saying Kennedy was not going to win you the stanley cup. He is exactly the type of player you win with. Relatively cheap, young and good. You dont pay Hecht, Stafford, Afenigenov, etc... medium amounts of dollars. Its just so stupid to let TK go for av relatively small amount of money.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:50 J (Milwaukee)

3:50 Sully:

I don't think you win the Cup with Tim Connolly.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:50 Sully

3:51 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

I haven't seen mediocrity in awhile...oh wait the season hasn't started yet

Friday August 6, 2010 3:51 Tom

3:51 [Comment From OMG OMG: ]

Sully, I just don't get Regier's premise about being over budget in relation to letting TK go. The same day he cut 800K or so he added 2M, netting 1.2M or so additional to the budget. Are they really hoping we as fans are that gullible or stupid?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:51 OMG

3:51 Sully:

I think Regier was spinning the news for the spiteful people responsible.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:51 Sully

3:52 [Comment From 4x4 Time 4x4 Time: ]

Jose Bautista the real deal?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:52 4x4 Time

3:52 Sully:

A poor man's Dave Kingman.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:52 Sully

3:52 [Comment From Bufflorida Bob Bufflorida Bob: ]

If not for the millions of hard working folks buying their dollar and a dream Lord knows where our education system would be without Lottery subsidy $$$. Look at the glass half full side Sully.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:52 Bufflorida Bob

3:52 Sully:

Oh, yeah. I'm sure the lottery is the reason our schools are in such great shape.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:52 Sully

3:52 [Comment From Barry Barry: ]

Car racing is such a waste of fuel.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:52 Barry

3:52 [Comment From Joe from NYC Joe from NYC: ]

Sully, am I cynic for not really reading too much into Chan Gailey's intense training camps? Isn't this exactly what happen after Wade Phillips got fired and people in the media/fans were glouting about Greg Williams blow horn practice sessions. And in a ironic twist, people were saying the same thing when Phillips took over in Dallas and were cheering for his laid back approach that Parcells use to have. It's the same game, if Gailey fails in Buffalo and the Bills hire some guy with a NYC accent, fans would be happy because it's different. Bottom line: Its the same players as last year, so no parade for me.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:52 Joe from NYC

3:54 Sully:

You're not a cynic. I think of it as being a realist. Look, I think the Bills need an injection of energy and some of them need a good kick in the rear end. But your main point is well-taken. A lot of training camp is pure hype and it can't cover up for an overall lack of talent on the roster. People need a reason to be optimistic. I understand that. It's not my job to feed into it. As I said, I don't put much stock into hearing that Chris Ellis and Reggie Torbor are "looking good" in camp.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:54 Sully

3:54 [Comment From Tony Tony: ]

Who is Bills #2 wide out on opening week

Friday August 6, 2010 3:54 Tony

3:55 Sully:

Hardy.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:55 Sully

3:55 [Comment From Guest Guest: ]

The REAL problem with Kennedy's contract is it wasn't two-way. But if I'm him I'm not signing a two-way contract after playing ~80 games.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:55 Guest

3:55 Sully:

I agree.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:55 Sully

3:55 [Comment From Bri Bri: ]

I'm not sure what's so hard to figure out about the Kennedy waiver. there are other players that are just as good now or have higher ceilings than Kennedy. Ennis and Gerbe are going to get their shot. No way Ennis is going to start out in Portland. Kennedy is not a $1mm/year player. people are most upset because he's a S. Buffalo boy.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:55 Bri

3:57 Sully:

I think you're wrong about that Bri. People are upset because this move is inconsistent with the way they do business. They don't give up on players who have played one year and done exactly what they were told by the coach. Let me ask you this: If the award had been, say, $900,000, do you think they would have cut him? I don't.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:57 Sully

3:57 [Comment From Will78 Will78: ]

Will Demitrius Bell recover in time to start for the opener against Miami?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:57 Will78

3:57 Sully:

I imagine so, but I have been a little surprised by his slow recovery.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:57 Sully

3:57 [Comment From Steve Steve: ]

Gregg Williams was hilarious. Blowing the whistle and making guys do laps like they were playing H.S. football in Texas

Friday August 6, 2010 3:57 Steve

3:57 [Comment From Bufflorida Bob Bufflorida Bob: ]

Sully: Chances that the Bills have a few late season blackouts???

Friday August 6, 2010 3:57 Bufflorida Bob

3:57 Sully:

Good. Season ticket sales are down 5,000 or so.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:57 Sully

3:58 [Comment From Joe from NYC Joe from NYC: ]

Sully, can you just write 4-5 sentences about how big of an idiot Larry Quinn and Tom Golisano are?

Friday August 6, 2010 3:58 Joe from NYC

3:59 Sully:

Evidently, you didn't read my blog the other day. A neighbor came up to me today and said a lot of non-sports types in town were reading it with interest. They've dealt with Quinn's bombastic personality.

Friday August 6, 2010 3:59 Sully

3:59 [Comment From Chris Chris: ]

"people are most upset because he's a S. Buffalo boy. " And there we have it. It's not that hard to figure out...

Friday August 6, 2010 3:59 Chris

4:00 Sully:

No, Chris. Actually, it's more complicated than that. But you can reduce it to simple terms if that makes you happy as the lieutenant of Sabres apologists.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:00 Sully

4:00 [Comment From Kevin, NYC Kevin, NYC: ]

I have grown weary of fans and journalists suggesting ousting Sabres players for not producing. You know what the problem with trading Stafford and Pominville is? You will get less in return. They have an upside but have been wildly inconsistent, other teams know that. Same with Connolly. Who are suitable replacements that the Sabres could actually get?

Friday August 6, 2010 4:00 Kevin, NYC

4:01 Sully:

Stafford was a scratch in the playoffs. I suppose some fans got weary of that -- after he got a $2 million a year extension last summer. I'll bet you can do a lot better at $2 million, actually.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:01 Sully

4:01 [Comment From Tom Tom: ]

Are you sad that Bass Pro is not coming?

Friday August 6, 2010 4:01 Tom

4:01 Sully:

No.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:01 Sully

4:01 [Comment From J (Milwaukee) J (Milwaukee): ]

The same thing you are saying about Shaq is the same thing Phoenix and Cleveland was saying about him when they acquired him. He does not command double teams, he cannot stay healthy, and he is very divisive in the locker room.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:01 J (Milwaukee)

4:02 Sully:

Phoenix and Cleveland expected him to be the missing piece of the puzzle -- playing regular minutes. That is not the case in Boston.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:02 Sully

4:02 [Comment From Bufflorida Bob Bufflorida Bob: ]

By all accounts so far Rookie NT Troup appears to be a stud, difficult to block, throwback, no tape, etc. I know its preseason and all but what if he's for real. Have you seen him or gotten any feedback from Gaughan and Wilson?

Friday August 6, 2010 4:02 Bufflorida Bob

4:02 Sully:

I saw him blow up some no-name offensive lineman the other day. He has been impressive. But let's keep it in perspective. This is the Bills' offensive line we're talking about.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:02 Sully

4:03 Sully:

The fact is, he ought to be impressive. He was a second-round pick.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:03 Sully

4:03 [Comment From Kevin, NYC Kevin, NYC: ]

Kentucky just lost their starting 5, including Darnell Dodson whom will likely not be on the roster. That said, Calipari also wrangled in another impressive recruiting class of starters that will most likely be gone after Freshman year. I know it's only been one year, but do you see this being a continued trend in Lexington?

Friday August 6, 2010 4:03 Kevin, NYC

4:04 Sully:

Yes, I do, until the NBA gets smart and changes the rule against players coming straight out of high school. It's a joke.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:04 Sully

4:04 [Comment From Joe from NYC Joe from NYC: ]

Sully, Why are Sabres fans kind of stupid? I swear, they always find a silver lining in everything. People are talking about how this whole TK saga was about picking him over Tyler Ennis. If the Sabres didn't like TK, why didn't they just not bring him to arbitration, better yet, why the hell did they not offer Cody McCormick a two-way deal? As if the guy had a leg to stand on, dude was an AHL goon and played 3 games last year. All about the money.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:04 Joe from NYC

4:04 [Comment From Bri Bri: ]

Hardy as the #2, right now some are thinking he won't be one of 53. I wouldn't give up on him yet.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:04 Bri

4:04 [Comment From Joe from NYC Joe from NYC: ]

Sully, I know this may sound like an odd question, but do you think Bass Pro failing had anything to do with the Sabres buyout of TK? Think about, Larry Quinn is a minority partner and I'm sure he'd make some pretty nice coin on the bass pro deal that he helped broker. And we all know that Tom Golisano is Quinn's buddy, and probably was convinced to invest in some of that.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:04 Joe from NYC

4:05 Sully:

You're not the first one to suggest that Quinn might have acted during a particularly spiteful moment after Bass Pro. Nothing would surprise me.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:05 Sully

4:05 [Comment From Hotlanta Hotlanta: ]

now that it's football season i'm just plugging back into Bflo media outlets to get the latest and u guys are talking hockey? is the nhl still alive? i think we have a team in atlanta, but no one really cares - it's football season!!!

Friday August 6, 2010 4:05 Hotlanta

4:05 Sully:

God, I've been in Atlanta when their team was in the World Series and baseball wasn't on the cover of sports. They worship college football there.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:05 Sully

4:05 [Comment From Joe from NYC Joe from NYC: ]

Actually, I did read it..but I wanted more. Can you give an example of Quinn's bombastic personality? And BTW, if I have to hear that idiot on WGR; talk about how their goal isn't just to win one cup, but multiples, I'm going to puke.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:05 Joe from NYC

4:07 Sully:

Just today, a neighbor told me she was in a meeting on harbor development and Quinn made a very rude comment about a man who dared to suggest the public should be more involved.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:07 Sully

4:07 [Comment From Chris Chris: ]

"lieutenant of Sabres apologists" Nice try, but I am terribly upset with this offseason. They didn't make any significant changes to the core of this team after they said they would. All they did was work on the edges. That's not making this team better. However, cutting TK will have no effect on this team.

Friday August 6, 2010 4:07 Chris

[Booster4324]

Go on, call me an untrustworthy blowhard again.

 

I volunteer if he will not. You are a troll and the clock is ticking.

[Hossage]

Read the conversation for yourself, booster.

[mpl6876]

Read the conversation for yourself, booster.

 

Hossage, must I remind you again that I only have one screen name and its MPL6876. Another of your disrespectful and unjustified comments. Just because someone else disagrees with you doesn't mean it's me with another screen name. Contrary to your belief, you aren't one of the most respected posters here. (not that I am either) Your consistent rudeness has spoken for itself. Now you post a thread about you and Sully and your seemly looking for us to take your side. That is quite laughable. Sully a professional journalist and you ( ? )In order to get respect you have to earn it! IMHO, you have earned a pompous, insulting, and disrespectful reputation here. As a result, your words are to be taken with a "grain of salt" and you cannot be given the benefit of the doubt.

[Dan]

Read the conversation for yourself, booster.

A little friendly advice... just let it go man. Seriously.

[Booster4324]

A little friendly advice... just let it go man. Seriously.

 

Read his posting history. I have read your posts, you will figure it out.

[Dan]

Read his posting history. I have read your posts, you will figure it out.

Yeah, I know. But, he can't say I didn't try.

[Thurman#1]

Why do we have to suffer this lack of professionalism from our journalists?

 

 

 

Disagreeing with you is not a lack of professionalism. Seriously.

 

 

 

Losing games on purpose is not even allowed in the NFL. Nobody with any respect for the game wants a team to go out and throw the game. It is just wrong.

 

 

 

Sullivan didn't say he "wants a team to go out and throw the game."

 

He didn't even come close to saying that, nor would he ever, I'm betting. Wanting a team to lose and wanting a team to throw the game are two totally different concepts.