Howard Simon "Winding down" from WGR

[corta765]

9 minutes ago, Buffalosouth said:

Schoop and Bulldog are brutal. At least during the drought the anger and distain could entertain sometimes. 

 

Some hosts I feel are made for certain environments. Schoop and Bulldog had a far more entertaining but seemingly thought out show when the drought exists. These days they feel like the same thing day in day out so I only tune in occasionally.

[BuffaloBob]

I like Howard for the most part. He, like all radio jocks, can be annoying to listen to sometimes.

 

I’ve only called in to WGR twice in my life, and the one time I called him he hung up on me and called me crazy. 😀

 

It was when Jarius Byrd was tagged and it was passed the date when Byrd could sign a long term deal for the season. He was going on about how if Byrd doesn’t show up to play, than the Bills simply trade him for a first or second round pick. 
 

I called in to say that there is no team in their right mind that would pay anywhere near that to stand in our shoes at that point. Because he couldn’t sign long term with anyone at that point, he would have to play under the tag and he would become a free agent at the end of the season, or they would have to tag him a second time to try and negotiate a deal to keep him. And of course, the price goes up substantially for that second tag. 
 

He told me that they could simply negotiate a deal under the table and have a verbal agreement to execute the deal in the new league year.  I responded that would be an unenforceable verbal contract which could not be enforced. It’s kind of like trying press charges against the guy who stole your weed. (Well, at least back in the day. 😇)

 

He said oh come on, they do it all of the time. I said that I had no knowledge or proof of that, but any lawyer knows it would be an unenforceable contract unless both parties agree to sign it at the later time, but either party could refuse and that would be the end of it. 
 

Anyway, I said again that the Bills would be lucky to get any draft compensation at all under those circumstances. And if they were

that lucky, it certainly wouldn’t be for a first or second given that they would only be trading for the right to stand in our shoes. He called me crazy and hung up on me.

 

I’ve often thought about calling him and asking him to remind me of who it was we got for that draft choice for which we traded Byrd while he was on the tag.  But I’m not all that vindictive. 

Edited August 22, 2022 by BuffaloBob

[C.Biscuit97]

Dude has been on the radio almost as long as I’ve been alive. Seems like a genuinely good guy. I wish him well.

 

 

[Buffalosouth]

7 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

WGR is a classic example of a station and staff that has been coasting for years due to lack of real competition. Doing local sports radio well is expensive, and no other Buffalo broadcaster is going to make that investment to take on WGR.

The guys like cover 1 and buffalo fanatics are doing their best to force the issue. Small market small coverage?

[corta765]

2 minutes ago, Buffalosouth said:

The guys like cover 1 and buffalo fanatics are doing their best to force the issue. Small market small coverage?

 

The entire radio/listening world is different now whether big or small. The ability to pick content whether it is through podcast or a station in an outside market has made everything more competitive. WGR is the flagship station for both teams right now so I think that in itself makes things easier for them, but even so there are more options then ever to listen to. Podcasts like Cover 1 are superb as they can focus in a way a radio station really can't. Radio has to have the ability to entertain, converse with listeners, and produce content that can mix adds in. For as many people like us who would listen to Cover 1, there are many who just want casual which is fine too so the radio cannot fully cater to that type of coverage even if quality wise it is superior.

[CamDMC]

It's so obvious how old everyone on this website is. Howard is good and I will miss him but Jeremy carries the show. Sal is boring and a total homer. People hate Schopp because he was one of the few honest hosts during the drought, when people were optimistic he would shoot them down. But he was right!! Joe and people like him will be the reason that the network lives after Schopp and Jeremy are gone.

[LabattBlue]

8 minutes ago, CamDMC said:

It's so obvious how old everyone on this website is. Howard is good and I will miss him but Jeremy carries the show. Sal is boring and a total homer. People hate Schopp because he was one of the few honest hosts during the drought, when people were optimistic he would shoot them down. But he was right!! Joe and people like him will be the reason that the network lives after Schopp and Jeremy are gone.

Actually, the reason the network “lives on”, is no competition. It doesn’t matter who they roll out behind the mic, or what they talk about, some folks will tune in daily.  Why?  I have no idea. 

[Buffalosouth]

24 minutes ago, corta765 said:

 

The entire radio/listening world is different now whether big or small. The ability to pick content whether it is through podcast or a station in an outside market has made everything more competitive. WGR is the flagship station for both teams right now so I think that in itself makes things easier for them, but even so there are more options then ever to listen to. Podcasts like Cover 1 are superb as they can focus in a way a radio station really can't. Radio has to have the ability to entertain, converse with listeners, and produce content that can mix adds in. For as many people like us who would listen to Cover 1, there are many who just want casual which is fine too so the radio cannot fully cater to that type of coverage even if quality wise it is superior.

Great point. Another reason why I tune into wgr is that it gives  a feeling of "back home" being out of state. 

[US Egg]

More time with Maddy creeps ever closer?

 

…..or is she too big already for middling local radio work?

Edited August 22, 2022 by I am the egg man

[EersN'Bills]

4 hours ago, Einstein said:

 

Your dad was right. He definitely had an axe to grind. 

 

Even so, his knowledge made up for it.

 

.

 

Dickerson's axe to grind was more with Levy for firing him IIRC?

3 hours ago, MWK said:

 

Sal is ok, but he won’t ever say anything bad about a player. Last week he was talking about how shocking it was that we cut those two corners like they actually had a chance to make it. I think he thinks he’s part of the team since he can talk to the players regularly. He also loses all credibility the moment he starts talking about how he played high school football. When you do that, you just sound like a loser.

 

Just like when Paul talks about his "college hockey" days playing club hockey at Iowa St as reasons he "knows the game of hockey."

 

PHam definitely wants to give the impression he played against Minnesota/BU or something.

[seannc]

My most vivid memory of Howard Simon is the post-game coverage of the Music City Miracle on Empire Sports Network.  I was on my knees begging that Howard was going to announce "Wait a minute...the officials are sending the teams back on the field because they've realized they f___ked up the call!".  Or at least some sort of explanation or comfort. He looked as shocked and heartbroken as me and my dad, and he did his best.  I wish him the very best.

 

 

 

[Johnnyp566]

Joe D and Nate Geary are brutal. Turn off the radio bad. 

[Reks Ryan]

When he was out for almost 2 months after shoulder surgery, I figured he already been fired and they were just buying time.    Most people on a desk job would be out of work a couple days to an absolute max of 2 weeks after that surgery.  

[Turbo44]

2 hours ago, BuffaloBob said:

I like Howard for the most part. He, like all radio jocks, can be annoying to listen to sometimes.

 

I’ve only called in to WGR twice in my life, and the one time I called him he hung up on me and called me crazy. 😀

 

It was when Jarius Byrd was tagged and it was passed the date when Byrd could sign a long term deal for the season. He was going on about how if Byrd doesn’t show up to play, than the Bills simply trade him for a first or second round pick. 
 

I called in to say that there is no team in their right mind that would pay anywhere near that to stand in our shoes at that point. Because he couldn’t sign long term with anyone at that point, he would have to play under the tag and he would become a free agent at the end of the season, or they would have to tag him a second time to try and negotiate a deal to keep him. And of course, the price goes up substantially for that second tag. 
 

He told me that they could simply negotiate a deal under the table and have a verbal agreement to execute the deal in the new league year.  I responded that would be an unenforceable verbal contract which could not be enforced. It’s kind of like trying press charges against the guy who stole your weed. (Well, at least back in the day. 😇)

 

He said oh come on, they do it all of the time. I said that I had no knowledge or proof of that, but any lawyer knows it would be an unenforceable contract unless both parties agree to sign it at the later time, but either party could refuse and that would be the end of it. 
 

Anyway, I said again that the Bills would be lucky to get any draft compensation at all under those circumstances. And if they were

that lucky, it certainly wouldn’t be for a first or second given that they would only be trading for the right to stand in our shoes. He called me crazy and hung up on me.

 

I’ve often thought about calling him and asking him to remind me of who it was we got for that draft choice for which we traded Byrd while he was on the tag.  But I’m not all that vindictive. 

I'm confused - is Howard retiring or are you retiring from calling in?  Lol - in all seriousness, I'll miss Howard - he went to High School with my wife in Long Island, though don't know each other 

[Agent 91]

6 hours ago, blitzboy54 said:

 

 

I admit it. I was President of the 'we drafted the wrong Josh" club. Never been happier to be that wrong. 

I think I was the chair person.

 

I think more than Josh's actual talent. We FINALLY have people who know how to develop people they draft if they want to work. Also people who are drafting are actually drafting after doing actual leg work not just watching YouTube highlights and listening for buzz words.

[Beerball]

8 hours ago, Sargent Hulka said:

I remember well the Monday "Howard and Jeremy Show" following the 2018 NFL Draft, and Simon practically whining that we drafted the wrong Josh. He was lamenting the Bills didn't draft Josh Rosen, and spouting innuendo about Josh Allen's character. I think Simon is overrated and I won't miss him at all. I hope Sal takes his place.

 

😘

[Steptide]

The guys on wgr really arnt that bad. I listen quite a bit, and I can tell you they are generally light years better than sports talk radio in Rochester. There's a few guys in Rochester that I really question how they even have jobs,  let alone for years and years 

[GolfandBills]

8 hours ago, Einstein said:

 

You just described Nate Geary.

 

I cringe and turn the radio station whenever he comes on.

His political hot takes on Twitter are even worse.  If he wants to make it as any kind of reputable sports talk person he needs to chill out on Twitter with the political crap.  

Edited August 22, 2022 by GolfandBills

[May Day 10]

The most painful thing is when Bulldog has to do a show alone.  You can clearly hear that he feels like it is the worst day of his life.

He cannot carry a show.  Stammers around uncomfortably about some hand-picked basic, broad topic he tees up for himself.  

Other personalities from the station come on to help him run out the clock because they feel bad for him.  

[Bills fan since 87]

Sometimes I disagree with a WGR guy.  Somtimes I agree.  Setimes I dont like a topic.  Many times I do.  Thats radio.  The criticism of the station and its personalities is over the top and annoying.  The station does it's job and does it well. (But don't get me started on teh audicy app)

[Joe Ferguson]

Simon is not leaving yet, is he? He will be only on the show 2-3 days a week?

[davefan66]

Hate to see him go. Listen rarely to WGR anymore, but like when I do that he’s on. His replacement? Gotta he Sal. Although. I hope he calms down a bit.  Anyone else from the station?? No.

 

I like Jeremy. Schopp and bulldog, not at all.  Although bulldog was really good in his WBEN days.
 

Not sure who did the after point show today. Sal was on for 15 minutes or so, and then left it to someone else. Maybe Joe D? Is that the same as “sneaky Joe”?  Was the worst 1.5 hours of Buffalo sports radio I’ve ever heard. Talked about a dedicated special teamer like Taiwan useless, and would get rid of Zach Moss for Duke Johnson.  I don’t mind suffering opinions, but man the dude was not intelligent with his take.  Just wanted to cause a ruckus. I don’t listen often, and today was the reason I don’t.

 

 

[davefan66]

7 hours ago, Malazan said:

If I had to guess, I'd bet a lot of people referencing the awful 'young' guys are talking about Schopp and Maddog. Like, me, personally, the guys I remember and enjoyed were like Larry Felser, Art Wander, Howard Simon, Brad Riter and I forget the name of the other guy that used to broadcast with Simon.. red headed guy with curly hair. 

Must be Jim Brinson.  Him and Simon were really good together.  The other red head was Brian Blessing, who did Sabres stuff.

Last I saw Brinson was in Little Rock?

 

Incidentally, Brian Blessing passed away earlier this year at 64 years of age.

Edited August 23, 2022 by davefan66

[Malazan]

1 minute ago, davefan66 said:

Must be Jim Brinson.  Him and Simon were really good together.  The other red head was Brian Blessing, who did Sabres stuff.

Last I saw Bronson was in Little Rock?

 

Incidentally, Brian Blessing passed away earlier this year at 64 years of age.

 

Yes! It was Jim Brinson. Loved him and Howard. Looks like Jim is in Arizona now. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Ah dink ah go-wing do bee de nexd go-hozt wid Jeremy wen OW-ard reedire.

 

Urz droolee,

MarDEE BOOron.

Edited August 24, 2022 by Ridgewaycynic2013
Pronunciation. What?!

[bdomdbomb]

I mostly like Howard.  His jokes are a little tired but he conducts great interviews - you can tell he is not just winging it.  He is extremely prepared and has good chemistry with Jeremy.

[Blank Stare]

Man…blast from the past. I used to LOVE Empire Sports Network. Howard, Jim Brinson, Bob Trimble, Art Wander. Wall to wall Bills content on the “little engine that could” regional sports network. Must-see daily programming for me back in the day. On par with ESPN’s Sports center, Sunday Countdown, and NFL Live for me in those days. 

[Blank Stare]

5 hours ago, EersN'Bills said:

Just like when Paul talks about his "college hockey" days playing club hockey at Iowa St as reasons he "knows the game of hockey."

 

PHam definitely wants to give the impression he played against Minnesota/BU or something.

Paul seems like a nice enough guy, and I don’t typically like to disparage anyone for doing their job, but I absolutely cringe when they bring him on. I find that he says almost nothing. And when they give him an opportunity to be insightful/creative, he makes a basic/high-level point and then immediately says the same thing over again that he just previously said with a slightly different inflection as if it’s a new point and he didn’t just repeat himself. I always let out an audible “uuuggghhhh” ever time they say Paul is coming up next. I suppose he has his fans though, so to each their own. 

[gobilz]

Does Sals kid play travel baseball ?

[US Egg]

1 hour ago, Malazan said:

 

Yes! It was Jim Brinson. Loved him and Howard. Looks like Jim is in Arizona now. 

Didn’t Randy Savage mess with Brinson’s toupee during a live appearance?

[May Day 10]

It is a bit unrelated to the thread....

 

But one of the worst, and cringe-worthy things is when I am listening to a conventional sports radio show, and an adult caller calls in with a pre-written and rehearsed regurgitation of words, as if they are calling that stupid "smack talk" portion of the Jim Rome show.  All loud and trying to act tough-sounding.  

[Stokes84]

Sad to see Howard go.  You may disagree with the flagship host opinions, but at least Schopp, Bulldog, Jeremy, and Howard all present and sound like pro broadcasters.  
 

Sneaky Joe is young, but seems like he takes his craft seriously and is trying to improve.  I wish he wasn’t so onboard with the Mike Schopp track of thought, but that’s his mentor. Hopefully he grows his own thing.

 

Nate Geary… OMG. Is there anyone at the station that is offering him critiques?  Telling him to pump the breaks?  Loud, bombastic, interrupting, inserting himself when room to breathe is needed.  I actually frequently agree with his opinions, but the delivery is just soooooo grating.  I’m glad I’m not the only one. It needed to be said.

13 hours ago, TheProcess said:

Paul seems like a nice enough guy, and I don’t typically like to disparage anyone for doing their job, but I absolutely cringe when they bring him on. I find that he says almost nothing. And when they give him an opportunity to be insightful/creative, he makes a basic/high-level point and then immediately says the same thing over again that he just previously said with a slightly different inflection as if it’s a new point and he didn’t just repeat himself. I always let out an audible “uuuggghhhh” ever time they say Paul is coming up next. I suppose he has his fans though, so to each their own. 

Paul is the master of talking while saying nothing. And it seems like he doesn’t have any more access than the average fan, which is less than ideal for a beat reporter. 

Edited August 23, 2022 by Stokes84

[BRH]

23 hours ago, Einstein said:

Anyone remember when "The Coach" (Chuck Dickerson) was on WGR back in the mid-90's?

 

I know he wasn't everyone's cup of tea but I really enjoyed his football talk. He had a lot of bravado but also a lot of actual football knowledge to back it up. Unlike the 20-somethings that only know the drought.

 

Who loves ya, baby?

 

I spent some of the late '90s commuting between Rochester and UB for law school and would always try to time my classes so I could listen to The Coach on the way home.  He knew his stuff and was entertaining.... and the organization fed it by stupidly reacting to the things he would say.  Eventually they got their way and Dickerson was reassigned and later quit.  And we've been stuck with Schopp in the afternoons ever since.

 

I also liked when Mike Robitaille would come on during hockey season and talk about "Baffalo."

[TheFunPolice]

I have always enjoyed listening to Howard Simon in the mornings. He just seems friendly, which is a lost art that modern DJ's or talk hosts seem to lack.  I was thinking about this the other night listening to a local radio station... A really good DJ (or in this case talk host) makes such a difference for the experience of the listener and it's becoming such a lost art in the current age of louder, more shocking, more stupid. Your listeners don't want to feel attacked or put down, nor do they want their blood pressure to double. Some of these young guys are terrible to listen to, and are obviously being taught poorly. 

 

Nate Geary is the one (I think) who sometimes does mornings when Jeremy or Howard is out, and oh my god is it terrible... Talks over the other host, never stops for a second, and seems like he's just trying to get as much on tape as possible. It's hard to listen to. It's like he's paid by the word. 

 

A good DJ or good talk host is one who feels like listening to a friend, even if you disagree sometimes or get annoyed sometimes, and even if it's not for everyone. You have an audience, and you connect with that audience. I always loved Art Bell's show, for example. It felt like a community, like you were listening to the show with a bunch of other people (which of course you are literally) but it felt like a conversation. Anyone who is really into radio knows what I mean by that. 

 

Too many people on the radio today are about rants and monologues and trying to be over the top, which has its place from time to time, but as a default approach is not fun to listen to. Plus your audience is just sitting there, listening to an angry person or hyper person rant and rave. I know that works for some, but even then, it's really very very few who can pull that off AND have it work. 

 

You'd think being a DJ is easy: you just play music. But it's what you play, when, in what order, and how you slip stories about the musicians or concerts in between, and maybe a bit of a persona you have that differentiates you from others, but isn't overboard. I think it's the same for sports talk (or any talk). It's way more than just talking about sports on the radio, and it's a lot harder to be good at that many realize. 

 

IMO Howard is a true pro. 

Edited August 23, 2022 by TheFunPolice

[Bubba Gump]

The only thing that bothered me about Howard, was how he sounded like he was holding or sucking in a burp mid sentence. It was pretty annoying because he did it numerous times throughout the show. Other than that he wasn't bad. Always loved it when he flipped out.

[GunnerBill]

On 8/22/2022 at 3:55 PM, BTB said:

Bad for WGR.  Probably means a replacement by some young gun who wants to fill hours with yelling, screaming, hot takes, and talking over callers and co-hosts. 
 

I remember Howard starting out on WBEN.  Has always been a class act. 

 

Agree. When Jeremy is off and it is young guy plus Howard it is barebale. When Howard is off unlistenable.

[Estro]

On 8/22/2022 at 10:56 AM, Einstein said:

 

You just described Nate Geary.

 

I cringe and turn the radio station whenever he comes on.

100%. To each their own, but I can't listen to him. He oozes "know it all". I do like Sneaky Joe, think he does a good job.

[thunderingsquid]

Joe DiBiase or Nate Geary need to be next.   I like them both and will miss Howard a lot. 

[Johnnyp566]

If they lose Simon permanently an outside search would be most recommended. They have no upcoming talent on hand that can carry a show. 

[US Egg]

5 hours ago, Johnnyp566 said:

They have no upcoming talent on hand that can carry a show. 

There is, apparently, to Bills top brass, a below the radar local media talent they feel is destined for bigger and better things.

 

Don’t get mad should they become more prominent covering the Bills locally.