Occasionally, I'll lead off a blog with something other than sports, and today is one of those days. It has to be, if I'm going to use this space to ruin my friendship with one of my favorite co-workers. Here goes:

Dear Bulldog,

I've waited a long time to write this, in large part because you responded to my initial text about it with "I hate you," "Go to hell," or something about eyeballs and wood chippers, but it can wait no longer.

I love "Sons of Anarchy."

Now, I understand why you'd take issue with one of your friends enjoying a show about motorcycle gangs that reinforces terrible stereotypes about motorcyclists ("riders?"), but last time I checked, you watched "The Sopranos," and my last name ends in a vowel.

Truth is, I'll watch anything with Charlie Hunnam, who plays "Sons' " protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller. He's been in three movies I really enjoyed ("Green Street Hooligans," "Children of Men" and "Cold Mountain"), and was born in Newcastle, England, so -- being British and all -- he probably knows something about my Newcastle United FC Magpies (Edit note: His wikipedia page claims he has "no real interest" in soccer). Thusly, we can add him to my "pretend friends" list alongside Bill Murray, Jim Cramer, Bruce Springsteen and Brooks Orpik. We're a fun group. Saw Johnny Cash in concert last week. Bruce got us backstage. It was awesome.

I started watching "Sons of Anarchy" on a lark (the slang form of the phrase, not on an actual bird). It was mindless "brotherhood" nonsense with useless profanity, violence and PG-13 nudity. By all accounts, you would've told me, "You're better than this," and been correct about it.

However, the show has evolved into somewhat legitimate plot lines involving characters I actually care about, and things actually happen on the show from week-to-week. After the first three "getting to know these supposed badasses" show, there's been one down episode since, and in that episode a woman hit her husband's adulteress in the face with a skateboard. There are likeable rag-tag misfits. There's a cool Irish guy.

And, of course, there are downsides. The show is definitely not for kids. There are characters who are legitimately annoying. I'm not wild about the way it treats religion (Anarchy. Who knew?). Plus, are we really to believe there are small-town-sheriffs in this world who think illegal gun-running will keep their streets safe by way of vigilante justice in other counties?

In the interest of full disclosure, I now watch several unrealistic serial shows after spending all of college only watching sports, news and music on TV. I'm excited for "Lost" to return, and am seeing through "Prison Break," despite the fact that it is undeniably the worst television show aimed at the male demographic in the history of mankind. I also like boxing.

Is "Sons of Anarchy" closer to "Prison Break" than "Lost"? Maybe. Does my wife go sleep when I watch "crap like this"? Absolutely. Are dudes with huge beards getting into bar brawls every other week better than doing it myself? I hope so.

Highest regards,
Nick

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The Sabres have four "plus" players this year, one of whom has only played six games, and has a musculoskeletal injury (which essentially means, "Somewhere in his body is hurt." This description is taking "upper" and "lower" body to a new level. It's just "body." His body is hurt. Awesome).

Toni Lydman -- yes, that Toni Lydman -- is pacing the team with a plus-4. Jason Pominville, Daniel Paille and Connolly are plus-1. Everyone else is even or worse.

So is it defense or goaltending that is letting them down. Ruff preaches "the system," and it's hard not to again fault the forwards backchecking, which is a similar sentiment to last season's struggles. Sure, there are examples of defensive lapses, when Henrik Tallinder fed Blake Wheeler with a sweet outlet pass that ended up behind a bewildered and out-of-position Ryan Miller, but this is most similar to catching the fire just after ignition. You're fighting a losing battle.

In terms of players like Derek Roy, who has been criticized by Lindy Ruff for his defensive zone lapses, this could go far back as his mentor, Daniel Briere, who was often passenger in his own zone and on the backcheck. Think I'm reaching? Briere is a minus-25 since leaving Buffalo despite averaging almost a point-per-game. Think John Stevens' system is as responsible as Ruff's?

There's a reason a classy cat like Briere isn't wearing a letter on his jersey in Philadelphia, while Simon Gagne (plus-8) and 23-year-old Mike Richards (plus-6) are. The two forwards are Nos. 1 and 2 on the Flyers in plus/minus.

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A lot of laudatory comments will be given to Niagara for sticking with No. 23 Villanova on ESPNU last night, but the truth is that the Purple Eagles had a right to be in that game. Head coach Joe Mihalich has continually recruited high schoolers and transfers alike and, without a sloppy start, would've given the Wildcats a much better run down in Philadelphia.

'Nova is certainly talented, but Niagara was able to get some of the top Wildcats to foul out. If only ESPN decided to put an announcing team on board that didn't include a 'Nova alum, you might've heard more about Rob Garrison and company instead of inane blather about how cool it is to "come down the tunnel as a Wildcat." Fantastic.

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What else needs to be said about MAC football after last night's thriller between Central Michigan and No. 14 Ball State (besides the fact that those gold jerseys the Chippewas wore were appallingly sharp)?

Ball State quarterback Nate Davis had a disappointing day (12-of-22, 175 yards) and still tossed four touchdowns. Should UB win Friday night at Bowling Green, a tall task indeed, the Bulls will have a heck of a test in the MAC Championship, assuming the Cardinals can hold off Western Michigan at Ball State next week.

It's a fun time to be a local college sports fan. If only the professionals would follow suit.

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Quick United States soccer update: Freddy Adu's first international goal, scored on a beautiful free kick, paced the US past Guatemala, 2-0, in a game where the Yanks used mostly back-ups. Jozy Altidore was the real deal, and hopefully Kenny Cooper's goal and all-around play convince Bob Bradley that MLS players can contribute more on the national team level. Then again, he uses Brian Ching like it's his job -- which it is -- so the criticism is a mite unwarranted.

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And I think I'm going to make this my new tagline, sing the anthem.

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Email: nick@wgr550.com