Sunday, October 25, 2009
immediate Reactions, Wk7
12:54 PM | 
Posted by
Nick Mendola
For some extra-immediate, in-game, super-flu-ridden reactions, head to Twitter.com/NicholasMendola.
I typed it last week and I'll type it again: life is better when the Bills win. It wasn't close to pretty and it didn't inspire too much new faith in the offense, but Buffalo's 3-4 with a chance to hit the bye week at .500 with a home win over a wildly inconsistent Texans team.
My weekend has been a weekend fighting a pretty bad flu, so thanks Bills for finishing that one off in the 'W' column.
On with the show...
-- The discussion this week regarding quarterbacks is going to be a good one. Let's pretend Trent Edwards is healthy and ready for next week against Houston. Do you want him back in there because he completes more passes, or do you want to stick with the guy who is 2-0 this year? I imagine we'll see some vintage NFL deception this week from the Bills coaching staff. Even if Edwards is ready, I suspect they'd give him another two weeks off from getting hit in the head by whoever Demetrius Bell is supposed to be blocking.
-- The one strong indictment of Edwards that's come from watching Ryan Fitzpatrick quarterback the Bills is that he's been sacked twice in two weeks, while Edwards was sacked 19 times in six weeks. Fitzpatrick was inaccurate, but he made himself time in the pocket, something that Edwards has failed to do consistently.
-- The defense looked better against the run, but it's the pass defense that needs to be lauded. Those 300-plus yards were a large number, but it's another week limiting the opponent to very few points. The Bills have nine interceptions in two weeks, and are getting to the quarterback at a better rate than we've seen in years.
By the way, I'm still looking for the "Schobel's washed-up" people to come back out of the woodwork. His four sacks don't tell the whole story, as Chris Kelsay's three sacks are a nice bonus.
-- For a couple years we wanted Edwards' head on J.P. Losman's body, but things have a funny way of working out. If you could put Fitzpatrick's fearless-to-the-point-of-foolhardy head to work with Edwards' arm, I'd feel a whole lot better about the Bills chances the rest of the way. Fitzpatrick would've had two deep touchdowns if he had the strength to reach Terrell Owens and Lee Evans in stride on fly routes.
-- I'm not sure I can put into words how pleased I am to see Jairus Byrd making plays at the safety position. Isn't this what we wanted to see from Donte Whitner for so long. George Wilson now has two picks in two weeks, and it makes you wonder if the Bills are better off with their "B" plan of Wilson and Byrd rather than Whitner and Byrd.
-- Drayton Florence, at least for a week, looked like the corner Jacksonville gave crazy money to in 2008 (Six years, $36 million). I found it a little odd that Steve Tasker called his diving miss of a low-thrown Delhomme ball a "missed interception." It was a remarkably tough play to make, and I think Tasker gets a little caught up in not sounding like a homer. It can't be an easy job to do color commentary for your former team.
-- Bills running backs and tight ends combined for a total of one catch for seven yards in the passing game. Shawn Nelson's recovery could be huge for next week's game. San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis torched the Texans for three second-half scores this week.
-- That late reverse to Owens... would've liked to see it go to Evans. For one thing, they've run that play through Owens several times this year, and Evans has been solid on reverses in the last couple years.
-- One of the things we're learning is that there are a lot of bad quarterbacks in the NFL. For a while, the Bills were set to win with a quarterback who was 4-of-13 or something awful like that.
-- I don't have many problems with the way Dick Jauron coached today, and Mike Schopp said it right on the post-game show. These guys could've absolutely quit after that garbage fire versus the Browns.
-- That's all I have to say for now. Sorry. I'm fighting this flu thing pretty hard.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lee Evans, five catches, 75 yards, TD
-- He's good, and it's nice to see him get balls thrown his way. As long as the opposition is going to keep double covering Owens, keep chucking the ball to Evans.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Bills rushers, 30 carries, 52 yards, TD
-- My goodness did the run blocking regress this week, but perhaps its not a new thing. The Bills haven't successfully run the ball since Week Two against a Tampa team that entered the week allowing more rushing yards-per-game than any team in the league not called the Buffalo Bills. They ran alright against the Pats in Week One, but New England is 20th in the league against the run.
Game ball:
Byrd.
-- Again. His interceptions didn't look beautiful, but he's in the right position. Even with a bad missed tackle on the Williams touchdown -- remember, he's a rookie -- he's got an inside look at defensive rookie of the year.
Lastly...
It should be noted that I predicted a 20-17 win in this space last week. Wasn't exactly right, but
Next week:
As much as I want to have fun at work during the bye week, I think the Bills defense won't be able to shut down the Texans, who have won two games on the road (as have the Bills). The Texans are allowing 21-plus points-per-game, and have had a lot of trouble getting to the quarterback. Even if Edwards is back, I wonder if either Bills quarterback has the arm to contend with the November (yes, it'll be November) wind at the Ralph. I'm uncomfortable making a prediction until I know the severity of Andre Johnson's chest injury, but let's assume he's in. Houston 22, Buffalo 13.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
I typed it last week and I'll type it again: life is better when the Bills win. It wasn't close to pretty and it didn't inspire too much new faith in the offense, but Buffalo's 3-4 with a chance to hit the bye week at .500 with a home win over a wildly inconsistent Texans team.
My weekend has been a weekend fighting a pretty bad flu, so thanks Bills for finishing that one off in the 'W' column.
On with the show...
-- The discussion this week regarding quarterbacks is going to be a good one. Let's pretend Trent Edwards is healthy and ready for next week against Houston. Do you want him back in there because he completes more passes, or do you want to stick with the guy who is 2-0 this year? I imagine we'll see some vintage NFL deception this week from the Bills coaching staff. Even if Edwards is ready, I suspect they'd give him another two weeks off from getting hit in the head by whoever Demetrius Bell is supposed to be blocking.
-- The one strong indictment of Edwards that's come from watching Ryan Fitzpatrick quarterback the Bills is that he's been sacked twice in two weeks, while Edwards was sacked 19 times in six weeks. Fitzpatrick was inaccurate, but he made himself time in the pocket, something that Edwards has failed to do consistently.
-- The defense looked better against the run, but it's the pass defense that needs to be lauded. Those 300-plus yards were a large number, but it's another week limiting the opponent to very few points. The Bills have nine interceptions in two weeks, and are getting to the quarterback at a better rate than we've seen in years.
By the way, I'm still looking for the "Schobel's washed-up" people to come back out of the woodwork. His four sacks don't tell the whole story, as Chris Kelsay's three sacks are a nice bonus.
-- For a couple years we wanted Edwards' head on J.P. Losman's body, but things have a funny way of working out. If you could put Fitzpatrick's fearless-to-the-point-of-foolhardy head to work with Edwards' arm, I'd feel a whole lot better about the Bills chances the rest of the way. Fitzpatrick would've had two deep touchdowns if he had the strength to reach Terrell Owens and Lee Evans in stride on fly routes.
-- I'm not sure I can put into words how pleased I am to see Jairus Byrd making plays at the safety position. Isn't this what we wanted to see from Donte Whitner for so long. George Wilson now has two picks in two weeks, and it makes you wonder if the Bills are better off with their "B" plan of Wilson and Byrd rather than Whitner and Byrd.
-- Drayton Florence, at least for a week, looked like the corner Jacksonville gave crazy money to in 2008 (Six years, $36 million). I found it a little odd that Steve Tasker called his diving miss of a low-thrown Delhomme ball a "missed interception." It was a remarkably tough play to make, and I think Tasker gets a little caught up in not sounding like a homer. It can't be an easy job to do color commentary for your former team.
-- Bills running backs and tight ends combined for a total of one catch for seven yards in the passing game. Shawn Nelson's recovery could be huge for next week's game. San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis torched the Texans for three second-half scores this week.
-- That late reverse to Owens... would've liked to see it go to Evans. For one thing, they've run that play through Owens several times this year, and Evans has been solid on reverses in the last couple years.
-- One of the things we're learning is that there are a lot of bad quarterbacks in the NFL. For a while, the Bills were set to win with a quarterback who was 4-of-13 or something awful like that.
-- I don't have many problems with the way Dick Jauron coached today, and Mike Schopp said it right on the post-game show. These guys could've absolutely quit after that garbage fire versus the Browns.
-- That's all I have to say for now. Sorry. I'm fighting this flu thing pretty hard.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lee Evans, five catches, 75 yards, TD
-- He's good, and it's nice to see him get balls thrown his way. As long as the opposition is going to keep double covering Owens, keep chucking the ball to Evans.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Bills rushers, 30 carries, 52 yards, TD
-- My goodness did the run blocking regress this week, but perhaps its not a new thing. The Bills haven't successfully run the ball since Week Two against a Tampa team that entered the week allowing more rushing yards-per-game than any team in the league not called the Buffalo Bills. They ran alright against the Pats in Week One, but New England is 20th in the league against the run.
Game ball:
Byrd.
-- Again. His interceptions didn't look beautiful, but he's in the right position. Even with a bad missed tackle on the Williams touchdown -- remember, he's a rookie -- he's got an inside look at defensive rookie of the year.
Lastly...
It should be noted that I predicted a 20-17 win in this space last week. Wasn't exactly right, but
Next week:
As much as I want to have fun at work during the bye week, I think the Bills defense won't be able to shut down the Texans, who have won two games on the road (as have the Bills). The Texans are allowing 21-plus points-per-game, and have had a lot of trouble getting to the quarterback. Even if Edwards is back, I wonder if either Bills quarterback has the arm to contend with the November (yes, it'll be November) wind at the Ralph. I'm uncomfortable making a prediction until I know the severity of Andre Johnson's chest injury, but let's assume he's in. Houston 22, Buffalo 13.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Nothin' I Ever Seen
Maybe it's the Theraflu talking, but let me get my "Jump to Conclusions" mat out after just eight games:
Tyler Myers could one day sign the biggest contract in Sabres history.
This isn't about his game-winning shoot-out goal. For one thing, he actually shot the puck off Mike Smith's glove. It is, however, about a player with the potential to be something the Sabres have never had in the line-up in their 40-year history: something close to blueline perfection.
At 6'7", Myers obviously possesses something you can't teach. His crazy reach allows him to do things other players cannot, like keeping forecheckers well away from the puck and holding clearing attempts in the zone by essentially covering half the blue line. He's also very calm with the puck in his own end, almost too calm for his age. When Steven Stamkos tailed him into the Sabres zone for a loose puck Saturday night, he unconsciously found his way behind the net, losing Stamkos in the process. That is no small feat (pun subconsciously-intended).
The real coup for the Sabres is Myers' skating. It never looks like he is going all that fast, but we've already seen him maneuver through entire teams on a rush, and his reach is so ridiculous that a completely-legal diving stick check on a preseason opponent's breakway was called a penalty shot.
Whether he'll show a Chris Pronger-style nastiness remains to be seen, but he's already shown the propensity to do the yeoman's work well. He absorbs punishment along the boards in his own end, and makes the first pass on a break-out like a veteran. I was adamant that Buffalo re-sign Brian Campbell, who is one of my favorite all-time Sabres. Myers should be even better.
He is 19-years-old. Don't forget that. He's going to make mistakes, like Saturday's poor positioning on Maxim Afinogenov's goal, but when he does his game right, he's going to amaze. Honestly, I've never seen anything like Myers in the blue-and-gold. If he can explode a couple folks' faces, Zdeno Chara will have nothing on him in short order. I like the guy so much that I'm nervous to post this and force some sort of Buffalo jinx. Couldn't you just see him shrinking or something?
Someone Tweeted this to me after the game: "The best sports story to hit Buffalo since the post lockout team.We never seem get "that guy" in the league. We got that guy," (bps21). Yes, Buffalo, you just may have that guy (Best sports story? That's maybe taking it a bit too far). In time, he has the potential to be up there with names like Schoenfeld, Korab, Horton and Housley as the franchise's most important blue liners. Feel free to enjoy it.
(By the way, don't look now but Tim Kennedy plays hockey the way Buffalonians want hometown boys to play. He was ready to fight Lecavalier, who is half-a-foot taller than Kennedy. Also, apparently some other Tim Kennedy is an MMA fighter).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm waiting for my fever to come back, or at least to get back to coughing my lungs out. Go flu, go!
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Tyler Myers could one day sign the biggest contract in Sabres history.
This isn't about his game-winning shoot-out goal. For one thing, he actually shot the puck off Mike Smith's glove. It is, however, about a player with the potential to be something the Sabres have never had in the line-up in their 40-year history: something close to blueline perfection.
At 6'7", Myers obviously possesses something you can't teach. His crazy reach allows him to do things other players cannot, like keeping forecheckers well away from the puck and holding clearing attempts in the zone by essentially covering half the blue line. He's also very calm with the puck in his own end, almost too calm for his age. When Steven Stamkos tailed him into the Sabres zone for a loose puck Saturday night, he unconsciously found his way behind the net, losing Stamkos in the process. That is no small feat (pun subconsciously-intended).
The real coup for the Sabres is Myers' skating. It never looks like he is going all that fast, but we've already seen him maneuver through entire teams on a rush, and his reach is so ridiculous that a completely-legal diving stick check on a preseason opponent's breakway was called a penalty shot.
Whether he'll show a Chris Pronger-style nastiness remains to be seen, but he's already shown the propensity to do the yeoman's work well. He absorbs punishment along the boards in his own end, and makes the first pass on a break-out like a veteran. I was adamant that Buffalo re-sign Brian Campbell, who is one of my favorite all-time Sabres. Myers should be even better.
He is 19-years-old. Don't forget that. He's going to make mistakes, like Saturday's poor positioning on Maxim Afinogenov's goal, but when he does his game right, he's going to amaze. Honestly, I've never seen anything like Myers in the blue-and-gold. If he can explode a couple folks' faces, Zdeno Chara will have nothing on him in short order. I like the guy so much that I'm nervous to post this and force some sort of Buffalo jinx. Couldn't you just see him shrinking or something?
Someone Tweeted this to me after the game: "The best sports story to hit Buffalo since the post lockout team.We never seem get "that guy" in the league. We got that guy," (bps21). Yes, Buffalo, you just may have that guy (Best sports story? That's maybe taking it a bit too far). In time, he has the potential to be up there with names like Schoenfeld, Korab, Horton and Housley as the franchise's most important blue liners. Feel free to enjoy it.
(By the way, don't look now but Tim Kennedy plays hockey the way Buffalonians want hometown boys to play. He was ready to fight Lecavalier, who is half-a-foot taller than Kennedy. Also, apparently some other Tim Kennedy is an MMA fighter).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm waiting for my fever to come back, or at least to get back to coughing my lungs out. Go flu, go!
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Friday, October 23, 2009
What A Barn- My Trip to Ann Arbor
Three things contribute to make your live sports experience live in the upper echelon:
1) The game
2) The fans
3) The atmosphere
When you can take all three of those and add in two incredibly unique intangibles, the upper echelon enters the territory of both "unforgettable" and "elite." That's exactly what happened to me Thursday night in Ann Arbor, where Jeremy White and I traveled to be a part of the Niagara vs. Michigan mens hockey broadcast for the Niagara Sports Network.
I'm not sure I've ever written of my childhood dreams in this space. Sure, I wanted to be a firefighter and a right wing on the Buffalo Sabres, but playing ice hockey for the Michigan Wolverines was paramount to all other goals, pun intended. When teachers would ask my second-grade class to write books on their future, there I'd be with the winged-helmet, scoring four goals (and then getting drafted by the Sabres. I wore No. 82).
When you combine that old, dead dream with a spot behind the bench of the team I've been thrilled to broadcast for -- the Niagara Purple Eagles -- you've got all the makings of a classic night for one Nicholas Mendola.
Yost Arena is where college hockey is supposed to be played. Tens of championship banners hang from the steel girders that trace the ceiling from any of the high brick sides that form the barn. The boards in front of the home team's bench are sponsor-free. They just read, in maize and blue, "Michigan."
Thursday night was the home opener, so it was a fairly-packed house that greeted the Purple Eagles, who are used to playing in big buildings and know a thing or two about home-ice (Niagara held a nation-best 22-game home unbeaten streak at Dwyer Arena that ended in late 2007).
From "Hail to the Victors" ringing out from the brass band after every Wolverines goal to the sunken benches that allow fans in the front row the ability to lean over the glass and scream into the bench area, Yost is loud. I'm not talking jackhammer loud... I'm talking "there's a jet taking off and I forgot my ear muffs" loud.
Then, there was the game. As much as I grew up with Blue, you best believe I wanted Niagara to come out on-top. When Michigan opened up a 3-0 lead 11:38 into the first period, any Purps fan had to be nervous about the final score. For one thing, Niagara suited up nine freshman. Coach Dave Burkeholder's boys didn't quit, however, and junior netminder Adam Avramenko got nutty in the nets for the next 47 minutes. Captain Ryan Olidis dented the twine in the first to make it 3-1, and Paul Zanette scored in the final minute of the second to set up an intense third.
The Purple Eagles outshot Michigan, 16-14, in the final frame, but too many trips to the box stopped them short of earning the tie. At 0-3-1, Niagara doesn't want morale-builders, but hanging tough with a program that puts some gritty bodies in the NHL -- John Madden, Mike Knuble, Aaron Ward and Mike Komisarek among them -- is a solid building block for a very young team. Twelve of Michigan's 26 players have their NHL rights held by teams, and a couple won't be draft-eligible until 2010's edition.
Those disenchanted with pro sports would do well to check out the college hockey game. If you've never been to Dwyer up in Lewiston, make the trek, or plan a road trip out "West." Howard Simon told me this morning that his experience seeing Michigan/Michigan State at Yost was incredible, so you know it's not just maize-and-blue bias from me.
1) The game
2) The fans
3) The atmosphere
When you can take all three of those and add in two incredibly unique intangibles, the upper echelon enters the territory of both "unforgettable" and "elite." That's exactly what happened to me Thursday night in Ann Arbor, where Jeremy White and I traveled to be a part of the Niagara vs. Michigan mens hockey broadcast for the Niagara Sports Network.
I'm not sure I've ever written of my childhood dreams in this space. Sure, I wanted to be a firefighter and a right wing on the Buffalo Sabres, but playing ice hockey for the Michigan Wolverines was paramount to all other goals, pun intended. When teachers would ask my second-grade class to write books on their future, there I'd be with the winged-helmet, scoring four goals (and then getting drafted by the Sabres. I wore No. 82).
When you combine that old, dead dream with a spot behind the bench of the team I've been thrilled to broadcast for -- the Niagara Purple Eagles -- you've got all the makings of a classic night for one Nicholas Mendola.
Yost Arena is where college hockey is supposed to be played. Tens of championship banners hang from the steel girders that trace the ceiling from any of the high brick sides that form the barn. The boards in front of the home team's bench are sponsor-free. They just read, in maize and blue, "Michigan."
Thursday night was the home opener, so it was a fairly-packed house that greeted the Purple Eagles, who are used to playing in big buildings and know a thing or two about home-ice (Niagara held a nation-best 22-game home unbeaten streak at Dwyer Arena that ended in late 2007).
From "Hail to the Victors" ringing out from the brass band after every Wolverines goal to the sunken benches that allow fans in the front row the ability to lean over the glass and scream into the bench area, Yost is loud. I'm not talking jackhammer loud... I'm talking "there's a jet taking off and I forgot my ear muffs" loud.
Then, there was the game. As much as I grew up with Blue, you best believe I wanted Niagara to come out on-top. When Michigan opened up a 3-0 lead 11:38 into the first period, any Purps fan had to be nervous about the final score. For one thing, Niagara suited up nine freshman. Coach Dave Burkeholder's boys didn't quit, however, and junior netminder Adam Avramenko got nutty in the nets for the next 47 minutes. Captain Ryan Olidis dented the twine in the first to make it 3-1, and Paul Zanette scored in the final minute of the second to set up an intense third.
The Purple Eagles outshot Michigan, 16-14, in the final frame, but too many trips to the box stopped them short of earning the tie. At 0-3-1, Niagara doesn't want morale-builders, but hanging tough with a program that puts some gritty bodies in the NHL -- John Madden, Mike Knuble, Aaron Ward and Mike Komisarek among them -- is a solid building block for a very young team. Twelve of Michigan's 26 players have their NHL rights held by teams, and a couple won't be draft-eligible until 2010's edition.
Those disenchanted with pro sports would do well to check out the college hockey game. If you've never been to Dwyer up in Lewiston, make the trek, or plan a road trip out "West." Howard Simon told me this morning that his experience seeing Michigan/Michigan State at Yost was incredible, so you know it's not just maize-and-blue bias from me.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Immediate Reactions, Wk6
For some extra immediate reactions, head to my load of in-game posts at Twitter.com/NicholasMendola
I love when the Bills win. My Frank's "Pasta Artichoke" leftovers are going to taste so much better.
-- Since I've been quick to defend Dick Jauron at certain points in the past, let me say that he did a worse job in this win than he's done in any of the four losses. He got way too conservative on the final drive of regulation, attempting a field goal on second down after letting :36 run down to :03.
THEN, after the Lee Evans replay reversal in overtime, he runs Marshawn Lynch on two very safe runs. Luckily, Rian Lindell nailed a kick from 47 yards away. I know, I know... they made the kick.
(And let's get this straight, the Lee Evans "bobble" was the right call according to the rules, but is one of the reasons football can be stupid. That should be a catch).
-- Not to pile on the point, but you have to wonder if Ryan Fitzpatrick could've engineered some points in the second half last week if Jauron had the guts to pull Trent Edwards. Again, Edwards is more-than-likely the better quarterback, but when your guy is struggling, you gotta have the gumption to try another one of your guys.
-- Here's to the defense. Yes, they got chewed up on more than one occasion on the ground, but they only allowed 13 points. Six interceptions is real nice.
-- Jairus Byrd with three picks in his last two games. The Bills sent out a "Tweet" saying he was the first Bills rookie since Nate Clements to grab three interceptions in a season... and he's got 10 weeks to go. I'm a big fan of the Oregon rookie, who is disproving that a full training camp is necessary...
-- ... while Aaron Maybin is the other side of the story. Who lines up that far offside? Furthermore, who does that right after the team is victimized for the same play? No tackles today, and maybe we're learning why Perry Fewell isn't trying to move this guy to linebacker... brains.
-- Note to Trent Edwards: It's not the concussion. No. 83 has been on the Bills all year. What a nice game for Lee Evans, one of the classiest guys in the league. His critics should note that he made catches in traffic and near the sidelines. Feeling good for a class act, whose value was shown while Terrell Owens was engaged in a battle with Darrelle Revis, a corner who is the real deal.
-- Ryan Fitzpatrick could quite simply be the Kelly Holcomb of Harvard, but I'm ready to see him next week, especially knowing more than a thing or two about concussions. Play it safe after an ugly injury. In a league with the Tom Brady Rule, there should be a fine there.
-- Fitzpatrick wasn't a stud by any means, but he did prove a few complaints that many people had about Edwards right. Fitzpatrick had a whole lot more time to throw because he refused to only tuck it and run. A lot of it may have to do with Bill-killer Kris Jenkins being knocked out of the game, but it was a lot more fun watching Fitz than it was Trent.
-- Even if I didn't like the conservative nature of the calls, I love that Alex Van Pelt showed more allegiance to the run this week. Eric Wood has the look of a career left guard (Edit note: even if, yes, as a commenter said, he does play right guard. Left guard is arguably a more important spot).
-- Running truly does seem to be a part of Ryan Fitzpatrick's arsenal, though certainly more like Matt Cassel than Michael Vick. I thought his scampers were well-chosen, unlike some quarterbacks' hesitations that cost them precious yards.
-- When Fitzpatrick dumped the ball to Corey McIntyre on a play in the second half, my eyes tried to trick me into thinking the pass was thrown to a lineman.
-- The Bills eight penalties should keep them near the top of the league, but the Jets' 14 penalties were a reminder that it could be worse. My dad texted me after the game that the Jets wanted to lose the game more than the Bills did.
-- On the Josh Reed "fumble," I was really disappointed that Jackson showed no instinct to grab the ball, even if he was trying to pretend it didn't hit Reed. The Bills made a lot of mistakes that should've haunted them. The good news is that the Jets are in their division. The bad new is the Patriots are, too, and they stomped the Titans, 59-0. Chris Johnson ran for 127 yards for Tennessee, which must be up there in the "most rushing yards in a 50-plus-point loss" category.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Mark Sanchez, 10-of-29, 119 yards, two sacks, five interceptions
--- I think the kid is going to be great, but my goodness did he look uncomfortable in the elements.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Jets running game, 40 carries, 318 yards
--- New York snagging eight yards-per-carry is alarming, but the Bills came up big when it matters. When you take into account some of the massive gains they gave up, the 8.0 isn't as ugly as it should be.
Game ball:
Byrd.
-- Folks, we have a safety.
Lastly...
I don't care if its ugly, and I know I'm a reporter who tries to stay unbiased in his analysis, but I love when the Bills win. I'm excited to not be quitting on the year. Will they make the playoffs? Probably not, but before this week we couldn't imagine which game on the schedule would be win No. 2. We've got it, and I'm ready for Carolina.
Next week:
Why am I ready for Carolina? Because the Panthers have the same quality wins that the Bills have in beating Washington and Tampa Bay. I think the Bills running game should be more of a factor against the Panthers, and regardless of quarterback we should see a contested game. I think it'll be just as ugly... but just as victorious. Bills get a defensive TD and move to 3-4 with a 20-17 win over the Panthers down South. It's the kind of "false hope" game the Bills regularly win, right?
I love when the Bills win. My Frank's "Pasta Artichoke" leftovers are going to taste so much better.
-- Since I've been quick to defend Dick Jauron at certain points in the past, let me say that he did a worse job in this win than he's done in any of the four losses. He got way too conservative on the final drive of regulation, attempting a field goal on second down after letting :36 run down to :03.
THEN, after the Lee Evans replay reversal in overtime, he runs Marshawn Lynch on two very safe runs. Luckily, Rian Lindell nailed a kick from 47 yards away. I know, I know... they made the kick.
(And let's get this straight, the Lee Evans "bobble" was the right call according to the rules, but is one of the reasons football can be stupid. That should be a catch).
-- Not to pile on the point, but you have to wonder if Ryan Fitzpatrick could've engineered some points in the second half last week if Jauron had the guts to pull Trent Edwards. Again, Edwards is more-than-likely the better quarterback, but when your guy is struggling, you gotta have the gumption to try another one of your guys.
-- Here's to the defense. Yes, they got chewed up on more than one occasion on the ground, but they only allowed 13 points. Six interceptions is real nice.
-- Jairus Byrd with three picks in his last two games. The Bills sent out a "Tweet" saying he was the first Bills rookie since Nate Clements to grab three interceptions in a season... and he's got 10 weeks to go. I'm a big fan of the Oregon rookie, who is disproving that a full training camp is necessary...
-- ... while Aaron Maybin is the other side of the story. Who lines up that far offside? Furthermore, who does that right after the team is victimized for the same play? No tackles today, and maybe we're learning why Perry Fewell isn't trying to move this guy to linebacker... brains.
-- Note to Trent Edwards: It's not the concussion. No. 83 has been on the Bills all year. What a nice game for Lee Evans, one of the classiest guys in the league. His critics should note that he made catches in traffic and near the sidelines. Feeling good for a class act, whose value was shown while Terrell Owens was engaged in a battle with Darrelle Revis, a corner who is the real deal.
-- Ryan Fitzpatrick could quite simply be the Kelly Holcomb of Harvard, but I'm ready to see him next week, especially knowing more than a thing or two about concussions. Play it safe after an ugly injury. In a league with the Tom Brady Rule, there should be a fine there.
-- Fitzpatrick wasn't a stud by any means, but he did prove a few complaints that many people had about Edwards right. Fitzpatrick had a whole lot more time to throw because he refused to only tuck it and run. A lot of it may have to do with Bill-killer Kris Jenkins being knocked out of the game, but it was a lot more fun watching Fitz than it was Trent.
-- Even if I didn't like the conservative nature of the calls, I love that Alex Van Pelt showed more allegiance to the run this week. Eric Wood has the look of a career left guard (Edit note: even if, yes, as a commenter said, he does play right guard. Left guard is arguably a more important spot).
-- Running truly does seem to be a part of Ryan Fitzpatrick's arsenal, though certainly more like Matt Cassel than Michael Vick. I thought his scampers were well-chosen, unlike some quarterbacks' hesitations that cost them precious yards.
-- When Fitzpatrick dumped the ball to Corey McIntyre on a play in the second half, my eyes tried to trick me into thinking the pass was thrown to a lineman.
-- The Bills eight penalties should keep them near the top of the league, but the Jets' 14 penalties were a reminder that it could be worse. My dad texted me after the game that the Jets wanted to lose the game more than the Bills did.
-- On the Josh Reed "fumble," I was really disappointed that Jackson showed no instinct to grab the ball, even if he was trying to pretend it didn't hit Reed. The Bills made a lot of mistakes that should've haunted them. The good news is that the Jets are in their division. The bad new is the Patriots are, too, and they stomped the Titans, 59-0. Chris Johnson ran for 127 yards for Tennessee, which must be up there in the "most rushing yards in a 50-plus-point loss" category.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Mark Sanchez, 10-of-29, 119 yards, two sacks, five interceptions
--- I think the kid is going to be great, but my goodness did he look uncomfortable in the elements.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Jets running game, 40 carries, 318 yards
--- New York snagging eight yards-per-carry is alarming, but the Bills came up big when it matters. When you take into account some of the massive gains they gave up, the 8.0 isn't as ugly as it should be.
Game ball:
Byrd.
-- Folks, we have a safety.
Lastly...
I don't care if its ugly, and I know I'm a reporter who tries to stay unbiased in his analysis, but I love when the Bills win. I'm excited to not be quitting on the year. Will they make the playoffs? Probably not, but before this week we couldn't imagine which game on the schedule would be win No. 2. We've got it, and I'm ready for Carolina.
Next week:
Why am I ready for Carolina? Because the Panthers have the same quality wins that the Bills have in beating Washington and Tampa Bay. I think the Bills running game should be more of a factor against the Panthers, and regardless of quarterback we should see a contested game. I think it'll be just as ugly... but just as victorious. Bills get a defensive TD and move to 3-4 with a 20-17 win over the Panthers down South. It's the kind of "false hope" game the Bills regularly win, right?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
"Jauron's Still Here" Mailbag
I've been contemplating giving Bills fan emails a sounding board since Sunday's game ended. Then, a hilarious and perfect letter from a serviceman overseas pushed the idea over the top.
Yes, Dick Jauron is still the Bills head coach. To the rest of the nation, here's a glimpse of sports hell:
===
Author! author!,
Edwards is only one of a number of players that have or will be ruined by this organization. I believe Trent could be a very good QB... but not within this organization as it is now.
By the way, are you watching Chad Henne tonight? THSS discounted him in their exercise of whom and whom not they would consider as being better that Edwards. He looks a lot more like Marino than does poor Trent Jauron.
It's all coaching. Every bit of it,
Steve
Steve,
I tried to watch Dolphins/Jets, but my eyes were on fire from the Fins jerseys. I did watch "Wonder Boys," which was pretty well-done adaptation of the book of the same name by great American writer Michael Chabon.
I’m a Michigan guy, so you don’t have to convince me about Henne, and Howard added him into the “rather than Trent” occasion this morning.
I wrote it in one of my blogs this week. It could be that Jauron is killing Edwards the same way Mike Mularkey started jerking J.P. Losman around three games into his career as a starter, but in either case, you want your quarterback to be more mentally-tough. We’ve all had bad bosses. The true test of character is whether you bail, or do the best you can with what you got. Can you honestly say Trent “Our coach has us going in the right direction” Edwards is emblematic of that philosophy?
===
Maybe Ralph is so old he won't remember the losses...
--Joel
Joel,
I’m worried he can’t remember what it feels like to win…
===
New video of “Hey There, Trent Edwards,” Mixed by yours truly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY4ZLcM4ouU ---J
J,
Well-played sir. The Owens “I’m here” sample is top-notch. Should\'ve thought of it
===
Subj: Dick Jauron ringtone
Nick,
Now every time I get a text from the lowly Bills I get to hear “When Will Jauron Get Fired” play. At least I can take solace in that.
-- Dan
Dan,
Happy to help? Here’s another fan-made video from “J” that’s kinda hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lX7I1Jo-eQ
===
Nick,
We can all dream, can’t we? Or, do we just get stuck with our nightmares???
This is a list of steps I think might turn this franchise around. It would take a serious commitment by the Bills owner whoever that would be.
#1 Will not be listed. I would not wish that on anyone, not even a 90-year-old man.
#2 Keep Jauron for the year, tank the season, secure a top-4 pick with the plan to get Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford, or Tim Tebow. The new rookie will play and be the starter. At half a million for 2010 keep Trent as the back up to spell the rookie when needed. Trade Fitzpatrick if anyone wants him.
#3 Hope someone needs a running back bad and work out some kind of package for another first round pick. Keep in mind we’ve got Parrish and an extra quarterback too.
#4 Work out any other deal for a high-second round pick.
#5 Fire Russ Brandon at the end of the year, the next day hire Mike Holmgren to replace him as the new GM/Executive VP of Football Operations (Holmgren said he\'d like to try front office again).
#6 Fire Dick Jauron. Suck it up and eat the contract.
#7 Give Holmgren the funds to hire Jonn Gruden as head coach, bringing Holmgren and Gruden back together. With the right amount of money, 2 first round picks, 2 high second round picks, and getting to work with his old boss, Gruden won't say no.
#8 No offense Alex, but you got to go. Let Holmgren and Gruden (two former O.C.’s) decide who the offensive coordinator is and let them run the team and start fresh.
#9 I’m not sure if Perry Fewell is the guy but if Holmgren and Gruden want to drop him then he’s got to go too.
Holmgren’s been around a long time and with his contacts throughout the league he should make a great GM. Gruden’s still a young man with intensity and a lot to prove. He should make a great fit in Buffalo.
Thank You,
Jim
Lockport, NY
A 20-year Bills Fan that’s seen the highs and lows. I will never stop loving this team. But, I may stop liking them.
Folks, I give you your new VP of football operations: Jim in Lockport!
===
Good afternoon Nick,
I am a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan that can\'t take it anymore! If I knew how to start a website, then I would start one today and name it www.mikeshanahanforbuffalo.com. This coaching carousel over the last ten years is killing us. We need a big name, no nonsense, proven Head Coach and who better than Mike Shanahan. Coach Shanahan\'s worst record in Denver probably equals our best record over the last ten years.
He would do wonders with talent like Trent Edwards, Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, Freddie Jackson, Shaun Nelson, and Xavier Omon. Sure the players are to blame as well, but hey attitude and performance reflects leadership! Shanahan doesn't mind coaching in the cold, he\'s a no nonsense guy that will hold players and coaches responsible, and doesn't mind shaking things up within the organization which is exactly what we need. Other coaches like Bill Cowher and John Gruden have chosen to (at least for now) be television analysts. We don't need nor do we have the time to try and coax one of these guys back into coaching.
-- Steve
Bills Fan for LIfe!
Steve,
Shanahan’s worst year was 6-10, but it was bordered by 14-2 and 11-5 campaigns. Amazing how the drop-off from John Elway was only severe for one year. Also, Shanahan was fired after three non-playoff seasons, just like Dick Ja--- oh, nevermind.
One qualm with your argument: Xavier Omon? Do we know enough to call him a weapon?
I also love that we all feel the need to qualify every negative statement about the Bills with, "but I'm still a fan. Butterknife my brain, but I'm still a Bills fan."
Thanks for the email.
===
Nick,
Buffalo should take a page out of the Detriot Lions book and have all the fans wear the visiting teams colors to the next home game. The next home game is Houston who wear red white and blue so it may have to wait til the Miami game when everyone could wear orange and teal colors and root for the Dolphins.
The Lions did this in protest and wore Orange and rooted for the Bengals during a home game. If fans want a quicker response then they can adopt the Texans for the next home game and find a way to make it known in the stands that everyone is rooting for the Texans and not the Bills.
--Pat
Pat,
Get with me on this – as my buddy Scoggles would say – we can’t do anything the Lions have done. Yes, it’s absolute denial, but let’s just not do that.
In other news, I’ve found that I can now listen to Van Halen’s “Right Now” without thinking of Scott Norwood missing the kick. My buddy Gerald – look at me name-dropping my friends all over this piece! – always quoted the “only missed by a fraction” line. The song itself is hilarious. It kinda pumps you up, but at the same time, you can visualize terrible cover bands playing it, and getting way too into it.
By the way, the new Michael Jackson song is awful. Stop pretending everything post-humous is good. My dog’s messes proved the idea wrong months ago.
===
Nick,
First off, thank you for your great summaries every Monday describing the Bills. Extremely detailed, and well written.
Secondly, I don’t even need them anymore. I'm sitting here in Iraq at an old Saddam base, therefore I don’t have CBS, or even the NFL Ticket, and I can still picture these damn football games… Just by reading a few paragraphs I can picture the whole game; every mistake, every terrible play call, every 4-yd pass on a 3rd-and-12. It’s been happening for years.
Every Monday I look forward to running to the computer lab to check scores, and it’s not even worth it anymore. I am 4,000 miles away, and I have the same feelings I have when I sit at the Big Tree Inn and watch them lose. I just don’t get it anymore....
Where do we go from here? I have an idea, fire the coach. Sometimes a change is needed, just BECAUSE. Stop this "one more week" BS and make a change. The Bills have a lethal WR and RB core, but we can’t score any more.
...I dont even know what I\'m trying to get at with this email, but I needed to vent, because I just can’t take it anymore, and I\'m in the middle of no where, with football being the LAST thing I worry about, and it STILL bugs me.
On a final note, one of my Soldiers just played Superstar mode for Madden 2010 on XBOX, and his player was drafted by Buffalo. I was pumped, watched him do great in the regular season, even make it to the Super Bowl. The kid was great, couldn't lose...But it happened, even XBOX knows better to allow the Bills to win a Super Bowl. They got blown out by the Giants 34-10...Makes me want to cry.
Go Sabres,
1LT Brett
(Call letters omitted by Nick)
IRAQ
Brett,
Thanks for the email from overseas. It’s the MVP of the Mailbag. Trust me, we here feel your Bills pain, and hope things sure do get better.
On a serious note, I hope things are going alright over there. Stay safe, stay strong, and come home when you can.
Thanks for everything you do, man,
Nick
Keep the mail coming: nick@wgr550.com
Yes, Dick Jauron is still the Bills head coach. To the rest of the nation, here's a glimpse of sports hell:
===
Author! author!,
Edwards is only one of a number of players that have or will be ruined by this organization. I believe Trent could be a very good QB... but not within this organization as it is now.
By the way, are you watching Chad Henne tonight? THSS discounted him in their exercise of whom and whom not they would consider as being better that Edwards. He looks a lot more like Marino than does poor Trent Jauron.
It's all coaching. Every bit of it,
Steve
Steve,
I tried to watch Dolphins/Jets, but my eyes were on fire from the Fins jerseys. I did watch "Wonder Boys," which was pretty well-done adaptation of the book of the same name by great American writer Michael Chabon.
I’m a Michigan guy, so you don’t have to convince me about Henne, and Howard added him into the “rather than Trent” occasion this morning.
I wrote it in one of my blogs this week. It could be that Jauron is killing Edwards the same way Mike Mularkey started jerking J.P. Losman around three games into his career as a starter, but in either case, you want your quarterback to be more mentally-tough. We’ve all had bad bosses. The true test of character is whether you bail, or do the best you can with what you got. Can you honestly say Trent “Our coach has us going in the right direction” Edwards is emblematic of that philosophy?
===
Maybe Ralph is so old he won't remember the losses...
--Joel
Joel,
I’m worried he can’t remember what it feels like to win…
===
New video of “Hey There, Trent Edwards,” Mixed by yours truly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY4ZLcM4ouU ---J
J,
Well-played sir. The Owens “I’m here” sample is top-notch. Should\'ve thought of it
===
Subj: Dick Jauron ringtone
Nick,
Now every time I get a text from the lowly Bills I get to hear “When Will Jauron Get Fired” play. At least I can take solace in that.
-- Dan
Dan,
Happy to help? Here’s another fan-made video from “J” that’s kinda hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lX7I1Jo-eQ
===
Nick,
We can all dream, can’t we? Or, do we just get stuck with our nightmares???
This is a list of steps I think might turn this franchise around. It would take a serious commitment by the Bills owner whoever that would be.
#1 Will not be listed. I would not wish that on anyone, not even a 90-year-old man.
#2 Keep Jauron for the year, tank the season, secure a top-4 pick with the plan to get Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford, or Tim Tebow. The new rookie will play and be the starter. At half a million for 2010 keep Trent as the back up to spell the rookie when needed. Trade Fitzpatrick if anyone wants him.
#3 Hope someone needs a running back bad and work out some kind of package for another first round pick. Keep in mind we’ve got Parrish and an extra quarterback too.
#4 Work out any other deal for a high-second round pick.
#5 Fire Russ Brandon at the end of the year, the next day hire Mike Holmgren to replace him as the new GM/Executive VP of Football Operations (Holmgren said he\'d like to try front office again).
#6 Fire Dick Jauron. Suck it up and eat the contract.
#7 Give Holmgren the funds to hire Jonn Gruden as head coach, bringing Holmgren and Gruden back together. With the right amount of money, 2 first round picks, 2 high second round picks, and getting to work with his old boss, Gruden won't say no.
#8 No offense Alex, but you got to go. Let Holmgren and Gruden (two former O.C.’s) decide who the offensive coordinator is and let them run the team and start fresh.
#9 I’m not sure if Perry Fewell is the guy but if Holmgren and Gruden want to drop him then he’s got to go too.
Holmgren’s been around a long time and with his contacts throughout the league he should make a great GM. Gruden’s still a young man with intensity and a lot to prove. He should make a great fit in Buffalo.
Thank You,
Jim
Lockport, NY
A 20-year Bills Fan that’s seen the highs and lows. I will never stop loving this team. But, I may stop liking them.
Folks, I give you your new VP of football operations: Jim in Lockport!
===
Good afternoon Nick,
I am a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan that can\'t take it anymore! If I knew how to start a website, then I would start one today and name it www.mikeshanahanforbuffalo.com. This coaching carousel over the last ten years is killing us. We need a big name, no nonsense, proven Head Coach and who better than Mike Shanahan. Coach Shanahan\'s worst record in Denver probably equals our best record over the last ten years.
He would do wonders with talent like Trent Edwards, Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, Freddie Jackson, Shaun Nelson, and Xavier Omon. Sure the players are to blame as well, but hey attitude and performance reflects leadership! Shanahan doesn't mind coaching in the cold, he\'s a no nonsense guy that will hold players and coaches responsible, and doesn't mind shaking things up within the organization which is exactly what we need. Other coaches like Bill Cowher and John Gruden have chosen to (at least for now) be television analysts. We don't need nor do we have the time to try and coax one of these guys back into coaching.
-- Steve
Bills Fan for LIfe!
Steve,
Shanahan’s worst year was 6-10, but it was bordered by 14-2 and 11-5 campaigns. Amazing how the drop-off from John Elway was only severe for one year. Also, Shanahan was fired after three non-playoff seasons, just like Dick Ja--- oh, nevermind.
One qualm with your argument: Xavier Omon? Do we know enough to call him a weapon?
I also love that we all feel the need to qualify every negative statement about the Bills with, "but I'm still a fan. Butterknife my brain, but I'm still a Bills fan."
Thanks for the email.
===
Nick,
Buffalo should take a page out of the Detriot Lions book and have all the fans wear the visiting teams colors to the next home game. The next home game is Houston who wear red white and blue so it may have to wait til the Miami game when everyone could wear orange and teal colors and root for the Dolphins.
The Lions did this in protest and wore Orange and rooted for the Bengals during a home game. If fans want a quicker response then they can adopt the Texans for the next home game and find a way to make it known in the stands that everyone is rooting for the Texans and not the Bills.
--Pat
Pat,
Get with me on this – as my buddy Scoggles would say – we can’t do anything the Lions have done. Yes, it’s absolute denial, but let’s just not do that.
In other news, I’ve found that I can now listen to Van Halen’s “Right Now” without thinking of Scott Norwood missing the kick. My buddy Gerald – look at me name-dropping my friends all over this piece! – always quoted the “only missed by a fraction” line. The song itself is hilarious. It kinda pumps you up, but at the same time, you can visualize terrible cover bands playing it, and getting way too into it.
By the way, the new Michael Jackson song is awful. Stop pretending everything post-humous is good. My dog’s messes proved the idea wrong months ago.
===
Nick,
First off, thank you for your great summaries every Monday describing the Bills. Extremely detailed, and well written.
Secondly, I don’t even need them anymore. I'm sitting here in Iraq at an old Saddam base, therefore I don’t have CBS, or even the NFL Ticket, and I can still picture these damn football games… Just by reading a few paragraphs I can picture the whole game; every mistake, every terrible play call, every 4-yd pass on a 3rd-and-12. It’s been happening for years.
Every Monday I look forward to running to the computer lab to check scores, and it’s not even worth it anymore. I am 4,000 miles away, and I have the same feelings I have when I sit at the Big Tree Inn and watch them lose. I just don’t get it anymore....
Where do we go from here? I have an idea, fire the coach. Sometimes a change is needed, just BECAUSE. Stop this "one more week" BS and make a change. The Bills have a lethal WR and RB core, but we can’t score any more.
...I dont even know what I\'m trying to get at with this email, but I needed to vent, because I just can’t take it anymore, and I\'m in the middle of no where, with football being the LAST thing I worry about, and it STILL bugs me.
On a final note, one of my Soldiers just played Superstar mode for Madden 2010 on XBOX, and his player was drafted by Buffalo. I was pumped, watched him do great in the regular season, even make it to the Super Bowl. The kid was great, couldn't lose...But it happened, even XBOX knows better to allow the Bills to win a Super Bowl. They got blown out by the Giants 34-10...Makes me want to cry.
Go Sabres,
1LT Brett
(Call letters omitted by Nick)
IRAQ
Brett,
Thanks for the email from overseas. It’s the MVP of the Mailbag. Trust me, we here feel your Bills pain, and hope things sure do get better.
On a serious note, I hope things are going alright over there. Stay safe, stay strong, and come home when you can.
Thanks for everything you do, man,
Nick
Keep the mail coming: nick@wgr550.com
Sunday, October 11, 2009
On Trent "being a fan"
During our "post-post-game" show, I played the post-Cleveland loss Trent Edwards press conference. At the end of his answers, he's essentially asked if he understands why fans booed the Bills. His response, and I'm paraphrasing, was that he's not a fan so he can't comment or understand.
It really ticked me off at first, but I tried to settle down and realize I was probably in the "heat of the moment." In any event, it was a super-loaded question that the Bills quarterback was probably pretty ticked off at answering. However, after getting a bunch of emails and "Tweets" about it, I see that it's hitting a lot Bills fans the same way it initially got me.
A couple hours later, here's what I think: it's not that Edwards has to care what the fans think, it's that he doesn't have the common sense or emotion to buck the company line. There's so much Dick Jauron to his responses that it's like hearing a robot.
You can name any number of Bills signal callers over the years who would've been aware enough to know that Buffalo fans hang on their quarterback's every word, looking for signs of gusto. Not acknowledging that he understands being booed, or that he even notices on the field, is not just a little insulting, it's silly.
If I can over-analyze, it could be symptomatic of what ails the Bills. Maybe history will end up showing that Mike Mularkey murdered J.P. Losman's chances of having a solid career, and perhaps it'll go down that Dick Jauron's lack of fire hampered the calm Edwards from ever becoming a true leader, and crippled his chances of having the backbone to shake off some terrible performances and decisions.
More likely, though, the guy just doesn't get Bills fans, or maybe football fans in general. Take what Orchard Park native and Bills special teamer Jon Corto said after the game:
"I know what it's like to feel frustrated. I've been a Bills fan my whole life. I tell some of these guys, 'Man, I feel the pain of the fans' because I'm a fan, too."
Corto, not surprisingly, gets it. On the other hand, there's Edwards. Our last quarterback quoted Yoda and it was a big deal. Edwards probably wouldn't admit to knowing that "Star Wars" was a successful film. Maybe he'd have to look at the tape.
From his ridiculous, "I didn't notice Jason Peters wasn't at practice" comments a few years back all the way up until today, Edwards has adopted the "believe what I say when I say it approach" of Bill Belichick, without any of the success to back it up.
In other words, Bills fans don't like getting spit on and being told it's raining. Even if it's pretty overcast, we're not total idiots.
It really ticked me off at first, but I tried to settle down and realize I was probably in the "heat of the moment." In any event, it was a super-loaded question that the Bills quarterback was probably pretty ticked off at answering. However, after getting a bunch of emails and "Tweets" about it, I see that it's hitting a lot Bills fans the same way it initially got me.
A couple hours later, here's what I think: it's not that Edwards has to care what the fans think, it's that he doesn't have the common sense or emotion to buck the company line. There's so much Dick Jauron to his responses that it's like hearing a robot.
You can name any number of Bills signal callers over the years who would've been aware enough to know that Buffalo fans hang on their quarterback's every word, looking for signs of gusto. Not acknowledging that he understands being booed, or that he even notices on the field, is not just a little insulting, it's silly.
If I can over-analyze, it could be symptomatic of what ails the Bills. Maybe history will end up showing that Mike Mularkey murdered J.P. Losman's chances of having a solid career, and perhaps it'll go down that Dick Jauron's lack of fire hampered the calm Edwards from ever becoming a true leader, and crippled his chances of having the backbone to shake off some terrible performances and decisions.
More likely, though, the guy just doesn't get Bills fans, or maybe football fans in general. Take what Orchard Park native and Bills special teamer Jon Corto said after the game:
"I know what it's like to feel frustrated. I've been a Bills fan my whole life. I tell some of these guys, 'Man, I feel the pain of the fans' because I'm a fan, too."
Corto, not surprisingly, gets it. On the other hand, there's Edwards. Our last quarterback quoted Yoda and it was a big deal. Edwards probably wouldn't admit to knowing that "Star Wars" was a successful film. Maybe he'd have to look at the tape.
From his ridiculous, "I didn't notice Jason Peters wasn't at practice" comments a few years back all the way up until today, Edwards has adopted the "believe what I say when I say it approach" of Bill Belichick, without any of the success to back it up.
In other words, Bills fans don't like getting spit on and being told it's raining. Even if it's pretty overcast, we're not total idiots.
Immediate Reactions, Wk5
I've been told that my "Tweets" were funnier than the game. It wasn't all on purpose, but feel free to see the extra immediate reactions here: Twitter.com/NicholasMendola
For a fan base that's seen this -- or something just as brutal -- plenty of times before, it's amazing that it continues to surprise us.
I spent Sportstalk Saturday saying there's no way the Bills could lose to the hapless Browns. This was, after all, a Cleveland team worse than they were last year, and devoid of any offensive weapons outside of Jamal Lewis. As bad as the Buffalo Bills are, I simply could not believe they'd lose at home to this 0-4 team.
But, there was something I failed to comprehend.
We have the worst team in the National Football League.
Aie, the massacre...
-- Twenty-two seconds and you dump it off to Lee Evans five yards past the line? Then, you heave the ball once you've almost crossed the line of scrimmage? Trent Edwards heard Derek Anderson demand that he could be the lowest form of quarterbacking life, and said, "Give me a shovel, and watch me dig through this garbage."
Like "Fight Club," we've found rock bottom.
-- Staying with the "Fight Club" comparison, Bills fans will feel like Raymond K. Hessel tomorrow. Their breakfast will taste better than any meal non-Bills fans have ever tasted.
-- I guess Rob Ryan knew what he was talking about when he said this about Trent Edwards last week:
"I don't think that's [Bengals quarterback] Carson Palmer back there by any stretch. Absolutely, he's not. Not too many quarterbacks are. The guy can run and do some things, but we've played Brett Favre. We've played Carson Palmer. Those are two pretty good quarterbacks right there. This guy [Edwards] always seems to have a lot to say, so I'm going to say the same thing. Let's go. Let's get it on, see what he's all about this week."
Edwards, being the polite fella he is, thought it best to prove that no man is a liar.
-- I want to say some positive things. I need to. The defense was good enough to win today, even with no linebackers and a secondary that should've been called tertiary.
-- The Bills had to have been trying to get Dick Jauron fired. There is no way professional athletes assembled onto one unit could play that bad. I'm literally sick to my stomach. It was a garbage show so poor that I was half-hoping the game would end in a 3-3 tie.
-- Dick Jauron has to be fired. Has to be. I was on his side, or at least not ready to fire him, for weeks and weeks longer than I should've. The penalties, the quarterbacking, the everything.... stinks.
-- YOU need to feel insulted right now. Not just for how bad this team is on the field, but for the canceled on-field ceremonies and the lies about them. It's one of those things where you're going to hear that the media and fans are creating lies to hurt the Bills in some sado-masochistic philosophy to make our jobs stink. Or this exists: Ralph Wilson to get Hall of Fame ring on Sunday.
-- Alex Van Pelt needs to be criticized, and will at least twice in this space, for not running the ball more, in particular with Marshawn Lynch, who moved the pile the way he usually does. Sure, Fred Jackson wasn't especially effective as the "change of pace," but if Cleveland's porous run defense was begging the Bills to rush, then Trent Edwards' brain was. Weak-minded to say the least.
-- When's the trade deadline? Is there a guard, quarterback or linebacker with two legs we could get for Roscoe Parrish?
-- Nine false starts is bad, but how many true starts did they have?
-- Terrell Owens played a heck of a ball game, and was more than polite during his post-game press conference. Dude shouldn't have to leap for every pass... and the sad part will be when analysts point to his numbers as declining talent.
-- Note to school children: steer clear of Roscoe Parrish's lawn.
-- The Bills had the ball for three more minutes than Cleveland. Guess what? It's not the no-huddle's fault, like I've been saying for weeks.
-- I sincerely believe that all NFL teams are better on the whole than even the best NCAA teams, but I think if you let the LSU defense and Texas offense take on the Bills, well, it would be a very interesting game. Interesting like finding out what would happen if you glued your hands to a ceiling fan. Interest is a funny term.
-- An in-game email from a pal named Alex:
"for your consideration:
i don't claim to know how nfl head coaching contracts are structured and worded. i don't know if it states explicitly that the coach's job is exclusively the position of head coach and any other gig would void the deal. but think about how absurd and hilarious it would be if, instead of just canning jauron, ralph wilson were to demote him. not to assistant head coach. not to defensive coordinator. straight to db coach. you kick up bobby april or do whatever the hell ralph does, and you let dick jauron look like a completely emasculated turd, calmly addressing mcgee on the sidelines to the tune of $3m a year."
Go Bills.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Derek Anderson, 2-of-17, 23 yards, 1 INT
-- That was laughably awful. Almost as awful as when the Bills trade for him this week.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Marshawn Lynch, 16 carries, 79 yards; six receptions, 56 yards
-- Why did I not enjoy the best offensive stat line on the team? Because it's inexcusable that they did not run more. Call it an absolutely valid knock against Alex Van Pelt.
Game ball:
The defensive line
-- Three weeks running. Don't kid yourself. I'm tempted to give it to Owens, just for giggles.
Lastly...
My job is to talk and type about sports. I get paid for it. Before I started at WGR, did I ever envision that multiple times during my career at the station, people would text and email me, apologizing for their team that I had to talk or type about them? So awful. Fire almost everyone on offense.
Next week:
It's the New York Jets. If Trent Edwards can't get himself pulled against Rex Ryan's defense, I don't know who can. This does seem like a game the Bills keep inexplicably close, but I'm ready to not be shocked. Until I see a coaching move, or something, I'm picking the Jets, though I kinda want to pull a Dirk Daniels and picking the Jets by 131 points. New York Jets 20, Buffalo 10.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
For a fan base that's seen this -- or something just as brutal -- plenty of times before, it's amazing that it continues to surprise us.
I spent Sportstalk Saturday saying there's no way the Bills could lose to the hapless Browns. This was, after all, a Cleveland team worse than they were last year, and devoid of any offensive weapons outside of Jamal Lewis. As bad as the Buffalo Bills are, I simply could not believe they'd lose at home to this 0-4 team.
But, there was something I failed to comprehend.
We have the worst team in the National Football League.
Aie, the massacre...
-- Twenty-two seconds and you dump it off to Lee Evans five yards past the line? Then, you heave the ball once you've almost crossed the line of scrimmage? Trent Edwards heard Derek Anderson demand that he could be the lowest form of quarterbacking life, and said, "Give me a shovel, and watch me dig through this garbage."
Like "Fight Club," we've found rock bottom.
-- Staying with the "Fight Club" comparison, Bills fans will feel like Raymond K. Hessel tomorrow. Their breakfast will taste better than any meal non-Bills fans have ever tasted.
-- I guess Rob Ryan knew what he was talking about when he said this about Trent Edwards last week:
"I don't think that's [Bengals quarterback] Carson Palmer back there by any stretch. Absolutely, he's not. Not too many quarterbacks are. The guy can run and do some things, but we've played Brett Favre. We've played Carson Palmer. Those are two pretty good quarterbacks right there. This guy [Edwards] always seems to have a lot to say, so I'm going to say the same thing. Let's go. Let's get it on, see what he's all about this week."
Edwards, being the polite fella he is, thought it best to prove that no man is a liar.
-- I want to say some positive things. I need to. The defense was good enough to win today, even with no linebackers and a secondary that should've been called tertiary.
-- The Bills had to have been trying to get Dick Jauron fired. There is no way professional athletes assembled onto one unit could play that bad. I'm literally sick to my stomach. It was a garbage show so poor that I was half-hoping the game would end in a 3-3 tie.
-- Dick Jauron has to be fired. Has to be. I was on his side, or at least not ready to fire him, for weeks and weeks longer than I should've. The penalties, the quarterbacking, the everything.... stinks.
-- YOU need to feel insulted right now. Not just for how bad this team is on the field, but for the canceled on-field ceremonies and the lies about them. It's one of those things where you're going to hear that the media and fans are creating lies to hurt the Bills in some sado-masochistic philosophy to make our jobs stink. Or this exists: Ralph Wilson to get Hall of Fame ring on Sunday.
-- Alex Van Pelt needs to be criticized, and will at least twice in this space, for not running the ball more, in particular with Marshawn Lynch, who moved the pile the way he usually does. Sure, Fred Jackson wasn't especially effective as the "change of pace," but if Cleveland's porous run defense was begging the Bills to rush, then Trent Edwards' brain was. Weak-minded to say the least.
-- When's the trade deadline? Is there a guard, quarterback or linebacker with two legs we could get for Roscoe Parrish?
-- Nine false starts is bad, but how many true starts did they have?
-- Terrell Owens played a heck of a ball game, and was more than polite during his post-game press conference. Dude shouldn't have to leap for every pass... and the sad part will be when analysts point to his numbers as declining talent.
-- Note to school children: steer clear of Roscoe Parrish's lawn.
-- The Bills had the ball for three more minutes than Cleveland. Guess what? It's not the no-huddle's fault, like I've been saying for weeks.
-- I sincerely believe that all NFL teams are better on the whole than even the best NCAA teams, but I think if you let the LSU defense and Texas offense take on the Bills, well, it would be a very interesting game. Interesting like finding out what would happen if you glued your hands to a ceiling fan. Interest is a funny term.
-- An in-game email from a pal named Alex:
"for your consideration:
i don't claim to know how nfl head coaching contracts are structured and worded. i don't know if it states explicitly that the coach's job is exclusively the position of head coach and any other gig would void the deal. but think about how absurd and hilarious it would be if, instead of just canning jauron, ralph wilson were to demote him. not to assistant head coach. not to defensive coordinator. straight to db coach. you kick up bobby april or do whatever the hell ralph does, and you let dick jauron look like a completely emasculated turd, calmly addressing mcgee on the sidelines to the tune of $3m a year."
Go Bills.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Derek Anderson, 2-of-17, 23 yards, 1 INT
-- That was laughably awful. Almost as awful as when the Bills trade for him this week.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Marshawn Lynch, 16 carries, 79 yards; six receptions, 56 yards
-- Why did I not enjoy the best offensive stat line on the team? Because it's inexcusable that they did not run more. Call it an absolutely valid knock against Alex Van Pelt.
Game ball:
The defensive line
-- Three weeks running. Don't kid yourself. I'm tempted to give it to Owens, just for giggles.
Lastly...
My job is to talk and type about sports. I get paid for it. Before I started at WGR, did I ever envision that multiple times during my career at the station, people would text and email me, apologizing for their team that I had to talk or type about them? So awful. Fire almost everyone on offense.
Next week:
It's the New York Jets. If Trent Edwards can't get himself pulled against Rex Ryan's defense, I don't know who can. This does seem like a game the Bills keep inexplicably close, but I'm ready to not be shocked. Until I see a coaching move, or something, I'm picking the Jets, though I kinda want to pull a Dirk Daniels and picking the Jets by 131 points. New York Jets 20, Buffalo 10.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Division Series Preview
For those of you who think October baseball is right up there with college football, hockey and the NFL, this is for you. Nick Mendola and Pat Malacaro chime in with a first-round preview.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dodgers-Cardinals (St. Louis won season series, 5-2)
Here’s a matchup of two teams whose World Series aspirations have fluctuated more than the Dow since the All-Star break. Manny isn’t Manny anymore, and the L.A. offense was better when Juan Pierre was a regular during Ramirez’s steroid suspension.
St. Louis' Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Joel Piniero are a better starting three than Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Vicente Padilla. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are the “wild cards” (excuse the cliché) in this series. They can neutralize Albert Pujols’ output by producing at the plate, but that is an enormous “what if.” Pitching usually wins out in a short series and I expect no less in this matchup.
Cardinals in four. - Pat Malacaro
Phillies-Rockies (Philadelphia won season series, 4-2)
When you work with two Mets fans, hype sometimes gets in the way, but I'm sticking with my preseason prediction of the Phillies repeating, even at the expense of the red-hot Rockies, who made a late charged into the postseason.
The Phillies didn't exactly finish off their 93-69 campaign on fire, but they were built for the games that start this week. Tell me the Rockies are going to get through Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, Pedro Martinez, et cetera, and I'll show you a tanning salon in the desert you might want to purchase.
Colorado is a well-managed group of youngsters with some solid veterans, but this is the one series they didn't want to start the post-season. I'll hear arguments about them beating the Dodgers or Cardinals, but not this Phillies team.
Phillies in three. - Nick Mendola
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Angels-Red Sox (Angels won season series 5-4)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…The Angels come into their series against Boston with the edge in pitching, but this time may have the better offense. Short five-game series always come down to pitching. If the Halos starting staff gives up home runs to David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew it will be a short series in Boston’s favor.
However, I like the Angels’ starting rotation, anchored by John Lackey and bolstered by the mid-season acquisition of Scott Kazmir. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett have done it before, but the ‘Sox just don’t have enough arms in the bullpen this time around. Papelbon’s consecutive postseason scoreless innings streak (25) has to come to an end sooner or later. It will be a tight series, but finally the Halos get over the hump.
Angels in five. - Pat Malacaro
Yankees-Twins (New York won season series, 7-0)
That's not a mistype, the Bronx Bombers unloaded on the Twins during the regular season, but Minnesota should take some solace in the law of averages -- What halfway decent team gets skunked by another team for an entire season?
The Twins don't get to celebrate long, with early Wednesday evening's Game One calling. Every non-Twins fan is counting Game One as a loss to C.C. Sabathia at the new Yankee Stadium, but if Minnesota can get to Sabathia, who has had his post-season struggles, look out. Also, Alex Rodriguez's struggles have been of the ALDS variety. He's hit .258 career in ALDS, with a robust .315 mark in the ALCS.
Those are just some things to fuel the fire for jubilant Twins fans, because I don't think their team is going to get a sniff at beating the Yankees. Count Game Three as a final win for Minnesota in the Baggy, but New York will take this in four games, maybe less.
Yankees in four. - Nick Mendola
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dodgers-Cardinals (St. Louis won season series, 5-2)
Here’s a matchup of two teams whose World Series aspirations have fluctuated more than the Dow since the All-Star break. Manny isn’t Manny anymore, and the L.A. offense was better when Juan Pierre was a regular during Ramirez’s steroid suspension.
St. Louis' Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Joel Piniero are a better starting three than Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Vicente Padilla. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are the “wild cards” (excuse the cliché) in this series. They can neutralize Albert Pujols’ output by producing at the plate, but that is an enormous “what if.” Pitching usually wins out in a short series and I expect no less in this matchup.
Cardinals in four. - Pat Malacaro
Phillies-Rockies (Philadelphia won season series, 4-2)
When you work with two Mets fans, hype sometimes gets in the way, but I'm sticking with my preseason prediction of the Phillies repeating, even at the expense of the red-hot Rockies, who made a late charged into the postseason.
The Phillies didn't exactly finish off their 93-69 campaign on fire, but they were built for the games that start this week. Tell me the Rockies are going to get through Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, Pedro Martinez, et cetera, and I'll show you a tanning salon in the desert you might want to purchase.
Colorado is a well-managed group of youngsters with some solid veterans, but this is the one series they didn't want to start the post-season. I'll hear arguments about them beating the Dodgers or Cardinals, but not this Phillies team.
Phillies in three. - Nick Mendola
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Angels-Red Sox (Angels won season series 5-4)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…The Angels come into their series against Boston with the edge in pitching, but this time may have the better offense. Short five-game series always come down to pitching. If the Halos starting staff gives up home runs to David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew it will be a short series in Boston’s favor.
However, I like the Angels’ starting rotation, anchored by John Lackey and bolstered by the mid-season acquisition of Scott Kazmir. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett have done it before, but the ‘Sox just don’t have enough arms in the bullpen this time around. Papelbon’s consecutive postseason scoreless innings streak (25) has to come to an end sooner or later. It will be a tight series, but finally the Halos get over the hump.
Angels in five. - Pat Malacaro
Yankees-Twins (New York won season series, 7-0)
That's not a mistype, the Bronx Bombers unloaded on the Twins during the regular season, but Minnesota should take some solace in the law of averages -- What halfway decent team gets skunked by another team for an entire season?
The Twins don't get to celebrate long, with early Wednesday evening's Game One calling. Every non-Twins fan is counting Game One as a loss to C.C. Sabathia at the new Yankee Stadium, but if Minnesota can get to Sabathia, who has had his post-season struggles, look out. Also, Alex Rodriguez's struggles have been of the ALDS variety. He's hit .258 career in ALDS, with a robust .315 mark in the ALCS.
Those are just some things to fuel the fire for jubilant Twins fans, because I don't think their team is going to get a sniff at beating the Yankees. Count Game Three as a final win for Minnesota in the Baggy, but New York will take this in four games, maybe less.
Yankees in four. - Nick Mendola
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Immediate Reactions, Wk4
For some extra immediate reactions, see my in-game comments at Twitter.com/NicholasMendola
The sad thing is, right now, there's no alternative for the Bills offense. Just cook up another batch of garbage soup and watch your fans mow it down.
I was too late to the party with the "ditch J.P. Losman" campaign, and I've been up front about admitting that. I feel like it's foolish to start some sort of "Get rid of Trent Edwards" campaign, because what are we going to learn from that? The Bills likely do not have a better option than Edwards on the sidelines, so you have to hope for the best for the rest of 2009.
That said, he was terrible... as in worse than his line, which is saying something. He played without guts on too many occasions for my liking, like on the 3rd and 6, down 31-10 in the fourth quarter, when he dumped the ball off to triple-covered Fred Jackson. You're going to punt anyway, man, throw it up.
-- This morning, my soccer team had a road match that we lost, 7-1. On the seventh goal, some British kid ripped his shirt off, headed for the corner flag, took it to the ground and simulated having relations with it. The Bills game was almost as embarrassing... Almost.
-- I think we've seen the end of the road for Dick Jauron. This was a game that everyone figured was a win if your team is any good. I don't know what else to say except that I wish Jauron luck with the rest of his career. He's a really nice guy.
-- Terrell Owens may not be 7'4", and he did have to leap for -- I think -- four of the seven balls thrown his way, but I would have loved to see him catch the last of Sunday's drops.
-- The Bills sadly needed to pass to set up the run, and since they couldn't, that little stutter-step delayed hand-off was chewed up and spit out for the second consecutive week. Get it out of the playbook until a defense has a reason to respect the pass.
-- You've got a banged-up secondary, and the Bills pass rush stepped up to the tune of six sacks. Well-done.
-- The run defense was again a mess in the second half, and I would like Paul Posluszny to return soon.
-- Somebody call Kirk Chambers a doctor, because he was torn apart by Cameron Wake. Three sacks. Yikes.
-- The interception returned for a touchdown was awful-squared. I'm not sure we'd catch the ball, but any of us covering that tunnel-vision toss would've read it right. Yikes.
-- So, since John Lynch wasn't around to tell you that Terrell Owens didn't get to the ball, were you able to notice that Trent's second interception was the guy who threw the ball's fault?
-- The Jason Taylor sack was the coup de grace for me as to whether the loss was more the line or the quarterback. Edwards was watching Owens run an open slant route and just patted the ball.
-- One play later, I stand corrected. They both stunk today.
-- Thinking about it a little more, the line is missing two starters.
-- Call me crazy -- and you will -- but I don't think the no-huddle is a big deal. They still use as much of the clock as a huddle does, and it somewhat limits defensive substitutions.
Stat line I enjoyed:
-- Marshawn Lynch, five catches, 43 yards.
The guy is an off-the-field dirt parade, but every time I watch him play, I'm reminded of how much I love him as a football player. He's so explosive, and I love the Jackson/Lynch combo, even if Lynch had trouble on hand-offs.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
-- Trent Edwards, 14-of-26, 192 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, six sacks
Here's the thing; Edwards was facing the same scenario Chad Henne was, only Henne was making his first career start. Now I like the former Wolverine as much as anyone, but which guy looked more like a rookie on Sunday? Abhorrent performance from the big men up front and their teammate who receives the snaps.
Game ball:
-- The defensive line
Two weeks running. When we do our Immediate Reactions MVP tournament in a few weeks, it looks likely it'll be Fred Jackson and Terrence McGee against a bunch of d-linemen. Yeesh.
Lastly...
My prediction last week was that the Bills would beat Miami 16-13. Sadly, if the Bills would've held Miami to those 13 points, they still would've lost.
Next week:
The Cleveland Browns are in town. They've allowed 118 points. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN (The caps mean a lot. I hate when journalists use caps for emphasis. Let your writing do the work).
I'm not calling for his head now, but if Edwards can't exploit the Browns at the Ralph, I'll be wondering if Tony Romo or Derek Anderson is available in trade. Remember when I typed this?
The sad thing is, right now, there's no alternative for the Bills offense. Just cook up another batch of garbage soup and watch your fans mow it down.
I was too late to the party with the "ditch J.P. Losman" campaign, and I've been up front about admitting that. I feel like it's foolish to start some sort of "Get rid of Trent Edwards" campaign, because what are we going to learn from that? The Bills likely do not have a better option than Edwards on the sidelines, so you have to hope for the best for the rest of 2009.
That said, he was terrible... as in worse than his line, which is saying something. He played without guts on too many occasions for my liking, like on the 3rd and 6, down 31-10 in the fourth quarter, when he dumped the ball off to triple-covered Fred Jackson. You're going to punt anyway, man, throw it up.
-- This morning, my soccer team had a road match that we lost, 7-1. On the seventh goal, some British kid ripped his shirt off, headed for the corner flag, took it to the ground and simulated having relations with it. The Bills game was almost as embarrassing... Almost.
-- I think we've seen the end of the road for Dick Jauron. This was a game that everyone figured was a win if your team is any good. I don't know what else to say except that I wish Jauron luck with the rest of his career. He's a really nice guy.
-- Terrell Owens may not be 7'4", and he did have to leap for -- I think -- four of the seven balls thrown his way, but I would have loved to see him catch the last of Sunday's drops.
-- The Bills sadly needed to pass to set up the run, and since they couldn't, that little stutter-step delayed hand-off was chewed up and spit out for the second consecutive week. Get it out of the playbook until a defense has a reason to respect the pass.
-- You've got a banged-up secondary, and the Bills pass rush stepped up to the tune of six sacks. Well-done.
-- The run defense was again a mess in the second half, and I would like Paul Posluszny to return soon.
-- Somebody call Kirk Chambers a doctor, because he was torn apart by Cameron Wake. Three sacks. Yikes.
-- The interception returned for a touchdown was awful-squared. I'm not sure we'd catch the ball, but any of us covering that tunnel-vision toss would've read it right. Yikes.
-- So, since John Lynch wasn't around to tell you that Terrell Owens didn't get to the ball, were you able to notice that Trent's second interception was the guy who threw the ball's fault?
-- The Jason Taylor sack was the coup de grace for me as to whether the loss was more the line or the quarterback. Edwards was watching Owens run an open slant route and just patted the ball.
-- One play later, I stand corrected. They both stunk today.
-- Thinking about it a little more, the line is missing two starters.
-- Call me crazy -- and you will -- but I don't think the no-huddle is a big deal. They still use as much of the clock as a huddle does, and it somewhat limits defensive substitutions.
Stat line I enjoyed:
-- Marshawn Lynch, five catches, 43 yards.
The guy is an off-the-field dirt parade, but every time I watch him play, I'm reminded of how much I love him as a football player. He's so explosive, and I love the Jackson/Lynch combo, even if Lynch had trouble on hand-offs.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
-- Trent Edwards, 14-of-26, 192 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, six sacks
Here's the thing; Edwards was facing the same scenario Chad Henne was, only Henne was making his first career start. Now I like the former Wolverine as much as anyone, but which guy looked more like a rookie on Sunday? Abhorrent performance from the big men up front and their teammate who receives the snaps.
Game ball:
-- The defensive line
Two weeks running. When we do our Immediate Reactions MVP tournament in a few weeks, it looks likely it'll be Fred Jackson and Terrence McGee against a bunch of d-linemen. Yeesh.
Lastly...
My prediction last week was that the Bills would beat Miami 16-13. Sadly, if the Bills would've held Miami to those 13 points, they still would've lost.
Next week:
The Cleveland Browns are in town. They've allowed 118 points. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN (The caps mean a lot. I hate when journalists use caps for emphasis. Let your writing do the work).
I'm not calling for his head now, but if Edwards can't exploit the Browns at the Ralph, I'll be wondering if Tony Romo or Derek Anderson is available in trade. Remember when I typed this?
Friday, October 2, 2009
Sabres season preview
We spend an awful lot of time trying to negotiate with our gut feelings.
Whether it's wanting the Bills to beat the Saints, but feeling like they won't, or knowing you're going to eat too much for dinner, but telling yourself you won't, we have to fight our instincts on occasion.
I'm hoping to avoid that battle when it comes to the 2009-10 Buffalo Sabres. I feel like they are one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference, and should be a playoff team. In fact, my hockey gut tells me that perhaps a little more is on the slate for this season, but we'll worry about an actual prediction, as well as an entire Eastern Conference outlook, later in this space.
Alas, let's begin with the negative, and the two things that really concern me heading into this campaign, which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday night at HSBC Arena against Montreal (I'll be broadcasting live from Benchwarmers in the Cobblestone District from 2-4 p.m. Come say hello)
One) A huge potential built-in excuse
Let's start with numero uno, which is a bit about organizational semantics, but follow me. I believe that's it's absolutely true that with a healthy Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller, the Sabres are able to grab a hold of one of the final three playoff spots last season (Buffalo finished two points back of Montreal for slot No. 8 in the East).
Even though Patrick Lalime wasn't garbage and Vanek can go into cold stretches, it's just hard to imagine the 3-5-1 record with Vanek doesn't look better with him. The Sabres were blanked twice, by the Isles and Canes, and also scored just one goal, against the Canes and Senators, during that time. Without Miller, the Sabres were 4-7-2. In four of those losses, they scored three or more goals. You think you could find two or three points in there to pull ahead of Montreal?
The problem with this rationale isn't in its accuracy, it's that I'd prefer the Sabres' brass not say it out loud. Sure, you want your team to be mentally stronger -- and bringing in Steve Montador and Mike Grier does address that -- but if Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff were saying it out loud, then the players were hearing it. While they may not adopt it, it's scary to think that the players could recall that sentiment if Buffalo goes through a similar injury stretch this season. Remember, we didn't hear about injuries when the team was down to Mark Mancari during the stretch run three years back.
Two) Management falling in love with their own
The Sabres signed a bevy of free agents with NHL experience this year. While there's certainly a reason guys like Cody McCormick, Jeff Cowan, Brad Larsen and Joe DiPenta didn't end up with one-way contracts on the Red Wings, I was very surprised to see McCormick, or maybe even Cowan, sent through waivers.
I know the league doesn't have the need for fighters as it once did, but as Montreal and Toronto proved last night, this division does. McCormick is a tough nut who is coming off his best NHL campaign (12 pts. and 91 PIM in 55 games), while Cowan is strictly a bruiser who was less offensive productive than Andrew Peters last year. The thing is, both these guys have problems with their teeth on account of other people's fists, and I'm not sure losing Steve Montador, Craig Rivet, Adam Mair or Paul Gaustad for five minutes is a better idea.
What I'm surprised to see, and nothing against the guy, is Nathan Paetsch staying on as defenseman No. 8. If the rationale is they want to see Tyler Myers play nine games and then go down, we could talk about that, but if it's just "we don't want to lose him on waivers," it feels a little less sound, especially with Mike Weber and a number of other prospects/veterans down on the farm.
By having Paetsch as forward No. 13, it also feels like you might be making Clarke MacArthur a little too comfotable coming off a second-straight year where his effort disappeared for stretches. Remember, Dan Paille had a 19-goal year two years ago, and Paille's even plus/minus rating was four numbers better than MacArthur's minus-4.
But, Nick, I thought you picked the Sabres to go to the playoffs...
I did, I just wanted to go negatives first before some folks ripped me apart for some ridiculous "company line" reason when I honestly believe they'll make the playoffs.
Let's start with the Northeast Division. Jeremy White is right when he says the Leafs are going to be a tough team to play, but its because they're scrappy, not on account of their talent. Toronto is probably a year away from contending for a playoff spot, but may not find their way to the division dumpster because Ottawa has hemorrhaged talent for a couple years.
Those out there thinking the Senators got the better of the Heatley-to-San Jose deal are trying way too hard. Jonathan Cheechoo's 56-goal campaign came in the year after the lockout, and his numbers have declined with the league's move back to clutch-and-grab. Milan Michalek is a solid 20-goal scorer who will help the Senators power play, but is a rich man's Ales Kotalik. Ottawa also received a second-round pick, but Heatley forcing their hand -- while a jerk move -- really hurt them. And, oh yeah, have fun with the Alex Kovalev signing.
So there's two teams below Buffalo, and toss the Islanders and Thrashers under the bus as well. While four of the teams in the Atlantic would have a shot at winning the Northeast, that division will again beat itself up and keep point total 5-8 points lower than they'd be somewhere else.
Which brings us to the teams the Sabres will be battling with for the final few playoff spots: Tampa, the Rangers, Montreal and Carolina.
The Lightning are a year away, and simply do not have the forward depth. They'd need superhuman efforts from Mike Smith, Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. They've got them before, so don't count them out, but I don't think they're a playoff team.
The Rangers are an intriguing squad. Their gamble on Marian Gaborik finally freed from the clutches of the Wild's defensive system is a good one, but his health is on a Tim Connolly level of consistency. New York finally has its No. 1 defensive pairing of the future on the big club, in Marc Staal and Michael del Zotto, but there will be more growing pains than allowable for a playoff team.
Montreal and Buffalo will contend for second place in the Northeast, and the Habs actually have a shot at the division if their team comes together through the addition-by-subtraction of Kovalev. Montreal is going to have a time finding its identity and, for a veteran club, will surprisingly have to go through "the process" that Paul Hamilton always talks about. Whoever wins the season series between the Habs and Sabres will find its way ahead of the other, and Carey Price will be the key there.
The Hurricanes are a well-coached team that won't go away. If Rod Brind'Amour can actually play center this year instead of the 51 points and minus-23 he puked up last year, it'll go a long ways for the Canes. If he's all of the 39 years he's looked, Carolina is in capital-T Trouble.
Buffalo has its question marks, too, but the Sabres are essentially adding two actual hockey players that last year were ghosts. Jason Pominville is going to have a much better season, guaranteed. Why? Because his struggles were more about not shooting the puck in gaping goal mouths, something you can practice in the offseason.
Also, last year was Jochen Hecht's worst since the lockout, and his down numbers look like an aberration, even at age 32. Another key is that I don't bad mouth Toni Lydman at every turn, like many of the folks who email me. Lydman does throw the "brain fart" out there every 10 games or so, but he'll likely be freed from Henrik Tallinder. Lydman posted an even plus/minus rating even with all the time he spent on the ice with Tallinder.
Buffalo also has a Top-10 goal scorer, playmaker and goaltender, two of whom you could argue are Top-5 talents. Thomas Vanek is a finisher, and watch Ryan Miller's numbers rise with a stronger, steadier defense.
The big questions, before we get to the Eastern Conference order, is whether MacArthur can play at a high-level and whether Tim Kennedy is ready for the big show. Kennedy scored 67 points in 73 games with the Portland Pirates last year.
Without further ado...
1. Washington
2. Philadelphia
3. Boston
4. Pittsburgh
5. New Jersey
6. Buffalo
7. Montreal
8. Carolina
---
9. NY Rangers
10. Tampa Bay
11. Toronto
12. Ottawa
13. Atlanta
14. Florida
15. NY Islanders
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Prediction Time
The stage is set for all things stick and puck, and when the Leafs and Canadiens face off at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Toronto, it'll start the marathon that will be the 2009-10 NHL campaign.
WGR's staff is back with predictions on where everyone will wind up. Pay extra attention to Paul Hamilton's picks, as last year his 11 correct predictions were one more than three runners-up. The decisive prediction? Paul was the only guy to pick the Sabres to miss the playoffs in 2008-09.
No one picked Pittsburgh to win the Cup, nor did anyone back San Jose to win the Presidents Trophy, though Greg Bauch was half-right (Barack Obama). Perhaps that's the reason Greg finished in last. That, or the Nashville over Montreal finals prediction.
Onto this year (Check back later in the day as we add Mike's picks)!
Northeast Division
"Bounce back year for Les Habitants. I think it will be Jaroslav Halak, not Carey Price, to get this team back to the next level," -Joe Buscaglia
Howard Simon- Boston
Jeremy White- Boston
Nick Mendola- Boston
Paul Hamilton- Boston
Brian Koziol- Boston
The Bulldog- Boston
Joe Buscaglia- Montreal
Greg Bauch- Boston
Atlantic Division
"If Fleury stays healthy and can play 70 games, I love the Pens to repeat. They clearly have the best one-two punch on offense with Malkin and Crosby and I like how defensive they played down the stretch in the playoffs. How can you not like a guy like Brooks Orpik on the blueline?", Brian Koziol
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh
Jeremy White- Pittsburgh
Nick Mendola- Philadelphia
Paul Hamilton- Pittsburgh
Brian Koziol- Pittsburgh
The Bulldog- Philadelphia
Joe Buscaglia- Pittsburgh
Greg Bauch- New Jersey
Southeast Division
"The only good team in this division is Washington. Carolina is okay," Jeremy White
Howard Simon- Washington
Jeremy White- Washington
Nick Mendola- Washington
Paul Hamilton- Washington
Brian Koziol- Washington
The Bulldog- Washington
Joe Buscaglia- Washington
Greg Bauch- Washington
Central Division
"Detroit has the best depth, and is a team so good that their goalie doesn't matter," -Jeremy White
Howard Simon- Chicago
Jeremy White- Detroit
Nick Mendola- Detroit
Paul Hamilton- Detroit
Brian Koziol- Detroit
The Bulldog- Detroit
Joe Buscaglia- Detroit
Greg Bauch- Chicago
Northwest Division
"With the addition of Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf and the best goalie in the West in Miikka Kiprusoff in net, the Flames will win the Northwest with defense. A full season of Olli Jokinen as well,". Brian Koziol
Howard Simon- Calgary
Jeremy White- Calgary
Nick Mendola- Calgary
Paul Hamilton- Calgary
Brian Koziol- Calgary
The Bulldog- Vancouver
Joe Buscaglia- Vancouver
Greg Bauch- Calgary
Pacific Division
Howard Simon- San Jose
Jeremy White- San Jose
Nick Mendola- San Jose
Paul Hamilton- Anaheim
Brian Koziol- Anaheim
The Bulldog- San Jose
Joe Buscaglia- Anaheim
Greg Bauch- San Jose
Sabres in Division, Conference, Playoffs?
"This is not an indication of the Sabres being a bad team. Ottawa got better, Toronto got better, Montreal got better, Boston got a little worse but are still better than Buffalo, and the Sabres kicked it in to neutral. I have a lot of optimism heading in to the year, I'm just hoping to be pleasantly surprised rather than expecting the moon and only getting to the first cloud in the sky, so to speak," -Joe Buscaglia
Howard Simon- 3rd, 7th, out in 1st round
Jeremy White- 3rd, 6th, out in 3rd round
Nick Mendola- 2nd, 6th, out in 2nd round
Paul Hamilton- 2nd, 7th, out in 1st round
Brian Koziol- 2nd, 8th, out in 1st round
The Bulldog- 3rd, 8th, out in 1st round
Joe Buscaglia- 5th, 10th, no playoffs
Greg Bauch- 3rd, 7th, out in 2nd round
Final Four
"Noted choke artists San Jose have too much talent to not make it this far... before folding at the hands of a nasty Calgary defense/goaltending combination in Alberta. Out East, I love the Caps with a year's experience, and the Flyers are improved goaltending away from being an absolute beast. Expect them to be good all year and then pick up a Dwayne Roloson or Martin Biron from Long Island," -Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh, Boston, Calgary, Chicago
Jeremy White- Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Detroit, Calgary
Nick Mendola- Washington, Philadelphia, Calgary, San Jose
Paul Hamilton- Washington, Boston, Chicago, Calgary
Brian Koziol- Pittsburgh, Boston, Detroit, Chicago
The Bulldog- Boston, Washington, Detroit, Anaheim
Joe Buscaglia- Washington, Boston, Vancouver, Anaheim
Greg Bauch- Boston, Washington, San Jose, Detroit
Cup finals
"I may be falling into the same trap I have for years, but with Miikka Kiprusoff having Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla on board, it's grit to the third power for Calgary, who will be Canada's first Cup since Kirk Muller's Habs in 1993," Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh over Chicago
Jeremy White- Calgary over Pittsburgh
Nick Mendola- Calgary over Washington
Paul Hamilton- Washington over Chicago
Brian Koziol- Pittsburgh over Chicago
The Bulldog- Anaheim over Washington
Joe Buscaglia- Vancouver over Boston
Greg Bauch- Detroit over Boston
Most goals (NHL and Sabres, respectively)
"I like Vanek to score 50 this year. He’s so good in front of the net and since he’ll play all 82 games(we hope), the PP should benefit," Brian Koziol
Howard Simon- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Jeremy White- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Nick Mendola- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Paul Hamilton- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Brian Koziol- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
The Bulldog- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Joe Buscaglia- Dany Heatley and Thomas Vanek
Greg Bauch- Thomas Vanek and Thomas Vanek
Most points (NHL and Sabres, respectively)
"Thornton plus Heatley equals 120 points for Joe, maybe more," - Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Evgeni Malkin and Jason Pominville
Jeremy White- Sidney Crosby and Derek Roy
Nick Mendola- Joe Thornton and Derek Roy
Paul Hamilton- Pavel Datsyuk and Tim Connolly
Brian Koziol- Evgeni Malkin and Derek Roy
The Bulldog- Evgeni Malkin and Jason Pominville
Joe Buscaglia- Sidney Crosby and Jason Pominville
Greg Bauch- Joe Thornton and Thomas Vanek
Worst record
Howard Simon- Phoenix
Jeremy White- NY Islanders
Nick Mendola- Florida
Paul Hamilton- Phoenix
Brian Koziol- Colorado
The Bulldog- Colorado
Joe Buscaglia- Phoenix
Greg Bauch- Phoenix
Presidents Trophy
"How do you get points? For Washington, it's by playing dog teams, and while Carolina's a nice team and the Lightning are coming along, Florida and Atlanta will continue to struggle mightily," -Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh
Jeremy White- Detroit
Nick Mendola- Washington
Paul Hamilton- Washington
Brian Koziol- Boston
The Bulldog- San Jose
Joe Buscaglia- Washington
Greg Bauch- Taft
Email: nick@wgr550.com
WGR's staff is back with predictions on where everyone will wind up. Pay extra attention to Paul Hamilton's picks, as last year his 11 correct predictions were one more than three runners-up. The decisive prediction? Paul was the only guy to pick the Sabres to miss the playoffs in 2008-09.
No one picked Pittsburgh to win the Cup, nor did anyone back San Jose to win the Presidents Trophy, though Greg Bauch was half-right (Barack Obama). Perhaps that's the reason Greg finished in last. That, or the Nashville over Montreal finals prediction.
Onto this year (Check back later in the day as we add Mike's picks)!
Northeast Division
"Bounce back year for Les Habitants. I think it will be Jaroslav Halak, not Carey Price, to get this team back to the next level," -Joe Buscaglia
Howard Simon- Boston
Jeremy White- Boston
Nick Mendola- Boston
Paul Hamilton- Boston
Brian Koziol- Boston
The Bulldog- Boston
Joe Buscaglia- Montreal
Greg Bauch- Boston
Atlantic Division
"If Fleury stays healthy and can play 70 games, I love the Pens to repeat. They clearly have the best one-two punch on offense with Malkin and Crosby and I like how defensive they played down the stretch in the playoffs. How can you not like a guy like Brooks Orpik on the blueline?", Brian Koziol
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh
Jeremy White- Pittsburgh
Nick Mendola- Philadelphia
Paul Hamilton- Pittsburgh
Brian Koziol- Pittsburgh
The Bulldog- Philadelphia
Joe Buscaglia- Pittsburgh
Greg Bauch- New Jersey
Southeast Division
"The only good team in this division is Washington. Carolina is okay," Jeremy White
Howard Simon- Washington
Jeremy White- Washington
Nick Mendola- Washington
Paul Hamilton- Washington
Brian Koziol- Washington
The Bulldog- Washington
Joe Buscaglia- Washington
Greg Bauch- Washington
Central Division
"Detroit has the best depth, and is a team so good that their goalie doesn't matter," -Jeremy White
Howard Simon- Chicago
Jeremy White- Detroit
Nick Mendola- Detroit
Paul Hamilton- Detroit
Brian Koziol- Detroit
The Bulldog- Detroit
Joe Buscaglia- Detroit
Greg Bauch- Chicago
Northwest Division
"With the addition of Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf and the best goalie in the West in Miikka Kiprusoff in net, the Flames will win the Northwest with defense. A full season of Olli Jokinen as well,". Brian Koziol
Howard Simon- Calgary
Jeremy White- Calgary
Nick Mendola- Calgary
Paul Hamilton- Calgary
Brian Koziol- Calgary
The Bulldog- Vancouver
Joe Buscaglia- Vancouver
Greg Bauch- Calgary
Pacific Division
Howard Simon- San Jose
Jeremy White- San Jose
Nick Mendola- San Jose
Paul Hamilton- Anaheim
Brian Koziol- Anaheim
The Bulldog- San Jose
Joe Buscaglia- Anaheim
Greg Bauch- San Jose
Sabres in Division, Conference, Playoffs?
"This is not an indication of the Sabres being a bad team. Ottawa got better, Toronto got better, Montreal got better, Boston got a little worse but are still better than Buffalo, and the Sabres kicked it in to neutral. I have a lot of optimism heading in to the year, I'm just hoping to be pleasantly surprised rather than expecting the moon and only getting to the first cloud in the sky, so to speak," -Joe Buscaglia
Howard Simon- 3rd, 7th, out in 1st round
Jeremy White- 3rd, 6th, out in 3rd round
Nick Mendola- 2nd, 6th, out in 2nd round
Paul Hamilton- 2nd, 7th, out in 1st round
Brian Koziol- 2nd, 8th, out in 1st round
The Bulldog- 3rd, 8th, out in 1st round
Joe Buscaglia- 5th, 10th, no playoffs
Greg Bauch- 3rd, 7th, out in 2nd round
Final Four
"Noted choke artists San Jose have too much talent to not make it this far... before folding at the hands of a nasty Calgary defense/goaltending combination in Alberta. Out East, I love the Caps with a year's experience, and the Flyers are improved goaltending away from being an absolute beast. Expect them to be good all year and then pick up a Dwayne Roloson or Martin Biron from Long Island," -Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh, Boston, Calgary, Chicago
Jeremy White- Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Detroit, Calgary
Nick Mendola- Washington, Philadelphia, Calgary, San Jose
Paul Hamilton- Washington, Boston, Chicago, Calgary
Brian Koziol- Pittsburgh, Boston, Detroit, Chicago
The Bulldog- Boston, Washington, Detroit, Anaheim
Joe Buscaglia- Washington, Boston, Vancouver, Anaheim
Greg Bauch- Boston, Washington, San Jose, Detroit
Cup finals
"I may be falling into the same trap I have for years, but with Miikka Kiprusoff having Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla on board, it's grit to the third power for Calgary, who will be Canada's first Cup since Kirk Muller's Habs in 1993," Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh over Chicago
Jeremy White- Calgary over Pittsburgh
Nick Mendola- Calgary over Washington
Paul Hamilton- Washington over Chicago
Brian Koziol- Pittsburgh over Chicago
The Bulldog- Anaheim over Washington
Joe Buscaglia- Vancouver over Boston
Greg Bauch- Detroit over Boston
Most goals (NHL and Sabres, respectively)
"I like Vanek to score 50 this year. He’s so good in front of the net and since he’ll play all 82 games(we hope), the PP should benefit," Brian Koziol
Howard Simon- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Jeremy White- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Nick Mendola- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Paul Hamilton- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Brian Koziol- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
The Bulldog- Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek
Joe Buscaglia- Dany Heatley and Thomas Vanek
Greg Bauch- Thomas Vanek and Thomas Vanek
Most points (NHL and Sabres, respectively)
"Thornton plus Heatley equals 120 points for Joe, maybe more," - Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Evgeni Malkin and Jason Pominville
Jeremy White- Sidney Crosby and Derek Roy
Nick Mendola- Joe Thornton and Derek Roy
Paul Hamilton- Pavel Datsyuk and Tim Connolly
Brian Koziol- Evgeni Malkin and Derek Roy
The Bulldog- Evgeni Malkin and Jason Pominville
Joe Buscaglia- Sidney Crosby and Jason Pominville
Greg Bauch- Joe Thornton and Thomas Vanek
Worst record
Howard Simon- Phoenix
Jeremy White- NY Islanders
Nick Mendola- Florida
Paul Hamilton- Phoenix
Brian Koziol- Colorado
The Bulldog- Colorado
Joe Buscaglia- Phoenix
Greg Bauch- Phoenix
Presidents Trophy
"How do you get points? For Washington, it's by playing dog teams, and while Carolina's a nice team and the Lightning are coming along, Florida and Atlanta will continue to struggle mightily," -Nick Mendola
Howard Simon- Pittsburgh
Jeremy White- Detroit
Nick Mendola- Washington
Paul Hamilton- Washington
Brian Koziol- Boston
The Bulldog- San Jose
Joe Buscaglia- Washington
Greg Bauch- Taft
Email: nick@wgr550.com
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