Friday, November 6, 2009
Excuse Me, Mr. Wilson
1:02 PM | 
Posted by
Nick Mendola
When Cleveland owner Randy Lerner met with two members of the Dawg Pound earlier this week to discuss the miserable experience that is being a Browns fan, my first thought was this:
"What would I say if I was in a room with Ralph Wilson?"
In what is sure to envelope what a sad state of affairs being a lifelong Bills fan is, I think I'd want to ask questions more than anything else. I'd want to listen, I watch this team every Sunday, and when I miss games, I watch them later. It's not the most satisfying mindsey, but pick your moribund record -- 3-5, 2-11, 4-9 -- and I'm still watching.
As pathetic as it may sound, I want to hear from Mr. Wilson's mouth exactly how much he cares about his football team. I have an enormous about of respect for him, and applauded as loud as anyone in Canton when he was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I don't need to tell him his team and administration "kinda stink." Anyone can see that, and I'm guessing a man whose made millions has more than the IQ of a third-grader.
But it occurs to me that there are several possible realities surrounding Mr. Wilson's viewpoint on his franchise:
1) The "Triple-Walled Glass Case of Emotion" Approach -- Perhaps Mr. Wilson cares very, very much about the fans and team. The man who goes to a ton of games, even appearing in the bowels of the stadium after the contest. But like many very rich veteran millionaires, maybe he's so shielded from the plight of the city that he doesn't get it. When media members ask him pointed questions, he thinks, "These are the same guys who were telling me to fire Marv Levy or trade Jim Kelly." When he sees the fans protest, he believes his trusted higher-ups who tell him, "They don't understand the injuries, or football, or why we lost today." Maybe he thinks, "They protested when they thought the team would leave in the 1990s, and I worked it out." Yes, there's a chance this man has so many "Yes Men" that reality never gets reinforced.
2) The Apathetic Approach -- Maybe Mr. Wilson is like a teenager playing "Madden." He no longer scans the waiver wire, reads the sponsor emails or checks out the "player morale" meter. He plays the first few games of each season, but if it gets to 2-3 or 1-5, he just "simulates" the rest of the season, occasionally checking box scores and thinking about firing someone. At the end of each season, he sees what the other teams do, signs some guys who other people say might be good, and starts the process over. Maybe he's like me, and "Madden" doesn't hold much interest for him anymore. Maybe he's a soccer fan. In this approach, the question is "What's more important?" and the answer is "Making sure my landscaper properly bronzes the shrubbery in the front yard of his mansion. Going green, my @$$!"
3) The "#$&@" Approach -- Let's say you've owned a business in a conglomeration for years, and did a lot to keep the entire bundle of commerce afloat when other owners were struggling. Over time, new guys bought businesses who understood what you meant to the past, but viewed you as an old curmudgeon, blocking the way of progress. In addition, when folks ignored your warnings about terrible propositions for the conglomeration, you turned out to be right, but the satisfaction wasn't exactly fulfilling because it forecasted doom for the product you've nurtured for years. That stinks.
I just want to know what the man is thinking. I've been a seasont-ticker holder -- twice, actually -- and I'd love to feel like going to the stadium every week is a winning idea, but I don't. Like a lot of folks, I don't have the loot to throw around on seven Sundays when I have 365 days of electricity and such to pump into my house in an area inexplicably crushed by taxes (Can NYC/Long Island be its own state yet?).
Part of me needs to believe in Ralph Wilson as a man. I need to know that the World War II vet who bought his dad's business while looking after the Michigan mine workers he invested in is still living life with gusto. That the passion that motivated him to offer hundreds of thousands of dollars to owners in Oakland and New England is still bubbling around inside him, willing his business to be a success. Truth is, his business is a success, but not his product on-the-field. Lot of rich Internet spammers out there, too.
I'm dozens of years away from knowing if the desire for glory goes away with age. I hope not, but I know Mr. Wilson has a heck of a story to tell, and I'd love to sit down and hear it. Maybe, as is a possibility with Lerner and the Dawg Pounders. it would just be a PR ploy that yielded nothing. But maybe, I could gain a relayable knowledge that this man is still a man with blue-collar roots looking out for the people who haven't had the massive success he's had in life.
Cause I know there are hundreds of thousands of Bills fan who would buy this team if they had the money (or if there was a man willing to sell it).
Let's talk, sir. It'd be a privilege.
"What would I say if I was in a room with Ralph Wilson?"
In what is sure to envelope what a sad state of affairs being a lifelong Bills fan is, I think I'd want to ask questions more than anything else. I'd want to listen, I watch this team every Sunday, and when I miss games, I watch them later. It's not the most satisfying mindsey, but pick your moribund record -- 3-5, 2-11, 4-9 -- and I'm still watching.
As pathetic as it may sound, I want to hear from Mr. Wilson's mouth exactly how much he cares about his football team. I have an enormous about of respect for him, and applauded as loud as anyone in Canton when he was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I don't need to tell him his team and administration "kinda stink." Anyone can see that, and I'm guessing a man whose made millions has more than the IQ of a third-grader.
But it occurs to me that there are several possible realities surrounding Mr. Wilson's viewpoint on his franchise:
1) The "Triple-Walled Glass Case of Emotion" Approach -- Perhaps Mr. Wilson cares very, very much about the fans and team. The man who goes to a ton of games, even appearing in the bowels of the stadium after the contest. But like many very rich veteran millionaires, maybe he's so shielded from the plight of the city that he doesn't get it. When media members ask him pointed questions, he thinks, "These are the same guys who were telling me to fire Marv Levy or trade Jim Kelly." When he sees the fans protest, he believes his trusted higher-ups who tell him, "They don't understand the injuries, or football, or why we lost today." Maybe he thinks, "They protested when they thought the team would leave in the 1990s, and I worked it out." Yes, there's a chance this man has so many "Yes Men" that reality never gets reinforced.
2) The Apathetic Approach -- Maybe Mr. Wilson is like a teenager playing "Madden." He no longer scans the waiver wire, reads the sponsor emails or checks out the "player morale" meter. He plays the first few games of each season, but if it gets to 2-3 or 1-5, he just "simulates" the rest of the season, occasionally checking box scores and thinking about firing someone. At the end of each season, he sees what the other teams do, signs some guys who other people say might be good, and starts the process over. Maybe he's like me, and "Madden" doesn't hold much interest for him anymore. Maybe he's a soccer fan. In this approach, the question is "What's more important?" and the answer is "Making sure my landscaper properly bronzes the shrubbery in the front yard of his mansion. Going green, my @$$!"
3) The "#$&@" Approach -- Let's say you've owned a business in a conglomeration for years, and did a lot to keep the entire bundle of commerce afloat when other owners were struggling. Over time, new guys bought businesses who understood what you meant to the past, but viewed you as an old curmudgeon, blocking the way of progress. In addition, when folks ignored your warnings about terrible propositions for the conglomeration, you turned out to be right, but the satisfaction wasn't exactly fulfilling because it forecasted doom for the product you've nurtured for years. That stinks.
I just want to know what the man is thinking. I've been a seasont-ticker holder -- twice, actually -- and I'd love to feel like going to the stadium every week is a winning idea, but I don't. Like a lot of folks, I don't have the loot to throw around on seven Sundays when I have 365 days of electricity and such to pump into my house in an area inexplicably crushed by taxes (Can NYC/Long Island be its own state yet?).
Part of me needs to believe in Ralph Wilson as a man. I need to know that the World War II vet who bought his dad's business while looking after the Michigan mine workers he invested in is still living life with gusto. That the passion that motivated him to offer hundreds of thousands of dollars to owners in Oakland and New England is still bubbling around inside him, willing his business to be a success. Truth is, his business is a success, but not his product on-the-field. Lot of rich Internet spammers out there, too.
I'm dozens of years away from knowing if the desire for glory goes away with age. I hope not, but I know Mr. Wilson has a heck of a story to tell, and I'd love to sit down and hear it. Maybe, as is a possibility with Lerner and the Dawg Pounders. it would just be a PR ploy that yielded nothing. But maybe, I could gain a relayable knowledge that this man is still a man with blue-collar roots looking out for the people who haven't had the massive success he's had in life.
Cause I know there are hundreds of thousands of Bills fan who would buy this team if they had the money (or if there was a man willing to sell it).
Let's talk, sir. It'd be a privilege.
Monday, November 2, 2009
First True Hiccup For Sabres
There haven't been too many missteps from the boys in blue and gold this early season, but Saturday was one of them. It's super easy to say after a 5-0 loss, but even with three off-days ahead, Patrick Lalime should've spelled Ryan Miller between the pipes.
The way the Sabres played, it wouldn't have made a big deal on the bottom line. The skaters' focus had loss written all over it, but the prospect of Ryan Miller as American Olympic goaltender is looming. Even with the Olympics in the "West Coast road trip" area of Vancouver, it will still likely be an extra handful of games for Miller while the rest of the league's netminders are getting rest.
The Sabres' November is set for one night off per week for Miller, especially with the number of solid teams on the schedule (Philadelphia thrice, Washington, Calgary). They play Wednesday, Friday, Saturday all month. Lindy Ruff could hand-pick the nights off well in advance, and probably has. If I'm the head coach, I play Lalime at least thrice this month (all at home):
Nov. 4 vs. Islanders
Nov. 11 vs. Oilers
Nov. 28 vs. Carolina
You could convince me Nov. 18 vs. Florida, but I know the home fans want to see Miller...
By the way, these are the 12 teams playing Olympic ice hockey. The States' group includes Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
Belarus
Canada
Czech Republic
Finland
Latvia
Norway
Russia
Slovakia
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
Email: nick@wgr550.com
The way the Sabres played, it wouldn't have made a big deal on the bottom line. The skaters' focus had loss written all over it, but the prospect of Ryan Miller as American Olympic goaltender is looming. Even with the Olympics in the "West Coast road trip" area of Vancouver, it will still likely be an extra handful of games for Miller while the rest of the league's netminders are getting rest.
The Sabres' November is set for one night off per week for Miller, especially with the number of solid teams on the schedule (Philadelphia thrice, Washington, Calgary). They play Wednesday, Friday, Saturday all month. Lindy Ruff could hand-pick the nights off well in advance, and probably has. If I'm the head coach, I play Lalime at least thrice this month (all at home):
Nov. 4 vs. Islanders
Nov. 11 vs. Oilers
Nov. 28 vs. Carolina
You could convince me Nov. 18 vs. Florida, but I know the home fans want to see Miller...
By the way, these are the 12 teams playing Olympic ice hockey. The States' group includes Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
Belarus
Canada
Czech Republic
Finland
Latvia
Norway
Russia
Slovakia
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Immediate Reactions, Wk8
For some more immediate "reactions," check Nick's in-game posts at Twitter. Also, he'll be on the air following Mike Schopp's post-game antics. Six p.m. See you there.
For those like me hoping for some sort of hope-filled reprieve from the ruthless tradition that is November/December Buffalo Bills football of the 21st century, you're forgiven for your naivete. Just think, if your team had any semblance of offensive function, we could be talking unlikely playoff scenarios for two weeks. We could be discussing how you could possibly take out a quarterback who was 3-0 as a Bill. We could be imagining which of the Bills' incredibly-difficult final three contests of the season could be the upset that puts us back in the playoffs.
We could have, but we can't.
-- How many minutes did the Bills offense have the ball? Ten? Twelve? Twenty? This team was all sorts of inefficient, and only scored when the defense put them in a wonderful spot via turnovers. This line is brutal. Both quarterbacks have been ineffective, but for some reason Ryan Fitzpatrick's struggles against Houston stung a little more.
The great Fitzpatrick hope is over, and we can all be sated by the news that Miami, New York and New England all have a better hold on their future at quarterback. If I may note that they went to Michigan, Southern Cal and Michigan. Not Stanford, Harvard, Tulane, Indiana, Middle Tennessee State...
-- Ryan Moats: fantasy stud.
-- The signs were there early. As advantageous as this defense has been, to only get 10 points out of that first half was a sign of impending Sunday doom. Twenty-two fourth-quarter Houston points later... get out of here.
-- Truth hurts, I guess, but please, please, please refrain from the ultra-annoying "we should've lost for the last few weeks just for a better draft pick" talk. It grates on me on the most primal of levels.
-- Bills fans' emotions could be properly summed up by one camera shot going to break late in the fourth quarter, as sterling rookie Jairus Byrd was heading down the tunnel, his day over early. The team's best player out, taking our hope with him. Seven interceptions in four weeks. Now, if he could only learn to tackle.
-- The Bills have lost eight of their last nine home games. It's a horrible embarrassment, but big ups to the fans for cheering Ralph Wilson's reception of his Hall of Fame ring.
-- Marcus Stroud continues to perform well under the radar for a large, large human being. His 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks project to numbers that would've finished second in the NFL last season (70 and five). Entering this week, Stroud lead all NFL defensive tackles in solo take-downs this year. Fight those numbers.
-- Buffalo's linebackers were annihilated at the second level by Houston fullback Vonta Leach. On one play, he sent Paul Posluszny back to Happy Valley.
-- You know what's extra pathetic? If the Bills could play football at all... at all... they'd be one game out, or on top of the AFC East. Buffalo is probably blowing a cherry opportunity to hold sway for a year (or even a week). My goodness, is this team pathetic right now.
-- Is there a more symbolic or telling show of the Bills ills than running "fake Owens reverse" at least four times after it went for the touchdown? My goodness. This offense needs an entirely new coaching staff. The defense probably does, too, but I'm not interesting in harping on that today. They are missing -- what? -- five opening day starters? Six, if you count Aaron Schobel being pulled.
-- I am never interested in what Rich Gannon has to say. He didn't do much in his career -- save four late years with Tim Brown in Oakland -- and he kow-tows to his friends in the league. As much as Fitzpatrick deserves all the criticism in the world, chastising him for Marshawn Lynch dropping a check down pass late in the goings was silly. The guy dropped an almost-sure first down.
-- I did a nice interview with linebacker Chris Draft a couple weeks back, and in lieu of saying something else about the trash performance on the field, check out his "family first" foundation. It's one of the best causes I've seen from athletes doing charity.
-- I kinda wish I could come down with the swine flu again so I could not listen to the raw Whiner Line tomorrow. Aiy-yie-yie.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lynch, 9 carries, 43 yards
-- Lynch's 4.8 yards-per-carry was the first time he or Jackson carried for more than 4.0 since the Cleveland game, when he went for 4.1. This line can't block for anyone right now, which explains why the more explosive pure talent is the one getting better yards. He may not be as smart, decent or football-witty as Jackson, but he's the Bills' best hope for positive yards in the run game behind this line.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Fitzpatrick, 15-of-23, 117 yards, two sacks, two interceptions
-- As it turns out, your completion percentage can be much, much higher when you don't try many throws of consequence. Fitzpatrick struggled on a lot of levels, and when he had the chance to make a big throw -- like he did to Lee Evans last week -- he poorly floats a ball to the corner for Owens. At least he made it easier for his coaches to re-install Trent Edwards after the bye.
Game ball:
Byrd. Two interceptions, five tackles.
-- Kid needs a lot of work in tackling, but he's a rookie and I'm going to enjoy his play for a little while, provided he's not hurt.
Lastly...
What do we even say anymore? I missed my niece and nephew's Christening reception to make sure I saw this entire game via DVR. What a trainwreck. I could've been in South Buffalo eating a lot of food and celebrating something meaningful.
EDIT NOTE: I saw the actual Christening at St. Gabriel's in Elma. Congrats to the Austin and Olivia Milewski, and their parents and Godparents!
Next week:
Bye week.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
For those like me hoping for some sort of hope-filled reprieve from the ruthless tradition that is November/December Buffalo Bills football of the 21st century, you're forgiven for your naivete. Just think, if your team had any semblance of offensive function, we could be talking unlikely playoff scenarios for two weeks. We could be discussing how you could possibly take out a quarterback who was 3-0 as a Bill. We could be imagining which of the Bills' incredibly-difficult final three contests of the season could be the upset that puts us back in the playoffs.
We could have, but we can't.
-- How many minutes did the Bills offense have the ball? Ten? Twelve? Twenty? This team was all sorts of inefficient, and only scored when the defense put them in a wonderful spot via turnovers. This line is brutal. Both quarterbacks have been ineffective, but for some reason Ryan Fitzpatrick's struggles against Houston stung a little more.
The great Fitzpatrick hope is over, and we can all be sated by the news that Miami, New York and New England all have a better hold on their future at quarterback. If I may note that they went to Michigan, Southern Cal and Michigan. Not Stanford, Harvard, Tulane, Indiana, Middle Tennessee State...
-- Ryan Moats: fantasy stud.
-- The signs were there early. As advantageous as this defense has been, to only get 10 points out of that first half was a sign of impending Sunday doom. Twenty-two fourth-quarter Houston points later... get out of here.
-- Truth hurts, I guess, but please, please, please refrain from the ultra-annoying "we should've lost for the last few weeks just for a better draft pick" talk. It grates on me on the most primal of levels.
-- Bills fans' emotions could be properly summed up by one camera shot going to break late in the fourth quarter, as sterling rookie Jairus Byrd was heading down the tunnel, his day over early. The team's best player out, taking our hope with him. Seven interceptions in four weeks. Now, if he could only learn to tackle.
-- The Bills have lost eight of their last nine home games. It's a horrible embarrassment, but big ups to the fans for cheering Ralph Wilson's reception of his Hall of Fame ring.
-- Marcus Stroud continues to perform well under the radar for a large, large human being. His 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks project to numbers that would've finished second in the NFL last season (70 and five). Entering this week, Stroud lead all NFL defensive tackles in solo take-downs this year. Fight those numbers.
-- Buffalo's linebackers were annihilated at the second level by Houston fullback Vonta Leach. On one play, he sent Paul Posluszny back to Happy Valley.
-- You know what's extra pathetic? If the Bills could play football at all... at all... they'd be one game out, or on top of the AFC East. Buffalo is probably blowing a cherry opportunity to hold sway for a year (or even a week). My goodness, is this team pathetic right now.
-- Is there a more symbolic or telling show of the Bills ills than running "fake Owens reverse" at least four times after it went for the touchdown? My goodness. This offense needs an entirely new coaching staff. The defense probably does, too, but I'm not interesting in harping on that today. They are missing -- what? -- five opening day starters? Six, if you count Aaron Schobel being pulled.
-- I am never interested in what Rich Gannon has to say. He didn't do much in his career -- save four late years with Tim Brown in Oakland -- and he kow-tows to his friends in the league. As much as Fitzpatrick deserves all the criticism in the world, chastising him for Marshawn Lynch dropping a check down pass late in the goings was silly. The guy dropped an almost-sure first down.
-- I did a nice interview with linebacker Chris Draft a couple weeks back, and in lieu of saying something else about the trash performance on the field, check out his "family first" foundation. It's one of the best causes I've seen from athletes doing charity.
-- I kinda wish I could come down with the swine flu again so I could not listen to the raw Whiner Line tomorrow. Aiy-yie-yie.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lynch, 9 carries, 43 yards
-- Lynch's 4.8 yards-per-carry was the first time he or Jackson carried for more than 4.0 since the Cleveland game, when he went for 4.1. This line can't block for anyone right now, which explains why the more explosive pure talent is the one getting better yards. He may not be as smart, decent or football-witty as Jackson, but he's the Bills' best hope for positive yards in the run game behind this line.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Fitzpatrick, 15-of-23, 117 yards, two sacks, two interceptions
-- As it turns out, your completion percentage can be much, much higher when you don't try many throws of consequence. Fitzpatrick struggled on a lot of levels, and when he had the chance to make a big throw -- like he did to Lee Evans last week -- he poorly floats a ball to the corner for Owens. At least he made it easier for his coaches to re-install Trent Edwards after the bye.
Game ball:
Byrd. Two interceptions, five tackles.
-- Kid needs a lot of work in tackling, but he's a rookie and I'm going to enjoy his play for a little while, provided he's not hurt.
Lastly...
What do we even say anymore? I missed my niece and nephew's Christening reception to make sure I saw this entire game via DVR. What a trainwreck. I could've been in South Buffalo eating a lot of food and celebrating something meaningful.
EDIT NOTE: I saw the actual Christening at St. Gabriel's in Elma. Congrats to the Austin and Olivia Milewski, and their parents and Godparents!
Next week:
Bye week.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Sunday, October 25, 2009
immediate Reactions, Wk7
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?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
