Sunday, December 14, 2008
Immediate Reactions: NYJ 31, Buffalo 27
5:29 AM | 
Posted by
Nick Mendola
My football-watching brain is friiiiiiiiiiiied, so this may end up being another short one. Let's face it: if this game really mattered and went down the way it did, we may never stop talking about it.
For those of you who missed the in-game break-in, President Bush was giving his farewell speech from Iraq this afternoon (American time) when an Iraqi reporter took off his shoe and fired it at Bush. The president ducked, an in came shoe No. 2. You see, throwing a shoe at someone is considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture. I say this because I've had several conversations since the Bills game ended in which someone has said;
"Would someone toss a shoe or two at Dick Jauron?"
Here we go...
— Why in the world were they passing on 2nd-and-5 with just over two minutes to play and the lead? That was easily the dumbest play call of the year. Bar none. I want you all to send me emails about dumber play calls and I will tell you why this one was worse. Horrible, horrible, horrible.
— I can't say enough about Marshawn Lynch. After coming out and — as Duke Preston admitted — getting his line riled up by taking the blame for a tough year, he goes straight "Beast Mode" for 60 minutes. In the wake of his "hit-and-run" issues — something that admittedly still rubs me the wrong way — he's been a very fun player to watch.
— The Bills didn't have a single three-and-out on offense. They did have a one-and-interception, two-and-interception and four-and-touchdown... but no three-and-outs.
— How about the Bills defense on that play-action naked bootleg? Everyone fell for it. Everyone. I'm not even mad. I'm impressed.
— Good on Steve Johnson for getting his first career touchdown. He's a keeper, but think about the receivers under contract next year: Evans, Reed, Parrish, Hardy, Johnson. Then there's Jenkins as a relatively important special teamer. Don't be surprised if the Bills don't snag a wide-out in the offseason.
-- Also on Johnson... great, if unoriginal, touchdown celebration. The "football's-stuck-on-my-hand" is almost always funny.
— James Hardy was carted off with a knee injury. It's a shame, because he was due for a big catch.
— Brett Favre had a very similar game to Losman in terms of numbers, turnovers and accuracy, yet Dan Dierdorf hailed Favre as gutsy, and Losman as wild. I love Favre as much as any football fan, but that was tough to endure.
— I am liking Derek Schouman and Derek Fine as tight ends. Not saying they're my idea of a No. 1, but I'm not sure what that would look like in this style Bills jersey. When Jay Riemersma and Pete Metzelaars are the two best tight ends during your time as a Bills fan, you should probably question your allegiance... or tell the Bills to draft more tight ends with hard-to-pronounce last names. Maybe Devin Frischknecht of Washington State?
(Note: It'll be interesting to see where blocking tight end, and local boy, Dan Gronkowski of Maryland ends up).
— So, here's the drill: In my dismay during the past few weeks, I neglected to start by Bills MVP competition on time. So we're going to make this more "fan interactive." We'll go from 16 to 8 this week, eight to four after the Broncos game, and then four to two after the Patriots finale. After that, i'll put a web poll up with the final two players. It'll be "fun."
Here were the match-ups heading into this week:**
No. 1 Marshawn Lynch vs. No. 16 Chris Kelsay
No. 2 Lee Evans vs. No. 15 Roscoe Parrish
No. 3 Fred Jackson vs. No. 14 Bryan Scott
No. 4 Josh Reed vs. No. 13 Kawika Mitchell
No. 5 Marcus Stroud vs. No. 12 Paul Posluszny
No. 6 Leodis McKelvin vs. No. 11 Terrence McGee
No. 7 Langston Walker vs. No. 10 Ryan Denney
No. 8 Jabari Greer vs. No. 9 Darian Barnes*
*The reason Darian Barnes is No. 9 is because I wanted Jabari Greer into the next round, and because they cut him when they were 4-0, so.... if you really have a problem with it, I'll bump Barnes into Round Two.
**Apologies to Brian Moorman and Kyle Williams. Didn't really consider anyone else.
The round-up:
- Lynch over Kelsay. The reigning champ wins, with no explanation needed.
- Evans over Parrish. Roscoe is explosive, but what he's thinking when deciding whether or not to field a punt is beyond me.
- Jackson over Scott. Good to see Fred finally get a touchdown, and it was a beast of a run.
- Reed over Mitchell. Reed had another gutsy game, even if he did make a couple boners. Mitchell looked awful on a Favre pump fake in the third quarter.
- Posluszny over Stroud. Stroud's been better all year, but Posluszny had important tackles and a pick against the Jets.
- McGee over McKelvin. Terrence was just McBetter today, even if Leodis' growth will be pivotal to next year and beyond. Like the Posluszny/Stroud match-up, McKelvin would've won the year-long battle.
- Walker over Denney. Paul Hamilton would say I'm crazy, but I think the two most-unheralded seasons belong to these two. Denney absolutely over-performed as someone who should be a situational rusher, batting down a ton of passes.
- Greer over Barnes. Again, if you have issues, email me: nick@wgr550.com
ROUND TWO:
No. 1 Lynch vs. No. 12 Posluszny
No. 2 Evans vs. No. 11 McGee
No. 3 Jackson vs. No. 8 Greer
No. 4 Reed vs. No. 7 Walker
(I can't believe five offensive players move on, but I had to go with my gut).
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lynch, 21 carries, 127 yards; three receptions, 13 yards
— Sensational.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Losman, 24-of-39, 148 yards, three sacks, 1 TD, 3 INT, one fumble lost.
(Bills) Game ball:
Lynch.
— Unquestionably, with a nod to the run-blocking of the line.
Lastly...
I really like the way Thomas Vanek has reshaped his game.
Next week:
Thank goodness the Broncos won't need the game. I vote for Denver 27, Buffalo 20.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
For those of you who missed the in-game break-in, President Bush was giving his farewell speech from Iraq this afternoon (American time) when an Iraqi reporter took off his shoe and fired it at Bush. The president ducked, an in came shoe No. 2. You see, throwing a shoe at someone is considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture. I say this because I've had several conversations since the Bills game ended in which someone has said;
"Would someone toss a shoe or two at Dick Jauron?"
Here we go...
— Why in the world were they passing on 2nd-and-5 with just over two minutes to play and the lead? That was easily the dumbest play call of the year. Bar none. I want you all to send me emails about dumber play calls and I will tell you why this one was worse. Horrible, horrible, horrible.
— I can't say enough about Marshawn Lynch. After coming out and — as Duke Preston admitted — getting his line riled up by taking the blame for a tough year, he goes straight "Beast Mode" for 60 minutes. In the wake of his "hit-and-run" issues — something that admittedly still rubs me the wrong way — he's been a very fun player to watch.
— The Bills didn't have a single three-and-out on offense. They did have a one-and-interception, two-and-interception and four-and-touchdown... but no three-and-outs.
— How about the Bills defense on that play-action naked bootleg? Everyone fell for it. Everyone. I'm not even mad. I'm impressed.
— Good on Steve Johnson for getting his first career touchdown. He's a keeper, but think about the receivers under contract next year: Evans, Reed, Parrish, Hardy, Johnson. Then there's Jenkins as a relatively important special teamer. Don't be surprised if the Bills don't snag a wide-out in the offseason.
-- Also on Johnson... great, if unoriginal, touchdown celebration. The "football's-stuck-on-my-hand" is almost always funny.
— James Hardy was carted off with a knee injury. It's a shame, because he was due for a big catch.
— Brett Favre had a very similar game to Losman in terms of numbers, turnovers and accuracy, yet Dan Dierdorf hailed Favre as gutsy, and Losman as wild. I love Favre as much as any football fan, but that was tough to endure.
— I am liking Derek Schouman and Derek Fine as tight ends. Not saying they're my idea of a No. 1, but I'm not sure what that would look like in this style Bills jersey. When Jay Riemersma and Pete Metzelaars are the two best tight ends during your time as a Bills fan, you should probably question your allegiance... or tell the Bills to draft more tight ends with hard-to-pronounce last names. Maybe Devin Frischknecht of Washington State?
(Note: It'll be interesting to see where blocking tight end, and local boy, Dan Gronkowski of Maryland ends up).
— So, here's the drill: In my dismay during the past few weeks, I neglected to start by Bills MVP competition on time. So we're going to make this more "fan interactive." We'll go from 16 to 8 this week, eight to four after the Broncos game, and then four to two after the Patriots finale. After that, i'll put a web poll up with the final two players. It'll be "fun."
Here were the match-ups heading into this week:**
No. 1 Marshawn Lynch vs. No. 16 Chris Kelsay
No. 2 Lee Evans vs. No. 15 Roscoe Parrish
No. 3 Fred Jackson vs. No. 14 Bryan Scott
No. 4 Josh Reed vs. No. 13 Kawika Mitchell
No. 5 Marcus Stroud vs. No. 12 Paul Posluszny
No. 6 Leodis McKelvin vs. No. 11 Terrence McGee
No. 7 Langston Walker vs. No. 10 Ryan Denney
No. 8 Jabari Greer vs. No. 9 Darian Barnes*
*The reason Darian Barnes is No. 9 is because I wanted Jabari Greer into the next round, and because they cut him when they were 4-0, so.... if you really have a problem with it, I'll bump Barnes into Round Two.
**Apologies to Brian Moorman and Kyle Williams. Didn't really consider anyone else.
The round-up:
- Lynch over Kelsay. The reigning champ wins, with no explanation needed.
- Evans over Parrish. Roscoe is explosive, but what he's thinking when deciding whether or not to field a punt is beyond me.
- Jackson over Scott. Good to see Fred finally get a touchdown, and it was a beast of a run.
- Reed over Mitchell. Reed had another gutsy game, even if he did make a couple boners. Mitchell looked awful on a Favre pump fake in the third quarter.
- Posluszny over Stroud. Stroud's been better all year, but Posluszny had important tackles and a pick against the Jets.
- McGee over McKelvin. Terrence was just McBetter today, even if Leodis' growth will be pivotal to next year and beyond. Like the Posluszny/Stroud match-up, McKelvin would've won the year-long battle.
- Walker over Denney. Paul Hamilton would say I'm crazy, but I think the two most-unheralded seasons belong to these two. Denney absolutely over-performed as someone who should be a situational rusher, batting down a ton of passes.
- Greer over Barnes. Again, if you have issues, email me: nick@wgr550.com
ROUND TWO:
No. 1 Lynch vs. No. 12 Posluszny
No. 2 Evans vs. No. 11 McGee
No. 3 Jackson vs. No. 8 Greer
No. 4 Reed vs. No. 7 Walker
(I can't believe five offensive players move on, but I had to go with my gut).
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lynch, 21 carries, 127 yards; three receptions, 13 yards
— Sensational.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Losman, 24-of-39, 148 yards, three sacks, 1 TD, 3 INT, one fumble lost.
(Bills) Game ball:
Lynch.
— Unquestionably, with a nod to the run-blocking of the line.
Lastly...
I really like the way Thomas Vanek has reshaped his game.
Next week:
Thank goodness the Broncos won't need the game. I vote for Denver 27, Buffalo 20.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Labels:
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Touting Thomas
(WGR 550) -- For those Sabres fans staring at the Eastern Conference standings, with the number 8 sitting next to Buffalo, and wondering what the team's next move will be, ponder this:
Where would they be without No. 26?
As Thomas Vanek continues to lead the team in almost every important offensive category, the Sabres continue their fight to stay above .500. Where's the league's leading goal scorer in all this? Backchecking, blocking shots and, on Monday in Pittsburgh, shoulder-to-the-goal-post, attempting a save.
Another thing: He's 24 years-old.
Lindy Ruff has asked his left winger to be better, and Vanek has complied, while Ruff continues to call Vanek's play to be "just the tip of the iceberg."
Somewhere in that tip, there's now leadership by example.
Throughout the course of last year's roller-coaster ride to a long summer, Vanek was always available in the locker room after games, understanding his responsibility as a $49 million man in Buffalo. Throw-in an extremely rocky start to that campaign -- he didn't score his 20th goal until Feb. 12 in Ottawa -- and a new baby, and Vanek had a lot of growing up to do.
Recording four hat-tricks in the last 27 games of 2007-08, Ruff then asked his star to do what any other head coach would: backcheck and penalty kill. Right.
While some would have doubted the idea, Vanek has responded by being one of only two regular skaters with a positive plus/minus ratio and pacing the league's third best penalty kill. He's also second in the NHL in shorthanded goals (2), game-winning goals (3) and power-play goals (8). By the way, he's only missed one regular season game in his career -- April 3, 2006 -- and has suited up in 198 consecutive games.
This year, the team is 3-7-1 when he doesn't register a point. (He also leads Austrian-born NHL players with 18:34 of ice-time per game. Take that, Andreas Nodl).
All this with team goaltending that, statistically, has been in the middle of the pack, 14th in goals-against average (2.81) and 18th in save percentage (.900).
So, let's ask again: Where would the Sabres be without No. 26?
At some point, we might want to talk about thanking Kevin Lowe. (Not really).
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Where would they be without No. 26?
As Thomas Vanek continues to lead the team in almost every important offensive category, the Sabres continue their fight to stay above .500. Where's the league's leading goal scorer in all this? Backchecking, blocking shots and, on Monday in Pittsburgh, shoulder-to-the-goal-post, attempting a save.
Another thing: He's 24 years-old.
Lindy Ruff has asked his left winger to be better, and Vanek has complied, while Ruff continues to call Vanek's play to be "just the tip of the iceberg."
Somewhere in that tip, there's now leadership by example.
Throughout the course of last year's roller-coaster ride to a long summer, Vanek was always available in the locker room after games, understanding his responsibility as a $49 million man in Buffalo. Throw-in an extremely rocky start to that campaign -- he didn't score his 20th goal until Feb. 12 in Ottawa -- and a new baby, and Vanek had a lot of growing up to do.
Recording four hat-tricks in the last 27 games of 2007-08, Ruff then asked his star to do what any other head coach would: backcheck and penalty kill. Right.
While some would have doubted the idea, Vanek has responded by being one of only two regular skaters with a positive plus/minus ratio and pacing the league's third best penalty kill. He's also second in the NHL in shorthanded goals (2), game-winning goals (3) and power-play goals (8). By the way, he's only missed one regular season game in his career -- April 3, 2006 -- and has suited up in 198 consecutive games.
This year, the team is 3-7-1 when he doesn't register a point. (He also leads Austrian-born NHL players with 18:34 of ice-time per game. Take that, Andreas Nodl).
All this with team goaltending that, statistically, has been in the middle of the pack, 14th in goals-against average (2.81) and 18th in save percentage (.900).
So, let's ask again: Where would the Sabres be without No. 26?
At some point, we might want to talk about thanking Kevin Lowe. (Not really).
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Immediate Reactions: San Fran 10, Buffalo 3
Stupid Bills.
What in the world are we supposed to do with that? I really mean that question.
Ugh...
-- The first place I'd like to start is Roscoe Parrish. Now, I absolutely admire his positivity before that final punt return, bobbing his head to and fro, enjoying the music that announced the arrival of the football in his hands.
Now me, if I were him, I'd be thinking about the touchdown I dropped. You know, the one that would have tied the game, and not made math your most important ally for all of December.
-- I like Fred Jackson. Great guy, I mean it, but if it's 3rd and short, and the best running back on your team has gashed a defense for over 130 yards, give him the football. Please. I totally understand that Derrick Dockery and Jason Peters decided to block the same guy on the play, but still, give it to Lynch, and if he doesn't get it, give it to him on fourth down.
Disagree? Jackson averaged 1.6 yards-per-carry, Lynch had 8.4. Even without the 50-yard run, Lynch would've averaged over five yards per carry.
-- Ron Pitts is the worst play-by-play announcer in the NFL. Tony Boselli, on the contrary, is a pretty good color guy.
-- I don't think it's too much to assume that the defense has had enough of the offense's shenanigans. Your defensive ends got you three sacks, allowed ten points, and gave up a paltry 52 meaningful yards in the second half. The opponent was San Francisco, and your quarterbacks need to be able to come up with 10 points in 60 minutes.
-- Between Trent Edwards and Jack Losman, the Bills were 21-of-37 for 205 yards and three sacks. Sometimes numbers don't tell the story, as inaccuracy plagued Edwards and indecision punished Losman.
When Losman's sent packing after this year, you'll need a veteran back-up, and you'll also need to pick up another quarterback, whether on Day One or Day Two of the draft is your call.
-- The major difference between Edwards and Losman today was that Losman was sacked on plays that Edwards would've dumped it to his running back or tight end. How do you get this far in your career without knowing the rush is coming.
-- That said, Parrish dropped a touchdown. Did I mention that?
-- My golly, what happened to Rian Lindell? I know the weather was awful, and has been awful, but his performance was inexcusable.
-- This team needs to practice outside, and if they do, then they need to practice outside more. When you have elite, effective athletes like Leodis McKelvin and Marcus Stroud saying, "It's going to be a cold one and we'll have to stay warm," (I'm paraphrasing), it's time to change your routine. You're a cold weather team, play cold weather football.
-- Patrick Willis is really good at playing tackle football.
-- Six penalties is too many.
-- Between you and I, it's going to make me sick to listen to all the "We just have to go out and win the rest of our games and hope for the best" comments for another year. I went to college for this.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lynch, 16 carries, 134 yards, TD
-- He's really good at football, too.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Lynch, 16 carries.
-- Don't overthink it. Just give him the ball.
Game ball:
Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay, 10 tackles, three sacks
-- Can't put it on the defense this week.
Lastly...
Nice home game, team. Stupid.
Next week:
Don't call it a home game. Bills 20, Miami 17 in Toronto, Ont., Canada, North America, Western Hemisphere, Earth, Milky Way, Universe.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
What in the world are we supposed to do with that? I really mean that question.
Ugh...
-- The first place I'd like to start is Roscoe Parrish. Now, I absolutely admire his positivity before that final punt return, bobbing his head to and fro, enjoying the music that announced the arrival of the football in his hands.
Now me, if I were him, I'd be thinking about the touchdown I dropped. You know, the one that would have tied the game, and not made math your most important ally for all of December.
-- I like Fred Jackson. Great guy, I mean it, but if it's 3rd and short, and the best running back on your team has gashed a defense for over 130 yards, give him the football. Please. I totally understand that Derrick Dockery and Jason Peters decided to block the same guy on the play, but still, give it to Lynch, and if he doesn't get it, give it to him on fourth down.
Disagree? Jackson averaged 1.6 yards-per-carry, Lynch had 8.4. Even without the 50-yard run, Lynch would've averaged over five yards per carry.
-- Ron Pitts is the worst play-by-play announcer in the NFL. Tony Boselli, on the contrary, is a pretty good color guy.
-- I don't think it's too much to assume that the defense has had enough of the offense's shenanigans. Your defensive ends got you three sacks, allowed ten points, and gave up a paltry 52 meaningful yards in the second half. The opponent was San Francisco, and your quarterbacks need to be able to come up with 10 points in 60 minutes.
-- Between Trent Edwards and Jack Losman, the Bills were 21-of-37 for 205 yards and three sacks. Sometimes numbers don't tell the story, as inaccuracy plagued Edwards and indecision punished Losman.
When Losman's sent packing after this year, you'll need a veteran back-up, and you'll also need to pick up another quarterback, whether on Day One or Day Two of the draft is your call.
-- The major difference between Edwards and Losman today was that Losman was sacked on plays that Edwards would've dumped it to his running back or tight end. How do you get this far in your career without knowing the rush is coming.
-- That said, Parrish dropped a touchdown. Did I mention that?
-- My golly, what happened to Rian Lindell? I know the weather was awful, and has been awful, but his performance was inexcusable.
-- This team needs to practice outside, and if they do, then they need to practice outside more. When you have elite, effective athletes like Leodis McKelvin and Marcus Stroud saying, "It's going to be a cold one and we'll have to stay warm," (I'm paraphrasing), it's time to change your routine. You're a cold weather team, play cold weather football.
-- Patrick Willis is really good at playing tackle football.
-- Six penalties is too many.
-- Between you and I, it's going to make me sick to listen to all the "We just have to go out and win the rest of our games and hope for the best" comments for another year. I went to college for this.
Stat line I enjoyed:
Lynch, 16 carries, 134 yards, TD
-- He's really good at football, too.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Lynch, 16 carries.
-- Don't overthink it. Just give him the ball.
Game ball:
Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay, 10 tackles, three sacks
-- Can't put it on the defense this week.
Lastly...
Nice home game, team. Stupid.
Next week:
Don't call it a home game. Bills 20, Miami 17 in Toronto, Ont., Canada, North America, Western Hemisphere, Earth, Milky Way, Universe.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Bulls will go to one of three bowls
(WGR 550) --You'd think experts would know what they're talking about.
Despite ESPN bowl projections that currently have UB travelling to either Hawaii or Las Vegas for a bowl date due to weak power conferences, it is simply untrue, according to a school official.
Now that Buffalo has won the MAC East Division, they can only appear in one of its conference's three bowl tie-ins. So, here are the three dates to keep open, if you're trying to keep your travel schedule open (courtesy of NCAA.org):
Dec. 26, 2008 - Motor City Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) -- MAC vs. Big Ten (7:30 p.m. kick-off, ESPN)
Jan. 3, 2009 - International Bowl (Toronto, Ont., Canada) -- MAC vs. Big East (Noon kick-off, ESPN2)
Jan. 6, 2009 - GMAC Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) -- MAC vs. Conference USA (8 p.m. kick-off, ESPN)
On the opinion side, Toronto makes sense to me and several extremely knowledgable folks I've spoken with regarding the college bowl system. Not only is the Buffalo to Toronto commute the shortest of the Mid American Conference teams, but it has long-been whispered that the International Bowl would love to have an invasion by the Buffalo market.
In case you're wondering what match-ups these bowls held in the past, here's a five-year refresher:
Motor City Bowl:
2007- Purdue 51, Central Michigan 48 (MVP- Curtis Painter, Purdue)
2006- Central Michigan 31, Middle Tennessee 14 (MVP- Dan LeFevour, Central)
2005- Memphis 38, Akron 31 (MVP- DeAngelo Williams, Memphis)
2004- UConn 39, Toledo 10 (MVP- Dan Orlovsky, UConn)
2003- Bowling Green 28, Northwestern 24 (MVPs- Josh Harris, BG/Jason Wright, N'western)
International Bowl:
2008- Rutgers 52, Ball State 30 (MVP- Ray Rice, Rutgers)
2007- Cincinnati 27, Western Michigan 24 (MVP- Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati)
GMAC Bowl:
2008- Tulsa 63, Bowling Green 7 (MVP- Paul Smith, Tulsa)
2007- Southern Miss 28, Ohio 7 (MVP- Damion Fletcher, SMU)
2005- Toledo 45, UTEP 13 (MVP- Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo)
2004- Bowling Green 52, Memphis 35 (MVP- Omar Jacobs, BG)
2003- Miami (OH) 49, Louisville 28 (MVP- Ben Roethlisberger, Miami)
The Bulls have two games remaining before bowl season, closing out the regular season at UB Stadium against Kent State. It's an afternoon contest on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. The MAC Championship game will be against either No. 15 Ball State (11-0, 7-0 MAC), Central Michigan (8-3, 6-1 MAC) or Western Michigan (9-2, 6-1 MAC).
In terms of the Motor City Bowl, the Big Ten currently has seven bowl-eligible teams, with Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota the current unranked teams. No. 22 Michigan State would be an intriguing option at 9-3 and at least one of the MAC Michigan schools available.
Bowl-eligible teams from the Big East include Rutgers, Pitt, UConn and South Florida, and would-be potential dates for an International Bowl dance. In an extremely-intriguing option, Notre Dame is often considered a Big East team if they do not qualify for a BCS spot.
Finally, bowl-eligible teams from Conference USA are currently East Carolina, Tulsa, Houston and Rice. Teams that can become eligible with a win in the final week of their season are Southern Miss, Memphis and UTEP.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Despite ESPN bowl projections that currently have UB travelling to either Hawaii or Las Vegas for a bowl date due to weak power conferences, it is simply untrue, according to a school official.
Now that Buffalo has won the MAC East Division, they can only appear in one of its conference's three bowl tie-ins. So, here are the three dates to keep open, if you're trying to keep your travel schedule open (courtesy of NCAA.org):
Dec. 26, 2008 - Motor City Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) -- MAC vs. Big Ten (7:30 p.m. kick-off, ESPN)
Jan. 3, 2009 - International Bowl (Toronto, Ont., Canada) -- MAC vs. Big East (Noon kick-off, ESPN2)
Jan. 6, 2009 - GMAC Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) -- MAC vs. Conference USA (8 p.m. kick-off, ESPN)
On the opinion side, Toronto makes sense to me and several extremely knowledgable folks I've spoken with regarding the college bowl system. Not only is the Buffalo to Toronto commute the shortest of the Mid American Conference teams, but it has long-been whispered that the International Bowl would love to have an invasion by the Buffalo market.
In case you're wondering what match-ups these bowls held in the past, here's a five-year refresher:
Motor City Bowl:
2007- Purdue 51, Central Michigan 48 (MVP- Curtis Painter, Purdue)
2006- Central Michigan 31, Middle Tennessee 14 (MVP- Dan LeFevour, Central)
2005- Memphis 38, Akron 31 (MVP- DeAngelo Williams, Memphis)
2004- UConn 39, Toledo 10 (MVP- Dan Orlovsky, UConn)
2003- Bowling Green 28, Northwestern 24 (MVPs- Josh Harris, BG/Jason Wright, N'western)
International Bowl:
2008- Rutgers 52, Ball State 30 (MVP- Ray Rice, Rutgers)
2007- Cincinnati 27, Western Michigan 24 (MVP- Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati)
GMAC Bowl:
2008- Tulsa 63, Bowling Green 7 (MVP- Paul Smith, Tulsa)
2007- Southern Miss 28, Ohio 7 (MVP- Damion Fletcher, SMU)
2005- Toledo 45, UTEP 13 (MVP- Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo)
2004- Bowling Green 52, Memphis 35 (MVP- Omar Jacobs, BG)
2003- Miami (OH) 49, Louisville 28 (MVP- Ben Roethlisberger, Miami)
The Bulls have two games remaining before bowl season, closing out the regular season at UB Stadium against Kent State. It's an afternoon contest on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. The MAC Championship game will be against either No. 15 Ball State (11-0, 7-0 MAC), Central Michigan (8-3, 6-1 MAC) or Western Michigan (9-2, 6-1 MAC).
In terms of the Motor City Bowl, the Big Ten currently has seven bowl-eligible teams, with Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota the current unranked teams. No. 22 Michigan State would be an intriguing option at 9-3 and at least one of the MAC Michigan schools available.
Bowl-eligible teams from the Big East include Rutgers, Pitt, UConn and South Florida, and would-be potential dates for an International Bowl dance. In an extremely-intriguing option, Notre Dame is often considered a Big East team if they do not qualify for a BCS spot.
Finally, bowl-eligible teams from Conference USA are currently East Carolina, Tulsa, Houston and Rice. Teams that can become eligible with a win in the final week of their season are Southern Miss, Memphis and UTEP.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Immediate Reactions: Buffalo 54, Kansas City 31
Welcome to the 2008 MLS Cup running diary. Just kidding (although I am watching the Columbus and New York while I type this in preparation for my 6:30 p.m. "Final Whistle" show on WGR).
So, I don't know about you, but I needed that. Forget the running game, the defense and the special teams, I needed to see Trent Edwards knuckle up and play with some gumption, and did he ever.
Bills 54, Chiefs 31. Let's go (Buffalo)...
-- Was anyone else freaking out when Edwards missed Robert Royal on a picture-perfect-wide-open-play-action-of-all-things-surefire-touchdown pass attempt? Sweet Losman's Uncle, that was terrible.
Luckily, redemption came in buckets for the Stanford kid, who was 24-of-32 for 273 yards and four touchdowns (two passing, two running). More important to my confidence than his tosses to Josh Reed and Derek Schouman were the rushing scores. If this season was Edwards' life, than this game was his puberty. He took a whole sackful of courage into the end zone with him.
-- I don't want to look too far into the future, but the only good thing about this season eventually ending -- unless it ends with the Upersay Owlbay Ampionshipchay -- will be knowing Edwards' noggin will get a month or two off. I swear, every single time he gets hit I start getting Tim Connolly and Brett Lindros replays dancing through my
head.
-- Also, Trent, learn to slide.
-- I really want to rip on the defense, but the team was a plus-five on the day in turnovers. I guess that's what you have to deal with as a fan if Perry Fewell's defense is going to take more chances with the blitz.
-- I said all week, most prominently on Sportstalk Saturday with Corey Griswold, that the Bills were going to be looking at 7-5 going into the last four games of the season, but I certainly didn't see win No. 6 coming quite this emphatically.
-- The thing I've loved about Lee Evans since Day One is the humility he has when he plays the game well. Sure, he'll bob his head after a catch or a touchdown, but while Edwards, Lynch and company were giddy on the bench in the waning moments, Evans was just sitting there, looking straight ahead. Unless they were making fun of his mom, nice to see that composure from the captain.
-- Edwards loves Reed, and Reed is a tough man.
-- "Beast Mode," indeed. I love watching Marshawn Lynch run so much more when his line decides that blocking is part of its job description. Twenty carries should be a must, and his 79 yards round up to 4.0 per carry. Fred Jackson packed in a 24-yard run to make his nine for 56 looks explosive enough, and Edwards carried six times for 38 yards. That's a remarkable net of 171 yards, and 357 combined in two games after looking dead for several weeks.
-- Speaking of "Beast Mode," the microphone picked up some vintage, "punky" trash talk from Lynch after converting for a first down. Early in the third quarter, Lynch was right near the refs' mic when he
blurted out, "That's what I'm talking about. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah." I know I laughed.
-- A huge high-five for Duke Preston, who showed something we haven't seen out of a Bills lineman in a while, standing up for Lynch after a questionably-dubious hit from Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard.
-- That moment was also scary for Bills fans, as Lynch ended up on the bench, favoring his shoulder.
-- Not one Bills tackle was assisted on, according to Yahoo! Sports, and no Bill had more than four takedowns. Keith Ellison, Blake Costanzo and Terrence McGee has three.
-- Exactly what was McGee doing on that play where he didn't bother to defend Dwayne Bowe because he was busy assuming offensive pass interference was about to be called? That, and Jackson catching the kickoff that was headed out-of-bounds, was the epitome of bad silly stuff. Poor form, fellas.
-- Really good to see Schouman with a nice three-catch, 25-yards and a touchdown game. He's been through a ton since being drafted out of Boise State, including foot problems and constant position changes. He's a quiet, hard-working player who's always cordial in the locker room. Plus, terrific beard.
-- Marcus Stroud is not only large, he is good at football. He only gets credit for a tackle, pass defended and fumble recovery, but Stroud is such a difference maker in the middle of that line.
-- Three sacks? In one game? Buffalo is allowed to do that?
-- Lynch's 42 catches are one-shy of the most for a Bills' back since Larry Centers and Travis Henry each caught 43 in 2002. Edwards will have to check-down-his-brains-out to get Lynch near's Centers' 80 grabs (2001) or Thurman Thomas' 62 (1991).
P.S. Isn't it weird that Thomas never caught more than 62 balls in a year?
-- Kawika Mitchell had a weird game, often in a place to do something nice, but never quite achieving his goal. Just one tackle, and he did a standing push-up on Tyler Thigpen in the end zone, apparently fooled that Thigpen had thrown the ball.
-- Ryan Denney impressed me again, even if I wish he was still a very-good third defensive end. He plays tough each week.
-- How about those Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks? After Donovan McNabb goes 8-of-18 with two sacks and two picks for a quarterback rating of 13.2, Kevin Kolb comes on and shows him up with two picks of his own and a 13.2 rating. Yikes, and the Bills could've used the Eagles taking advantage of a Baltimore team that left the game there for the taking for most of the first half (at least it seemed).
Stat line I enjoyed:
Rian Lindell, 4-for-4 field goals, 6-for-6 extra points, 18 points.
-- No one liked seeing his forlorn face after the Cleveland miss, and the quiet, consistent kicker deserved a nice rebound.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Tony Gonzalez, 10 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD
-- First of all, I have a Buffalo complex, and he may or may not have nixed any trade ideas to Buffalo. Nice team, Gonzo. Second of all, Buffalo has struggled with tight ends for as long as I can remember, and I have Dustin Keller and Ben Watson-sized fears the rest of the way.
Game ball:
Leodis McKelvin
--Two tackles, two interceptions, 64 INT return yards, 1 TD
--Two kick returns, 67 yards, long of 46
I wish I had the phone numbers or emails of every "Leodis McKelvin is a bust 10 weeks into his career" person. Would've been nice to see him corral that interception late against Cleveland.
Lastly...
In the words of Benjamin Orr, bassist for The Cars, this game was just what I needed (Ric Ocasek doesn't sing on the track. True story). The defense needs to be much better, but Sunday felt pretty good. Also, I hope Herm Edwards is cut some slack. Twenty-three new players since the season's inception is an eerie reminder of last year's Bills struggles.
Next week:
They win against visiting San Francisco. I'm standing by my 7-5 call, and if there's a big, emotionless let-down at home, then everyone should be fired. Bills keep the playoff hopes alive by beating the 49ers, 29-17.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
So, I don't know about you, but I needed that. Forget the running game, the defense and the special teams, I needed to see Trent Edwards knuckle up and play with some gumption, and did he ever.
Bills 54, Chiefs 31. Let's go (Buffalo)...
-- Was anyone else freaking out when Edwards missed Robert Royal on a picture-perfect-wide-open-play-action-of-all-things-surefire-touchdown pass attempt? Sweet Losman's Uncle, that was terrible.
Luckily, redemption came in buckets for the Stanford kid, who was 24-of-32 for 273 yards and four touchdowns (two passing, two running). More important to my confidence than his tosses to Josh Reed and Derek Schouman were the rushing scores. If this season was Edwards' life, than this game was his puberty. He took a whole sackful of courage into the end zone with him.
-- I don't want to look too far into the future, but the only good thing about this season eventually ending -- unless it ends with the Upersay Owlbay Ampionshipchay -- will be knowing Edwards' noggin will get a month or two off. I swear, every single time he gets hit I start getting Tim Connolly and Brett Lindros replays dancing through my
head.
-- Also, Trent, learn to slide.
-- I really want to rip on the defense, but the team was a plus-five on the day in turnovers. I guess that's what you have to deal with as a fan if Perry Fewell's defense is going to take more chances with the blitz.
-- I said all week, most prominently on Sportstalk Saturday with Corey Griswold, that the Bills were going to be looking at 7-5 going into the last four games of the season, but I certainly didn't see win No. 6 coming quite this emphatically.
-- The thing I've loved about Lee Evans since Day One is the humility he has when he plays the game well. Sure, he'll bob his head after a catch or a touchdown, but while Edwards, Lynch and company were giddy on the bench in the waning moments, Evans was just sitting there, looking straight ahead. Unless they were making fun of his mom, nice to see that composure from the captain.
-- Edwards loves Reed, and Reed is a tough man.
-- "Beast Mode," indeed. I love watching Marshawn Lynch run so much more when his line decides that blocking is part of its job description. Twenty carries should be a must, and his 79 yards round up to 4.0 per carry. Fred Jackson packed in a 24-yard run to make his nine for 56 looks explosive enough, and Edwards carried six times for 38 yards. That's a remarkable net of 171 yards, and 357 combined in two games after looking dead for several weeks.
-- Speaking of "Beast Mode," the microphone picked up some vintage, "punky" trash talk from Lynch after converting for a first down. Early in the third quarter, Lynch was right near the refs' mic when he
blurted out, "That's what I'm talking about. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah." I know I laughed.
-- A huge high-five for Duke Preston, who showed something we haven't seen out of a Bills lineman in a while, standing up for Lynch after a questionably-dubious hit from Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard.
-- That moment was also scary for Bills fans, as Lynch ended up on the bench, favoring his shoulder.
-- Not one Bills tackle was assisted on, according to Yahoo! Sports, and no Bill had more than four takedowns. Keith Ellison, Blake Costanzo and Terrence McGee has three.
-- Exactly what was McGee doing on that play where he didn't bother to defend Dwayne Bowe because he was busy assuming offensive pass interference was about to be called? That, and Jackson catching the kickoff that was headed out-of-bounds, was the epitome of bad silly stuff. Poor form, fellas.
-- Really good to see Schouman with a nice three-catch, 25-yards and a touchdown game. He's been through a ton since being drafted out of Boise State, including foot problems and constant position changes. He's a quiet, hard-working player who's always cordial in the locker room. Plus, terrific beard.
-- Marcus Stroud is not only large, he is good at football. He only gets credit for a tackle, pass defended and fumble recovery, but Stroud is such a difference maker in the middle of that line.
-- Three sacks? In one game? Buffalo is allowed to do that?
-- Lynch's 42 catches are one-shy of the most for a Bills' back since Larry Centers and Travis Henry each caught 43 in 2002. Edwards will have to check-down-his-brains-out to get Lynch near's Centers' 80 grabs (2001) or Thurman Thomas' 62 (1991).
P.S. Isn't it weird that Thomas never caught more than 62 balls in a year?
-- Kawika Mitchell had a weird game, often in a place to do something nice, but never quite achieving his goal. Just one tackle, and he did a standing push-up on Tyler Thigpen in the end zone, apparently fooled that Thigpen had thrown the ball.
-- Ryan Denney impressed me again, even if I wish he was still a very-good third defensive end. He plays tough each week.
-- How about those Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks? After Donovan McNabb goes 8-of-18 with two sacks and two picks for a quarterback rating of 13.2, Kevin Kolb comes on and shows him up with two picks of his own and a 13.2 rating. Yikes, and the Bills could've used the Eagles taking advantage of a Baltimore team that left the game there for the taking for most of the first half (at least it seemed).
Stat line I enjoyed:
Rian Lindell, 4-for-4 field goals, 6-for-6 extra points, 18 points.
-- No one liked seeing his forlorn face after the Cleveland miss, and the quiet, consistent kicker deserved a nice rebound.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Tony Gonzalez, 10 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD
-- First of all, I have a Buffalo complex, and he may or may not have nixed any trade ideas to Buffalo. Nice team, Gonzo. Second of all, Buffalo has struggled with tight ends for as long as I can remember, and I have Dustin Keller and Ben Watson-sized fears the rest of the way.
Game ball:
Leodis McKelvin
--Two tackles, two interceptions, 64 INT return yards, 1 TD
--Two kick returns, 67 yards, long of 46
I wish I had the phone numbers or emails of every "Leodis McKelvin is a bust 10 weeks into his career" person. Would've been nice to see him corral that interception late against Cleveland.
Lastly...
In the words of Benjamin Orr, bassist for The Cars, this game was just what I needed (Ric Ocasek doesn't sing on the track. True story). The defense needs to be much better, but Sunday felt pretty good. Also, I hope Herm Edwards is cut some slack. Twenty-three new players since the season's inception is an eerie reminder of last year's Bills struggles.
Next week:
They win against visiting San Francisco. I'm standing by my 7-5 call, and if there's a big, emotionless let-down at home, then everyone should be fired. Bills keep the playoff hopes alive by beating the 49ers, 29-17.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008
How to ruin a friendship with Bulldog... and sports, too!
Occasionally, I'll lead off a blog with something other than sports, and today is one of those days. It has to be, if I'm going to use this space to ruin my friendship with one of my favorite co-workers. Here goes:
Dear Bulldog,
I've waited a long time to write this, in large part because you responded to my initial text about it with "I hate you," "Go to hell," or something about eyeballs and wood chippers, but it can wait no longer.
I love "Sons of Anarchy."
Now, I understand why you'd take issue with one of your friends enjoying a show about motorcycle gangs that reinforces terrible stereotypes about motorcyclists ("riders?"), but last time I checked, you watched "The Sopranos," and my last name ends in a vowel.
Truth is, I'll watch anything with Charlie Hunnam, who plays "Sons' " protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller. He's been in three movies I really enjoyed ("Green Street Hooligans," "Children of Men" and "Cold Mountain"), and was born in Newcastle, England, so -- being British and all -- he probably knows something about my Newcastle United FC Magpies (Edit note: His wikipedia page claims he has "no real interest" in soccer). Thusly, we can add him to my "pretend friends" list alongside Bill Murray, Jim Cramer, Bruce Springsteen and Brooks Orpik. We're a fun group. Saw Johnny Cash in concert last week. Bruce got us backstage. It was awesome.
I started watching "Sons of Anarchy" on a lark (the slang form of the phrase, not on an actual bird). It was mindless "brotherhood" nonsense with useless profanity, violence and PG-13 nudity. By all accounts, you would've told me, "You're better than this," and been correct about it.
However, the show has evolved into somewhat legitimate plot lines involving characters I actually care about, and things actually happen on the show from week-to-week. After the first three "getting to know these supposed badasses" show, there's been one down episode since, and in that episode a woman hit her husband's adulteress in the face with a skateboard. There are likeable rag-tag misfits. There's a cool Irish guy.
And, of course, there are downsides. The show is definitely not for kids. There are characters who are legitimately annoying. I'm not wild about the way it treats religion (Anarchy. Who knew?). Plus, are we really to believe there are small-town-sheriffs in this world who think illegal gun-running will keep their streets safe by way of vigilante justice in other counties?
In the interest of full disclosure, I now watch several unrealistic serial shows after spending all of college only watching sports, news and music on TV. I'm excited for "Lost" to return, and am seeing through "Prison Break," despite the fact that it is undeniably the worst television show aimed at the male demographic in the history of mankind. I also like boxing.
Is "Sons of Anarchy" closer to "Prison Break" than "Lost"? Maybe. Does my wife go sleep when I watch "crap like this"? Absolutely. Are dudes with huge beards getting into bar brawls every other week better than doing it myself? I hope so.
Highest regards,
Nick
================
The Sabres have four "plus" players this year, one of whom has only played six games, and has a musculoskeletal injury (which essentially means, "Somewhere in his body is hurt." This description is taking "upper" and "lower" body to a new level. It's just "body." His body is hurt. Awesome).
Toni Lydman -- yes, that Toni Lydman -- is pacing the team with a plus-4. Jason Pominville, Daniel Paille and Connolly are plus-1. Everyone else is even or worse.
So is it defense or goaltending that is letting them down. Ruff preaches "the system," and it's hard not to again fault the forwards backchecking, which is a similar sentiment to last season's struggles. Sure, there are examples of defensive lapses, when Henrik Tallinder fed Blake Wheeler with a sweet outlet pass that ended up behind a bewildered and out-of-position Ryan Miller, but this is most similar to catching the fire just after ignition. You're fighting a losing battle.
In terms of players like Derek Roy, who has been criticized by Lindy Ruff for his defensive zone lapses, this could go far back as his mentor, Daniel Briere, who was often passenger in his own zone and on the backcheck. Think I'm reaching? Briere is a minus-25 since leaving Buffalo despite averaging almost a point-per-game. Think John Stevens' system is as responsible as Ruff's?
There's a reason a classy cat like Briere isn't wearing a letter on his jersey in Philadelphia, while Simon Gagne (plus-8) and 23-year-old Mike Richards (plus-6) are. The two forwards are Nos. 1 and 2 on the Flyers in plus/minus.
===============
A lot of laudatory comments will be given to Niagara for sticking with No. 23 Villanova on ESPNU last night, but the truth is that the Purple Eagles had a right to be in that game. Head coach Joe Mihalich has continually recruited high schoolers and transfers alike and, without a sloppy start, would've given the Wildcats a much better run down in Philadelphia.
'Nova is certainly talented, but Niagara was able to get some of the top Wildcats to foul out. If only ESPN decided to put an announcing team on board that didn't include a 'Nova alum, you might've heard more about Rob Garrison and company instead of inane blather about how cool it is to "come down the tunnel as a Wildcat." Fantastic.
==============
What else needs to be said about MAC football after last night's thriller between Central Michigan and No. 14 Ball State (besides the fact that those gold jerseys the Chippewas wore were appallingly sharp)?
Ball State quarterback Nate Davis had a disappointing day (12-of-22, 175 yards) and still tossed four touchdowns. Should UB win Friday night at Bowling Green, a tall task indeed, the Bulls will have a heck of a test in the MAC Championship, assuming the Cardinals can hold off Western Michigan at Ball State next week.
It's a fun time to be a local college sports fan. If only the professionals would follow suit.
=============
Quick United States soccer update: Freddy Adu's first international goal, scored on a beautiful free kick, paced the US past Guatemala, 2-0, in a game where the Yanks used mostly back-ups. Jozy Altidore was the real deal, and hopefully Kenny Cooper's goal and all-around play convince Bob Bradley that MLS players can contribute more on the national team level. Then again, he uses Brian Ching like it's his job -- which it is -- so the criticism is a mite unwarranted.
=============
And I think I'm going to make this my new tagline, sing the anthem.
=============
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Dear Bulldog,
I've waited a long time to write this, in large part because you responded to my initial text about it with "I hate you," "Go to hell," or something about eyeballs and wood chippers, but it can wait no longer.
I love "Sons of Anarchy."
Now, I understand why you'd take issue with one of your friends enjoying a show about motorcycle gangs that reinforces terrible stereotypes about motorcyclists ("riders?"), but last time I checked, you watched "The Sopranos," and my last name ends in a vowel.
Truth is, I'll watch anything with Charlie Hunnam, who plays "Sons' " protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller. He's been in three movies I really enjoyed ("Green Street Hooligans," "Children of Men" and "Cold Mountain"), and was born in Newcastle, England, so -- being British and all -- he probably knows something about my Newcastle United FC Magpies (Edit note: His wikipedia page claims he has "no real interest" in soccer). Thusly, we can add him to my "pretend friends" list alongside Bill Murray, Jim Cramer, Bruce Springsteen and Brooks Orpik. We're a fun group. Saw Johnny Cash in concert last week. Bruce got us backstage. It was awesome.
I started watching "Sons of Anarchy" on a lark (the slang form of the phrase, not on an actual bird). It was mindless "brotherhood" nonsense with useless profanity, violence and PG-13 nudity. By all accounts, you would've told me, "You're better than this," and been correct about it.
However, the show has evolved into somewhat legitimate plot lines involving characters I actually care about, and things actually happen on the show from week-to-week. After the first three "getting to know these supposed badasses" show, there's been one down episode since, and in that episode a woman hit her husband's adulteress in the face with a skateboard. There are likeable rag-tag misfits. There's a cool Irish guy.
And, of course, there are downsides. The show is definitely not for kids. There are characters who are legitimately annoying. I'm not wild about the way it treats religion (Anarchy. Who knew?). Plus, are we really to believe there are small-town-sheriffs in this world who think illegal gun-running will keep their streets safe by way of vigilante justice in other counties?
In the interest of full disclosure, I now watch several unrealistic serial shows after spending all of college only watching sports, news and music on TV. I'm excited for "Lost" to return, and am seeing through "Prison Break," despite the fact that it is undeniably the worst television show aimed at the male demographic in the history of mankind. I also like boxing.
Is "Sons of Anarchy" closer to "Prison Break" than "Lost"? Maybe. Does my wife go sleep when I watch "crap like this"? Absolutely. Are dudes with huge beards getting into bar brawls every other week better than doing it myself? I hope so.
Highest regards,
Nick
================
The Sabres have four "plus" players this year, one of whom has only played six games, and has a musculoskeletal injury (which essentially means, "Somewhere in his body is hurt." This description is taking "upper" and "lower" body to a new level. It's just "body." His body is hurt. Awesome).
Toni Lydman -- yes, that Toni Lydman -- is pacing the team with a plus-4. Jason Pominville, Daniel Paille and Connolly are plus-1. Everyone else is even or worse.
So is it defense or goaltending that is letting them down. Ruff preaches "the system," and it's hard not to again fault the forwards backchecking, which is a similar sentiment to last season's struggles. Sure, there are examples of defensive lapses, when Henrik Tallinder fed Blake Wheeler with a sweet outlet pass that ended up behind a bewildered and out-of-position Ryan Miller, but this is most similar to catching the fire just after ignition. You're fighting a losing battle.
In terms of players like Derek Roy, who has been criticized by Lindy Ruff for his defensive zone lapses, this could go far back as his mentor, Daniel Briere, who was often passenger in his own zone and on the backcheck. Think I'm reaching? Briere is a minus-25 since leaving Buffalo despite averaging almost a point-per-game. Think John Stevens' system is as responsible as Ruff's?
There's a reason a classy cat like Briere isn't wearing a letter on his jersey in Philadelphia, while Simon Gagne (plus-8) and 23-year-old Mike Richards (plus-6) are. The two forwards are Nos. 1 and 2 on the Flyers in plus/minus.
===============
A lot of laudatory comments will be given to Niagara for sticking with No. 23 Villanova on ESPNU last night, but the truth is that the Purple Eagles had a right to be in that game. Head coach Joe Mihalich has continually recruited high schoolers and transfers alike and, without a sloppy start, would've given the Wildcats a much better run down in Philadelphia.
'Nova is certainly talented, but Niagara was able to get some of the top Wildcats to foul out. If only ESPN decided to put an announcing team on board that didn't include a 'Nova alum, you might've heard more about Rob Garrison and company instead of inane blather about how cool it is to "come down the tunnel as a Wildcat." Fantastic.
==============
What else needs to be said about MAC football after last night's thriller between Central Michigan and No. 14 Ball State (besides the fact that those gold jerseys the Chippewas wore were appallingly sharp)?
Ball State quarterback Nate Davis had a disappointing day (12-of-22, 175 yards) and still tossed four touchdowns. Should UB win Friday night at Bowling Green, a tall task indeed, the Bulls will have a heck of a test in the MAC Championship, assuming the Cardinals can hold off Western Michigan at Ball State next week.
It's a fun time to be a local college sports fan. If only the professionals would follow suit.
=============
Quick United States soccer update: Freddy Adu's first international goal, scored on a beautiful free kick, paced the US past Guatemala, 2-0, in a game where the Yanks used mostly back-ups. Jozy Altidore was the real deal, and hopefully Kenny Cooper's goal and all-around play convince Bob Bradley that MLS players can contribute more on the national team level. Then again, he uses Brian Ching like it's his job -- which it is -- so the criticism is a mite unwarranted.
=============
And I think I'm going to make this my new tagline, sing the anthem.
=============
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sabres All-Opponent team: First-fifth
Last Spring, during the playoffs, I found myself mentioning players that I've "loved all year," and feeling like a chump because I don't know if I mentioned them in a column. So, I decided that every 15 games or so, I'm going to make an All-Opponents team for the Sabres.
For the most part, these won't include your Dany Heatleys or Evgeni Malkins (although he has the "hardest to knock off the puck" distinction now that Jaromir Jagr is playing in Russia. These are guys I'll be hoping the Sabres trade for at some point.
Opponent talent pool (10/10/08 - 11/17/08): Montreal, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Vancouver, Atlanta, Boston, Minnesota, Colorado, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Washington, New Jersey, St. Louis, Columbus, Pittsburgh
C- Travis Zajac, New Jersey- His hairline is the only thing that's wrong with him. Zajac, besides having a fantastic name, is having a return to solid-all-around form after a minus-11 campaign in 2007-08.
In 17 games, he has two goals and 11 assists for a plus-8. He actually made quite the gaffe against Buffalo for a minus-1, but the Devils are counting on him for 20-plus minutes of ice time a night. With Martin Brodeur out for a while, Zajac and Zach Parise will have to keep the Z's in New Jersey's system.
Clear-cut second place:
Patrik Berglund of St. Louis. I didn't select him because I couldn't tell if he made David Perron better or vice versa during their 4-3 loss to Buffalo at HSBC Arena.
LW- Milan Lucic, Boston- Though he only tallied an assist in the two games versus Buffalo, he was a human wrecking ball, and it's terrifying how smartly he uses his body at age 20. At 6'4", 220 pounds, I detailed my enjoyment of his play more, with video examples, on Monday:
"Being in Boston for last Saturday's Bruins/Sabres game helped me to realize two things. One, the Sabres need another big guy to be a top-tier, whether it be a more-offensively-productive Paul Gaustad or a new face. Two, the Bruins have an outstanding physical team, and I would trade most assets to get Milan Lucic. Boston's big man is a beast, and he scares me. Like Donte Whitner combined with a monster. Watch this fight (Every fight should look like this). Watch this hit (He leaves his feet and I don't much care). Watch him go to the net. And helpers, too."
RW- Blake Wheeler, Boston- Despite the fact that he turned down the option to wear No. 18 on his "sweater," which would have enabled a legion of "18 Wheeler" groups in Beantown, I like Wheeler as a future second-line American Olympian.
In 18 games, Wheeler has six goals and two assists to go with 10 PIM and a game-winner. He's been smart with his shots on goal, scoring 25 percent of the time.
He didn't do much against Buffalo box-score-wise, but the Minnesota-native did change his number to 26 because of admiration for Thomas Vanek during the Sabre's time as a Golden Gopher in Minneapolis.
D- Marc Methot, Columbus -- Methot looms so large on the ice that it's hard to take your eyes off of him. Some of his hits were so thunderous, and well-positioned, that I wondered if the Blue Jackets had acquired Eric Brewer. At age 23, the 6'3", 225-pound Methot has a lot of time to learn, but has posted three goals and two assists, with the confidence to put 21 shots on net in 13 games.
Against Buffalo, he registered a plus-1 rating to go with 16:57 in ice time.
D- Marc Staal, New York Rangers -- It pains me to say nice things about a Ranger, but Staal family intelligence is alive and well within Marc, sans any Minnesotan legal issues.
The Thunder Bay, Ont., native is very big, and uses his body very well, not like Methot, but like Henrik Tallinder when he was having his most productive defensive days in Buffalo. Staal uses his stick very well, and doesn't turn 21 until January of 2009.
No numbers against Buffalo short of 19:39 of ice time, but Marc is one Staal who won't show up on the stat sheet that often, and that's how you know he was good. He also fought Jamal Mayers of Toronto, which takes some gumption.
Honorable mention to:
Johnny Oduya of New Jersey, doing Sweden proud.
G- No goalie. Most nights you see the starter. Plus if there's no goalie, the Sabres would score more.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
For the most part, these won't include your Dany Heatleys or Evgeni Malkins (although he has the "hardest to knock off the puck" distinction now that Jaromir Jagr is playing in Russia. These are guys I'll be hoping the Sabres trade for at some point.
Opponent talent pool (10/10/08 - 11/17/08): Montreal, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Vancouver, Atlanta, Boston, Minnesota, Colorado, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Washington, New Jersey, St. Louis, Columbus, Pittsburgh
C- Travis Zajac, New Jersey- His hairline is the only thing that's wrong with him. Zajac, besides having a fantastic name, is having a return to solid-all-around form after a minus-11 campaign in 2007-08.
In 17 games, he has two goals and 11 assists for a plus-8. He actually made quite the gaffe against Buffalo for a minus-1, but the Devils are counting on him for 20-plus minutes of ice time a night. With Martin Brodeur out for a while, Zajac and Zach Parise will have to keep the Z's in New Jersey's system.
Clear-cut second place:
Patrik Berglund of St. Louis. I didn't select him because I couldn't tell if he made David Perron better or vice versa during their 4-3 loss to Buffalo at HSBC Arena.
LW- Milan Lucic, Boston- Though he only tallied an assist in the two games versus Buffalo, he was a human wrecking ball, and it's terrifying how smartly he uses his body at age 20. At 6'4", 220 pounds, I detailed my enjoyment of his play more, with video examples, on Monday:
"Being in Boston for last Saturday's Bruins/Sabres game helped me to realize two things. One, the Sabres need another big guy to be a top-tier, whether it be a more-offensively-productive Paul Gaustad or a new face. Two, the Bruins have an outstanding physical team, and I would trade most assets to get Milan Lucic. Boston's big man is a beast, and he scares me. Like Donte Whitner combined with a monster. Watch this fight (Every fight should look like this). Watch this hit (He leaves his feet and I don't much care). Watch him go to the net. And helpers, too."
RW- Blake Wheeler, Boston- Despite the fact that he turned down the option to wear No. 18 on his "sweater," which would have enabled a legion of "18 Wheeler" groups in Beantown, I like Wheeler as a future second-line American Olympian.
In 18 games, Wheeler has six goals and two assists to go with 10 PIM and a game-winner. He's been smart with his shots on goal, scoring 25 percent of the time.
He didn't do much against Buffalo box-score-wise, but the Minnesota-native did change his number to 26 because of admiration for Thomas Vanek during the Sabre's time as a Golden Gopher in Minneapolis.
D- Marc Methot, Columbus -- Methot looms so large on the ice that it's hard to take your eyes off of him. Some of his hits were so thunderous, and well-positioned, that I wondered if the Blue Jackets had acquired Eric Brewer. At age 23, the 6'3", 225-pound Methot has a lot of time to learn, but has posted three goals and two assists, with the confidence to put 21 shots on net in 13 games.
Against Buffalo, he registered a plus-1 rating to go with 16:57 in ice time.
D- Marc Staal, New York Rangers -- It pains me to say nice things about a Ranger, but Staal family intelligence is alive and well within Marc, sans any Minnesotan legal issues.
The Thunder Bay, Ont., native is very big, and uses his body very well, not like Methot, but like Henrik Tallinder when he was having his most productive defensive days in Buffalo. Staal uses his stick very well, and doesn't turn 21 until January of 2009.
No numbers against Buffalo short of 19:39 of ice time, but Marc is one Staal who won't show up on the stat sheet that often, and that's how you know he was good. He also fought Jamal Mayers of Toronto, which takes some gumption.
Honorable mention to:
Johnny Oduya of New Jersey, doing Sweden proud.
G- No goalie. Most nights you see the starter. Plus if there's no goalie, the Sabres would score more.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
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