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Something fishy is going on with the shooting attempt on 45 saturday. Unless the director of the SS is that incompetent, which I find it hard to believe, there was some kind of cooperation with the shooter or complete willful ignorance on their part.

This guy arrived with a ladder, rangefinder, rifle, a remote detonator, and a car with a bomb in it, and he was allowed to gain access to a roof less than 500 yards away from the stage and fire at a former president. There is absolutley no way this was just a mistake or something that was missed. 

How is not every rooftop within a mile not locked down. 450 yards is roughly the distance of the 4th hole at river oaks. How is that possible someone can gain access to a large warehouse roof with all of that shit on him, spend over 30 minutes on that roof, take shots at the president, and then finally get taken out. Im not saying this Crooks guy was working with the government, but I am saying someone may have allowed Crooks to do this.

Inside job all day long.

Joe

Joe cannot be the nominee. Everyone from the fringe left to the Pelosi/Obama/Jeffries/Schiff crowd knows it. They're not shy in hiding it. After the debate I thought sticking it out with Joe for better or worse would be preferable as the debate talk would not survive a few days of talking head chatter. NOPE. Democrats of every stripe have been relentless in making it front-page news almost every day. Which is why I now think Biden will ultimately not be the nominee - if these Dems knew there was no chance of him being replaced, they wouldn't be giving the Trump team free campaign fodder day in and day out. Trump is a uniquely unpopular politician and a wide swath of this country will be ready to raise their banners for Kamala Harris to stop him, myself included. Come on Dems - make this election about the convicted felon and not our senile octogenarian. Young people in Wisconsin will stay home if Joe is the nominee and I don't blame them. I better not hear one word about the Green Party if Dems really trot this man out in our republic's hour of need. Joe. Cannot. Be. The. Nominee. 

No hot takes here about the assassination attempt...I'm glad he missed. RIP to the innocent man he killed.

ABCS

Here ya go Mot....a real-life, real-time mini-group observation....the Mrs. and I were hosting a party Saturday for 6 other couples down in PA, as 4 individuals from our core group of friends retired at the end of June.  While I was grilling someone said 'I just got a text that said Trump was just shot'.  I immediately went to 'X' and confirmed it, and within a scroll or two had the images of bloodied Trump and the actual video.  Our friends are all 5-15 years older than us, so they were opening ABC News app, CNN app, etc.  

In real time this is how it played out....while X was providing up to the second documentation of the event...

ABC News - "Donald Trump escorted off stage by SS during rally after loud noises ring out in crowd"

NBC News - "SS rushes Trump offstage after popping noises heard at his PA rally"

USA Today - "Trump removed from stage by SS after loud noises startle former president, crowd"

There were more, but the glaring difference that I noticed play out in real time in our group was that our friends thought it was being misreported as an assassination attempt, and that he fell, etc after being startled.

X usage hit an all-time high Saturday with 417,000,000,000 user seconds (this is how it's measured).  In the US alone, it reached 93B user seconds, which was 23% higher than any other day.  X now has Community Notes for the platform to collaboratively add context to misleading posts - in both directions!  There really is no need to go to obviously biased media, unless you are interested in the biased, suppressed version of the news.  On a day like Saturday, I was glad to have access to an app like X that wasn't suppressing images, articles, or video.  It was actually quite comical (during a sad event) to see the stark contrast.

Sometimes the distant perspective is interesting...here's the timeline...

• June 7th. Trump gets convicted.  His donations and polling numbers go up. Sentencing to by July 11th.
• June 27th. Biden/Trump debate. Biden bombs and some question whether he should stay in race.
• July 1st to July 11th. Biden does a few interviews and "big boy" presser. Says he's fine, had a bad night, and is fully committed to the race.
• July 2nd. Judge moves sentencing to September.
• July 13th. Attempted assassination of Trump.
• July 17th. Biden has COVID and most top Democrats asking him to drop out.
• GUESS WHAT COMES NEXT
• ?????  Biden is out of the race...for some reason.
• Sept. Trump is sentenced and rehash of conviction.
• Sept. Debate with new candidate.

Some things are just too coincidental not to be orchestrated.

Martee

What a great speech last night by the 98 year old WWII veteran....... Is it any wonder that they are referred to as The Greatest Generation?  Ready to reenlist when Trump wins the Presidency back!!!!!  He even had a few slip ups and mispronunciations just like Covid Joe.......

Another topic...... Open Championship....... I'll take Colin Morikawa.  Longshot..... How about Keegan Bradley making a statement!!!!!!

Now she has said in an interview with ABC News...... Well... You know....it was a sloped roof so there is a safety factor there and we wouldn't want to put somebody up on a sloped roof!!! She just keeps digging the hole deeper every time she does one of these media friendly interviews.  Biden won't fire her and these investigations will drag on...... but in a bit of an ironic twist..... Trump will get to fire her when he is elected President.......

Pretty scary thing to consider though isn't it TNJ?

Damn Mot...... Did those new owners swear you to secrecy or something?  Thought you would fill us in on what if anything came of your little gathering......

I find this incredible...after last night's debate, "A new national NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll has found that President Biden has taken a slight 50% to 48% lead over former President Trump in a head-to-head matchup...Almost two-thirds of the 1,300 respondents said they believe Biden is not mentally fit to be president."

That means if 100% of the 1/3 that believe he's mentally fit to serve were voting for Biden, 25% of those 2/3 (16.7%) that don't believe he's competent would knowingly cast a vote for a senile president.  Wow.

All these leagues have gotten into bed with these sports books so it's no great surprise that they have players that don't understand the rules but it is also realistic to expect that these sights all have pretty strong investigative teams that monitor the activities of said athletes.

Mot..... curious how things went with the meet and greet with the new owners last night......

Good call on the sanctions Martee..... Are they still in place??????? You wouldn't know it.......

As to Keegan Bradley..... The resume might not be the strongest but the guy wears his love for this country on his sleeve........ just hard to know if that can rub off of millionaires that don't care like he does......

Couldn't believe the headline to one of the articles on the front page of today's Buff News...... Pandemic Lessons..... You Probably Havn't Thought About Covid in a While.  Is It Back?  You have got to be kidding me...... When are these people going to move on????????

It's coming up on 2.5 years with Russian sanctions.  How are those working out?  Ukraine/USA/Russia/Nato biggest grift in recent history.

Sabres.  Glass half full view.  They got rid of 4 of the slowest guys...not just on the Sabres...but in the league.  And added 4 of the fastest (2 in the top 10.)  They are markedly faster and harder to play against.  And they have a new coach.  Who knows?!

Keegan Bradley?  Holy over correction for leaving him off the last team (when he earned it.)  Not saying he's going to be bad.  He may even be a good Captain.  But...6 PGA Tour wins; One Major; Two Ryder Cups; One President's Cup.  He will/may have guys on his team his age or older with way better resume's.  Kinda odd.

Martee

There's an article in Buffalo Business First today about the new Oaks ownership - the guy said he expects to invest an additional $500K to the course and dining room and will hire a new food and beverage director. The only direct quote in the article is “The bottom line is to keep everything as is, but better. That’s the motto.” 

ABCS

The way I see it JWS is that GMKA knows he is now definitely on the clock as far as having a limited amount of time left in his tenure if this team doesn't make the playoffs this season.  I'm OK with the free agent signings and trade for McLeod.  As I pointed out previously I believe Tarasenko would have been the better signing than Jason Zucker but the player has to want to play for your organization.  The bottom 6 are harder to play against and faster as well.  There is more competition for jobs and Lindy is the type of coach that will bench a guy if he doesn't see the desire and drive that he wants to see. 

Savoie struck me as talented but small and injury prone.  Drafting the kid they did in the first round this year made Savoie expendable and so the deal was done....... Will all this amount to a playoff spot...... Unfortunately, I have my doubts as the Atlantic Division is top heavy with talented teams that seem to make the playoffs year after year,,,,,,,, 

These Sabres trades and acquisitions have come in quite a flurry.  Do any of my brothers here have a general take on what this all means?  The prevalent take is they are finally trading prospect(s) for people who can help now.  Is this driven by Ruff and his needs?  Are we any better?

JWS

C'mon Mot...... All this talk of Joe's stumbling and bumbling is fake news!!!! He is bringing his A game every day......

So not only do the Red Wings sign Kane on a team friendly deal but they also added Tarasenko now for two years at less than 10 mil.  Jason Zucker at one year and 5 mil was really the better option than a 2 time Stanley Cup champ in Tarasenko????? To me that miss can't be blamed on the Sabres lousy track record over the past 13 years because it's not like Detroit has been anything special for over a decade now either.......

Happy 4th everyone....... I wonder if the forefathers could have ever imagined what this country has become.......

I think the only hope on the trade front is if they can pull off a deal for Martin Necas from Carolina.  Top 6 winger looking for a change of scenery but also looking for a long term deal....... Just don't believe other teams are interested in a lot of the Sabres top prospects even though they come with cost control.......

Just read that as a point of reference...... the three guys the Sabres acquired to make up the new 4th line all would have been the team leader in hits on the Sabres last year as their team leader had 100.........

Yeah.  Joe's pretty much got it nailed.  Not much to add.

When you buyout a guy, usually it means saving some money that you can then spend.  Isn't looking like that - unless a trade is still on the table somehow/some way. 

Guess the buyout really is just to make room for the "next Skinner" that's in our prospect pool.  Perhaps one with rise to the top this year.

Martee

Pretty spot on Joe...... As you said there was no big splash signing but that goes hand in hand with the results of the last 13 years.  Lindy alone wasn't going to be enough to persuade a Patrick Kane to come home.  He took a one year 4 million dollar deal to stay in Detroit....... I'd be willing to bet Buffalo offered more term and more dollars and he still said no.   Guys like Marchessault or Stamkos or even a guy like Chandler Stephenson didn't have Buffalo on their short lists!!!!!

Sabres didnt sign any big name flashy guys, but I overall like they guys they got. I think this roster is now a much better all around hockey team now.

We needed strong bottom 6 forwards, we got that by signing Sam Lafferty, Jason Zucker, Aube-Kubel, and trading for Malenstyn. These are all larger, heavier guys who can play a physical style game. I got real sick of seeing a 4th/3rd line of Okposo-Girgensons-Krebs the past 2 seasons. 

The main problem I foresee is not replacing Skinner with a proven top 6 goalscorer/playmaker. But I guess when you draft young small skill guys year after year they have to develop into the players you thought they could be. We need to see guys like Kulich, Savoie, Krebs, Benson, Biro, Rosen, Wahlberg, etc to take major steps in the next 2 years. 

Joe

Question for all esteemed colleagues here…

If Biden isn’t mentally and physically fit to run for re-election, and replacement of him as a candidate is on the table, how can he be fit to run the country through the end of his term?

The dem pundits are all missing the point that running the country is the most concerning item here, not his re-election bid. They’re only concerned about presidential politics, not the financial condition, immigration challenges, and the geopolitical status of our country. 

IMO, if he needs to be replaced as a candidate, he needs to be replaced as President. 

TW

Mot, I agree (for the most part) on your take.  Trump should have done a better job - and had he - it would've been a rout.  His biggest miss(es) for me were just not answering the question asked.  I don't mind a rebuttal before your answer OR pivoting halfway through, but he should've just answered then done those tactics.  He has the answers (I've heard them) - just got sucked into rebuttals.

With that said, I watched MSNBC and CNN post-debate, and watched NBC early this morning.  The haven't really defended Biden's performance and did pass along the "panic" of the Democratic party.  My biggest problem is the spin on Trump. 

Once again, they are ALL saying the exact same thing. "Trump had so many lies" "Trump just had lie after lie" "Trump had a torrent of lies" etc.  But NONE of them said what the lies were.  Sure, I'd say there were definitely times that Trump exaggerated or dotted his sentences with superlatives - but flat out lies?  Journalism continues to be dead....just like the Biden campaign.

Martee

From a Yahoo Sports Editor (excerpt):

"Inside the beachside Ritz-Carlton resort along Florida's southwestern coast, leaders of college athletics met in a second-floor conference room to discuss particulars about the industry's future.

‌

Those in the room were limited to five men: NCAA president Charlie Baker and commissioners from the SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten.

‌

Not in the room: the other 28 Division I commissioners who milled about on the first floor of the resort wondering the whereabouts of the other four. "I didn't even know they were meeting," said one. "Of course," whispered another, "they are cutting us out of it."

I knew paying players was going to be a bad idea for college sports - didn't realize how quickly it would degrade.  The NCAA will now be another professional league.  Gone are the days of amateur sports.  No more Cinderella stories.

Martee

FYI - there's a video of a D1 school hosting prospects and on the walk in they lined up exotic cars.  Used to be just hosting a party with a keg and the hottest girls on campus.

I'm with you Mot..... technically the Conn Smythe goes to the "Playoffs MVP" so it takes their entire playoff season into consideration but you are correct...... if your team didn't hoist the Cup..... you shouldn't win the MVP award......

Pretty cool that Okposo was the 3rd guy to get the Cup after Barkov and Brobovsky...... Now do it right Kyle and take a couple weeks and decide that the career is over...... can't go out any better than that.

Does anyone really want to see the Sabres draft a guy at 11 this year???? Move the pick for a piece that will help turn this forever journey into an actual playoff appearance......

Anyone surprised that Alexander Mogilny was passed over yet again for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame????

Great game last night. Reino gets the Stanley Cup GWG because of course he does. Will Canada ever win a cup again?? 4 of the 5 last NHL SCF game 7s involve a Canadian team losing - Calgary in 2004, Edmonton in 2006, Vancouver in 2011 and Edmonton last night. 

ABCS

I have that same thought about Draisaitl.  I hardly ever notice him doing anything.  The points seem to come out of nowhere, whereas McDavid is obviously electrifying upon first glance and all through the game.  

JWS

I just cannot wait until Friday night to watch Game 6.  When the series started I said I would be happy with either team winning.  Would be happy for the former Sabres on Florida, and happy for McDavid to get a Cup.  But as things have unfolded I find myself rooting hard for Edmonton.  Question - is Draisaitl really one of the top 5 players in the world?  He's of course a great player, well more than a point a game for his career.  But when I watch him I don't see amazing things very often.  He's had five seasons of 100+ points but four of those were between 105 and 110 points.  Playing with McDavid must make it at least a bit easier to pile up some points.  Hockey guys on here - does he deserve the lofty rating Kip has bestowed upon him?

STONER

RIP Willie Mays...... one of the best to ever play the game.... of course only Rod JWS and myself are old enough......

Edmonton is making a series out of it..... really believe Florida would have liked to have ended it last night...... Edmonton has 2 of the 5 best players in the game on their roster...... that has to concern you if you are the Panthers.....

Rod and Les, major props for the Oaks win!  Any time one of our esteemed group wins a title it is cause for celebration!  I would like a summary of the events on the back nine that arrived at the sudden death.  and then of course a blow-by-blow of the sudden death hole.  In as much detail as you care - maybe others would be bored but I love that s#$t!\

STONER

Interesting article....https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/golf/rory-mcilroy-will-forever-regret-being-a-sore-loser/ar-BB1oomF8?ocid=socialshare&pc=HCTS&cvid=59ccaceff6ef4f839b069d7657bdf88f&ei=9.

Rory pulling out of the Travelers this week is a disaster for the PGA.  It's a limited field, no-cut "Signature Event" (ala LIV, only they don't do a shotgun start and DO get OWGR points.)  It was already a trainwreck - with their poster boy being a sore loser, on his plane before Bryson even signed his card - but to do dump a big PGA Tour event may even be worse.

I really don't want to beat a dead horse, but in history's reflection, LIV has already won.  Not because they are a better tour, etc.  But they exposed the failures of the PGA Tour, which was always the point of Norm and Mickelson.  Rory is having a breakdown because he finally has realized it.  Missing a 4-footer was just the straw that broke the Irishman's back.

Martee

PROPS! are certainly awarded to Mot and Les--great job guys--I would have liked to be part of that big gallery witnessing your sudden death win!  What's the inside scoop on the sale of River Oaks recently?  Mot, how do you feel about this and what do you expect to be the implications of this?  I went there the other night and they did not have their liquor license yet (that was some bad due diligence work on the part of the lawyers for the purchaser, I must say!!).  But we got 20% off on our food bill.  Stay cool gents; be careful in this heat and avoid overexertion.

JWS

Best U.S. Open I can remember. The course, the drama, the choke job, one of the best up-and-downs in golf history. Amazing.

30 years ago today was the OJ Bronco chase.

ABCS

Congrats Mot and Les!  That's awesome.

And what a finish to the U.S. Open.  It was Un-beLIVable.

Martee

Congrats to Rod and his partner Les for taking the member member tourney yesterday in a sudden death playoff on the 18th hole....... My bet is that more than a few beers were downed yesterday!!!

Looks like you just picked the wrong LIV guy Martee....... Dechambeau has played solid golf thru 3 rounds...... can he make it 4??????

Happy Fathers Day to all of you dads out there.......

My choices for the U.S. Open.

Cam Smith

Brooks Koepka

Martee

He's probably all fired up I havent got him a fathers day gift yet. Oh wait I cant give him one because he moved to FL and abandoned me here.

As for the stanley cup, I think the panthers are just far too deep for a top heavy Oilers team to handle. There are times when Edmonton looks to be controlling the pace and playing well, then their defense pisses down their own legs and has a bad breakdown for a stupid goal. I hope Edmonton can extend the series to 6 or 7 games, but florida might be too good. 

Joe

You're an angry elf.

Martee

I'll admit I was a little surprised Hunter was found guilty even though the evidence was pretty straight forward and overwhelming.......

Anybody else catch the clip of Uncle Joe at the Juneteenth Festival having no idea what he was doing there?  Or how about the one of him getting out of the limo in Normandy and just staring completely immobile for a good 20 seconds.

Good to know Dr. Jill was able to be in Normandy then fly back to the states to attend a day of Hunter's trial and then immediately fly back to Normandy..... all on our taxpayer dime.......

That's all I got from the right right now Matto but at least its a start!!!!!

Stoner..... Our 10% discount for the website requires payment this month.... Are you going to be able to make it to the Canadien Compound and unearth enough of your stash to cover the bill?

How about those Panthers????? Another former Sabre stepping up in a clutch situation......

Funny, I never said I "sympathized for the LIV guys."  I don't.  They're winning in the game of life.  I feel bad for viewers (like me) who want to see the best play in the Major tournaments.  And judging by the ratings, I'm not alone.  My post shows that the OWGR is a joke.  It is purely political.  Luckily, I think it will go away.  And when it does, it'll be another thing the PGA Tour ruined.

But that wasn't the only reason for my post.

I knew I could count on Matto.  My post was not just to communicate information - but a social experiment.  Matto regurgitated the exact line that the PGA Tour propaganda machine has pumped.  I copied and pasted my post to other outlets and your response is nearly verbatim to others who dislike LIV. "They knew the risks." "They knew the consequences." "I don't feel bad for them." "They got what they deserved."  Nothing about the substance of my post.  Just feelings.  And feelings they were "told to have" by different media outlets, all controlled by the PGA Tour, over and over again.

It's a commentary on the "stay to your story" mentality, no matter the evidence contrary.  This is today's America.  Take a position and stick with it no matter what. 

There are many examples - Russia Collision, Border Crisis, Government Censorship, President's Biden's health - but the worst is the COVID "vaccine" (which can't be called a vaccine anymore.)  All those who took it, pushed it, shamed others into getting it OR vilified those that didn't.  Where are they now?  Where are they now that we know how ineffective and unnecessary it was for anyone healthy and under the age of 65?  That the vaccine was far worse, than helpful, for those young and healthy.  

So thank you for participating in the post.  It's true...propaganda does work...and it sticks.

Martee

Seriously, just be open-minded for a quick second.  Golf World Ranking Points system.  The sole reason why some great golfers aren't playing in the U.S. Open this week. 

These were points awarded just this weekend. I only show the top award, but guys who finished down the list also got points.

- Scheffler awarded 70 points for winning the Memorial.  Small field, 70 players. 

- Ryan Gerard.  Had to double check the spelling of his name because I have no clue who he is.  Awarded 13 points for the BMW Charity Pro-Am Korn Ferry Event this week.  Need I say more?

- Calum Hill and Sebastian Soderberg get 11 points each for DP Tour Volvo event...for...wait for it...tying for second place...because a woman won it!  It was a mixed event where ladies played from different tees!

Then there was 6 points for an Asian Tour stop winner; 6 points for another DP Tour stop in Spain; KPGA Championship (Korea tour) event for 5 points; Sunbet Challenge, an African Tour event for 3 points; Japan Create Challenge, a Japan tour thing for 2 points...still going...

Bowood, which was a Clutch Pro Tour (CPT) stop, the CPT seems to only play in England...I'm not kidding it's a real thing and the winner got 1 World Ranking Point.  I have never even heard of it and really thought it was made up; Not done yet...Samso Pro Am which was for the Nordic Tour, 1 point; And the Royal Homburger Open, the ProGolf Tour, 1/2 point....which was played on a par 66 golf course, and they only played three rounds....it's not stretch to think I could compete on this tour.

So, can someone tell me for the love of God....why this weekend's LIV Tour event...featuring 48 guys that I actually know ALL by name, where you can easily argue that 14 are part of the best 50 in the world...5 in the top 10 of the world...got ZERO points?!

I'll answer.  Politics and money.  Nothing to do with golf at all.  And it's a crime, not just for the golfers but for those who want to watch the best.

Martee

Speaking of the Stanley Cup.  We're watching the Panthers in the Cup Finals again.  Kinda feels like watching the Sabres - Okposo, Reinhart, Montour, Rodrigues. 

So I got to thinking if those guys ever played together on the Sabres?

Turns out they did.  2018-2019 season.  Then I looked at the roster and saw a lot of familiar playoff names:

Okposo, Reinhart, Montour, Rodrigues, Eichel, Bogosian, Borgen, McCabe, Mittlestadt, Ulmark, Sheary.

That 2018-19 team also had Skinner, Pominville, Thompson.  And it was Dahlin's rookie year (he had the most points for defenseman with 44...besting Ristolainen by one point.)

They had a 10-game win streak!  And won their last two games of the year. So how the hell did they not even sniff the playoffs? (They finished with 76 points.)

Well...from Feb 15th to Apr 2nd they went 3-21. 

Now I remember why I forgot.

Martee

P.S. I'll be cheering for Okposo.  Nice guy.

Fauci is the guy that the DOJ should have set their sites on over legitimate and real crimes against America...... but no...... He isn't the one leading in the polls against the sitting President.........

I will be honest..... I didn't watch any of the Dallas Edmonton game last night but if there is anymore proof needed that we didn't want to see the Dallas Stars in the Cup Finals it's that Edmonton had all of 10 shots on goal for the entire game...... what a boring brand of hockey the Stars were playing....... Let's Go Panthers!!!!!!

Dr. Fauci on the Hill today...this is the ACTUAL exchange.  You can look it up if you didn't watch it. 

Context - Dr. Morens, the Senior Scientific Advisor at the NIH during COVID, is the guy the NIH is now throwing under the bus because he had a lot of really bad emails exposed (ducked FOI requests, helping friends get grants, including the Wuhan/Eco Alliance folks, etc.)

Congressman, "Dr. Morens testified that he could walk into your office anytime he wanted to.  Is that true?"

Fauci, "No. That's not true. You just don't walk into the office. I mean he's there..."

Congressman, "Did he ever walk into your office?"

Fauci, "I would say he did occasionally."

And you wonder why this guy isn't trustworthy or anyone who has been a career bureaucrat.  I watch these Hill Hearings all the time and they are a joke (for both sides.)

Martee

Tough to add much more to what the two of you have already said...... the decline of this once great country is frightening.  Spot on Martee about the welfare country that we have become....... the party currently in power isn't stupid though...... they realize that as long as the handouts and free passes continue....... they will keep increasing their voter pool....... Very very sad and scary........

There are things this country has to be proud of - work ethic, medical system, education, voting process, and justice system.  Unfortunately, over the last 3 years:

• Our welfare system is on such a massive scale that is bankrupting our States and Federal government.  You are incentivized to NOT work.  I've known this firsthand (through wife's employees) for the last 2 years.  Watch this...it is completely accurate and sad...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7JzaHYzKSU 
• We do not, and for good reason, trust our medical establishment - FDA is 75% funding by big pharma; CDC, NIH, etc. get kickbacks from those they give grants (our tax money); and boards have cross-over pollination between pharma and government.  Not to mention advertising is dominated by pharma and "life/personal care" industry.  I say it singularly because this isn't just say Pfizer or Nova Nordisk, this is also Proctor and Gamble (they don't just make shampoo and soap, they also make drugs.)  This means they own the media.  When you own the media and the government, who have broken the system.  It is corrupt and untrustworthy.
• From the NY Times - "In math, the United States ranked 28th out of 37 participating countries from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, made up mostly of industrialized democracies that account for a majority of world trade."  The US "overall" education system has always been ranked #1 in the world.  Last year it was ranked 31st.
• More States are passing "no voter ID laws" and pushing for non-citizens having the ability to vote.  It gives power to other countries at the expense of ours.  How?  We become a tribal country.  Illegals settled into pockets, then run and elect people into Congress.  You then have Congressmen who are NOT representing the US first.  It is already happening.
• Finally, the most important product of the United States since it was founded, is the Justice System.  This has been ripped apart.  When you can convict anyone (especially a political opponent) without due process, full capacity of defense, and charges that aren't defined...you have lost "justice."  Yesterday isn't the first example.  It has been happening since February 2021.  Yesterday just becomes the boldest and most publicized. 

Mot, I don't completely agree with you.  I don't this Country has died, but it is unhealthy and if doesn't start "eating better, exercising, taking its medicine" death will be here shortly.

Martee

Hey Boys, anyone have contact info for Paul Proctor?

STONER

Hey Boys, anyone have contact info for Paul Proctor?

STONER

Replace Scheffler with Harold Varner III (or Tiger.)

The streets would have been filled with protesters/mobs last night.

May 23, 2024.

The day college sports reached its final peak.  All downhill from here.

Martee

That’s the same guy that combatted the COVID virus with his bare hands in Detroit while VP under Obama! 😀

TW 

Well at least the city of Buffalo will always have the Bandits World Championships!!!!!

PGA Tour...... Only professional sport to have had 2 different players ranked number one in the world with mug shots to go along with the ranking!!!!!

Cripes Mot..... First Rashee Rice and now Cook..... Our security team needs to do a better job of vetting these guys before they become members of our Illustrious and Legendary Franchise.......

Haha!  And they say Sheffler is such a nice guy.  I guess being a new dad and not sleeping can turn anyone grumpy.

Matto

Scheffler.  WTF.

A LIV guy wouldn't do that :)

Martee

The week 12 through 15 stretch looks brutal.

PGA Championship.  Going to only float one name.

Aberg

Well, at least all the pundits agree - the Bills have one of the toughest schedules in the league...if not THE toughest.

Martee

Latest schedule tidbits / rumors:

• Week 6 @ NJY (MNF)
• Week 9 v. MIA (likely 1 PM)
• Week 13 v. SF (SNF) (this is the Sunday after Thanksgiving)
• Week 15 @ DET
• Week 17 v. NYJ

A leaked NYJ schedule has them playing @ MIA in Week 18, so that likely means we're home or away against the Patriots to wrap up the season.

ABCS

I would expect a minimum of 5 prime time games...... even with all the roster retooling........ they still have Josh Allen and he is must see TV.  It also isn't just roster retooling but the coaching staff underwent some pretty serious changes as well....... new young blood on the staff could mean some new ideas that we aren't ready for......

I don't put too much stock in prognosticators 4 months before a season starts deciding that the Bills are at best 3rd in their division...... Miami has to prove they can play in bad weather..... which they have never proven...... the Jets..... will implode as the Jets always seem to...... and the Patriots...... they are a work in progress and they have a long way to go........

As to the NHL playoffs...... Mot I agree that the goal shouldn't have counted but at the same time...... the Bruins are still toast..... I don't think they are averaging 20 shots a game in this series...... WAR PANTHERS!

I also hope Dallas isn't the team that comes out of the Western Conference..... they just don't play exciting hockey...... 

Just read that Rory and his wife are divorcing after 7 years of marriage...... wonder if all that had anything to do with his struggles lately on tour before he took over at the Wells Fargo this weekend.......

WOW...... NYC Mayor Adams has now decided the illegals residing in his city could help fill the lifeguard shortage that NYC is facing because they are "excellent swimmers".......

Leaks / speculation /confirmed schedule info is all good for sure!

STONER

Apparently Joe Buck stated that the Bills, Chiefs, and Cowboys each have two MNF games.

I'm fine with leaks/schedule speculation - but I would note that the Week 2 Fins game is not a leak, it was an official announcement by the Bills/Fins/Amazon.

ABCS

I say definitely acceptable.  Leaks or even unfounded rumors!

League Counsel JWS

Bills @ Fins Week 2 on TNF. No sun is nice. Hopefully this aligns with a Week 17 or 18 game against Miami in freezing conditions in Buffalo...

ABCS

Marquez Valdes Scandling (dang auto-correct on phones)...

4th Place finish is click-bait IMO.  I could see 3rd place if Rodgers stays healthy.  He doesn't need to be the Rodgers of old with the D they have - just serviceable will get them 9-10 wins.  Miami will continue to be a thorn but if I remember right, a high majority of their wins last year came against teams with losing records.

KC v Bal to open the season.  NYJ @ SF for the initial MNF game.  Full schedule release tomorrow....can't wait!

Bills sign MVS.  Ho-hum....

I dare say that the Hurricanes have outplayed the Rangers in all three games.  Certainly 2 of the 3.  Yet they have lost all of them (out shot / both attempts and on goal; out hit; time of possession, etc.)

What's up?  They are 0-15 on the powerplay.  Worse yet they've given up a shortie.  Which means they are a -1 on the PP.  They have lost all three games by 1 goal (two in OT.)  Which means if they were just above league average - they would be UP 3-0 instead of down 0-3.  Crazy.

Seems like every year a good team has a special teams nightmare.  This year it's Carolina.

Martee

MOT!  The answer to your question is NO!!!!

Matto

I guess Chase Claypool is a low risk veteran minimum kind of signing but it seems to me he has worn out his welcome everywhere he has been and his production never matched the attitude and problems he caused.  They just got rid of that headache by moving on from Diggs..... not sure Claypool is worth the bother......

Hang in there Mot..... you can handle it!!!!

Gotta admit Kenny that sounds like a lot better plan than 30K for the right to buy two tickets and then down the line if you wanted to sell them it's on you to try and recoup as much of that 30K as possible.

Reports are that Steven Ross the owner of the Dolphins turned down a 10 billion dollar offer to sell controlling interest in the Dolphins and Joe Robbie...... Can you imagine having the ABILITY to turn down such an offer?

...but if I heard you right earlier, you won't get to check out nearer to the end zone, until all other 60k season ticket holders have had their chance first, correct?

Just imagine what the PSL's would be if they were putting a roof on that place!!!!!

Hey Mot..... just be careful associating with those weekday guys.......

I'm with you Matto...... the days of me holding season tickets are long gone..... it was a lot of fun when I had both the Bills and the Sabres but I'm just too old for that now even if I did still live up there.......

Wow!  So if you don't want comparable, all 60,000 season ticket holders get first crack, and then they do it by seniority?  I think that's what I just read.  Very discouraging.

Thanks for the information.  Did you guys decide what you're doing?

Martee,

The seat is yours for any event being help at stadium for next 30 years, granted you will have to pay the ticket price.

Jamie,

So if we decline on club seat we are then put into a list that is a season ticket holder currently but declined your current selection and after all sections are completed whatever tickets are left you would be able to purchase if available and based on seniority is my understanding. They will not give out any info on other sections of the stadium till that section has had all season ticket holders enjoy the "Experience" .

That's totally ridiculous!  I'd invest the $30k instead and then watch all the Bills games from the best seat in my house or a bar!  

Matto

"If we decline after clubs seats you then go to back on line for whole stadium"

I'd like to hear more about that statement.  So after all club seats have been through the process, what happens then?  If you say no to club, but want other sections, what happens?

Okay.  Just trying to understand - I'm fascinated by this.  If we throw out preseason games, we are looking at 8.5 games per season.  We assume a 10-year commitment (no interest on the $, keeping it simple)...

So your ticket (factoring new price and amortizing the PSL) goes from $335 to $750 per game;  $670 to $1,500 per game for two tickets.

After 10-years you'll reduce that by $176 ($352 for the pair) per game.

Again....quick math, roughly speaking.  Do you only get Bills tickets, and the RIGHT to purchase other events at the stadium?

Thanks,

Martee

Bills Experience Update:

Costs for our section 15k PSLx2 30k  2 options 20% Down 6k, 31 payments of $774.20  starting 6/1/24. Loan Option 6k down $323.94 a month for 10 years starting 6/1/24. 10.5% Interest

2 seats in section 206 (25 yard line) $9,760. Current 2 seats 208 $5,700.

They will not give you other options to select from at this time. If we turn down we would go to back of line for club seats. Not the back of line for all seats like I heard before. If we decline after clubs seats you then go to back on line for whole stadium.

They claim some sections are sold out already (higher PSL). They are not letting anything out about other sections till that section goes thru the process.

Was not a real hard press to buy they gave our group till next Monday to decide. The club lounge looked fantastic.  Seating is going to be allot better with more leg room. Looking at the model of stadium it reminded me allot of Nashville. 

The ticket price I could deal with it is just 30k to own a seat holding me back.

Thanks Thomas!

Is that invite open to my girlfriend Rick V as well? Do Brian and Rick get along? I if they don’t, I won’t force the marriage!

TW

Mot,

Are you holding the two open slots in your 1130 Thursday tee time for anyone?  

TW 

Big Day today. Our group has Bills Experience at 1:30. We are in section 208 (Pepsi Club). Have heard 1st hand from Section 213 20k PSL and  over 5k a ticket around 20 yard line. Equivalent to to Pepsi. They turned them down.

The Bills, with this draft and next year's, seem to be moving very aggressively into the "second Josh Allen window" phase.  Hopefully we can squeeze three windows out of him before he's done.

JWS

Excellent draft last night IMO. Like the Coleman pick a lot. You can tell on film that his game speed is way better than his 40 time. Lack of separation is an issue but we don't have anyone remotely like him on this roster right now and I think his game will work well with Josh. Then we clean up with two good prospects at key positions of need (S/DT). Good stuff. I hope we spend some of these later round picks to move up and grab one of the remaining decent WRs.

ABCS

I'm good with how it played out.  Not sure what the beef was with Brian Thomas Jr.  but they know that stuff better than we do.  I think the fact that Coleman also played basketball at Michigan State is a huge plus in his ability to go up for contested catches.  The second round safety was a position of need and this kid checks all the boxes as far as what they look for in that spot.  I also found it interesting that both guys are extremely young.  Coleman just turned 21 and Bishop isn't 21 yet......

Ah, yes, the dreaded "baggage" draft drop.  I think Mitchell is just a little raw and needs a little more development than some others, but his upside is tremendous.  Although, I did read that there are a few questions about his intensity at times.  If you get a chance, check out Indi GM Chris Ballard's interview calling unnamed sources and stories bashing Mitchell's character total BS.  He got fired up.  

Anyway, I'm all in on Keon now!  And I like the other picks, too.  They seem to be quality players at positions of need.  Day 3 we need a CB early!   Trade up if you have to get the best one left.  

Matto

I agree Dot...... I think it is Dejean also.  Something else is in the works at WR..... Doesn't Deebo already have his next contract?  Even with Tre White's post June bump I don't think the Bills can afford him....... it's gotta be Ayuik they are focusing on

OK....... The Bills stay at 33...... who is the pick?  Adonai Mitchell or Cooper Dejean?????? If it's Mitchell the Ayuik idea is a pipe dream..... If it's Dejean then there is a whole lot more to the story.......

With Brian Thomas Jr falling all the way to 23..... I find it very interesting that Beane didn't make a patented move up to nab him...... again that seems to make you think that there is more at play with them acquiring Ayuik.....

Can the Bills even afford Aiyuk?  They have major cap issues right now.  He's going to cost $20+ million/year.  

Matto

Just heard Rich Eisen on the Dan Patrick Show and Dan asked him..... What are the Bills doing?  Eisen responded that he really believes they are working on a trade for Aiyuk........ San Fran spent their first round pick last night on a WR...... Things that make you go huh......

Mot - we didn't receive any additional draft picks.  We started with 10 and we still have 10.  I agree about the Aiyuk concept though.  Beane has to have something up his sleeve, right?

(1) The Ecstatic & The Abandoned (Matto / Joe) wrote:

You just never know how an NFL season is going to play out, especially before any off-season programs even start. That Chiefs reporter and lots of their fans probably whined about losing Tyreek Hill, until they saw the Chiefs win 2 SBs without him. There’s no reason the Bills can’t still be contenders. I trust Beane to come up with a good plan to replace Diggs and I don’t care if he puts up Diggs-like stats out of the gate. The ball will be spread around more next year. Kincaid is going to be a great one. Shakir has big upside out of the slot. Cook is only going to get better as a runner and a pass catcher. Samuel is no slouch at all. I think the Commish pointed out the suspect QBs he played with and teams he was on. Look for the Bills to grab Adonai Mitchell after a small move up in round 1 to be our new Diggs.  And I almost forgot....look for Justin Shorter to take on some of Gabe's role.  He's got great size and some talent and could be a pleasant surprise this year.

Everything’s fine!
Matto

Im gonna say the bills will trade back to 32 with chiefs, then move back again in a trade with carolina!! Bold but we'll see.

joe

First round, pick 23, AD Mitchell. 

TW

P.S.  I've seen multiple mock drafts with Cooper DeJean going to the Packers at #25.  I did one mock myself (in a pool with a bunch of other guys down here in PA) and that's where I slated him - based on so many others that do this for a living have slotted him there.

I'm confident Nabers goes in the Top 10.  It is possible Cooper DeJean falls to #28 IMO.

Aiyuk is ALL the talk down here in Pittsburgh.  Every single beat reporter has tied the Steelers to Aiyuk in some way, shape or form.  Time will tell.... I don't think the Bills will invest $25M+ for a WR of Aiyuk's caliber.  If the Steelers don't get him before they pick at #20 - the consensus is that they'll take Brian Thomas Jr, which is why I slotted us in for a trade to #19.  

The top 4 WR's all get taken.  The price to pay for the last one - Thomas - is too high for the Bills.  So they take best player at a position need...taking Cooper DeJean.

They end up moving up in round two, giving up some late rounders and/or a mid-next year - and take a WR from the second wave (won't go into who, but they'll get a good one.)

Martee

P.S. It's always good reasoning to agree with Odor on NFL draft things.

I don't know TNJ...... Tyler Boyd is gone.  Chase is going to get big money and Higgins is on the franchise tag this year..... he will be gone next season and they will need a cost controlled rookie deal to offset the Burrow and Chase deals......

My pick is Thomas Jr. and I will stand by that but I am also adding to JWS's rules by allowing a second choice which would be Cooper Dejean if the board falls away and it doesn't make sense to burn capital to move up for Thomas.  Dot agrees!!!!!

The NFL draft is almost as much fun as our own Fantasy Draft!!!!

Bills trade up to #19 and select Brian Thomas Jr. (before Pittsburgh can select him).  I think Cincy goes DL at #18.

Damn JWS..... That's a lot of rules...... you never put that many up before...... guess when you retire you have more time to determine things like that....

OK..... sticking with that theme...... The pick will be Brian Thomas Jr.  after a trade up with Jacksonville to 17.  Had to jump Cincinati because they would have taken him if Beane didn't make that move....... Bengals don't need more offensive weapons.

Time to compete for PROPS with respect to the Bills' first draft choice.  To earn them you must correctly identify the name that will be called first by the Bills; just their first pick this year--forget about whether there is a trade involved, and it can be in any round, after a trade perhaps.  This will earn "props".  If you correctly identify both the name and the round in which that name is called, you will earn "PROPS".  If you correctly identify the name, the round, and are within three of the overall number of the pick (e.g., 15th overall, 28th overall, 34th overall, or whatever), you will earn "PROPS!!!" from all on the Board.

My prediction now is WR A. Mitchell, in the second round, 34th overall.  After a trade back--shocking for Beane, I know.  

JWS

I am also good with Lindy.  Truly an experienced/veteran NHL man with with the fifth most coaching wins in NHL history and also a lot of history right here in Buffalo.  Yes, longevity, but still he knows what he's doing.  He gets the city and the fan base and that's a good start, compared to what we've experienced lately.  I have a hunch that he might just be what is needed to get this group of skilled, but "soft/lost", guys over the hump psychologically (although I still will be looking for the team to add a couple of third/fourth line forwards with deep facial wrinkles and lots of missing teeth!).

JWS

Welcome Back Lindy Ruff

TNJ..... I believe that if someone buys season tix in year two...... they still pay the PSL.  If I'm not mistaken..... once PSL's are introduced..... they are charged to any first time season ticket buyer...... even if the stadium is completely funded and it is 20 years down the road...... then it just becomes another revenue stream for the League.....

MacMurray knows that the quickest way to gain attention is to spew hate..... very sad......

I can see their season ticket holder base going from 60k to 50k in the initial year.  My question is 'what happens if you want to buy season tickets in year 2 of the stadium?  Do you still have to pay a PSL?

Anyone see former GI Town Supervisor Nate McMurray's tweet?  He's running for Congress and this past weekend tweets "Slave Ukraine - Die MAGA die. You lose."  Interesting.  I never liked the guy when he was tied to GI, and he REALLY wants to be a Congressman, likely because he understands it is the quickest road to financial success.  Sad, but true.

I think that there are a lot of people in Buffalo who have been going to games but will balk at the PSL and the new ticket prices.  But they will try to re-create as much of the game day experience as possible.  I'm picturing people driving to the stadium, grilling, drinking, gaming, parking in either a stadium lot or a satellite private lot and doing the whole tailgate thing, and then simply watching the game on very large screen TVs right where they are, while listening to the roar from the nearby stadium.  This will be a cheap way for a lot of people to still experience game day without paying the big dough.

JWS

I forgot to mention this, but I was talking with my godson about their 2 season tickets (and his inlaws 4 tickets) in the club, and they did a Zoom call to discuss his inlaws tickets (had them since the rockpile so they were pretty much first in line.  They renewed the 4 of them at $20k/each, but the interesting part is that the ticket price is doubling as well.  When their turn in line comes up, they are going to do the experience in person just to see what it's about, but they are dropping their two tickets.  His inlaws are getting older and won't be atttending as many games as they used to so they are downsizing from 6 to 4 as a group.

If they plan to double ticket prices throughout the entire stadium, they're in for a rude awakening when it comes to renewals.  I'd guess that the stadium cost overruns are part of the reason TPegs is selling a stake in the Bills.  I'm assuming the even bigger reason is because it's very possible Kim isn't going to fully recover and she is the one that really ran the team operations.

Some random thoughts and musings bright and early on a Saturday morning....

1.  So this week our fearless leader told us that his uncle was eaten by cannibals and also asked us to choose freedom over democracy..... I don't even know how to react to those two statements except to say..... WOW.... the gift that keeps on giving.......

2.  How about the mayor of LA calling on the " Most Fortunate" citizens of the city to pony up their money to help the city fight the homeless problem that Gov Newsome has hurled BILLIONS of tax dollars at with little to no success of solving it.  When did socialism take over that city?

3.  I know I feel fortunate that some of my tax dollars are donated to the cause of providing NPR it's platform to spew.........

4.  OK enough politics..... As to the Bills and TPegs looking to sell a stake..... He's no dummy..... he is looking for more outside money to help cover to overrun costs that are already popping up.  I don't care how much money he has Matto..... he doesn't want to eat those costs himself and 13 years of no playoff hockey hasn't helped that bottom line of his.......

5.  Hey Matto..... you posted something a while back and I kept meaning to ask you about it but forgot...... where did that intel of yours come from after the Diggs trade when you posted that Diggs hooked up with Josh's ex-girlfriend?????? 

6.  As to the Sabres next head coach...... I have rethought my stance that it will be Appert...... Even though he would come cheap GMKA knows he has to hit the nail on the head with this selection and Appert doesn't fit what they claim to be looking for.  GMKA's relationship with Brind'amour won't be enough to lure him away from Carolina...... I also have no interest in Bruce Boudreau who at 69 is just too far past his prime and he couldn't win in the playoffs when his teams did get there.  Gallant and Berube would both be solid selections but GMKA has no background with either of them....... I really believe we are set up for the return of Lindy Ruff..... 

7.  Lets Go Panthers!!!!

Islanders make the playoffs with 30 regulation wins. 

Capitals make the playoffs with a -37 goal differential - worst by a playoff team since 1991  !!! 

Guess it was supposed to be Buffalo's year.  Crazy they didn't make it.  Heck, had they done exactly what they did last year, they would have made it.

Martee

No worries Matto.  Not really feeling like it's an argument.

Just get tired of orchestrated propaganda campaigns.  The PGA is an example - y'all can probably guess what I think others are.  

Say things, say it again, say it again....never get challenged...have it echo-chambered by the media...that is getting paid because of its access to the very people that are putting out the story.  The story then gets regurgitated by your neighbors...because the process works. 

At it lasts - just think about Ivermectin.

Sounds like Gallant may not be a bad choice too.  At least there will be something going on with the Sabres this off-season.

Martee

"Haters want to hate, hate, hate."

Matto just proved LIVDS.  His digs....

1) "Blood money" - same money that the European Tour and the LPGA already take, and the PGA Commissioner now wants.

2) "Joke format" - is it the team concept being played alongside individual honors?  Because they don't play scramble or get mulligans.  Maybe it's the limited field with no cuts.  Oh wait, the PGA now has 8 signature events with 70 golfers and no cuts.  It's gotta be the 54 holes.  Oh wait, the PGA's AT&T Pebble Beach tourney was only 54 holes this year.  Ah....it's the shorts.  Yeah.  That bugs me too.

3) "A lot did fade at the Masters."  Not sure what "a lot" means to people....but Brooks did shoot 75, and Rahm did shoot 76 on Sunday.  Of course, Fitzpatrick shot 75, Cantlay 76, Finau 80...and on and on.  So a lot relative to other Tour's players...not so much.

4) "One of them could win next year. That wouldn’t surprise me."  You really know how to cover your bases.  Bash...and then cover your take.

Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson did more for golfers / and golf than anyone in the last 50 years.  It will all work out within the next couple of years.  And eventually this will get recognized (although it will probably have to be postmortem, as too many will have to eat crow.) 

Martee

In my opinion hiring any of the following for the head coach would be nothing but a disaster and leave Sabres fans (including me) wondering why I still cheer for this team: Seth Appert, Matt Ellis, Sheldon Keefe, or any NCAA coach. As much as I hate to say it, avoid Lindy as well, dont bring back the glory days like how they did a few years back by hiring Ted Nolan.

I am hoping Berube is the guy they bring in, but I wouldn't mind Brindamour or Gerard Gallant. John Tortorella is 50/50 for me. 

The Mike Keenan suggestion was a bit harsh Mot, haha.

Joe

I stand by my last paragraph....... When it is all said and done, Seth Appert will be the new head coach and they will bring in a respected veteran assistant coach to help him.  Bottom line is money...... TPegs is now going to shell out 4 million to Granato to not coach next season and a newcomer like Appert won't command a big deal like trying to steal Brindamour would.  Failing to make the playoffs every year has a very negative impact on TPegs bottom line!!!!!!

Rod Brind'amour.  Whatever it takes.

Then sign someone like Tom Wilson AND one other big, tough forward.  With the exception of Dahlin, Power, Tuche, Cozens, Peterka, Quinn - I don't care who you have to move (and keeping Tage would be nice.)

Martee

So long Donnie Granato....... let go after a disappointing season that was headlined by his inability to have his team ready to play at the drop of the puck....... NO team allowed more first period goals than the Sabres this season and there were too many losses that made no sense..... dropping 2 games to Aneheim..... getting shellacked for 9 by a terrible Columbus team.... giving up 5 in the first period at home against a bad Ottawa team...... 

They also fired the video coach and Granato's buddy Jason Christie yet somehow Matty Ellis survives for now...... Maybe Lindy told GMKA and TPegs that he could work with Ellis once he is rehired as the head coach of this bumbling franchise.......

Why do I have a feeling though that after an exhaustive search they will settle on moving Seth Appert up from Rochester????????

Interesting rumors that Rory was offered $850M(!) and a 2% equity stake to join the LIV tour.  Rumors are just rumors, but their fair share of the time they turn out to be true.  Stay tuned.

Congrats on the nice win Mot!

I don't really care at this point about the whole LIV/PGA thing either..... I just break my picks down that way so that I can have more chances of getting the winner right!!!!!

Major Props to Vern Lundquist who rapped up a 40 year career of calling the Masters yesterday....... 83 and his voice still sounded pretty solid.

Mot..... Completely agree on Tiger..... the body simply will not hold up for 4 rounds anymore.......

The Saudis are brutal and terrible but if they offered me hundreds of millions to whack a ball around a field I would take it. So I don't judge the LIV guys. I would never ever watch a minute of LIV golf but something tells me those guys wouldn't care if not a single soul were tuned in to the CW. That to me is the extent of the necessary moral analysis. I am over the drama and now just try to enjoy the golf. 

That was a really great Masters even with no Sunday drama. Why did Rory give Scheffler a putting tip???? 

ABCS

There were 13 LIV guys in the field.  4 of them made the top 12 (2 tied for 6th.)

Not sure that is sh'''ng the bed.

LIV haters are not unlike people with TDS.  They just say things...usually without meaning....usually without factual numbers.

Like Clark when he was asked after round one about getting back into the tournament.  And he tried to take a shot at LIV, "Yeah, we've got 54 holes. In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances."  WTF does that mean?  What golfer playing LIV starts the tournament 8 strokes back? 

Another example was when I watch "Live from the Masters" on Golf Channel.  They talked at nauseum about whether LIV golfers were prepared for a Major.  "Rahm has only played 5 tournaments so far this year."  Of course they never mentioned that Rory only played 6. Stupid segment.

LIVDS.  Don't catch it.

Like I said, if Scottie's neck didn't act up (or his wife went into labor) no one was beating him. 

Martee 

I was at a backyard fire in Sweet Home when we heard the news and watched it on a TV we brought outside.  Weird that that's one of the things that we all remember where we were.  What are some others? 

So Scottie Scheffler is set to become a first time dad - VERY possibly today.  Scottie said if he gets the call he's walking off the course immediately.  Props to him.

I didn't chime in originally when asked about Masters picks, but I did like Schaufele.  We'lll see if he can make a move today in favorable conditions.

Props to Kip(?) on predicting Spieth wouldn't make the cut.  Mot, how much is on the line if DeChambeau pulls it out?  Enjoy gents...

I was at an outdoor party in Rochester, we lived there at the time.  Not everyone went in to watch TV, but there was a healthy gathering around the TV despite the beautiful weather and cold beers outside.  What a spectacle.  When the verdict was announced a year or whatever later, I remember I was in a conference room at work along with lots of colleagues.  Basically I think that none of us were that surprised that he got off.  Not much discussion about it as I recall.  Probably people were afraid to discuss their real opinions at a work setting.

STONER

Thanks for showing effort and passion in the final home game of the season. 

Go bandits now I guess.

Joe

In a related note, where were all of you during the infamous White Bronco Slow Pursuit?  I remember that I was with family members at the bar of the Village Inn, waiting for a table to open up on a busy evening in June.  It was morbidly fascinating.  Al Cowlings driving, OJ in the back with a gun.  Any other memories of that day/event?

JWS

Next order of business is to make sure Killer's name never comes anywhere near a new "wall of fame" or "ring of honor" in the new stadium.  I have brought this up at my focus group and also directly with Bills officials I know.  Rod and Kip are old enough to recall that Commish and I memorialized his obvious guilt in our team names for several years:  "Failure to Execute" and "Electric (Chair) Company" come immediately to mind, and there may have been more!

JWS

Hopefully the Goldmans get OJ's entire estate. 

ABCS

Who's going to find the real killer now?  OJ dedicated the remainder of his life looking for that person.......on every golf course he was still allowed to play on.  

Matto

Cam Young is a solid pick with the odds.

RIP OJ.  Still the greatest rushing season ever.  Let us not forget he was acquitted by a jury of his peers.  Wonder if we'll ever find out what really happened that awful night.

Martee

I think Xander gets it done this weekend.

RIP to "the Juice", Orenthal James Simpson.

To me I think it's a 3-headed race between Scheffler Rahm and Koepka. All three seem to be healthy and ready to go. I would like to see Rory complete his slam but I don't think he has what it takes to string 4 strong rounds together at Augusta.

I also like Cam Young at +4000 and Sam Burns at +7000 for a couple dark horses. 

Joe

If it's a LIV Tour golfer it's Rahm back to back.

If it's a PGA Tour golfer it's Rory...... don't know why he really hasn't done anything too spectacular in a while so maybe he is due.

Keopka will be top 3.  Spieth and JT will miss the cut....... Tom Kim as my longshot winner.....

Masters.

Let's face it - unless Scheffler's neck acts up, it's going to be hard to beat him.

My picks are Matsuyma, Lowry, Neimann.

My dark horses are Garcia and Fowler.

Hoping some guys aren't screwed with the weather tomorrow.  Friday, Saturday, Sunday look great.

Martee

If we give up next year's first round pick and maybe more to draft a WR I'm done with the Bills and will think GMBB turned into a real dope.  I'm confident that will not happen.  🤞

Matto

Golf digest published an article a few days ago about Augusta National and the changes each hole has been. "A comprehensive history of every change made to Augusta National Golf Club". It is an interactive map and you can click on each hole and it gives you a birds eye view of the hole following each year the greens keepers made changes. Very interesting to see the thought process of what they were trying to do and to have a visual of how each hole has changed over the years. 

Joe

p.s. I have no faith in the Sabres to come back in this game

Sabres win their last 5 and they have (amazingly) a decent chance to get into the playoffs.  All the teams ahead of them suck and will lose 1-2 games.  Pittsburgh is playing the best and could be the biggest problem - but their schedule isn't kind.

Win today.  Who knows?

Go Sabres,

Martee

Happy Birthday, TNJ!  Make it an awesome one!

No props for Mot on Diggs.  We all knew Diggs was a diva.  Gotta deal with BS sometimes with great players, and he was mostly great here.  What we didn't know was going to happen was Diggs banging Josh's ex-girlfriend and their relationship going quickly south. 

Big PROPS for Oder on a solid post overall and calling out Mot for the angry man he can be.  And props to Mot for admitting it!  Very funny stuff you guys!  Nicely done!  🤣

I am not a fan at all of giving up big draft capital to grab a WR.  There are plenty of potentially great ones in this draft.  

Matto

Mot, I can't quite get to "PROPS" for you but will award "props".

JWS

The more I read about and think about this Diggs thing the happier I am about it.  It just seemed so toxic and we saw hardly any of the specifics, but what we did see...where there's smoke there's fire.  Also this is consistent with his pattern at MN.  Houston seems to be saying, we know this guy is trouble but if we can thoroughly incentivize him by making this his contract year, we can get production from him that might be meaningful to us this year, and then we can head for the hills a year from now as he takes his 32 year-old non-self aware tiresome act somewhere else.  Good job Beane.  I'm for the big bang trade up scenario for one of the big three.  I hope QBs go 1-4 to make that easier.  

JWS

Aah yes..... George Mcgovern...... that's all I got on him......

 It's pretty apparent that the Texans know what they are getting in Diggs and don't want to be tied to him for more than one season....... To me it looks like getting a second rounder and giving up a couple later picks in order to be done with him is looking like a win for the Bills and GMBB...... I won't be surprised if Diggs has trouble getting a free agent deal after this season unless Matto's Cowboys want to unite him with his loud mouth brother!!!!

Joe Buscaglia the Bills beat writer from The Athletic did a mock draft today and had the Bills trading up with Tennessee to draft Malik Nabers at number 7.  He gave up this years 28 60 133 and next years 1st to do it while also getting back a late rounder from Tennessee....... I don't have a problem with that...... Next years first should be late 20's again and the Vikings 2nd that they got for Diggs should be relatively high because I think Minnesota struggles this year with either Darnold or a rookie at the helm......

I don't have a problem with it but I would also be OK with a move up to get Brian Thomas Jr. that maybe didn't require quite as much draft capital......

RIP former member of the Big Red Machine and 1976 Rookie of the Year Pat Zachry........ only diehard Reds fans Rod TW Bob Kevin and myself.........

I don't disagree and really don't have a beef with Collins..... was just trying to get Matto fired up!!! What was his story coming out of college?  Wasn't he expected to be a first round pick and then he went undrafted?  Did it have something to do with beating up a girlfriend or something like that?

You just never know how an NFL season is going to play out, especially before any off-season programs even start. That Chiefs reporter and lots of their fans probably whined about losing Tyreek Hill, until they saw the Chiefs win 2 SBs without him. There’s no reason the Bills can’t still be contenders. I trust Beane to come up with a good plan to replace Diggs and I don’t care if he puts up Diggs-like stats out of the gate. The ball will be spread around more next year. Kincaid is going to be a great one. Shakir has big upside out of the slot. Cook is only going to get better as a runner and a pass catcher. Samuel is no slouch at all. I think the Commish pointed out the suspect QBs he played with and teams he was on. Look for the Bills to grab Adonai Mitchell after a small move up in round 1 to be our new Diggs.  And I almost forgot....look for Justin Shorter to take on some of Gabe's role.  He's got great size and some talent and could be a pleasant surprise this year.

Everything’s fine!
Matto

Rod, I think Curtis Samuel will produce at least as much as Davis did, are you discounting him?  Maybe in a different way than Gabe, but I like that guy.  He has suffered through some mediocre QB play in his career.  I'm hoping this is a good fit with Josh.

STONER

I'm good with this deal...... As much as I dislike Bill Belichick he was always one to let a player go a year too early than a year too late and this is what the Bills did...... 

1. His production dropped off dramatically over the second half of the season.
2. The Bills went 6-1 in those games over the second half when Diggs was an after thought.
3. Drops aren't an official NFL stat but he was credited with 8 during the regular season which was top 5 in the league.  No drop was bigger than the 55 yard perfect pass that Josh threw him in the playoff game against KC.
4. I don't care how hard the guy works he was more trouble than he was worth between his social media BS and sideline and locker room blowups.
5. He was the right guy at the right time to help with Josh's growth into the franchise QB that he is now but the time had come.   
6. 4 Mil was added to his cap number for this season because they were bonuses already paid out but next year there is no impact from Diggs nor will there be from Von Miller..... that in itself clears upwards of 30+ mil.......
7. Reports are it was the Texans who approached the Bills about making this deal....... I trust GMBB at this point that he is developing a plan that will make us all happy when it is carried out. 

I think that the Bills were terrified at seeing a HUGE drop in Diggs' production this year and then not being able to get anything at all for him after this season.  Classic example of one year too early rather than too late.  His production in the second half of the season has already been described by some as "falling off the cliff", "hitting the wall", pick your favorite I guess.  Which is strange to me because Diggs has never relied on his speed to get open really.  But the numbers are pretty clear.  And the playoff production has been very inconsistent.

I looked at the NFL draft chart.  Texting with JWS / ABCS / Griff and as others have said for a while, targeting the Bears at pick 9 would make a lot of sense.  Bears have two 1st-round picks so they might be OK with moving down, and that would probably leave Odunze available to us.  Using the chart, if the Bills went from 28 to 9 they would have to give the Bears next year's first and next year's fourth (or maybe even this year's fourth, the Edmunds comp pick, might do it which would be nice because it would be even closer to the end of the round, and picks this year are more valuable than future picks).  Anyway, that would create an "even" trade according to the chart.  I would do that if Odunze is available.

BTW - we used a first to get Diggs in 2020. And also gave up a 4th, 5th, and 6th as well, and got a 7th from Minnesota.  I know the later round picks do have some value, especially to the Bills who seem adept at uncovering some gems late (Milano, Benford, Dane Jackson, etc.).  But basically we gave up a first, used him for four great years, and now have gotten back a second.  Could be a lot worse for a 30-year old WR who by most accounts has lost a step.

STONER 

Yes, it would have been cheaper in 2024 from a salary cap standpoint to keep Diggs.  But, it would NOT have been cheaper from an actual cash standpoint in 2024.  The money that is creating all of those dead cap dollars in 2024 (yes, not 2025) was already paid to Diggs as a bonus when they extended him in 2022.  Given I think his base salary is $18.5 million in 2024, that is money the Texans will now pay and actual cash savings that the Bills will realize this year in terms of money out of wallet now, as opposed to salary cap accounting.  Plus, getting rid of him now makes us all clear of him (completely) in 2025, when projections had him taking up maybe $30 million or so of salary cap space then with his base salary (now gone) and his amortized bonus (fully taken as an accelerated hit in 2024).

JWS

JWS - I agree.  I think ESPN is wrong in mentioning 2025.  Here's a different take...

"The Bills were so desperate to get Diggs off the team that it's costing them more in cap space to NOT have him ($31.1M) than to have him ($27.9M) -- a record amount of dead money for a non-QB.  'OverTheCap' listed the Bills as having about $7.675 in salary-cap space before the trade, meaning their cap space is now around $4.475 million."

It would appear that it would have been cheaper to keep Diggs...time will tell on this one...

Jamie, I think by "next season" they mean the 2024 season.  That would make sense.

JWS

The Bills appear to be "tearing this thing down to the stud" (Josh).  Hope it works.  This "take your medicine in one painful dose" approach is probably the best strategy to make sure that we have a long and sustained second Super Bowl window under Josh.  But 2024 is likely to be a down year.  I hope we draft two rookie WRs now, in rounds 1 and 2 (it's a good year for them), or perhaps make a splash in round 1 to move up and get Brian Thomas Jr.  It's time for the Bills to go all in with electric youth at the WR position.  2024 will be a waste as the two kids get acclimated to the NFL, and we'll get by with Kincaid, Shakir, Cook and Samuel holding down the pass catching fort for a year.  Then we should get three good years of collective offense under Josh Phase II while the the two 2024 WR stud draft picks are on their rookie contracts.  So says GMJWS.

JWS

I thought the dead cap money always hits in the year the trade is made, i.e., this year, 2024.  How is it that we're able to postpone the dead money hit until next year?  We're not post-June 2, and can't be, since a draft pick in a draft in three weeks was involved here.

JWS

Correct.  Here is the report from ESPN:  "The Bills will carry a dead money charge of $31.096 million next season after trading Diggs, according to Roster Management System. That will be the highest-known dead money charge ever for a wide receiver in any season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research"

The dead cap hits the 2025 books, so this year there's a lot of room to maneuver.  Next year - um, no.

Aside from moving up in the draft, I have heard rumors of trading either for Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk. 

Joe

Here are my quick reactions to the Diggs trade:

1.   a 30-year-old receiver who is arguably on the decline and can be a pain in the a** is something the Houston Texans can easily afford (with their QB on a rookie contract), but we cannot.

2.    The immediate clearing of about 18,500,000 (this year) in cap space is very valuable to us.  Also, we will realize savings in future years as well, where we had all budgeted for a big number for him for at least two more years.  BUT, am I wrong about this--is there dead cap right now??  I imagine yes.  

3.  Houston could be scary next year with Stroud throwing to Collins, Diggs and Dell.  Could be concerning in terms of the Bills prospects for making/advancing in playoffs this coming year.  Houston seems to have it together on a lot of levels right now.

4.  My overall feeling is that the Buffalo Bills have extracted most of the value out of Diggs and what is left in him is too expensive for us right now, so I support the trade.  I'm glad we got a second, and I don't value the 5th and 6th picks we gave up very highly (given how tough it is to make our roster and how guys have been getting poached off our practice squad lately).

5.  I wish the "haul" we got for Diggs would look more like what KC got for Hill.  But that would have had us trading him two years ago, when our Super Bowl window with Josh Phase I was still wide open.  It is now closed and Josh Phase II begins.  Almost better to cut Diggs out now and start a year earlier with a new primary pass catcher.  Who will that be?  

6.  With our "savings" on the cap this year from trading Diggs, do we bring in Tee Higgins or someone like that now as a free agent?  We can now afford a short contract with someone like that.  Do we even like Tee Higgins?  

7.  A very big trade up in Round 1 by Beane this year has to be a betting favorite in Vegas.  I say he will move up to about 12 to get Brian Thomas Jr.  Will be painful to give up what we need to give up to do that, but with Diggs gone and Morse gone and Tre gone and Hyde and Poyer gone and Gabe gone and last year Edmunds gone, the Bills are obviously all in on re-tooling (not re-building) for Josh Phase II, which will be keyed by Josh, Cook, Kincaid, and Brian Thomas Jr., once he figures things out.

8.  Look for a lot of two tight end sets in 2024--the WR room looks pretty thin and no rookie can fix that in the short term.  Could be a non-playoff year for the Bills, but I still trust Josh to get us in there for an early exit.

9.  I haven't looked up the "dead cap" implications of this trade yet.  I'm afraid to do so!

10.  Diggs must be more toxic than we even realize--this is quite a move.

11.  I wonder what Josh thinks of this?

Wow--I'm looking forward to strong activity on the Board as we all process and analyze this.

JWS

That's a lot of picks this year - and not a lot of (quality) WR's on your roster.

I can smell a "trade up" during the draft.  And I assume they're going to get more than one WR.

Turn the page, I say.  Thanks for the memories Diggs.

Martee

Well, Meredith thinks the Sabres are just fine!  We enjoyed the game last night.  I agree with Joe/Martee on the 1,000 games thing.  There are many ways to not accomplish that in a very rugged sport!  Also, I read that among the 395 players who have accomplished this feat, Jeff Skinner is the ONLY ONE who has not tasted NFL playoff action at some point in his career.  WOW!  Although, when you think about it, if you play 1,000 NHL games, being in the playoffs at SOME POINT in all those games should be like falling out of bed, right?  Talk about snakebit!

JWS

Diggs gone to Houston for a 2025 2nd rounder and we also give up RD6 pick this year and RD5 pick next year.

Yeah, agree with Joe. Pretty big deal - especially when this team needs to celebrate "something."  Crazy that he hasn't played in a playoff game.

Beating a dead horse.  This team needs two nasty forwards.  Blue line and goalie (right now) look fine.  They have plenty of talent.  They don't have any "meat" / guys "you hate to play against."

Adams has one more off-season to learn this...and figure out how to acquire the necessary pieces.

How about that women's NCAA game?  It was awesome, and the 12 million that tuned in were rewarded.  It beat every regular season college football game (except for the Ohio St vs Michigan game) and most of the Bowl games.  It also beat all but one of the NBA Finals games.  Insane.

Martee

There was an estimate after the 2022-23 that somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 men have played in at least 1 NHL game. Only 395 of them have reached the 1000 game mark. So only about 3.9% - 4.9% of NHL players ever can say they have reached it. 

Pretty big deal in my opinion

Joe

I'm going tonight with my daughter, Meredith.  

As for Skinner, Commish shared with me a cute story about him.  So Skinner is sitting at his locker and next to him is Bryson and the subject "goal songs" comes up.  Skinner IDs his own goal song and then Bryson excitedly shares his--Dizzy Up the Girl.  So Skinner says to him "why do you have that goal song?"  Bryson, still excited, starts in with how much he loves the Goos and as he takes a breath Skinner cuts him off:  "You're not hearing me Jake--why to you have any goal song???"  

JWS

I absolutely hate the whole concept of April Fools Day.  Carry on.

On a separate note, RIP to Vontae Davis.  Certainly his retirement was under very strange circumstances and he pretty much screwed the Bills that day.  But I hate to see a guy that young go.

STONER

Some context:

International Transgender Day of Visibility (often referred to as TDOV or Trans Day Of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31^[1][2] dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. The event was created by transgender activist^[3] Rachel Crandall of Michigan in 2009^[4] as a reaction to the lack of LGBTQ+ recognition of transgender people, citing the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of transgender people, but did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community. The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on March 31, 2009. It has since been spearheaded by the U.S.-based youth advocacy organization Trans Student Educational Resources.^[5]

In 2014, the day was observed by activists across the world, including in Ireland^[6] and Scotland.^[7] In 2015, many transgender individuals participated in an online social media campaign on websites including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram. Participants posted selfies, personal stories, and statistics regarding transgender issues and other related content to raise awareness and increase visibility.^[8]

In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden proclaimed March 31 as a Transgender Day of Visibility, stating in part, "I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people." Biden was the first American president to issue a formal presidential proclamation recognizing the event.^[9][10][11] Biden issued a similar proclamation a year later, welcoming Jeopardy! contestant and transgender woman Amy Schneider to the White House and announcing a set of measures intended to support transgender rights.^[12][13]

In 2024, March 31 falls on Easter Sunday. When Biden issued a proclamation on March 29 recognizing the upcoming Transgender Day of Visibility, many Christian Americans reacted negatively to what they saw as an affront to Christianity.^[14][15]

^{None of this is an affront to my view of Christianity--quite the opposite!  Happy Easter to all.  I'm off to the vigil mass (and then to Say Cheese for my first Diet Coke in 40 days!).}

^JWS

So those prospects playing in college now are going to be the ones to lead the Sabres to the playoffs in 4 years and finally break the drought????

C'mon Mot...... As soon as Joe pays the Mexican President's ask of 20mil to stem the tide of illegals pouring into this once great country he will just hit up the taxpayers again to pay for the bridge!!

I'm sure most if not all of you are familiar with Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports.  I'm also sure most if not all of you are aware of NYC Police Officer Jonathan Diller who was killed the other day by a career felon during a routine traffic stop in Queens.  Barstool Sports is selling a commemorative T-Shirt and Sweatshirt in honor of Diller and ALL proceeds are going to go his wife and young son.  As well Portnoy has said that he personally was matching the total sales through Wednesday night..... that was going to reach at least $250K.  I didn't see the article until this morning but purchased my T-Shirt today.   As well, Tunnel to Towers...... A truly great non-profit has stepped in to pay off the mortgage on Diller's house.  What's really sad though is this never happens if criminals with multiple felonies are put in prison where they belong......

The NCAA mens hockey tourney starts today and there are a few Sabres prospects whose teams made it that I'll be watching. 

Boston U defensman Gavin McCarthy (from Clarence). He's a 6'2" 190lb freshman wears #2

Minnesota right wing Aaron Huglen. A 6' 180lb junior wears #7

Michigan St. defensman Maxim Strbak. 6'2" 200lb freshman wears #8

Western Michigan centerman Matteo Costantini. 6' 190lb junior wears #25

Joe

Ouch! 

exclamation point on a truly underachieving season. 

TW

but wait….they could come back! 😀

Haha.  You're kidding right.  More worried about sports gambling back in the day?!  And I do mean back in the day.  Pete rose was 38 years ago!  How many other "Pete Rose's" were there in that 38 years?

In 2018...1% of the US population had access to sports gambling.  Now 57% of the population has access.

In 2018...$5 billion was wagered on sports.  In 2023....$120 billion (and it is growing 40% each year.)

I will agree that there are more eyes and better technology to look at anomalies.  But more and easier access, coupled with huge dollars, makes it more prevalent.

Did you know that since 2018 there have been 175 gambling infractions (and 17 open investigations) just within the NCAA?  

Did you know in 2023 there were 10 NFL players suspended for gambling?

I think it's naive to think major sports, casino/books and professional gamblers (those are the ones who really police the industry) are catching everyone.  They're catching the dumb ones right now. It's the smart ones - with all the money out there and different ways to bet - that are the danger.

We are now monthly with a gambling story.  Some are National news, some aren't.  It's already bad, and it's going to get worse.

Martee

If you can find a podcast with a Billy Walters interview it's worth a listen.  He's known as one of the greatest gamblers of all-time.  He isn't too concerned, but definitely sees the rise.  By the way, he spends $1-5million per year on sports research. Crazy.  It's a business, and he is one of the policemen out there.

Matto - very astute point.  This is how Porter got caught because computer analysis was able to detect an anomaly on prop bets on a bench player over multiple games.

Pete Rose did have a classic take on the Ohtani situation...'if I'd only had an interpreter, I'd be in the Hall of Fame'.  Lol

Found a way to get into the discussion.  Here's a post that summarizes most of what I said the other day - and I believe it to be accurate (except PSL's are up to $50k, not $20k)

Also - this is a little interesting... https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/nfl/bills/season-ticket-holder-shocked-at-400000-price-tag-to-keep-seats-at-the-new-bills-stadium-money-nfl-mafia/71-fc3661ab-73ac-4fb7-917e-eb0cd386e5bc?ref=exit-recirc

There's a link in there to a Facebook group that was formed to share information.  I'm not on Facebook but feel free to check it out and report any interesting details!

Very interesting that investigations into professional athletes and betting are currently going on in the MLB and NBA.  The ever-changing "he knew about, no wait, he didn't know about it" with Shohei Ohtani, and the wildly irregular prop-bets for bench NBA player Jontay Porter are the two extremes that show anyone in professional sports can get dragged in - whether you're the highest paid athlete in any sport, or a bench player that most have never heard of.

As I've mentioned (a few times), it's their PP that hurt them this year more than anything.  The team is averaging 0.6 goals per game less this season to last. About half of that is on the PP alone.  They're down 30 goals on the PP with 10 games to go.

Currently the Sabres have 33 PP goals. The Wings have 23 more. Devils have 17. Capitals have 10.  The Islanders have 9.  All teams they're chasing.  Pretty sure if the Sabres just had 10-20 more PP goals they would be IN...OR...super close to a playoff spot.  

Sabres need that 10-game win streak.  They can do it - if they keep getting the goaltending and the score like 12 PP goals.

Go Sabres,

Martee

Stoner, you are correct...Marchand is a rat and hated.  Skill and cheap style don't get you off the list.  He has slew-footed so many guys there is a montage of it.

Barnaby is the only guy to play for the Sabres that would make the short list.  I guess maybe Ott would make a longer list.  He seemed more annoying (and funny) than cheap and hated.

Go Sabres (they can still do it - big home stand - go 5 for 5 and make it interesting!)

Martee

Bruce Shoebottom.  Full stop.  What a great name for a player of his ilk.  Only Rod, Kip and I...

JWS

Yes, I was on WGR yesterday.  The topic was most hated hockey players and a lot of names from the past came up - Claude Lemieux, Milan Lucic, and others.  I called in to vote for Brad Marchand because he is such a dirty player despite his skill, and because I just hate the Bruins in general, and I hate that guy. I was on my way to Roch in my car, calling through my bluetooth, not sure what happened to the connection.  Oh well, Bulldog got my point, although he felt that Marchand is a great player in part because of his dirty style.  I suppose that's possible.  But what an asshole that guy is either way.

STONER

Bob..... Are you implying that the Million Dollar Realtor has a 10 cent cell phone plan??????

Founders Club PSLs run from $20k to $50K and include all food and drink.  The Founders Club is on the Bills side.  The other club will be slightly less expensive.

The Bills are reseating by Section, likely from most expensive seats to least expensive.  You can choose a comparable seat or an upgrade when you go in (with the rest of your section, NOT based on seniority) or you can upgrade.  If you want a lesser quality seat than what you currently have, you will be called in with that section.

This seems like a really shitty way to do it.  It APPEARS that they are trying to keep their season ticket numbers up.  If they went by seniority and a large number of people are upset with the PSL cost and choose to downgrade, it would push all of the lower cost ticket holders out.  By doing it by section and only allowing upgrades, they are ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to renew, at a minimum, a comparable seat to what they currently have.  I see the logic, but it COMPLETELY ignores the most loyal ticket holders with decades of seniority.

Early reports are fans are getting hit with sticker shock concerning the PSL's for the club seats........ If the reports are true of 50K for the premium club seats....... then the Bills don't know their market...... I'd be willing to bet that a good portion of the club seats at Rich Stadium are owned by indidviduals...... not corporations.....

On top of finding another POWER FORWARD who plays with some grit...... The coaching staff....at least the assistants needs an overhaul.  Bales is fine and should stay...... UPL has improved greatly under his watch but the other ones need to be let go and replaced with VETERAN assistant coaches who may have also had head coaching experience because if Granato does stay and this thing starts off slow again next season...... Adams needs a guy on the staff ready to take over...... Not another lets go to Rochester and pull Appert up for a few because our assistants can't do the job......

Screw it...... I'm pulling for the Florida Panthers to win the Cup so Okposo and Reinhart and Montour get their rings!!!!

Peterka was laughing in sarcasm.  You have to rewatch the penalty.  He put his stick up at the Oilers side (like happens a hundred times in a game) and the guy did a veteran move that the refs fell for.  He pinned to the stick to his side with his arm and acted like he was getting hooked. 

Complete faux job.  And an example of young team vs an older, savvy team. This only guy who does stuff like that on our team is Skinner (because he's been around the block a few times.)

Martee

I believe Hyde will retire..... he may be quietly shopping his services right now but if he is I think he is finding the market pretty non existent for a 33 year old safety with neck issues...... as you said Mot...... Time catches up to all of us......

PROPS awarded to Kipper on that Mike Edwards call!

JWS

There you have it...... Just as I had predicted GMBB has added one of the safeties that I mentioned in my previous post....... welcome to Buffalo...... SUPER BOWL WINNER Mike Edwards........  You need guys that have been there on your roster!!!!!!

I agree Kip.  Williams will scare Bills fans...and then he'll go on IR and no worries.

His season will go something like "First 4 games a stud.  Injured.  Out 4-6 weeks.  Come back.  Be mediocre.  Then get hot for 2-3 games.  Get re-injured and miss the Jets playoff run/hopes."

Sabres had too tall a challenge last night and still almost pulled it off.  Vancouver is a terrible match up for them (as I've referenced before) and on top of that...back-to-back games on West Coast time.  Unfortunately, they're going to need to beat (or tie) the Oilers who probably want some payback from their loss here.

And thank you Columbus. Cripes.  19 seconds to go and you give up a goal to the Wings to tie it.  And then their goalie doesn't realize it's Patty Kane coming at you in OT(?!)  You really think he's going to pass (!?)  That one hurt.  Blue Jackets dominated the game out shooting them 2-1 most of the game - yet Wings get the 2 points (kinda like the Sabres game, only we couldn't steal the game.)

One last sports note.  How embarrassing for the NCAA Selection committee putting in Virginia? There are a handful of teams rightfully upset.  Personally, I'm mad because I wanted Indiana State in the tourney.  Most entertaining player in men's hoops was left off the dance floor. Criminal.

Still. Go Sabres,

Martee

I have no concern with Mike WIlliams signing with the Jets...... a lot of talent but made of glass...... I guarantee he misses at least 6 games with injuries....

As to the Bills.... I'm with Dot and JWS..... Not to worry...... they will indeed sign another safety in free agency as the prices drop.... reports are they had Blackmon from Indy in for a visit and Mike Edwards from the Chiefs is scheduled for one also...... GMBB needs to be a bit frugal but he will get it done.....

As to the Sabres....... tough to beat a team like Vancouver when you muster all of 17 shots your forwards don't hit the scoresheet..... they are running out of runway......

Ugh.  Mike Williams to the NYJ.  If Rodgers stays healthy that could be a scary team.

The Sabres are not dead and buried yet.  They still control their own fate - which means they have a chance.

The Macro - Over the last 5 weeks they are 11-7 with a +17 goal differential.

The Micro - Over the last 5 games they are 4-1 with a +10 goal differential.

Bottomline, they have to keep playing like they are...and keep getting great goaltending.  They also need the PP to keep up a 28%ish rate.  That's also been one of the biggest differences between "lately" and the mediocre early/mid-season play.

Let's Go Buffalo!

Martee 

JWS...retired but still awake and posting at 6:30am!  Sleep in dude!  Lol.

Thanks for some feedback - I don't know that I agree with all of it, but it has me taking a step or two backwards from the edge of the cliff..

Mot, I was the opposite of you, having watched the first three goals last night before turning in promptly at 10:30 (I am now a retired old guy).  Skinner was sniping!

I am much closer to Oder than Jamie with respect to the post-season so far.  We all need to keep in mind that the post-season is not nearly over.  Last year Beane had most of his good pickups late in free agency and even in the regular season (Douglas).  I like the extension yesterday of Taron Johnson for continuity on D, and was glad that Epenesa and Jones were re-signed; things are looking up on D since two weeks ago. 

And things will look much better once GMBB goes bargain hunting in the second wave of free agency, once prices become more favorable (in say the safety market and even possibly the WR and OL/DL markets). And of course the draft will have us excited.  I'm expecting an AGGRESSIVE trade up for a stud WR/eventual Diggs replacement in Round 1.  My hunch on Morse is that the OL coach really likes those young guys like Anderson and Edwards, and feels we can get roughly the same production at a much cheaper overall price with young guys, with Dawkins and now Torrance and even Spencer Brown providing the veteran continuity and with Dawkins replacing Morse as the new "Dad" on the OL.  Allen's escapability lets Beane cheat a little and save money on OL. 

I like Beane's moves so far.  Davis had a lot of positives with his blocking, leadership, durability, etc., but his loss opens up an avenue for a better and more consistent/productive pass catcher to get onto the field, and in the end that is more important.

JWS

Not much to talk about there Mot.  They needed to beat Detroit to keep the conversation going.  RIP.

As far as the Bills go, my Dad and I were chatting yesterday (he turned 94 on Friday!), and he was asking me for my thoughts on free agency and the Bills.  I always boil my thoughts down to a simple question...did the Bills improve during the free agency process?  My answer is a definitive NO.  Does anyone disagree?

Our losses are:  Leonard Floyd, Gabe Davis, Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse, Dane Jackson, Tim Settle, Poona Ford, Siran Neal, and Nyheim Hines.

Our additions are: Curtis Samuel, Mitch Trubisky, Nick Morrow and Mack Hollins.

I'd love to hear feedback from this knowledgeable group.

It will not.  People love my recipe cards, as Joe so humorously pointed out at the Draft! 

That lawsuit is largely much ado about nothing.  The 6% was never a rule per se, more expensive houses are often done for less than that, and some more complicated sales require more than that.  There's much more to this than meets the eye.  For example, when sellers realize that buyers agents will not show their house to their buyer clients when there is nothing in it for them (i.e. very low percentage for the buyer agent)......sellers will understand why it takes longer to sell their house and it will inevitably sell for far less.  Everyone needs to make a living.  And from a legal perspective there are lots of ways to get in trouble when selling a house on your own or even when using a discount broker that basically offers no client service, advice, or consultation.  There's a reason the current structure has been in place for so long.  It works.  And now I will step off my soapbox! (1)

STONER aka Million Dollar Realtor

(1) FUN FACT - A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. The term originates from the days when speakers would elevate themselves by standing on a wooden crate originally used for shipment of soap, or other dry goods, from a manufacturer to a retail store.

Stoner - I read that a lawsuit settlement has ended the 6% real estate commission rule. Will that be the end of your recipe mailers? 😅

Bob

Kind of hate to lose Dane.  I had an oddly comfortable feeling whenever he was in the lineup.

JWS

Nothing wrong with The Notebook - solid movie.

Mot - I wanted to add an Eastwood movie, but I couldn't bump one of the others off the list.  High Plains Drifter is my favorite Eastwood movie though.

A lot of stupid money being spent in the NFL.  Luckily...so far...the Bills haven't made the list (maybe because they don't have any to spend.)

How come nobody has mentioned "The Notebook"?

Hey, the Sabres win the next three...they make it a little interesting.  Okay, very little....but every little bit helps when WNY temps are fluctuating between 60-25 degrees.

Go Sabres,

Martee

Along with the Forrest Gumps, Godfathers, Goodfellas, etc that have showed up on everyones lists so far, some personal favorites of mine I don't think I've seen on any lists so far include 

A Bronx Tale

Tombstone

There Will Be Blood

Fight Club

Most of the Tarantino movies

Full Metal Jacket

Purely for diversity and something different if I am stuck on an island I'd also include the Finding Nemos and Cars

Joe

Yep..... JWS is retired..... how else can you explain him having time to list 25 movies!!!!!

No list is complete if it doesn't include Cool Hand Luke.......

Yes the silly season has begun when Gabe Davis is awarded 39 mil over 3 years that could reach 50 with incentives......

Here is the JWS "Top of Head" List.  No particular order, just my top of mind top 25:

The Godfather

The Godfather Part II

Body Heat

Casablanca

Goodfellas

Jaws

Best in Show 

Trading Places

Gladiator

Spartacus

The Robe

Young Frankenstein

Twelve Angry Men

The Mission

Silence (Scorcese)

The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3 (Robert Shaw as best villain ever)

Dr. Zhivago

Shawshank Redemption

Evita

Wizard of Oz

Taken

Silver Streak

Midnight Express

Django Unchained

Inglorious Basterds

JWS

I think I'd be taking a slightly more diverse trek if I was stuck on a desert island.  I have not put much thought into this and this is in no particular order

Shawshank

Breakfast Club

Animal House

Forrest Gump

The Godfather

Rocky

Avengers: End Game

Die Hard

Cast Away (after all, I am stuck on a desert island)

Gladiator

It's a Wonderful Life

Yes, I know that's 11 - oh well.

Gabe gets 3/$39M and Morse gets 2/$10.5M.  Dion gets re-signed for 3/$60.5M and Cam Lewis 2/$4M

Troy is a great movie but I'd give the edge to Gladiator just for Oliver Reed's performance!

ABCS

Here's mine, off the top of my head.  I will say that there are MANY movies out there that I need to see, even great movies that may be on many of your lists.  There was a long time when the kids were younger where we didn't watch a ton of movies.  No excuse, just the way it was!

The Godfather

The Godfather Part II

Goodfellas

Shawshank Redemption

Sling Blade

Tin Men

The Departed

The Shining

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Training Day

Rambo: First Blood

STONER

With the Oscars tomorrow, the Mrs. and I discussed in the car today our top 10 films of all time. These aren't necessarily which you think are the "best", it's simply the 10 films you pick if you could only watch these 10 for the rest of your life. I thought it would be good conversation fodder as I refuse to get suckered into believing this Sabres team can make a playoff run. Mine are as follows (in no order):

The Godfather

The Godfather Part II

Goodfellas

Gladiator

Gangs of New York

The Dark Knight

The Last Samurai

The Big Short

Gone with the Wind

Casablanca

ABCS

Erik Johnson to Philly for a shooter tutor and some beers. 

joe

Okposo to Florida for a bag of chipped pucks and some old aluminum hockey stick shafts. 

TW

Mot, I know you don't want to hear excuses - but no way UPL could play.  Apparently because of traffic, and passport/check in delays at the airport....the Sabres landed in Nashville at like 4 or 5am.  No way a goalie plays into OT has that travel schedule and then suits up against a team who was 8-0-1 in their last 9.  Comrie and Byram looked like the only players who had legs. 

I was hesitant about Casey for Bo - but I like your comment Joe - "maybe we did win that trade."  Didn't realize that Cozens is his bestie.  And he's also fairly tight with Krebs and Levi.  Of course, we still need guys who are hard to play against.  We seem to have plenty of flash.  Guess we'll see today.  For now....Byram has played one game and has the same number of goals as Clifton and 1/6 his total points :)

Martee

The Bills purge was definitely coming, and while sad, when you look at it, the only real loss was Morse.  We knew Poyer was gone, and Trey has largely not been on the field for two full seasons (somewhat ineffective the tail end of 2022).  I am confused by Morse like most Bills fans are.  Looks like they have a plan - McGovern to center, Edwards to guard, and Alec Anderson is the new Bates - the backup at all positions.  I guess that's fine, but I'm surprised they didn't keep Bates to simply take Morse's spot.  They must really like Anderson enough to gamble and take the cap savings created by Bates trade.

As to Sabres, I will trust the hockey guys since I don't know anything about the new guy.  Great debut tonight though!  But I really am a big Mittelstadt fan, so I am bummed to see him go.  I would have much preferred to see one of the young guys / prospects go, but I guess if you are asking for a true top 4 D-man then you have to give up a serious asset. Interesting to see a real "hockey trade" for once, that excludes picks, prospects, etc.  That's always kind of cool.

STONER

Sad but necessary day at OBD...transitioning to the second phase of Josh's prime. We're gonna need a new core to win a Super Bowl. This draft will be a huge part of whether we do it or fail...good news is the 2022 and 2023 drafts are looking pretty solid.

ABCS

Thank you for some great play Mr. Poyer.  I wish you and Rachel the best!

The youngest team in the league gets younger by trading a 25 year old Casey Mittelstadt to the Aves in return for a 22 year old defensman in Bowen Byram. I dont know enough about him other than the fact he is a more physical version of Owen Power with a lot of offensive upside. 

To me, trading Mittelstadt was not the move. Now (assuming Girgensons/Okposo gets dealt or doesn't come back this offseason) the only true centerman we have in this team is Cozens. Now we have to bank all of our hope we either A. get one via trade by the end of the deadline in two days or B. hope to god Matthew Savoie is NHL ready, which isn't likely he can step in and be a regular in the lineup straight from the WHL. 

I hope with this being a one-for-one trade we can assume Byram is on par with Mittelstadt at their respective positions and he can be a steady reliable Dman in our lineup but something tells me he may need a couple seasons to get there. 

Joe 

You don't have to be big and you don't have to be overly physical (?)  Hmmmm.  Mot, have you watched the NHL playoffs?  Name me a small, non-physical team that's ever won in the playoffs.

I actually do believe this team competes most nights (keep in mind there isn't a team that brings it every night, not one.)  I do think they are the youngest team in the league and lack some of the "grizzliness" we talk about.  And when they run into a team with it (Panthers, Dallas, Jets, Blues) they struggle. 

13 games in 2024.. They are 7-6...and 5 of those losses are against those teams (listed above.)  I was at the Blues game, right behind the bench, and like Stoner pointed out vs Florida...you look up and down the bench and it jumps out to you.  That isn't about talent and ability.  And you can't coach a kid to be older with man-strength and experience.

What you can do is buy time, space and arrogance.  That don't have a player that gives them those needed tools.  I hope they figure it out.

Martee

STOP going to games Commish!  Cripes.

Disappointing loss.  Not because of the loss (tall order to beat two of the best teams in the West on back-to-back nights) - it was the way they lost.

1) The thing I've been harping on all year...the PP.  They had a chance to regain the lead with 6 minutes to go...and put forth a very weak PP.

2) The tide turned in that game after Dahlin took a nasty slash from Sheifele.  It happened right at the end of the second....so guys had time to hear about it (heck see it on an ipad nowadays.)  It needed to be addressed at the start of the third.  The problem is that we STILL don't have a guy who can do it.  Someone feared by the other team.  

Until then...teams like the Jets, Panthers, Bruins...know exactly what to start doing.  Cheap / hard / physical.  And that turns the game. 

What are the odds the Sabres make a move by this Friday to fill this hole?  Probably zero.  Youngest team in the league for second straight year, and you have no one to stand up for these guys.  So sad.

Martee

JWS and Commish will be in attendance tonight for Sabres vs. Winnipeg, in celebration of Commish's birthday today.  Will be having a pint or two at the nearby Pizza Plant beforehand.  Let's see what kind of home game chemistry that all produces...

JWS

Joe was right.... Six Nations Rugby is entertaining.

I turned it on last weekend because Scotland was playing England.  Couldn't turn it off.

Go Scots!

Martee