clayboy54

Having worked NFL, MLB, NHL and NASCAR, I can tell you that the games are not fixed. I will also tell you that each league makes upper level decisions to influence the games for their best interests. This is found in rule changes, and in the memos that instruct officials to enforce specific infractions. In the NFL this is referred to as “point of emphasis.” Now I ask you, in the NFL, who ultimately makes these decisions? The owners. Not Goodell, who answers to the owners, not Al Riveron, who answers to the owners, etc. Who are the most powerful and influential owners? Robert Kraft is #1 by far. Then Jerry Jones. Perhaps Daniel Snyder, as was brought up in another thread. There’s likely a couple more that I don’t know. But, it sure as hell ain’t Kim & Terry Pegula. So at the end of the day, the game is slanted in the direction that these few most powerful owners decide is best for them. Now don’t get me wrong. There is no intent to fix games. There is every intent to do whatever makes the game more profitable and makes them more money. Sometimes that means parity. Sometimes that means “America’s Team.” Sometimes that means worst-to-first. Whatever makes more money in souvenirs, jerseys, tickets, viewership, concessions, and all the rest of the industry. But, it will seldom benefit any club that does not have the fan base to substantially drive profitability. And, the worst part is that these powers-that-be always try to drive the less profitable clubs toward more profitable destinations. Bob Kraft would like nothing more that to see the Bills relocate to a bigger city, as an example. It would make him much more money. The best we can hope for is to survive with the tables tipped against us. The worst case is that it becomes unsustainable.

I think Nance had his worst day yesterday. He was woefully unprepared and didn’t even know the Bills players names. That’s announcing 101. He was just horrible. Romo on the other hand, was very good as usual. He may have been a little shell-shocked at times, because after all, who expected the Bills to dominate? That said, he had his usual excellent analysis. The Emmitt segment spoiled the broadcast during that whole time. It was Emmitt who spoke the “say it isn’t so” comment after the Star interception and he also cheered the field goal miss. Again announcing 101 says never let the guest contribute to the play-by-play. They are only there for the human interest part of the broadcast. The producer should have made that abundantly clear afterward, if they failed to do so before the game. So, the broadcast indeed was not good overall. However, the least experienced member of the team, Romo, was the only one who did a good job. At the end of the day, I’d say shame on CBS for the quality of the broadcast and kudos to Romo for his singularly professional behavior.

I look at it this way: The big dogs, Jerry, Robert Kraft, etc. absolutely hate the small-market owners. They essentially feel the need to wipe them off the map. Nowhere is this more clear than the mandated stadium comments where they are “requiring” teams like the Bills to build a new stadium that will cripple them financially. They don’t believe the Bills are a part of their monetary growth, but rather a burden to their profits. Beating down a small market team is just another way of exerting their agenda on the league. This is also why the officiating appears to always favor our opponents. It does indeed, by directive of Jones, Kraft and their lieutenants. It’s never a “fix” but it is constant negative pressure. So when the Bills make a major statement on national TV against one of their teams, it makes them absolutely furious. The tears showed the rage that was brought about by proving the Bills legitimacy.

Nope, if we beat the Ravens it’ll be about how they just had a bad day. Nothing changes until we dethrone the Pats. Clear and simple. Not a single game of any magnitude in the regular season will give the Bills respect. this plays right into our hand, folks!

Why would you want to bust-up the “cheating Patriots” narrative? I bet you don’t believe in flying saucers either!

Congrats everyone!

Have you ever worked for Jason Garrett? yeah, he’s okay. just okay? LOL

Time for Leslie to dial up some pressure.

Riveron wants to put his stamp on this game. Don’t be too sure it’ll be reversed.

Refs owe us one now.

Bills make me want to Shout! Let’s go Buffalo!

Jerry forgot to turn the big fans off before that try.

Wow! Too close for my liking.

How about it’s coming from everywhere. What’s your point?

I do think it will be. However, he has served us well overall. I have mixed feelings about letting him go, like I did with Carpenter. That said, it’s time.

Ellie must get her clothes at White House Black Market.

As are some of the fans.

You go Eddie!

Absolutely beautiful call and execution. Perfect play call by Daboll.

Gotta replace Hauschka next season. You just have to. Too bad though.

Outstanding effort there, Josh!

Knox with the dropsies again. Comeon guys!

Ed Oliver baby!!!

It was an option and Josh chose to keep it. Either way they weren’t going to gain much on they play. I seriously question your analysis.

It was a good call, but there was nothing there, especially with Foster.