Lori

I agree that this is a long way from being over, GG. Meanwhile, a thought from Mike Silver: How perfect a fit would Leach be in Oakland? http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-t...s#silver_oxygen

http://www.philly.com/ http://www.boston.com/ http://espn.go.com/?topId=4786843 Can't think of the last time I saw a hockey story lead on the sports pages of those first two sites, much less the front. Give it back to a Canadian team next year, and I guarantee you'll be up to your eyebrows in hype on that side of the border. (Of course, CBC and my guy Elliotte will be there either way ...)

Looking at it from a more cynical viewpoint, New Year's Eve, when fewer people are listening to sportstalk radio and/or watching the 6 o'clock news ... Didn't stop us from peaking at well over 1,000 active users during the press conference, though. Are the rules the same re:availability of assistant coaches from the top four playoff teams during their bye week? If so, that option is now open to them. Still wondering about Ron Rivera, although Nix's "head-coaching experience preferred" quote would seem to lean in a different direction. It's also been pointed out to me that Nix had already left San Diego when the Chargers promoted Rivera to DC, so there wasn't as much overlap as I thought there might have been. And oh yeah ... Happy New Year.

I wouldn't disagree. Then again, I've been accused of those same attributes a few times myself. In case anyone wonders, the "isn't a journalist" line wasn't meant as an insult. Mike has actually covered the team for print, much as any beat writer would -- he wrote for Shout! magazine for a while, in fact. That detached objectivity just isn't part of his current job description. If it was, he'd put people to sleep during the afternoon rush hour, and that might not be such a good thing. And in his role as a host, when Donahoe froze out WGR -- including Howard, who didn't even work there when the feud began -- it directly affected his job. As we all know, Donahoe's been gone for a while, and maybe it's long past time to let it drop (especially since there was plenty of blame to go around on that deal) ... but I do understand the hard feelings on both sides. As always, just my opinion.

From today's PC.

Actually, WIVB did have it at least an hour before the press conference. So did the local papers, but without having it on record, they weren't allowed to run it. Such is the difference between broadcast and print media these days.

Despite what Mike's degree says, in his current role, he's not a journalist (which would imply remaining objective). He's a sports radio talk-show host, paid to express his opinions and get his listeners to interact with him on the air. Think I've made it clear over the years that I'm not a fan of his, but to fall back on a cliche, "it is what it is."

Been trying that for the last 15 years. Hasn't worked well. And the insults/profanity toward other posters needs to stop here. Thanks.

If it gets him out of day-to-day football responsibilities, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

No, he likes keeping their OWN free agents. That's straight from John Butler's playbook. Of course, back then, we had FAs worth keeping. After reviewing the roster, he may decide he needs to rethink that answer.

So he can interview Ron Rivera for the HC job during the Chargers' bye week?

Was confirmed by the team yesterday.

Depends. Would his first act have been to announce that the Bills were hiring a new head coach for the 2009 season? If so, he would have been off to a good start. Let's see what he does now.

Well, it's essentially a preseason game, right? Just like last week.

Pretty sure he did the tryout from down there. Not sure I still have the critique I sent Andy ... but as I recall, while he obviously wasn't a pro, he wasn't terrible, either. (And lest anyone take that as a shot at him -- or anyone else in that job -- I've long since decided that I have absolutely no future in broadcasting. Props to anyone who can carry on a reasonably intelligent-sounding conversation on the air.)

Funny you should mention GR, because as I recall, they gave him a tryout back when they were looking for someone to replace Brad in the 6-10pm slot. (Dennis Williams suddenly became available, and ended up with that job before they decided to go to replays following Schopp/Bulldog.)

Per Sal Maiorana, via Twitter: "Time Warner Cable will buy any unsold tickets, so Bills-Colts game will be televised locally in Western New York. Tix are still on sale, though." What do you think -- with it on TV and temps in the 20s, 50,000 in the stands on Sunday? Higher? Lower?

Warning: fact-free opinion ahead. Read on at your own risk. Honestly? Heck if I know. Yeah, I liked the sounds of JonnyGru stalking the home sideline at the Ralph, but didn't think they could get him -- I was hearing too many anecdotes about how much he was enjoying the MNF job. Still don't think this will come to pass, either. But if you'd asked me the same question vis-a-vis The Original 81 on March 6, I would've said you were nuts about that idea, too. Guess I'm still not convinced that Cowher NEEDS to coach in 2010 -- even if the current rumors about Fox staying in Pantherland (although without an extension) are true, he might be willing to wait out that situation for another year instead. All things considered, I'll be pleasantly surprised if it happens.

Long story, my friend ... On a completely unrelated note, I applaud your use of the Mike Leach Memorial Smiley. Aargh, matey.

Wondering the same thing...

Update: per ESPN, TTU has fired Leach "with cause." http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4781981

Hey, he made it through nine games. That was more than I expected ...

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He did (or so it was said), but neither one would have had the rank to sign off on the salary. And going by the reaction when the deal went down -- remember, Mr. Graham said he was having trouble believing the Bills (due to prior practice) would make such a move, even as he watched it happen -- I honestly don't think anyone BUT Ralph could've made that suggestion and had it taken seriously.