RJ (not THAT RJ)

Both examples of the differences in the rules between college and the pros. The UNC thing was so counter-intuitive. Since when does commiting a penalty actually help you save time? But apparently in college they do not have the rule that runs time off the clock if the offense commits a foul in the last two minutes. The celebration thing on K State was bogus beyond belief. I was happy that Syracuse won, but that penalty left a bad taste in my mouth. The official should have kept the flag in his pocket.

Please God no.

The rule has never made sense, either in general or in the context of the specific play. If applied consistently, almost every fumble that occurs during a sack could be invalidated. It was a terrible call, very suspect at the time, and the subsequent legalistic contortions have only been the NFL's effort to try and cloud the issue and avoid admitting it was a terrible call. Period.

Bill, your understanding of pulchritude is even more spot-on than your understanding of football My own meaningless opinion is that I want to see the Bills play well, whoever plays, just to get a sense of who is likely to stay and who is likely to go. If they win, that would be nice; if they lose, it's not the end of the world. I see the better draft position as a consolation prize, not something one should aspire towards. There will be plenty of good players (and of course, plenty of horrible smurfy reaches) available no matter where the Bills draft. All we as fans, and especially Bills fans can do is remember the timeless statement of Edmond Dantes: "All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope." That is, however, just me. New Year's blessings to one and all!

Good God yes... the overplaying of that one beats Fitz's Harvard degree by a mile!

So true. Considering the Bills actually outgained NE, and the TOP was even. Turnovers were the difference, and a sign that the Bills as a team were not up to the challenge. Reminds me of the season finale of 1977, when the Bills went to the Orange Bowl, rolled up 400+ yards of total offense... and lost, 31-14. Better days are ahead.

I could not agree more, Dean. The Bill Parcells Law of Diminishing Returns (BPLoDR) has proven itself yet again....

A very sensible point. And if they had gone for the first down, it would not have looked like running it up... throwing for the end zone is another matter, don't you think? Still defensible, but not admirable.

But... but.. Mike Singletary is a genius, a motivator, a man's man... the ideal coach to bring the Niners back...! At least that is what the entire sports media (and many on TSW) were saying as recently as this past summer. Those same people were saying that Bill Parcells had built the Dolphins to be great for years to come... Ah, Schadenfreude, the balm that soothes a troubled soul.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, Pils, and to all my Bills brethren. Oh, and Pils, tell your avatar that I will be happy to massage her, um, temples, if she has a hangover.

An idiot. Cannot spell epitome, and has no idea of the actual history of the franchise he allegedly follows.

It is indeed. And it is called every so often.

Up 21-0 and they ran a trick play. Classy.

Bill Brooks, late career FA, not Bucky. Bucky did not have 10 TDs in his career. Bill B did it in 1995, a year in which both Reed and Thurman were injured for longish periods and Lofton was gone. It was the one year that Kelly had his targets significantly limited, and was a big reason why the Bills drafted Moulds the following spring. Reed only caught 10 TDs once in his career, in 1991. It is something to think about that. In 1992, he only caught 2 the entire regular season, then caught 3 in the comeback game.

Goodness gracious.... Well John, I would say his statement was jerky. I cannot look into his soul, so will not say he is a jerk. You on the other hand.... On that last point we can all agree... and raise a glass! That is an excellent point about coaching. Having the kicker try three mega-field goals early in the game was a big coaching risk, and it could indeed be that the blows to the kicker's confidence then came back to haunt them in the end.

Jerk is subjective, and you probably are not one, so I apologize for that. But your original question was nonsensical (because the answer was so close at hand) and obviously intended to provoke, both of which are jerk-like qualities. You are smart enough to know that.

Is it that hard to understand that a fan would prefer to see his glass as half-full, or even to say, "hey, there's still some left?" Not to anyone with a brain who is not going out of his way to be a jerk.

Great clip. And may I add that seeing a Mighty Taco ad at the beginning brought a tear to my eye and a rumble to my stomach.

It's all "tradition," and the fact that the Cowboys are willing to play host annually.

The wind was an issue... and it might be that he was going for height earlier in the game. When he just let it all hang out at the end, he showed that he still has the leg.

I think it is quite possible nervous rookie just unloaded a terrible punt. It happens. Allowing Jackson to take it to the house is on the coverage team.

Too right, Wraith. Sparano basically tried three kicks (the first 48, and then the 53 and 61 yarders) that should have been punts, or were just throwaway attempts, especially with the wind today. That is not on the kicker.

But but but... Bill Parcells the Genius made Miami a perfect team forever and ever. I read that on TSW!

Wow, the Jets are determined to make Alosi take the total fall. As if he would even wipe his nose on the sidelines without permission from Jabba.

I understand the OP's sentiments, though I also think that it makes no sense to hate people for doing what they think is in their interest, as long as they break no laws. For me, all this is just another reason not to care about the individual athletes at all. I root proudly for the laundry. The team has significance for me because of its connection to my home town, not because I have any particular love for this or that person wearing the uniform. The genetically blessed millionaires who wear the uniforms don't care about me, so why should I care about them? It is not a matter of hate, but a matter of mutual interest.