BuffaloWings

The original post I responded to talked about *the league* moving the players to a bigger market, since they own everything - political pressure, etc. Obviously, this wouldn't be the case, since each team should be autonomous and operate separately from each other - just as they do now. But my point was this....it would be pretty bad for the league if the owners walked up to the Lightning and said "Trade Martin St. Louis to the Red Wings, since he'll get more exposure there and it'll be better for the league", regardless of whether or not his contract was up. It's kinda over the top to even think something like that, but I think that's what the original thought was.

Well, it wouldn't quite work that way... Each team would be bought with a number based on their current market value. I'm presuming that's how they came up with the $3.5 billion. It really wouldn't be fair to the larger market teams that are worth more than $110 million right now.

The article I read (from the AP, I believe) said that it would clearly need all 30 owners on board with this. I think the article also said that it would get the owners out of the hockey business, which some owners would be relieved with - my own words there, not quoting thre article. Regarding the operation.... "It's taking the National Hockey League and its 30 teams and operating it as any large corporation does with each team essentially being a division of one company," Caporale said. "We would keep in place team management, team presidents, the GMs. They would be completely autonomous." If this is really true, then I can't see the idea of "moving" players to bigger markets for more exposure. I'd be real impressed if they could keep the same structure in place.

I'll agree with GG on the financial part of it - it might just be the best way to fix things for now. However, unless they re-sell the franchises to different owners once everything in place, I can't see this working very well. I doubt we'd see players shipped from a bad small market team to a big market just to get the revenue - that's like all of the Kansas City Royals players getting sent to the Yankees, Mets, or Red Sox. Hey, wait a minute.... Nevertheless, that could cause a downward spiral from a popularity point of view. Fans of the Sabres see a good player come through the ranks, play well, help the team reach the point of playoff contention, then get "traded" to the Rangers. As a fan, I'd forget about going to see any games at that point. I'm really not seeing a good way out of this. There will still have to be a salary cap, which they can institute once they own everything, but the logistical stuff would be a nightmare. I'd hope they'd put in provisions to prevent moving players from one team to another for "marketing" purposes and other such antitrust-like measures.

Let's not forget the Bills still have Sam Adams. They need (at worst) a decent DT next to him to pick up the slack. I loved Pat Williams, but maybe TD and the coaches know something we don't. Could this also be a precursor to a move to a 3-4 defense?

They have Larry Johnson (of Penn State fame), so I think they'll be ok. They probably would have gotten something in return for Blaylock if they could have traded him, but since he's a FA, they get nothing.

What were his numbers in 2002? All I remember was the hype before the season started and I didn't think he was THAT great during it. I still don't know about him. He may have gotten a kick in the a$$ from his lawyer and realized the NFL won't bow to him, but I don't buy his "mature" attitude right now. After 3-4 years of playing in the NFL, he'll probably regress a la Randy Moss.

I couldn't agree more. Besides, JP *by himself* will not regress the Bills to 3-13. There is a running game and a defense, after all. Funny how some people are panicking now that Drew is gone.

This could really be a tough one...if he really did pick the wrong goal to defend, that's one thing. I'd tend to doubt that the Bills would release him because of that, moreso that it would have been the last straw. Regardless, it's pretty nitpicky. Besides, so many stupid little details are being leaked as to why they *really* released Bledsoe, it's getting nauseating. I'd still rather see him here as a backup, but there's no point in crying about that anymore. Bledsoe's gone, let's move on....

It's possible...note that Jack keeps saying how Tony is the only one he can trust right now. This show has a history of leading the viewer to believe one thing, while the opposite is true. Having said that, I'd say probably not. I think Tony just wants to get his life back. Be ready for someone else within CTU to be a legitmate mole - like Sara.

Be careful....Miami is a potential landing spot for Alexander. There have been solid rumors that he's looking down there, provided they don't get Edge.

mmmmm....Sergi's. Boy, do I miss those pizza rolls and a late-night delivery from the Bagelry. Yep - another Potsdam alum here. I'll say hands down that college hockey is worth it. I watched Clarkson for 4 years, now I'm a season ticket holder at Union College in Schenectady (fellow ECAC member). If you get that package, see if you can get CSTV, also. They show a hockey game every Friday night and will be showing the ECAC championships in Albany next month. Watching it on TV is great, but it does no justice compared to being at the game. If you ever get the chance, I recommend seeing a Cornell-Harvard game at Lynah (in Ithaca). The fans and the band combined are probably the best in the league.

Doesn't Chicago have Rex Grossman? If I recall, he was the starter until he got injured and was done foe the year last season. Hence, the experiments with the likes of Craig Krenzel and Chad Hutchinson. And who knows what Arizona's goals are. Seems like Luke McKown was the guy until Dennis Green started a rotation.

I think nobody did. In fact, the web site says the last 3 players to wear it were Norwood, RJ, and Drew.

Agreed. Unless Parcells has an inkling to look at Drew Brees, I think Bledsoe will end up there.

Me too, but you never know. San Diego is almost in the same position as Buffalo, if you think about it. They invested a lot in a first round pick in Rivers, so there would be pressure to play him (a la JP). However, the question is whether or not Brees wants to stay in SD. If he does, he'll re-sign. If not, maybe Dallas can make a play for him. My guess is that Brees will test the market to see what people would give him. If he wants too much, San Diego might be willing to let him go elsewhere. The Packers could be a factor in this, also. If Brett Favre retires, this opens up a huge carousel. This is all my own speculation, but if that happens, I can see Green Bay signing Matt Hasselbeck and Brees going to Seattle or Dallas. I'd probably see Brees in Dallas more than anywhere else, though.

Huge mistake by Nixon. As has been posted before, if this was Schilling or Varitek or someone who significantly contributed to Boston's success a year ago, I'd be ok with it since they deserve to talk. But Nixon?? C'mon.... I'm a die-hard Yankee fan, but have no problem with the Red Sox woofing all they want. But what prompted Nixon to say this? Did he need to talk about A-Rod's family? Is someone paying him to bring more heat to the rivalry?

Yeah, from Peca's point of view, I can understand. Your "leadership" keeps telling you for months what the position is and they're steadfast in that. Then suddenly the position changes....go figure. But if all he's concerned about is looking bad, then tough sh*t. Everyone in this mess has looked bad for almost a year now and he makes plenty of money already. He'll just have to sell one of his mansions to make up for it.

That was the players who called for the 4pm PC....the NHL's PC is still scheduled for 1:00 from what I can see.

I wouldn't hold my breath with Garcia. He's likely going to Detroit to back up (and put some pressure on) Joey Harrington. I'm sure he'd love to play for Mariucci again.

Agreed. Nobody has bitched about the Devils winning it in '95 or the Spurs winning the NBA in '99. But I hear what you're saying....we'd never hear the end of it just because we're Buffalo fans.

Indeed....especially for us in Albany. I hope they don't conflict with the Rangers.

Yes he was, but not renewing his contract is basically the same thing as being fired.

Matthews was strongly hinting at retirement in December. So much so that Mularkey put him in the San Fran game so Matthews could try and get a final TD pass. He's been in the league for about 11 years, so I don't see him coming back...unless the Bills can convince him based on today's news.

I agree, but they don't have much of a choice. It's a bit tainted, but they needed to fix the scheduling, anyway. I was kinda tired of seeing the Sabres play on a Monday in Toronto, then not again until Saturday in Detroit. I'm getting ahead of things here, but who covers the Sabres now that Empire is no more? Would MSG be ready to move in?