Ennjay

"I like Belichick as a coach, too, even though I find his actions this month despicable and totally without honor." The more things change . . .

The Colts sold tickets in Baltimore. The original Browns sold tickets in Cleveland. The point is that a new owner will go where the most cash flow/biggest boondoggle is. And don't forget that, unlike Ralph, the next owner will have debt service (interest) to pay on his financing for the franchise.

Ancient history that people on this board already know: The Bills have had three eras of prosperity/winning/playoffs, etc: --the Saban Years --the Knox Years --the Levy Years. What all these guys had in common (besides an occasionally cooperative front office, although Ralph's FO handling had a lot to do with running off at least two of them) is that they were all former Pro Head Coaches. Ralph also tried that with John Rauch (failure) and Wade Phillips (mixed results, but there were playoffs). On the other hand, Joel Collier, Kay Stephenson, Hank Bullough, . . . in each case Ralph seemed to think he owed the "interim" guy a shot at a full season. So if Ralph really makes a change, based on his past pattern I hope it's at season end. But don't kid yourself that Cowher or Gruden would come here; maybe Jim Fassel. But that means '09 is already a wasted season.

This team is just awful. Is there anything else to say?

. . . and 2010 is supposed to be the uncapped year, IF there's football. Don't bet your house on the Bills being major players in an uncapped year.

" Later, during a coaches' evaluation meeting, receivers coach Mike Sheppard says, "85 [Ochocinco] has some plays that he takes off." " Figures. Everyone remember Mike Sheppard? Greggo's first OC here?

. . . but I'm guessing the reason it's Bills/TN is that these are the only two originals whose original owners (Wilson and Adams) are still around.

And a team that hasn't changed names (Titans/Jets.) That leaves the Broncos, Raiders, and Patriots. But the Raiders did move to LA, and then move back to O, so I'd drop them, and the Pats changed from Boston to NE, which bothers me less but might bother true purists. Which is a roundabout way of saying that I would've been OK with a Buffalo/Denver game as between the only two originals that never changed ANYTHING but logos and colors.

How can you be so hard on a guy who's obviously making such extreme sacrifices to get back to the game he loves? I mean, Big Mike actually lost TEN POUNDS to get ready for camp!

You win. Hands down.

Whenever I want up-to-the-minute breaking news from people who don't know any more than I do I come straight to the Wall, so . . . ESPN (the other place I go to when I want breaking news from people who don't know anything) reports the First Round logjam is breaking (Cushing signed, the Giants' #1, a few others). Is anybody hearing anything about Maybin?

Per the footnote: As per entries in the United States Patent and Trademark Office database, searchable under "United Football League" at USPTO.gov This is legitimate, except per the USPTO the league also owns a "Florida Tuskers" mark. Um . . . what's a "tusker"? Is the mascot an elephant? Or better yet a walrus?

I'm pretty sure it was in the Astrodome vs. the Oilers. And yeah, he did stay in the game.

Wasn't that Dexter Manley?

Darn, beat me to it. It was a Saturday night game against the Patriots IIRC. I was pretty young but I was there!

With the TV-friendly changes (QB/coach on tape delay, halftime video from the locker rooms . . .), I'm wondering: does anyone know who has the TV rights? If it's Versus they can just fold the league right now.

Yeah. So what's your point?

Dan Marino

Is that Buffalo's own Channel 4? (Excuse me but I haven't lived in WNY in years.)

There are plenty of reasons to rag on Ralph but at least be accurate. --The Bills were winners in 63 (playoff w/Boston) and 64-65 when it took scratch to keep the AFL afloat vs. the NFL. They spent some under Chuck Knox too. Some fans think this team sprang into being around 1990. Not true. --What "relocation fee"? Look at the $$$$ RECEIVED by the original Browns, the Oilers, the Rams and the Raiders when they moved. You only pay when you move into someone else's territory (NOT Seattle in the late 60's, for example). Even so, nobody in the NFL stays put just because they don't want to pay to move. Has he screwed up coaching hires? Set up unqualifed front offices (Stew Barber as GM . . .)? Did he coerce an 80,000-seat stadium from the county in the middle of nowhere when this was being argued around 68-69? Yes. But still, be accurate.

Um . . . it was a joke. There already ain't nothin' in the world more commercial than the Super Bowl. Which is why it was moved to February: that's a sweeps month for television. If TV wanted it in January the season would start in August.

Can't we be left alone with our traditional Super Sunday? I just hate the way some people try to commercialize it.

Seems that way to me.

This is unmitigated feel-good crap for the benefit of the home team. He's happy to be on the bench and have to play his way onto the field? Give me a break. He'd give it all back for some wins? Sure. This means the money wasn't probably all that different from team to team so he signed with Chicago because he knows Love Smith as his DC in St. Louis.

Randy Smith was a three-sport Small College All-American at Buff State: soccer, basketball, and track. Maybe the greatest all-round athlete ever to pass our way in WNY. RIP.