Offside Number 76

Upbeat: I'm rooting for them to break the broncs and then sweep the postmen. Is there any other acceptable outlook for a fan? I'm looking for the team to send a message that despite injuries and an idiot DC (until today), they're for real. That message is more important than a few spots up in draft order. A LOT more important.

It will happen at some point; it is inevitable. Likely in the NHL/NBA first, then the NFL. And about a decade after the NFL does it, MLB eventually will cave, just as it did with ads on the walls.

Unfortunately, I'm in my office, and the site is blocked. Dammit. Have fun.

Fez, please allow me to bump this up for you...

Absolutely.

This is the one, in my mind.

Interesting that the no. 5 entry doesn't include Manning in the listing, but does include him in the paragraph following it. Is it limited to players who dressed for a game during the season or something?

Where's this theory coming from lately? Last I knew, PTR IS a media type!

There's also a higher proportion of teams that get in in the NFL, too. But take heart: The Lions aren't out of the woods, yet.

No, we don't. Check out English football. Sure, there are a few teams with huge stadiums, but most, no. And their fans are every bit as passionate as ours. Great point. And Jax has had to tarp over those seats even in successful years. And the Bills have had trouble selling out December games even in successful years.

One big difference between this year and '08: This year, there really are some serious injuries that are wreaking havoc on the team. I don't remember that being the case three years ago. In other words, this year, I have some hope that next year will be better.

Hope you enjoyed TSO. When you get back (or in between shows; I think you said you were going twice), take a look at the damage that mac inflicted upon himself throughout the board after the game.

What are you talking about? He shot a LOT of people. And that was just in the first movie, not to mention the several sequels.

If Tressel is willing to consider Akron, would he consider a bigger MAC school in a bigger city, like, umm, UB? http://www.lostlettermen.com/report-jim-tressel-to-meet-with-akron/

Not all Buffalo fans; just Buffalonians. For the reasons listed in his post, a lot of out-of-town Buffalo fans likely wouldn't make the trip on this particular weekend. It makes sense.

They have stepping stones to an NFL gig already; they're head coaches with BCS teams. They're not going to step down as head coaches from BCS programs--especially a perennial top-25 program like Pelini has--to be coordinators in the NFL. Pelini makes more money* and has more autonomy, and Patterson probably makes more money and definitely has more autonomy, than coordinators do. And they get to recruit their own players, which not even an NFL head coach gets to do. Forget it. It's complete insanity to think otherwise. *Pelini makes about $3M per year, averaged, until 2015. http://dataomaha.com/panorama/Bo-Pelinis-revised-contract And you think he's going to be a DC here?

Choices are insufficient. I live in Buffalo proper, and I think the team is making progress in the right direction and not "going nowhere," although not a lock for the playoffs next year (especially in this division) or on the doorstep of greatness. Where's that option? Also, why "absolutely nowhere" for locals but just "nowhere" for those who are unfortunate to live elsewhere?

Bo Pelini as DC? Good luck with that. Same goes for Patterson.

And now UB can hire Turner Gill back if it wants to. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7287786/kansas-jayhawks-fires-coach-turner-gill-following-10-game-losing-streak

The Sabs are making it a close game. It's a field goal, with 60 minutes (ok, maybe 65, but everyone who watched tonight knows better) of hockey left.

The NFC West shouldn't count as "the NFL."

Bills up by four. Two Sabres games left.

The Bills are only leading the Sabres by a touchdown for the three-week period in question. And the Sabres have three games in hand.

Not only that, but there's no upside for Indy. They can spend money on Orton only to miss the playoffs by a lesser margin? Don't think so.

How about TRADE Spiller in the offseason for value and watch him flourish elsewhere, while we watch the player for whom the Bills trade flourish here. I'll never declare a 2-year a bust, but damn, we're getting close. And his trade value may not be so high next year.