Offside Number 76

It's ok that you disagree--but "please post somewhere else?" C'mon.

For the diehard NFL fan, this obviously doesn't apply... Maybe we're paying a little too much attention to the Bills? Across town, there's a hockey team with more key injuries, but that's finding a way to win (4-1 on Colo., and 17 points out of the last 20, as of this writing). They average in the bottom third of the league in attendance (see today's New York Times for the figures). Across town yet again, there's a college basketball team with six wins and a single loss. They had 3500 the other night against their highest-profile opponent so far (Fresno State, which was a nationally televised "Bracket Buster" game for the UB Bulls last year in Cali--and the Bulls won). They've played local rivals Canisius and Niagara, to small crowds. The Bills are at capacity every game. They're 4-8. I do realize that the presence of the team helps put Buffalo on the map, and eight nights per year, puts customers in local hotels and restaurants. But shouldn't we be devoting SOME attention to the other teams that are bearing our standard? Rebuild, Bills. I'll always like you. But in the meantime, let's go Sabres, and let's go Bulls. And let's show up.

Interesting analysis & man, you did your homework. Hope you had fun at Grevey's.

More than anything else at this point in the season, pulling the developing QB would be a poor decision.

The nickname thing that Berman does was played out ten years ago, but I do like him; he's good-natured and is genuinely excited about the sports he covers. More than I could say about most sportscasters.

Ah, just relax. Try to breathe through your nose.

Record depends on whether the Bills had spent the offseason fixing what really is wrong with the team--the line--instead of picking a scapegoat. If the Bills had collected Dallas's line, there's no reason to believe the Bills wouldn't have Dallas's record. If the Bills merely kept the status quo from last year, the record would be just about what it is now.

With every Dallas win--as well as with every Buffalo loss--the ice thins beneath Donohoe. Never thought I'd say this, but let's see some Cowboys wins.

After reading that, I'm more concerned about who will protect us from the Kentuckians. Good grief.

That cartoon was entertaining & makes a great point: I agree, a lot of supposed security measures lull us into a false sense of security. However, while stadium security checks may not provide all the security we'd ever want, the checks do provide some added measure. So unless one is incredibly impatient (15 minutes?!) or is trying to sneak in alcohol 'cause he's cheap (see my earlier post on that), I think the tradeoff of mild inconvenience on a Sunday afternoon for _some_ security is better than no security. Cf. my earlier post re: Atlanta and Munich.

Doubt it all you want, but I was. Just because a stadium attack hasn't happened in America--yet--doesn't mean it hasn't happened anywhere else. If it's something we can protect ourselves against, and it's a minimal intrusion on our liberty (we are still talking about an extra fifteen minutes in line as the sacrifice, right?), why not? Hey, what if at Atlanta 1996 or Munich 1972 the security actually checked the folks walking into the Olympic Village? Doesn't seem like such a horrible idea now, does it?

He had a lot of heart, too. I'd rather have him on this Bills team than Reed right now.

Alright, I'll add this: I actually was safer for it. And please explain to me what's illegal about imposing a condition upon use of a revocable license, which is what your game ticket is. (Again, I have not seen the process used at the Ralph; I'm assuming that private security guards, such as off-duty police officers, are used.)

Don't confuse age with experience.

I haven't seen the patdown operation at the Ralph, so I can't speak for its efficiency. I can say that the Redskins have been conducting them since Sept. 2001, and although the procedure meant that it took 15 minutes to enter (15 whole minutes! What an intrusion!), I felt safer for it. Yes, I realize that someone could drive a truckbomb up to Fedex Field, but just because we can't prevent all forms of a disease doesn't mean we shouldn't cure those we can. For those who think this is about preventing the smuggling of alcohol: Your priorities are misplaced. Spend the same 12 bucks you spent on the liquor you were trying to sneak in, and just have 2 beers at the game instead. How much do you really need to consume DURING the game? I'm all for tying one on once in a while, but the 2 main reasons I don't go to live Bills games are the drunktards--yes, I spelled that purposefully--and the traffic. (Saw ND live yesterday. 3 beers before the game, 3 after, none during, and a much better time than I've ever had at the Ralph. No idiots.) Complain about 15 minutes of TV timeouts per quarter, not the 15 minutes someone is using to try and keep you and your friends and family safe.

You're an idiot. The goal is to win a Super Bowl sometime in the near future, not to go 7-9 or even 9-7 now.

You're completely right. Ah, Buffalo.

It is what it is. Despite the growth of Columbus and Huntsville, not many Americans think of those cities as large and successful. Cleveland and Cincinnati are both smaller than Columbus, but I'll bet if you asked most folks to name a city in Ohio, Columbus would not be the response much of the time. We do have other players on the Buffalo stage. JoAnn Falletta has landed the Philharmonic its first legitimate recording contract in a long time, and the University brings in a big name or two each year (look out for the Dalai Lama in 2006; that's large-scale). But are those "brand-makers?" No. Neither is an oversized retail store or a casino. (Is there a city left in America without a casino within suburb range?) NFL football, though, gives a city instant recognition. As far as the other city you mentioned--San Antonio--why else are they fighting so hard for the Saints? Are all those blue-and-silver-wearing Texans all of the sudden diehard Saints fans? Nope. It's about the recognition.

I remember that study. It correctly stated that the game-day impact on the region's economy isn't that high. Eight weekends year, we get travelling fans in our hotels and restaurants, and sixteen Sundays per year, our bars and pizza delivery joints are busier than on other Sundays. That is a nice contribution, but not huge. But what I remember the study lacked is any evaluation of the team's impact on city recognition. What else is putting Buffalo "on the map" right now? There is an economic impact that is more important--and less tangible--than what goes into local coffers on a few weekends. The perceived increase in quality-of-life is important, too. Here's my question to you: Why on Earth are you pouring any energy at all into this effort to get people not to watch? Wouldn't your time be better used elsewhere?

I've noticed that too, since the season started. It's unfortunate; when he was on WNSA he was great, and he still was at least good when he started with WGR. Now, it seems like Bulldog is calming Schopp down, instead of the other way 'round. Too bad. Schopp had some insight and talent.

He's a broadcaster. He's supposed to be pulling for the 17-point comeback on the road--on his network. If the Bills were down in Miami, coming back the same way, he'd be talking about what the Bills needed to do to win.

Against the run, I think Anderson was an upgrade.

And now it's five minutes of an 11pm "SportsCenter" cast with the rest of the time devoted to entertainment news and product promotion.

There's a place called Lincoln Station that's always filled with Bills fans on Sundays.

Half of the NFL has tried him; even his college coach (Spurrier) eventually said "no" in DC. It is a "rebuilding year," to borrow from every Sabres coach in history, and we've gotta deal. Go to, or watch, the games or not, but the only move is to develop the kid. He will not turn into Manning or Brady. Maybe he turns into Carson Palmer; maybe he turns into Ryan Leaf. But there's only one way to find out, and that way does not involve Holcomb or Matthews in the gameplan.