BfloBlog.com

I was watching the San Diego State vs. Notre Dame game over the weekend, and the color commentator pointed out how SDSU’s quarterback wears No. 14, in honor of Dan Fouts, his boyhood idol, who “he grew up watching and idolizing.”

So I had to stop and think, considering Dan Fouts was someone I grew up watching, and I really only remember the last ten years or-so of his career.

So I checked out the bio of QB Ryan Lindley, who is a freshman (although a redshirt one, at that). That makes him about 20-years old.

Then I checked out Fouts’ career, just in case my memory was fuzzy. Says he played until 1987 (I was surprised it was that long). But still, 20-years-old = born in 1988.

Does this matter at all? Clearly, it does not. But I found it odd and had to share it.

Yes, my friends, it did.

Not only did the Bills finally win a home opener, but they did it in a convincing fashion, demolishing the Seahawks 34-10. Considering the Bills past decade worth of home openers, I never feel very comfortable going into these things.

Yet other than some uncoordinated drives by both teams to start the game, this one was never really in doubt, as the Bills led wire-to-wire, with Marshawn Lynch getting things started with 2:44 left in the first quarter. The Bills other big star, Lee Evans, broke the 100-yard mark on just four catches, but the key to the game was Trent Edwards solid and efficient play as he went 19-30 for 215 yards and a TD pass to Robert Royal.

While Edwards may have been the player of the game, the play of the game was turned in by Roscoe Parrish on a 63-yard punt return for a TD that left half a dozen Seahawk defenders wondering how he found the end zone. Not to be outdone, punter Brian Moorman threw a touchdown pass to Ryan Denney on fourth down off a fake field goal to extend the lead to 27-10. The Bills closed out the scoring two plays later after Edwards drove the dagger into Seattle’s collective heart, finding Robert Royal for a 3-yard TD pass immediately following a fumble recovery on the Bills kickoff.

So hats off to the offense, defense (five sacks, one INT, 85 yards rushing allowed), and the special teams for pulling it all together.

Next week we get to see what they look like on the road against an expected playoff team (who didn’t play like one) in Jacksonville.

- Thank you, Bills management, for getting rid of the stupid and obviously team-produced signs such as “Moorman’s Miracles,” “Royal’s Rascals,” and, of course, “The Batavia Party Zone.” It was insulting and embarrassing.

- Detroit and Cleveland both cost me on two separate three-team teasers.

- Speaking of Cleveland, they looked awful today. I know it was Dallas, but they could not move the ball and they couldn;t come close to stopping them. And kicking a field goal while down 28-7 with 10-minutes left in the game is the kind of gutless coaching that ensures you miss the playoffs. /end Gregg Easterbrook

- Any time an AFC team loses to an NFC team, ala San Diego and Cleveland, it’s great for the Bills.

- I also think that any time Jacksonville loses, even if it’s to Tennessee, it’s a good thing. I don’t think Vince Young can get it done over an entire season.

- The place was packed today, and the energy was off the charts. Once Lynch scored, it was like the crowd decided to whoop up on Seattle personally. And the fumble following the fake field goal? Reminded me of why I go to games. It was high-fives everywhere.

- I know it has been said and will be said everywhere else, but if Marcus Stroud can keep it up, he’s the Pat Williams replacement we’ve been waiting four years for.

With center Jeff Saturday out, the Colts had a rookie lineman making his debut on NBC tonight.

We haven’t had many chances to hear it, so it was kind of cool to hear “Jamie Richard, Buffalo” during the introductions.

Wow, Seattle! I can’t wait to see that Jim Zorn play!

I thought I best get some things down on cyber-paper, so you can all come back and laugh at me later.

My quick thoughts on the season:

Division winners:

- New England
- Pittsburgh
- Jacksonville
- San Diego

First wild card:

- Indianapolis

Second wild card:

And there’s the tricky part. I would love, love, to type “Buffalo” in there. Three days ago I was thinking there was no way that could happen, especially with Jason Peters holding out. But then I started looking around at who I perceive to be the Bills top competition for the wild card race this year.

Cleveland - Besides the lightning-in-a-bottle type feel that their last season had, their schedule is brutal. Their non-conference games are Dallas, at the Giants, at Washington, at Jacksonville, Denver, at Buffalo, Houston, Indianapolis, at Tennessee and at Philly. That’s rough. If they make the playoffs they will have truly earned it.

Denver - Darrell Jackson (Seattle) and Eddie Royal (rookie) are the starting receivers. Selvin Young is the starting running back. Jake Cutler is expected to continue to improve, but we have heard that before. In short, their talent at the skill positions is lacking, and even their O-line is not what it used to be. Seems to me a lot of people are picking Denver on reputation alone.

NY Jets - Please. I know it’s the trendy pick because Brett Favre is wicked awesome and all, but let’s remember that the Jets biggest issue last year was a lack of depth at many positions. Sure, they spent some dough in free agency, but they still have major holes in their roster. Seems to me that Favre can win them two or three more games on his own this year, but that still gets them to only seven or eight wins. A tough early schedule could well find them at 1-3 or 0-4.

Houston - Another trendy pick of late, and they might just have the talent. But the division in which they play may preclude them from making the playoffs.

Buffalo - And we’re back to the Bills. Solid at the skill positions, a deep and improved defense, and the chance for a stable offensive line once Peters returns. The big question is if Trent Edwards can not only just be a good game manager, but can he be the difference maker in those two or three games where they will need him to be. I know I’ve been the voice of Bills skepticism for the last three years, but that’s because JP Losman was their quarterback. So today I am officially revealing my new stance as a reluctant optimist. As always, injuries, poorly-timed turnovers, and any number of things can surprise you and ruin a season. But I’m jumping in and saying the Bills squeak in to the playoffs, then get the honor of being destroyed early.

I can’t believe I am buying in to the preseason optimism. Especially with a team coached by Dick Jauron. But there it is…

According to various sources, including Adam Schefter of the NHL Network, Jason Peters will report to the Bills on Saturday. (Thanks to Brendan in comments for the link to WGR)

Three things:

1) Do the Bills put him in next week? (He’s out for the Seahawks game)

2) Will he have any motivation to perform or will he be a bitterman?

3) Do the Bills enter into serious discussions with his agent about a new contract now?

Here is a must read from SI.com.

My favorite part?

“To this day,” he says, “what I’ve always tried to do is call the play as quickly as I can, and then shut up, not only for the benefit of the listener but for my own joy of hearing the crowd roar.”

If only others did the same…

Via Dodger Thoughts

From a Sabres press release:

BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 3, 2008) — Buffalo Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano announced today that Larry Quinn, Sabres Managing Partner, and Dan DiPofi, Chief Operating Officer, have been granted minority ownership in the Buffalo Sabres and their related companies.

Golisano stated “this announcement marks the culmination of a process that really goes back to my original acquisition of the franchise in 2003. Both Larry and Dan were instrumental with regard to my purchase of the Sabres and continue to be an important part of the organization’s success today.”

Quinn and DiPofi’s ownership interest was unanimously approved by the NHL Board of Governors this past June.

What’s it all mean? Heck, I assume it’s a financial reward for what Golisano perceives as a “job well done.” But without knowing how large a stake they were granted it’s difficult to say what the greater implications are.

ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside has a nice article about Scotty Bowman and his day with the Stanley Cup.

For those who don’t know, Bowman lives in East Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo. So while he’s not a “native son” he certainly is an adopted one.

Geez, I know I’ve been busy lately, what with a new kid and all, but this is crazy.

I must have a half-dozen posts about the Bills upcoming season saved at various points of completion, but I just can’t bring myself to finish them.

It’s not that I don’t care.

I’m pissed about Jason Peters. I’m happy for Ashton Youboty. I’m excited for Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch.

As usual, I’m going to the opener.

But I just can’t muster up any enthusiasm.

I think the Bills will be better than last year. The schedule looks better, they brought in some much-needed upgrades at defense, and they got rid of Steve Fairchild, which by itself could result in three more wins and a dozen more touchdowns.

They will definitely be more exciting as well.

So: better team, improved record, more exciting, should equal happy Kevin. But it’s not the case.

Maybe I’m just sick of the Bills sucking year after year, or maybe I’m tired of Dick Jauron sucking the fun and enthusiasm out of everything. Come to think of it, perhaps it’s just a fundamental lack of trust in Jauron himself. Or perhaps it’s the feeling of impending doom that I can’t shake, knowing that my thirty-some years of fandom could all go for naught justlikethat when Ralph Wilson dies. And that he could be actively working to change that, but he isn’t. And I’m still handing him over $1,100 for tickets this season.

I’m sure that on Sunday at 12:55, when the Bills take the field and 75,000 of us are going crazy my mood will change. But this is a new feeling and I’m not sure how to shake it.

US Team Captain Paul Azinger released his four “captain’s picks” for the upcoming Ryder Cup, and I have to say I was a little surprised that the list included Hunter Mahan.

Mahan recently compared being on the Ryder Cup team to a form of slavery, and I can’t believe an old-school guy like ‘Zinger would be able to look past that. He also noted what a drag the Ryder Cup is, especially all the dinners the players are forced to attend. Azinger must have had some heart-to-heart conversations with Mahan, because the US is making getting stomped on by Europe a new Ryder Cup tradition, and think a lot of it comes down to a difference in attitude by the players.

For the record, the US team is comprised of:

Phil Mickelson
Jim Furyk
Stewart Cink
Kenny Perry
Anthony Kim
Justin Leonard
Boo Weekly
Ben Curtis
Hunter Mahan
JB Holmes
Steve Stricker
Chad Campbell

The above is a list of Americans who are going to get their asses kicked by the Euros. Has Justin Leonard ever won a Ryder Cup match? And he’s one of our “experienced” guys. And with Phil Mickelson being the anchor man, you’ve got a headcase custom made for Sergio Garcia or Paul Westwood to destroy.

But hey, I’ll watch the whole thing anyway.

You can vote for Drew Willy as USAToday’s player of the week right here. Four TD’s in one game is a UB Division I-A record.

He’s getting shelled, but there’s only 800-some votes cast to this point. Fifty votes from Buffalo could go a long way.

In other UB linkage, a commenter points out that Naaman Roosevelt’s week got noticed by the Worldwide Leader.

UB’s own Drew Willy was named the MAC-East offensive player of the week.

Oh, excuse me, Co-Player of the week. Thanks alot, Bowling Green tight end Jimmy Scheidler.

Now I realize that in terms of prestige this rivals the Silver Sow awards (but not quite up there with the “Buckeye Newshawk Award”), but still, progress is progress.

And that on the heels of his getting love on the sports interwebs (via Deadspin)

After seeing Pitt fumble their way to a loss against Bowling Green, the Bulls have to at least be hopeful as they prepare for a road test that could set the tone for their season. A loss isn’t the end of the world, but a win would send this program to new heights.

And remember, Dave Wannstedt is involved, and there’s always hope when he is around.

UPDATE: Wannstedt is screwed. The dreaded “vote of confidence” came from the AD.

For the first time since the birth of SonThree, I went through my entire blogroll tonight. And that on the heels of my fantasy football draft.

About a month ago, some of the younger kids on the scene mocked me for having put in the placeholder nickname of “BfloBlog” for my team. This despite having held team names in the past such as:

Don’t Be So Crabbe
Midnight Runners
Habitual Line Steppers
Pissing Excellence
Big Hairy American Winning Machine
Eddie Gaedel’s Fighting Midgets

This year, I went with “Can’t Dust for Vomit.” Fans of Spinal Tap will get it, and the youngins’ might not. Feel free to Google it.

For the first time in my memory, I didn’t attend the Bills preseason game. Seriously now, I can’t remember the last season in which I didn’t attend at least one preseason game. But with a three-week-old at home and only two tickets (hard to take both boys) I had to watch it on TV.

Jeebus, that was a waste of time. I’m quite glad I didn’t go, despite the fact that I owned the tickets anyway.

Ko Simpson was the only Bill expected to be a starter in the regular season who even saw the field for a single snap, and the Bills gave up two - TWO - safeties behind their second-and-third-string offensive lines. Gibran Hamdan played the entire game at quarterback until he got knocked out very late in the fourth quarter, when JP Losman stepped in for six-or-seven straight handoffs despite having a chance to tie the game.

Now believe me, I get the fact that the Bills don’t want anyone getting hurt. But for a lot of kids, this is their only chance to see the Buffalo Bills play football. Granted, just seeing the stadium and the spectacle surrounding the game is a large part of it for most kids, but not seeing any starters? That sucks.

And I don’t understand it from a football standpoint either. Again, weighing the risk of injury is important, but it’s not like we’re talking about the New England Patriots here. How many snaps against real, live pro football players does Trent Edwards have under his belt thus far? We have a jumbled-up offensive line thanks to Jason Peters’ holdout, and how many series did these guys play together? It just doesn’t seem like the right approach for this particular squad.

- I think Ashton Youboty made the team with his play over the past couple weeks, and RB Dwayne Wright probably got himself cut.

- WR Steve Johnson may not make the team, but the Bills are going to be awful nervous when they waive him and try to bring him back on the practice squad. I’m not sure he makes the team unless the Bills keep six receivers, and the top-five of Evans, Reed, Parrish, Hardy and Jenkins seem set.

- I expect James Hardy to struggle to see the field and it seems to me he will make little impact this year.

- Leodis McKelvin fielded a punt inside his own five-yard line, leading to a safety. Then, he did it again. For that reason alone, Roscoe Parrish should be returning punts for the Bills. McKelvin needs to check his ego and remember for whom he plays.

- Jason Peters might be returning soon, and according to that writer from Scout.com, Jauron is going to sit him. I understand where he’s coming from, but his approach is way off. Imagine you work in an office, and decide you want to be paid more. So your solution is to go home, not return to work, not contact your employer, and when they try to contact you - you blow them off. Until now, this move has worked for exactly on person, Peter Gibbons from Office Space. Maybe Jason caught the reruns on WTBS and decided to give it a shot. I can hear him talking with Joanna now…

Peters: I basically block some guy, run a couple feet, fall down, get up, go to a huddle, and do it all again. Anyway, it’s not important, I really don’t like my job, and I’m not going to go anymore.
Joanna: You’re just not gonna’ go?
Peters: Yeah.
Joanna: Won’t you get fired?
Peters: I don’t know, but I really don’t like it, and, uh, I’m not gonna’ go.
Joanna: So you’re going to quit?
Peters: Nuh-uh. Not really… I’m just gonna’ stop going.

There you have it. Jason Peter’s motivation explained by Office Space. Hope he likes Kung Fu.

- Over 56,000 season tickets sold for the Bills. I better get my seats up on Ticket Exchange. Ka-ching!

- I would have booed at the end of the game as well, especially if I shelled out about $200 for a family of four to attend the game and got stuck with that.

Not that you could tell from the writing on this particular blog, but football is back in Buffalo.

The good news is that the UB Bulls came out and ripped UTEP last night in their home opener, winning 42-17. I’m still not convinced that UB is ready to regularly hang with the big boys in the MAC, but they certainly are capable of putting together a “perfect storm” type of season when you have a senior-laden roster (or at least full of upperclassmen) like they do this year. How can you not be rooting for these guys?

And it appears people are indeed rooting for these guys, as UB recently announced they expect season ticket sales to eclipse the 11,000 mark:

Averaging nearly 100 new season ticket holders per week throughout the
summer, the season ticket number is approaching 11,000 and has already
exceeded the 2007 figure by over 1,900 tickets. The school record for season
tickets came in 2006 ­ the first year for head coach Turner Gill ­ when
Buffalo had 11,038 season ticket holders. With just under a week before the
opener versus UTEP, on Thursday night at 7 pm, that record is excpected to
fall.

Yeah, I know, it’s a little dated.

About 16,500 people showed up yesterday, a crowd that was no doubt drained by the sellout in Orchard Park for the Buffalo Bills (more on that later). Traditionally, UB’s home attendance peaks with the home game and then drops sharply game after game, but last year showed some hope, and I would think that the next home game against Temple could see an increase in fans, especially if they show some signs against No. 25 Pittsburgh in their next game.

The cool thing about last night’s game is that UTEP was can be considered a somewhat decent mid-major program in C-USA, and UB shut them down in the second half.

In terms of D-I football, they’re all we have. Let’s hope they can make it this interesting all season.

An open call for assistance from the Bfloblog reader community:

A couple years ago I bought a blank, blue, classic Sabres sweater. You know, the real sweater of the Buffalo Sabres. It has neither a goat head nor a “stylized, leaping yellow buffalo”. Anyway, I had meant to get it lettered and numbered a while back but I never got around to it. Then a couple weeks ago while the missus and I were moving into a new apartment I noticed it and decided that I should act now so it’s ready before the season starts.

What I need help with is this: where are the best, most reliable places to get a name and number put on? I’m looking for a place that will make it look real and with the correct font. I would just go to the Sabres store but their hours are 9-5 on weekdays. No, I won’t be taking a half-day vacation just to get my sweater numbered. Bonus points for anyone who knows of a good place east of Batavia. I’ll drive to Sloan or Blasdell if I have to, but I’d rather not.

As for who I’m going to put on it, right now I’m leaning toward either Foligno or Ruff. Guys like Perrault/Gare/Schoney were before my time, guys like LaFontaine/Mogilny/Hawerchuk are too popular, guys like Bodger/Krupp/Audette are serious considerations, and guys like Snuggerud/Priestlay/Presley/Creighton are only good for comic effect. Foligno was one of my favorite players growing up, but Ruff would provide for a nice link to the current teams. Then again I could always get Vaive and tape a rolled up white towel across the neck…

So if any of you guys know of a place, I’m all ears. Or if you have any input on the player I’d love to hear that too.