Friday, February 28, 2014

Ryn Miller and Steve Ott Traded to St Louis

By steve

Right from nhl.com:

" . LOUIS - The Blues have acquired goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a third-round draft pick in 2016.

Miller and Ott will join the team in Phoenix, where the Blues play Sunday.

"

Chris Stewart is signed through next season and has fifteen goals this season. Halak on the other hand is a free agent after the season. Interesting Murray didnt wait until the deadline.

Monday, February 24, 2014

2014 NCAA Tournament Bracketology: Buffalo

by Steve

Selection Sunday is a mere 18 days away and the NCAA Tournament kicks off in Buffalo on the 20th.  The question on everyone's mind is, who is playing in Buffalo?  So I will be yet again taking a look at some "expert" predictions and their bracketology.

Who doesn't love some bracketology in February and March.  What else is there to do in this cold climate besides watch and gamble on college basketball.  Then again for more information you can read The Best NCAA Tournament Bubble Teams to Bet on Before March Madness

Bracketology:

Joe Lunardi ESPN:

1. Syracuse v 16. High Point or Robert Morris (winner of a play in game)
8 Memphis v 9. California

6. Iowa v 11. St Joseph's
3. Villanova v 14. New Mexico St.


CBS Sports:

7. UMass v 10. California
2. Cincinnati v 15. Boston U

1. Syracuse v 16. Vermont
8. George Washington v 9. Arizona St


USA Today:


1. Syracuse v 16. VMI v Robert Morris winner
8. Stanford v 9. Kansas St

7. Memphis v 10. St Joe's
2. Villanova v 15. Vermont


Yet again, despite 2 L's, Syracuse seems to be a lock as a one seed here, Memphis, Vermont and Villanova mentioned by multiple sites. It also looks like a PAC12 team will be here (yuck) and one or two A10 teams.

Uconn is a consensus six seed while Pitt is an eight seed (albeit neither are predicted to play here any more).  I don't really understand their similar seeding since Uconn has wins over Memphis, Florida and Memphis again although they too aren't ranked any more after getting season sweeped by SMU.  But what is Pitt's best win? Close L's to cuse and Duke?

It's all about the eye test! Selection Sunday!

Local RPI report:
St Bonaventure - 91
UB - 105
Canisius - 102
Niagara - 294

Monday, February 17, 2014

2014 Bracketology: Buffalo

by Steve

Another look at the professional bracketologists and what teams they foresee playing in Buffalo March 20th and 22nd:

Joe Lunardi ESPN:

1. Syracuse v 16. Play in Winner (he currently has Coastal Carolina or Alabama
8. U-Mass v 9. Stanford

6. Uconn v winner of 11. Richmond v Tennessee
3. Villanova v 14. Iona


CBS Sports:

1. Syracuse v 16. Play in Winner (he currently has Coastal Carolina or Davidson
8. Arizona St v 9. Xavier

7. UNC v 10. Colorado
2. Cincinnati v 15 Boston U


USA Today:
1. Syracuse vs 16.Play-in: Coastal Carolina/Robert Morris 
8. Arizona State vs 9. Gonzaga

7. Kansas State vs 10. Colorado 
2. Villanova vs 15. Vermont



 I'd must prefer Lunardi's bracket because of Uconn but CBS Sports has some bright side too with UNC and Cinci.  Yet again it appears Syracuse is a lock for being a one seed here.

Friday, February 7, 2014

2014 NCAA Tournament Buffalo Bracket

by Steve

Since I'm not smart enough to do this shit I'll just let the so called expert bracketologists have their say.  Here are possible match ups for the upcoming NCAA Tournament in Buffalo on March 20th, 22nd at First Niagara Center:

Joe Lunardi ESPN:

1. Syracuse v 16. Play in Winner (he currently has Chattanooga or UNC Ashville
8. Memphis v 9. George Washington

7. Pittsburgh v 10. Minnesota
2. Villanova v 15. American


CBS Sports:

1. Syracuse v 16. Robert Morris
8. VCU v 9. Xavier

3. Iowa St v 14. Canisius
7. Oklahoma v 10. California
(mid west)


USA Today

1. Syracuse v 16. Vermont
8. Stanford v 9. Minnesota

7. UMass v 10. Kansas State
2. Villanova v 15. NC State


I would ay Syracuse appears to be a lock and Lunardi's bracket is the most ideal.  How the hell does CBS have Buffalo in the Mid-West ?  I'll be doing this every week

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Buffalo Bills 2014 Mock Draft Compilation 2/6/14

by Steve

Since there is nothing else of any interest to talk about with Buffalo sports lets look at some recent mock drafts from other shitty websites (with my pithy comments) and I'll give my selection as of today:

Walterfootball
Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
"This is a similar pick to the one the Buccaneers made at No. 7; Buffalo is filling a lesser hole, but happens to be taking the top player available on the board. There's even talk that Greg Robinson, who had a terrific showing in the national championship, could pass Jake Matthews as the No. 1 tackle.

Having said that, Buffalo has more of a need for a tackle than Tampa - click here to see the team needs for the Bills - because there's a rather large hole on the right side. Greg Robinson could start there right away, and he could eventually switch spots with Cordy Glenn if that's what the coaching staff wants to do."

Wtffff? A right tackle at number nine over all?  Is this a dream, am I living on planet Earth?  Quick who is Seattle's right tackle? try someone named Breno Giacomini. The Broncos? Orlando Franklin, who I've heard of at least (and he was a 2nd round pick) but their LT has been hurt all year.


Mel Kiper

Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

I think bleacher report wrote this" The Buffalo Bills must refocus on winning in the trenches first and foremost, and that new mindset begins with the selection of standout Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson to protect quarterback EJ Manuel, who was banged up in his rookie season."

Trenches? WTF? How about someone for Manuel to throw the god damn rock to at worst?


 CBS Sports Dane Brugler

Erik Ebron, TE, UNC
"The Bills need to add a big, physical presence in the receiving game, whether at wide receiver or tight end. Ebron is a freak athlete who will instantly help the Bills offense and second-year quarterback EJ Manuel."

Someone I agree with, to a point.  Is Ebron really worth a top ten pick?  It fills a major need at a position the Bills have never filled.  Then again can the Bills really worry too much about "value" at this point?


Todd McShay (albeit published in December)

Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
"Analysis: This scenario works out well for Buffalo. The Bills need to upgrade the O-line and provide QB EJ Manuel with more time to throw, and Lewan could immediately help solidify this unit. Lewan isn't an exceptional athlete but he has enough quickness to get by when coupled with his physicality and mean streak. I've written a few times this season that even though Lewan doesn't always look like a prototype left tackle, he is very effective in run blocking and pa## protection. Safety might be seen as a bigger need for Buffalo, but typically if you have a chance to take an offensive tackle over a safety in the first round, you do it."

Lewan was pegged as a top 5-10 pick last year as a tackle outta Michigan but stayed in and appears to be falling.  Why all these guys love the Bill taking a tackle despite the fact they have a top 15 tackle (at least per PFF "Stud: The team drafted Cordy Glenn (+23.0) to be a stud left tackle, and a stud left tackle he has come. A superb pass blocker, Glenn has allayed any fears of those who figured he’d be a guard in the pros.". I just don't get it!!


Daniel Jeremiah via nfl.com

CJ Mosley, Alabama, OLB

No analysis from this dude but I see him working.  Going defense is always a good idea in my book and the Bills need a linebacker.  Do the Bills like Alonso in the middle?  Will Khalil Mack be available?

*************************************************************


Steve via wnywatercooler.com

Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

6'5 225 beast (turning 21 in August) instantly filling a need.  My questions are about his age and experience his route running and his speed.  Do any of these things matter too much?  Actually, they do, but these guy is a play maker and has the size the Bills need.  His combine will be crucial to his draft slot (duh).  Then again anything is better than  watching Stevie Johnson not make plays and limp around the field while dropping big passes.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Super Bowl 48 picks

Wreck wins over all record with a strong playoffs but best bet is still in play. Second and last are also still up for grabs as we pick the Super Bowl against the spread:


Steve 47-49-1 Best Bet 11-9 Playoffs 7-5

Broncos -2.5 v Seahawks
Over 48
31 - 27 Broncos


Coast 45-50-2 Best Bet 10-10 Playoffs 6-6

Seahawks +2.5 v Broncos
Over 48


Wreck 53-44 Best Bet 12-8 Playoffs 10-2

Seahawks +2.5 v Broncos
Under 48

24-17 Seahawks

Super Bowl 48 Prop Bets

Everyone loves a good prop bet and that includes us.  Here are our favorite prop bets for the forty-eight Super Bowl:

Wreck

Russel Wilson over 36.5 rushing yards

Percy Harvin will have a rushing attempt (-210)

Peyton Manning longest pass over 36.5 yards

Wes Welker over 57.5 receiving yards

Total interceptions in the game over 1.5(-140)



Steve

Montee Ball under 35.5 yards rushing

Eric Decker under 63.5 receiving yards

Russel Wilson under 213.5 pass yards

Marshawn Lynch over 94.5 yards rushing

Will the person that calls the toss get it right, no (-115)