The Buffalo Sabres at the All-Star break

by Steve

Holy moley that Buffalo Sabres victory tonight against the Ottawa Senators was more boring than the State of the Union Address with all the standing ovations, jeez. The Sabres had 8 shots in the final 40 minutes of regulation and there were only 7, yes seven, total shots in the third period. Neither team deserved to win, further proof, Shaone Morrisonn scored the winner. Based on the new rules someone had to win better be the Sabres.

The completion of this game now leaves the Sabres with nine days off until their next game. This is the only time it is a good thing the Sabres have zero all-stars, they get a ton of time off (save for overrated Tyler Ennis who plays in the 'young guns game'). This team needs the time off. Look at the players that played for them the last few days with significant ice time and near zero results: Matt Ellis, Paul Gaustad, Mike Griere, Rob Niedermayer, Jochen Hecht, Cody McCormick and Nathan Gerbe.

Those guys are all scrubs. McCormick has played a little better and Gerbe actually got lucky and scored a small handful recently but those guys are all bums. This doesn't even take into consideration the perennially hurt Tim Connolly and Pat Kaleta ( who I actually don't mind). Oh but we have Paul Byron! Great another tiny forward, a duplicate of Ennis. What is our obsession with these little dudes? Is it because they are so quick in juniors they move up the food chain too fast but then realize there are only so many Martin St Louis? Whatever it is, we have too many of them.

The Sabres have played 49 games and have 51 points (putting them at 85 points for a full 82 game season). They are in tenth place, four behind Atlanta with two games in hand. Teams in the six/seven/eight spots are all relatively jammed together with no team striking fear in my heart. The Rangers have the ability to pick up a key piece or two down the stretch to stay in the hunt, Montreal will do what it has to but isn't scary and Atlanta could easily fall flat quick.

The only reason the Sabres are getting any space on this blog is because they have been hotter than shit (in relative terms) the past thirteen games. 9-3-1 and some how two of those L's were against the Islanders is a great stretch for this team. Getting 19/26 points is hot for the Sabres. Unless this team stays remarkably healthy the rest of the way or Miller turns into the anomaly that was 2009/10 the Sabres need to bust a few moves.

There are a few problems. Darcy Regier loves his players, the pending ownership sale puts a cloud over everything and this team has almost never mortgaged its' future or made a big splash. If I was the GM or whoever is now calling the shots at 1 SKP this is what I would do:

• Trade Tim Connolly, that remaining $1.8 mil (and decreasing by $54,878 per game) is not awful enough that some desperate team won't take him
• Find a middle of the road or higher center to replace him
• Do not trade your first round pick trade someone like Byron or Ennis if the return is significant.
• Decrease Griere and Hecht's ice time.
• Trade Rob Niedermayer
• Trade Chris Butler if you refuse to play him over someone like Morrisonn
  
• Give Mark Mancari an actual chance in the NHL over players like Ellis and even Gaustad.
• Cut/buyout/trade Craig Rivet. It is a complete and utter joke that his bum is still the captain. The mother ****er hasn't played significant minutes in months. Give the C to Vanek.
• Decrease ice time for Myers and increase time for Mike Weber.

If all else fails pray Terry Pegula rips this team from Golisano fires Ruff and Regier and buys out Quinn. The day Darc/Quinny aren't running (sic) ruining this team will be the greatest day of my life.

NFL 2011 conference championship picks

Staff selections for this Sunday's conference title games. Yes Steve was a Jerry Sullivan esque 0-4 last week. If you're so mad about it just take the opposite of what he picks.


Steve

Green Bay Packers @ +3.5 Chicago Bears
Why quit hating on Aaron Rodgers now just because he got lucky playing an Atlanta team that took an extra weekend off on accident and their coach sucks. This game won't be in doors against an ill prepared team either. Lovie Smith has won an NFC title lest we forget. Jay Cutler scares me big time but their defense is better than any the Pack have faced and their running game is far superior. I'll take the points at home.

New York Jets @ -3.5 Pittsburgh Steelers
Ugh two of my top three most hated franchises. Is there an option to not watch and home the game ends some how in a tie? I don't love either coach but both continue to win. Ol Sanchize's record on the road in the playoffs is a stunning 4-1. It is unexplainable how this team wins. Other than they are in love with their foot fetish fat head coach. Ahhh, damn they love him. Oh well, Rapelisraper just wins baby and this Shitsburgh defense is far superior to that of the Colts and Patriots. Sanchize may not make it out alive. Look for the Steelers to win this game in the second half ala the 2010 Colts.
Under 43 GB @ CHI
Under 38.5 NYJ @ PIT

Ya digggggggggggg bounce back weekend!


T-wreck
Green Bay Packers @ +3.5 Chicago Bears

New York Jets @ -3.5 Pittsburgh Steelers
over 38.5 NYJ @ PIT
over 43.5 GB @ CHI


Matty J
Pittsburgh 17 New York 13
Green Bay 34 Chicago 10

Coast

Green Bay Packers -3.5 @ Chicago Bears

How can I not ride with my boy Aaron for another week? He continues to show that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. His performance last week on the road against the Falcons was ridiculous. Helping out Rodgers has been the emergence of a running game. Starks did not light it up last week like he did against the Eagles, but he still had 25 carries and if he gets another 25 carries this Sunday that will mean good things for the Packers. As good as Green Bay's offense has been, the Packer defense and Jay Cutler's ability to not turn the ball over probably will determine whether or not the Packers can cover. Clay Matthews will be in Cutler's face all day and Truman Williams is intercepting everything that comes his way. I can't foresee this game being competitive. I LOVE Green Bay in this game...27-6.

New York Jets +4 at Pittsburgh

I know the rest of the picks have the Steelers giving 3.5, but as I make this selection the line is 4. My heart wants to take the Steelers because I hate Rex Ryan, I hate Mark Sanchez, and I really won't be able to stand listening to two weeks of the idiot New York Jets leading up to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, I think the Jets are playing with way too much confidence right now to lose by more than a field goal and as much as it pains me to say it, this team is built for the playoffs and Rex Ryan knows how to win playoff football games. They won two games last year when no one gave them a chance and they have done the same this year. They are built to play defense and run the football and if Sanchize can avoid interceptions, they could win. The difference between the Steelers and Patriots is that the Steelers can play defense better than anyone in the league. They led the NFL in rush defense and will have Troy Polamalu back for this game (he did not play when the Jets beat the Steelers in the regular season). Big Ben trying to get to his 3rd Super Bowl in 7 years in the league and he's going to get it done...Steelers 17 Jets 16.

Dave Wannstedt hired by Buffalo Bills

by Steve

Per a foxsports source :

Wannstedt has agreed to become the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the Buffalo Bills, a source told FOXSports.com.

Wannstedt recently resigned under pressure at the University of Pittsburgh following a 7-5 season. Wannstedt had a 42-31 overall record in six years coaching his alma mater.

A few things, why is George Edwards still employed by the Buffalo Bills? What does this mean for the 3-4 since Stachestedt is a 4-3 guy? It is interesting that Dave would choose to come to Buffalo over other teams that he was being courted by, SD, Car, CLE, to name a few.

Is it a reach to fear that this guy could latch onto the organization and some how be Chan's replacement in a couple years? Hey I have to look on the negative side of everything don't I? Over all this signing seems to be a good one. The team engineered a hybrid 3-4 4-3 last year any way so this probably won't effect things too much. Plus the linebackers can't get any worse right? What does the stache think of Poz?

2010 Bills Season in Review

Part I: Offense

-Coast

Now that we are 2 weeks removed from the 2010 season, it is time to look back at the season that was and hand out some grades for each position. We will begin with the offense, the better of the two units.

QB - C

The fact that Trend Edwards actually started two football games for this team really hurt them in this area. Does everyone remember how embarrassingly pathetic this offense was with him under center for the better part of three NFL seasons? In 2 starts this season Trend Edwards was 29-52 241 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs. Thank God we cut him after week 2. Fitzpatrick came in and did alright. He seems like an adequate starting quarterback in the league.

In 13 games, Fitzpatrick threw for 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. This is the most productive season I can remember from a Bills QB. Had he started weeks 1 and 2, we could be talking about 26 or 27 TDs and 3,500 yards. Fitz earned the right to be this team's starter in 2011 regardless of who the Bills may draft in April. Brian Brohm proved in week 17 that he is horrible and that there was good reason for Green Bay getting rid of him. The guy is awful and there is no way this team can go into 2011 with Brohm as the backup. Overall, if Fitz would have started all 16 games I would have considered a B-, but since Edwards and Brohm played almost 20 percent of the games, that has to effect the grade.

RB - C

This is very generous. The Bills began 2010 by drafting a running back in the top 10 in CJ Spiller. Gailey was enamored with Spiller's performance in August so he named him the opening day starter. Spiller then fell on his face. CJ Spiller produced 2 touchdowns in 2010, both in the same game. Spiller produced 283 on the ground and 157 yards receiving on only 24 catches. Drafting Spiller was a HUGE mistake by this franchise.

The Bills also had Fred "the career mediocrity that everyone loves" Jackson and Marshawn Lynch on the roster. Lynch got the majority of the work in the first 4 games after the Spiller experiment failed. As it turns out, the Bills were just trying to show him off for a possible trade, which they pulled off after the Jets debacle in week 4. The Bills then focused the run game on Jackson. Fred ran for 927 yards and 5 TDs and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. These aren't bad numbers for Fred. He is serviceable, but he isn't Barry Sanders like many people in Buffalo think. Also, the fact that he went to Coe College and is playing in the NFL doesn't make him good. I don't want overachievers, I want dudes drafted 9th overall from the ACC to be studs...not kick returners.

WR - B+

As the position sits right now, I think it could be an above average to good unit in 2011. The emergence of Steve Johnson is a major reason why. Johnson will go into 2011 as the number 1 receiver on this football team. He led the team with 82 receptions, 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranked 11th, 11th and 7th in the NFL in these categories respectively. Unfortunately for Johnson, he should have had 11 touchdowns about 1,110 yards and that is what he will be remembered for in 2011.

That colossal drop by Johnson against the Steelers was without a doubt unforgettable. That said, Johnson had a great year for it being his 3rd year and only his 1st as a starter in the NFL. Lee Evans was the number 1 receiver in 2010 and if the Bills could actually move him, it should be considered. The only problem is, I am not sure anyone would give up anything worth anything given his production and salary. Johnson's 82 catches are more than Evans has had in any season in his career except one (Evans had 82 catches in 2006). Johnson's 10 TDs are more than Evans has had in a single season in his career.

Furthermore Johnson's 1,073 yards is more than Evans had in any season except 2006. Lee had 37 for 578 and 4 TDs in 12 games this year. This is solid production for a number 2 receiver. Roscoe Parrish also had a good year until he got injured. In only 8 games, Parrish had 33 catches for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. Johnson, Evans and Parrish form a very formidable 1-3. Also emerging in 2010 were David Nelson who added 353 yards and 3 more touchdowns. The Bills also have some solid depth with experience in Donald Jones and Naaman Roosevelt who each played well when Parrish and Evans went down with injuries. Also lets not forget about unknown Marcus Easley who showed some promise in preseason before his knee injury.

TE - F

I am not going to waste much time here. The Bills do not have a tight end. It is incredibly hard to believe that this team has not been able to find a tight end in 10 plus years. The 3rd and 4th round draft pick experiments are not working...Nelson who is a bust, Everett, Euhus, Cieslak among others. How do you fail this miserably at the same position year in and year out? Jonathan Stupar was the Bills leading receiver at tight end in 2010. He had 12 catches for 111 yards. David Martin, who wasn't on the team opening day, finished 2nd with 7 catches and 43 yards. The suspended drug abuser Shawn Nelson had 3 catches for 25 yards and one of which he fumbled away costing the Bills the game in Baltimore. Scott Chandler added 1 catch for 8 yards. Who is Scott Chandler? In total, the Bills tight ends had 23 catches for 187 yards. The Bills allowed at least 267 yards to tight ends during September alone. I say at least because I only looked at Fasano, Finley, Hernandez and Gronks. The Bills MUST find SOMEONE in the offseason.

Offensive Line - D+

This may be a bit harsh, but come on, this line is not even close to being good. Anyone who watched the Vikings game agrees. Jared Allen, a top level D-end, vs. Demetrius Bell, the starting left tackle of the Bills, was as big of a mismatch as Belichick vs. Jauron. The line is solid on the interior although Wood needs to play center in 2011 with Hangartner moved to guard along with Levitre. I am not sure what to think about the tackle position. Bell obviously isn't ready for the bright lights and who is our right tackle? I didn't even know who was playing O-line by week 16. Mansfield Wrotto and Cordero Howard hopefully aren't the future of the right tackle position. Can Ed Wang be an NFL tackle? Who knows? There are way too many questions. The good news for the line is that Fitz was only sacked 24 times...but I think this is more on Fitz than it is on the line.

Overall, the offense was exciting to watch at times during 2010, but still has a lot of holes to fill. If the Bills can find a tight end and some help on the line, it could be a top 16 offensive next year. Until then though, the offense is still average...therefore I will give them a C for the 2010 season as a unit.

2011 NFL Mock draft 1/17/2011

by Andy S

2011 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
Here is a mock draft of the top ten picks for this year’s NFL Draft.

1. Carolina Panthers- Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: With Luck out of the picture for now and new Coach Ron Rivera being defensive minded, Bowers seems like a solid pick. He has great size and speed on the outside and will bring a Julius Peppers like performance to Carolina.


2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: John Fox is running the show and will probably be content with Orton or Tebow this year. The D needs help and picking Peterson will not only help the secondary, it will also help the return game of the Broncos.


3. Buffalo Bills- Nick Farley, DT, Auburn: If you watched the National Title game, this pick is obvious. Could be the #1 pick easily. The Bills need help everywhere, but nowhere near as much as in the middle of the defense. This guy blows up backfields and demands 2/3 blockers every down. Will help make the rest of our defense look better than mediocre.


4. Cincinnati Bengals- AJ Green, WR, Georgia: Sticking with this pick. Their receiving core is old and breaking down. They need new blood in there to help ease out Carson Palmer.


5. Arizona Cardinals- Marcel Dareus, DE, Alabama: They took too many QB’s last year to go and take another, especially in the Top 5. Dareus will be able to play DE and or DL for the Cards.


6. Cleveland Browns- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina: Terrible pass rush last year leads to me to this pick. They took Harden last year, so I just can’t see them taking another CB with their first pick.


7. San Francisco 49ers- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: Jim Harbough will want a new QB for his team. Gabbert is the best QB available and has the size and intelligence to run the show in San Fran. Andrew Luck version 2.0.


8. Tennessee Titans- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: Vince is gone, so QB may be an option, but Collins has showed he still has some gas left in the tank. If that’s the case, look for the Titans to take a WR to help take some stress of Johnson and Collins.


9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: One of the worst pass defense in the league, Prince has the opportunity to be their number 1 lock down CB.


10. Washington Redskins- Jake Locker, QB, Washington: With McNabb gone, Shanahan will need a new QB to run his offense. Locker didn’t have the best year, matter of fact he had an awful year, but has the tools and mechanics to be a long time starter in the NFL. The offensive minded Shanahan can’t pass up this guy.

NFL 2011 divisional round locks

Staff selections for the second best weekend in the football season, the Divisional round. Mind you these selections are for gambling purposes and should not be used solely for amusement.

T-wreck
(his picks are in order of "lockness")

New York Jets +9 @ New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers -3.5
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons -2
Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears -10


Steve

New York Jets @ New England Patriots -9
The Patriots are the obvious choice here. When it is obvious it is almost never right but Rex Ryan is not a good football coach. He is a great motivator and can inspire players but that only goes so far. He knows defense but lost by what 42 in Foxoboro a month ago?

Baltimore Ravens +3.5@ Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Rapelisraper isn't 100%. The time off may have helped but this team just doesn't seem to have it. Maybe it is good receivers, maybe it is the fact that the Bills should have beat them (then again they should have beaten the Ravens too) I don't know. Flacco scares the shit out of me but his WRs are studs. Don't sleep on Ray Rice either.

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons -2
Ha Aaron Rodgers. He did all he could to lose that game last week fumbling the ball away and taking the second half off. Too bad Vick and Da'sean weren't healthy, that game wouldn't have been close. Roid Matthews is a straight stud but is well nevermind he's just a stud. My boy Starks was more of an aberration last week then anything else although he is still better than Spiller. Matty Ice and co aren't one and done book it better yet bet it.

Seattle Seahawks +10 @ Chicago Bears
I only went 2-2 last week because I hate the Jets and was blind with my hatred of Rodgers. I didn't see the hobbled Eagles staring me in the face. They were a good team that peaked 3 weeks ago. But I was alllll over Seattle, it was EASY money I was one of the only people loving them from the get go. The Bears are some how overrated and underrated but this line at 10 is wayyy too high. Hasselback played like it was 2005 bro, he's back baby. Steal these points and the money, 'hawks! Lynch! cover!

Coast

Ok-enough of these amateur hour picks you have read until this point. I went 3-1 last week and only lost one because I underestimated how lost Jim Caldwell and really the entire Colts team is besides Manning. Here's the picks:

Pittsburgh -3 vs. Baltimore: This line could likely move to 3.5 by kickoff with the Steelers at -120, but I like the Steelers regardless. Big Ben vs. Joe Flacco in January? The Steelers are well rested after a week off and will beat up the Ravens, whose defense is old and not even close to as good as it once was. We all saw that week 6 performance by Fitzpatrick. Ray Rice is the Ravens only hope...only problem for Baltimore is the Steeler D allowed 62.8 yards per game on the ground. The Steelers will pull away in the 4th quarter...prediction: Pittsburgh 27 Baltimore 13.

Green Bay Packers +1.5 @ Hotlanta: I have no idea why this line is only 1.5. The Falcons were 13-3, the best team in the NFC all season and yet are only 1.5 point favorites at home against the Packers. That said, I LOVE GREEN BAY. Every year it seems a wildcard team is making a run to the Super Bowl and this year it is going to be Green Bay. Matty Ice is a bum while Aaron Rodgers is the best QB left in the playoffs including Brady. Pack by 22...34-12.

Seattle Seahawks +10 @ Chicago: Gotta ride Lynch all the way to Dallas. Marshawn and the Seahawks can be one of the greatest stories in NFL history. It helps that they are playing Chicago and Jay Cutler who has never won a playoff game, throws more interceptions than touchdowns, gets sacked more than any QB in the league and fumbles more than any QB in the league. Pressure Cutler and he could cough up the football more than once. Seattle hosting the NFC championship game? 'Hawks 24 bears 23.

New England Patriots -9 vs. Jets: Somehow, I see myself rooting for New England in this game. I hate both of these teams but this Jets team and their arrogance is too much for me to handle. How do you talk trash when the last time you played a team you got curb stomped 45-3. Patriots in a blowout...38-10.

Buffalo Bills 2010 season in review podcast

Steve and Coast review the season and preview the offseason

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