Thursday, October 9, 2014

Buffalo Sabres 2014/15 Season Preview

By Steve

Is it June 2015 yet? Thats when the draft is right? Is anyone really anticipating this season with much fervor other than for a desire for the team to lose? (Well besides moron fanboy homers)

Then again I'm not totally convinced this team will be horrendous. Whilst the head coach is a moronic neanderthal who hates analytics, he does have a history of getting more out of less. That is concerning but the team was sooo bad last year it is difficult to fathom the team improving so much they aren't high in the lottery next year. Or is it?

Tim Murray is super cereal and knows he needs top end talent (of which the Sabres have little, at least on offense). The way to get top end talent is luck or high draft picks (as long as you don't look at Edmonton). But why did he bring in some whily old vets that have some talent?

I fear the team will be mediocre this year. Nothing will be worse than if the Buffalo Sabres (and the Islanders [ and the Blues for that matter]) are mediocre or better. Drafting 8th will not bring in a perennial All Star center. Drafting top 3 will.

The lemmings who buy hockey tickets around here will continue to any way so fuck em. Lose, lose, lose! I dont care if it is boring, pathetic or embarrassing. Finishing 10th is any way and it is worse.

For the love of god Nolan, do your job and lose. Then quit at the end of the season, find a young analytics-minded head coach and become a real NHL team in 15/16. Leggo

Prediction: Sabres finish 14th in the conference and will draft 5th.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Week 6 Buffalo Bills Power Rankings Compilation

Lets take a look at what everyone thinks about the Bills after their second win as a 7+ point road dawg:

ESPN 18:
"This week's edition of "just like everyone expected" -- down 14 on the road, Kyle Orton and the Bills rattled off 17 straight points for a big win in Detroit."

Five point jump and a meaningless comment.  How are the lines 12th though?


CBS 19:
"Kyle Orton is 1-0 as the starter. Now comes a big one against the Patriots for the division lead."
Petesy Prisco has always been a hater only moving the Bills up four spots and he has the Lions five spots ahead of the Bills.  Oh and they play the Patriots this week.


NFL 22:
"What a performance by Kyle Orton in his first start for the Bills. Before the game, Ian Rapoport offered up some odd intel about Orton's departure from Dallas. We're guessing Tony Romo did not endorse Orton on LinkedIn."

The Bills move up one spot and are behind not one not two but three teams they've already beaten. HUH?????


Yahoo! 16:
"Kyle Orton played well, and he'll have a few games like that. Next week's home game against New England is big for a Week 6 tilt."

Another non believer seemingly although Buffalo was moved up eight spots.


PFT 14:
"Yes, sometimes the difference between winning and losing is the other team having a really crappy kicker"

not much credit but at least they are ahead if the Lions after beating them on the road.


Walterfootball 26:
" I have a feeling that Buffalo fans will be the next group of people to flood my comment board now that the Cincinnati backers have been silenced.

Speaking of angry people, Jim Schwartz may have finally been able to mellow out after beating his former team. I wanted to get Schwartz's reaction, so I sat down with him for an interview. Here's the transcript:

Me: Hey Jim, thanks for agreeing to the interview.

Schwartz: It's my pleasure, Walt. I've always sent tons of traffic your way, even when you were clamoring for my firing for several years. I love your work.

Me: Aww, thanks, Jim! Anyway, I was wondering how you feel about beating your former team.

Schwartz: It feels great, Walt. It's better than any sex or high I've experienced.

Me: That's great. So, how did you stymie Matthew Stafford, exactly? He struggled mightily, though I suppose Calvin Johnson's injury hurt him.

Schwartz: Yeah, that was an easy one. I snuck into Calvin Johnson's house the night before and bashed his foot with a hammer. I then knocked him unconscious so he wouldn't remember anything.

Me: Wow, that's pretty extreme.

Schwartz: Meh, it's OK. I also needed their kicker Alex Henery to screw up, so I kidnapped his wife and kids and told him that I'd decapitate them if he made any field goals.

Me: Uhh... that's kind of not cool.

Schwartz: Not cool? Those a**holes ran me out of town, Walt. The fans need to get their just desserts as well. That's why I've planted a dozen bombs around Detroit, and they're all set to go off sometime this week.

Me: Bombs!? Hold on, I'm getting a call.

Schwartz: Put down the phone, Walt. I saw you dial 9-1-1.

Me: No, I didn't, I swear!

Schwartz: You know too much. Prepare to meet my hammer of doom!

Me: No, Jim, put down the hammer, Jim! Put it down, Jim, put it down!!! "




You can always count on Walterfootball to pile on the hate even if he isn't very funny. Ha



Highest ranking is 14 lowest is 26.

Monday, October 6, 2014

MLB Total Wins Prediction Review

by Steve

Back in March I predicted the win totals of all 30 MLB teams, NL and AL, lets see how I did:

American League
East
4-1 with my only wrong prediction being the Orioles.

Central
3-1-1 the Tigers were at exactly 90 wins and I was off on the Royals

West
3-1-1 again, the A's were exactly at 88 and Seattle surprised me.


National League
East
2-3 only ones I got right are the Nattys and Phillies

Central
3-2 the Reds let me down and the Brewers were hot early.

West
3-2, Dodgers won by half a win and the Diamondbacks were atrocious.

In total 18-10-2!! Call me a genius, thank you see you next year!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Week 5 NFL Expert Picks

Steve 12-8 Best Bet 3-1

Chargers -7 v Jets
Ravens +3.5 @ Colts
Cowboys -6.5 v Texans
Rams @ Eagles over 47.5
Steelers @ Jagurs under 47


Wreck 11-9 Best Bet 2-2

Texans +6.5 @ Cowboys
Bills +7 @ Lions
Titans -1 v Browns
Patriots +1.5 v Bengals
Falcons @ Giants under  50.5


Coast 11-8-1 Best Bet 2-2

Falcons +4 @ Giants
Buccaneers +10 @ Saints
Cowboys -6.5 v Texans
Bills +7 @ Lions
49ers -5.5 v Chiefs


Katman 9-10-1 Best Bet 2-2

Chargers @ Jets over 44
Steelers -6.5 @ Jaguars
Chargers -7 v Jets
Cardinals +7.5 @ Broncos
Bills @ Lions over 44

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Bills at Lions Preview Podcast

Steve and Coast review the disaster that was the Texans game and breakdown the decision to bench EJ Manuel for Kyle Orton. Ohhh and look forward to the Detroit Lions

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Week 5 Buffalo Bills Power Rankings

What the expert power rankers are saying:

ESPN 23:
"EJ Manuel was 5-of-18 for 36 yards and two interceptions against at least five rushers Sunday. Manuel has a 2.3 Total QBR against the blitz this year (53.1 last year)."
Four spot drop and some useless Erik Manuel stats

CBS 23:
"The Bills have lost two straight and now must take a tough road trip to Detroit. Is it a trip back to reality?"
Another 4 spot drop and I have no clue what that comment means.  Weren't the last 2 games a trip back to reality already?


Yahoo 24:
"I don't agree with benching EJ Manuel. If it's close (and while Manuel hasn't been good, we all know Kyle Orton won't be good either), then you go with the young guy and hope he improves. There's no upside with Orton, now or later."

6 spot plunge but some actual insight and opinion.  Why do all the local guys love the qb change and the national guys hate it?
NFL.com :


Walterfootball 28:
" - The Twitter account @buffalorumblings summed up the Bills' season quite well in a single tweet:

"I think it needs to be said: Kyle Orton was signed less than a month ago and fans are CLAMORING to see what he's got. Says a lot.""

Only a two spot drop and a tweet from a rival, ouch.


PFT 21:
"Quarterback change now, coaching change later."
No faith in Kyle Orton or Doug Marrone.. hmm 3 spot drop but the highest of any other site.


NFL.com 23:
"Massive drop, based on consecutive uninspired performances and the sudden decision to bail on EJ Manuel. While I understand the coaching staff's position, I have my own take on what Buffalo is and isn't doing regarding its young quarterback -- click here to see what it is.

The Bills' defense has certainly played well enough to win. They have allowed opponents to post just 16.5 offensive points per game -- so don't put J.J. Watt's great play (and Manuel's blunder) on them."

huge drop down twelve slots. And no i'm not clicking on your other links.



Highest 21 lowest 28, best comment from nfl.com and dumbest from Walterfootball.