Buffalo singin' the January blues

by Steve

Holy shit could you have imagined a worse January for Buffalo sports fans? The Sabres are 0-7 in the new year and currently on a ten game losing streak (Yes, 10 game losing streak) and the Buffalo Bills lost their GM, hired in house for their "COO" position, not even hiring a GM let alone a real GM, and have promoted a Quarterback's coach, a QB coach that has overseen the development of zero good QB's including JP Losman. But.. to the best of my knowledge they have actually brought in 1 mind from outside the organization (Ray Brown O-line assistant), this, an organization that hasn't made the playoffs in 8 years.

How do you lose 10 straight hockey games? How do you go 2 for 33 on the power play? Furthermore, in what universe would a team lose 10 straight contests and nothing happen? 1 Seymore Knox Plaza is probably the only one. Well, wait a minute thats not completely fair, they did in that time period, completely alienate their top UFA after the year in Brian Campbell, who has broken off talks until "after the season" err July 1 when teams offer more money.

Speaking of which, WTF is wrong with this organization? Did they learn nothing from the Drury/Briere fiasco? They knew Campbell was going to be a free agent, they knew the price was going to go up every day once the season started, they know he is a key member of this team, I don't get it.

Sure you could argue Campbell broke off the talks not them, that he doesn't want to stay, that he went public about the whole thing. I counter that by saying WHAT TOOK SO LONG? Did Darc/Quinny really need 3+ months to offer him a fair deal they could afford? Do they not know the realities of the situation ie What Campbell wants, what he is seeking, what they are offering? How do they negotiate? Do they negotiate? It should not take 4 months to determine you can afford or not afford him.

I don't want to hear the injury excuse either. What, you're shocked that Tim Connolly is hurt? That the undersized diving munch kin D Roy is hurt? You are dying for Max to come back? The same Max most wanted benched for a while any ways? There is more than injuries that are causing this team to consistently lose, well actually lose nearly an 8th of their season in back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back games


On to the Bills, with hopefully a more in depth post from Coast (If he still blogs here) later on. Ok, my first reaction upon hearing that Turk Schonert was hired as offensive coordinator was that of horror, embarrassment, disgust, anger, resentment, disappointment and finally apathy.

I'll admit, I was the one saying, "give the Bills the benefit of the doubt. Ralph Wilson isn't really that cheap, Jauron is 17th in pay as a coach, he gives out big contracts ie Schobel and Dockery, they had the 4th highest cap" etc etc. But, I also recall saying something to the tune that if the Bills stay in house for the GM, and do not bring in any new faces, they better bring in a new face for OC. Well, they haven't and I'm pissed.

Sure Schonert has been saying all the right things. He disagrees with Fairchild on a lot of things, he is going to bring changes to the schemes, "The Bills former quarterbacks coach is also expected to make greater use of bootlegs and play action, which were not called often by former coordinator Steve Fairchild, especially in the red zone where Buffalo finished 30th in the league in touchdown percentage (38.2%). "all found in this article but I am still pissed. Some one should have been brought in from outside the organization. F continuity. The offense has been brutal for years, elevating from within is not enough of a change for this offensive.

Then again, I have calmed down from this morning. I am not suicidal, mostly because if the QB fails, the offense will suck any ways, buttt you kind of have to give the guy a chance. Granted, it will be a short rope, but a rope will be given. Things better change, drastically and quickly. Starting March 1st, right through the draft and training camp to opening day September 14th. Bring in a play maker, a tight end preferably, a possession receiver, and get the damn ball to Lynch more.

Hey, February is only 16 days away. Aw shit that means we're only half way through January. Hold your breath, it may get worse before it gets better..