McCargo fails again

by Steve

WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

INDIANAPOLIS -- Defensive tackle John McCargo wanted a fresh start.

He'll have to go somewhere other than Indianapolis to get it.

McCargo

McCargo failed his physical, voiding the trade that sent him from Buffalo to the Colts and sending his rights back to the Bills, Colts spokesman Craig Kelley confirmed Wednesday night. The Buffalo News, citing two league sources, reported on its Web site that the Colts found a bulging disc in his back, a detail Kelley could not confirm.

Buffalo Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold, in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Tuesday night, said: "It is our understanding that John did not pass the physical administered by the Colts and so he remains with the Buffalo Bills."

It was a stark contrast to the way Wednesday started, with Colts coach Tony Dungy embracing the addition of McCargo and talking about how a new system may be just what McCargo needed to jump-start his NFL career.

"He was a guy we had good grades on [coming out of college], and he happened to be available," Dungy said earlier Wednesday. "It's an area we could use some help. If he was playing great for them, obviously, we wouldn't have him now. But we think he can fit well into this system, and we're hoping a change of scenery is good for him."

McCargo arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning, one day after the Bills dealt him to the Colts for an undisclosed draft pick. He did not practice.

McCargo's agent, Hadley Engelhard, did not respond to a phone message left by the AP.

In an interview late in the afternoon, McCargo acknowledged he was waiting to take a physical and said he was eager to show he could succeed in a new defensive system.

While he showed no real concerns about passing the exam, the former first-round draft pick does have a history of foot problems. He broke his left foot in college, then again in his rookie season and doctors had to re-break it during his rehabilitation process in the spring of 2007.

"We've just got to see how this physical thing goes," McCargo said. "Or how this physical thing is going to go. So I'm just waiting on them."

The collapse of the deal creates an awkward situation for all three parties.

Indianapolis had already waived defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, and Dungy said Wednesday the team was looking for an upgrade at defensive tackle. Indy had already allowed four running backs to top 100 yards this season and ranks 29th in the league against the run.

Meanwhile, in Buffalo, Bills coach Dick Jauron was asked Wednesday afternoon whether he considered McCargo a disappointment.

"There's certainly no benefit in me talking about it further than that to say I thought it was in our best interest and his, and we'll let it go," Jauron said. "We'll wish him the very best. He's with what we'd like to think is another good organization and a good football team."

McCargo wasn't much more forgiving.

"I think it's a better situation than what I was in," he said.

Clearly, McCargo struggled in Buffalo.

In 25 games with the Bills, he had only 2½ sacks, one forced fumble and never cracked the starting lineup. The Bills expected far more from the North Carolina State alum when they swung a draft-day trade with Chicago to move back into the first round and selected him 26th overall in 2006.

He missed 11 games as a rookie and never quite fit in with the Bills, so the Bills were content to trade him.

"I think it's pretty simple," Jauron said before word of the failed physical broke. "We thought it was in our best interest as a football team, and we actually thought it was in John's best interest, too. We made the deal, and we move on from there."

So now we have someone that didn't want to be here and we didn't want here AND he's injured Holy shit not ideal. I'm glad he's back, assuming he is able to play again this season but we'll see. If we cut him after the season during the season or before his rookie contract obviously I'll be as livid as anyone.

But everyone can agree this is a strange and akward situation. Maybe he'll just need a few weeks on the pine rest up and be ready for some divisional games. In all likely hood however he'll but put on IR and never heard from again. Fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkk

John McCargo waived err traded

by Steve

Alright, I was going to reserve this post for ripping up Marshawn Lunch[sic] and his lack of productivity but the "blockbuster trade" has come down and I need to comment on it. No, no.. no, no not Tony Gonzalez to the Bills for a 3rd and a 5th. John McCargo given to the Colts for an alleged 4th round draft pick in 2009. Wha?

First off, ya gotta love our DT depth. Stroud, Spencer Johnson, Kyle Williams then ____.. WTF?!?! Bobby April and his chirping in Jauron's ear is killin me. I don't get it I really just do not understand it. This trade is mind boggling.

Are they selling high while the dude has an credibility/stock value? Do DTs all of a sudden get worse in their 4th and 5th seasons in the National Football League? I would tend to think it would be the opposite.

I don't know maybe I just have the blinders on for Johnny Mc(no not McCain). McCargo has shown flashes of greatness. Clearly those flashes were too few and far between for Russ and co. I just fear this trade coming back to haunt us. Who knows perhaps the Colts don't even resign him after next year. If thats the case it won't matter, but letting this dude go for a 4th round pick makes no sense. Did they really need the roster spot? Were they that desperate for a 4th round pick next year? Was this suppose to be a piece to something larger that fell through?

Which leads me to not getting Tony Gonzalez. I can't really blame the Bills because a.) I have no idea what they offered. b.) I have no idea what the Chiefs wanted. c.) I don't know anything that went on, or if Tony G even wanted to be traded. IF however he got dealt somewhere else, I would be livid.

Russ was having at least an A- grade since taking over this squad but today put a major cloud over the joy I have had for this front office. Maybe McCargo will never live up to his billing, never play to the caliber of a first round pick. Whatever the case, after 2.5 seasons and an early injury that stunted his early growth, another 9 games could have painted a much clearer picture on this dude's National Football League career.

Buffalo Sabres season preview

by Steve

Oh, its a couple days late? Well... there are 80 games left. The big question was why would the Sabres be any better or worse than last year? Nothing seemingly has changed since last season. Campbell is out, Rivet is in. Connolly is out, Numminen is in. Pominville got paid, Miller got paid, and most of the young guns are in Portland. So nothing really did change right? Left, er wrong.

Obviously this team did not have a true captain last year. If they had one he or she would have been named the permanent captain this year. (Thanks for screwing us last year Regier) In steps Rivet. (Thanks for helping us this year Regier) The dude is hard. He is a stay at home defenseman. He is kind of a beast. He isn't Campbell, and thats a good thing. He is a captain. Craigy is exactly what this team DID NOT have in 07/08. He will be the reason the Sabres make the playoffs somewhere in the 5th 6th or 7th seed ala 05/06.

The other difference not mentioned above. THE BACK UP GOALIE STUPID. T-bo was god damn awful last year. A joke, a travesty, he made the entire team worse and that goes double for Millsie. Millsie wasn't that good last year. Millsie was average at best. Millsie will be better this year because of Patrick Lalime. We saw it already today against the Islanders in a blow out. True the Sabres scored 7 goals but early in the second period it was still only 1-0. A cheap goal and the game could have swung big time.

If Lalime plays any better than Jocelyne this team will be exponentially better this season. Millsie will get to rest and the team won't have to press when the back up is in there.

Teppo being back could have a lasting effect on an awful defense as well. He is a wiley vet and has a calming effect on the whole team. Maybe because he can't get worked up because of heart problems, but still, he is calm. I don't like him, and I thought he was a detriment to the team at times in 06/07 but what do I know. The defense some how DID play worse last year without him. Plus if he does go out for another heart surgery and misses a few games, now Weber, Andrej and Paetsch will have last year as experience that hopefully elevates their game.

Normally I would reserve this area for ripping on the $7 million man but he IS on pace for 123 goals which would be pretty good. So I'll let him slide until he hits his usual Satan-esque cold streak. For now I'll focus on the three amigos. The three contract year bums. Connolly, Kotalik, and Afinganov. These three have to play better than last year. For Connolly, he just has to play(which won't happen). For the other two, they need to be less putrid. If that happens this team could be looking something like the 05/06 team in that they made it not only to the playoffs but dominated until Carolina got a few lucky breaks and the defense all caught staff infections or something.

Prediction
6th seed 2nd round loss in 7 to the Rangers or Philly

More Gonzalez rumors

A second and a sixth for the 32 year-old tight end? It is all pretty much just hear say on message boards and alleged anonymous sources. He has 3 years left on his deal after the '08 season, he signed a 5 year extension in January last year, but the dude has played in 12 seasons. Lotta mileage. But I'm sure he would have gotten both feet in bounds against Tennessee two years ago, I'm sure of that. Oh yea, and the trade deadline is Tuesday.

Gonzalez gonzo?

Mutliple reports are coming out that Tony Gonzalez could be shipped, the asking price, for now, is ridiculous.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --

Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history, will be traded to a contender if the Kansas City Chiefs get the right price.

ESPN's Michael Smith first reported the fact Gonzalez was to be shopped Saturday.

A league source confirmed to ESPN that Gonzalez went to Chiefs GM Carl Peterson and inquired about a trade to a contender earlier this week.

Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez

Gonzalez, who holds the NFL tight end record for receptions, touchdown catches and yards receiving, is active in civic and charitable affairs and enjoys great popularity in Kansas City. He has always said he would like to end his career with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the first round out of California in 1997.

But the Chiefs (1-4) are rebuilding from the bottom up and not likely to contend for the Super Bowl any time soon. In spite of all his personal accomplishments, Gonzalez, 32, has never even won a postseason game.

He would like an opportunity to play in a Super Bowl and the rebuilding Chiefs would like to acquire extra draft picks.

The Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles have been in contact with the Chiefs regarding Gonzalez.

The Giants traded tight end Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans last summer for Nos. 2 and 5 drafts pick in 2009. Shockey's replacement, Kevin Boss, has been a disappointment even though the defending Super Bowl champs are undefeated.

No way a first round pick, maybe a conditional. The only positive is he is signed beyond this year.

bb.com weighs in:

Though there are no links to any written stories on their website, ESPN News (TV) is reporting that the Bills are one of several teams “known to have inquired about” Kansas City TE Tony Gonzalez. According to ESPN News the asking price is starting at a 1st round pick “and change.” The network did not attribute their report to any of their NFL beat reporters.

Gonzalez has been reportedly interested in making a move to a contending team as the Chiefs are in full blown rebuilding mode. The perennial Pro Bowl tight end is signed through 2011 at reasonable base salaries for a player of his caliber ($1M in ‘08, $4M in ‘09, $4.5M in ‘10, $5.75M in ‘11), though $17M of his most recent contract in guaranteed and could include some of the base salaries listed above.

A first-round pick and then some is a lot to surrender, but Gonzalez has been one of the most durable tight ends in the league and at 32 likely has at least two more productive seasons in him.

We’ll do our best to keep you updated on the possibility of Gonzalez being moved by the Chiefs prior to the Tuesday trade deadline. The Eagles are another team that has been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Gonzalez as well as the Giants.

UB chokes 28-34

by Steve

What a fuckin joke. This team is pathetic. UB football does not exist to me any more, at least this season. I will not write about them again until August '09 period. They were up 21-3 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd up 28-14 with 5 minutes left in the fourth. The entire team choked. The coach sucks, willy sucks, starks is good, the defense sucks, the announcers suck, the tv broadcast sucks. holy shit. WOW

Not to mention I had a 6 point teaser and some how lost that too. What a fuckin travesty. What is Gill thinking throwing the ball with 2 minutes left on 3rd down? Why did Starks not get the ball in OT? Why did WMU throw in overtime on UB's 1 yard line instead of kicking an easy field goal costing me money?

Why was UB blitzing on that final drive and got torched on just about every play except the sack? Why continue to blitz when their QB is picking it up each and every time? Just a flat out joke period.

If ESPN2 knew what was up they would cancel the game on election day. No one will be there. This team is a flat out embarrassment, they are over rated, they are 2-4 and they are going no where fast. Their QB is gone and all they have to replace him next year is a red shirt piece of shit nothing. Gill pulled the wool over our eyes. We got bamboozeled.

ALCS preview Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays

by Steve

Tampa in 6. Only hesitation is zero playoff experience. The Red Sox are some how old and young. Rays have better all around hitting and pitching. It may come down to Ortiz and Bay needing to mash every night and I don't see it happening sans manram.

People will now know players like Carlos Pena, BJ Upton, Matt Garza (thanks twinkies) and Sonnanstine. Trop will be rockin tonight