Comedy, insight, joy and heartbreak as we begin our journey for 8 conference wins and a 2nd MAC championship.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Monday Morning Hindsight: Fantasy Football

There is nothing worse than leaving points on the bench. 
- Me after benching T.O. last week and putting Rice in over Harvin this week.
In Hindsight, good move of the week for me, trusting the Bills.  Big points for Fred Jackson and TO 23 and 15 respectively.

In Hindsight, bad move of the week for me, drafting Steve Slaton, his fumbles drops and will he won't he get carries drama has crushed me again.  If only they had a back they could run out those huge leads on the Colts...oh wait you do have a back, GIVE SLATON THE ROCK!

Week 12 Fantasy Leaders (before the Monday Night Game)

QB - Brett Favre, Minn           27 pts
RB - Chris Johnson, Tenn        24 pts
RB - Justin Forsett, Sea           25 pts
RB/WR Fred Jackson, Buf      23 pts
WR Donald Driver, GB           20 pts
WR Miles Austin, Dal             20 pts
WR Percy Harvin, Minn         20 pts
TE - Antonio Gates, SD         23 pts
D/ST - New York Jets          24 pts

All Season Fantasy Team
QB Aaron Rodgers              207 pts
RB Chris Johnson                196 pts
RB Maurice Jones-Drew     182 pts
RB/WR Adrian Peterson     172 pts
WR Reggie Wayne             138 pts
WR Randy Moss                137 pts
TE Vernon Davis                105 pts
D/ST New Orleans Saints   133 pts

College Football PLAYOFFS??



If I ran college football, I'd have 11 conference winners and 5 at large bids in a 16 game playoff.
The teams would be seeded by BCS rankings, and the top seeds get a home game in round 1 unless they are an at large.  At large teams playing conference champions play the game at the home of the conference champion.  At large teams playing At large teams play at the home of the higher ranked teams.  With a week left in the season, it would look like this:

First the people who get screwed:  BYU, Pittsburgh and Oregon st.  These teams are 14, 15, 16 in the BCS, but get leap frogged by the champions of the C-USA, MAC and Sun Belt.  No crying though, Pitt and Oregon st can win their conference with wins this week over Cincy and Oregon respectively and get into the tournament.

This week

We Squished the fish yesterday
We have Sabres-Leafs tonight
A Big Monday Night Football game
College Football Weekend and coach firings

Hopefully I'll get to it all, but first I want to talk about Playoffs

Friday, November 27, 2009

Buffalo at Kent State Live blog

Pre Game Meal: Buffalo at Kent State

Story: Two schools who lost their All-pro senior running backs struggled to win close games this years.  Kent has already clinched 4th place in the MAC east, and Buffalo has already clinched a disappointing 5th place finish.  Kent however, with a win will finish 6-6 and become bowl eligible.






Buffalo Player to Watch: WR Brett Hamlin


Last year, Kent State beat Buffalo in Amherst in a game that was mostly meaningless for both teams.  Hamlin's fumble in the end zone in the last minute gave the game to Kent.  With Namaan Roosevelt's career over, Hamlin has the chance to dominate the game in his last career start at UB.

Kent State Player to Watch: DB's Brian Lainhart, Dan Hartman, Danny Sadler.



The three stars of Kent State's Secondary have 6, 3 and 2 interceptions respectively.


Out of their 11 combined interceptions, 7 have come in their 5 wins.

Comparison Games: Temple, Western Michigan, BGSU, Akron, Miami and Ohio.

The comparisons between Kent State and Buffalo are very similar.  After losing their star player on offense, both teams lost by 1 point to Bowling Green and both teams were trampled by Temple Kent 47-13, Buffalo 37-13.

Based on the numbers, Buffalo's offense is 2.8 points better than Kent State, while the Kent Offense is 1.2 points better than UB.



Buffalo wins by 1.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Three Heroes of Week 11

3) Turner Gill

Watching a team go 1-11, really makes me appreciate Turner and the fact that we can complain about having 4 or 5 wins. Turner answered my pleas by going for the score at the end of the half and finished hard. I’d describe Buffalo in 2009 as Jainist Monk-like…trying to play while being cautious not to harm any living creature. Wednesday, Turner put Jainism away and put the hurt on Miami with a 24 point beat down that bodes well for the future toughness of our team.

Post Game Meal - Buffalo 42, Miami 17

The key to the game was Buffalo showing up and not letting Miami build momentum.  Brandon “Son of Alonzo” Thermilus showed up for the first time all season scoring two touchdowns in after a sluggish first quarter. 

Turner showed some coaching guts by leading a drive at the end of the first half.  The result, two scores in 2:27 minutes to change the game from a 7-3 score to 21-3 going into halftime.  In addition a trick play to open the half put the game away.

Pre Game Meal: Buffalo at Miami

Story: Buffalo plays for pride while Miami looks for inspiration for next season. 




Buffalo Player to Watch: Everyone

Miami is 1-10.  This is one of those games where each player has to show up and play.  If they can do that they should win.  Two weeks ago, Temple made the mistake of coming in looking for an easy win, but there is no such thing in the MAC anymore, Temple escaped with a 34-32 after kicking the winning field goal with 3 seconds left. Come out and play, you win.  Lack effort, you may just lose, it’s as simple as that.




Miami Player to Watch: QB Zac Dysert.


Dysert is the Redhawks offense.  He is a 2000 yard passer and Miami’s second leading rusher.  As a freshman, he struggles with interceptions, break his confidence early, and he’s toast, let him build up his confidence and he can hurt you.

 
Comparison Games: Western Michigan, Ohio, Temple & Bowling Green.

Each team lost to all four teams.  Buffalo scored on average 24.25 points while giving up 32 points.  Miami meanwhile has scored 19.75 points while allowing 36.25 points.


Based on those numbers, UB is 4.5 points better than Miami on offense and 4.25 points better than Miami on defense.

Buffalo wins by 9.

Turner Gill Future Jobs

At the end of the year as a Mid major, you always have to play the is my coach and as a result my program going to pack the U-Haul and skip town.  This year we are relatively safe, the benefits of going 4-7 (so far) but I feel Turner Gill has 7 potential offers:

1) Kansas 

Friday, November 20, 2009

Exactly

the bgdnwkublog reports:

It appears now that any interest Buffalo coach Turner Gill may have had in the Western Kentucky job is officially gone.
Multiple sources confirmed to the Daily News today that the scenario seems unlikely at this point.
The original source that informed the Daily News of Gill’s initial interest this week told me today that talks have broken down considerably over the past 24 hours – citing financial concerns as a major reason. The source also confirmed that talks between the two parties had been limited at best.
 WKU made no sense, however with the final game coming up I will tell you later where Turner might go, if anywhere.

Bowling Green Daily News...Not So Fast of the Week


Just walk away.  Don't desert us, It's just a mirage

So I was late night web surfing and I found this article from the Bowling Green Daily News Blog http://bgdnwkublog.wordpress.com/:

A source close to current Buffalo head coach Turner Gill told the Daily News this morning that Gill has interest in the open position for head football coach at Western Kentucky.
and later they updated:

The source who told the Daily News on Wednesday that Gill had interest in the job, said representatives for Gill spoke with Selig today and that discussions about Gill and his interest in WKU have begun.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

So I have slacked....



Lets Catch up, first the good news:

The Buffalo Sabres beat Edmonton, Calgary and the hated Flyers to go 3-0 during last weeks Wednesday, Friday Saturday series of games. Today they lost the easy Wednesday game to Florida 6-2. We get the Bruins and Senators back to back this weekend, leading both teams by 5 and 4 points respectively. Possibly the biggest hockey weekend in the early season we'll cover it later this week.

Now for the bad news.

The Bills lost to the Titans falling to 3-6 making the decade without playoffs all but complete. Also my second favorite Dick was fired. I heard Kevin Gilbride is considered for the job and I threw up in my mouth a little. Anyway we get the Jaguars in Florida in the battle of teams trying to avoid moving to the City of Industry. I don't want to spoil the preview but Bills run D vs elite running back = a loss.

The UB Bulls playing for nothing but pride, which is less satisfying now than in 2007, beat the Miami of Ohio Red(hawks). I'll write a Pregame meal and post date it, then write a post game meal and follow up with the first ever 3 heroes segment.

The UB Basketball team opened their season with a one point loss at home to Vermont they go to Maryland, this week possible actual reporting by our reluctant Mid-Atlantic correspondant.

IMPENDING DOOM!!!


Injury Report:
Naaman Roosevelt is out with a knee injury. Ike Nduka, with both ankles rebelling. Will implosion ensue?
(via)

Buffalo at Miami Live

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Three Goats of Week 10

3) UB True Blue

Watching on ESPN, I couldn't help but notice the home field advantage we had in ESPN games last year was not around. On Senior Day, the last game of the year and with the team facing elimination from Bowl Eligibility, I wanted to see a packed house really rattling the Ohio team. Instead I felt I could hear each persons individual cheer. I saw the diehards, this goat is not for you, but the fair weathers, 60 in Buffalo is as fair as your going to get in November even if the team is 3-6, so get in the stands.

Post Game Meal - Ohio 27, Buffalo 24

The Keys to the game was Jeffvon Gill getting 100+ yards, and preventing Matt Weller from stealing points when the Ohio Offense stalls.

Unfortunately Jeffvon Gill did not have success against Ohio going 9 carries for 32 yards. The UB backfield combined to go 18 for 86. As stated in the Pre Game Meal, Ohio allows 77.8 yards a game in their victories, and the weak running effort played into their hands.

Also unfortunate is that my football reports are very accurate, while my weather reports are not so much. UB stadium was particularly warm and calm for November, giving Matt Weller no problem with his 2 fgs, (47 yard long) and 3 extra points. Weller is 28% of Ohio's points for the season, this week, he was 37.5%. Ohio's offense typically stalled in the second half, but Weller's solid kicking once again bailed Ohio out and led to a victory.

Stats: UB is now 2-5 in games settled by 7 points or less, in 2008 they were 4-3 in those games.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Ohio at Buffalo Live Blog

Guest Blog Right Quick

Wow... we seem devoted, or is it defeated? No Tweets all week? For an account that's always so full of hopeful posts with how well practice went and how ready the guys are, putting an offer on a house in Shittsville in week 10 may seem appropriate to some, but I'm not for it.

This is the last home game this season. The fullness of the stands has gradually diminished yes, but remember those chilly, all elements days of yesteryear, let's say in 2005? We had no fans, no hope, no goals, and a badly painted mural. I don't want to ever see this school return to those days.

It's a stretch to say that a lapse in being a slave to social media will result in empty, frozen bleachers, but with constant school spirit, in the face of a losing season, I see the chance for a new attitude at UB with TrueBlue fans endlessly supporting.

People are still making their way to Kansas City games on Sundays and they're 1-7; let's get it together Bulls/Bulls fans.

Pre Game Meal: Ohio at Buffalo

Story: Buffalo needs to win out to become bowl eligible meanwhile Ohio at 4-1 in the MAC needs to win to keep up with Temple before the Temple-Ohio showdown in two weeks.





Buffalo Player to Watch: RB Jeffvon Gill

Gill went 23 for 172 last week and gets his first start today. Ohio tends runs the ball poorly, and Buffalo has the opportunity to control the clock and wear down the Ohio defense while resting the UB D. In Ohio's 6 wins, they have allowed a healthy 77.8 yards on the ground, so a decent outing is not enough to wear down the Bobcats. In Ohio's 3 losses, they have allowed 135.6 yards rushing. Gill will have to carry the load and move the pile this week. If he can average 7.3/ carry again, then UB should "run away" with this one.

Ohio Player to Watch: K Matt Weller

Ohio is 8th in rushing and 8th in passing and 11th in 3rd down conversions in the MAC, yet they are 5th in points.

Ever point has been important for an Ohio team that doesn't move the ball very well. In conference play Freshman Weller has gone 8/9, including a 52 yard kick last game vs. Ball State.

In conference Weller has made up 28% of Ohio's points. If Ohio can get 40 and 50 yard kicks from Weller in a cold and windy UB Stadium it will be the difference tonight.

Comparison Games: Akron, Bowling Green.

Each team played Akron and Bowling Green this year, Ohio beat BGSU 44-37, and Akron 19-7 while UB beat Akron 21-17 and lost to BGSU last week 30-29.

Based on those numbers, Ohio is 6.5 points better than UB on offense and 1.5 points better than UB on defense.

Ohio wins by 8.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Jerry Sulivan, Vick to Buffalo... Not so fast of the Week

In today's column of the Buffalo News Jerry Sullivan wrote:


No offense to Tony Dungy, one of the most respected men in football. But if he thinks Buffalo would be a good fit for Michael Vick, I have two words for him: no thanks.

Sure, the Bills need help at quarterback. They kicked the tires when Vick got out of jail for dogfighting. What they don't need is a washout who couldn't read defenses or make accurate throws before he went to jail. His days as a viable NFL starter are over.



The argument that Vick was never a good quarterback is tired and racist. This is what people said about Vince Young, who took a bad team to the playoffs, then was yanked out in favor of a washed out White QB who's only talent is the ability not to lose games once every 5 years. Then they waited 6 awful losses in a row to put Vince in, and since then he has done nothing but win 2 straight.

Vick can play ball and that's why he was the highest paid player in the NFL. You don't like that he can run, that's fine, but remember he took a Falcon team with Peerless Price as his most deadly weapon to the NFC championship game, imagine what he would do with our offensive weapons.

Sullivan continues

What are the Bills, some halfway house for fallen stars? How's that Terrell Owens thing working out? The Bills need a solution, not a sideshow. They should find their next QB the conventional way in the draft. Let some other team play the sap on this one.

I don't know how has the traditional way worked?

Todd Collins, Fail
JP Losman, Fail
Trent Edwards, No so good

and outside of the draft we have acquired both Rob Johnson and Drew Bledsoe, both not ending so well.

In fact, the last time Buffalo had any success, we had the very untraditional Doug Flutie. Vick is Flutie with a rocket arm and appropriate quarterback height. He'd make our OL problems less pronounced and yes he'd sell tickets, remember Buffalo excitement is not a bad thing even if the players don't live up to the hype.

So Jerry Sullivan I'm giving you a Lee Corsoesque NOT SO FAST... Vick To Buffalo would work.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Morning Update

Well I am back to 80% from flu like symptoms so I hope to take a nap and then come back with a solid Buffalo Sabres preview.  Today we get the hated Flyers including diminutive traitor Danny Briere, the NHL's Mike Strahan, Chris Pronger and international (Canada & U.S.) Douchebag Ray Emery.

In the meantime follow LSUFreak on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LSUFreek...he is the king of the GIF and forgive him (or praise him) for this shot at the bills head coach.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Three Goats of Week 9

3) Zach Maynard - Simple is better with Maynard.  He simplified against BGSU and did not hurt the Bulls with a fumble or an Interception.  However, on 3rd and short and one first down away from putting the game away and no pressure Maynard had an easy scramble for a first down, instead he forced a bad throw that fell incomplete.  The Bulls punted and the rest is history.  Maynard has wheels, he needs to know when to use them.

2) Danny Barrett/Fred Reed - Fred Reed is the goat for putting single coverage on Bowling Green's best receiver in crunch time.  I would never not put 2 safeties back when I know the other team has to get into the end zone, but if I was going to single cover an all star wide receiver, I would select in order: Domonic Cook, Kendric Hawkins, Davonte Shannon and Mike Newton before leaving the task to Josh Thomas.

Danny Barrett is also the goat for getting a first hand lesson on what you do with your star receiver, get him the ball. Naaman Roosevelt has averaged 7.5 receptions/ game and has shown for years the ability to make things happen whenever he gets the ball, especially receiving the WR screen.  Giving Naaman the ball only twice against BGSU is a major gameplan flaw.


1) Turner Gill - Turner coached scared.  Turner had the ball up 8 with 1:39 left in the second quarter and three timeouts.  A touchdown at the half would have really crushed BGSU before the half.  Not scoring hurt because UB out gained BGSU 311-123 in the first half.  BGSU only stopped UB once, and yet were only down 1 score.  Even while trying to run down the clock, UB ran 6 running plays and gained 61 yards.

The trend continued as the only score of the second half was purely coincidental, a result of a muffed punt.  Turner took his foot off the gas instead of going for the kill, which has been the theme of this season.  It led to a near loss at UTEP, it led to a loss at UCF and now it cost us BGSU.

Final stat.  8 - as in UB has scored 111 points this year in the second half only 8 points more than the 103 points they have scored this year in the second quarter.

Post Game Meal - BGSU 30, Buffalo 29


Go-Go Gadget Pass Deflection Arm

The keys to the game were:

QB Zach Maynard, UB is 2-0 when Maynard does not throw an INT, but 1-5 When Maynard throws a pick.  Bulls live and die on the turnovers margin, they end plus, they win the game.

Well make that 2-1, Maynard did not throw an interception, and UB "won" the turnover battle recovering a muffed punt and recording an interception.  However 2 blocked punts really put Bowling Green in a game they had no business being in.  For the first time in 8 years, BGSU looked less Urban Meyer and more Va Tech Beamer Ball. 





Barnes has 99 receptions in 8 games, averaging 12 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown per game. 

In 3 wins, Barnes averages 16 receptions for 198 yards, and 2.6 touchdowns per game.
In 5 losses, Barnes averages 10 receptions for 92 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.

You can't stop Freddie Barnes this year, but keep his yards per catch down and keep him out of the end zone  and you can stop the Falcons.




Barnes had 7 receptions for 104 yards and no touchdowns for 59 minutes of the game, way under his average for the year.  With one catch, with 39 seconds left in the game, he won the game.  The Bulls did not keep him out of the end zone when it matter most and that's why they lost.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

LOL NFL on Kissing Suzy Kolber

If you have never read LOLJocks, or Kissing Suzy Kolber, I suggest you take a gander... in the meantime, the first half of the Bills Season as seen through LOL NFL vision.















Bowling Green at Buffalo Preview

Buffalo Player to Watch: Zach Maynard

Maynard has thrown 11 interceptions this season.  UB is 2-0 when Maynard does not throw an INT, but 1-5 When Maynard throws a pick.  Bulls live and die on the turnovers margin, they end plus, they win the game.

Bowling Green Player to Watch: Freddie Barnes

Barnes has 99 receptions in 8 games, averaging 12 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown per game.
In 3 wins, Barnes averages 16 receptions for 198 yards, and 2.6 touchdowns per game.
In 5 losses, Barnes averages 10 receptions for 92 yards and .2 touchdowns.

You can't stop Freddie Barnes this year, but keep his yards per catch down and keep him out of the end zone  and you can stop the Falcons.


Comparison Game: Central Michigan

Each team played Central Michigan this year, BGSU lost 24-10, UB lost 20-13.

Based on those numbers, UB is 3 points better than BGSU on offense and 4 points better than BGSU on defense.

UB wins by 7.

Tuesday Night Football

"UB is playing on Tuesday?" - My non-UB alumni, but native Buffalonian friend.

Yes UB plays on Tuesday for most of the final month of the year, did this last year too.  When the MAC conference sold their souls to ESPN, they allowed the network to customize the MAC schedule.  The result, games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and whenever else ESPN has an open time slot.  I was openly critical of it, because they are messing with student schedules, and the tradition of college Saturday.  However last year I found I was wrong; off peak football is great for alcoholics and gamblers, and I am an alcoholic.  Plus ESPN games are great for me, because I don't live in Buffalo and I get to see games on TV for once.

It's especially great this year, Bills on Sunday, Monday Night Football on Monday, UB Bulls on Tuesday, Sabres Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  This schedule pretty much doubles my weekly beer and wing intake, and it's just magnificent.

Stay tuned for UB vs BGSU preview and post during the game today.

Terrell Owens for Pro Bowl

My first post at 8WIE  is a passion project.


Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?



Terrell Owens deserves to be a pro bowler this year.  He has brought media attention to Buffalo and a bunch of 4 o'clock games.  Besides that, TO:

1) Leads the league in a statistical category.  (drops)
2) Has scored a touchdown 2 different ways.(No literally 1 receiving and 1 running)
3) Did not blast Trent Edwards...he just ran poor routes and let the Jets take care of Edwards
4) Has never been an AFC pro bowler, and seeing as he has such a negative impact on Quarterbacks, we should let TO work his magic on Tom Brady, Big Ben and Peyton Manning.

http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot

Vote early and vote often