nfreeman

That 9-7 record was a mirage. The Bills were 8-7 and played the Patriots in the last game of the season, when the Pats had clinched, had zero to play for and rested Brady for half the game. There is essentially zero possibility that the Bills would've won that game had the Patriots given a poop about it. So that was just another 8-8 season. Similarly, had the Bills played TT in the (meaningless) finale vs the Jets this season, there's a pretty good likelihood that they would've won, which would've brought them to...8-8. I certainly don't argue that hiring Rex was a mistake -- but it was a defensible move. He was the biggest name on the coaching market, and getting him (after years of the Bills not even being able to get interviews with hot candidates) was a coup. As for the Sabres, I said it came down to coaching and injuries -- not just injuries. The Sabres have clearly bailed on DDB. Was hiring him a mistake? Yes indeed -- but again, it was defensible. He was the 2nd-biggest name on the coaching market, and they hired him only after being spurned by the top guy. Do you not think they'd be in the thick of the playoff race under the circumstances I mentioned -- i.e. Babcock plus no injuries?

Correct. I agree with most of this, but I think the NFL would've approved a Bills move in a heartbeat. Beat me to it.

How about this: the Bills are certainly no worse than they were and as demonstrated upthread are actually a bit better. The Sabres are worse, but they are worse because they decided to pursue the strategy that most here wanted them to pursue: the siren's song of the tank. The results of that decision were entirely predictable. Now, are the Pegulas ultimately responsible for the tank, and, before that, for keeping Darcy on -- both of which decisions turned out poorly? Yes, they are. But while I disagreed with both decisions, both were defensible. Neither was the product of foolish/self-indulgent meddling, as the fear-and-loathing-of-the-wealthy corner here would have it. And next year, if they get better coaching and good health, they'll likely make the playoffs. Frankly, they probably would've made it this year with Babcock and with no early Eichel, Kane, Okposo and ROR injuries.

yes.

Flagg-- that was outstanding.

Well, the 140-character twitter limit makes it difficult.

As usual, yse well overstates his case, but there are certainly kernels of troof. I would trade Larsson to Vegas to get them to take Moulson (not Ennis, because I see signs of life in Ennis, while Moulson is done like dinner). I'm not sure what the cap implications are of a Gorges buyout, but it's certainly possible -- and yse is probably right that Franson and Kuli will both walk in FA. I highly doubt that Kane is traded.

Which players does this apply to? And how, exactly do you know this?

Oooooooooooohhhh. You got me.

How awesome would it be to have both Foo and Pu?

I understood about 10% of this but it does sound cool -- especially the trebuchet. There is a pumpkin patch in upstate NY we go to every fall that has one -- it flings pumpkins probably 200 yards. Very cool.

I kept reading this thread, semi-afraid it would go off the rails, and...nothing really happened (although Smarm's name change was kinda clever). The dog days have begun, and we have 3 freaking months until the draft. Thanks DDB. Great job. (Although I'm fine with the suspension.)

Unlocked and at your service. No complaints here -- on vacation!

Dude. WTF?

Well, I do think it's reasonable to want/expect no increase in ticket prices.

What about a tailgate before the game in the Citi field parking lot? We'd need to start early as I assume it will be an early game.

I too think GoDD is a good guy and I too miss having him here. He just crossed the line too many times, and not only on the PSU matter. I hope I can make it to the next meetup (and it would be great to have a NYC edition for the WC) and that he (and many others here) attend.

Whoa. As if the meetup wasn't a huge enough event -- that is a major freaking SabreSpace development. Is he in any of the photos? Or does his image simply not show up in photos, like Damien's? There are plenty of us envying that rock star mane. (WC -- sorry -- I have to withdraw my prior compliment on that.)

Awesome. Great job lady and gents. Holy mackerel WC has great hair.

Have a great time, everyone! Wish I could attend. No prisoners!

An offensive coach that is coaching...EJ at QB? Are you really a DW defender, or are you just making conversation here? (BTW I agree that he didn't pick Rex and shouldn't be accountable for that decision -- but I also think he's made many, many poor decisions that no one forced on him.)

Maybe he just needs to make good GM-type decisions, instead of the myriad of poor decisions he's made.

I am most likely deluding myself, but I kinda like McD, I definitely prefer keeping TT over the other QB options they had, I think they did a great job in reducing TT's cost/cap hit, and, most importantly, I love the idea of marginalizing DW, whom I consider a bozo. So, although they certainly aren't executing in a smooth and professional manner, I overall am pleased with the significant steps taken this offseason so far. Let's see what happens at the draft. They need a good CB and a good #2 WR who presents a big target for TT.

What is the point of this? Just to be obnoxious? Do you really think he meant "worst" = "not enough of a fanboy?" Do you really think that he and others who criticize media members don't have other, reasonable criticisms in mind? If not, why say it this way? This essentially added zero value -- much like most of Harrington's and Bucky's output. And acting like a d-bag in a presser isn't "speaking truth to power." It's just acting like a d-bag. There are plenty of ways to assert journalistic independence and ask tough questions without throwing a temper tantrum (Harrington) or posing questions in an insulting way (Bucky). Beat me to it. I think Schopp and the Bulldog are pretty good, Howard Simon is pretty mediocre and Jeremy White is pretty knowledgeable but also pretty grating.

Gus!!