Brian Moorman's annual touchdown pass to Ryan Denney, always a nice surprise, helped the Bills stay in this game. That and the defence which, until it could not stop the run in the 4th quarter, pretty much held Drew Brees and the Saints offence in check. Too bad the Bills offence couldn't rise to the occassion today. The Saints secondary was apparently their weak spot but the Bills had little success against it or in any offensive category. New Orleans literally ran away with this game in the 4th quarter.
This was the best defensive performance of the year. The 2 big interior linemen - Williams and Stroud - were outstanding and the rest of the group looked inspired and effective until the offence stalled completely and they could hold on no more. Give credit to the Saints defence. This team looks like it will contend for a top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
The Dolphins lost at San Diego yesterday. They are 0-3 now coming home to face the Bills. They know that going 0-4 is a tough hole to climb out of. They were 11-5 last year. Is it reasonable to think Buffalo can go into Miami and win? The Dolphins are nowhere near the kind of team that New Orleans is. Chad Pennington was injured and Chad Henne could be starting next week. Their third string QB is not named Chad. Either way, I'm not feeling that confident about it.
TO's streak, which began in 1996, of 185 games with a reception is over. His "press conference" afterward featured him saying "just going with the plays that are called" about 10 times in the 2 minutes it lasted. Why does he bother?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Bills 33, Buccaneers 20
After hearing from a friend about an unpleasant 90 minute wait coming back into Canada one Sunday evening at the Queenston - Lewiston Bridge last fall, I decided, along with a friend, to apply for the Nexus Card late last year. My wife objected. Apart from issues she had with me providing my biometric data to the United States government, she doubted that it would be worthwhile. We travel to the US by air usually every spring but we travel together which means that I stay with her and stand in all of the usual line-ups and go through US Border Security with her. I maintained that if it saved me an hour long wait afer a football game only once, that it was worth the $50 and whatever other potential risks existed. Last night, we saved upwards of 2 hours by finding the somewhat remote US entrance to the Whirlpool Bridge and zipping over with no wait at all. Still got home after 10.30pm - really don't like the 4pm games - but it would have been a whole lot worse without those cards.
Apart from the benefits of the Nexus Card, what else did we learn from yesterday? The Bills are better than Tampa Bay, I guess. We knew that anyway or at least we certainly hoped that they were not in the bottom tier of the NFL, as the Bucs seem to be. We will have a much better idea after next week's match-up against the red hot Saints.
The Bills have met the Bucs only 9 times since they joined as an expansion team in 1976 and this week I was racking my brain trying to remember the last time they came to Orchard Park. I gave up and figured that it must have been in 1980's. Well, yesterday was actually the very first time. They are probably thankful that this game was not played in a December blizzard and that it will be another 8 years until they return (if the league schedule follows the same methodology then as it does now).
The Bills had a good game overall. A 4th quarter touchdown toss to T.O. brought the house down and Fred Jackson proved, again, that he should share running back duties at least equally with Marshawn Lynch when he returns Oct 4th agaisnt the Dolphins. Buffalo's injury situation is grim with starting right guard Brad Butler, cornerback and kick return man Leodis McKelvin and tight ends Derek Schouman and Shawn Nelson all leaving the game and not returning. Butler's looks to be the most serious. He was replaced by 3rd year man Jonathan Scott who looked pretty good but, with him in the line-up, the offensive line consists of three rookies, Scott and centre Geoff Hangartner.
It was nice to see Donte Whitner pick off Byron Leftwich's lame duck and score easily to give the Bills and early 14-0 lead........on the visitor side, the sun was absolutely blinding before it finally dropped below the southwest stands late in the 4th quarter.......... Jackson's fumble into mid air late in the second quarter created what was potentially a 14 point swing as the Bucs returned it from one end of the field to the other and then punched it in to close to within 6 points....... I really think that Kyle Williams gets almost no recognition as the force that he is at defensive tackle. I guess that's mostly because he plays beside Marcus Stroud.
If the Bills can somehow manage to control Drew Brees and the Saints, then we can say that this team could go somewhere. Another 4pm game at the Ralph. For those without Nexus cards, get lots of sleep on Saturday night.
Apart from the benefits of the Nexus Card, what else did we learn from yesterday? The Bills are better than Tampa Bay, I guess. We knew that anyway or at least we certainly hoped that they were not in the bottom tier of the NFL, as the Bucs seem to be. We will have a much better idea after next week's match-up against the red hot Saints.
The Bills have met the Bucs only 9 times since they joined as an expansion team in 1976 and this week I was racking my brain trying to remember the last time they came to Orchard Park. I gave up and figured that it must have been in 1980's. Well, yesterday was actually the very first time. They are probably thankful that this game was not played in a December blizzard and that it will be another 8 years until they return (if the league schedule follows the same methodology then as it does now).
The Bills had a good game overall. A 4th quarter touchdown toss to T.O. brought the house down and Fred Jackson proved, again, that he should share running back duties at least equally with Marshawn Lynch when he returns Oct 4th agaisnt the Dolphins. Buffalo's injury situation is grim with starting right guard Brad Butler, cornerback and kick return man Leodis McKelvin and tight ends Derek Schouman and Shawn Nelson all leaving the game and not returning. Butler's looks to be the most serious. He was replaced by 3rd year man Jonathan Scott who looked pretty good but, with him in the line-up, the offensive line consists of three rookies, Scott and centre Geoff Hangartner.
It was nice to see Donte Whitner pick off Byron Leftwich's lame duck and score easily to give the Bills and early 14-0 lead........on the visitor side, the sun was absolutely blinding before it finally dropped below the southwest stands late in the 4th quarter.......... Jackson's fumble into mid air late in the second quarter created what was potentially a 14 point swing as the Bucs returned it from one end of the field to the other and then punched it in to close to within 6 points....... I really think that Kyle Williams gets almost no recognition as the force that he is at defensive tackle. I guess that's mostly because he plays beside Marcus Stroud.
If the Bills can somehow manage to control Drew Brees and the Saints, then we can say that this team could go somewhere. Another 4pm game at the Ralph. For those without Nexus cards, get lots of sleep on Saturday night.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Patriots 25, Bills 24
On a Monday night in early October, 2007, just before the Bills snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Dallas on that emotional return to MNF in Orchard Park, when the Cowboys onside kick was successful, I said "and this is how we lose this game". In what seems to be a sort of a Monday night tradition, I said it again last night as Leodis McKelvin fumbled the kick-off return. I can't recall saying it last year against Cleveland but I am sure that there would have been a perfect time to have said it. The league should schedule Buffalo to play 3 or 4 Monday night games every year. For fans of the opposing teams or casual observers, they are very entertaining games - and in a league which features more than its share of klunkers, the ESPN gang would welcome it too.
Buffalo's offense could not have much confidence after their anemic performance in the pre-season. They were committed to the no-huddle approach with 3 starting offensive linemen who had never played a down in a real NFL game. Vince Wolfork was really looking forward to this game and a chance to pad his stats. The Bills would be down bt at least 3 touchdowns by halftime and I would be able to get a few things done around the condo.
I don't think I have ever heard it suggested that Dick Jauron's teams don't play hard. His game management is poor at times, players are undisciplined (and they could use some better players - and a real GM) but the effort is always there. Last night was no exception. They tried hard, played well above expectations in this game but were one key error from pulling a huge upset. They committed that error and Tom Brady made them pay.
How good was Fred Jackson in this game? This guy is incredible....... Can someone please show Demetrius Bell where the line of scrimmage is? ......There were at least three key dropped passes tonight..... I officially don't understand the rules around tackling a quarterback. There were two penalties called on the Patriots for roughing the quarterback which seemed questionable........ Trent Edwards looked comfortable and confident running the no huddle offense..........Dick Jauron's facial expressions and body language, however, do not convey a feeling of confidence........ Paul Pozluzny's left arm needs a permanent cast now it seems..... Jon Gruden is a great additition to the MNF broadcast team........
This wears thin over 10 years but the Bills have many positives to take from this game. The Patriots visit Orchard Park on December 20th. Imagine if that game means anything for the Bills - other than a chance at revenge.
Next up, 2 home games against NFC South teams starting with the home opener against one of the weaker teams in the league, the Tampa Bay Bucs, who also fired their offensive coordinator last week. I can't remember the last time they visited Buffalo but it has been many years. Then, a big test as Drew Brees and the high flying Saints come in for their first visit since 2001.
Buffalo's offense could not have much confidence after their anemic performance in the pre-season. They were committed to the no-huddle approach with 3 starting offensive linemen who had never played a down in a real NFL game. Vince Wolfork was really looking forward to this game and a chance to pad his stats. The Bills would be down bt at least 3 touchdowns by halftime and I would be able to get a few things done around the condo.
I don't think I have ever heard it suggested that Dick Jauron's teams don't play hard. His game management is poor at times, players are undisciplined (and they could use some better players - and a real GM) but the effort is always there. Last night was no exception. They tried hard, played well above expectations in this game but were one key error from pulling a huge upset. They committed that error and Tom Brady made them pay.
How good was Fred Jackson in this game? This guy is incredible....... Can someone please show Demetrius Bell where the line of scrimmage is? ......There were at least three key dropped passes tonight..... I officially don't understand the rules around tackling a quarterback. There were two penalties called on the Patriots for roughing the quarterback which seemed questionable........ Trent Edwards looked comfortable and confident running the no huddle offense..........Dick Jauron's facial expressions and body language, however, do not convey a feeling of confidence........ Paul Pozluzny's left arm needs a permanent cast now it seems..... Jon Gruden is a great additition to the MNF broadcast team........
This wears thin over 10 years but the Bills have many positives to take from this game. The Patriots visit Orchard Park on December 20th. Imagine if that game means anything for the Bills - other than a chance at revenge.
Next up, 2 home games against NFC South teams starting with the home opener against one of the weaker teams in the league, the Tampa Bay Bucs, who also fired their offensive coordinator last week. I can't remember the last time they visited Buffalo but it has been many years. Then, a big test as Drew Brees and the high flying Saints come in for their first visit since 2001.
Another dragonboat season in the books
Early April, 2005 - I work in the marketing department of a mortgage company and my colleague tells me that he has agreed to sponsor a dragonboat team. "That's the war canoe thing, isn't it", I ask.
"Something like that. Nadia knows more about it. She pitched it to me".
"When is it?", I ask, thinking that this is a one time event where bank employees get in these war canoes, have some fun and raise some money for a good cause.
"Sounds like it goes on all summer and it's like a sport", he says.
"I'll ask Nadia next time I see her", not really giving it much more thought.
Fast forward to September 13, 2009 - We, Ronin Warriors, have just finished our season with a 21st place finish at the biggest event of the year - 3rd in the B Division Final. We're very happy with our performance. Some of us stay around and close down the beer tent. Looks like we'll have a team party sometime in the next few weeks. Right now, it's over. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are free. No more prime summer weekend regattas. We ride our bikes home one last time from the beer tent. 30 or so weeks from now, we will start again. Good.
Politics, poor communication, lack of consensus, attendance issues - these are the seeds of discontent which can fester and lead to the downfall of many competitive dragonboat teams. After co-managing a team in 2006, my second year of paddling, and almost giving up halfway through, I sat out the 2007 season in a bitter contract dispute with myself.
I came back refreshed and much more care-free in 2008 for what was a mixed (and the last) season for our team. As the season came to a close, high level merger negotiations were well underway with Ronin representatives. The merger was completed over the winter and we entered 2009 hopeful and maybe a little apprehensive. Would the merger take? Would we like it? Would we be the outsiders? Well, the season is over and the answers are in: yes, yes and no.
I think that I speak for those of us who joined Ronin this year in saying how much fun it was. Thanks to Jennifer and Kevin for managing the team so well and to Dom for his patience, perseverance and positive encouragement. This team has a pretty long history, comparatively, and I am happy to be part of it.
"Something like that. Nadia knows more about it. She pitched it to me".
"When is it?", I ask, thinking that this is a one time event where bank employees get in these war canoes, have some fun and raise some money for a good cause.
"Sounds like it goes on all summer and it's like a sport", he says.
"I'll ask Nadia next time I see her", not really giving it much more thought.
Fast forward to September 13, 2009 - We, Ronin Warriors, have just finished our season with a 21st place finish at the biggest event of the year - 3rd in the B Division Final. We're very happy with our performance. Some of us stay around and close down the beer tent. Looks like we'll have a team party sometime in the next few weeks. Right now, it's over. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are free. No more prime summer weekend regattas. We ride our bikes home one last time from the beer tent. 30 or so weeks from now, we will start again. Good.
Politics, poor communication, lack of consensus, attendance issues - these are the seeds of discontent which can fester and lead to the downfall of many competitive dragonboat teams. After co-managing a team in 2006, my second year of paddling, and almost giving up halfway through, I sat out the 2007 season in a bitter contract dispute with myself.
I came back refreshed and much more care-free in 2008 for what was a mixed (and the last) season for our team. As the season came to a close, high level merger negotiations were well underway with Ronin representatives. The merger was completed over the winter and we entered 2009 hopeful and maybe a little apprehensive. Would the merger take? Would we like it? Would we be the outsiders? Well, the season is over and the answers are in: yes, yes and no.
I think that I speak for those of us who joined Ronin this year in saying how much fun it was. Thanks to Jennifer and Kevin for managing the team so well and to Dom for his patience, perseverance and positive encouragement. This team has a pretty long history, comparatively, and I am happy to be part of it.
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