tom webster

He is only talking about players drafted or signed as undrafted free agents not players acquired via trades

I wouldn't disagree with this

The Sabres were at or near the top when the past core were all prospects and Miller, Biron and Norenon where in the system. They were at middle of the pack or below once that group made the NHL

Just putting their record in perspective. The reality is if you eliminate the top two or four teams and the bottom three or four , the difference between the rest of the league has a lot to do with schedule and timing of critical injuries.

Their division is fearing on NFC South and Browns three non division wins Saints Tampa Oakland

I only know because I saw it tweeted earlier

I would guess that the first and last you listed would be the only ones that would stump most with the last definitely the toughest

How about this one since six was the number of choice. Six Sabre head coaches actually played for the team. Can you name them?

That is because you didn't see some of those guys play. I got 4 immediately, remembered Berard and actually Erik Johnson took me the longest. I'm just too technologically challenged to know how to post them without ruining it for everyone. I do admit that I read your post about Lawton before thinking about the answer but I'm pretty sure I would have remembered him as well.

I couldn't have said it better but then I am as big of anti TN as anyone here. I will be very surprised if he is behind the bench next year.

I know you do and I'm sure you can provide some statistical analysis to show the microscopic differences between the first and twentieth receiver in the league to back up your point but then we would just get into as discussion about statistical relevance in a league with microscopic differences and I'm not up to it right now.

I, too, am surprised this hasn't got much play. However, I don't think it indicates a desire to return to Ottawa down the road but rather him thinking he let his Uncle down by not being there for him. At first I was surprised he said it even if I understand his feelings but thinking about it some more, that's the kind of guy he is, just saying what he feels without any self editing.

While I don't agree with your premise either, my biggest complaint is with your analogy which I think portrays a lot of what is wrong with the anti trade sentiment. Blowing your money on strippers is an impulse buy with no residual gain. Watkins is here for a long time to come(pun intended) so a better analogy would have been blowing your money on a 50" monitor when the rent money is due.

It is almost as if Ted's retirement plan includes getting fired.

It's the Jimmy Johnson plan toward draft success. Accumulate as many picks as you can and you are bound to find a diamond in the rough especially if you use the picks to allow you to go for the home run rather then the safe pick.

If they get two or three of the 2nd or 3rd rounders to hit big, the rebuild will accelerate exponentially. Throw in the possibility of Grigs and Armia being useful assets and this may all be worth it with or without McDavid

I understand the frustration but there is absolutely no reason to get rid of good people as long as the right person is brought to steer the ship. This change the culture thing is a bunch of crap. I have quickly soured on Marrone but there is no reason that Whaley and Brandon can't stay on and do the jobs that I believe both of them are more then capable of doing. I remember when Ralph was blasted for promoting a former scout from the USFL to run the ship. It took him a couple of years and he almost traded Kelly's rights but he ended up going pretty well. It's amazing how a few star players can make everyone look like geniuses

Being in the Gallagher Center and the Reilly Center during Murphy and Lanier was something special for a 9 year old kid. I will forever be indebted to my cousin.

It's hard to remember but that was a great time. Still think the Braves and McAdoo would have won a couple of rings if it weren't for Snyder and the Chicken King

And in all those cases, luck played a huge roll which is why I said I believe in the draft a QB every year mentality. We are really only one year removed from drafting EJ. I am not sure what they should have done other then what they tried to do which was signing Orton in the off season. And yes, I am for retaining Whaley even if they implode although I would guess a new coach would be in the offing. A new coach doesn't necessarily want full control, in fact, some like Mike McCarthy and Sean Payton don't want it.

What real teams? The Patriots? Look at their drafts and where would they be if they didn't get lucky with that 6th round pick a few years ago. The Bronco's ? Did they plan the Manning injury and subsequent free agent tour? The Colts? How prepared were they for Manning's injury or was their plan all along to suck for Newton and or Luck depending when Peyton broke down? The Saints? They got Brees only because Miami passed and they were so desparate they guaranteed a contract that no one else would? The Seahawks? They signed Matt Flynn to a mega deal before stumbling onto Wilson. The 49ers? They were set to give the reigns to Alex Smith before Kaepernick appeared. The Bills tried all summer to convince Orton to sign. Who would you rather had them sign? McCown? I am all about drafting a quarterback till you get it right so I would have liked to see him draft someone last year but none of them would have been ready anyway. You can pick and choose how you evaluate his performance but if you are going to use drafts when he was an assistant then give him credit for the state of the roster improvement in those years as well. It is clear that they are solidly in the middle of the pack now and as you say, its really all about the QB now and like it or not, luck will play a huge roll in deciding if they find a Russell Wilson or end up settling for an Andy Dalton

I agree with you on most of this but I will throw out a couple of points that might change my opinion. 1) It is "Pegula Sports and Entertainment" and they may have other "non-sports" content they would want to showcase. 2) I think the business model is a lot different now for regional networks and a lot more providers looking for content now

That's Preston Brown's play and he owned up to it after the game. It was of the few commentaries that the TV broadcast got right yesterday, Lawson crashes and the linebacker is supposed to contain. Apparently there was a lot of confusion on the defense as well so a time out may have helped. I do agree with you about the coaching though. Some of Marrone's decisions could be questioned but the game plan was fine. He is really no different then most NFL coaches. Usually the "geniuses" just have better quarterbacks. Marrone didn't tell his 4th string running back to fumble and he didn't have his "safe" punt returner available yesterday and he most assuredly didn't tell his street free agent quarterback to miss a bunch of throws.

I don't understand this at all. The talent level improvement on this team is palpable since he took over. As for Brandon, he discusses football and personnel like any any other fan and continually defers to Whaley and/or Marrone when specific questions are asked.

Now saying Sabre property, not current player