...

It's not beef and cheese, but, rather, Camels.

This wasn't me, but I understand completely. I also understand ink's situation very well. These things are, I think, highly personal and can only come under the umbrella of "(intentionally) forced personal change" where the "change" can vary wildly from person to person. Ever since each of those periods for myself, I try to avoid doing or saying things that I would regret (from a parenting perspective) and, or but, it's very hard to be comprehensive in that endeavor. Each period, for myself, was rather transformative, but, like any other experience in life, its intensity fades over time. I wish I could bottle the thoughts and emotions during that period and experience them once in a while to renew the aforementioned endeavor.

There is far more internal stability and direction than last year at this time. They may not make the playoffs, but I believe we're going to see much better hockey by the time December rolls around.

I can't imagine any of the first round picks being on the table until, at least, the trade deadline. This conversation started last April and apparently hasn't changed.

:w00t:

You think it's my leg.

Says the person posting on an internet forum.

Emissions systems on automobiles. Bah.

Finally.

I don't get the play calling on the Bills' last two possessions. Why not throw the ball and try and put a final nail in the coffin?

Probably language like: "If Terry Pegula et al wish to purchase the team, the team will be sold to him and his party."

Best post of 2014.

What does it mean to "disenfranchise voters"? People fall for the most inane garbage it's depressing. Yeah, watch the Ken Burns documentary on Prohibition if you don't believe the extent to which you are manipulated, and for how long it's been going on. They use the same tactics they started using 125 years ago - the exact same, right down to the wording. It seems lots of folks are just sports fans hanging their hats on a political agenda without any real philosophical or intellectual grasp of the outcome. In this example, to think that "disenfranchising voters" is more important than an election result that is as clean (read: fraud-free) as possible is simply ridiculous, unless, of course, you're in on the gag that these "disenfranchised voters" sway the result in favor or your team, uhm, I mean, party.

I think anyone interested in this may be thrown by the first picture in the auction. They probably say to themselves "it matches the rug...why get rid of it?"

We have come all this way with the Sabres, knowing throughout the latter half of it that, in the end, the goal is to build a true contender. We know this is the last season for it. We know that, even without getting the number 1 pick, if the Sabres tank, they will get a player whose caliber we have dreamed of for many seasons now. Do we want a legit chance at building a true contender? Yes. Is tanking the only way? No. Tanking is the path they started on, though, and it's something they haven't really tried before (in earnest). I don't like it while it's happening, but I do like the end game...a lot. And since, again, we have all travelled this far and the end is in sight, it only makes sense to stay the course.

I agree...anyone willing to call a radio station and talk to the on-air talent about...anything...should know what they're talking about. Anyway, regarding the pronunciation, I agree that spelling suggests "Shawn - trell". My interpretation is based on folks messing around with pronunciation so it sounds cool, like "Theresa" being pronounced "Tear-EHZ-ah", or "Darrell" being pronounced "Day - rell".

Looking at it, I would have pronounced it "Sea - An - Trell".

That wasn't Tuel who threw that interception.

If memory serves it was between the Bills 40 and the 50. FWIW, I liked Ruel.

4th and 3 and they punt? Why? Now I remember why I have a hard time getting into football.

Someone help me out: I don't really follow football, except for the regular drama that is the Buffalo Bills. I have never had an interest in preseason NFL football, ever, but I feel strangely compelled to watch this game tonight and have caught myself somewhat looking forward to it. What is happening to me?

Culture change. Under Regier, would the Sabres have had the likes of Nolan or Trottier? How many teams have wishy-washy GMs or aren't committed to winning? These two, especially, probably couldn't get a job, or wouldn't take a job, with a team that has a crappy culture. Maybe they were turned off to the league through job interviews with disappointing GMs and/or ownership and said "the hell with it..." I don't think these guys are hired without the approval of Murray and Pegula's crew. So I think that they have established a clear mandate: change the culture to one that takes no prisoners and makes no excuses. As everyone has pointed out, this team isn't going anywhere right now. If that's so, then why not welcome the opportunity to hire proven winners and let them teach the kids what being a winner is like? Frankly, I like Trottier being on board more than I did PLF as far as all of the above goes. As far as an X's and O's guy...they'll get that, maybe. Again, the team isn't going anywhere this year, why hurry? They have a stats department, they have people who can parse the stats and give the details to the coaches, and the coaches can combine the data with their coaching and bingo - you have a hybrid approach to coaching. Don't forget they DID have a pure X's and O's guy on board in Rolston, and that was a failure.

Right. So, the Sabres want a guy who was fired from a team expected to contend, but couldn't.

Are you suggesting the guys on the Stanley Cup winning or contending teams are available?

Ditto.