That Aud Smell

This is a really good post. As it stands, the AFC belongs to the Chiefs and Bengals. Everyone else exists on a lower tier. Beane & Co.'s performance at the draft has become a problem. They've missed, or at least failed to hit, on too many early round guys. There's been 3 RB's taken in the first 3 rounds, but mostly replacement level play to show for it. There were 3 edge players taken in rounds 1 and 2 over a 2-year (?) period, but none of those guys made a peep against a decimated O-line yesterday. Gabe Davis is not a good WR2. The list goes on. Sadly, this team has taken steps back from the height of its powers. The high-water mark appears to have been the 13 seconds team. And even setting aside all of the holes on their roster, it's the coaching that most concerns me. They've built a wonderful culture, but they are not getting it done against good teams when it comes to game planning and game day adjustments. Go Bills.

UPL honouring Miller with a failure to track a puck from distance.

Okay. So … for the next ~12 years.

He’s gonna responsibly gobble 25+ a game for the Sabres for the next 15 years.

Lol - Rayzor saying Gibson was out for a stroll.

I was gonna post: The Thompson line needs to chill with the cross ice passes when they gain the zone — other teams are sitting on them.

Had to take the dog for a walk. WOOOO!!

I have the NHL feed - the commentators are excellent - especially the colour guy. Who are they?

Tuch’s a (very?) good top-6 player with some flaws and limitations. And “the boys” clearly like him. I just never thought effort was something he lacked.

Hear, hear. The dissonance between the score and the run of play was FREAKIN me out at the arena.

Sweet. Is Chicago on there?

This is Eichel's long game - to steadily work his way toward Boston. 😏

More in-arena eyeballing: The Thompson line generally kicked the snot out of whoever the Islanders sent over the boards against them. They did concede that second goal (not sure which of the forwards blew that assignment), but, on balance, they dominated.

As for the game: It's just the eyeball test, but good lord did the Sabres dominate that game. There were several times when the crowd would cheer a line change that was occurring while possession was being maintained or would loudly cheer a line that was coming off the ice after a strong shift. Buffalo hockey fans are real ones. Strangely, it seemed like, when the Islanders did have possession in the Sabres' zone, they were always on the verge of scoring -- it just seemed perilous. Some of that has to do with UPL, I think. He's still got a little cah-razy in his game. I'd like to see him calm down a bit, become more economical and measured with his movement. On the other hand: That save UPL made at the end of the third was ginormous. The crowd went berzerk. One last crowd comment: From the second period onward, the crowd was regularly continuing to sing along - pretty loudly - to the song that had been playing during a TV timeout. "I Want It That Way," "Take On Me," and ... whatever that Avalanche song is. That was the best atmosphere I've experienced at a Sabres game in a long, long time. I'd probably have to go back to the 2006 playoffs to find a better one.

Checking in after attending last night. The Miller ceremony was very well done - full marks to PSE. Miller spoke for a little over 15 minutes -- I had forgotten what a flat affect he generally has. Not unpleasant, mind you. Just presents as chill and mild. A couple of things about the ceremony, one serious and one lulzy: (1) There's saying "mental health matters," retweeting the content from Bell in order to raise money for the It's Okay Not To Be Okay cause, and then there's inviting your shrink to attend the ceremony where your number is being retired. I can't readily find a reference to her online, but her role in his career and life was unmistakable when Miller thanked her. That was moving to me. I love the guy that much more for having done that. (2) I sorta hate myself for including that content, as I'm not comfortable with the IR jokes at Connolly's expense. That said, it was such a weird moment when the camera shot to him already seated when they announced his name. There he was chawing on a wad of gum, looking sorta surly and sour, like he was ready to ***** (the filtered word is s.natch (c'mon)) a late-night steak sandwich right off someone's plate at Mother's and eat half of it in one bite. Did he refuse to walk out to his name being announced? Did he not listen to directions? I have questions. EDIT: Holy spit. I JUST noticed that he had crutches. That explains the early walkout! That much funnier now.

Got my "What you need to know" email from the Sabres - this is definitely a 7:30 puck drop.

Also helpful context. At this point, I honestly feel a bit (maybe significantly) better about the potential connection between Kim's health and the Bills' future in Buffalo. I appreciate those who've helped explain why there may well not be a worrisome (or, as I feared, potentially catastrophic) connection between Kim's health - or Terry's, for that matter - and the Bills' future in WNY. I hope that the next time I post in this thread it will be in connection with some encouraging news that the family has released.

Let's Go, Buffalo! I'll be in-house tonight. Looking forward to it.

But we do not have the proverbial game wrecker on D. Even Milano, who had a career year and is an excellent pro. He is not a game wrecker. I enjoyed how Von Miller, in the games he did play for the Bills, would occasionally bide his time and pick his spot. And then BOOM - a 3rd down sack or what have you. That sort of thing is crucial, especially in the playoffs.

Posting about Spanos above prompted me to consider: I like this idea that the everywhere-ness of the NFL product will defray some of Buffalo's small market problems. But Spanos's recent relocation of the Chargers to L.A. seemed like a clear expression of the league's continued desire for franchises to be present in large, powerful TV markets. Imo, there is no franchise that's more irrelevant from an NFL brand standpoint than the L.A. Chargers. Does anyone actually give a sh1t about that team? Not as far as I can tell. But I suppose the league and the franchise are banking on that dynamic changing, and quickly.

TIL, btw. This strikes me as strongly indicative of what the Pegulas are presumably doing. (And then again, Spanos moved the team to L.A. 🤪 I'll be forever grateful to have Bills' owners who would plan like Spanos did and who are committed to WNY like the Pegulas are.)

I gotchu.

What are you - like a mod, or something? Hmm. Interesting. Please no more j1zz hats, though.

Thanks - but we gotta hat tip @GASabresIUFANfor that inventory of woe and limitation. And I agree with this 100%. It's impressive what they've been able to accomplish with a roster that is lacking the special talents that other playoff rosters boast. When I look at the 49ers and Eagles? Sheesh. Come to think of it, I think the Chiefs can make a similar claim to having an elite QB, a stud WR1 (he's a tight end), and a hodge podge for the rest of the offence. Thing is, the Chiefs also have Chris Jones on D. The Bills just lack that sort of playmaker on defence. (Miss you Von.) Oh - and the Chiefs also have an all-time great offensive mastermind at the helm.)