That Aud Smell

My theory: That kid 2 doors down took up the trumpet this school year. And what with the weather being so nice -- it makes it difficult to fit in that afternoon nap.

Hear, hear. Another encouraging development. It appears that he's kept on a pitch count of sorts, which should allow him to be fresh for key situations.

Ramsey getting burned by Ty "Dolla Sign" Johnson was absolutely delicious. I didn't notice who had been in coverage until I watched highlights today. Otoh, that wasn't so much the D giving up a shot over top as it was one of Allen's famous extended holy crap how did we make that throw plays.

Passing was down precipitously in Week 1 acrost the league. There may be a legit trend going on. Defences are shelling up or whatever the hell they call it and offences are scheming to take what's being given (which is more running and more underneath stuff). I think about the fact that the Bills drafted Torrance -- a run blocking mauler, not so much a pass pro expert. Also, I cannot stress enough how Joe Brady's play design on that first tuddy made me so, so happy. Was it stolen directly from Andy Reid? Sure. But it was executed perfectly.

tough crowds, man. the first james cook touchdown was a cause for joyous celebration. that was some andy reid sh1t right there. i wanted to kiss joe brady! then on another first half TD drive, allen made two throws that were objectively bonkers -- the bullet into shakir's abdomen amidst 3 closing defenders and that long throw to ty johnson (who cooked jalen ramsey!). lots to love from the bills.

I'm not sure what you mean by "gaps." Benford played excellent defence and caused the first interception through tight coverage. The second interception was apparently a mistake on the part of the WR -- he reportedly did not run the route to the correct depth (maybe that's what you mean by gap). The third interception was a product of good team defence (nobody was open), pressure from a d-lineman, and Tua having a noodle arm. I think McDermott played some cat and mouse with McDaniel. The Bills would surrender a couple chunk run plays, but then tighten up and shut things down. The Dolphins were definitely a.ss in several respects -- O-Line, coaching principally come to mind. But the Bills D gets full credit for stomping out an inferior opponent.

No harm, no foul -- but had Allen hurt himself on this play -- there would have been hell to pay.

I am very concerned over Bernard’s injury. That’s a potential season ender. Could be time for the Legend of Buffalo Joe to continue?

That was a master class from McDermott. McDaniel looked like a vape shop owner who couldn’t figure out Quickbooks.

I thought maybe he was talking about Terry. Looked like he was wearing his eye protection from racquet ball or squash.

haha - wait - how??

I will sh1t in my hat if the Sabres' next Captain is someone other than Dahlin. I appreciate people posting that we can trust Lindy to sort this out. But there's been a lot of business/brand development invested in making Dahlin the Captain. I think that's going to matter. Is that a "will be" vote? A "should be" vote? Both?

thought you were gonna bring balance to sabrespace - not leave it in darkness

you're gonna make the man say it, aren't you? #thisisobnoxious

One of the league's best backups. I wish the Bills could have gotten him back. Dude's made $70MM+ in his career -- so a shade better than moderately successful, I think.

Is this true? Cripes. I have little (no) interest in re-opening the Meddling Thread. I'd just inferred that he'd taken steps back from directly managing all sports operations, but perhaps he views the Sabres as something he's still capable of dealing with more directly? But that theory dovetails with ... is it @LGR4GM's proposition? ... that Terry and KA are essentially one person. That Terry hired KA to spy on and report back regarding what was going wrong in the Sabres FO of days past, and that Terry thereafter installed KA -- who had no credentials whatsoever -- as a direct extension of himself as Sabres GM. Man. Just when I thought I could not feel any worse about the upcoming season. you fuggin muhfugger. that's funny.

His track record in hiring people is brutal. He did very well with McDermott, who, in turn, brought in Beane. But that's really about it. I'd love to see him clean house with the Sabres, but have no confidence that he'd hire someone capable of turning things around. Maybe he could retain that same consulting firm (or one like it) that initially recommended McDermott as the new HC -- only to have Terry bamboozled into hiring Rex -- and then came back and recommended McDermott again.

Hear, hear. I am in no way, shape, or form accepting of the team being a mess just because I should be happy that WNY still has a team. Eff that. I need to be prepared to shout something Sabres-related if I ever get within earshot of Terry. What would it be? Something short and capable of being clearly shouted. It might make for a decent OT thread topic. Jokes welcome, of course, but I'm legitimately interested in serious suggestions as well.

That's not at all what I'm saying. And you're plenty smart enough to know that.

I know firsthand how this region responds to a good NHL hockey team. My point is: If the building was substantially sold out for every game, and the Sabres were a perennial playoff team, the franchise would still be at significant risk of being relocated because there’s much more money to be made elsewhere.

Because the NHL covets that market and its money like a motherfu**er. They’ll probably end up putting a team back there. I did indeed ignore it. I wasn’t speaking to it. And I’m still not.

If Terry were to sell, a relocation would be a distinct possibility. That goes for both franchises. @PromoTheRobot is substantially correct to note how other cities/municipal areas -- ones that are much larger, much more monied -- are chomping at the bit to get in on more pro sports action. Lord, I love Buffalo. But Buffalo's position within these crony capitalist ecosystems is tenuous.

Allen has been cleared to practice. He looks to have avoided any serious injury to his left hand. Taron, otoh, is out for Thursday. Which effing blows. Cam Lewis filled in admirably against the Cardinals. And, if there's one thing McDermott excels at, it's getting his defensive backfield coached up and prepared. So, hopefully Josh can hang a 40-burger on the Dolphins and the D can do enough to help secure the W. One last thing in this regard: Is it me, or does Taylor Rapp lead the league in friendly-fire-inflicted injuries? Dude's a menace.

Seriously? I haven't heard this one before. I do recall the story about how Brandon coached Rex on the sorts of stuff to talk about with Terry in order to curry favour (I recall a bit about red wines, specifically (which, honestly, is the most basic b1tch billionaire sh1t ever)).