That Aud Smell

I prefer wins that are reliably predictive of future wins, not a function of PDO.

Yeesh. Happy to learn of a win, but ... that’s not good.

What an idiot. Dude fritters away a stable gig with the local pro sports conglomerate for some Brick Bar lechery. Props to the male co-worker for sure. Way to be an ally.

This is a fair counterpoint -- that being in the AFC East has artificially inflated the Patriots' win totals. I don't doubt for a second that every NFL franchise pushes the envelope, as best they can, in terms of getting "competitive intelligence" on their opponents. My sense is that, as with all other facets of preparation, Belichick & Co. just do it ... better (and more) than everyone else.

Hmm. Eric Mangini was on the same podcast talking about how, among the remaining playoff teams, the thing about NE's defense (that can make it so difficult to deal with that at this time of year) is that the coaching staff is so intense and sophisticated that they can basically install a whole new defense from week to week -- not merely tweak what they've been doing.

That franchise's run of excellence is, I think, the most impressive and mind-boggling thing to have happened in modern American sports. I am sure there's an element of this that has to do with identifying good personnel. But I think this is more a function of (1) having a QB who has done and seen it all, processes on an extremely high level, and can therefore check to the right play, and get the ball out in a timely manner ... ... and (2) the coaching staff in NE works harder and better than any coaching staff in the league in terms of getting players taught and prepared. The Pardon My Take podcast had a NE alum on within the past year. I can't recall who. Someone who has been in many NFL locker rooms, buildings, etc. And he was unequivocal: A big part of NE's excellence is that they just work harder than other teams. And that extends to every part of the season and off-season. It's like a dirty, poorly kept secret that no one likes to talk about.

Must? Win? Let's go, Buffalo.

I don't disagree with the substance of these takes on Snoop. Nor do I have a problem with him, in the least. He's become a sanitized caricature of a persona he developed and perfected in the 90s. And it apparently pays to do it. More power to him. Btw, the Hollywood Squares thing is spot on. Snoop would be perfect there.

Hiring people that you know, people you have worked with before is SOP throughout the NFL. The trick is making wise choices regarding people with whom you've previously worked.

I liked the part where they pretend to pee like dogs. Also, that's legit my first time ever seeing that ... video.

Hey - you gotta tag me on stuff like that. There's been a lot of improvement on several fronts. I've noticed a few swings and misses here and there, but, on balance, PSE seems to be moving in a more modern direction. I see that Josh Allen story was posted here. I recall it being previously posted and discussed elsewhere. I won't repeat my thoughts on the subject.

Keep it rolling now, fellas. Let's go, Buffalo!

I'm not sure how much of the above is joking and how much is serious. Fwiw, Gilbert was vague in his statement about what comes next. It did not sound like he has anything lined up.

good eye, and good call. there are some intriguing tools there. fingers crossed that he can become a regular NHL'er on a playoff calibre team. ideally, he could skate in the middle 6 and get a bunch of o-zone starts - a la the sabres of 2005-2007 (remember that third line?!).

This is not entirely unfair. FWIW, when I went to the game against Jersey, I saw two specific instances where Thompson smartly drifted into the right space and was fed the puck for a quick, hard shot. I was impressed with that work. And holy Moses - that guy can shoot. If he can get away with trying to generate, and concentrate on getting open - he could be a regular contributor.

I didn't see anything to that effect there. Maybe it was deleted?

That's astute reading, sir. OTOH, Paladino's tolerance for bad behaviour is pretty high.

Dumbfounding. I can see wanting the guy to come in and work with Darnold -- Gase has a lot of good QB work in his portfolio (and P. Manning is a big booster). But his track record as a HC makes this hire a truly strange one.

I'll be on the lookout for this. I think Sam's strong on his skates. My sense has been that he might do a bit better with a heavier team than he does with a fast team.

Meh. I’d venture he hired those people. Also, I’m long past holding that galoot to the stuff he said. He had no frickin’ idea what he was getting into. Some would say he still doesn’t.

Yeah. Something is afoot. Might be as simple as PSE wanting to get to a next level with HarborCenter. Gilbert’s been around a long time - he might have just phased out of a changing, evolving entity (remember he used to be the head of PR?). And Fattey strikes me as a fairly homespun sort of guy. Maybe PSE looked at the 2018 numbers, and told these guys it was time to go. Tough stuff.

Resigned, eh? Hmm. Also, let's keep in mind: Not re-signed.

These reports are terrifying (and "awesome" in the strict sense of the word). I'm glad he's out west.

TBL and TOR are both pretty smallish teams.

Good post. Credit to the Sabres for winning a game that was there for the taking -- for taking the play to the Devils. That said: I cannot recall the last time I saw a Sabres game in-person where I repeatedly commented -- out loud -- how pathetic and hapless the other team was in their d-zone. There were sequences where the Devils looked like the Keystone Cops in their own zone.