That Aud Smell

To some.

It's a new ad that has a very strong, overt #MeToo theme. Riffing off "the best a man can get", I guess -- telling men "look, we all need to be better." And, from what I can tell, there are a lotta dudes losing their ever-flipping minds over it. In this thread, I was mostly busting chops when I alluded to the ad.

I became disillusioned with Kim Pegula over a lot of the creative output from PSE. I still think that what she finds interesting or compelling is stuff that I largely find uninteresting or tired. OTOH, her apparent influence in creating a proper workplace environment is impressive. Full marks, there. I swear. That Gillette ad has white dudes all in a tither. Sure we do. His boorish and creepy behaviour was described in some detail in the report.

GIlbert knew precisely why he was going to Brick Bar. He had a room booked back at the Marriott, after all. Not for nothing: The original report from TBN had a statement from the one (716) server who said something about how she didn't want to say anything to management because she was concerned it would be ignored like it usually is (or as usually is the case -- something like that). It was a fairly vague quote or attribution. It wasn't clear whether she was just saying, "in general," she didn't think she'd be taken seriously (given how the world works, etc.), or whether there were issues with PSE specifically. In any case, that quote or statement from her is no longer in the article. Unchecked, unexamined privilege is a problem.

I'm talking about the fact that 2 SOG in the 3rd is generally a sign of a team that is not getting the better of play at the game's end. I'm talking about the fact that going 3 for 3 in the team's final 3 SOG is not a formula for long-term success. I'm talking about a desire to see the team's overall underlying metrics move in a positive direction (they've been fairly stuck in or around the same mediocre spot for months now). I'm talking about how a team that has those kind of positive metrics is getting the better of play and will tend to win more games than they lose (unless they're Carolina, I guess). But I think you knew all of that, more or less, and feigned ignorance of what I was talking about as a means of being dismissive of the point I was making. If I'm watching or attending a game, none of these kinds of issues affect my ability to enjoy the game in the moment. Like, if the Sabres pull off a relatively improbable win because the goalie stands on his head and the team gets a few bounces, I'm no less happy with the result. I didn't get to watch much of last night's game. So where, as here, I'm considering the game more from a numbers standpoint, certain issues and considerations come to mind. Why are you discussing facts? A win is a win.

Not all wins are equal though. (Yeah, yeah. “2 points.”)

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.