That Aud Smell

I can't find it now - not enough time - but did people see the Tweets about how multiple reporters overheard Benjamin declining Allen's proffer to go over routes and timing during the pregame warm-up period?

Bill Simmons - before he jumped the shark - used to harken to a line that some famous director (Coppola? Scorcese?) used about a young Leonardo DiCaprio: "God -- please don't let anything happen to him." I think about that line with regard to Dahlin.

No need to take it that way. I was just genuinely, like, ... really? I have a tipping point with not wanting to see a player compete because they've done bad stuff -- but, in general, I harbor no need at all for pro athletes to be role models. As it so happens, that's a neat explanation for why Tyrod was let go. I don't have the time or energy, or probably the acumen, to do a deep dive on "empirical data" -- whatever that would be in this instance. As for some other anecdotal data: What the hell is Pat DiMarco doing on this roster? Given the world we live in, it's perplexing to me that people would be all up in arms about the suggestion that someone might harbor some unacknowledged racial biases. (Not for nothing: I know I got 'em!) Then again, perhaps it is not really perplexing at all.

Also, I have zero problems with people being openly religious. By way of example, I get together from time to time for coffee or a beer with a guy who almost always wears his Franciscan habit in public. Can't get anymore open than that. My issue with McDermott's brand of religion is not about how open he is about it.

I don't think that McDermott harbors a single conscious bias against non-white players. I also think there's a mirrored reflection of sorts that he sees in a guy like Peterman that, perhaps subconsciously, leads him to have a deeply flawed assessment of that player's abilities.

You do? Huh. It's in line with what I see. I am aware that we disagree on the issue.

Saw this as well, @WildCard -- I know it was a somewhat cheap pull at the heart strings -- but dammit it was really well done! Loved it.

Hey - if the shoe fits.

Swamp can speak for himself, but I am confident your iteration isn't quite what he's saying. For my own part, and as I've said before, it's not that I perceive some grand plan on the part of McDermott to stack the roster with good white Christian men. But it does appear, to me, that McDermott's faith-based approach to coaching the game skews his perception and leads him to seeing things that just aren't there. There is no good explanation for why he has continued to place ... faith in Peterman other than perhaps McDermott's belief that Peterman's unshakable faith in his lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, would ultimately see him through the wilderness and into the promised land of competent NFL quarterbacking. "God is good!" McDermott intoned in a locker room speech after one of the team's wins this year. Was the camo-hat-humping McDermott in that locker room after this loss proclaiming "God is good!"? Is God not now good because Peterman threw a pick six? What a load of crap. And I say that as someone who fervently believes that God is good. But not because a team won (or lost) a fookin' football game.

Let the church say “Amen.” Unfreakingbelievable that McDermott affirmatively chose for his QB situation to play out this way.

Hey @Randall Flagg : Keep on doing you, sir. “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s entirely possible to enjoy the win, and identify unsustainable aspects of said winning. I am a better fan for it. Go, Sabres!

C’mon, boys!! .600 winning percentage firmly within reach. Let’s go, Buffalo!!

watching a youtube clip with friedman (sp?). apparently, pettersson was #1 on some teams' boards.

well. it's not as though that guy went after mittlestadt. plus, a year in the SHL should be helping him.

whodat

^ Good update.

Apparently it's been bad? Maybe not in terms of goals scored, but chances surrendered?

Hamilton offered on Twitter: Larsson’s return may be about improving the PK.

I did. And I had thought maybe I was overlooking it. But I was so eager for confirmation that someone else remembered Mr. Food saying that, once upon a time.

Yes to both!

May God forgive me.

he was waived.

I would not have replied as I did if pi had posted: "They only reason he's playing is because Phil is too nice and wants favors to give veterans players a chance to play."

He can take faceoffs when playing wing. Also: That seems like an unsubstantiated take.

really? i am thankful for that. if it happened, it is bizarre that the internet doesn't have evidence of this.