That Aud Smell

Got it. Hearing some of Graham's thoughts on how Brandon ingratiated himself to the Pegulas. It sounds about right. I don't think I've heard reference to how Brandon schooled Rex on how to shmooze Terry (to include the red wine talk). That, to me, is *classic* Wormtongue sh1t.

I happened upon an old friend who was part of a group-share STH we had, back in the day (including some Aud time), when I stopped over at a mutual friend's house to watch 30 minutes of the Jets/Knights game. It was a pleasant surprise. This dude is famously laconic -- and was given to saying pretty abstract stuff. So much so that we sometimes called him "Buddha" (I think he actually posted here for a while). Anyway. When the camera cut to Bobby Hull during that one segment, I didn't know who the hell it even was. The mutual friend eventually blurted out: "BOBBY HULL!" Muttered Buddha: "What a fu**ing embarrassment he is. Why do they keep trotting his ass out?" And nothing more was said on the subject. So, it's good to have some context.

^ I have my issues with the guy, but there is no doubting that Tim Graham is a very smart, sharp guy. I'm listening to it now (?) -- is this the show where Graham called in while he was driving and someone else hosted (Bucky)? Graham's takes are very sensible.

Bread and Circuses were his bread and butter. The Owens signing was quintessential Brandon era.

TBN’s business reporters doing work for Brandon in today’s paper: “I think Russ was a key figure in retaining the Buffalo Bills organization for Western New York,” said Colleen DiPirro, former president and CEO of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, who has known Brandon personally and professionally for years. “And to making them a competitive team from a marketing and ticket sales standpoint, against much larger markets. And he added a level of dynamics to the team that kept pace with the NFL vision and mission.” “Nobody was more dedicated to the Buffalo Bills organization than Russ Brandon,” DiPirro said. +++ “The Toronto proposition may have had some negativity in the Western New York community. I thought it was a very creative, outside-the-box thought on how to expand the fan base,” Northtown’s Schreiber said. In fact, business leaders marveled at Brandon’s ability to keep fans buying tickets and to keep businesses tied to the Bills during a period when the team couldn’t sell a winning product. “He was able to tap into the culture around Buffalo, the passion for the team, and able to keep it sustainable from a marketing standpoint,” said Robert Clark, managing director of retail operations for Dunn Tire, the official tire dealer of the Bills.

Good stuff. Sorry for my wonky syntax. Small phone, and I need readers (glasses). IIRC, Eno produced several U2 albums — including Joshua Tree. (Think of that trademark soundwash before Where the Streets Have No Name).

*fits = started (?) One of my favourite nerd-outs, days gone by, was reading album liner notes from the 80s/90s and trying to figure out ”Enossification” was/is.

What is? Letting it play in the background. Descended from Brian Eno?

I think that series will be fun to watch.

I wish I could find it, but I seem to recall an article where the writer interviewed the all-time greats about the selections for an all-time great team and, IIRC, there was some solid (funny) give and take between and among the top 3 forwards -- maybe Gretzky, Lemieux, and Crosby? -- about who gets to play center on that top line. The idea being: They'd stay on the top line rather than drop down to center a 2nd line. Just amusing.

Fair. I’ve taken to calling beer, beer.

One thing I don't like to mix with my beer is pedantry.

Oh, please.

Bonne chance, Ducky!

(The use of the potions master is intentional, btw.)

Whether it will ultimately work or not, I will say with conviction: Beane and McDermott have a clear vision and plan, and they're working it.

*ahem*

I loved those videos as well. Watched the hip checks on that clip, and, yeesh -- most of them (now) looked downright dirty to me (hits on knees).

Welcome, primeme! We need a late-rounder or two to become a good NHLer. Here's hoping!

Also: I expect him to be quicker this coming season. He's never gonna be a burner, of course -- but I expect him to train so as to play quicker and with more pace.

I am effing FIRED UP about Dahlin. Like, vague butterflies in the stomach excited. I think the reaction to this prospect is, as much as anything, a Rorschach test for posters here. You end up expressing, in part, who you are and what you're about through how you're choosing to receive and respond to the information we're getting about an 18 year-old prospect.

I think this regime has a better than even chance at getting a second kick at the can even if the Josh Allen era fails -- whether with a bang or a whimper.

The emotion of the immediate post-season had me all "ROR's gotta go. I don't care about all the terrific things he does. HE'S GOTTA GO." That seems like a dumb take now. Hell - it seemed like one then, a bit. Unless you're getting a legitimate top-pairing D-man, I don't see how you move a guy who does everything he does.

At the time, I took that comment as a 100% wink-wink joke. The Coudersport thing is nothing short of bizarre.

The received wisdom seems to be that O'Reilly is going to be moved. If that's the case, then I think Reinhart stays -- I don't see the team moving 2 ostensibly top-6 forwards. Also, the farther (further?) I get from the ROR emo-act at season's end, the more nervous I am about the idea of him not being on the team next season.