That Aud Smell

The who now? Oh. As you were.

Might just be this photo’s wonky composition (focusing on the helmets), but dude bears a striking resemblance to The Dark Lord (he who shall not be named).

Who manufactures New Era’s stuff? Presumably, there’s no way of knowing. But they’re not as poor quality as Fanatics are they?

Learning he’s Canadian has changed everything for me. (Well … not *everything.* I mean “everything” insofar as my view of Chase Claypool is concerned.)

Take a spin around Google News or Twitter -- search Claypool Bills (and maybe add the term Parrino and/or consistent). Dozens -- likely soon to exceed a hundred -- writers, accounts, AI-based aggregators are out there lulz'ing it up that the Bills "best" WR is an NFL castoff. I mean, whatever. But, still. Probably. But I'm talking about ostensibly legitimate accounts, outlets, etc.

Further on Claypool: TIL he's Canadian! The proof is here:

The internet is having an absolute field day with this observation from Matt Parino (whom I generally find to be a good Bills beat reporter): "Claypool has been the Bills’ most consistent receiver during OTAs and is setting the stage for what should be a run at the 53-man roster. He made the most explosive play of the day, catching a deep bomb from backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky during 11-on-11. Once he gets past his defender, it’s hard for the safeties to catch up and rookie Cole Bishop learned that lesson on the play, which would have gone for a touchdown in a game." https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2024/06/buffalo-bills-otas-week-3-observations-von-miller-flashing-keon-coleman-gets-physical.html

No idea. I hope not.

Labatt USA is looking to sublease its space at Perry Street. Looks like a death spiral. https://buffalonews.com/news/local/business/development/labatt-usa-perry-street-offices-brewery-sublease/article_e04dc06a-2356-11ef-b936-bb11a24a09c1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

I need a deep-dive Ringer article or something on how Fanatics came to be as dominant (?) as it is because that company -- and substantially everything it does -- is absolute garbage. I've had 3 or 4 experiences with them -- every one of them was, at best, a retail failure. At worst? The experience was utterly maddening. People talk about the quality of their goods being poor, which is true! All I can say is that their customer service is somehow worse -- way worse.

yeah - i did not like the Bills catching a stray there.

I may cry a little cry if Quinn were traded -- my favourite player on the team. I just love watching the guy work.

fwiw incarcerated bob is a legend of the hobbyist scoop game.

This is as good a place to put this as anywhere. (I searched a bit for auld "meddling" threads, but then relented.) Below is an excerpt from Ryan O'Halloran's piece in today's online Buffalo News. We know that Terry transferred a small ownership interest to Laura. From that tidbit below -- about how Laura went to the (boring) NFL business meetings (yawn) and Terry stuck around to talk NHL player evaluations -- we learn of the apparent continuation of the practice that Kim Pegula described, i.e., that when she and Terry get off the elevator, Kim would turn one way (towards the business operation offices) and Terry would turn the other (towards the sports operation offices). Laura Pegula’s role The NFL held its spring meeting May 20-21 in Nashville, Tenn., and the Bills were represented by Guelli and Laura Pegula, one of Terry’s two children from his first marriage. Terry stayed in Buffalo to attend Sabres draft preparation meetings.

This seems like a thing. My youngest - still in high school - has developed a solid crew of friends. They're a good bunch. Pretty middle of the road dudes. There are 6 of them, including my kid. The other day, I asked my guy - "hey, would you ever want to use the [Bills] seasons to take _____ to a game? that'd be fine with me. i'd help you pull it off [parking, etc.]." Came the response: "Nah. None of them are into the Bills, really. They're more casuals. And definitely none of them would want to go to the stadium." I compare that vibe to when I was in high school or college. Especially when the Bills were good? Feels like the times they are a' changing.

Starting to feel a bit bubbly to me.

I'll pull for the Oilers to win the Cup because (1) they're a Canadian club (hmmm, Canadian Club) and (2) they have an all-time great player who hasn't yet won a Cup (and I like for the greats to be indisputably great). Science should study the brains of Buffalo Sabre fans who will pull for a team in South Florida because they have several former Sabres on their team.

As for the Bennett goal, I presume that Toronto reviews for an obvious error like not going over the goal line. Here’s the best screenshot I saw on Twitter

Unbelievable

I wasn’t aware that Stevenson spent time trying to catch on in pro wrestling. While doing so, he issued a statement about the allegations of sexual assault that were made in 2019. https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/wwe-star-gable-steveson-issues-statement-on-2019-sexual-assault-investigation “One of the challenges for me personally especially over the past several months/years has been reading the criticisms and attacks on my character by people who don’t know me personally and my values. No charges were ever brought by anyone and the entire episode has been difficult for everyone involved … Going forward people who don’t know me will hopefully see that kindness, respect and empathy are virtues I take very seriously in my life."

The Araiza situation is a weird one to cite. That thing wound up as a real shlamozzle — with Araiza being released from the civil lawsuit after he sued the accuser for defamation. Here’s hoping the Bills did their due diligence with the wrestler.

Listed at 5'11" and 266#. (Ed goes 6'1" and 287# by comparison.) Whatever. The guy is a world class athlete in what is arguably the world's most physical sport (I didn't say dangerous or hazardous, mind you) -- why not take a shot. And, of course, we all know how McDermott feels about wrasslers.

i noticed that as well. fwiw, the lyrics to the song reference giving away (ahem) dollar bills (at a strip club).

Nobody's perfect ...? Dude was "Captain Clutch" during the 05-07 window.