Time to dust off the blog

I know I haven't written much of late, but its been busy and I just haven't felt the urge to put anything down. But the urge is changing. No I don't feel like writing game day previews or what not. Die by the Blade and the Gooses Roost have that covered. I just want to do my own thing, try to be funny, write about my feelings on local sports, or just put down a silly picture.

I feel the peek of the Buffalo blog scene has faded. There are plenty of good ones around, but the amount and contribution has gone down, in my opinion. I also have gone down from like 3 posts a day to like 1 post a month. Yes I got married and went on a honeymoon, but production was weak even before all that. Now things have settled down and life feels like normal again. Yes I'm married, but it feels the same as it was 6 months ago.

Which is a interesting feeling. Because being a Bills fan, feels exactly the same this year as it does last year. Same kind of despair and apathy. The feeling of things aren't gonna get better, ever. As like last year, I feel I'd rather go out and rake leaves or go to the Zoo, then watch the Bills play like crap and bore the hell out of me.

Lucky I am a married man now, and have better interests then the Bills. My wife is like you can watch the game if you like. It's a nice gesture, but if she was like go rake the front lawn. I'd be like, sure. What about the back?

Its something to ponder over the next few months and years as my personal life develops. Things have changed from watching Bills games at a bar, and Sabres games in my small apartment. Well the same feeling exists, the situation just changed.

While I was in Hawaii for 3 weeks

I got married on October 3rd 2009.

My wife and I then left right away for our Honeymoon in Hawaii.

I got back on Saturday night. Sunday was a recovery day. And now I'm back at work, trying to catch up on things that I missed. Being 6 hours away kinda screws you up. You have TV and are kinda of in touch with things. But not really, since Hawaii is like being in a foreign Country.

Football is easy to follow there is only one game a week and its major news. So I knew the Bills kinda sucked while I was away, but not how much since I didn't watch any games and only saw highlights of the Jets game. I didn't really miss watching the Bills play, they aren't fun to watch and even though I was home yesterday, I didn't really care to watch that much.

From this mornings radio, the guys seemed rather down on Trent Edwards. And acceptance that the Bills will go 7-9 again. They all seemed too depressed and I turned off the radio. Being in a sunny place for 3 weeks, makes you realize how trivial football is, and whether they win or lose, it doesn't matter. There are bigger things to worry about. Like when do you go to the beach.

But I was wondering about the Sabres, since I got married on the Home opener, I really had zero clue if they were good or not. The Dan Paille trade surprised me, but I was lobbying to get rid of him anyway, but on Sunday when I saw they were 6-1-1, I was like wow. A nice start.

Tyler Myers has 5 points and a +8. I can't see him going down now. It would be a waste. He'll only get better with more playing time. The injuries to Sekera and Lydman helped him stay up here. (I'm assuming) With Tallinder a +9, could make someone a possible trade bait, the Sabres are back in that position where they can make trades, since I think they are below people's radar. And Darcy knows its make it or break it this year.

Clarke MacArthur with 4 goals is nice to see, I'm a heavy critic of is his up and down play, but if he can play evenly through the year, hes a possible 30 goal scorer and thats nothing to sneeze at.

We all know why this team is winning.

Ryan Miller

6-0-1 with a 1.69 GAA and a .940 Sv %. Looks like someone wants to start for Team USA this year. The shootout on Saturday, he was solid. But of course he has to stay healthy. They can't just ride him into the ground and expect to be great. Lalime needs time to play to be effective. He's not a cold goalie.

I'm back now, so I should be in touch with things. On the other hand, I didn't really miss anything and didn't care about who won or lost. Being in paradise on your honeymoon, makes sports rather minor. And if you are too wrapped up in a sports team, just ship yourself to Hawaii for 2 to 3 weeks and you'll be better for it.

The interesting year of Jonathan Stupar

Taken from the Bills website

With Derek Schouman ending up on the shelf, Mr Stupar will finally make his way on the team, again. He was deactivated week 1. Cut, and signed back to the practice squad, to make room for Derek Fine (the other Derek, who also constantly hurts himself) So assuming he stays healthy, which is a big assumption with Bills Tight Ends. He should be playing every week.

Why am I so interesting in Mr Stupar? Well we share a first name, we Jonathans have to stick together. And guys on the fringe always interest me, because their life must be absolute nightmares. Now he gets to relax and play a game I'm assuming he loves. Before cutting cut to let Derek Schouman back on the team next year.

Lets go back to the beginning

He was signed as a undrafted free agent out of Virginia by the Evil empire, the New England Patriots. Of course not seeing the talent that was there, released him and with most New England castoffs, the Bills picked him up. (like they did this year with Tyson Devree) But he stuck with the practice squad getting on the 53 man roster on November 28th 2008, not suiting up, but still a game check. You gotta get in the door somehow.


Then the offseason. With the release of Robert Royal, I'm sure he saw the opportunity. Then they drafted Shawn Nelson. The door shut again. He would have to prove himself, that he was worth a roster spot. That was when the Summer of Stupar happened.

Look at this stats from the preseason.

5 games 19 catches 184 yards and 1 td.

He was Gibran Hamdan's go to guy. Terrell Owens wishes he had those numbers.

But what happened?

9/5/2009 Waived

Where's the respect?

9/6/2009 Signed to the Practice Squad

Ok, thats a paycheck

9/14/2009 Signed to the 53 man roster

AWESOME show those Patriots who is boss!

9/16/2009 Waived

WHAT THE HELL!

9/17/2009 signed to the practice squad

I need the money, so I'll do it

9/22/2009 Signed to the 53 man roster

AND NEVER GOING BACK! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!

We are now entering the Stupar era, the new Pete Metzelaars, or not. Sure Shawn Nelson might get all the balls. But who will be there to block for Fred Jackson? Stupar. Who will catch those 2 yard safety valve passes? Stupar. Who will get Bills fans to go, Who is 88? Stupar.

Anything else I need to know about my favorite new player, who I will root for for no real reason, other then I want to.

(checks wikipedia page)

Stupar is the nephew of former NFL quarterback Jeff Hostetler,

Of course he is. Thanks that name doesn't bring me misery.

Moral victories are for losers.

James McCoy

Not again, another Monday night collapse. How? WHY? Did they forget how long the games were? Sure Leodis hurt the team. But the same play for two straight touchdowns? Who is covering the tight end? Ellison? Scott? Whitner? Ugh.

But no matter how many times it happens, it hurts all the same. You wanna throw something, yell at the tv. And want to give up your fan hood. But come Sunday, we'll all be back at 4pm to see them play the Bucs.

I guess you can take some positives from the game. The offense wasn't terrible. Fred Jackson is awesome, like usual. The interior line, was pretty decent. Bell will learn, hopefully quickly. I thought McKelvin was turned around by Moss and Brady all night. The defensive line got some pressure. Schobel is back.

Again they can't keep a lead against a good team. Just find ways to lose. They aren't going to be good until they can close one out against a good team. The Denver and San Diego games are good examples of that.

Moral victory? Of course not. That is one of the stupidest terms ever. There are no moral victories. You lost, and then you try to put the positive on the loss. Its one way to make you feel better. Players that cry after losses and just don't want to talk about it, probably have the right mindset. If it didn't effect you, quit. The game should upset you. You blew it. I blame the defense more then the offense. They shouldn't have let the Pats, roll down there on the first touchdown. Maybe Leodis should have fallen down at the 30 taken that kick back. There are so many what ifs. But they lost, you move on, and try to make up for it later in the year, beating the Pats at home.

Lets look at some numbers.

Tom Brady

39 for 53 378 Yards and 2 Td's and Int.

Lots of yards, but not the gaudy TD's he usually has against the Bills. Shaky at first, but was getting better in the 4th quarter.

Trent Edwards

15 for 25 212 yards and 2 td's

A pretty average Trent Edwards day. He'll give you some things, and then frustrate you the next. I think the Pats were taking away the deep stuff, so they worked the short stuff, to some success.

New England Rb's

22 carries for 64 yards. And 1 td. Thats between 3 guys. New England abandoned the run way before they were down by 11. The Pats are going to be a pass first team, and teams will have to make them run to beat them. They are still underutilize Maroney. I think hes a talent, they are just wasting away.

Bills Rb's

Otherwise known as Fred Jackson, 15 carries for 57 yards. A pretty good outing for Fred, who is dangerous everywhere.

New England recievers

Here's where it gets ugly

Moss 12 catches for 141
Welker 12 catches for93
Watson 6 catches for 77 and 2 Tds
Faulk 6 catches for 51 yards

Moss was always open. They played off to much, didn't challenge many passes, the only INT came from Schobel who made a great play.

Buffalo Recievers

Jackson 5 catches for 83 yards 1 Td
Schouman 3 catches for 41 Yards
Evans 3 catches for 25
Owens 2 catches for 46 yards
Nelson 2 catches for 13 yards 1 Td

Edwards distributed the ball, just not a lot of balls. Jackson was the best weapon all night.

Bills Defense

Ellison had 15 tackles on the night. He knows how to tackle. A lot of the Corners missed some tackles, but a solid tackling night all around.

The DMVP. Would be Schobel, a sack and pick 6. First game back since San Diego and showed why they missed him.

Pats Defense

Leigh Bodden was the leading tackler and Tully Banta Cain had two sacks. But keeping Wilfork quiet was a good job by the interior.



The game still hurts, however there are some promising signs. But there was no moral victory in Foxboro on Monday night. Just another 4th quarter comeback for Tom Brady. Ugh.

AVP! AVP! AVP!

Getting ready to gun it.

Finally, the Bills have wised up and gave Turk Schonert the boot. The offense wasn't that great when they were winning, and has been downright awful this preseason. I'm sure they saw practices and knew what was coming.

Alex Van Pelt looks to be the new coordinator and I'm sure we'll find out at 130pm when the always exciting Dick Jauron gives us the news.

I love Alex Van Pelt, I think he's interesting, hes a QB's QB. I have no doubt the Bills will open things up in the passing game with him calling the shots. He broke Marino's records at Pittsburgh, he's a pass first guy. He has nothing to lose, because we expect nothing of him and thats always dangerous.

I wonder if the Hall of Fame Owner, went to Jauron Last night, Its you or Schonert. Like he gave Wade Phillips after the Music City Forward pass, game. And smartly of Jauron, let Turk take the blame. That Yale Degree is paying off now.

If I were AVP I'd bring in Jim Kelly as QB consultant, they are good friends, and just take Trent Edwards by the collar, and tell him, you throw that ball to 83 and 81 and if it gets picked, then trust the Defense to get it back. (who have shown ball hawking skills in the preseason) Trent Edwards needs a kick in the ass, because he can get it done, I've seen it.

But I'm just a fan, and these are my ideas. AVP knows a lot more then whatever I could muster up. This is different from the Bills organization, we all expected the Bills to keep him through the season. For Dick Jauron its also a wake up call, they start slow, he's with Schonert on the Unemployment line.

AVP is now the Bills OC and I'm perfectly fine with that, it was just a matter of time, before he assumed this position. I know expect the Bills to throw it Arena Style.

Did I mention I am also very delusional.

Not going to panic yet

Throw the ball forward please

Oh man I am not going to panic after this week's preseason game. But they looked terrible. Especially on offense. Just boring, nothing exciting and just looked out of place. Trent Edwards has looked very bad 2 weeks in row. Hopefully they are lowering expectations for the Patriots. Unfortunately it maybe that the offense isn't going well and this year could be a horrendous disaster.

I know Owens isn't playing and it gives me a little glimmer of hope. But what will he matter if Trent doesn't throw it farther then 10 yards. He looks like he has zero confidence, and I'd rather have a QB with too much, then too little. The thing is we've seen Trent throw the long passes, he can do it. He has the recievers to help him. Stop making the field small, make it big, more openings that way. Like in Tennis, you don't hit the ball in the same spots. You make em run, make the DB's and LB's run all over the place. With that and the No Huddle, you'll wear out the defense.

Right now the team isn't fun to watch and they don't win. That is the most unacceptable aspect of team you root for. If they are fun to watch and are .500 you are okay with that. Because its entertaining. If they aren't fun, but win. Thats okay to, because everyone loves winning. But, losing and boring? Thats not okay. Turk, Trent lets make things a little exciting. I don't care if you throw 3 picks a game, if you mix that with 5 td passes. Look like the Saints. They're fun.

I just have this sinking feeling that things are going to bad this year. Like new QB, New GM, New Coach in 2010 kinda bad. Right now I'd rather things be really bad, so you can clean house, rather then 7-9 again, because you just don't know what to do there.

I'm not going to panic yet.

But missing 3 weeks in October for my Honeymoon, is looking like I won't be missing much. Hawaii, might not be far enough away to avoid this looming disaster.

You can take the kid out of South Buffalo, but you can't take the South Buffalo out of the kid

Well Buffalo Native Patrick Kane had a fun time in his hometown this weekend. And by fun, I mean a trip to the holding center, and we all know how fun that place is lately.

Looks like the Kane's went all "do you know who I am" on a local cab driver. But to be fair local taxi service is expensive. 12 bucks from Chippewa to Canisius? Are you kidding its like a 5 minute ride. No excuse to allegedly assault a cabbie for 20 cents. From the details I would like to break down how this all happened.

(Chippewa 430am)

James Kane: Oh boy Patty, I drank my face off tonight. We got so many free drinks. People love you.

Patty Kane: Yeah, who doesn't love the PK. We need to get a cab because I couldn't drive to the net, let alone a car. Getting a DWI would be bad for my image, so my agent says. Mug shots don't make for good publicity, whatever, PK does what PK wants.

James Kane: Yeah, you're the man Patty. WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Hey theres a cab, lets get that one.

(flags down cab)

Cabdriver: Hey boys, fun night out? Where you want to go?

Patrick Kane: Oh man I don't want to go home. I still need to party, got anyone you know Jimmy.

James Kane: Well there is this house on Eastwood, that is filled with some girls. And they would love to meet you.

Patrick Kane: Oh yeah, everybody wants a piece of PK. Screw TO, PK is the man in Buffalo.

Cabdriver: Guys where we going, meter is running.

James Kane: Hey this is Patrick Kane you have in your vehicle, when we decide, we'll let you know, so just drive.

(cabdriver starts van, starts driving)

Patrick Kane: Eastwood then?

James Kane: We all know how those Canisius girls are.

Patrick Kane: Yeah I hear they are fine upstanding young ladies.

(both start laughing)

Ed note: Canisius girls are the finest women in all of Buffalo.

James Kane: Oh man I wish you played for the Sabres, we could do this all year long, instead of the Summers.

Patrick Kane: If I played for the Sabres, I wouldn't play in the Playoffs.

James Kane: Oh Man BURRRRRRRRN!

Cabdriver: I think the Sabres have a chance this year.

Patrick Kane: Yeah a chance to suck.

James Kane: Dude, you are so on fire.

Cabdriver: So awesome duo, what house number on Eastwood.

James Kane: I don't know Your momma's house number.

Patrick Kane: OHHHH He got you old man.

Cabdriver: That didn't make any sense.

James Kane: Oh man I am wasted.

Patrick Kane: Me too, now I'm kinda hungry.

Cabdriver: We're here!

James Kane: Can we go to Jim's?

Cabdriver. NO NO NO, its 5am and its closed. I'm not going any farther with you two idiots. Now get out of my cab and its $13.50.

James Kane: Here's $15

Cabdriver: Oh, I don't have 20 cents change.

James Kane: WHAT? YOU TRYING TO STEAL FROM US? JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE PATRICK KANE IN THE CAB AND YOU THINK HE HAS ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD?

Cabdriver: No I just dont....

(James Kane Punches him the face. Takes money back)

James Kane: BOOM BITCH, Thats how you roll in the SOBUFF.

(Patrick Kane continues the pummeling)

Patrick Kane: I'm ON A ROOKIE DEAL! I MAKE NOTHING! DON'T STEAL FROM ME!

(They get out of cab, cabbie radios the police)

James Kane: We showed that guy he can't mess with the Kane Boys. We keep it real. We're from the street.

Patrick Kane: Yeah we're super tough. Thats how you are raised in South Buffalo.

(Both see black person and hide behind a park car)

James Kane: That was close, we almost got jacked.

Patrick Kane: Canisius is such a rough area, I don't know how people learn here.

(cops arrive)

Cop: Whats going on?

Cabdriver: These two assaulted me and stole money from me.

Cop: Is this true guys?

Patrick Kane: We stole money? He tried to play off the old "I don't have 20 cents bit" THATS MY MONEY I WORK FOR MY MONEY!

Cop: Don't you have a lot of money?

Patrick Kane: I'M ON A ROOKIE DEAL!!! I MAKE SQUAT!

Cop: Ok we're going downtown. Turn around you're both under arrest.

James Kane: This is harassement. This is bias, you're only arresting us because we're famous.

Cop: This is why I got out of the South Buffalo beat to begin with.

(and scene)

Thats how I think this incident went down. I could be wrong, probably totally wrong, but whatever. These two idiots will get some low level misdemeanor conviction at city court, just like everyone else and pay some fine and get some community service. This won't do anything to Pat Kane's image.