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Posted on September 3, 2010 by Buffalo Sports Daily
 The NFL preseason is over and come next week the real games begin. By 4:00pm Saturday the Buffalo Bills along with the rest of the league must get down to 53 active players on each respective roster.
Head coach Chan Gailey doesn’t have too many difficult decisions to make, at least concerning the front end of the roster. The toughest roster choices are likely to come down to whether he likes Brian Brohm or Ryan Fitzpatrick better as the backup to Trent Edwards, as well as who will fill the last two spots on the offensive line and who the Bills sixth wide receiver will be, assuming the team keeps six.
The following is my final projection of what the Bills roster will look like when you sit down to have your Saturday evening supper:
Continue reading ‘Final Projection On Bills 53 Man Roster’
Posted on September 2, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 The Buffalo Bills played an excellent 28 minutes of football before deciding their preseason was basically over. The Bills scored the game’s first 16 points, before utter sloppiness took over and the Detroit Lions scored four unanswered touchdowns and eventually won, 28-23 in a game the Bills clearly didn’t care about winning.
If you think Chan Gailey put any real emphasis on the scoreboard, the Bills were down four points with 16 seconds left and didn’t attempt an onsides kick.
Here are some random notes I jotted down during the game, in no particular order.
Continue reading ‘Lions 28, Bills 23: Bullets And Bits’
Posted on September 2, 2010 by Buffalo Bisons Press Release
 Thursday night wasn’t the way the Bisons had hoped to end the home portion of the 2010 season.
A great year on and off the field in downtown Buffalo concluded on a sour note in front of 15,539 at Coca-Cola Field. The Herd lost to the Yankees, 9-2, and saw their slight playoff chances officially come to and end.
The final game was in no way indicative of the previous 71 contests played in front of minor league baseball’s best fans. The Herd had 11 walk-off victories, including four via a home run. Maybe none was more memorable than Fernando Martinez’ grand slam winner on June 14 at Lehigh Valley.
Continue reading ‘Bisons Playoffs Hopes End in Final Home Loss’
Posted on September 2, 2010 by Buffalo Bandits Press Release
 Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced the team’s 2011 National Lacrosse League schedule. Buffalo’s 16-game schedule features eight home games and eight on the road. Seven of the eight games will be played on Saturdays, with the other taking place on Friday February 4. All home games will start at 7:30 p.m.
Buffalo opens the 2011 season out west on Saturday, January 8 when they visit the Pengrowth Saddledome to face the Calgary Roughnecks in a 9:30 p.m. start. After another road game in Philadelphia on January 15, the Bandits will play their home opener against the Toronto Rock on Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. in a rematch of the 2010 East Division Semifinal.
The Bandits will face 2010 NLL scoring leader Josh Sanderson and the Boston Blazers in consecutive games on Sunday, March 6 in Boston and Saturday, March 12 at home. The defending NLL Champion Washington Stealth will be in town on Saturday, April 2, when they visit HSBC Arena. The Bandits will then travel to Toronto and Rochester for back-to-back games on April 8 and 9 to close out their road schedule. Buffalo’s regular season wraps up on Saturday, April 23 at home against the Rochester Knighthawks.
Continue reading ‘Bandits Announce 2011 Schedule’
Posted on September 2, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 Preseason games, particularly the finale are commonly pointless. If a head coach hasn’t been able to figure out who will start or at least be a key contributor by this point of the summer, odds are that team is in a world of trouble when the real games begin next weekend.
But every team in the league has a set of subplots worth following in the final dress rehearsal of the preseason, and the Buffalo Bills are certainly no exception. Spots at the back end of the roster are still up for grabs, as are roles of certain players on the team and what direction certain units may be headed.
As the Bills take to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions Thursday night in this finale, here are ten items positively worth your attention as you attempt to stay glued to the television set for a game irrelevant in the standings.
Who Will Win The #2 Quarterback Spot?: According to the organization, the only thing we know is it won’t be Matt Leinart. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm have entered the home stretch of the competition behind Trent Edwards, and the race is likely to be decided based on the result of this game. At this time, it would appear Fitzpatrick has the advantage since Brohm has barely played in two of the first three games. Fitzpatrick also helped himself by looking impressive against the Bengals. But don’t count Brohm out quite yet. He more than held his own against the Colts and if Gailey stays true to his rotation, should get a lot of playing time against the Lions. It’s yet to be formally announced, but expect Brohm to enter early after Edwards departs. If he doesn’t, then that should tell you all you need to know about his future in Buffalo.
Continue reading ‘Bills vs. Lions: 10 Things Worth Watching For’
Posted on September 1, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 The Buffalo Bills are set to take on the Detroit Lions Thursday night in what many deem a meaningless preseason finale. Generally speaking, starters and players with defined roles rarely see more than a brief cameo as their respective teams look forward to the regular season; rendering the contest to most observers as worthless.
While the finale may be insignificant to many, try passing that on to James Hardy and Naaman Roosevelt– as well as Donald Jones for that matter.
It’s not known whether Bills head coach Chan Gailey will elect to keep five or six wide receivers on the roster. For their sake, that number better be six and even then, one may have to shine against the Lions to have a chance of occupying that final spot.
It appears all-but-certain that Lee Evans, Steve Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, Chad Jackson and David Nelson will take up the first five slots.
Continue reading ‘Do Or Die Time For Hardy, Roosevelt & Jones’
Posted on September 1, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 Adam Schefter from ESPN reports this morning that the Buffalo Bills are one of three teams that have at least inquired about the possibility of trading for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who clearly has fallen out with the Cards.
According to his report, the other two teams that have expressed interest are the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.
Leinart was expected to replace Kurt Warner in the Arizona starting lineup this season following Warner’s retirement. But head coach Ken Whisenhunt has already benched Leinart in favor of journeyman Derek Anderson. Reports by other national media members, including Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, says that the Cardinals have been trying to shop Leinart around the league to anyone interested.
Through this point, the only thing big-time about Leinart is his salary. The 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft still has two years remaining on his contract; with was for six years and $50.8-million. If the Bills or another team pulls the trigger on a Leinart deal, they’d owe him $2.49-million this season and $7.4-million in 2011. He’d also receive a $5.5-million roster bonus on March 1 of next season.
Continue reading ‘Report: Bills Inquire About Matt Leinart’
Posted on September 1, 2010 by Joe Pinzone
 Since Trent Edwards all but wrapped up the starting quarterback job for the Bills (Even though it wasn’t much of an open competition), the biggest question now on the QB depth chart is deciding who should be the back-up. From the looks of it, Ryan Fitzpatrick seems like the guy that is going to get the nod. Now, I’m sure Gailey is going to give a very long look at Brian Brohm on Thursday against the Lions. However, I think it makes sense to go with Fitzpatrick as the #2 quarterback when the season starts.
I know, all summer I’ve been hoping for Brohm to take the #2 job because he represents the unknown. However, I’m now changing my tune and it has to do with Trent Edwards. If the Bills are as confident in Edwards as they seem to be regarding his preseason performance, then the job should go to Fitzpatrick.
Statistically speaking, both quarterbacks have almost the same stats for the preseason (Brohm: 14 of 22 for 125 yards. Fitzpatrick: 15 of 23 for 138 yards). The only difference is that Fitzpatrick has guided the Bills to touchdowns (3), while Brohm has been getting Rian Lindell some kicking work (2 FGs).
However, the stats have nothing to do with why I’d go with Fitzpatrick.
Continue reading ‘Who Should Be The Bills #2 Quarterback?’
Posted on September 1, 2010 by Canisius College Press Report
 Gone is the winningest class in the program’s history and the school’s all-time leading scorer, but the expectations have not changed for the Canisius College men’s soccer team. The Griffs return a talented squad in 2010 and with an even deeper team, this year’s unit has visions of outperforming its predecessor.
“We are a more balanced and a more well-rounded team,” said Canisius head coach Jim Hesch. “With the addition of a talented class, we have a lot of depth at key positions and because of that, we will be a better team as the season progresses. With the returners that we have and with our newcomers, we have a definite chance to achieve our goals, which includes a MAAC Championship.”
The seven-member senior class from last season totaled 26 wins during their careers and were led by the program’s all-time leading scorer Alan McGreal. While the goals and assists tallied by McGreal will be tough to replace by one single individual, Hesch envisions each member of the team filling the hole and leading the Griffs to victories.
Continue reading ‘Canisius 2010 Men’s Soccer Season Preview’
Posted on September 1, 2010 by Niagara University Press Report
 The Niagara volleyball team opens its 2010 home schedule with a Big 4 match against the Buffalo Bulls on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Purple Eagles will have their 2009 NCAA Tournament banner ceremony prior to the start of the match. Niagara set a program record with 23 wins en route to claiming its first-ever MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
NU enters its home opener 2-1 on the season after beginning its campaign participating at the La Salle Invitational in Philadelphia last weekend. The Purple Eagles coasted to two-straight wins over Hartford (3-0) and La Salle (3-0) before falling versus Valparaiso 3-1 in the title match.
Continue reading ‘NU Volleyball to Unveil Banner Wednesday Night’
 The University at Buffalo softball team enters the 2010 fall looking to capitalize on a spring that saw UB head to the MAC Tournament for just the second time in school history. The Bulls used a solid final weekend of the regular season to clinch their spot in the eight-team tournament. That was just the start for a young team, who returns 12 players and has some newcomers who are sure to make an immediate impact.
The Bulls will have four seniors on this year’s squad, led by Alexandra Bejarano. Bejarano started in all 53 games she played in last year, finishing seventh on the team in batting. The junior class is sure to turn some heads this season, despite being just a three-person class. Leading the way is Kristin Waldron, Buffalo’s leading hitter last season with a .330 batting average and 34 runs batted in. The other two juniors are both transfers. Holly Johnson, an Amherst, NY native and transfer from Rutgers will see plenty of time in the circle for UB. Johnson pitched 108.1 innings for the Scarlet Knights last season as a sophomore, striking out 86 batters. The other transfer is junior Haylee Land, who is also a pitcher out of Indian River Community College.
Continue reading ‘UB Softball Looks To Capitalize On Last Season’
Posted on August 31, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 Since he’s entered the National Football League, Aaron Maybin has been an easy target. Unfair as it may be that he’s so harshly judged less than a game into his second NFL regular season, Maybin could be the poster child for all the erroneous moves the Buffalo Bills front office has made this decade.
There’s no easy way to say it—the organization has been mostly a league bottom-feeder for several years running, and while the reasons have mounted, none are greater than their inability to find impact players at the top of the draft. Time and time again Tom Donahoe, Marv Levy, Tom Modrak and Dick Jauron used their powers and influences to get the players they wanted early– and without recent exception the moves have backfired.
Since 2002 with the fourth overall selection of Mike Williams, the Bills first round picks almost read like an encyclopedia of exactly what NOT to do when building a winning football team. Williams was a calamity and J.P. Losman (2004) was even worse due to Donahoe trading up into the first round to get him. Donte Whitner went in the top 10 in 2006 yet has barely been better than backups George Wilson or Bryan Scott. Marshawn Lynch (2007) will be the team’s third running back in the rotation on opening day in a few weeks, provided Fred Jackson’s hand is recovered enough to play. Leodis McKelvin (2008) showed great promise as a rookie, but missed most of last year with a leg injury and has yet to return to form this preseason, though signs are pointing the way of improvement. He’s in a battle with Drayton Florence for the right to start alongside Terrence McGee.
Continue reading ‘Maybin Makes Most Of An Opportunity’
 The University at Buffalo has announced that men’s basketball player John Boyer and women’s diver Meili Carpenter have been selected as the 2010 Student Athletes of the Year. The pair were honored at Sunday’s Student Athlete Orientation Day.
Boyer, the point guard on UB’s men’s basketball team, led the Bulls to an 18-12 record in 2009-10 and had a breakout season in his senior campaign. He led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.70), the first UB basketball player in its Division I era to lead the nation in a statistical category. He averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Boyer finished the season with 159 assists – the fifth best single season total in school history and the most assists by a UB player since the Bulls joined the Mid-American Conference in 1998. Off the court, Boyer was also named by the league’s Faculty Athletic Representatives to the Academic All-MAC team and he earned recognition to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District men’s basketball team in January.
Continue reading ‘Boyer, Carpenter Named UB Student Athletes of the Year’
Posted on August 30, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 The Buffalo Bills have made three moves to get the 75-man roster limit before Tuesday’s deadline by cutting offensive tackle Kyle Calloway, defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey and wide receiver Aaron Rhea.
Of the three, only Calloway is a surprise and a mild one at that. The Iowa standout was drafted in the seventh round by Buddy Nix and appeared targeted at having an excellent chance of making the roster, but was outplayed so far this summer by multiple backups, including undrafted free agent Cordaro Howard. With Jamon Meredith and Kirk Chambers poised to back up starters Demetrius Bell and Cornell Green, not to mention injured fifth rounder Ed Wang on board, there was no room for Calloway.
Harvey did nothing to stand out in Bills camp in his limited opportunities, never seriously joining the tackle rotation conversation of Kyle Williams, Terrel Troup and John McCargo.
Continue reading ‘Bills Cut Three To Get Down To 75 Man Limit’
Posted on August 30, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 WKBW-TV is the first to report that former Buffalo Sabres forward Tim Kennedy will sign a one-year deal to play for the New York Rangers in 2010-11.
Kennedy, the South Buffalo native who was one of the better forwards for the Sabres in the playoffs last year, was surprisingly waived following his $1.1-million salary awarded to him when he and the team went to arbitration. The move prompted a flood of criticism from fans, who complained that owner Tom Golisano was shaving money off the payroll by sacrificing a gritty hometown player who hadn’t yet hit the prime of his career.
Kennedy scored 10 goals and had 26 points in his first full season in the NHL with Buffalo last year. He also had a goal and two assists and was a plus-three during the Sabres’ first round playoff loss to Boston.
We’ll have more information as it becomes available.
Posted on August 30, 2010 by Kevin Snow / Buffalo Bandits
 Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that former captain Rich Kilgour has been named as an assistant coach.
“I watched last season from the stands and it was difficult. It’ll be good to be back inside the glass. And I think I know the head coach pretty well, so the transition from the floor to the bench shouldn’t be that difficult,” said Kilgour. “We have a great group of guys and an awesome fan base so I am extremely excited to be back in the fold.”
Continue reading ‘Bandits Name Rich Kilgour Assistant Coach’
Posted on August 30, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 The Buffalo Bills are done with three quarters of their preseason. With the starters getting their most extensive playing time of the summer, the team knocked off a quality opponent for the second straight week on Saturday, upending the Cincinnati Bengals, 35-20.
While wins and losses are hardly the bottom line when it comes to how Chan Gailey is evaluating his roster right now, impact plays and consistency are surely at a premium. With so many new coaches in tow, very few roster spots have been guaranteed.
After Saturday’s game the players get but one final audition to prove they belong in the NFL. That comes this week against the Detroit Lions. For many players, especially non-starters, it’s basically life or death. Based on last Saturday’s game, here’s a small list of what is up and down in terms of team stock.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills: Stock Up, Stock Down’
Posted on August 28, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 Earlier this month the Buffalo Bills placed injured wide receiver Marcus Easley, their fourth round pick in this year’s draft, on injured reserve with a major knee injury, making him ineligible to take the field for the team for the 2010 season.
But according to a report by Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, he cites a source saying Easley is already off crutches, did NOT tear his ACL and could’ve returned to play as early as the first month of the regular season.
When does the nonsense over at One Bills Drive ever end?
After last season the Bills overhauled their strength and conditioning staff by hiring Eric Ciano and John Gamble to run the department. But maybe the problem isn’t really with their conditioning or coaches for that matter in recent years. Perhaps the bigger issue is with either the team doctors charged with the responsibility of diagnosing injuries and/or the decision makers in the front office who ultimately conclude what to do with said injuries.
Continue reading ‘Looks Like Bills Fumbled on Easley Diagnosis’
Posted on August 28, 2010 by Canisius College Press Report
 Andrew Loewen, a four-year standout goalie with the Golden Griffin hockey team, is set to continue his career with the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League after graduating from Canisius in 2010.
“I am really excited to continue playing at the professional level,” Loewen said. “I am fortunate to be one of a few people who receives the opportunity to live out their childhood dreams of playing hockey at the next level. There is also a welcomed sense of nervousness knowing that I am required to try out again for a hockey team. This stirs up the preseason butterflies and will create greater competition and intensify the experience of playing professional hockey.”
A two-time team MVP, Loewen stopped 2,463 saves during his career, the second most in the program’s history. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native owns the school record with a .913 career save percentage and shares the program’s mark with six career shutouts. He also ranks second with 30 career victories and third with a goals against average of 2.93.
Continue reading ‘Colorado Eagles Signs Andrew Loewen’
Posted on August 27, 2010 by David Olesky
 The Jamestown Jets announced today they will be holding an open try-out on Labor Day weekend at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena.
The Jets will be competing in the Tier II Junior A Greater Metro Hockey League based in Ontario and are expecting to attract the best junior players available. The GMHL does not have import restrictions, allowing players from around the world to have an opportunity to showcase their skills to college coaches and scouts from across North America.
“We anticipate a good turn-out and we look forward to building our team to compete in the GMHL this season” Head Coach Dennis Canfield said.
Continue reading ‘Jamestown Jets Holding Tryouts Labor Day Weekend’
 The University at Buffalo football team wrapped up its fall camp on Thursday night with a final “scenario” type scrimmage as it readies itself for the home opener versus Rhode Island next Thursday night at 7 pm at UB Stadium.
Head coach Jeff Quinn announced the team’s two deep following practice, which included naming sophomore quarterback Jerry Davis (Fresno, CA/Edison) as the team’s starter. In all, seven former Western New York standouts ¬– including three offensive linemen – are slated to start for the Bulls against the Rams in the opener.
Continue reading ‘Bulls Wrap Up Fall Football Camp’
 Recent Niagara men’s hockey alums Juliano Pagliero (’09), Egor Mironov (’10) and Ryan Olidis (’10) have all recently signed pro contracts with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League.
After a year of playing pro hockey in Italy, one of Niagara’s best goalies is back playing hockey in North America. As a Purple Eagle, Pagliero was a rock, finishing with a 47-32-11 record, a 2.61 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. The Dalroy, Alberta natives collegiate career was littered with awards and accolades, earning the College Hockey America Player of the Year award as a senior, while also earning All-CHA Second Team laurels as a sophomore, and First Team honors as a junior and a senior.
Continue reading ‘Three NU Hockey Alums Sign With The Killer Bees’
Posted on August 26, 2010 by Kevin Snow / Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have signed unrestricted free agent forward Colin Stuart to a one-year contract.
Stuart (7/8/1982, 6’2”, 205 lbs.) spent last season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat where he was fourth in team scoring with a career-high 36 points (17+19) in 67 games. The native of Rochester, MN, has 51 games of NHL experience with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2007-09, collecting 13 points (8+5) including four shorthanded goals.
Stuart played four years at Colorado College (2000-04), and was originally drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2001 Entry Draft
Posted on August 25, 2010 by Patrick Moran
 The high school football season doesn’t officially commence until early September, but if you’re feenin’ to see some early action, there’s a boatload of scrimmages, many involving more than two teams, taking place early Saturday morning that should feed your hunger.
Two in particular stick out.
If you want to take make your way to Lockport high school at 9am, you’ll get a chance to see six of the best teams Western New York have to offer. New York State Class-AA champion North Tonawanda and Class-A champs Sweet Home heads the tilt as well as Williamsville South and its first-team All-WNY quarterback Joe Licata. St. Francis, Grand Island and host Lockport are also involved in the six-team scrimmage.
Continue reading ‘Big Scrimmages On Tap For Area High School Football Saturday’
Posted on August 25, 2010 by Joe Pinzone
 Admit it! OK, even I can’t admit it, but don’t you kind of miss Terrell Owens? Yes, I’m writing about him because he and Chad OchoCinco are coming to town for the Bills vs Bengals preseason tilt this Saturday. Look, I’d be the last person to feed into T.O.’s gigantic ego. I totally think he used Buffalo as much as we used him for football by suckering our city into being the opening montage for his reality TV career. Honestly, I was pretty cool with the guy until his whole ditching of practice to venture into Toronto for a autograph session.
However, even though I dumped T.O., like many jilted lovers, I still think about him once in a blue moon (Cue the tears).
Yes, I’ll confess, I had flashbacks after watching T.O. do his best self-promotion with OchoCinco on ESPN and during the Bengals first preseason game. Even still, that really didn’t do too much for me. What got me was when he wrote a personal letter to the city of Cincinnati; telling fans to mark February 6th (The Super Bowl) on their calendar. He also mentioned a number of other pleasantries, but that was the one that stuck with me.
Ah, yes….the hype machine is in full effect in Ohio and I kind of miss that for Western New York.
Continue reading ‘At Least One Blogger is Missing Terrell Owens’
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