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for September 2009
 When the Buffalo Bills decided to bring to Terrell Owens to Buffalo, the fans were very excited about the possibilities he brought to an offense that struggled last season throwing deep. The Bomb, or “go route,” is arguably the most exciting play in football when executed properly.
The local media hailed the bold move and told NFL fans that Mr. “Key to the City” could also be the key to making the Bills a hard team to defend and raising playoff hopes.
T.O.’s arrival was also welcome news to Lee Evans, who drew a lot of double coverage last year. Everyone was asking, “How can they defend both of these guys?” Buffalo now had the ingredients to be explosive on any given play.
The problem: It doesn’t matter how good your receivers are if you don’t give your quarterback time to throw the ball. The long pass needs time to develop, and if you have an offensive line that is as young and inexperienced as Bills’ unit, then your weapons of mass destruction may never be found.
Continue reading ‘Finding the Bills WMD’s’
 Two more members from last year’s men’s hockey senior class have been signed professional deals, with defensemen Travis Anderson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and forward Ted Cook (Hogansburg, N.Y.) both moving on to the ECHL.
The 2008 CHA Tournament MVP signed a deal with the Johnstown Chiefs, something that will keep the prolific scorer in the northeast. Cook finished as Niagara’s goal scoring leader, notching 78 goals from 2005-09. During the 2006-07 season, Cook led the nation with 32 goals, scoring 21 of them on the man-advantage, a total that also led the nation.
Anderson signed a deal with the Stockton Thunder, where he is one of the bigger defensemen on the team. The Minnesota native finished eighth on Niagara’s career games played list, playing in 139 games during his five-year stay with the Purple Eagles. Anderson finished with three goals, 23 assists and 26 points with Niagara.
Continue reading ‘Niagara Alumni Update: Cook & Anderson Sign Pro Deals’
 Dick Jauron just completed his Wednesday media day snoozefest press conference. Here are some news and notes to come out of it.
* Demetrius Bell (groin), Kyle Williams(groin), John McCargo (groin), Bryan Scott (ankle), Paul Posluszny (arm) Donte Whitner (thumb) and Leodis McKelvin (leg) all did not participate in practice today. Williams is the lone surprise. He has developed some groin problems. This leaves Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson as the only healthy defensive tackles on the roster.
* Shawn Nelson did practice, but on a limited basis (shoulder).
* At practice today Jonathan Scott worked with the first team at left tackle, while Kirk Chambers was at right tackle. It wasn’t declared, but at this moment it look very iffy on if Bell is going to be able to go on Sunday.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills Notes From Media Day’
 The Sabres haven’t officially announced their final 23-man roster quite yet, but we now know that forward Nathan Gerbe and defensemen Mike Weber will not be part of it.
The Sabres informed the pair they will be starting the season in Portland, the Sabres AHL affiliate.
“You feel more comfortable and you start playing more like yourself but again there’s no room on the roster. I’ve got to go to Portland, work hard and force something. I feel so much better to leave on a good note. I thought I did all I could.” Gerbe told Buffalo News reporter Mike Harrington this morning.
This must mean that South Buffalo native Tim Kennedy has made the opening night roster. 2008 first round draft pick Tyler Myers has likely made the roster as well, and will get to play 10 games before the Sabres must decide if they will keep him or return him to juniors. He’s not eligible to be deployed to Portland.
We’ll have more later.
 Since the beginning of camp, I have been against the promotion of Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy to the Buffalo Sabres to begin the season. With the events that took place on Tuesday, I think I was wrong.
Cody McCormick was sent to Portland and Drew Stafford and Toni Lydman are both injured. Stafford is suffering from a mild concussion and has not been ruled out for Saturday’s opener. Toni Lydman (hand) however, might have a more serious injury to deal with.
The injury to Stafford and demotion of McCormick could open the door for Kennedy and Gerbe to step into the opening night lineup. If the injury to Lydman is serious, there’s no doubt Tyler Myers will remain on the roster, and might open the door for Mike Weber to stick around. There’s still as slight chance the Sabres may try to move a player to make room for the four youngsters.
The Sabres have 26 players currently in camp and have to get to 23 by 2pm today. If the injuries are serious enough, they can put Lydman, Stafford and Mair (hip) on the injured list and keep everyone. We will know by later today what will happen. Stay tuned here for more updates.
 Hold the jokes.. It’s for a good cause
When the Buffalo Bills take the field against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, a trio of players will be sporting pink. Marshawn Lynch, Josh Reed and Bryan Scott will be wearing pink cleats. In fact, they’ll be wearing them throughout the month of October.
 Along with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the Canisius College women’s basketball team has released its complete schedule for the 2009-10 season.
Canisius opens on the road at Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 14, before returning to the Koessler Athletic Center to start the home slate on Nov. 17, against St. Bonaventure, one of four WNIT teams on the schedule. The Griffs then play at Youngstown State (Nov. 22) and Detroit (Nov. 24) before hosting Binghamton on Nov. 28, and Albany on Dec. 2.
The Griffs play cross-town rival Buffalo on Dec. 5, before a 10-day break from games during finals. Canisius returns to the court at Duquesne on Dec. 16, and then hosts Bowling Green on Dec. 19. The Griffs play their third straight WNIT team on Dec. 21, at Marquette before closing out the non-conference schedule at home against New Hampshire on Dec. 28.
Continue reading ‘Canisius Women’s Hoops Releases Full Schedule’
 The Portland Pirates have several more bodies on the way from Buffalo after the Sabres assigned Cody McCormick to the Pirates earlier today.
McCormick joins forwards Jeff Cowan, Mark Mancari and defenseman Joe Dipenta – who were assigned to Portland on Saturday – as the newest members of the Pirates after clearing waivers along with forwards Felix Schutz, Phillip Gogulla and defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani.
McCormick, 26, was signed by the Sabres over the summer with the intentions of adding size, grit and overall toughness to a Pirates roster that was seriously lacking all three.
Continue reading ‘Pirates Gain Experience in Sabres Depth’
 The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the Niagara women’s basketball program has officially released the 2009-10 conference schedule on Tuesday.
Niagara begins its conference portion of its schedule with a road trip to Siena (Jan. 3) and Marist (Jan. 5) for its first games of 2010. The Purple Eagles will welcome Manhattan (Jan. 9) and Iona (Jan. 11) to the legendary ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center for their first home conference weekend.
The Purple Eagles will then embark on a three-game road journey to Fairfield (Jan. 16), Rider (Jan. 18) and Iona (Jan. 24). A five-game home stand awaits the Purple Eagles to conclude January and to start February; Niagara hosts Siena (Jan. 29), Marist (Jan. 31), Canisius (Feb. 3), Rider (Feb. 6) and Loyola (Feb. 8).
Continue reading ‘NU women’s hoops announces MAAC schedule’
 Buffalo State (10-9) finally played its first home match of the season and put on a show for the home crowd, making short work of Alfred University (0-14), winning 25-19, 25-13 and 25-9 tonight at the Sports Arena.
Katie Sember (Buffalo/Kenmore West) led the Bengals onslaught with 14 kills and had two aces and eight digs. Bree McMahon (Tonawanda/Sweet Home) added 12 kills and a pair of aces. Danielle Aurelio-Clark (Lancaster/Lancaster) dished out 18 assists. Paige Ottaviano (Pt. Colborne, ON/Lakeshore Catholic) had six kills and eight assists off the bench.
Buffalo State will next host D’Youville on Thursday at 7 p.m.
* Paul Jannace of the Wellsville Daily Reporter says that the boring Bills won’t change.
* Tim Graham of ESPN.com penned this brilliant column about T.O. wallowing in his martyrdom.
* Olean Times Herald columnist Chuck Pollard offers his random thoughts on the Bills defeat last Sunday.
* Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff discusses possible roster moves in this Sabres.com interview.
* Buffalo News reporter Mike Harrington says Wednesday is a day of decisions for the Sabres.
* Bob DiCesare, also of the Buffalo News writes the UB Bulls attack is looking a bit worn down.
* David Hill of the Tonawanda News reports that the North Tonawanda girls volleyball team remains unbeaten.
 Volleyball Cruises Past Hilbert
The Medaille College women’s volleyball team hosted Hilbert College for a conference match with the Hawks. The Lady Mavs cruised to a (3-0); (25-21, 25-8, 25-15) victory in a sixty minute affair. This was the third time these teams have faced each other this season and the outcome has been the same in each of the matches.
Leading the charge for Medaille was freshman outside hitter Meghan Fahy (Kendall, NY/Kendall)(pictured) who had a team high (7)kills and (3) blocks. Junior setter Gina Traniello (Falconer, NY/Falconer) posted (2) kills, (18) assists and (6) digs. While senior Michele Burgstahler (Wilson, NY/Wilson) put down (5) kills and dug up (4) balls in only set.
Continue reading ‘Medaille College Sports Wrap’
 The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team announced the final two games of its 2009-10 non-conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon, adding back-to-back home games in December.
The Bonnies completed their 29-game regular season slate by adding Division II foe Le Moyne on Dec. 10 and Independent Savannah State on Dec. 12. The Brown and White now have a total of 13 games at the Reilly Center and will be the home team when they host St. John’s at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y. on Nov. 17.
St. Bonaventure has won all 13 of its previous meetings against Le Moyne. The Dolphins are a member of the Northeast-10 and are coming of a 20-11 season in which they advanced to the conference championship game. Led by reigning Northeast-10 Player of the Year and Daktronics NCAA Division II first team All-American Laurence Ekperigin, Le Moyne returns 11 players, including four starters, from last year’s team.
Continue reading ‘Bonnies Men’s hoops announces final two opponents’
Drayton Florence, the Buffalo Bills cornerback who’s played all of one game this season after battling a knee injury, is giving the 0-3 Miami Dolphins plenty of bulletin board material.
Florence will be starting Sunday for injured (broken leg) Bills corner Leodis McKelvin. Apparently he can’t wait until Sunday to start as he’s taken to his twitter to call out the
Dolphins for being a bad team.
 The Sabres ended their exhausting preseason Sunday night with a 7-6 win over Toronto. With some players having their spots locked up, Tim Kennedy, Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Myers, and Mike Weber made their final auditions before the team decides on the opening day battle roster.
Kennedy (+2) showed the most value on the night, executing well defensively while doing good things with the puck in the Leafs end. Centering Clarke MacArthur and Jason Pominville, the Buffalo native snapped home a MacArthur back pass and added a nice assist in 16:44 of action for his best performance in a Sabres sweater.
Gerbe (-1) rounded out his strong weekend by netting a goal for the second straight night and earning a helper on Matt Ellis’ game winner. Gerbe played just under 14:00 in the win.
Continue reading ‘Tim Kennedy Makes His Case’
 The Buffalo Sabres announced they will be holding a “Party in the Plaza” prior to the start of the 39th season opener in franchise history on Saturday, October 3 against the Montreal Canadiens. Game time is 7 p.m. and about 700 tickets remain for the game.
The pre-game festivities get underway at 5 p.m. outside HSBC Arena, in the Plaza area located near Perry and Illinois St. Fans can enjoy live music from Strictly Hip, with food and drink available for purchase. There is a three beer limit per person.
The party will take place rain or shine with free admission, as a game ticket will not be required for entrance to the party.
Continue reading ‘Sabres to Party Saturday — In the Plaza’
 Katie Bush (Jr. – Jamestown, NY)(Soccer)
In the Lady Mavs only game of the week, a (6-1) win over Mt. Aloysius, Katie scored a goal and assisted on two more finishing with four points. She is currently second on the team in scoring. The Lady Mavs have opened AMCC play at (2-0-0).
 E.J. Kuebler (So. – Williamsville, NY)(Golf)
E.J. was the Mavs low scorer in two of three tournament’s this week. In the Erie Invitational he finished tied for 6th with an (81), in the Behrend Invitational he shot a (77) and finished tied for fifth. In the Medaille Invitational he shot an (83) and finished 14th. He has been Medaille’s top scorer in three matches this year.
 Before we turn our attentions to the upcoming Week 4 matchup between our dinged up Buffalo Bills and the hated, also-dinged-up Miami Dolphins, we’ll take a glance back at the Bills’ Week 3 27-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
This is your first look back – our weekly Film Session.
Things are getting complex for Trent Edwards. Again. Give Gregg Williams a lot of credit – Edwards has beaten his defenses twice before (2007 in Washington, 2008 in Jacksonville), and he finally figured our young quarterback out. The Saints flashed 3-4 looks and zone blitzes, and while Edwards seemed to have most coverages figured out, he struggled to consistently, properly diagnose pressures. When he had time and made the right pressure reads, his receivers weren’t open; when Terrell Owens and Lee Evans did manage to run free, Edwards was being flushed or sacked on most occasions. There was zero rhythm to this offensive attack, and that starts with not being able to figure out Williams’ pressures.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills: Week 3 Film Session’
 After playing the final year of his career at St. Bonaventure under Mark Schmidt, 2008 graduate Tyler Relph has returned to his alma mater to serve as the director of player personnel and managers under the third-year head coach.
“It’s great to have Tyler rejoin our program as a member of our staff,” said Schmidt. “He’s extremely passionate about the game of basketball and has a bright future in front of him. Most importantly, he understands what it takes to succeed as a student-athlete at St. Bonaventure and will be a great role model for our players.”
Continue reading ‘Relph joins basketball staff as director of player personnel’
 After posting back-to-back shutouts over the opening weekend of Atlantic 10 play, St. Bonaventure junior Nicole Markert has been recognized as the conference’s Co-Player of the Week, announced on Monday afternoon.
Markert is the third Bona player to be lauded with an A-10 weekly honor this season. The Brown and White have landed a player on the weekly honor roll in three of the six weeks.
Returning to net for the first time in five games, Markert made six saves to lead St. Bonaventure to a 2-0 win on Friday at Rhode Island. Less than 48 hours later, Markert made three stops, including a highlight-reel save on a penalty shot in the 76th minute to keep Saint Louis from tying the game. Markert finished the game with three saves in the 1-0 win to help the Bonnies improve to 2-0 in the A-10 for the first time in program history.
Continue reading ‘Markert named A-10 Co-Player of the Week’
 Canisius College freshman Samantha Good (Rochester, N.Y.) was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week while freshman Allyson Severyn (Lancaster, N.Y.) was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.
Good led the Golden Griffins by averaging 4.00 kills per set and 1.88 blocks per set in two Canisius road victories. The freshman set career highs in kills in both matches, recording 15 kills at Saint Peter’s and then had 17 kills at Manhattan on Sunday. Good also had 12 blocks (four solo blocks and eight block assists) at Manhattan, tying the program record for most blocks since the rally-scoring era started.
Continue reading ‘Good, Severyn Earn MAAC Weekly Awards’
 It’s known as the “Grand Tour,” a rite of passage for college kids. Upon completion of college, or perhaps during the summer in-between, college students often go sightseeing in continental Europe. Patrick Kane, and many of his Chicago Blackhawks teammates are college age or younger. Since they find themselves playing in the NHL instead of going away to school, they can consider this week’s trip to Switzerland and Finland, their Grand Tour.
On Monday afternoon, the Blackhawks played the first of two European exhibition contests at Zurich’s Hallenstadion Arena against HC Davos. Chicago won Monday’s contest 9-2; including two goals from star left-wing Patrick Kane, who I had an exclusive with back in Chicago, just before the team flew across the pond.
Continue reading ‘Kane Chronicles: Heading to Europe’
 Senior forward Chris Moran (Buffalo, N.Y.) has been named to the Preseason All-CHA team, as announced by the conference office Monday morning.
Moran had a breakout season in 2008-09, where he was tied for the team lead in scoring, with 12 goals, 19 assists and 31 points. The playmaking forward currently has 99 career points, just one point shy of becoming the 12th Purple Eagle to join the 100-Point club.
Niagara was slated to finish in second place, just behind Bemidji State. Robert Morris was picked to finish third, while Alabama-Huntsville was picked to finish in fourth place.
The Purple Eagles get the 2009-10 season underway in the next two weeks, with an exhibition game against York on Saturday, Oct. 3 at one p.m., before hosting Colgate in the season-opener on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
Lost among the catastrophe that was the Buffalo Bills offense Sunday was a potentially key injury. Starting left tackle Demetrius Bell left the contest in the second half with a strained groin. This comes after battling a sore back all of training camp and the preseason. While the extent of his injury is unknown we’re likely to get an update from Dick Jauron sometime this afternoon. Kirk Chambers finished the game at left tackle.
If Bell ends up missing any game action it forces the Bills to start Chambers and Jonathan Scott next week against an angry Miami defense off to a 0-3 start.
Scott played well in the second half in his Bills debut against Tampa Bay last week but was battered by New Orleans yesterday. He was responsible for two sacks and penalized once for a false start. At the very least, he showed signs exactly why the lowly Detroit Lions gave up on him more than a year ago.
Chambers is even less of a prospect. He was cut by the Bills before the regular season started, only to be brought back after Buffalo grew tired of Langston Walker. Still, he wasn’t even active the first two games and only the injury to Brad Butler landed him in uniform yesterday. He completed the transformation from waiver wire to press box and playing field within a three week span after Butler and Bell both went down.
Continue reading ‘Bills Getting What They Paid For at OT’
 I’ve learned today that the Bills tentative plan this week is to release wide receiver Justin Jenkins in order to make room on the roster for Marshawn Lynch.
While he was suspended for three games Lynch was not part of the 53-man roster. His return means the Bills will have to clear a spot for him on the 53, and a source tells me that person is Jenkins. A move will have to be made by Thursday at the latest.
His stay of execution however could come if the Leodis McKelvin fractured bone in his leg could cause the team to put him on injured reserve. I’m told that although head coach Dick Jauron didn’t say so, there’s a good chance
McKelvin can be gone for a long period. It’s highly unlikely they will occupy a roster spot for him if he’s to miss more than four-to-six weeks when the team is deep at the position.
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