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for June 2010
 (We’re counting down our list of the best 20 Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time. Take note- this is not a rundown of the best 20 players. Where the player was drafted is often a major factor in determining his value and ranking. Today is No. 9 our list, Darryl Talley)
Darryl Talley, LB (Second round pick, 39th overall of 1983 NFL draft)
When the annals of football history are someday written, the Buffalo Bills’ teams during a six-year period from 1988-93 will go down as one of the elite, if not most talked about teams of any era— ever.
The narcissists will recount one thing and one thing only; the four consecutive Super Bowl losses. Four straight years the Bills were on cusp of winning the biggest game of their collective lives, and four straight times they lost, caught bad breaks, choked, beat themselves, etc. However you want to write it is irrelevant. They’ll record it whatever way they prefer, and they’ll never tell the whole story. Just the sour endings.
Continue reading ‘Top 20 Bills All-Time Draft Picks: Darryl Talley (#9)’
 Rodney McKissic of the Buffalo News is reporting that the Canisius College basketball program will get a huge boost in a literal sense, after learning that 7-foot-3 center Marial Dhal, a transfer from Houston, will attend Canisius.
Dhal, who played as a sophomore at Hillsborough Community College in 2009-10, is one of the leading shot blockers in the nation, averaging eight blocks and eight rebounds per game last season.
He’s not known as a scorer. He averaged just 2.962 points per game while shooting 46% from the field last year, according to the Hillsborough Community College website.
Dhal was to play for the University of Houston, but has been released from his scholarship.
Canisius finished 15-17 last season, 8-10 in MAAC play. Head coach Tom Parrato recently signed a two-year extension to remain with the team.
 Mark Gaughan and Allen Wilson at The Buffalo News spoke with Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel on Thursday, and the nine-year veteran informed the two reporters that he’s unlikely to return to the only NFL team he’s ever played for.
“At this point I don’t think I’m going to play,” Schobel told Gaughan and Wilson.
Schobel also indicated that he’d be open to returning to the team at some point during the 2010 season if he was needed, but that he would understand if the team wanted to move on without him. The veteran end will not be participating in the team’s mandatory mini-camp, which starts June 23, nor does he have plans to return at any point. He is not, however, referring to this decision as a retirement.
Continue reading ‘Schobel: “I don’t think I’m going to play”’
 In his first year he took a lousy hockey team and made it entertaining. In his second year he made it a division champion. But for someone so good at making others better than they really are, since getting the boot from Buffalo, Ted Nolan has failed to do the same for himself.
Once considered a rising star in the NHL coaching ranks and a beloved figure for his great work and fiery persona in his short time in Buffalo, Nolan has been responsible for much of his own career demise since he and John Muckler were both losers in a 1997 power struggle.
And as the 15-year anniversary of his hiring as head coach of the Sabres approaches, Nolan apparently hasn’t used up all of the cards in the racism deck just yet.
Continue reading ‘Nolan’s Sullen Act is Getting Tiresome’
 (We’re counting down our list of the best 20 Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time. Take note- this is not a rundown of the best 20 players. Where the player was drafted is often a major factor in determining his value and ranking. Today is No. 10 our list, Howard Ballard)
Howard Ballard, OT (11th Round pick, 283rd overall in 1987 NFL draft)
Howard “House” Ballard coming in on this list at No. 10 is yet another in a long line of case in points why former Buffalo Bills general manager Bill Polian doesn’t just deserve a spot on the team’s Wall of Fame; he deserves hi s own wing.
As a college athlete Ballard played his football at Alabama A&M; a historical black college not known for producing a chunk of NFL stars. Few if any general managers anticipated Ballard becoming a star NFL offensive tackle, but Polian saw something in the two-time Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first teamer that apparently no one else did.
Continue reading ‘Top 20 Bills All-Time Draft Picks: Howard Ballard (#10)’
 Last month, I received an offer that I vastly underestimated. I was finishing up my semester at Oswego State and received a call from my sports director at WTOP-TV, Jeremy Donovan. Some of my colleagues at the station were traveling down to Syracuse for the night to see Washington Nationals pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg start for the Triple-A Chiefs. I declined the offer, citing an exam I had to study for the next day.
Hours later, I regretted my decision.
That night, Strasburg pitched six hitless innings against the Norfolk Tides, striking out seven and getting the win. I knew then I missed an opportunity to see a player who has potential to be one of the game’s best in many years. Key word: potential.
Continue reading ‘Strasburg’s Buffalo Connection Not to be Forgotten’
 It seems like the Buffalo Bills haven’t won a playoff game in forever. Actually, it came on December 30, 1995 when the Bills upended the Miami Dolphins, 37-22.
Did you know that the last Buffalo player to score a touchdown in a Bills playoff win was rookie reserve running back Tim Tindale? Tindale took a handoff from Jim Kelly early in the fourth quarter and scampered 44 yards for a score give the Bills a 34-7 lead. Tindale finished the game with 68 yards on four carries.
Continue reading ‘Last Bills player to score in a playoff win is…’
 A cold weather super Bowl in Buffalo? Is it possible?
A lot of us would love to see something like that, but it sure won’t happen in my lifetime. In fact, back in 1994, just before the playoff game the Buffalo Bills hosted against the Joe Montana-led Kansas City Chiefs, I asked future Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy this very question about cold weather locations.
I was an audience member during his cable access show at the time. I was hoping for at least some glimmer of hope from a man I respected, he rightfully gave me the not so political answer…
Continue reading ‘Craig’s Corner: Could Buffalo Ever Host a Super Bowl?’
 Autograph sessions with Buffalo Sabres players, dressing room tours and family-friendly food and drink specials highlight the 2010 NHL Entry Draft Party at HSBC Arena on Friday, June 25 from 6-10:30 p.m. The event is free and open to fans of all ages. Parking is also free in the arena ramp.
Sabres fans are invited to come down to HSBC Arena to watch live televised coverage of the 2010 Entry Draft from the Staples Center in Los Angeles beginning at 7 p.m. In addition, there will be a Roundtable discussion hosted by Kevin Sylvester that will feature special guests throughout the evening.
Continue reading ‘Sabres to Host NHL Draft Party on June 25′
 (This is our new daily feature called “Did You Know”— providing a little nugget of Buffalo sports information you may… or may not have known)
For a three-year period of time, young Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry was one of the most feared ball carriers in the National Football League. After 729 yards in his 2001 rookie season, Henry would go on to run for 1,438 and 1,356 yards in his second and third seasons, respectively.
But did you know that for all of Henry’s positive numbers in the running game, he’ll go down as having the worst quarterback rating in franchise history.
Continue reading ‘Travis Henry: The Worst Quarterback Ever’
 Let’s begin with a disclaimer—This post has absolutely nothing to do with sports. If you’re looking to get your daily Buffalo sports fix on, this isn’t the column to do it and you may be better served clicking another link or coming back again tomorrow. Having said that, I respectfully ask you to carry on reading.
They say writing is therapeutic and since I’ve allowed myself a forum to do so, I need to as for today, I’m once again brokenhearted.
Exactly one year ago on this day, my dear friend Renee Greco was cruelly murdered by two young men she cared for while working as a youth counselor at a Lockport group home for troubled teens.
Countless lives, including mine were forever changed.
Continue reading ‘A Tribute To My Dear, Fallen Friend’
 It may have been an unusual way for most players to find out they’ve been drafted into the Major League, but for St. Bonaventure junior Jesse Bosnik it was literally another day at the park.
While taking batting practice in preparation for his next game in the Coastal Plain League as a member of the Wilmington Sharks, Bosnik was selected in the 13th round with the 402nd pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers on the second day of the 2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) Amateur Draft.
Bosnik is the 14th St. Bonaventure player to reach the professional ranks since 1991. Three years ago to the day, senior Brian Pellegrini was drafted in the 12th round with the 381st overall pick by the Houston Astros.
Continue reading ‘Bona’s Bosnik selected by Dodgers in MLB Draft’
 (We’re counting down our list of the best 20 Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time. Take note- this is not a rundown of the best 20 players. Where the player was drafted is often a major factor in determining his value and ranking. Today is No. 11 our list, O.J. Simpson)
O.J Simpson, RB (First round, first overall selection in the 1969 AFL draft)
Had this been a straightforward countdown of the 20 best Buffalo Bills players of all-time, we’d likely be having a hell of debate between Bruce Smith and O.J. Simpson as to who would top the list. But for the purpose of this exercise, draft value is of extreme importance. Therefore, just like Smith (your first spoiler in this series), Simpson cannot be at the top Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time.
Continue reading ‘Top 20 Bills All-Time Draft Picks: O.J. Simpson (#11)’
 Canisius College junior Steve McQuail was selected in the 30th round by the Toronto Blue Jays (Pick No. 906) on the second day of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday. McQuail is the fifth Golden Griffin to be drafted in the last three years and is the first Canisius junior to be drafted in that timeframe.
McQuail led Canisius with a .397 batting average, 89 hits, 21 doubles, 20 home runs, 81 RBI and .768 slugging percentage during the 2010 season. McQuail set program records with his 89 hits and 81 RBI, and his 81 RBI also set a MAAC single-season record.
Continue reading ‘Canisius junior Steve McQuail drafted by Blue Jays’
 (We’re counting down our list of the best 20 Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time. Take note- this is not a rundown of the best 20 players. Where the player was drafted is often a major factor in determining his value and ranking. Today is No. 12 our list, Reggie McKenzie)
Reggie McKenzie, OG (Second round pick, 27th overall in 1972 NFL draft)
When the 1972 NFL draft rolled around, the Buffalo Bills were holders of the top overall selection after a dismal 1-13 campaign the year before. The team used the pick to grab defensive end Walt Patulski; a stud defensive end from Notre Dame that was an All-American and Lombardi Winner (given to the nation’s top defensive linemen) as a senior.
Continue reading ‘Top 20 Bills All-Time Draft Picks: Reggie McKenzie (#12)’
 (Just to do a little something different, we’re going to start a regular feature called “The Daily Did You Know”— a nugget of information about a Buffalo sports team or player that you may not have known—or maybe you did.)
When people think of great pass catchers in Buffalo Bills history, Bob Chandler is not a name that typically jumps to mind. But did you know that in a four-year span ranging from 1975-78, Chandler led the entire NFL with 220 receptions?
Chandler finished a nine-year Buffalo career with 295 receptions for 3,999 yards and 34 touchdowns—not bad for a former seventh-round draft choice.
 It took 14 years, but Jesus Feliciano is finally going to the big leagues. The now former Bisons outfielder had his contract selected by the New York Mets tonight and will join the club as a 30-year-old rookie.
“All the hard work that I have put in the past years has finally paid off and I am really excited,” said Feliciano with a huge grin on his face.
Feliciano was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 36th round of the 1997 First Year Player Draft. In his first year of professional action, he hit .305 with the Single-A Yakima Bears. From that year on, he has not skipped a beat.
Continue reading ‘14 years later, Jesus Feliciano gets shot at the “show”’
 The Tonawanda high school baseball team is advancing to the Class B New York State Final Four for the first time in school history. They accomplished this Monday in Dansville, New York by upending Wellsville to win their first-ever Far West Regional.
In this well detailed report by Tonawanda News staff reporter Brandon Koch, ace pitcher Jesse Zellner struck out 11 Wellsville batters.
The will get a shot to win a State Championship Saturday when they travel to Binghamton.
Continue reading ‘Tonawanda, Frewsburg to compete for state baseball championships’
 The Columbus Blue Jackets have their man after hiring Scott Arniel as the team’s new head coach.
This is the latest in a course of events over the last two months that saw the Blue Jackets offer the position originally to Guy Boucher, head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs, only to see him reject the job.
According to the Columbus Dispatch?, once he rejected the job, it was offered Arniel, who quickly accepted and will be in Columbus tomorrow for a press conference.
Continue reading ‘Columbus tabs Arniel; Dineen back to Portland?’
 The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame will introduce its 13 member class of 2010, Tuesday afternoon, June 8 in the Pavilion area at HSBC Arena. Introduction of this year’s new members will commence at 3:30 pm with board president, Brian Cavanaugh, presiding.
A reception will follow until 4:30 pm. This event will mark the 20th class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1991 and brings total membership to 228.
Current Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, one of several inductees expected on hand for the announcement, will give remarks on behalf of the class. Ruff is the longest tenured coach in the NHL and enjoyed a 13 year NHL playing career with the Sabres and New York Rangers prior to being named Buffalo’s bench boss.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame To Introduce Class Tuesday’
 (We’re counting down our list of the best 20 Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time. Take note- this is not a rundown of the best 20 players. Where the player was drafted is often a major factor in determining his value and ranking. Today is No. 13 our list, Charles Romes)
Charles Romes, CB (12th Round Pick, 309th overall in 1977 NFL draft)
In order to appease the naysayers, let’s get this out of the way before proceeding. Arguably for the first time in this series, it’s time to reemphasize this being a series counting down the best 20 draft picks in Buffalo Bills history, not the best 20 players ever drafted by the team.
Continue reading ‘Top 20 Bills All-Time Draft Picks: Charles Romes (#13)’
 (Just to do a little something different, we’re going to start a regular feature called “The Daily Did You Know”— a nugget of information about a Buffalo sports team or player that you may not have known—or maybe you did.)
Did you know that indirectly, the Bills trading O.J. Simpson to San Francisco in 1978 led to the team acquiring Jim Kelly five years later?
When the Bills traded Simpson they received four picks from the 49ers; a second and third round draft choice in 1978 and a first and fourth rounder the following year. With that first round pick in 1979 the Bills drafted Tom Cousineau (first overall as well).
Though he never played a game with Buffalo, electing to sign with the CFL instead, Buffalo managed to trade his rights to the Cleveland Browns in 1982 for a first round (14th overall) pick in the ’83 draft.
Buffalo then used that pick on Jim Kelly. A lot of people know the Cousineau pick turned out to be Kelly. Not everyone however, realize it was dealing Simpson to San Francisco that would set up the future Cleveland trade.
 International recording artists Third Eye Blind, best known for the single “Semi-Charmed Life”, will headline the Empire State Games Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday July 21 kicking-off four days of gold medal athletic competitions.
The 2010 Buffalo Games will run through Sunday July 25 with more than 6,000 athletes from across the state descending on Western New York to compete in the country’s oldest amateur, multi-sport competition.
“We are a little more than a month away from one of the greatest events to be held in Western New York,” said Jack Quinn, Empire State Games Buffalo 2010 Honorary Co-Chairman. “Athletic history will be made on the sports fields and arenas throughout our community. Buffalo has risen to the challenge of bringing the Games back to life when they may have been lost forever. This accomplishment is a true testament of Western New York’s dedication to its community and the state.”
Continue reading ‘Third Eye Blind to headline the Empire State Games Opening Ceremonies’
 For the second-straight week, 300-plus supporters witnessed FC Buffalo take the Robert E. Rich All-High Stadium field for an NPSL contest Sunday afternoon.
For the first time, they saw a ‘W.’
Andrew Tiedt made a dazzling run through several New Jersey Blaze defenders and Scott Zorn fired a laser past Blaze GK Kevin Gramatta as FC Buffalo (1-0-1) earned a 2-0 Sunday win.
Continue reading ‘FC Buffalo Gets First Franchise Victory’
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Well, there seems to be some room on Turner Gills coat tails as former UB linebacker Darius Willis will be shuffling off to the Jay Hawks. Willis has a ton of potential at line backer but never really panned out at the position here. In fact, he was not even atop the two-deep after spring practices, something which may have led to his departure from UB.
