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for July 2010
 Day two of the Buffalo Bills training camp is now complete. The team had just one open practice at night as the morning session was closed to the public. It was the first night practice of the year! Unlike yesterday, the stands were actually full and the fans were excited. It’s always a bit different when the team practices under the lights at Growney Stadium. The atmosphere is closer to a pre-season game than just a training camp practice. On the field, the winner of the day was the defense. They were aggressive and gave the offensive line fits all day. As always, the team worked on individual drills, 7-on-7, 11-on-11 and also spent some time kicking field goals.
To start the evening off, the team spent time working on gap assignments. The first team defense lined up against the second and third team defense on one side of the field. On the other side, the starting offense lined up against the second and third team offense. Once the starters get their reps in, they switch places with the backups. This drill helps get everybody set up to where they have to be for the play and they run several different plays at half speed. This also is a nice starter drill for the players to warm up with.
Continue reading ‘Training Camp Report: 7/30/2010′
 The Niagara men’s hockey team enters its first year as a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association with a 34-game slate, featuring three games against 2010 NCAA Frozen Four Finalist RIT and first-time matchups against four different teams.
The Purple Eagles take flight on Oct. 9, opening the 2010-11 at home against Merrimack, exactly one week after a scrimmage against York (Canada). Many longtime Purple Eagle fans will have Oct. 15 circled on their calendars, as former head coach Blaise McDonald and his UMass-Lowell team will come to Dwyer Arena to challenge Niagara.
Continue reading ‘Niagara Releases 2010-11 Men’s Hockey Schedule’
 The Buffalo Bisons announced that Nick Evans has been promoted to the team from Double-A Binghamton. Evans will take the place of Mike Jacobs, who was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays organization today for a player to be named later.
Evans, 24, has spent the majority of the 2010 season with Binghamton and has hit .294 (102-347) with 30 doubles, 17 home runs and 55RBI in 88 games. He ranks T4th in the Eastern League in home runs and doubles, T2nd in extra-base hits (47) and 4th in slugging percentage (.527). Evans was also promoted to New York from July 9-16 and went 0-2 in two pinch hit opportunities.
Last season, Evans hit .211 (50-237) in 66 games with the Bisons and led the club with 10 home runs.
Jacobs has hit .260 (88-339) with 23 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs and 57RBI in 86 games with the Bisons. His home run and RBI total both rank second on the club.
Aaron Schobel sold his Orchard Park home in April of this year. According to a source from the same real estate company involved in the transaction, the same company that was involved of the sale of the house we reported in detail on May 10, Schobel has contacted them about leasing a rental home for six months.
According to the source, Schobel isn’t looking for something large to rent. That would likely mean his wife and two school-aged children would remain behind in Texas while Schobel played the 2010 season in Buffalo.
I’m not ready to go on record as reporting that Schobel is returning to the Bills, because I haven’t heard it from Schobel’s mouth or any reliable source close to him. But it certainly seems that’s the way Schobel is going—- and I can say the source involving the real estate company is solid.
Schobel originally closed on his 2,400 square foot Orchard Park home in April and was on the market since December 2009, though it wasn’t listed in the transactions page of the News until May 10.
It’s unknown if the shoulder injury Chris Kelsay suffered at practice Thursday has anything to do with the process speeding up, but regardless, it’s strongly looking like Schobel will be back with the Bills in 2010.
Jason LaConfora of the NFL.com first reported Schobel looking for a rental home. We’re merely confirming. Send the credit his way.
 It’s been more of the same from the Buffalo Sabres so far this offseason. A few bodies lost, a few medium to-low-impact signings and a lot of quotes from the powers that be about how they like where they stand and filling holes from within is the right route to go.
Unfortunately for fans, that’s not what they desire to hear after a rebound season for the team ended with an embarrassing six-game loss to the Boston Bruins in the first round. While the team showed vast improvement over the year before and won themselves a division title, their shortcomings were heavily exposed against a more physically dominant Boston squad that rendered the majority of Buffalo’s skilled players as useless.
Here’s what’s happened so far this offseason:
Continue reading ‘Is Regier Done Dealing? Let’s Hope Not’
 This Associated Press Report details Chris Kelsay’s shoulder injury on the first day of Buffalo Bills training camp. Kelsay is out “indefinitely” according to head coach Chan Gailey.
Bills practice notes from day one, as detailed by Bills.com.
Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings got a chance to chat about the Bills with Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders. Solid read here.
ESPN.com AFC East blogger Tim Graham offers his personal observations from the first day of Bills camp.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 30, 2010 (Bills Edition)’
 The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with forward Dennis McCauley.
McCauley, 24, played last year for the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate in Worcester, Mass. where he appeared in 45 games, scoring 10 goals, four assists for 14 points with 84 penalty minutes.)
It’s expected that McCauley will be in Portland when the season begins. At 6-3, 225-pounds, McCauley, along with Tim Conboy, will give the Pirates some much needed size up front.
The Billerica, Mass. native played four years at Northeastern University where he scored 45 points (22g, 23a) in 129 games.
(Chris Roy is a contributing hockey writer for Buffalo Sports Daily. He’ll be covering the Sabres AHL-affiliated Portland Pirates. He also runs a very good hockey site called the Maine Street Journal. Be sure to check it out)
Buffalo Sabres forward Tim Kennedy was awarded a one year, $1 million contract today by an arbitrator. Kennedy’s hearing took place July 27 in Toronto. As per the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the club is not eligible to walk away from an award lower than $1,611,180.
Kennedy collected 26 points (10+16) in 78 games during his rookie season last year with the Sabres. The 24-year-old Buffalo native also contributed three points (1+2) in six playoff games.
 Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler announced the team has re-signed forward Jon Harasym to a two-year contract and defenseman Darryl Gibson to a one-year deal (pending league approval).
Harasym, hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, returned to the Bandits for a second stint (2005-07) last season, posting 14 points (4+10) in 14 games. He established a new career-high, collecting 66 loose balls during the 2010 season; while appearing in his first career NLL playoff game at Toronto on May 1, adding an assist.
Gibson, a 10-year veteran returns to Buffalo after posting eight points (0+8) in 11 regular season games with the Bandits last season. Gibson was originally drafted by Albany in 2000.
 There are many, many questions regarding the Buffalo Bills as they begin their 2010 campaign. Upon the entire roster, sans C.J. Spiller and Aaron Schobel converging Wednesday in Pittsford in preparation for the start of training camp, one speedy glance at the faces on the roster and a burning question became abundantly clear.
For the love of God, who is a star on this football team?
Nearly universally around the league, each team has a player the organization simply can’t withstand losing. Take away Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Drew Brees and are the Colts, Patriots and Saints, respectively really a Super Bowl contender? How quickly does Houston’s offense go down the drain without Andre Johnson? If Patrick Willis goes down, the San Francisco defense immediately gets significantly softer. Do the Titans have a chance to win six games without the services of Chris Johnson? I can go on and on.
Except for when it comes to the Bills.
Continue reading ‘One Glance in Pittsford Show Bills Lack Star Power’
 Associated Press reports that Aaron Schobel is open to playing one more season.
Matt Rich Warren of Buffalo Rumblings concludes his series of cliche countdowns by analyzing the biggest one of them all, “Why They Play The Games”.
Nick Mendola from WECK has a training camp preview that features quarterbacks and defensive backs.
The National Football Post ranked all 32 NFL teams based on how strong their ownership is. Ralph Wilson comes in second-to-last.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 29, 2010′
 Dave Cianfrini, a standout defender with the Canisius College hockey team from 2006 to 2010, signed a professional contract with the Fort Wayne Komets of the CHL.
“It feels really good to take this next step in my career,” Cianfrini said. “My four years at Canisius have really prepared me to excel at the next level and I look forward to playing in front of good fans in a good hockey town. Canisius has definitely shown an increased commitment to developing players for the next level, particularly with a strong support staff. I also benefited from playing against good competition, especially in the top half of Atlantic Hockey.”
Continue reading ‘Canisius’ Dave Cianfrini Signs With Fort Wayne’
 The Bisons fell to 1-5 on their eight-game roadtrip to Ohio after a 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Columbus Clippers on Wednesday night from Huntington Park.
Buffalo trailed for most of the game, and failed to take full advantage of another home run from Lucas Duda.
Duda’s blast, his 13th of the season and second in as many games, came with a runner on board in the top of the fifth inning. The Triple-A rookie now has 37RBI in 37 games with the Herd.
Continue reading ‘Bisons Fall For Fifth Time in Six Games’
 Paul Posluszny, Bills starting inside linebacker, has arrived to training camp sporting a brand new buzz cut. Unfortunately, he’s also arriving nursing an injury.
The team announced that Posluszny has had off-season groin surgery and will be limited in participation for the first few weeks of training camp.
While Posluszny is regarded as a solid football player and the team is hopeful he takes the next step in becoming a team leader in 2010, his lengthy list of injuries throughout his short career is rapidly becoming a concern. He missed all but three games his rookie year in 2007 with a broken forearm, and missed another month of last season after reinjuring the same arm.
Continue reading ‘Poz Limited to Start Camp, Corto to PUP’
 The Buffalo Bills have signed second-round draft pick Torell Troup in time for the start of training camp, as first reported by Steve Wyche of NFL.com
Both Bills rookies and vets are reporting to training camp in Rochester today, and with the deal in place it looks like Troup will be good to go when practices begin Thursday morning.
According to reports, Troup agreed to a four-year deal worth a maximum of roughly $4.61-million with a shade over $2.6-million of it guaranteed.
Adam Caplan of Fox Sports has rave reviews of Troup, saying he’s a “very highly regarded DT in scouting circles. He can play end or NT in Buffalo’s 3-4.”
Continue reading ‘Bills Reach Agreement With Torell Troup’
 Back in early June, Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel told The Buffalo News “I don’t think I’m going to play” (in 2010). A little over a month later, on the eve of his Bills teammates reporting to St. John Fisher College for training camp, Schobel has changed his stance. Slightly.
“I would say I’m leaning more towards doing it than I was a month ago,” Schobel told WKBW’s Jeff Russo. “At this point I’m thinking about it. At that point I didn’t want to even consider it.”
Schobel also told WKBW that he has been following a diet and working out as he continues to ponder his playing future. He is still undecided as to whether or not he’ll return, but Russo reports that Schobel plans to make a final decision within the next 10 days.
Continue reading ‘Report Says Schobel Thinking About Return’
 Tim Graham of ESPN.com has his AFC East training camp preview up. Among other things, Graham has Demetrius Bell on the hot seat.
Buffalo Rumblings scribe Brian Galliford takes readers inside one of the Bills most important looming training camp battles —- left tackle.
It’s all work for Chan Gailey as he tries to rebuild the Bills, writes the Associated Press.
Here’s an Associated Press report regarding the Bengals signing former Bills receiver Terrell Owens.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 28, 2010′
 Former UB pitcher Steve Geltz continues to climb up the Los Angeles Angels farm system as he was recently called up to the Angels’ Double A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers.Geltz becomes the second UB player to be promoted in the minor league system this month.
Geltz had a 3-1 record and a 3.44 ERA with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes with 51 strikeouts in just 34.0 innings pitched prior to his promotion and made his Double A debut on July 23. Despite a rough outing in his debut, Geltz came back on July 25 to pick up his first win as he pitched a scoreless 10th inning for the win.
Geltz is the second player to be promoted this month as Mike Folli was called up to the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in July. They are just two of four UB players currently playing in the Minor League. Former pitcher Zach Anderson is currently pitching for the Auburn Doubledays, a Class A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Anderson has a 1-0 record in 14 appearances on the year with a 3.86 ERA. Chaz Mye, who signed with Oakland Athletics this past spring, has a 1-1 record and a 3.09 ERA for the Athletics’ Rookie Arizona League team. Also playing professionally is Brad Agustin with the Normal CornBelters of the Frontier League. In 21 games, Agustin is hitting .289 with three doubles, a home run and nine runs batted in.
 Buffalo Sports Daily is searching for a few aspiring writers and/or columnists looking to build a portfolio and pad their resume by writing about some of the best local athletes and teams that Western New York has to offer.
We’re looking for writers willing to cover everything Buffalo sports: Bills, Sabres, Bisons, Bandits, college, high school, golf and amateur sports as well as human interest topics. Our goal is to continue expanding and provide our regular visitors with interesting stories and profiles that go far beyond just the Buffalo Bills and Sabres.
We’re also searching for a gifted columnist or two to pen their own running blog about anything Buffalo sports.
Experience isn’t necessary, but talent is. If you’d like to get your work published and raise your profile on a website that’s seeing its readership grow on a daily basis, then this is the right gig for you.
If you’re interested in becoming part of the Buffalo Sports Daily team, send an email letter of interest and qualifications to pmoran@buffalosportsdaily.com
 The Jamestown Jets announced today that they will have new ownership upon transfer of the team. Head Coach and Vice President of Operations, Dennis Canfield reached an agreement to buy the organization from long-time associate Barry Soskin, who had been the majority owner of the organization.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Canfield has a long history in the sport of hockey and has been the Head Coach and VP of Operations the past two seasons. “This is a proud day for me and the organization” said Canfield, “I see this as a stepping stone for the future of this organization and hockey in the Jamestown Community”.
Continue reading ‘Jamestown Jets Announce New Ownership’
 According to a report by Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, Western New York native Johnny Flynn will miss at 3-4 months of action because he needs surgery to repair an injured hip.
The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard started all but one game last year for the Wolves, averaging 13.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a rookie.
Attempts to reach Flynn directly for comment to this point have been unsuccessful.
The former Niagara Falls high school legend has been bothered by the hip for a long period of time. He was slatted to play for the Wolves in the NBA Summer League, but the hip forced him to bow out.
Continue reading ‘Jonny Flynn Needs Hip Surgery’
 ◊ Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News writes that not since the gruesome days of the mid-1980s, when Hank Bullough was the head coach, has there been so little anticipation going into a Buffalo Bills season.
◊ Buffalo News Bills reporter Allen Wilson breaks down some of the key defensive position battles as the Bills head to training camp.
◊ Adam Schefter tweets that the New York Jets are emerging as candidates for the services of former Bill Terrell Owens.
◊ Bills.com takes a look at who may start at quarterback.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 27, 2010′
 One of the most likable Buffalo Bills players in recent years has decided to retire from the NFL. Former Bills linebacker John DiGiorgio announced on his facebook page recently that he’s leaving the NFL behind and taking a high school teaching position in his home state of Michigan.
“I just wanna say thank you to everyone that has ever supported me throughout my career,” DiGiorgio said. “I’ve done everything I could in therapy to try to get my knee healthy and get back and play the game I love most. Unfortunately I fell a bit short. I recently decided to retire from the NFL and gladly accept a teaching and a coaching job at Chippewa Valley High School. Thanks for all the support, Go Bills!”
Continue reading ‘Farewell, John DiGiorgio’
 By now it’s quite obvious Terrell Owens won’t be returning to Buffalo in a Bills uniform. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be seeing the Bills in 2010.
There’s a growing buzz around league circles that Owens will end up signing with the Cincinnati Bengals and partnering up with wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant.
That would result in Owens facing the Bills—twice.
Continue reading ‘Bills May See Owens Twice In 2010′
 When it comes to Western New York, it seems three things in life are certain; death, taxes, and that the Western region will dominate in the annual Empire State Games.
The 32nd edition of the games closed in Buffalo on Sunday and for the 29th time Western led in the medal count. The 104 gold medals were by far the most of the six regions competing throughout the state. In fact, the final tally more than doubled any other region.
Arguably the most satisfying, and certainly the biggest headlines drawn from the games were the men’s open basketball team capturing gold after defeating Hudson Valley Sunday at Canisius College. Kyle Downey, a junior at Sienna College, led the way with 21 points.
Continue reading ‘Western Tops Empire State Games Medal Count’
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