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for May 2011
 Buffalo Rumblings scribe Brian Galliford takes an in-depth look at how the Buffalo Bills may use Chris Kelsay in their defense for 2011.
A quality double-dose from Galliford— he wants to know how much is too much to sign pending free agent cornerback Drayton Florence.
Tim Graham from ESPN.com take a long look at how the Bills are showing plenty of faith in their offense despite such a low pedigree of draft picks contributing to the unit.
Bills.com features a “Four Downs” on first-round draft pick via University of Alabama play-by-play man Eli Gold. Every story you read about Dareus should get you more excited about him coming to Buffalo.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – May 19, 2011′
 Niagara men’s basketball head coach Joe Mihalich has announced that forward Kashief Edwards will not return for the 2011-12 season.
“Kashief Edwards will graduate this summer and has decided to use his last year of eligibility at another school,” Mihalich said. “We are extremely proud of all that Niagara University has done for Kashief on and off the floor and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Edwards played in 28 games and averaged 12.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for the Purple Eagles this past season. Edwards will graduate from Niagara and has one more year of eligibility since he redshirted his freshman season.
 Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced the Sabres have signed defenseman Brayden McNabb to a three-year entry level contract. McNabb was a third-round selection (66th overall) by the Sabres in the 2009 Entry Draft.
“Brayden is a big kid with great offensive abilities, and he’s continued to improve every year in Kootenay,” said Regier. “His outstanding performance in the WHL Playoffs was just another positive sign in his development, and we are thrilled to now have him under contract for the next three years.”
McNabb (6’5”, 216 lbs., 1/21/1991, shoots left) just finished his fourth full season with the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, and is headed to the Memorial Cup Championship that begins this weekend in Mississauga, Ont. McNabb’s 27 points led all Canadian Hockey League defenseman in the postseason, and his 24 assists were more than any other CHL defenseman’s total points.
Continue reading ‘Sabres Sign 2009 Draft Pick Brayden McNabb’
 Once upon a time the Buffalo Bills were a scoring machine, especially in the early 1990s.
Did you know that the Bills set a team-record in 1991 by putting 458 points on the scoreboard? In 16 regular season games the Bills scored at least 30 points nine times and topped 40 points on three occasions. Their most explosive game came against the Pittsburgh Steelers, romping them 52-34 in week two at Orchard Park.
Jim Kelly threw for 3,844 yards and 33 touchdowns that season, while Thurman Thomas rushed for 1,407 yards on 288 carries and added 631 receiving yards as he captured NFL MVP honors. Andre Reed had 1,249 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
Buffalo lost to Washington in the Super Bowl that year; the second of four consecutive Super Bowl losses.
 Canisius College head coach Dave Smith announced that Scott Moser and Preston Shupe will serve as captains of the Golden Griffin hockey program for the 2011-12 campaign.
“These two players are terrific student-athletes who are excellent leaders and role models on and off the ice,” Smith said. “They follow in the footsteps of many great captains dating back to our first varsity captain in Joe Casaci. Our captains have gone on to great careers and have carried with them the responsibility of leadership throughout their lives.”
Moser, who served as an assistant captain during his junior campaign, set career highs with 21 points and nine goals last season to go along with 12 assists. During his first three seasons with the Griffs, the Tonawanda, N.Y. native has appeared in 98 career games with 49 points, 16 goals and 33 assists.
Continue reading ‘Canisius Hockey Names 2011-12 Team Captains’
 WGRZ reports via sources that Terry Pegula is close to buying the Rochester Amerks and reuniting them with the Sabres as their AHL affiliate.
A huge congratulations to former Buffalo Bills linebacker Darryl Talley, who’s now headed to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings write about C.J. Spiller and player comparisons as projections.
Joe Pinzone of BuffaloWins.com wonders if Terrence McGee might be on his way out of Buffalo.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – May 18, 2011′
 The Canisius College baseball team split a doubleheader with the University at Buffalo on Tuesday, dropping the first game 5-4 and winning the second game 8-2. Canisius is now 23-29 on the season.
Three Golden Griffins had three hits on the day – freshman Shane Zimmer, sophomore Chris Gruarin and freshman Jose Torralba. Freshman Ryan Coppinger was 2-for-3 with an RBI while sophomore Kevin Whitehead had a team-high three RBI.
Game One – Buffalo 5, Canisius 4
Canisius scored the first four runs, plating two in the top of the first and second innings. Canisius took advantage of two dropped fly balls in the top of the first and also got an RBI double from senior Brian Burton to take the quick 2-0 lead. The Griffs made it 4-0 in the second as Gruarin led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Frank Polino, moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored on an errant throw. Zimmer then tripled to left and scored on an RBI single from Coppinger.
Continue reading ‘Canisius/UB Split Baseball Doubleheader’
 Niagara County Community College’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Beilein will hold a press conference Wednesday, May 18 at 5:00PM in the Athletics lobby for the signing of nine High School Seniors to National Letters of Intent.
In attendance will be Tremmell Fisher from East High School in Buffalo, John Black from McKinley High School in Buffalo, Davon Ferguson from Lafayette High School in Buffalo, Jake Hughes from Niagara Wheatfield High School, Marc Morreale from Lew-Port High School, Kadeem Hillman from I-Prep High School in Grover, Dut Dour from Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo transferring from St. Bonaventure University, Andre “TJ” McCrea from Brien McMahon High School in Connecticut and Jordan Green from New Rochelle High School in New York.
Fisher was a first-teamer on our BSD All-Star team published in March and also was a first-team, All-WNY player in the Buffalo News year-end awards. Black and Hillman made honorable mention on this year’s All-BSD team.
Dour was the leading scorer and rebounder for Bishop Timon in 2009-10.
 The NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program (APP) has recognized the Niagara women’s cross country team for ranking in the top 10 percent in the Academic Progress Rate (APR) in its sport.
“Our entire institution is proud of the academic accomplishments of the women’s cross country program,” Niagara University Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin said. “Our student-athletes have a superior commitment to pursuing their educations and our women’s cross country program is a perfect example of that.”
Each year the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR). This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. Specifically, these teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.
Continue reading ‘NCAA Recognizes Niagara Women’s Cross Country For Academics’
 Credit to Chris Brown over at Bills.com for first getting a hold of this. Apparently, Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick isn’t a happy camper that Carolina and Denver passed on him last month. In return, he plans on making life miserable for both teams, particularly Denver when they meet this season (assuming there is a season).
“If I ever get a chance to play Carolina I’m going to make them pay for passing up on me,” Dareus told Michael Irvin on his radio show in Miami . ”Denver I’ll get a chance to play them in the regular season (this year) and I’m going to make it hell for them every time I play against them.”
Dareus had a chance to somewhat back off his statements. Clearly, he had no intention of doing so.
Continue reading ‘Marcell Dareus Is Vowing Revenge Already’
 Every now and then, a professional athlete ends up playing for the team he grew up watching. For University at Buffalo senior Josh Thomas, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys last month, that’s exactly the case.
“This still feels like a big dream,” said Thomas, who was raised in Cedar Hill, Texas – about 45 minutes outside of Dallas. “As far as playing for the Cowboys and having Jerry Jones call me and being on cloud nine – I don’t think that’s going to end any time soon.
“I can’t be more grateful; I can’t.”
Thomas, a defensive back, was drafted in the fifth round – 143rd overall. Since 1969, only Ed Ellis – taken 125th in 1997 – was selected higher.
“Every day at practice we had an NFL team representative here at the University at Buffalo watching J.T. and a number of other seniors,” said UB head football coach Jeff Quinn.
Continue reading ‘WNY Football Notebook: UB’s Thomas to the ‘Boys; Losman’s future’
 It certainly feels like an eternity since the Buffalo Bills have reached double-digit victories in a season, but the last time it happened was actually in 1998, when the Bills reeled off a 10-6 season.
Still, the successful campaign only netted the Bills a tie for second place with Miami in the AFC East after the New York Jets finished 12-4 to win the division. Buffalo traveled to Miami in the AFC Wild Card game and fell short, 24-17 despite Eric Moulds catching nine passes for a team-record 240 yards in a touchdown. Doug Flutie passed for 360 yards that game but the running game was non-existent. Thurman Thomas led the team in rushing but only had 33 yards on seven carries.
The Bills advanced to the playoffs the following season, losing the “Music City Miracle” at Tennessee. They haven’t sniffed the postseason since.
 Jerry Butler had a fine career as a Buffalo Bills receiver in the 1980s. After retiring he spent seven years in the Buffalo Bills’ front office. Over the past 11 seasons he’s worked for the Cleveland Browns’ front office, including the past 10 as the team’s director of player personnel. According to reports, Butler is now unemployed.
Zac Jackson of Fox Sports Ohio cited a pair of sources that confirm Butler was relieved of his duties.
Browns cornerback Eric Wright, as reported by Pro Football Talk originally, wasn’t happy about the situation.
“We all understand things change and business isn’t always fair but the Browns fired one of the best guys in that building in Jerry Butler.” Wright wrote on his Twitter.
Continue reading ‘Former Popular Bills Receiver Gets Boot In Cleveland’
 They say when building a championship team in sports, continuity is the single-biggest key to success. You develop your team mainly through the draft and maintain it by re-signing your own free agents when it comes time to deal with contracts.
That certainly won’t be the case this summer when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres.
After coming from the depths of disparity early in the regular season to emerge with a playoff berth before losing an epic seven game series with the Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo and general manager Darcy Regier in particular are faced with some tough decisions. The Sabres have a plethora of veterans, nine in all set to hit the unrestricted free agent market when shopping season commences on July 1. New owner Terry Pegula has already stated the team will increase its on-ice spending by about 15%, giving Regier more flexibility when it comes to deciding on his current guys before focusing on any potential incoming talent.
Continue reading ‘Who’s Coming Back – A Look At The Sabres Free Agents’
 Matt Rich Warren of Buffalo Rumblings says the Buffalo Bills need to rethink the Bills/Toronto series.
The Biloxi Sun Herald Reports that new Bills linebacker Chris White is already growing frustrated with having to play the waiting game.
Bills fifth-round draft pick, running back Johnny White is a jack-of-all-trades, reports Bills.com lead journalist Chris Brown.
What’s your motivation? A look inside the Bills with ESPN.com blogger Tim Graham.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – May 17, 2011′
 After flirting with a no-hitter in his last start, Chris Schwinden continued his dominance in Louisville Monday, guiding the Herd to a 6-1 win over the Bats.
Schwinden allowed a pair of hits in the first inning, but retired the next 16 batters he faced.
In the sixth, Schwinden surrendered singles to Yonder Alonso and Juan Francisco, but escaped the inning unscathed after a nine-pitch battle with Todd Frazier culminated in a check-swing strikeout to end the inning.
Schwinden finished the afternoon with five hits, no runs, no walks and four strikeouts in seven innings, bringing his record to 3-1.
Continue reading ‘Bisons Earn Series Split With Louisville’
 When the Buffalo Bills open up their 2011 NFL season at Kansas City against the Chiefs, perhaps starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick can come out slinging the ball. It would be a rarity for Buffalo as the Bills hardly sport a history of prolific passing numbers on opening day.
Did you know that in Bills history, they’ve had just four quarterbacks throw for at least 300 yards on opening day. The last quarterback to do it was Doug Flutie, who threw for exactly 300 yards at Indianapolis in 1999. Other quarterback to accomplish this feat were Jim Kelly (three times) as well as Vince Ferragamo and Dennis Shaw.
Kelly holds the team record for most passing yards by a Bills quarterback on opening day, throwing for 381 against Miami in 1991.
 Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix made it clear with both his actions during the NFL draft and his words that followed that the team will be finding a veteran free agent to back up starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for the 2011 season and possibly beyond.
While the free agent crop, assuming there will eventually be one is ultra-thin in regards to guys considered starter worthy, sifting through lists actually reveals some good fits for the Buffalo gig.
We’re going to breakdown as many of the options as we can. Today we’ll take a look at Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Thigpen.
It’s simple to see why Thigpen leads the conversation of most likely quarterback targets Bills head coach Chan Gailey will covet when free agency eventually begins. Not only does Thigpen have experience playing under Gailey, he by far had the most successful season of his career while starting for Gailey when he was the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills FA Quarterback Candidates: Tyler Thigpen’
 Gene Warner of the Buffalo News reports that former Buffalo Sabres enforcer Matt Barnaby has pleaded not guilty in his domestic violence incident. Barnaby was arrested overnight Friday in Amherst after a dispute with his estranged wife and another person. He’s been charged on five counts, including one felony.
An interesting story in the New York Times about Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, his comments about the lockout and a review on how he never wanted the deal that NFL owners now can’t seem to stomach.
NFL.com senior editor Vic Carucci wrote over the weekend that the lack of homegrown talent is what spurred the Bills to overhaul their front office.
The Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Amerks need to reunite, the Canandaigua Daily Messenger reports.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – May 16, 2011′
 Niagara University senior second baseman Teresa Healy was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Year for the second straight season. Sophomore catcher Becky Zill joined Healy on the All-MAAC First Team and junior first baseman Jennifer Hare was selected to the All-MAAC Second Team.
Healy led the conference with a .425 batting average, .867 slugging percentage and a .524 on-base percentage and led the team in hits (51), RBIs (39) and runs (36) en route to claiming her second consecutive player of the year award. Healy broke eight school career records: games played, at-bats, runs, hits, RBIs, doubles, home runs and total bases during her senior campaign.
Continue reading ‘Niagara’s Healy Headlines Softball All-MAAC Teams’
 I spoke to a source extremely close to Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawn Merriman this week, and he tells me the linebacker is 98% healthy and physically stronger than he’s ever been.
“He’s at about 98% right now and like the rest of the players, just waiting to get things started,” the source told me. “If training camp started tomorrow he’d be a full-go. He got a little flabby over the winter as you’d expect with the injury but right now he’s probably stronger than he’s ever been in his entire career.”
That surely qualifies as excellent news for the Bills organization. Buddy Nix plucked Merriman off waivers on November 3, but injured his Achilles in his first Buffalo practice just 20 minutes into things and didn’t play a down last season.
Continue reading ‘Source: Shawn Merriman’s 98% Healthy’
 Paul Hamilton from WGR writes that the Buffalo Sabres will definitely have some navigating to do during the offseason.
Are the Buffalo Sabres in the Rochester Amerks future? The Rochester Democrat & Sun investigates.
Marc-Andre Gragnani of the Sabres is showing that he can play with some of the best players in the world, Buffalo News reporter John Vogl writes.
Sabres Nation.com has started an interesting series of Sabres’ player profiles. Friday they took on Nathan Gerbe.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – May 14, 2011′
 The first appearance for D’Youville College in the NCAA Softball Championship ended with an 11-0 loss to Trine University in the elimination bracket of the Adrian Regional.
Gabby Lathrop went 1-3 for the Spartans. D’Youville finishes the 2011 season with a 21-10 overall record.
Down 3-0 after one, D’Youville had chances to score but left two runners on base in the bottom of third and fourth innings.
The Spartans opened the Adrian Regional with a 6-0 loss to DePauw Thursday morning (May 12).
Continue reading ‘D’Youville Eliminated From NCAA Tournament’
 Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix made it clear with both his actions during the NFL draft and his words that followed that the team will be finding a veteran free agent to back up starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for the 2011 season and possibly beyond.
While the free agent crop, assuming there will eventually be one is ultra-thin in regards to guys considered starter worthy, sifting through lists actually reveals some good fits for the Buffalo gig.
We’re going to breakdown as many of the options as we can. Today we’ll take a look at New York Giants quarterback Jim Sorgi.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills FA Quarterback Candidates: Jim Sorgi’
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We all know by now that former Buffalo Bills linebacker Darryl Talley is among 14 players that will be joining the College Football Hall of Fame, as announced Monday. One of the most decorated leaders in Buffalo franchise history, Talley’s accomplishments at West Virginia in college from 1979-82 made his selection well-deserved.
