Locked In and Locked Out

Being locked in a scary and in today’s sports world we are also locked out. The sports world in in a virtual lock down; the “Virus” Covid-19 has created a new platform of unknown and has left a gaping void for sports fans all over the world.

But this brings to mind a bigger issue. Have we as sports fan been forced to evaluate the relevance of professional sports as they apply to our everyday life? It doesn’t matter what sport is your drug. It’s all the same, and for maybe the first time in sports history every fan can relate.

We are all searching for something to scratch the itch. Fans young and old are left searching for anything that can satisfy the need for a competitive escape. But search all you want. There isn’t one. You have no escape; no way out, and nothing you can hide behind.

We’ve built up sports as a massive entity in our lives. We live for them. We live through them and for some they are a living. But, ask yourself this… When’s the last time you had to actually live your life without this drug? You’re mindlessly scrolling through your social media feeds looking for that fix. It’s not there people: there’s nothing of substance and that is so strange.

I for one miss the tweets and posts about breaking sports news. I miss the general conversation with the on-line friends or followers we have made.  That was our community, or safety zone and probably most importantly an outlet for many, and in the blink of an eye it has all come to a halt.

Close your eyes for a minute. Just humor me, please. What sports memory do you see? Is there a game or play that you can picture clear as day? I can see the Sabres/Senators brawl. I can recall the old AUD and the smells and sounds of walking into a Sabres or Bills game.

For now, we are left with memories of what was and are forced to get our sports fix by watching old games on TV and reliving what was. Fans are left with a bitter taste in their mouth searching for that fix. One day it will all reset, but it will never be the same.

Pat Helper

Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and the One Buffalo Problem

 

 For the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres One Buffalo is a reality. They have one Owner and One President; they also have one fan base. The issue here is some fans are starting to wonder how it is that the Sabres are left with no real goaltender after two years in the basement and the Bills have no proven QB after 15 years of crap play.  

I do not doubt that the Pegula’s are aiming for a strong product but I am questing how they are combining the two franchises. Let’s look at how “well” the Sabres have done while under Pegula’s umbrella…. Oh- yeah, never mind, now one year into the Bills ownership and we have a mess on our hands.

At this point I can’t help but say the Pegula’s prosper while One Buffalo fans suffer. Yes, in the long run suffering in sports is worth it, but this is just torture. Bills and now for a lesser part Sabres fans have been the butt of NFL and NHL jokes for years, and there are only so many times you can get off the mat. Sure, all it will take is a few wins and things calm down, but the underlining issue here is that One Buffalo’s one owner may have too many teams under his umbrella, and someone will always get wet.

They say time heals all wounds, and let’s hope so because by the time Buffalo has two strong competitive teams the city is going to need a trauma ward to fix the year’s mental troubles the teams have caused.

As both the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills season move along it seems all we can do is hang our hats on the fact that this too shall pass. The Sabres will hit an upswing most likely next season, and the bumbling Bills, well at this point it’s anyone’s guess.

 

Buffalo Sabres Pushing Fans to the Edge

Even with talent the ‪#‎Sabres‬ could still be in the mix for a top five draft pick and that’s an okay thing.

It takes more then a season to shake losing for the teams DNA. Players need to lean how to play with talented players and the fans need to relax.

There is a big difference between this season and the past two. At least Buffalo has been in games this year.

Winning come from developing and that will come in the back half of the season when these players have 60 games in blue and gold and have learned to Titus each other.

Just think if the Sabres are a lottery team. There will be yet another highly talented player coming to Buffalo.

So… back away from the edge… don’t go to the dark side and make sure to relax. This too shall pass.

Buffalo Bills Fall Apart

The Buffalo Bills made the trip to London, but their talent stayed in WNY. With playoff hopes on the line the Buffalo Bills showed they are no better than last season. Injuries aside the Bills have no QB with any winning on his resume, they have yet to figure out how to get off to a fast start and they are still taking way too many penalties.

Its great that Rex Ryan can run his mouth about a building a bully, but his defense has not been tearing it up. His players have gone public complaining about how he has things set up, and now this…

It’s one thing to lose a game, but its completely another problem to lose the way Buffalo did. It shows a general lack of readiness. It seems that fans of the Bills will only have hope to hold on to going into the by week. Unless the Buffalo Bills can circle the wagon all they will do this season is once again circle the drain.

E.J Manuel

Last night the Buffalo Bills took the first step in a rebuild. With the 16 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft  the Bills selected E.J. Manuel. QB Florida State. Manuel is 6’5 237 pounds  and is able to play the read option. During his time with Florida State Manuel had a senior year record of 12-2. 

The Bills have not had a NFL quality QB for over a decade. The last top QB the Bills had was Jim Kelly, and Bills fans remember how well that turned out. I’m not saying Manuel will have success like Kelly did, but the prospect of the Bills being a fraction as good has this city buzzing. 

If the Bills want this to work Manuel needs to hold a clip board for at least some of the coming season. The Bills traded for Kevin Kolb, and they should allow him to play at least until Manuel get a feel for the NFL game. There has been a trend in recent years for a first round QB to start right out of the gate, but I don’t believe Manuel to be NFL ready yet.

With time and work, the Bills may just  circle the wagons yet again. The fan base is ready, the city is ready, and for once the Bills seem to understand they need to reload. As this new chapter of Bills football unfolds; fans around here cross their fingers,and hope their suffering is over.

Sabres heard the fat lady

Its all over for the Buffalo Sabres, After a disappointing year their playoff hops have been shot down. Check out my thoughts here: http://toomanymenonthesite.com/2013/04/22/buffalo-sabres-fall-short-but-theres-hope/

Sabres last dance

The Buffalo Sabres have 60 minutes to keep their playoff hope alive. If they are unable to beat the New York Rangers, its over. Buffalo made their bed and only they can save this season. If the Sabres don’t come out working and show heart, it will be over . This year will be the year that Ruff got fired and nothing else. One thing that a bad year allows for is a chance for the young kids from Rochester to show what they can do. Hopefully the farm is able to handle the end of the year tryout. It’s been a hard few years for Sabres fans. The team and front office own them a big We Are Sorry. Hopefully next year the Sabre remember how to play hockey. Because this year  I think they forgot the lock out was over.

Check out http://www.toomanymenonthesite.com for more NHL information/

Buffalo Sabres and NHL

With the Blue and Gold in a dog fight for 8th,I still have questions. and with the help of Fansided  I have moved some of my thoughts to www.toomanymenonthesite.com   Here what I have for today. http://toomanymenonthesite.com/2013/04/18/buffalo-sabres-and-terry-pegula-a-winning-combination/

I will still be posting Sabres and NHL thoughts here from time to time, but check the new stuff on Too Many Men on the Site for more NHL and Sabres information

Its all starts now

Welcome back. Football has found its way back to Western New York.  The Bills kick off 2013-2014 with the first minicamp of the year. I’m sure that this comes as a relief to Buffalo Sports fans. With the Sabres in flux, there is the never ending spring of hope with the new look Bills.

Everything is said to be different at One Bills Drive. New coaches, new attitude, and hopefully a new look.  With the NFL Draft coming up, hope is high in WNY. Like I’ve said before the holes that the Bills have will not be addressed during the draft or this year. However, if the Buffalo Bills want to insure a strong future and a growing fan base it all needs to start this year. Not unlike the Sabres the Bills need to change their image.

It’s been 13 years with no playoffs for the Bills, and as long as I can remember the Bills have really been subpar. I hope that there is some truth to what is coming out of the organization. I hope that fans can finally believe in the change, I hope that for once a Buffalo team lives up to the hype.

It’s almost game time; it’s almost time for Bills football.  It all starts this month. Go Bills.

Did some one say Hockey?

What was that? It sure was not NHL hockey. The Buffalo Sabres gave their fan yet another uninspired performance last night. The Sabres only managed 15 shots and netted one goal in a 5-1 beating at the hands of the Canadians.

The Sabres are just a bad team; people should not expect much more. Fans want more; fans deserve more but if the team can’t give more noting that can be done. It looks like the Sabres have giving up. Game after game they are outwork, and out played. But, I’m not sure it is completely the players fault. Players go out on the ice for the team they work for. While players sign contracts, they have no voice when GM’s trade, or add players. The Sabres have good players, but they don’t play well together. That falls solely on the GM and front office.

During a season like this the true grit of a player can be found. Sadly there is no fight or grit left in the Sabres locker room. Some thought it was a Lindy problem; some believed it was a Darcy and Lindy problem. Now I think we can see it is a team problem. There is a fundamental flaw in the organization, a flaw that no one is willing to admit to. Sabres brass believes that they are getting better by the day, and it will take time to reach their goal. The second part of that statement is true it will take time. However the first part, getting better by the day is nothing more than political banter aimed at the casual fan. Buffalo Sabres fans, the true hardcore fan know that this is not a team that is getting better. Last night “game” if you want to call that a game shows how far off the Sabres are.

The Sabres say they are in a playoff push; right now it looks like they are thinking more about golf then hockey.  After watching yesterdays game there is little room for hope. This team is just what they appear to be BAD. The chemistry is off, they determination is gone, and in a few weeks the season will be gone. All a fan can do is say there’s always next year.

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