tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205030562024-03-07T22:55:44.427-05:00Ralph's PlaceWelcome to our virtual meeting place. Sports, music, politics, local news, and even slightly off-center philosophy are all welcome topics here. Cheers.Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.comBlogger673125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-78005033273728258092021-01-13T11:01:00.001-05:002021-01-13T11:01:13.354-05:00Bills-Ravens<p> Does anyone remember this SI Cover?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx_pVl5gK4Pvw8cvmEagy4YKz2Y11KvFyZZJxEZw_CY4nIMbD21XDBjhLz4OyHi3C60N8KKG-BnEaPzH7YalLM1KH1h-5jtL0-Wy7yOSMGkFsTxM67jbXCJuCYSJwywwydZC4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="910" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx_pVl5gK4Pvw8cvmEagy4YKz2Y11KvFyZZJxEZw_CY4nIMbD21XDBjhLz4OyHi3C60N8KKG-BnEaPzH7YalLM1KH1h-5jtL0-Wy7yOSMGkFsTxM67jbXCJuCYSJwywwydZC4/w234-h308/image.png" width="234" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's date Feb 1979 I think, so I must have been 12. Someone in my family, myself or my grandfather, had an SI subscription at the time, and I remember I saved all the issues and would read them cover to cover. This was one of my favorite covers, although I don't really remember anything about the boxer. But, he does look cool doesn't he?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As far as Bills-Ravens go, I saw somewhere the Lamar Jackson said he has never played in snow and doesn't particularly want to. This is the type of thing I will ignore, as it seems like it leads to false hope. This is gonna be a real knockdown, drag-them-out affair. We need ever edge we can get. Bills 17-14.</div><br /><br /><p></p>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-8318754344489444252019-11-12T09:55:00.000-05:002019-11-12T09:55:34.106-05:00All-Time Bills Head Coaches Ranked - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Somebody asked me recently if I like Sean McDermott as a coach. Well, as a Bills fan for the past 45 years, I have to say, yes, he's certainly been been better than a lot of our coaches. Then, today I came across one of those links on ESPN for "The Worst Head Coaches in NFL History" and was expecting to find at least Harvey Johnson and possibly Jim Ringo represented, but, alas, neither appeared, likely forgotten in their 5-45-1 ineptitude - and the fact that it occurred in Buffalo. Yes, younger Bills fans, if you think your team is bad these days, fathom that winning percentage (it's .100 for the mathematically challenged). It was achieved in four seasons over 10 years - luckily only two were consecutive. Of course, Lou Saban, who is actually one of the most remarkable coaches in Bills history, appeared smack in the middle of all that.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, this all inspired me to come with an all-time ranking of Bills head coaches over the years. I feel like I have some familiarity with all of them except the initial guy - Buster Ramsey - as I became a Bills fan in 1974 - during "The Second Age of Saban" (Lou, not Nick) and as Saban started with the Bills in their third year (1963) I feel connected to everything that came after him.<br />
<br />
I grouped these in tiers, starting at the top:<br />
<br />
<b>Championship Winners</b><br />
<b>1. Marv Levy:</b> Well, so, Levy didn't win a Super Bowl, so no NFL championship, but he did win four AFC titles, which I guess is technically the same as Saban's AFL championships, because in 1964-65 there was no Super Bowl, and who's to say that the Bills could have beat the Browns or Packers anyway, although the '64 team was pretty awesome. We'll also get to Saban's baggage, but Levy was simply great as a Bills coach with a 112-70 (.615) regular season record and a 19-11 playoff record - not to mention a place in the Hall of Fame. The only argument against Levy is that his teams were stacked, but it's important to note that he was the one who first discovered Bill Polian, the architect of the great '90s teams, when <a href="https://www.goupstate.com/article/NC/19950910/News/605187356/SJ/" target="_blank">Levy hired Polian as a scout back</a> in his days with the Kansas City Chiefs, so the two are inexorably linked.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Lou Saban: </b>Lou's record with Buffalo was 68-45-4 (.605) in the regular season and 2-2 in the playoffs (smaller tournament back then) but those two wins produced two titles for the Bills in 1964 and 1965. After leaving Buffalo following the second title, Saban returned seven years later and built the Bills back up into a playoff team again. Saban is known as a coaching nomad, having made something like 20 stops in a long and winding career as a head coach at the high school, college and professional levels. But, his biggest successes came in Buffalo, where he turned a fledgling franchise into a champion, and after the team crumbled in the wake of his departure, returned and coached them up again. Of course, the Bills once again crumbled after he left the second time and Ralph Wilson wouldn't even put Saban on the Wall of Fame due to bad feelings over it.<br />
<br />
<b>Defensive Gurus:</b><br />
<br />
3. <b>Chuck Knox: </b> Chuck Knox was a very good football coach - especially in the regular season. In 22 years as an NFL head coach (with three different teams, including the Rams twice), Knox was 186-147-1 (.558) and this was somewhat tainted by his last four seasons, when he failed to record a winning record. Unfortunately, he was 7-11 in the playoffs, so he was kind of like an old school Andy Reid, but Knox's specialty was defense. He began his head coaching career in 1973 with the Rams and proceeded to go 54-15-1 in six seasons but couldn't make it past the NFC Championship game, falling to the Cowboys or Vikings every year. So, in 1978, he ended up in Buffalo, taking over a team that had gone a combined 5-23 the previous two seasons. By Knox's second season, the Bills were 7-9 and had the eighth ranked defense in the league. The 1980 and 1981 teams featured top six defenses and both made the playoffs, losing in the divisional round. In the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Bills struggled to a 4-5 record, dropping their last three games to miss the playoffs. Knox and Wilson then had a disagreement over salary and Knox ended up going to Seattle, where he turned around the Seahawks and took them to the playoffs in the four of the next six years.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Sean McDermott:</b> Yes, I am going to place Sean McDermott here, even though he arguably took over a mediocre team from Rex Ryan and made it, well, mediocre - so far at least. Sure, McDermott has yet to win a playoff game, but either has anyone else on this list after Knox (and he won one Wild Card game). I am basing this ranking on what I see as McDermott's potential. He seems to have a plan and has certainly developed a top notch defense. Now, if we can just fix that offensive thing...<br />
<br />
5. <b>Wade Phillips:</b> Speaking of defense, Wade is regarded as one of the all-time great defensive coordinators , his reputation cemented when the Broncos shut down the Panthers to win the Super Bowl a few years back. Last year, he helped the Rams make it to the Super Bowl. With Buffalo, Phillips also had a top 10 defense that peaked in 1999, when the Bills went 11-5 before falling in the Music City Miracle game. Overall, Phillips had a 29-19 regular season and 0-2 playoff record with the Bills, so he really didn't do a bad job, but you still felt he was riding the wave of those great Levy teams. And, of course, he oversaw the whole Flutie vs. Johnson fiasco. Phillips was fired after an 8-8 season when he showed loyalty by refusing to fire some of his assistants (as I remember it, or maybe it was refusing to wear a headset on the sidelines).<br />
<br />
<b>Coming next: </b> A Parade of Mediocrity.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-4996864305950458152019-02-15T10:58:00.003-05:002019-03-06T16:46:36.564-05:0010 Greatest Fiction Books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Currently reading Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and re-realizing what an amazing piece of literature it is. Really sums up an interesting time in American history - from my perspective at least - that hasn't been covered very well in our traditional history books - at least from what I've seen with my kids. Or, I haven't even seen many TV specials or anything that really cut the the heart of the matter like the great Hunter S.<br />
<br />
I grew up in 1970s - I was born in 1967 and really came of age during that time period. So, I remember the '60s hangover that the '70s was and the way that Thompson depicts what really went down. I think the '70s, which spilled in into the '80s, were a very selfish time - of course, I was a kid, so I was naturally selfish as well - in the aftermath of a very community-oriented period. The '60s kind of ushered the spirit of individualism in America, but I think it went too far in some ways in rebelling against authority. Authority is often designed to maintain a communal spirit and that spirit I think got lost.<br />
<br />
Thompson does a great job chronically all this in the form of a very entertaining story about a few days in Las Vegas. I am reading the book now after reading his Hell's Angels portrait that kind of broke Thompson into the mainstream. While that may have been a revolutionary book at the time, it doesn't really hold up that well. Fear and Loathing on the other hand, I think I could continue reading for the next 100 years at least. It's Thompson's perfect book. After that, he manages to get through about three quarters of Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail and then apparently has a breakdown of some sort and last quarter is just dictated and not nearly as tight or strong. After, that he seems to show intermittent brilliance in his column writing but nothing as sustained as his first two Fear and Loathing efforts.<br />
<br />
So that's sort of a long prelude (in honor of Hunter) to my current list of 10 greatest fiction books I've read. Off top of head, here's what I got<br />
<br />
1. On the Road - holds up on every read through<br />
2. Brother Karamazov - so much depth<br />
3. Catch 22 - black comedy as its finest<br />
4. The Ginger Man - also great black comedy - kinda of a favorite theme for me<br />
5. Sun Also Rises - Hemingway's best<br />
6. Fear and Loathing....<br />
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest -gotta have some Kesey<br />
8. Crime and Punishment - I am a sucker for Dostoevsky<br />
9. One Hundred Year's of Solitude - this should probably be higher<br />
10. The Shining - great American Horror Story. I am thinking I am missing something that should replace this...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">10a. I knew I was forgetting something - the Odyssey by Homer clearly needs to be placed near the top of this list.</span><br />
<br />
but I have read all these books multiple times and will likely read them again and that is why they make my list.<br />
<br />
Please share some I am missing and I will hopefully get a chance to check out.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-68476106490939350082019-01-10T18:22:00.001-05:002019-01-10T18:22:32.620-05:00Why Trump Needs AI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's a <a href="https://dilbert.com/strip/2019-01-10" target="_blank">great Dilbert strip that ran today.</a> In it, our favorite jaded engineer is discussing the "breakthrough" he had in developing AI technology. Basically, he realized he was trying to duplicate something that doesn't exist: "rational human thought."<br />
<br />
I think that fairly explains the current situation in the White House. Very few people who thought about it rationally would vote for the Donald as our president. At least that's what us Dems like to tell ourselves. But, there is more to the human make-up than rational thought. Unlike Dilbert, I haven't despaired completely, but I do realize that rationality only makes up part of our "intelligence." There are definitely things like "gut" and instinct that also come into play when making decisions. Trump has always understood this and capitalized on it vs. Dems who want to intellectualize everything.<br />
<br />
And until the people that make AI understand this...well, maybe they already do. Check out this article that recently ran in <i>The Atlantic </i>on <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/10/yuval-noah-harari-technology-tyranny/568330/" target="_blank">Why Technology Favors Tyranny</a>. I mean look at what Facebook is being accused of doing to the U.S. elections.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the bottom line is that Trump doesn't need to be smart, he's got tools (computers) he can leverage for that.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-15911901520219893282019-01-04T10:00:00.001-05:002019-01-04T10:00:09.189-05:00Quarterbacks Going the Way of Running Backs.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's an interesting little tidbit I found on the Web when searching to see who the NFL's highest paid quarterbacks are: <a href="https://kristv.com/sports/2018/12/31/highest-paid-nfl-quarterbacks-fail-to-make-the-playoffs/" target="_blank">None of the top six paid quarterbacks in the league willmake the playoffs</a>. That's right, Rodgers, Ryan, Cousins, Stafford, etc., not to mention Roethlisberger and Flacco, who both carry a cap hits of more than $20 million, led their teams to the playoffs this year.<br />
<br />
On the other side of the ledger, you had Mahomes, Trubisky, Goff, Deshaun Watson, and Dak Prescott (I'm not sure how you want to count Wentz and Lamar Jackson) - playing on their rookie contracts - take their teams to the promised land.<br />
<br />
Here is what I believe: Quarterbacks are coming out of college more ready than ever and getting better coaching when they reach the pros. I had the opportunity to go to the Bills game last Sunday and watch Josh Allen throw three TD passes and run for two more, for which <a href="https://www.wkbw.com/sports/bills/bills-rookie-quarterback-josh-allen-named-afc-player-of-the-week" target="_blank">he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week</a>. Allen has certainly struggled at times this year, as was to be expected as he was considered the most "raw" of the any of the top QBs in last year's draft, but by the end of the year, he certainly looked like he could compete on an NFL level. More improvements should be expected next year, as well as from Baker Mayfield, who was great this year, leading the Browns to practically more wins in 2018 than they've had in the last decade, Sam Darnold, who showed flashes of brilliance, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson, who's team is already in the playoffs.<br />
<br />
My point is, why pay a veteran quarterback $20 million per year, when you can draft a top rookie, pay him on his initial contract for 4-5 years and then, if you did it right, draft another, in the mean time paying people around him, like the Bears and Rams have done, to create a strong overall roster? This Bills, for example, apparently have $86 million cap space (not sure if this includes Shady's contract) available for next year, which potentially enables them to sign some serious free agents to build around Allen (assuming they can attract them to Buffalo). Could the Bills be a contender in 2019 and/or '20? Why not?<br />
<br />
After that, you have to make a decision on Allen. How good will college QBs coming out be in three years? I know this year seems like a thin year for QBs in the draft, so maybe what I am proposing is a fallacy and the last two years were anomalies, but I am thinking it may be a trend.<br />
<br />
Here's my theory: No more taking several years to develop quarterbacks and then paying them big money when they mature. Bring them out of college, let them run all they want to (ala Allen and Jackson), use them up, and move on to the next college phenom. In the mean time, use that $20 million (probably $30 million in a couple years) that you had earmarked for you QB and pay your defense, lineman, receivers, etc. Seems to have worked for the Seahawks for a few years and is working for multiple teams right now. Perhaps this is the next blueprint for success in the NFL.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-2906917393602005342018-11-11T22:00:00.000-05:002018-11-11T22:00:40.335-05:00Bills Win! Shock the Jets 41-10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I received a fortuitous Tweet from my buddy Red yesterday. Unprompted, he sends me the following message:"I may regret this, but Matt Barkley is not THAT bad." Barkley started six games from the Bears a couple years ago (Red is a Bears fan), won one of them and threw 8 TDs and 14 interceptions. He did complete almost 60% of his passes, and I think I remember watching him play one time and had about the same reaction Red did, but I also correctly recall him throwing a bunch picks during his time with Bears.<br />
<br />
I don't think he threw any today but at least one ball went right into the hands of a Jets defender, who dropped it. No, it wasn't the Jets' day and if Todd Bowles doesn't get fired after that performance at home... well, if I could bet on it I would.<br />
<br />
Let's take a look at what happened here:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The Bills came into the game having scored 46 points in their last six games combined.</li>
<li>They were starting Barkley of the aforementioned one win in six starts two years ago</li>
<li>After kind of a strange <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/matt-barkley-1.html" target="_blank">career at USC</a>, Barkley had been cut about five times in the last five years by multiple NFL teams</li>
<li>He was signed by the Bills less than two weeks ago</li>
<li>The Bills offense had been putting up <a href="https://footballmaven.io/bills/news/sully-bills-candidate-for-worst-offense-in-history-FSdP6Le9JUmxKeQ4DmEVoQ/" target="_blank">historically bad numbers</a></li>
<li>The Jets had won one more game (3) than the Bills coming in and their defense was ranked 13th in yards allowed.</li>
<li>Today the Bills today outgained the Jets in yards, 451-199</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div>
So, what exactly happened? Barkley looked fairly good - like an NFL quarterback. I mean, all season, the Bills offense has been getting shit. People have been saying the receivers suck, they can't get separation, the O-line can't block anybody, Shady is washed up....but, what do you know, when you get competent quarterback play, the Bills offense is suddenly decent. And, BTW,. the defense looked great again: two picks, three sacks., 3.6 yards per play.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, there are a few conclusions that can be drawn:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The Jets stink: definitely a possibility.</li>
<li>Matt Barkley is a legitimate NFL QB: Despite Red's recommendation, I'd have to say Barkley hadn't proven that to date. I'm going to say that after his junior year at USC, I remember people talking about him like he could be the number one overall pick in the draft. He instead chose to stay at USC and his stock dropped when <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2012.html" target="_blank">he wasn't as good</a> as a senior (Robert Woods was one of his receivers and he also had a down year) and injured his shoulder. Maybe Barkley is finally now regaining his confidence (he reportedly had a great pre-season this year with the Bengals before getting hurt and cut). I don't know, but he looked confident and smooth today, and although his arm certainly didn't look the strongest, it looked better than Peterman's and Barkley made most of his throws.</li>
<li>Peterman and Derrick Anderson were/are abysmal: Who do we blame for having them start the games they did? I mean, it has to be McDermott, but how was it this guy was able to build what looked like a decent team (today at least), around his QBs while f-ing up the most important position in the NFL so badly? Can we trust him going forward?</li>
<li>Of course, maybe there was just no way the team could lose today in the wake of<a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/video/pancho-billa-message-to-the-team" target="_blank"> Poncho Billa's inspiring speech. </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Okay, one final point: There is no way that Allen should start ahead of Barkley vs. the Jags in two weeks. I hope McDermott has at least figured this much out in regards to QBs. I had thought the plan was to let Allen sit and learn behind McCarron for at least half the year. Granted, that didn't work out, but Barkley appears like he might be able to deliver what we had counted on McCarron to do. Let's at least give him a chance to do it. Allen may be great in the future, but he could clearly use some time on the bench behind a competent quarterback to get used to the NFL. And if it turns out Barkley's for real, all the better. More good players is good, as compared to one bad one at a key position dragging everyone else down.<a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/video/pancho-billa-message-to-the-team" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Go Bills.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-3680738081266166332018-10-17T11:20:00.004-04:002018-10-17T11:22:38.077-04:00Rating Worst Quarterbacks in Bills History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With the specter of Nathan Peterman possibly starting Sunday vs. the Colts (I am assuming it will be Derek Anderson, but still...) it got me thinking about some of the bad quarterbacks the Bills have trotted out over the years. I mean Joe Ferguson is probably the third most accomplished quarterback in our franchise history, and I don't remember him being considered as "good" except for a couple years when we made the playoffs under Chuck Knox. Of course, more recently we've had first-round busts like E.J Manuel and J.P. Losman, as well as journeymen like Kelly Holcomb and Tryod taking snaps. But that doesn't really even begin to scratch the surface if <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/career-passing.htm" target="_blank">you look back through history</a>.<br />
<br />
Granted, there are some who feel that <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/rush-witnessing-worst-quarterback-nfl-history-052249050.html" target="_blank">Peterman might be the worst quarterback in NFL history.</a> But, based on my (somewhat limited) research, memories, and general knowledge of the Buffalo Bills, I rate him only the 4th worst quarterback in our history.<br />
<br />
I apologize if I offend anyone with this list, as I am sure all these guys played hard, and some of them went on to success in other areas of life (and they were mostly on some pretty bad teams with passing in the league not nearly as advanced as today), but here goes (in reverse order):<br />
<br />
10. <b>Mike Tallaferro/M.C. Reynolds</b>: I don't remember either of these guys, so this is based on numbers only. Tallaferro managed to throw 4 interceptions in 33 attempts (a 12% ratio), which is Peterman territory. A veteran of the Pats and Jets, '72 was his last year in league and only year with the Bills. The '61 Bills somehow managed to win two of the three games Reynolds started, while he threw 13 interceptions against 2 TDs. He threw five passes for Oakland in '63 and then was out of the league. (I cheated by listing two here, but I really felt that 11 players deserved to be on this list.)<br />
<br />
9. <b>Ed Rutkowski:</b> This is probably not fair to Rutkowski, because he wasn't really a quarterback. He was a pretty good return specialist who also played some receiver and running back. He doesn't even seem to have played QB in college at Notre Dame. But, in 1968 he was pressed into quarterback duties for a very bad Bills team and managed to go 0-3 as a starter and throw 6 INTs vs. 0 TDs. The closest modern comparison I can think of is if Roscoe Parrish (who reportedly was a great high school QB) had started some games for the Bills when he was on the team a few years back.<br />
<br />
8. <b>Jeff Tuel:</b> In 2013, Tuel was considered a hot young prospect by the Bills. So hot, in fact, that the Bills kept him as the primary back-up to unproven rookie starter E.J. Manuel. When Manuel went down to an injury against the Browns in week five, the Bills quickly realized Tuel wasn't the answer and elevated Thad Lewis to starter for the next week. For some reason (maybe Lewis got hurt), Tuel started a few weeks later against the Chiefs, was wholly ineffective, and never attempted another NFL pass.<br />
<br />
7. <b>Brian Brohm:</b> A hot prospect coming out of Louisville, Brohm was a second-round pick of the Packers in 2008. I remember being excited when the Bills picked him up the next season. In two years, he started two games with the Bills, went 0-2 and threw no touchdowns vs. 5 picks and then was out of the league.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Kay Stephenson:</b> Maybe Kay wasn't that bad of a player in his lone year with the Bills, the awful 1968 season, but for some reason, I feel this stint may have helped him get the head coaching job a few years later, when he took a pretty good playoff team built by Chuck Knox, and in two years turned it into a 2-14 squad. As a quarterback, he was 0-3 as a starter and completed 37% of his passes -well, so, he was pretty bad.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Al Dorrow:</b> I have no memory of Al Dorrow. All I know is that he went 0-4 as a starter on a 7-6-1 1962 team coached by Lou Saban, completed 40% of his passes and had 2 TD vs. 7 INTs. It was the end of a journeyman career that included him leading the AFL in TDs in its inaugural year, but also throwing a combined 56 picks in 1960-61 as a member of the Titans (later the Jets).<br />
<br />
4. <b>Nathan Peterman:</b> I am assuming you've seen him play.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Gary Marangi:</b> Marangi took over for Ferguson midway through the 1976 season when Joe went down with an injury. I was only 10 years old, but I remember being hopeful. Ferguson was having a pretty good year and was coming off <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1975.htm" target="_blank">a great year in 1975</a>, but maybe we didn't give him the credit he deserved because we felt has was riding O.J.'s coattails. The Bills were 2-4 when Ferguson went down, and Marangi was a third-round pick out of Boston College, so we thought maybe he could revive us., Boy, were we wrong. He went 0-7 as a starter and completed 35% of his passes (an incredibly low number even for then), even with O.J. rushing for 1,500 yards and Bob Chandler grabbing 61 receptions, including 10 TDs. Granted, Saban did quit that year shortly before Ferguson got hurt and was replaced by Jim Ringo, of the career 3-20 coaching record, but still. Marangi never played in an other NFL game.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Dan Darragh</b>: Darragh started 11 games for the Bills from 1968-70. His record as a starter was 1-11. He completed 43% of this passes and threw 4 TDs vs. 22 INTs. He never played in the NFL again. That's all I know. Maybe the stats lie, but I'm going with the idea that he was pretty bad. He wasn't a good runner either.<br />
<br />
1. <b>Tom Flores: </b>Flores gets special treatment due to extenuating circumstances. Yes, he was bad as a Bills quarterback, completing less than 40% of his passes and throwing 9 picks vs. 0 TDs over three years. But, he came to the Bills after a pretty solid season in Oakland, in which he threw 24 TDs. And we got Flores, along with a Pro Bowl receiver named Art Powell, for our back-up QB Daryle Lamonica. How did that trade happen? Well, Al Davis was a smart guy apparently. Because, while Flores and Powell were washed up and the formerly championship contending Bills went into the tank, Lamonica made All-Pro two of the next three years and the Raiders transformed into an AFL/AFC powerhouse - an era that culminated with Flores winning two Super Bows in the early '80s as their coach!<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that's it. Quite a litany of incompetence. And people wonder why we think Jim Kelly walks on water. </div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-79876979464911541592018-10-15T12:59:00.000-04:002018-10-15T14:07:40.456-04:00Allen's Injury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, we still don't know the status of Josh Allen, but it looked like his elbow was hurting him pretty bad when he left the field yesterday. He is<a href="https://billswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/15/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-injury-elbow-mri/" target="_blank"> reportedly getting an MRI today.</a> I am not holding my breath for positive news - throwing elbows are pretty important to quarterbacks and I'd think you'd want to be pretty careful with it. And as I said, he looked like he was in considerable pain yesterday.<br />
<br />
Of course, we all know that Nate Peterman came in and threw a pick 6 to basically hand the game to Houston. Thanks, Nate. That was very depressing. I mean, we all knew Peterman was bad. In September, the Ringer even ran <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/9/13/17855420/buffalo-bills-bad-josh-allen-nathan-peterman" target="_blank">a piece questioning the decision making ability of the Bills staff</a> based on their continued faith in Nate Peterman.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, Peterman came in and threw a touchdown pass to Zay Jones. That was great. They he didn't look too bad, until the Texans tied the game - after a great goal line stand by the Bills defense forced Houston into a field goal. So, with about two minutes left in the game, the Bills get the ball back and attempt to run a hurry-up to get the ball down field for a potential winning score. Peterman's first pass on this drive missed the mark by like 10 feet. It was at this point I became very worried, not only for the Bills, but for my money.<br />
<br />
You see I had been Vegas this past week and threw a bet down on the Bills getting 10. I had figured the line on the game would be 4 or 5 based on how both teams were playing, so when it came out at 10, I went for it. A couple special teams miscues had things looking bleak in the first half, but in the second half, the defense and running game stepped up and it looked like we were back on track with <a href="https://ralphies.blogspot.com/2018/10/bills-find-winning-formula.html" target="_blank">our winning formula</a>. After Peterman's TD pass, we even took the lead. Then game the game-tying field goal....<br />
<br />
Peterman's second pass on the ill-fated two-minute drive also missed the mark, widely, and this time it ended up in a Houston defender's hands who ran it back and gave the Texans a seven-point lead. And the Bills were getting the ball back, now with a chance to drive down field and tie the game. But, we all knew that wasn't happening. For me, it just became hoping that Peterman didn't throw another pick-six. Of course, he threw another interception, but thankfully the Texans defender was tackled or ran out of bounds or something and Houston just kneeled down and ran out the clock.<br />
<br />
Nate Peterman should not be in the NFL. I think he proved that once and for all on Sunday. Unfortunately, the Bills only signed Derek Anderson (yes that retread) last week, but still, even a week-and-a-half signed Derek Anderson has to be better than Peterman if Allen is hurt, doesn't he? Or does Anderson even want to play? Was he just signed as a mentor? That is unclear.<br />
<br />
I am hoping Anderson plans on playing because there is almost no way I can envision Peterman lining up at starting QB next week. And with the way Allen plays, and as shaky as our O-line is, if not this next week (<strike>vs. Pats on Monday night football </strike> I mean Indianapolis at home), then somewhere down the line we are going to need a competent back-up. Is Tyrod Taylor available?</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-6361835718337068732018-10-09T15:24:00.000-04:002018-10-09T15:24:03.898-04:00Shady on the Block<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It appears like the<a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/10/9/17955886/report-philadelphia-eagles-made-trade-inquiry-for-buffalo-bills-lesean-mccoy-trade-rumors" target="_blank"> Eagles have inquired about LeSean McCoy</a> and the Bills have answered with an offer. I would say this will only be a matter of time, unless that Eagles think the Bills are out of their tree asking for second- and third-round picks. Yes, Shady is a great player, and has been for a number of years, but is that too much for a 30-year-old back with 10,000 yards worth of mileage?<br />
<br />
I didn't see last Sunday's game, but it did sound like Shady played well enough behind what has been an abysmal offensive line for the most part. And I think he's been very good the last two years as well, so I'm not sure he is slowing down. Plus the Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champs, are now 2-3 and I guess Jay Ajayi is out for the season, and with LeGarrette Blount moved on to the Lions, they are awfully thin and young at RB. Now, the Eagles only gave up a 4th round pick for Ajayi last year, but Shady is a two-time All-Pro, Philly's all-time leading rusher, and in 2016 averaged 5.4 ypc and gained 1,267 yards. That wasn't too long ago in the Not For Long League, I hope. Plus, Shady grew up in the Philly area and I think still has ties there.<br />
<br />
Sure, his loss would hurt the Bills, but the Bills management has mostly played the long-term game in dumping our other stars. If we could get a decent haul for Shady to invest in the future - go for it. We are sitting on <a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-today-bills-hold-stockpile-of-2019-draft-picks" target="_blank">a full draft plus a couple extra pick</a>s next year already. Let's go all in on the future. I think our defense, Chris Ivory and Josh Allen, can still pull out a few wins this year by <a href="https://ralphies.blogspot.com/2018/10/bills-find-winning-formula.html" target="_blank">following the formula</a>.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/10/9/17950588/buffalo-bills-sign-quarterback-derek-anderson-josh-allen-development-nathan-peterman" target="_blank">we signed Derrick Anderson too</a>. The only question there is (with his Carolina background), what took so long?</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-47762993265927973282018-10-08T11:32:00.001-04:002018-10-08T11:32:14.028-04:00Bills Find Winning Formula<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In 2017, the Bills went 9-7 and made the playoffs for the first time in like 15 years. They did it by holding opposing teams at 20-points-or-under in 10 out of 16 contests. The Bills won 8 of these games and only one when the opponent scored more than 20 (the Bucs). So far, this year the Bills are 2-3, having given up a combined total of 18 points in their two victories and a minimum of 22 points in each loss. So, the McDermott-era formula for winning seems to be pretty clear.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, the Bills passed for only 79 net yards (82 minus 3 for one sack) but managed to outgain Tennessee slightly, 223-221 . Turnovers, which were also a big factor for the Bills in 2017, went in the Bills favor 3-1, which was a big factor, as was an effective (not great) running game that churned out 144 yards on a whopping 43 carries. That's not quite four yards a tote, but it did help the Bills control the clock to the tune of a seven-minute time-of-possession advantage, which obviously keeps that other team's offense off the field and reduces their opportunities for scoring.<br />
<br />
Congrats to the Bills on a great (and ugly at times) win, but hell, after the first two games, 2-3 is a good place to be right now, especially in the AFC. I'm not saying we are going to make the playoffs, but if we can continue to repeat this formula of a decent rushing attack, solid defense, and minimizing turnovers while being opportunistic on D, maybe we can squeak out a few more wins.<br />
<br />
Next Sunday will be an interesting test, at Houston, which has all sorts of offensive firepower but seems to keep getting in its own way. They are also 2-3. I think a win is possible but not probable, but then again, Houston only scored 19 at home vs. Dallas yesterday. Let's hope we can run the ball effectively and keep JJ Watt and friends from messing up Allen. </div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-78449869393958024492018-10-03T13:50:00.002-04:002018-10-03T13:50:29.609-04:00Wisdom of the Odyssey <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From Book 17, when Odysseus is back on Ithaca, pretending to be a beggar and discussing his return to his mansion to face the humiliation of the suitors:<br />
<br />
"I've had my share of pain in the waves and wars.<br />
Add this to the total. Bring the trial on.<br />
But there's no way to hide the belly's hungers--<br />
what a curse, what mischief it brews in all our lives!<br />
Just for hunger we rig and ride our long benched ships<br />
on the barren salt sea, speeding death to our enemies."<br />
<br />
Well, I am heading to Nashville for a business trip today. 😎</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-77535773052285981962018-10-01T10:02:00.004-04:002018-10-01T10:02:31.797-04:00Bills Back to Sucking Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Maybe it just took having some film on Josh Allen, maybe the Vikings were really overlooking the Bills and the Bills were just pumped up - probably a combination of both. Regardless, a Packers defense that had been giving up like 30 points a game going into Sunday, <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401030844" target="_blank">shut out the Bills 22-0</a>. I guess the Bills D only gave up six points in the second half, but I kinda watched the game (on my phone as my son had a game) and it didn't look like we were scaring the Packers at all. Tremaine Edwards looked good and so did Tre'Davious White, from what I saw at least. There also looked to be continuing problems at the left cornerback spot - opposite White.<br />
<br />
Bills play the 3-1 Titans at home Sunday. Titans have won three games by a total of 9 points and lost one by seven. Their last two wins have come against Jacksonville and Philly (their loss is go Miami). I really don't know what to make of them. Let's hope Bills offense can do a little more at home and maybe the defense will stand tough.<br />
<br />
Without looking I'm calling the line as Titans by five.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-75561421336973876162018-09-28T12:20:00.001-04:002018-09-28T12:20:23.420-04:00Packers should be scared<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401030784" target="_blank">Bills beat the Vikings 27-6 </a>last week in Minnesota. I love saying that! Two weeks ago, <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401030705" target="_blank">Vikings and Packers tied</a> at Lambeau. Last night, the Rams, who many consider the best team in the league, went to 4-0 by b<a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401030839" target="_blank">eating Minnesota 38-31 in Los Angeles. </a> That's right, what the Bills did to the Vikings was more dominant than what the much ballyhooed Rams did to them.<br />
<br />
Should I make my reservations for Super Bowl LIII yet?</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-56081924275627533472018-09-26T12:48:00.001-04:002018-09-26T12:48:30.246-04:00Poor Kavanaugh: Dude Needs to Step Away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Another day,<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/brett-kavanaugh-third-woman-accuses-supreme-court-nominee-of-sexual-misconduct/ar-AAAFu21?ocid=spartanntp" target="_blank"> another woman coming out with sexual misconduct charges against Brett Kavanaugh</a>. The dude really needs to step away from his nomination at this point. I mean I get that all this seems to have happened in high school (and college, I guess) and that he has likely matured significantly since then, but does anyone really believe in his denials anymore?<br />
<br />
I mean, his best friend in high school was apparently this author, Mark Judge, who wrote<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wasted-Tales-Mark-Gauvreau-Judge/dp/1568381425/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537980053&sr=1-3&keywords=mark+judge" target="_blank"> a book called Wasted: Tales of a Genx Drunk</a>. I mean, I was there guys. I am about your age and I know what kind of shit went down in the '80s. I was never a part of any gang rapes, as this latest woman is accusing Kavanaugh of being part of, but I did some pretty bad things and in some respects am probably lucky to be alive. Bad shit went down in the '80s, we get that, but why can't Kavanaugh just admit to it and explain that he has moved on? That would work for me.<br />
<br />
But instead, he seems to be following Trump's lead and denying everything, hoping that if you keep repeating it, people will believe it. For me, his credibility is shot and I certainly would not want a liar serving on the Supreme Court. And I apologize if I'm wrong and he is telling the truth, but there seems to be so much smoke that there was to be a fire somewhere.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-71472548166821172992018-09-24T10:36:00.000-04:002018-09-24T10:36:40.539-04:00Bills Win Big: Of Course They Do<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, the Bills won huge yesterday, p<a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401030784" target="_blank">asting the Minnesota Vikings 27-6, in Minnesota</a> no less. The Bills came into
the game as 17-point underdogs. It has been classified as<a href="http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/24774007/buffalo-bills-shock-unbeaten-minnesota-vikings-pull-largest-nfl-upset-23-years" target="_blank"> the biggest upset in the NFL in 23 years.</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yup, these are the Buffalo Bills who have been pilloried by everyone for the last two weeks as having possibly one of the worst teams in NFL history. But, there were a few things that led me to be optimistic heading into Sunday's game vs. the Vikings. First off, the Bills had actually <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401030704" target="_blank">outscored the Chargers 14-3 in the second half</a> last week. This was after <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/16/17867478/buffalo-bills-cornerback-vontae-davis-quits-retires-during-game-sean-mcdermott-lorenzo-alexander" target="_blank">Vontae Davis infamously quit</a> and Head <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/17/17869024/sean-mcdermott-takes-over-calling-plays-buffalo-bills-defense-from-leslie-frazier-against-chargers" target="_blank">Coach Sean McDermott assumed defensive playcalling duties</a> from Coordinator Leslie Frazier.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, Frazier retook the retook the reins of the defense, but Davis was still gone. Here's what <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/9/24/17895144/winners-and-losers-week-3-buffalo-bills-new-england-patriots" target="_blank">a very insightful article on The Ringer</a> had to say about Davis' departure: "Before Davis retired, the Bills played six quarters and were
outscored 75-9. Since Davis retired, the Bills have played six quarters and
have outscored the opposition 41-9."<br />
<br />
The second factor playing in the Bills' favor is that the Vikings were likely overlooking them. Last Sunday, they played to <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Packers+Vikings+game&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS761US761&oq=Packers+Vikings+game&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.9946j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11hdb0t7s9;6;/m/059yj;dt;fp;1" target="_blank">a hard-fought tie with their arch-rivals, the Packers</a>, and this Thursday they have to go to Los Angeles to face the red-hot Rams - in a throwback to a number of great '70s tilts between these two squads. The Vikings definitely came out flat,.<br />
<br />
I have to admit I was unusually excited for the game - maybe because I hadn't been able to watch the Bills' first two games, due to my son having youth games at the same time. His game this past Sunday wasn't until four, so I figured I would at least get to watch the first half vs. Vikings - and it would likely be over by then anyway. It was over of course, just not in the way anyone expected.<br />
<br />
I also was inspired to pull out the Taz shirt from the bottom of my drawer yesterday morning:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhlKBEeutAXZNkWY2gzwIBO-nLdoDK1G6FVX2StEyrE_3OKUB9LjIKlDUjad3VLNRaW_5-TZmNxavatSLVJvuxCwo5tKnZWxlenhuYBZ7_ItSde6X4yds4szJ_cFZ5T4F2ITl/s1600/Ralph+Taz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhlKBEeutAXZNkWY2gzwIBO-nLdoDK1G6FVX2StEyrE_3OKUB9LjIKlDUjad3VLNRaW_5-TZmNxavatSLVJvuxCwo5tKnZWxlenhuYBZ7_ItSde6X4yds4szJ_cFZ5T4F2ITl/s320/Ralph+Taz.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
I think I've had that shirt since the glory days of the '90s and I'm not sure when the last time it saw action was, but you can't dispute yesterday's results. The question is do I wear it next week and until the Bills lose, or save it for another big game? Yes, I said another big game! The playoffs are certainly not out of reach....<br />
<br />
No seriously, <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401030802" target="_blank">New England looks like they are not very good</a> (of course, how many times have we said that before they turned it around) and we never thought Miami or the Jets were going to be good. And the Bills defense has looked very solid for 6 straight quarters now - which was the key to getting us to 9-7 and a playoff birth last year. Plus Allen looks legitimately better than Tyrod (bad week for his stock). Maybe when/if Shady comes back, we'll be even better. Who, knows? It's all in play now (5-11 also is) as we move to Green Bay next week. Go Bills.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-80154869810856349512018-09-21T14:26:00.002-04:002018-09-21T14:26:27.154-04:00Insights on Women and Guests from the Odyssey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I think I have mentioned that I am re-reading the Odyssey, an abbreviated version of which I first came across in grade school, and a story which has fascinated me ever since. As always, when re-reading something, the different perspective you bring to the material gives it a new spin. And the Odyssey offers plenty of content for spinning.<br />
<br />
I tried reading the preface to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863" target="_blank">the Robert Fagles version </a>I have, and there were some points in there about Homer's treatment of women in the text. I think Fagles (or whoever wrote the preface) said he treated them fairly well, so I have been kind of watching for that throughout the text. Women are clearly very powerful in the Odyssey - after all, Helen started the Trojan Way, but they are certainly not treated as equals of men. That said, this lack of equality doesn't mean they aren't just as powerful.<br />
<br />
Helen, for instance, is found back in Menelaus' house, and her stature and position don't seem to have been diminished by her "fling" with Paris.<br />
<br />
Of course, there does seem to be a bit of treachery and untrustworthiness associated with several women in the Odyssey.<br />
<br />
There is Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, who with her lover ambushes and kills the great Greek king upon his return home from Troy - not good luck with women those sons of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Atreus" target="_blank">Atreus</a>, who apparently had some trouble with his own wife as well.<br />
<br />
Then there is Penelope, Odysseus lonely wife and heroine of the story. While he's gone, she keeps to herself for the most part, but also won't rule out the suitors and seems to lead them on, until of course they meet their bloody deaths at the hands of the hero. In Book 15, Athena encourages Telemachus, Odysseus' son to sail home with the following warning, "You know how the heart of a woman always works: she likes to build the wealth of her new groom - of the sons she bore of her dear, departed husband, not a memory of the dead, no questions asked." Hmmm, a rather curious depiction of the duplicity of women.<br />
<br />
Penelope is painted as both a hero and a potential villainous, but it's precisely this complexity of character that makes the Odyssey so interesting and enjoyable 10,000 years after it was written. Odysseus himself is far from perfect, and of course, neither are the gods!<br />
<br />
Book 15 also includes this very perceptive insight on guests that still holds true today. According to Menelaus, when talking to Telemachus, "Balance is the best in all things. It's bad either way, spurring the stranger home who wants to linger, holding the one who wants to leave - you know, 'Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest!'" Timeless wisdom, for sure!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-5101034349116983252018-09-20T10:21:00.001-04:002018-09-20T10:21:25.899-04:00Butler to the Clips?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't know what to make <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24733577/jimmy-butler-minnesota-timberwolves-seeking-trade-brooklyn-nets-la-clippers-new-york-knicks" target="_blank">of this</a>. I think it's a great sign that they are on the top
of his trade list and I like the part in the story where it says, the Clippers
"are emerging as a front-runner for Kawhi Leonard when
Toronto's All-NBA forward becomes a free agent in July," but there is also this "<o:p></o:p>The market for Butler, 29, will likely be the five-year,
$190 million maximum extension that could come with a trade to a new team,
which means a team would be committing $40 million-plus annually to Butler as
he reaches his mid-30s," and this, "it remains uncertain how much -- if anything -- the
Clippers would trade for a player whom the team could sign this summer without
surrendering any assets."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
<div>
So, basically it seems the Clippers could execute a sign-and-trade for Butler, but that would require giving up prospects for a 30-year old on a max contract, and I'm not sure our (relatively) new guru Jerry West would want to do that. But, if we were guaranteed to get Kawhi, maybe he and Butler could be a foundation for something great for the next few years. I'd be very tempted to trade for Butler if I thought I was going to get Kawhi.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Big gambles with hundreds of millions of dollars going on here, but, that's the League.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Good luck Clips.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-26820630113142061342018-09-17T09:46:00.002-04:002018-09-17T10:13:51.138-04:00Bills Suck Again; Davis Departs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Bills sucked again this week, managing to go down 28-3, before apparently stabilizing things and making it a respectable <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers-buffalo-bills-20180916002/" target="_blank">31-20 loss</a> - at home, to the <strike>San Diego</strike> Los Angeles Chargers. I want to say that Phillip Rivers completed like 15 of his first 16 passes (I did not watch the game as it wasn't on locally and my son had a youth game anyhow). Rivers fast start was against a pass defense that included veteran cornerback Vontae Davis, who was one of the Bills' top off season free agent signings. Davis was inactive in Week 1, started Week 2 and then <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/16/17867478/buffalo-bills-cornerback-vontae-davis-quits-retires-during-game-sean-mcdermott-lorenzo-alexander" target="_blank">retired at halftime.</a> Shades of <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2017/08/20/new-buffalo-bill-anquan-boldin-abruptly-retires/584865001/" target="_blank">Anquan Boldin from last year </a>. What is it about these Bills that makes people want to walk away from the Bills? Is the fan base next? (SI pointed out that <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2018/09/17/monday-hot-clicks-vontae-davis-bills-retirement-kyle-orton" target="_blank">Kyle Orton left the Bills a few years back</a> in similar fashion, not to mention Doug Marrone [who now coaches <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/9/16/17868048/blake-bortles-jacksonville-jaguars-new-england-patriots" target="_blank">possibly the best team in the AFC</a>] <a href="https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/bills/doug-marrone-opts-of-contract-leaves-buffalo-bills/191187191" target="_blank">taking the money and running.</a>)<br />
<br />
Also, apparently <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/17/17869024/sean-mcdermott-takes-over-calling-plays-buffalo-bills-defense-from-leslie-frazier-against-chargers" target="_blank">McDermott took over defense play calling responsibilities from coordinator Leslie Frazie</a>r, which helped lead to the second-half improvement. This wouldn't seem to bode well for Frazier, the former Vikings head coach (21-32-1) who was hired by the Bills prior to last year. Is he even going to make the trip to Minnesota this week?<br />
<br />
Next two weeks we are at Minnesota and Green Bay, so I'm expecting an 0-4 start. Maybe we can get Tennessee at home the following week, but I have no idea. Josh Allen seemed to play better than Peterman ever has at QB, so he's likely the guy from here on out. Let's hope he improves enough to lead us to some wins. </div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-81957222456548516222018-09-12T12:18:00.002-04:002018-09-12T12:18:54.991-04:00Allen getting the Starting Nod<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It seems that <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/12/17849936/buffalo-bills-quarterback-josh-allen-named-starting-qb-for-week-2-nate-peterman-sean-mcdermott" target="_blank">Josh Allen is getting the starting nod for the Bills this Sunday</a> at home vs. the <strike>San Diego</strike> Los Angeles Chargers. Not exactly sure what to make of this. On one hand, it appears the Bills are throwing him into the fire vs. a ferocious pass rush - on the other hand Nathan Peterman certainly hasn't proven he is a capable NFL starting QB, so why not start letting Allen gain some experience now? Potential injuries and a loss of confidence long-term are probably the two reasons against starting Allen, but at least with Allen you appear to be working toward some future goal. The Peterman road seems to be a dead end.<br />
<br />
Good luck Josh. It can't be as bad as last Sunday's<a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401030711" target="_blank"> 3-47 loss to Baltimore</a> or <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=bills+chargers+2017&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS761US761&oq=Bills+Chargers+2017&aqs=chrome.0.0l4.4243j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11f53r2jc1;6;/m/059yj;dt;fp;1" target="_blank">last year's 24-54 loss at the Chargers</a> when Peterman threw 5 INTs in the first half of his first professional start, can it? My paranoia tells me yes, but let's hope I'm over-reacting.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-2986987631549948782018-09-10T14:41:00.000-04:002018-09-10T14:41:15.644-04:00Book Recommendation: The Music of Chance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
by Paul Auster.<br />
<br />
About a guy who comes into a bunch of money, blows it, hooks up with a degenerate gambler and gets into some really hot water with some rich guys.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Music-Chance-Paul-Auster-ebook/dp/B00AFY9C2I" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Music-Chance-Paul-Auster-ebook/dp/B00AFY9C2I" target="_blank">Amazon listing</a></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-63946468671051677532018-09-10T11:05:00.000-04:002018-09-10T11:05:01.045-04:00Trust the Process<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've clearly reached the "Trust the Process" phase of the Bills rebuild. After<a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401030711" target="_blank"> Sunday's 47-3 beatdown</a> by the Ravens, what else could you surmise?<br />
<br />
Head Coach Sean McDermott has consistently shipped talent out of town - including Marcel Darius, Sammy Watkins, and Tryod Taylor and brought in his own players. The result is a roster without a lot of proven talent, aside from LeSean McCoy, Tre'Davious White and maybe Jerry Hughes, Kyle Williams, and a few others (I guess the safeties) and a bunch of McDermott's guys.<br />
<br />
Yeah, we made the playoffs last year, but three players that are now gone - Tyrod, Eric Wood, and Richie Incognito - had a lot to do with making the offense competent at times - at least enough times to finish 9-7. The defense was fairly decent last year and didn't seem to lose too many players, so, I'm not sure what happened yesterday vs. Ravens, maybe it was an anomaly. But, I don't think I'm expecting the playoffs this year. We do play the Dolphins and Jets twice each, so maybe 5-11 would be an optimistic outlook.<br />
<br />
On top of that, you have to trust that McDermott is really building something from the ground up. I like Josh Allen (have wanted him for the Bills since I first heard about him after his outstanding junior year), and guess the idea is to fill in some pieces in around him. In his first game yesterday, rookie <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/9/10/17838500/buffalo-bills-vs-baltimore-ravens-game-balls-tremaine-edmunds-corey-bojorquez-week-1-season-opener" target="_blank">Tremaine Edwards</a> looked like a stud from all reports, and last year's first round pick, White, has also looked like a winner. But the o'line seems to be devoid of talent and something obviously gave on the defense....So, we'll see if McDermott gets this right, but unfortunately, it appears like we may have to suffer through at least one miserable year. I'm willing to do that, if there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Bills did go back-to-back 2-14s in the mid-'80s before emerging as a championship contender a few years later. So, there is some precedent.<br />
<br />
For now, I guess we can always take heart in the success of our castoffs like Ryan Fitzpatrick, who passed for 417 yards and 4 TDs yesterday while leading the Buccaneers to a <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401030713" target="_blank">48-40 win over the Saints.</a> Yeah right, while our quarterbacks threw for 70 yards with no TDs and two interceptions. Hopefully in another five years, when we are celebrating our latest AFC championship, this will all be a bad, distant memory. Either that or we'll be gnashing our teeth through yet another rebuild.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-54783066487536219852018-09-04T15:31:00.001-04:002018-09-04T15:31:08.590-04:00Ringer Ranks Bills Number 32<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, that's last in <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/9/3/17813552/preseason-power-rankings-part-one-cowboys-colts-jets" target="_blank">their pre-season NFL power rankings</a>. The good news is there is nowhere to go but up. The bad news is that I might agree with that ranking. The only reason I say "might" is that I really don't know how good any of the other 31 teams are, only really closely following the Bills in pre-season. Okay, I might think that the Patriots could no way be worse than the Bills, but as for the Jets and Dolphins - our two other divisional foes, as far as I know we might be better.<br />
<br />
Yes, the Bills o-line has looked like shit in the preseason and we seem to be starting the season with a quarterback who threw five interceptions in a half in his only NFL start that I remember last year - it does seem he also started <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400951560" target="_blank">the Snow Bowl win</a> - but we couldn't see who was playing. My feeling is that Peterman inspires a lot more confidence in the Bills coaches and Pitt alumni (who all tell me he is good) than he does in me. But, I thought we would absolutely stink last year and a strong defense and running game actually led us into the playoffs, where we were at least competitive with Jacksonville - til Peterman through an interception of course.<br />
<br />
So, what are we looking at this year? I am going to maintain my pessimism in spite of last year's performance (maybe it will pay off again) and go with 4-12 with at least half those wins coming in the division.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-67277624759119217762018-08-30T10:10:00.000-04:002018-08-30T10:10:06.096-04:00Opposing views on ruling in the Underworld<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I may have mentioned, I am currently re-reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863" target="_blank">The Odyssey</a> - one of the pillars on which Western literature is built. In Book 11, Odysseus (our hero) makes a trip to Hades, at the direction of the witch Circe, to get directions to help him return home to Ithaca. He can only get these directions from some dead seer. Circe instructs him on how to manage the dead, and it involves slaying an animal and allowing its blood to drain into a trench. The dead can then drink from this trench and communicate with Odysseus.<br />
<br />
He talks to the seer and gets his directions but then he wants to catch up with some of his old comrades from the Trojan War, who have since passed. He catches up with Agamemnon who was ambushed and slain by his wife and her lover upon his return to Greece. He also sees Achilles, the great hero of The Iliad who killed Hector. Early on in the Iliad, Achilles was famously offered the choice between a long and forgotten existence and a much shorter heroic one, after which his name would be remembered forever. It's obvious which path he chose.<br />
<br />
When he sees Achilles, Odysseus suggests, "I see, you lord it over the dead in all your power. So grieve no more at dying, great Achilles."<br />
<br />
To which, Achilles responds, "No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus! By god, I'd rather slave on earth for another man - some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive - than rule down here over all the breathless dead."<br />
<br />
Contrast that to Milton's famous quote from Lucifer in Paradise Lost: "Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heaven."<br />
<br />
I prefer Achilles zest for life, but what do you expect out of the Devil?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-55937979585559274072018-08-27T11:50:00.001-04:002018-08-27T11:53:00.258-04:00How Babe Ruth's Rise Mirrored a Change in American Culture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am currently reading a recently published book highlighting Mickey Mantle's 1956 season - the first in which he won the MVP (Mantle would win two more, including 1957). The book is entitled<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Season-Sun-Rise-Mickey-Mantle/dp/0465094422" target="_blank">A Season in the Sun, the Rise of Mickey Mantle</a>. </i>It's fairly interesting, but people have cited some inaccuracies as troublesome. The one thing I noticed is that the authors (who I believe have history background moreso than sports) refer to runs batted in as RBIs, when I believe is technically supposed to be expressed as "RBI" - as runs in the plural, not "in."<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I found an interesting description in the book that applies not to Mantle, but to one of his Yankee-great predecessors: Babe Ruth. This apparently comes from <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/41207301?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents" target="_blank">an article entitled "The Babe on Balance,"</a> which appeared in a 1975 issue of the journal <i>American Scholar</i>. Here's the quote as it appears in the Mantle book (the bolding is mine):<br />
<br />
"He challenged Ty Cobb's small-ball notions of scientific baseball, a strategy that emphasized getting on base, sacrificing the runner to second, executing hit-and-run plays, and protecting a one- or two-run lead. But<b> his impact transcended the sport</b>. Ruth's approach dovetailed with the instant gratification peddled by the nascent advertising industry. Swing for the fences, buy now and pay later, the world is at your fingertips - it all became part of the same consumer-driven culture. In Yankee pinstripes he was more than a baseball player; <b>he was a prophet whose mighty swings made spectators gasp in wonder at the potentialities of man</b>. He was the Great Gatsby of baseball. It seemed as if nothing was beyond his reach."<br />
<br />
I think that does a great job of summing up the evolution of America to a consumer-driven society, which started in the 1920s and continues to this day, at least the way I have learned it.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20503056.post-58915713145189717222018-08-21T11:50:00.001-04:002018-08-27T11:53:23.844-04:00Trash Talk from the Odyssey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This type of stuff apparently dates back all the way to <a href="https://www.ancient.eu/Odyssey/" target="_blank">the 8th Century B.C.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh I knew it!” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Broadsea broke in, mocking him (Odysseus) to his
face.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I never took you for someone skilled in games,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the kind that real men play throughout the
world.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not a chance. You’re some skipper of profiteers,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">roving the the high seas in his scudding craft,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">reckoning up his freight with a keen eye out</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">for home-cargo, g</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">rabbling the gold he can!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You’re not athlete. I see that.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863" target="_blank">The Odyssey</a> by Homer</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 8, verses 183-89</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Translated by Robert Fagles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />Odysseus, of course, foils this upstart by heaving a discus apparently over everyone's heads (as they cringe) and he receives a nice jewel studded sword as reparation, but still....</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16618874766251321861noreply@blogger.com0