Today I'll post a ton, I promise. Here are some thoughts on Wild Card weekend thus far:
- NBC had on Matt Millen before the Cardinals/Falcons game and pretty much the entire day. Now while it's great that he feels well enough to show his face these days, what the hell was NBC thinking? Why would we want to listen to him? What could he possibly have to say about playoff football after HE BUILT THE TEAM THAT WENT 0-16!!! What could he possibly have to say that ANYONE would believe? What does he know about winning, besides nothing?
I am honestly more qualified to be on the pregame show, if only because I didn't draft a pro football team that couldn't manage to win one game. There is no coming back from that, and you are never, ever credible again.
- I was surprised by how enjoyable both games turned out to be. I'm not really rooting for any one team this postseason, but I really thought the Buzzsaw would fold and Peyton would blow out the Chargers. Both didn't happen, and they were two pretty good games all things considered. If the other two games live up to it I'd say we are heading for a heck of a postseason, because we won't even seen Carolina or the Giants play anyone until next week. A potential Panthers/Cardinals match up in the divisional round? Heck yes.
- I've never drafted Tomlinson in a fantasy league. I've honestly never been given the chance. After this season I'm pretty sure I'd like to keep it that way. Is that what he's turned into? Some guy who plays five snaps and sells crappy televisions? Yikes. He morphed into Shaun Alexander faster than Shaun Alexander did.
- Matt Ryan looked like a rookie quarterback today. His brother also looked like a cyborg. I know there was a terrible car accident and everything, but Kurt Warner thinks God wants him to smile a little.
- Speaking of Kurt, he didn't thank God in his postgame interview, which immediately made me think of Pedro Cerrano and Jobu. "F#$k you, Jesus, I do it myself."
- Commercials are getting out of hand these days. I feel like that will become its own post soon, but there wasn't much to like out of what NBC was selling yesterday.
- We are going to talk about the Sabres game for sure, I just want to watch it again. Live blogging the UB game means I didn't see as much of it as I'd like, and the result immediately makes me want to take a closer look. I'm going to be watching football all afternoon, so I'll be checking in quite a bit today.
Enjoy the games, and bask in the afterglow of a two game winning streak. I think I hear a choir singing.
For anyone who was there, no matter what team you were cheering for, there is one undeniable fact.
The Winter Classic was awesome.
It was one of the most communal, emotional events I have ever experienced and probably will never experience again, at least not at that level. To put it simply, I agree with everything Ryan said Tuesday night. It was an afternoon no hockey fan will soon, if ever, forget.
Sure there were a few miscues here and there. It may have taken too long for the ice crews to fix the ice during delays, but at least they took the time to make sure it was right. What bugged me the most about the cleaning was that they didn't bring the Zambonis out for the shootout, which is actually normal NHL procedure. But if that is my biggest gripe (aside from switching ends in the five minute overtime being stupid), then there obviously wasn't much to complain about.
I just wish Brian Campbell would have been looking forward to the "f*cking stupid Ice Bowl" as much as the fans were (skip to about 35 seconds in). Eh, who knows? Maybe he really was. He does look a little tipsy while trying to sing the Hip.
For the most part, again echoing Ryan, what struck me the most was that the NHL didn't screw it up. For such a huge event, it was very-well organized, there was stuff to do outside of the usual tailgating and added to the festive atmosphere.
And did anyone else find it weird that it didn't snow a flake during intermissions, but then as soon as the players headed out of the tunnel, the flurries started to fall again?
The tailgating was fun in itself. Having the television crews for the NHL Network and RDS patrolling our area added to the excitement. Then again that's maybe just because Jon and I snuck into the Rick Jeanerette "Lalalafontaine" tribute, and just because RDS put me on camera for the Gilbert Perreault jersey I had on (if anyone can find that, if it even made the air, feel free to shoot us an e-mail. We all like to laugh at me).
Should the NHL pull off this event again? From a publicity and marketing standpoint, yes. But all of the factors need to be there to make it special and not just a rehashing of the last two outdoor games. The place needs to be right and, if the league wants America to start caring about hockey again (and if they want to increase revenues even more, including a big TV deal, I think they would), then the game would most likely have to be played stateside between two American teams.
For the best publicity and for the largest money-making machine, Rangers-Islanders at either Yankee Stadium or in the Meadowlands may be the best bet. Or wait until the new Gopher Stadium is built in Minnesota. Wild v. Dallas or Detroit would be amazing. The best idea I think I've read/heard so far is for Buffalo and Pittsburgh to host the event against each other every year. This way it stays exclusive and it's still an event, like Detroit and Dallas hosting Thanksgiving football games. On another thought, why not do the All-Star game outdoors?
I thought the pregame ceremonies for the Winter Classic were very well-done. Doug Allen is a Roost favorite and Ronan Tynan is a winner (I can't believe there are actually complaints that they sang "God Bless America" and not the national anthem. They have done this every time Tynan has sung for the Sabres. My best guess is that those complaining don't watch Sabres games so I'm not going to waste too much energy here). The fly-by by the Blackhawk helicopters was also stunning and chilling.
And the crowd?
You can't say enough about the job the fans did. You could cut the tension with a knife as the game went into the shootout. Everyone was tuned into the game the whole time. I was up on my feet with everyone else in the lower bowl from faceoff to Crosby's clincher. Buffalo looked great in the national limelight, and while I really really really really had a great time, I hope something like this doesn't come back to Buffalo, at least for a couple years. It was special and to overdo it would most definitely cheapen a unique but already kind-of-gimmicky event.
As the Sabres prep for Ottawa tomorrow night, there are certainly some questions and concerns that face this team. The offense isn't producing and fingers are already being pointed in Thomas Vanek's direction.
And rightfully so.
Vanek is a -3 with just one point, an assist, in his last five games. He had 84 points last year and finished with a league-leading +47. Now as a top line player, he's on pace for just 24 goals, 48 points and a +7 rating. Whether it's the money or just the pressure of being the go-to-guy, his head clearly isn't in the right place. And that bodes very badly for this hockey club down the stretch if he continues going in that direction.
Miller has been solid and seems to be getting better and he's bound to snap at some point about the shotty defense that's being played in front of him. I mean, could Campbell at least TOUCH Crosby on that first goal? The guy skated right at him and Campbell backed off like he was scared. Or maybe he was just cold.
The team isn't playing great, they are on a four game losing streak, despite getting two shootout points in those games, but with Ottawa coming to town, they need to step it up. With Ottawa struggling, including back-to-back barn burning losses to the Capitals and psycho goalie Ray Emery supposedly walking out on a practice this week, it's as good a time as any to beat up on the Sens.
And with 11 of the next 14 games on the road, this team better get out of the funk fast and play some quality hockey, otherwise the season will end on April 5 in Boston.
With the games ahead looking like they could be kind of bleak, it was great to be able to enjoy a day like January 1. Overall, New Year's Day was a fantastic day that really kicked off the second half of the season. With only basketball and hockey as the two professional leagues playing right now, this event was the perfect statement to tell America that hockey still matters in some parts of the world. Maybe this was the spark the NHL needs to leapfrog the NBA.
My only regret from Tuesday? That I (stupidly) taped the NBC broadcast over CBC. I've lived in Western New York all my life, you'd think I'd know better.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get my Perreault jersey cleaned. It smells like charcoal, wet snow, and Dr. Bob (long story). On second thought, maybe I'll hold on to it smelling like that for just a few more days. What a day.
Hey, buddy! Long time no see. Actually, I see you everywhere these days, and it makes me want to blind myself with an awl.
Here's the deal, Tiki: you were slightly amusing on Fox News. Yeah, I think my Mom tuned in a few times, whatever.
Then you got a bit shady and announced you were retiring in the middle of a playoff race. While the Niedermayer method is not recommended, you didn't play it much better.
And now that you are actually retired you just can't seem to keep your mouth shut about anything. This new found release from allegiances has you telling anyone that will listen what you think about the Giants and their general suckitute.
Guess what Tiki? If you are going to collectively throw the organization, players, and staff under the bus, we'd appreciate it if you stopped using the possessive when you talk about them. You were just so giddy when you cut ties with the G-men, why linger around with all this "we" and "us" and "our" garbage.
Sure, it doesn't help when Madden refers to the Giants as "yours," but we all know he's losing it. The keys have been taken away from him in his video game, and he did the freaking Heisman Pose a few weeks back and no one batted an eye. Don't even get me started on his "colorful" artwork.
No one wants to hear you talk like this, friend. Even Steve Tasker thinks you are being a homer. So cut the crap and do what you do best: say nothing meaningful in a suit. You are not special. You just happen to have a nice wardrobe and adorable smile. Heck, Keyshawn Johnson looked like Neapolitan ice cream this morning and still got a paycheck for it.
So shut up, publish your stupid book no one will read, and get out of my face. Unless you are suiting up next week behind that fat kid who backs up Eli, move on. You are retired. Get over yourself.
Oh, and tell Keith Olbermann that he sucks at life, and if he continues to make bland jokes all season I'm flying to New York City to beat him with his red phone. He's killing me, and making Collinsworth and Costas turn themselves into low rent stand-up artists.
I can't believe I watched your lame schtick while Kevin Everett is lying in a hospital bed clinging to what's left of his career. It only goes to show how pathetic and vapid "Football Night in America" is in light of real life. Disgusting.
To think you retired to save your best years for later in life, Tiki. Good for you. While you sit there and create a storm of meaningless bullshit, guys like Kevin Everett risk everything just to play the game they love. Thank God you had the decency to give your self promotion a backseat in light of today's events.
By Chris Well, it's technically almost official. According to "various NHL sources," The Buffalo News is reporting that the Ice Bowl between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will be played on January 1 outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium on NBC. Still no word on how tickets will be distributed or how much of my paycheck will be going towards them.
An official official statement is supposed to come down from Sabres brass on September 10 and if that doesn't get you pumped for the new hockey season, NHL 08 will be released the next day. My toes are starting to get frostbite just thinking about it. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the game will include an unlockable outdoor rink.
NBC is planning on throwing a New Year's Day Party outside this year. They're calling it The Ice Bowl, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are coming. But it's still up in the air as to whether Buffalo or Detroit will be hosting.
Potentially, it could be the biggest game in Buffalo Sabres history--both in crowd size and in the magnitude of media attention. I have no doubt that the game would sell out, possibly even minutes after tickets to the general public go on sale.
After the events of last week, if there's anything to look forward to during the 07-08 season, this would be it. Anyone who watched the Heritage Classic in Edmonton a few years ago knows that it was something special to see. A big time game outside in the cold. It's perfect.
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