Boom goes the Dynamite, Part Deux

By Jon

The NFL preseason is far too long. The college preseason doesn't exist. Let's ask former Bills kicker and current UB color analyst Steve Christie what he thinks...

"Ugh.. I remember the NFL. The preseason was too long."

Thanks for that hard-hitting analysis, Steve! Now, what did you think of that personal foul that just wiped out a huge UB gain?

"That's a shame."

It sure is! So that leaves UB with third and long, what do you expect them to call?

"We should call a pass. We need a first down."

Needless to say, I was less than impressed with the radio coverage of Thursday night's UB-UTEP game. Paul Peck was just OK, technical difficulties prevented any sideline reports from Brendan McDaniels (although, they tried and tried to go down to him, despite the choppy audio), and audio from the officials were completely drowned out by the crowd. However, I'm willing to look the other way on all of that. It was the first broadcast on a new station.

There is one man that doesn't get a pass: Steve Christie. Dare I say it, Christie was the worst color announcer I have ever heard in my life. He consistently referred to UB as "us" and "we," and UTEP as "them." He stepped over Peck's feet all night, interrupting him during important calls with imperative statements like "whoa" and "wow." He was generally monotone for the entire game, which is mind-boggling considering the excitement surrounding the game.

Have you ever watched a high-school football game on a public access channel where the announcers were completely unproffessional and nearly comical to listen to? That was Christie.

Part of me feels bad ragging on the guy. I mean, it was his first game as an analyst (at least, I think it was.) But some people just aren't cut out for the gig, and I have a hard time believing that Christie will have a job after this year.

So please, Steve. Stick to kicking and painting, and leave the analysis to the pros.

Things You May Have Wondered That I Wonder as Well

by Ryan

Doesn't it feel like we should be playing a hockey game tonight?

Instead it's an open Friday night with hunting shows on Versus even if you wanted to catch a game. Jesus guys, you have nothing else worth watching, why not run a game on Friday as well? Heck, if you don't want to run a studio crew just simulcast a TSN feed. There isn't a game on tonight, but for the love of god this is the stretch run. Enough of the bull riding, show me some jockeying for playoff position.

In any event, since we don't play until tomorrow I'll save any actual preview until then. In the meantime, let's update you on some things as well as take you around the Conference.

What Vanek Said Part Two- Since "The Garuantee" on February 17th the Sabres have played nine games. In that span Vanek has done the following: 5G, 6A, 11P, +1, 32 SOG. Not bad at all. Although he has gone pointless the past three games I would still be willing to say he has played well. Lots of Sabres have gone cold so far this month and Vanek still has the ability to go Atlas on us.

Officiating has been a major part of the last two games, and I haven't said much about it either way. I really hate jumping on officials because over the course of the season you get calls that go both ways. Booth reviews are still a mystery to us all, especially now that the call goes directly to Toronto. Who knows what kind of shenanigans go on up there. However, I thought this article by Adam Proteau was nicely done.

Goose has been quiet lately, but he quietly crept past his career high in points (currently 27) and is on the cusp of tying a career high in goals (9). It's not really a big deal and won't affect his RFA status much (STAND DOWN, Kevin Lowe!) but since he is the Namesake I thought it was worth bringing up.

Steve Christie actually did retire with the Bills, giving us one last chance to post this:


Does anyone else miss Mike Ryan? I know I said before that I was "done with the Mike Ryan experiment", but I think we miss that occasional burst we would see from him. Even though he seems to only be capable of straight lines at that speed, it was nice to have the option on the forecheck or just streaking down the wing while lines were changing.

About those playoff hopes...

While it seemed like Boston was the team that refused to lose, the Rangers have been the team that doesn't stop earning points. They are 7-0-3 in their last ten, good for 17 points in 10 games. Over that same stretch we are 5-4-1. I'd imagine you can see the problem here.

The somewhat good news is that Boston and Ottawa lost. The bad news is that the Rangers, Flyers, and Hurricanes all won, leaving us three points out of a playoff spot with no games in hand. Sometime this weekend I will make a fancy standings board out of Microsoft Paint, so stay tuned for that.

I don't feel like doing the actual math for this, but if Ottawa never wins again we are in the playoffs. Looking good so far, boys...



It's a whole different view from down here, isn't it?

Football news, because the hockey news makes me sick

By Jon

Two athletes familiar with the Buffalo area were rewarded with contracts today.

No, not those two.

First off, the Bills gave Brian Moorman a three-year extension to his current deal, along with reworking the three years that were left. Moorman will make 10 million dollars from 2010-2012, nearly guaranteeing that he will finish his career with the Bills. My opinion? A small price to pay for the toughest and one of the best punters in the NFL.

For a team that values special teams, the Bills locked up their best special teamer before he hit the open market. What a novel idea, eh? Perhaps that other Buffalo team should take notice....

In a more bizarre move, the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL have signed former Bill Steve Christie to their practice team. Christie hasn't been a Bill since 2000, and has been out of the NFL since 2004.

On a related note, if you are ever walking the streets of downtown Buffalo and need a good chuckle, head over to Church and Main street and look up at the buildings overhead. There you will find an ad for Artvoice Magazine with a skinny, gangly man pictured with a paint brush. Your painter: Steve Christie. Why do I find this so funny? I don't know. But man, do I laugh every time i see it, and now you will too.

And uhhhhh, best of luck Steve.