Let’s Go Buffalo

-

I was surprised that the Bills played as poorly as they did on Saturday.

And that’s a weird thing to say because they won a playoff game for the first time since 1995.

They spent the last 3 or 4 games going through NFL defenses like they weren’t even there.

Decided to switch things up, I guess.

So they could allow their fans to suffer heart attacks.

The usual garbage NFL product was on full display through most of the second half. Instant replay reviews. Was he in or out? Was it a catch or a fumble.

“What do you think?” My beautiful wife asked. 

“How the hell do I know? I’ve only been watching the sport for 50 years. How could I know the rules in that short of time?”

There were four plays that stood out:

1). One of the guys jumped offsides when the Bills were trying to draw him off sides. Everyone in the stadium and every single person watching knew that the ball wasn’t going to be snapped.

Except for one guy who raced across the line, gleefully leaping at his chance to attack Allen who was pointing at him and laughing.

That cost the Colts 4 points.

2). The Colts field goal kicker was sporting glasses. They must have fogged up because he hit the huge yellow pole from 33 yards away. 

That cost the Colts 3 more.

3). The Bills were in good shape, but on 2nd and 10 Allen dropped back to pass. And he dropped and he dropped and he dropped. He was hit a couple of times and then he fumbled. He was fortunate that one of his teammates covered the loose ball. They didn’t convert the 3rd and 33.

When he drops back and keeps going the wrong way I’m often reminded at my days as quarterback. 

I only played the position in our backyard. For some reason, I always figured I was the Q.B., because I made up for my lack of speed and noodle arm with a tremendous ability to run backwards away from the guy who was chasing me. Then I’d fumble or throw a floater that was picked and returned.

Bills got lucky.

4). The fumble

The Colts were making progress towards ripping the heart out of an entire city. 

We were pretty sure they were going to lose here at Camp Clifford.

Rivers completed a pass to a wide receiver who went down to catch it. He then stood up and tried to advance the ball, which was knocked loose.

The Bills recovered!

Game over!!

Except it went to replay, and of course, the NFL replay got it wrong.

“They’re done,” I announced, thinking about 25 years of losing.

“I’m not even watching,” Kathy said.

I thought about the boys and how sad they would be. I hoped that somehow the Bills could break the 25-year curse.

Two plays later, it was over.

On to next week.

BILLieve, right?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more