Brian's Sports of all sorts!

Losman Is Becoming "Da Man"

As you are well aware, at the beginning of the NFL season I was not a big J.P. Losman fan. I always thought he had potential but Bills' Head Coach Dick Jauron obviously kept him on a short leash.

Now, after several good games, the leash is off Losman, the Bills are winning and still in the playoff hunt and Brian is becoming happy again.

Jauron already has named Losman the starter for next year. I can't wait for next year! With a few breaks this year, Buffalo could have been sitting pretty with a 9-5 mark at least. But with a year under his belt and the guidance of Jauron and Company in the off-season, the Bills may be headed to the playoffs.

The Patriots are starting to decline a little, the Jets and the Jets so who knows what they will be like and Miami is still searching for a quarterback. The 2007 season could be a banner one for Buffalo.

I am sorry J.P. for doubting you. I knew you had the ability. I just wanted to see more of it. You aren't losing games, you are winning games. With some more experience, 2007 could be your year.

Keep it up Buffalo!!! I am lovin' what I am seeing!!!

Thanksgiving Games!!!

Too bad the National Football League doesn't have the "flex" schedule for the Thanksgiving Day games. But if you are a football fan, we have to make do with what we have. The best game of the day won't be seen in many parts of the country because it's on the NFL Network and a lot of cable companies refuse to pay the outlandish bill of $150 million per year to show the network.

But let's take a look at the three games, two many of us will see.

Miami at Detroit: I love to play point-spreads on Thanksgiving and somehow Detroit is only getting 3 points. I actually like the Lions to win outright. The Dolphins have been horrible most of the year but have rebounded a bit recently. Joey Harrington returns to the Motor City. But somehow I expect Detroit to be extra fired up for Joey's return and with the traditional of football game in Detorit on Thanksgiving, I like the Lions 21-17.

Tampa Bay at Dallas: A blowout or a Cowboy letdown? I don't think Bill Parsell will allow a letdown, especially when the Cowboys are in the middle of a hotly-contested NFL East race. Dallas can't stub their toe against the hapless Buccaneers. Tampa Bay is an 11-point underdog but they'll need more than that. Look for the Cowboys to notch a 37-10 win.

Denver at Kansas City: The best game of the day. Kansas City is very tough at home and with its first night game on Thanksgiving, the rowdy Chiefs' fans will be ready. Denver, I believe is very over-rated and are actually a 1-point favorite. Kansas City, behind Larry Johnson, should win outright and getting 1-point is just a bonus in notching a 28-17 win.

BONUS PICK: Boston College at Miami, Fla. : OK, it's a college game but this one should be a beauty. Miami is ready to step it up a notch and finally play a good game. Boston College is giving 4 points and I'd take the Hurricanes at home as Miami rolls to a 27-24 win.

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

J.P. Losman Finally Looks Good

After watching J.P. Losman Sunday finally "pull out" a victory in the last seconds of a game, I just hope this is the start of something good from him. He looked great the first quarter then was just average until the last drive.

His first quarter hopefully was just a tease of what the future could look like. Granted, the win and the big statistics came against the Houston Texans...I guess I would have felt better if it was against the Bears. Anyways, I have always said let J.P. develop, take the leash off him, let him throw deep, scramble. Letting him throw just 12 passes stunts his development.

J.P's confidence was shaken the past few weeks as Head Coach Dick Jauron and Offensive Coordinator Steve Fairchild seemed "scared" to let him play.

Geez, look what happened when you let him play. Big numbers, a comeback victory and definitely a nice win. And probably some new found confidence in Losman.

Lee Evans is  a super wide receiver...let him and Losman develop some chemistry ala Peyton Manning and Marin Harrison. Do I think Evans and Losman will ever turn into that...No...but let's give it a try.

Please, Coach Jauron, air it out the rest of the season. You will never know what you really have in Losman and throwing just 12 passes isn't going to give you any indication. Just think if you would have allowed Losman to "participate" versus the Colts....we could be 5-5 right now.

It's up to you, now, J.P. I have a little more confidence in you. Just don't tease me anymore

Sorry Rutgers

It really had faith in the Rutgers Scarlet Knights running the table in football, but Saturday night, it came back to earth with a 30-11 loss to Cincinnati.

Being 9-0 and ranked 9th in the country, I figured Rutgers, fresh from a comeback win over powerful Louisville, would crumbe under the stress of its high ranking, something never seen at the New Jersey school.

Cincinnati was at home, needing a win to become bowl eligible, and facing its highest ranked team at home ever. The Bearcats were ready and Rutgers wasn't.

It wasn't pretty and the Scarlet Knights couldn't even stop a quarterback who was starting his first game in college.

I love Cinderella stories in college sports and was hoping Rutgers was going to be one of them. I am glad they lost, however, as it would have saved them the embarassment of getting pounded by Ohio State in the BCS championship game.

If you can't beat a mediocre team from Ohio in Cincinnati, you have no right to play the big boy on the block in Ohio State.

Rutgers, go to a small bowl game like the Motor City Bowl, play a Mid-American Conference team, beat up on them, then try again in 2007. It's just not your year.

The Bills CAN Win Sunday

You can check my head out if you want, but I actually believe the Buffalo Bills CAN beat the undefeated Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Yes, I may have a screw loose, but a few things have to happen. It's not going to be easy, at all, but it CAN happen.

Remember last Sunday, no one gave Miami a snowball's chance to beat the Chicago Bears in Chicago but they did it rather easily. I personally think the Bills are better than Miami and the Bears are better than Indianapolis. What this means is that I think a Buffalo upset over the Colts wouldn't be as shocking as Miami's.

First off, the Colts HAVE to happen.

1. Indianapolis MUST take the Bills lightly. After the Colts beat New England last week, a letdown can only be natural, especially when you put so much effort in beat your nemisis in the Patriots. The point-spread is only 12 points meaning the odds makers are looking at a possible letdown. Also, the longer the win streak, the greater the pressure.

2.  The A-Train Factor. Anthony Thomas MUST rush for at least 100 yards. The Colts are just awful in stopping the run. Thomas is a good running back, better than McGahee in my eyes, and can't really be involved in game-planning defensively by the Colts since he has played so little. Also, a good running attack keeps Peyton Manning off the field.

3. Turnovers. As is most NFL games, the team with the most turnovers usually lose. The Bills MUST win the turnover battle. Buffalo also must get at least two turnovers in Colts' territory and convert into points.

4. Big day by Aaron Schoebel, Larry Triplett and Ryan Denny. If the Colts are pass-happy, the defensive line MUST get into Manning's face. A minimum for three sacks is needed. Manning is not mobile and he'll be there for the pickin'.

5. Special Team Delivery. The Bills have one advantage over Indianapolis and that is special teams. The Buffalo special teams unit MUST dominate the game. I am not saying winning th battle but giving the offense great field position and giving the Colts poor field position. With the game in a dome, Rian Lindell and Brian Morman have no excuses not to do well.

These are just a few main things that the Bills must do. There are intangibles also such as injuries and penalties. But if the stars are aligned right, the Bills can pull off the upset and I hope for a 27-24 win.

My mental evaluation is set for Monday morning!!!!

Best Sports Venues

I've named the worst sports venues but what are the best? I know that this list may raise an eyebrow or two, but I feel that these are special places.

1. Ralph Wilson Stadium (Buffalo)...Not a bad seat in the house. No obstructions and an atmosphere that is second to none.

2. Del Mar Race Track...Located in San Diego, this race track is by far the most beautiful place to watch the horses run. With the mountains in the backround, the ocean just a stone's throw away, and finely manicured gardens and grass, this place just amazed me.

3. Madison Square Garden...It's just the ultimate arena. While the sight lines aren't good, the history around the place and being in Manhattan can't be beat.

4. Maple Leaf Gardens (Toronto)...A Saturday night in Toronto when the Maple Leafs are at home is a special place.

5. Fenway Park...You are right on top of the action. A historic ballpark that just oozes with what baseball used to be all about.

Honorable mention: Wrigley Field, The Forum in Montreal, and Saratoga Race Track.

Worst Sports Stadiums

I know a lot of people love "the lists" so I will continue with them. This is a good one because I have visited a lot of sporting events in many cities and thought I'd give you my choices for the worse places to watch a game, either past or present.

1. Cleveland Stadium...I am sure this was a great place many years ago, but until they built new joints in Cleveland, this by far was the pits. The pressbox was horrible, the foot was horrible, the location of the stadium was horrible and sight lines, with or without girders in front of you, was horrible. Basically, a nasty stadium for football or baseball.

2. The Fabolous Forum (Los Angeles)...For years I always wondered why it was called the "Fabulous Forum". If you like sightlines that were poor at best, this was the best. There was no height to the seats, everything went straight back so if you sat in the last few rows, there wasn't any nosebleeds, but you were a 1/2 mile away from the action.

3. Dolphin Stadium (Miami)...AKA Joe Robbie....For baseball, no atmosphere, always hot and muggy. I hate the Dolphins so any place they played wouldn't be good enough for me.

4. Exhibition Stadium (Toronto)...How many seats actually faced the field and how many made to sit sideways to see the game. I got a sore back and neck after the third inning. Thank God for the 7th inning stretch where yo really had to stretch.

5. The Aud (Buffalo)...I know, I know, but when I was younger and could only afford the cheap seats, the "Orange" section made to feel like I was going to fall off the balcony. Leg room in the oranges? NONE. I alwys remember never buying the "obstructed" seats in the Aud...the blue section I beleive. I love the HSBC. I loved the atmophere of the Aud, but for watching a game...OUCH!!!

Honorable mention...The Coliseum in Los Angeles, Kingdome in Seattle, and Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Big Donation By Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs Gaming made a special check presentation recently to the crew of Mercy Flight of Genesee County.  In the Winner's Circle was Martin C. Basinait, President and CEO of Western Region OTB, the owner of Batavia Downs Gaming.  Mr. Basinait presented the check to Wade Schwab and Mark Rader from Mercy Flight who were on hand for a brief ceremony in the Winner's Circle between races.

Thanks to the Jim Morrill, Jr. Bobblehead promotion, sponsored in part by Alex's Place restaurant, some generous donations from all horsemen, which included owners, drivers, trainers and grooms and from racing officials and Batavia Downs Gaming employees, a total of $5,461 was raised for this great cause. 

BCS Football - The Underdogs

Can you see the Louisville Cardinals playing for the National Championship in college football. I'd love to see it but first the Cardinals must get by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Thursday night.

RUTGERS?

Yes, Rutgers, the same team that was always a doormat in the Big East.

I love the fact that Rutgers and Louisville are playing an important game. When the Big East took on some teams like South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville, some fams were moaning that the league took a severe drop in level of play.

But powers such as Syracuse have flatered and others have stepped up.

I love Louisville Thursday night against Rutgers. The Cardinals should have little problem and should notch an easy 34-13 win over the Scarlet Knights.

Actually, I am proud to see both teams do well and I am in a no lose situation. Hail to the UNDERDOGS!!!

A Good Day....

Well, I was worried about an 0-2 day Sunday with both the Bills and Sabres playing. I realistically was thinking both teams would lose, was hoping for a 1-1 split and would have been purely delighted with a 2-0 sweep.

I am delighted.

The Buffalo Bills scored a 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers so a split was assured. Brett Favre and his four turnovers assured the win.

Now, could the Sabres make my day. It didn't start good as the Sabres found themselves trailing 3-1 after two periods as the NY Rangers scored three second-period power play goals.

But we know the story all ready. Don't count the Sabres out. Daniel Briere got the Sabres back into the game with a power play goal and red-hot Jason Pominville tied it later in the third period.

I am now thinking, "We got the Rangers right where we  want them...overtime or a shootout."

The Sabres played true to form as Daniel Briere scored again on a high-rising wrist shot after taking a pass from rookie Drew Stafford, who was playing his first NHL game. Another overtine win and I am happy to say the least, let alone EXTREMELY SURPRISED!!!

Maybe I should always expect for the worst and hope for the best when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills.