tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post9003635208584203028..comments2023-11-03T09:36:40.604-04:00Comments on Top Shelf: Let's Have a Presser!Heather B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-27534018201096739762008-04-11T13:09:00.000-04:002008-04-11T13:09:00.000-04:00I thought after reading some of the transcripts of...I thought after reading some of the transcripts of the PC and the Buff news that Darcy's comments about Max were the most damning. When your GM indicates at a PC that you might need a change of scenery, you're almost as good as gone. I know most of us want Max gone (I think), but it was still surprising to hear.Mark Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495690715950782958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-34733609129609913822008-04-11T13:04:00.000-04:002008-04-11T13:04:00.000-04:00Elma--we're definitely on the same wavelength. Som...Elma--we're definitely on the same wavelength. Some people definitely think the team is an entitlement. I hate when people start in on all the things Golisano "can afford." For one thing, it's really easy to spend someone else's money! For another, the guy didn't get to be a billionaire by throwing his money around indiscriminately. <BR/><BR/>Re: Wilson, I guess I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to be getting anywhere near the level of criticism lately as Golisano. Now maybe that's just because football is in the off-season so everyone is focused on hockey and Golisano's many supposed failures. But I expected a lot more noise about Bills games in Toronto and what that means for the long-term future of the franchise. Additionally, one of the biggest cracks on Golisano is that he complains too much about the financial situation of the NHL, but everyone seems to accept Wilson's whining about being on the corner with a tin cup as near-gospel truth. I also think that if a Bill ran his contract negotiations through the media the way Brian Campbell tried to, people (from TBN to Bob in South Buffalo) would be turning against him in droves. It's certainly an interesting contrast (though maybe not really on topic ...).Anne Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09663173982137377432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-29417214278920044462008-04-11T11:51:00.000-04:002008-04-11T11:51:00.000-04:00anne m. - I think we were typing identical thought...anne m. - I think we were typing identical thoughts at the same time.<BR/><BR/>I agree wholeheartedly with your comments on how people have lost their focus.<BR/><BR/>Great points about Hamister - he was so loyal to Buffalo. Also, he really didn't have the money anyway and couldn't provide any real stability (wasn't his financing partner also indicted shortly after their offer?)<BR/><BR/>Re: Wilson - don't know what to make of him. On one hand, his refusal to arrange a transition plan to a Buffalo group (e.g. Kelly & his contacts) is very disconcerting. If we're talking about the difference between $1.2BB (obscene wealth) vs. $800MM (gross wealth), I think the Greed is a bit deplorable for something you've built a legacy upon.<BR/><BR/>However, at the same time, if Ralph was truly just motivated by Greed, the Bills would have been gone long ago. He has stuck by a dwindling community for years - so I do give him credit for that. I guess that's what makes the whole "stringing along" on the transition plan more difficult to comprehend.ElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-5241528963112028662008-04-11T11:41:00.000-04:002008-04-11T11:41:00.000-04:00I didn't mind the LQ pointing out the Golisano sav...I didn't mind the LQ pointing out the Golisano saving again. Far too many people seem to think the team is an "entitlement." Sure Tom could afford to absorb losses - why is there an "expectation" among people that he should ("Tom, when you pay for our entertainment, make sure it's always a winner or we'll call you names"). <BR/><BR/>I wish more had been made of the "Salary as a % of Revenue" figures, especially when the Buff News trots out their implicit "cheapness" statements when the Sabres are in the middle of the league for Salaries. Who's more generous - a guy making $50,000 a year donating $20,000 to charity or a guy making $100,000 a year donating $25,000 to charity? <BR/><BR/>I truly believe Golisano genuinely cares about this team being an affordable "asset" to the community for years to come - and not just a plaything for the wealthy. Do you want to be able to afford attending games or just cheer for a team on TV? Maybe I'm being naive, but listening to the team talk about its long-range business model that was set up several years ago, I think that's a very real concern to them (and it doesn't necessarily mean "cheap bargain basement" products).ElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-29271261324087311592008-04-11T11:29:00.000-04:002008-04-11T11:29:00.000-04:00I watched the press conference on Sabres.com last ...I watched the press conference on Sabres.com last night and I thought Adam Benigni from channel 2 asked the best questions. Part of that is no doubt due to being a tv reporter, so he might have more experience with being brief and clear, but he also managed not to sound like whiny baby. <BR/><BR/>I thought management struck the right balance between admitting they made mistakes and not taking so much blame that they look like idiots. They know that the people who think they suck are going to think that no matter what they say, but I thought they wisely aimed their comments at the people more in the middle. There are people who think they're doing an okay job, but that they need to learn from the mistakes they've made recently. They seemed to say they're learning. <BR/><BR/>I get what you're saying about Quinn hammering on TG saving the Sabres, but I do think some people have lost sight of that this season. All these people who say he's a shitty owner, not present enough this season, doesn't know enough about hockey, seem to have forgotten a few things: The previous owners are serving time. His only competition to buy the Sabres moved the other team he owned out of Buffalo. The owner of the other major sports team in Buffalo seems to be laying the groundwork for that team to leave. Golisano hasn't been perfect, and people shouldn't give him a lifetime pass from criticism just because he bought the team, but he has done a lot of good things since he bought the team, and he deserves some goodwill for that. In my opinion anyway.Anne Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09663173982137377432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-61748477041648740142008-04-11T11:02:00.000-04:002008-04-11T11:02:00.000-04:00The LQ was a jackass last year so he'd look good t...The LQ was a jackass last year so he'd look good this year! I think you're on to something there, Meg. The LQ is crafty like that.Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-4293580605751896002008-04-11T10:47:00.000-04:002008-04-11T10:47:00.000-04:00Overall though I do think Quinn was a touch less a...<I>Overall though I do think Quinn was a touch less assy than he usually is.</I><BR/><BR/>That's a decided advantage to setting the assiness bar high. :)Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694504731204384103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-77506631890619419402008-04-11T08:35:00.000-04:002008-04-11T08:35:00.000-04:00The LQ thinks The LQ did a great job in the press ...The LQ thinks The LQ did a great job in the press conference.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04039943773609165616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-72097002749079716582008-04-11T08:24:00.000-04:002008-04-11T08:24:00.000-04:00Mistakes were made, mistakes were admitted Through...<I>Mistakes were made, mistakes were admitted </I><BR/><BR/>Throughout all this, I do like the fact that management has admitted to making mistakes. The way this season played out would be a lot harder to swallow if management insisted they handled things perfectly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com