If The Jets and Giants Can Do It...

It was reported yesterday that the Buffalo Bills want to play a pre-season game in Toronto next year and at least one regular season game there by 2009. There are some in the CFL that feel threatened by the idea, and rightfully so. When an Argonauts game is compared to a Bills game, the Canadian game looks more like American high school football teams playing than professional athletes.

Argos linebacker Mike O'Shea says Canadians are fans of the CFL game and not the NFL game. While that may be true in places like Regina, Winnipeg and Edmonton, where the CFL does extremely well, it is not the case here in T.O., where, as the Bills pointed out, many locals cross the border to watch Buffalo on Sundays rather than go to a half-empty Rogers Centre to watch the Argos.

Once this deal is approved, and there's no reason to think it won't, the Argos need to take a proactive approach with this. Work on a cross-promotion with the Bills to encourage those fans who focus on the NFL to embrace the Canadian game as well by implementing a deal on Argo tickets if fans buy Bills seats.

In the long run, if the Bills move to Toronto permanently, this type of relationship between the two franchises would go a long way to ensuring the Argos success against the NFL product. If a new stadium is needed for the Bills, move the Argos in with them, and market accordingly. If the price is the same, I guarantee the majority of Torontoians will watch the Bills instead of the Argos.

The Canadian game may be unique, but it is not in the same talent class as the NFL, and if this announcement is the first step in NFL expansion to Canada, the CFL, and especially the Argonauts, need to see it as an opportunity, not as a crisis.

First opportunity: how about a Bills v Argos pre-season game in August 2008 at the Rogers Centre, where the Bills are the "home" team? It would be a great chance to show Toronto a working relationship between these two teams. We always talk about how 2 hockey teams would work here, but what about 2 football teams from different leagues with different rules playing in the same stadium?

Besides, if the Jets and Giants can share a stadium and a city, why can't the Bills and Argonauts?

Indian Burns at Rocky Mountain High

Who you got, LeBron or Carmelo?

After a grueling 162 game season and two playoff rounds, it appears that we are set to have a Cleveland/Colorado World Series. The Rockies, of course, have already clinched their spot in the Fall Classic, winning what seems like 162 straight games. Seriously, it was 3 WEEKS ago that the Rockies last lost. That usually only happens in football, and even then, only with the Patriots and Colts.

Cleveland lit up Tim "Interstate speed knuckler" Wakefield for 7 in the 5th, and held on to a 7-3 final to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the BoSox. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Boston was down 3-0 to the Evil Empire in 2004, only to come back and win 8 straight against the Yankees and Cardinals to win the World Series.

Assuming Boston does not repeat their incredible feat 3 years ago, it is time to start talking about a Rockies/Indians match-up. Once the series is set, and because there will be between 3 and 5 days to talk about it, there will be an endless array of match-ups to look for.

I want to talk about how no one, maybe outside of Cleveland and Colorado, would have picked these teams to make it this far. It seems the tide is turning in Major League Baseball from a league dominated by the super-rich, to having some semblance of parity. It's not quite the NFL yet, but a Rockies/Indians World Series would go a long way to bridging that gap.

By the way, I know it's not set yet, but I would like to take this opportunity to pick Colorado to win it all. How can you go against a team this hot? Watch now, they'll get swept...


ADDENDUM: Did you watch? They did get swept. Only in America.

The Highs And Lows of Devotion

So, Monday night was, to put it lightly, an emotional rollercoaster. The Bills, who led 24-13 at one point in the 3rd quarter and had intercepted Tony Romo FIVE times in the game, ended up losing on the last play of the game (twice) due to a 53-yard field goal.

Now, my previous post seemed to indicate that the game was over with a lead like that, and with someone of Romo's talent playing that poorly. But of course, that is the beauty of sports, and lately, specifically the NFL. A league that has thrived on parity in recent years is struggling with that in 2007, what with the aforementioned Cowboys, Patriots and Colts dominating the league. Now that one of the league's worst teams (so far...) can lead a game for 59 minutes and 58 seconds yet still lose to the NFC's best (so far...) is a testament to the league itself, and the parity that still exists there.

Buffalo's first home Monday Night Football game in 13 years may have ended in disappointment, but in the end, it was the best thing for the game.

And not just because of next week's Patriots/Cowboys game either.

"If Life Has Taught Me One Lesson Repeatedly, It's To Know When I'm Beaten."

- Seymour Skinner

Today, 10:38 p.m., the Buffalo Bills are beating the undefeated Dallas Cowboys 24-13 in the 3rd quarter. The 1-4, rookie QB and running back led, no MNF appearance in a teenager's life, no playoff appearance in this century Bills are beating the new golden boy-led, twice Super Bowl blowout won Cowboys.

It was this game, of course, that I jumped off the Bills bandwagon and didn't pick them to win, or even cover, for the first time this year. (P.S., Chris Berman is right; No One Circles The Wagons Like The Buffalo Bills!)

Therefore, I would like to announce my retirement from picking NFL games, at least for the foreseeable future. Yes, most of it is because of my extremely heavy school and work loads, but mainly because Principal Skinner knows what he's talking about.

By the way, the Yankees are down 6-3 in the 7th, and look like their season is done. And just like the Cubs, multiple opportunities by the Yanks have been wasted. So long, dream ALCS matchup.

Go Bills!

NFL Week 4 Picks

Well, last week I was 7-7, which would be good enough if I was the Toronto Blue Jays...

But I digress.

Panthers @ Saints (3): Hangover or real trouble? It's hard to tell what is wrong with the Saints this year, and common sense says that after a 0-3 start and a bye, New Orleans should be able to turn it around against an average team like Carolina. I think it's real trouble. Panthers by 10.

Jaguars (2.5) @ Chiefs: The pathetic Kansas City Chiefs are tied with the equally horrible Broncos and Raiders at 2-2, and in 1st place in the AFC West. As bad as they've been, there's something about K.C. at home, even against a tough Jacksonville team. The Jags already won in Denver, but I don't think they can do it in Kansas City as well. Chiefs by 7.

Lions @ Redskins (3.5): This one's tough. Detroit's in the group of surprises along with Houston and Green Bay, and a big win over the Bears last week certainly helps them along. Washington comes off a bye and is having a decent start themselves. There's something about Detroit, but not in Washington. Redskins by 6.

Falcons @ Titans (8.5): Atlanta's coming off a big win (read: actually winning a game), so they have some momentum against a rested Tennessee team. The Titans will win, but not by 9. Titans by 3.

Dolphins @ Texans (6.5): Very few things make me smile more than seeing the Fins at 0-4. Make it 0-5! Texans by 10.

Seahawks @ Steelers (6.5): Seattle often gets forgotten because there's in the Pacific Northwest, but they are still one of the best teams in the NFC, and they haven't forgotten what happened two years ago February. Seahawks by 3.

Browns @ Patriots (16.5): No love for the Browns. None. Zero. Patriots by 10.

Cardinals (4.5) @ Rams: I remember watching CBS' pregame show on opening day, and Shannon Sharpe picked the Rams to go to the Super Bowl. Seriously. Cards by 14.

Jets @ Giants (3.5): Can't wait to see the fans in this game; which side gets more of the "home field advantage"? Too bad this only happens once every four years. The Jets need a break. Jets by 7.

Bucs @ Colts (10): I picked the Colts to win the Super Bowl again, and I like them here, but you've got to love the Bucs this year. They'll cover. Colts by 7.

Chargers @ Broncos (1.5): If there was a way for both these teams to lose this game, they would. But Denver will find a way to not lose. Broncos by 3.

Ravens (3.5) @ 49ers: With the injury to Alex Smith, it's unlikely that the Niners can do anything with a game like this. Ravens by 10.

Bears @ Packers (4.5): Brett Favre v Brian Griese/Rex Grossman. The Bears are in freefall, and it won't stop in Lambeau. Packers by 13.

Cowboys (12.5) @ Bills: Buffalo's first MNF game in recent memory. Super Bowl rematch times 2. Same result... Cowboys by 20.

Record: 22-35-3

Is There An Echo in Here?

This past July, I mentioned that the Wednesday of the baseball all-star break was the worst sports day of the year, and I praised the NHL for releasing their schedule on that day.

Now, here we are, Tuesday October 2nd, the second worst day of the sports year. The baseball playoffs begin tomorrow after a fantastic wild-card playoff game last night in Denver. The NFL is always off during the week this time of year, and NBA training camps are getting set to open.

The NHL starts (in North America) tomorrow. How great would it be for this struggling league to open up with a huge slate of games on a night where NOTHING else is on tap? A league that has virtually no television exposure in the U.S. needs a break, and opening on a night against 3 baseball playoff series opening up is ridiculous.

I have no game to watch tonight, which is unfortunate, because tomorrow, I and other sports fans (especially in Canada) will have to choose between the Leafs/Sens and the Red Sox/Angels.

It shouldn't have to be this way, and the NHL had the control to change it for their own benefit. They blew it.