Baffling decisions, like the one yesterday to give mediocre outside linebacker Chris Kelsay a four-year, $24-million contract extension, just add to the perception that the Bills front office hasn’t a clue. Yes, Kelsay’s been a loyal soldier and was an OK defensive end before becoming moving to linebacker in Buffalo’s new 3-4 defense this season. But the 30-year-old’s play didn’t merit any sort of extension. Throwing that kind of money at a so-so player while you’re trying to rebuild makes no sense whatsoever.
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A 20.5-percent drop in season-ticket sales indicates that many Bills fans have gone from being angry to apathetic, and that’s not a good thing. I’d rather have fans in the seats at the Ralph showing their displeasure by booing their team than deciding not to show up at all.
Sales for this season were 43,383, a sharp drop from 55,308 last year and 56,011 the year before. Sunday’s game against the Jets should sell out and the Nov. 28 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Ralph also is sold out, but the Bills are going to have a difficult time avoiding blackouts for upcoming home games vs. Jacksonville (Oct. 10), Detroit (Nov. 14), Cleveland (Dec. 12) and New England (Dec. 26).
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Despite the decline in attendance, Bills fans remain remarkably loyal, considering their team’s 0-3 start and 10-year playoff drought. That’s in stark contrast to Tampa, which is proving it is not a very good sports town. The Rays, who have a chance to make it back to the World Series after a one-year hiatus, were forced to give away 20,000 free tickets in order to pack its ballpark last night. And the NFL’s Bucs are off to a 2-1 start and tied for first in the NFC South, but have been blacked out twice already.
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The Yankees rotation is a mess heading into the post-season and unless they get some solid performances out of Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte to go along with the always dependable CC Sabathia, I can see them being bounced in the first round. A.J. Burnett and Javier Vasquez are two talented pitchers who can’t seem to handle the pressure of pitching in New York. Pettitte is one of the great post-season pitchers of all-time, but he’s still very rusty after his injury and long layoff and may not be sharp enough in time.
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Congratulations to Greece’s Brian Gionta for being named captain of the Montreal Canadiens. He is only the second American-born player to wear the “C’’ in the 101-year history of hockey’s most famous franchise. And they couldn’t have chosen a better guy for the honor.
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Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador tested positive for a banned substance. Is this supposed to be news? The real shocker would be if a Tour de France champion DIDN’T test positive or wasn’t even suspected of using a banned substance or blood doping.
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Philly fans have never been known for being classy. But I would hope that when former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb returns as a member of the Washington Redskins Sunday that he receives a rousing ovation. The guy was the best quarterback in Eagles history – a fact often forgotten by Philly fans because he didn’t bring the Lombardi Trophy to the City of Brother Love.
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On a personal note, a Happy Birthday to my daughter, Amy, who turns 24 on Saturday. She’ll always be my little girl no matter how old she becomes.
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In this the year of the pitcher, it is somewhat odd to see the number of teams with gaps in their staffs. Yankees' starting rotation seems messy and Mariano finally looks mortal (yes, this sox fan gets a sense of satisfaction). The Phillies have great starters, but can they finish the game? They will need to. Price and Garza are the only Rays starters under 3.00 - probably the effect of a season in the AL East. Can Cliff Lee pitch three games in the opening series? I love the Reds' story, but their pitching is shaky. Okay, the Giants have depth.
No news with Contador, but the "tainted meat" excuse is hilarious.
Brian Gionta is making a Canadiens fan out of me. And that is a killer since I used to associate the Habs with the Yankees and Steelers.
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