Opining on Bills, SU hoops and Golisano's interest in the Dodgers

Spraying opinions to all fields:

• To me, Eric Wood was the third most indispensible Buffalo Bill behind only running back Fred Jackson and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (though, Fitzie, certainly has looked quite dispensable these past two games.) Wood was having a Pro Bowl-caliber year, anchoring a constantly-in-flux offensive line with great efficiency. The Bills have managed to weather several injuries this season, but I don’t know if they will be able to endure this loss.

• Wood’s absence means yet another challenge for the versatile Andy Levitre. The unsung hero of this Bills season has been up to the task at left guard and then left tackle this fall. But center is a whole new ballgame, requiring you to be responsible for putting not only yourself, but your four linemates in proper blocking formations. I guess, though, if anybody can do it, Levitre can.

• Went to homecoming at Syracuse University over the weekend and took in a football and basketball doubleheader within the span of about 22 hours. And after witnessing a lackluster effort in a football loss to South Florida Friday night and a decisive basketball victory vs. Fordham Saturday afternoon, I’m reminded that my alma mater continues to be a hoops powerhouse and a grid-iron pretender. The 2011 Orange football season mirrors the current Bills campaign. After promising starts, both teams are in a downward spiral. It appears that there won’t be a post-season in either club’s near future.

• Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano apparently is bidding to become the Mariano Rivera of sports franchises. He saved the Buffalo Sabres and now wants to do the same with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Just about everything he touches turns to gold, so if I’m a Dodgers fan who’s suffered through the Frank McCourt divorce debacle, I’d be rooting for Tom to spearhead a revival. I do wonder what this means for the future of the Bills in Buffalo, since Golisano has said he would be willing to looking into ownership if it was a case of keeping the team in western New York.

• Jim Boeheim has no choice but to ditch that seven-man rotation in favor of a 9- or 10-man rotation. The Orange men are that deep. "We're like Noah's Ark,'' said forward Kris Joseph. "We've got two of everything."

* Some are wondering who will be the go-to guy with a tight game on the line. I think sophomore guard Dion Waiters might be emerging as that guy.

• Hey Bills fans, it could be worse. You could be an Eagles fan. The dream team that too many had winning the Super Bowl is now a nightmarish 3-6 and going nowhere fast.

• Bill Belichick is a superb coach, but when it comes time for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame he’d be wise to choose Tom Brady as his presenter. Belichick’s record with Brady is 117-35. Without Tom Terrific, it’s 66-68.

• Shameless plug: I’ll be signing copies of my new book, Color Him Orange: The Jim Boeheim Story, Friday night at 7 at the Greece Barnes & Noble. The signing will be preceded by a talk and Q-and-A, so please stop by and get an early holiday gift for yourself or that SU hoops fan in your life.