Kaspers Korner

Sorry, but I am experiencing some internet problems.

     Coming in tooday I had one guy pegged and that was Paul Posluszny.  When they announced the 12th pick I was kind of heart broken, but I had a sinking feeling he could slip.  Then it happened the Bills traded up, and snagged him. 

     The part that aggravates me is I MISSED IT!!!!  My kids are two and three so six it their bed time, and as I was putting my kids to bed I missed the pick that I been wanting all day.

     Sitting there watching the first round, and seeing quaterback Brady Quinn fall, I kept my eye on the linebackers.  As the first round came to a close I got the feeling in your stomach.  A feeling that something was going to get done.  Posluszny was too good, with a glaring need, and can do to many things the Bills could do.

     The main thing about Posluszny is that it will help out the defensive line.  Watch for the Bill to keep only five linebackers this year with Coy Wire being the emergency linebacker, and back uo saftey.  All five defensive tackles not only should be on the roster this year, but should all play.  Allowing the defensive tackles to be fresher later into ball games, which will help against the run.

     Now, it is up to head coach Dick Juaron and the rest of the coaches to get the job done.  They have a lot of youngsters with talent, and a lot of promise.  However, if they continue on what they did last year then it should be a fun season. 

     Just when you are out of the game, and writing them off.  Marv Levy and the Buffalo Bills suck you right back in.  The only thing is now that for the rest of you fans have fun pronuoncing it, and spelling it.

     It does not matter what they do with the rest of the draft.  They got to first round talents again, and filled two glaring needs with people that Don Banks of SI.com called guys that should make an immediate impac on their teams. 

     A looming trade between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sending wide out Calvin Johnson to the Bucaneers will take some attention from the Bills.  However, they still get a grade of an A.  They blew everyone out of the water, and got the guys they felt they wanted the most. 

     Levy has accomplished what Tom Donahoe failed in six years to do, and that is have back to back quality drafts.  Well in all it has been one hell of a offseason.  Levy did his job, and proved me wrong.  I personally though he was a dud, but he proved to be that he could be one of the best.

     The announcement that Bruce Smith will accnounce the Buffalo Bills first round draft pick is a surprise.  I have to admitt that it was a great idea, and personally it hit me hard.

     I first heard about it on the 20/20 sports report on WGR Sports Radio 550.  My first reaction was wow that is a great way to honor the people at Virgina Tech.  Smith is one of the greatest VA Tech players of all time.  With him announcing the pick there sure should be a lot of emotions running throughout the nation.

     I have to admit that sitting here and then surfing the web, and then getting to ESPN.com and seeing the announcment right there near the top of the National Football League section was hard.  It hit me like a ton of bricks, and finaly sunk in that the massacre was real.  I know that it has been over a week, but for everyone it hits at different times.  For me it takes a while to sink in.

     However, Michael Vick should call commisioner Roger Goodell, and tell him that he has to decline to take part in the draft tommorrow. In light of the fact that his house in Virgina was raided for animal cruelty. DeAngelo Hall, and Virgina Tech football head coach Frank Beamer will also participate in the draft.

    In all it is a good move by the league.  Eventhough it should be an interesting draft it will also be a somber one at the same time when Bruce takes the stage.  Hopefully, instead of calling out Bruce and cheering fans should be chanting Hokies, Hokies, Hokies.

     Today again marked another fun filled day of sorting through rumors.  The Houston Texans shot down a trade rumor.  While the another one involving the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons has popped up.  What to believe, and what not to believe?

     It is simple just refer to a saying by Stone Cold Steve Austin.  DTA don’t trust anybody.  The fact is that it is all just rumor.   Until Roger Goodell announces that a trade is made nothing is final.  Another team can swoop in at the last minute and blow the old deal away.

     So, what do you believe.  Well you can believe in the trade rumours.  They are usually proposals between two teams.  Two teams that usually talk for a while, but then talks break down.  All you can do is keep tabs on them, and use your own judgement. 

    I can tell you this.  A team is going to trade up to get Calvin Johnson.  Most likely the team trading down is the Lions.  They do not want to have to draft another wide receiver.  They have other needs to be addressed, and trading down could help them.

    Unfortunately, for the Buffalo Bills the biggest need is linebacker, with  running back shortly behind.  With news coming out that Adrian Peterson rehurt his collar bone taking him early will be a risky pick.  The best thing they can do is sit wait, and if their guy is not there then trade down.

     Well it is still only thursday, so expect more rumors to flying around tommorrow.  You see what makes it fun is that it is like you and I competeting in a fantasy draft and making up silly trades. So, strap on your seat belt folks it is going to be a bumby ride tomorrow.

     A couple of months before last years draft Jay Cutler was viewed as a late first round pick.  Then shortly right before the draft word got out that Cutler was shooting up draft boards.  This year that guy is Patrick Willis.

   Word around the National Football League is that several teams really like Willis.  The teams are The Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and the Buffalo Bills want Willis.

   Trade rumours at this time are running wild.  The thing is that I saw the saw thing twice.  I read it on Don Bank’s Bank Shots and at Pro Football Talk.com.  That rumour is the Denver Brocos want to swap spots with the Houston Tenans.  The Broncos would move into the 10th spot and the Texans down to the 21st spot. 

    If that happens then you can forget about the Bills drafting Willis.  The reason is that if the Bils want to get him they would have to trade away their second rounder to move up.  Then they would have to pay about 10 million in siging bonus money.  That is the amount they gave to Donte Whitner when he was chosen eighth. 

   The thing is that the Bills only have about 10 million in cap room.  That kind of signing bonus is out of the question.  So look for the Bills to either trade down or stand still and take Poluszny. 

   Which would actually be nice if that happens, due to the New York Jets looking at him when they pick later. 

     Also, forget about Marshawn Lynch he is about to be charged with felony bribery and theft charges. With character being a big thing they definately will not take him.

     If the Bills were smart they take any chance to trade down and get picks in next year, or this years draft. The draft is only a couple days a way and it is only getting fired up. 

    Sorry, folks I am football first hockey second.  Plus, I can only stand so much hockey talk.  Especially, when it is getting repedititive.

     Reading the paper today I realized that no writer has anything to say about the draft or the upcoming series between the Buffalo Sabres against the New York Rangers. So, I felt that I had to write something today.  Well the idea hit me like a ton of bricks.  Levy was right when it comes to character.

    Going through my dial dose of Pro Football Talk.com I came across an article on David Halberstam, the acclaimed writer who passed away in an accident, wrote a book on Bill Belichick. 

    They conveyed a lesson learned in the book.  That message was this: Character and talent count, and you have to consider both of them when evaluating a player. Also, there is another point in the article about dealing with problems. Even if it is a player like Lawerence Taylor deal with it now rather then later.

     Could levy have actually read this book.  Is it coincidence that soon as a problem arised with Willis McGahee, and Takeo Spikes they were both shipped out of town.  Maybe or maybe not, but the the reassuring thing is knowing that the Bills are on the right track.  Players like Mike Williams and Nate Clements will not be around in Buffalo, and that is a good feeling.

    Well Levy I will give you some credit you might be actually on to soemthing.  I will admit it I am a bit skeptical, but if the Bills do there job in the draft, then they will have another linebacker, and running back.

    There was a few moments today where everyone in Buffalo was gripping on how they would handle saturday.  As early reports had the Sabres playing in the afternoon as the draft was going on.  Then there was a huge collective sigh as the National Hockey League decided to start games one and two on wednesday and friday.

    Now, on to other things in the draft.  First, do not expect the Bills to be taking running back Marshawn Lynch, or linebacker Patrick Willis. 

    Willis could be gone by the time the Bills pick.  Rumour has it that the Lions will try and trade down.  At the same time they are hoping that Patrick Willis will be gone.  So, look for the Detroit Lions to trade down, and then take Willis.

    Lynch is already showing signs of bad characterization.  According to Pro Football Talk.com.  Lynch was involved in a drive by shooting.  Also, people are questioning his back. 

   So, it is starting to look like Poluszny could be the Bills guy at the 12th pick in the draft.  Levy did narrow it down this past week to wide receiver, corner back, running back, and linebacker.  Linebacker would be the sensible thing  It is their biggest hole.  Also, the level of talent drops off quick.

    So, folks read up and keep one thing in mind when you are reading rumours.  They are just that rumours, and nothing is sure until you hear Roger Goodell announce the players name.

    Today’s game between the Tampa bay Lightining and the New Jersey Devils confirmed what everybody was predicting.  That the Buffalo Sabres would get the new York Rangers.  Then Ottawa Senators and the Devils would go up head to head.  Which, is exactly the Sabres should want.

     The series between the Devils and Senators should be a long series.  The Senators are a team that can fly high and forecheck.  While on the other hand the Devils still run the trap and should give the Senators fits at times.  However, goalie Martin Brodeur has been shaky in net.

     The Sabres on the other hand if they can defeat the Rangers in five game should be in good shape for the conference finals series. 

    The one thing that we need to remember is not to look past the Rangers.  They have experience on thier side in Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shannahan.  If they try to play the high flying game just like the Sabres they could be sweept.

    The Sabres just need to bring it.  Yes, they did get some breaks go their was last series, but the they are the best team in the league.  Everyone is clicking from Chris Drury and Thomas Vanek to Tim Connolly.

    So, I finally leave you with this GO SABRES!!

comments can be sent to kasperskorner.speakupwny@yahoo.com

  This past week three top draft picks learned a harsh lesson when it comes to dealing with the National Football League.  That thing is that nothing that people say between each other is private anymore.  Everything imortant that is discussed between a player and management dets leaked out.

   At the combine three players admitted to either thinking about using it ot have in the past.  The past is the past, and if someone pases a test then what they say should not come out.  However, what they discussed was let out, and now  potentialy could make them all drop in the draft.

   We have rights, but unfortunately peoples rights always do not get precedent.  What talks is money, and that is the only that will destroy a person. 

  General Managers have learned this fact.  A lot of them have been burned by reports during the draft.  Media members, in the past have talked to reporters of camera, and they still blurt out what the GM said without asking the feelings of anyone .

   Come on I know that sometimes we have to give up something to get something, but this is ridiculous.  Three young men, being honest about something, have been made complete assholes.  Grow up NFL just because someone has tried trees doesn’t mean that sthey should be persecuted for it. 

   Tonight could be the night that the Buffalo Sabres finish off the New York Islanders.  They have to if they want to go deep in the playoffs.  For already the New York Rangers already are resting.

   The Rangers finished off the Atlanta Thrashers in a four game sweep.  The sweep gets them to rest for their next opponent.  Which, everyone is predicting to be the Rangers. 

   The Sabres are the most talented team overall in the playoffs.  The Sabres last year played a bunch of series that went five and six games long.  Five games will give the Sabres enough time to rest, but at the same time not to much they lose some of thier timing.

   The key thing is that the rest will give Ryan Miller time to rest.  Which will allow him to stay a top of his game.  Miller is the key to the Sabres success.  His performance in net allows the Sabres to take more chances than usual when Miller is on top of his game.

   Whoever is the Sabres next opponent is they must finish them off quick.  In the overall scheme of things, if the Sabre are going to win the cup they cannot engage in six and seven game series.

   So, finish them off the Islanders tonight. PLEASE!!! We do not need to see a six seven game series. Which, would increase the chance of injury.