Kaspers Korner

     The deal between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Nashville Predators was one that took me by surprise.  However, checking my email I got an even bigger shocker.  That being Drury could be gone before July 1st, due to him being traded.

     Hockey Buzz.com’s Eklund is reporting that the Buffalo Sabres could ship Drury to the San Jose Sharks before July 1st.   All I can say is my jaw dropped when I saw that one. 

     What does it mean.  It sounds like that Drury is not even going to give the Sabres a chance to even sign him.  Which, would be completely aggravating.

     However, I must shoot down this rumour right away.  Why is this rumour not true.  Simple, on Kiss 98.5 FM radio’s janet Snyder and Nickaulus Pickalus had the Danny Briere report on.  In the report he state that all rumours that you hear out there are not true. 

     The fact is that Drury is a competitor, and wants to win.  The best chance of that is right here in Buffalo, and he knows that. 

     Also, the Sabres have only begun to talk with Chris Drury, and they know how valuable he is to the team. They will not stop to try and sign him untill Drury signs his name on another contract. 

     So, once again Sabre fans chill out relax.  Unless you hear that a press conference involving Drury is immenent relax.

     A lot of you know that greats of the past are in need of financial help.  I learned something startling in the last couple of days.  One of the most violent, and richest, sport in our country does not provide long term health care insurance to retiree’s.  Which, is the reason why I am planning on a hosting a benefit for those Buffalo Bills in need.

     This could be soemthing huge if done right that can attract national attention, and bring some positive light to the community.   Which, is soemthing that is needed on all fronts lately.

    The question is which Buffalo Bills would make it the Ultimate Bills Fan Autograph session. Who would make is specatular, Cookie Gilchrist,  Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Joe Ferguson, Joe Delamieleure. 

    Who do you people want is the question, but I need your help. Give me your ideas, and thoughts.  Together we can help the greats.

 Send your suggestions to: kasperskorner.speakupwny@yahoo.com

     Gene Upshaw should now be down right embarrased.  An NBA owner gave 100,000 to the Gridiron Great Assistance fund.  Which, in turn should be down right embarassing to the league.

     The National Football League should be worried about who is the donator.  Especially, since Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban is planning to start up his own football league.  Cuban’s donation would attract the eyes of many veterans.

      Cuban could attract many established players from the NFL if he was to offer a retirement package that would include healthcare way beyond retirement.

     Many established players would probably jump ship, even if the money is a little bit less.  A package like that for retirement would be very enticing. 

    The league already has one problem on its hands.  That is what to do if Dr. Julian Bailes theory that three concussions can lead to depression, dementia, and alzhiemers.

    If this would be true things like the three point stance would be banned.  Also, something like not being able to touch a center, or go within his area would come into play.  This is due to centers taking the most blows to the head since they have to snap the ball, and are unable to defend themselves right away.

    In any which way Upshaw is becoming an embarrasment to the union.  It is only a matter of time before things have to change.

     One of the concequences of the new collective bargaining agreement was that players under contract would whine for more money. 

     The trend has not stopped yet.  Darwin Walker has two years left on his deal.  Now, Osi Umenyiora of the Giants is looking for some more money.  The theroy is Michael Strahan will as well. 

     This trend will probably not stop untill the season opens.  More people are probably going to come out of the woodwork once training camp starts.

     The trend is stupid.  These people are under contract, and should honor their contract.  These are not players that with one year left.  Nor, rookies that have far exceeded the worth of their contract.

     Look at Lee Evans.  The guy is such a character person.  he could of came into this offseason requesting a new contract after the type of season he had, but he did not.  If he again goes out there and proves what he did last year was not a fluke then a huge raise is coming.

    So, to those who have signed a contract shut up and play.  Once, you have a real ligitamte reason then speak up.

     I realized something today.  That being that I have suffered over three concusion when I played football.  Which, is the number that has been determined by Dr Julian Bailes in an article on Pro Football Talk.com.

     Why is Dr. Bailes findings important.  It is due to the fact that he has been invited to a concusion summit on June 19.  This Summit is being hosted by the National Footbal League.

    Dr. Bailes went on to describe concusions in one way as seeing stars.  Something that I went through everyday, since I wore a little bit too tight of a helmet.

    If the findings are proved to be right, then many changes will most likely occur.  Also, these finding should prove without a shadow of a doubt that older players are entitled to more help.

   I can only pray and hope now that I do not fall pray to dementia as well.  Hope and pray for me.

     Today marked great news for Buffalo Sabre fans.  Larry Quinn announced that the Sabres will again go into the lower $40 million range or their player’s salaries.  So, what does that mean for the Sabres.

     It means that most likely Thomas Vanek, and one of the two captains will be back.  That is great news for fans.  Especially, if they sign Chris Drury back.

     Drury means too much to the Sabres.  He does about everything for them.  That you cannot put a price tag one.  Hopefully, this time Darcy Regier will learn the errors of his ways the last time a Sabres captain was up for contract renewal that was an all around player.

     Drury’s departure will mean one thing.  Regier does not realize that you cannot put a price on intangibles.  Also, you need those players to win hockey games, let alone Stanley Cups.

     Mike Peca’s story with the Sabres is a very painful one.  One that will bring back painfull memories if Drury leaves town.

    So, Darcy get on the phone and make Drury a deal he cannot refuse, because if you let him walk the team will pay for it years to come.

     This is something that I truly believe in, and that is helping someone in need.  Right now the Gridiron Greats could use your help.

     Talking with Joe Delamieleure one thing that him and I realized is that we could use your help in fighting the NFLPA.  This is a strong union, and a very manipulative person is running it. 

     The fact is that the NFLPA is making things look like they are the victim in this matter.  The fact is that they are the predators in this matter. 

    Brian Demarco receiver 10,000 dollars from the NFLPA. The problem is that Demarco has been fighting for his diability for over seven years now.  So, all that money had to go to back bills, rent and utilities. 

     Do not believe what they NFLPA is saying believe in your heart what is the right thing.

     Darwin Walker came over in a trade for Takeo Spikes.  The trade reinforced a position that desperately needed depth, and production.  Walker wants a new deal since he has out performed his old contract.  No matter what the point of view is, or what your view of him is the Buffalo Bills need to get the deal done.

    Wlaker came over from the Philadelphia Eagles, and was a starter there.  He has accumulated 26.5 sacks over the past five seasons.  Something that the whole defensive tackle unit has not even accompished.

    With seond year man John Mckargo coming back from a foot injury the Bills need depth.  This will allow Mckargo to take time to heal.  Also, it will allow him to ease back into the flow of things until someone gets hurt.  Which, is alomst guaranteed.

     The fact is Wilson is going about things the wrong way with the salary cap.  They need to scrap their cash to cap thing for this year, and get Walker in here.  They can resume their thinking next year when the cap goes up again, and all they will have to really deal with is Losman and Evans.

     So, get it done Jim Overdorf.

     One of my suspicions was that the Bills could sneak into the playoffs this year.  Even John Clayton and Seth Wickersham believe that the Bills could be a sleeper team this year.

      Why? Simple the offense is loaded with potential talent.  They went 7-9 last year, and JP Losman brokethrough as a quarterback.  Now, in his second year as a starter in Steve Fairchild’s offense great things are expected to come of Losman.

       My belief is that Losman will prove that he is a top five quarterback in this league.  How is that, well lets just say it comes down to audibles.  Last year Losman did not have much control over that, and that is a huge part in any offense.  This offseason Fairchild has let go of the reigns on Losman.  He now has more audible control this year, which could be huge for the team.

    Losman is no dummy.  Probably the best in breaking down the intellectual side of quarterback is ESPN’s Ron Jaworski, and even he last offseason had high grades of Losman. 

    The key though is Losman is grounded.  He understands that the succes of the team, and his future is in his hands.   He understands that it will take a lot of hard work and learning. 

     Taking my duaghter to the doctors to be checked out I tuned into WGR this afternoon, and Corey Griswold was talking.  The main point of his show was that the  Buffalo Sabres should go out and spend money to be great.  Money ball is all good, however it only keeps you competitive, and I completely agree with that statement.

     To be great you must have great players, and players when times are tuff they step up.  Also, you must have talent on your team to be successful.

     If you go back to the Sabres Stanley Cup Finals appearance in the late 90’s the Sabres had a hard working character team with a great goalie. However, they lacked talent on offense to get the job done.

    Now, they have talent in two guys, and them being Thomas Vanek, and Chris Drury.   Without those two guys you can forget getting even to the conference finals.

     Vanek is the highest priority signing.  He is only in his second year in the league, and has already broken the 40 goal mark.  He did disappear in the conference finals, but that is most likely due to exhaustion.

     Drury is the heart of the team.  He is what makes everything tick.  His hard work, and leadership through hard working makes the team go.  He is an integral part of the team, and the hope of the community. 

     However, the Sabres need one other thing, and that is vocal leadership.  It is evident that Drury is not a vocal leader.  He does not talk to the media much, and when he does it is very bland and business like.  With the teams nonresposive performance in game three they need a vocal leader, and that is none other than Ryan Miller.

     I know from my own playing days in high school football you need from time to time verbally slap your own teammates in the face.  Why, because people hang their heads low, and think negative.  Only, with a good thrashing speech do people wake up.

     Sabres president Larry Quinn has stated that the Sabres will remain fiscally responsible.  However, the Sabres can still make a profit by keeping Drury and Vanek, while also making another deep cup run.  You could dump dissapointments Ales Kotalik, and Max Afinegonov to keep Drury and Vanek.

   So, step up to the plate at least one more time.  If you fall way short then fine dump Drury, and get the right people then.