Key Players Sabres

Key Players Sabres

Much like the Bills, the Sabres also have a list of players in their lineup that when they’re on, make the team go. However, without these players performing up to their potential, the team literally falls apart. Some of these players include but are not limited to Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford, Ryan Miller and Tyler Myers.

Action Vanek and Drew: Both of these “sniper” forwards have shown that they are capable of putting up team leading statistics in all offensive categories. However, the one major downfall for both players is consistency. With both guys know as notorious slumpers, neither can be fully relied on to carry the team quite yet. 2012 will be the season where these guys either put up or shut up. Too much money is being spent on these guys for them not to be consistent all season long., but I am confident that both will earn their paycheck in the 2012-2013 seasons.

The Big Easy: Tyler Myers is entering his third full season in the blue and gold, and in my opinion, it’s time for him to step his physical game up and take it to the next level. With his 6 foot 7 frame, he needs to start being that physical presence in front of the net, who doesn’t allow little guys to set up down low. Also, he needs to start standing up for his teammates. If he gets his hands on a guy in a fight, the opposing fighter doesn’t have a chance.

Miller Time:  This year is no different than any other year since the former Vezina winner has been on the team. For the Sabres to have a chance this year, he once again will need to be the backbone of the team. If Miller is off his game, this team will go nowhere in 2012-2013.

Bills Difference Makers

Difference Makers

                Any team that plans on having any type of success needs its main source of difference makers in the lineup. As I briefly touched upon in my last article, Buffalo has its big three offense in the form of Fred Jackson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Stevie Johnson. All 3 of these players are vital to the teams success each game. On defense this year, it’s going to be all about the defensive line. Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, and Marcel Darius will either make or break this team’s defense.

Fitzpatrick to Johnson: With these two players healthy and in the lineup for the entire 2012 season, the Bills will have a chance at beating any defense. Combine the gunslinger mentality of Fitz with the proficient route running and deceptive speed of Johnson, and you have yourself the classic quarterback wider receiver hookup. Look for both players to get pro bowl consideration next year, IF they can stay healthy.

Action Jackson: By simply putting the multitalented Jackson on the field, you make your offense that much better. The threat he poses to any defense is truly unique compared to any other back in the league. Not only can he run north and south, but he runs smooth as a waterfall, and can make guys miss when he gets to the second level. Jackson is also an exceptional receiver out of the backfield, and can even lineup in the slot as a receiver. His nickname “Action Jackson” truly says it all. The guy can do anything and everything.

Super Mario and friends: The revamped Buffalo Bills defensive line has been the main source of discussion around the team this entire offseason. Combine newly acquired stud Mario Williams with Kyle Williams and Marcel Darius and you immediately have the best defensive line in the AFC. With three guys that demand a double team on every snap, offensive lines are going to have to block one of them one on one, freeing up one of the other two to make the tackle, sack, etc.

Bills Year in Review

Bills Year in Review

                Much like their hometown NHL team, the Buffalo Bills showed unsustained signs of life at points in their season, however their high point came at the start of the season. After starting the season off going 3-0, there was reason to believe that this team was for real, and that the playoff drought had finally come to an end. Although the team wasn’t dominant, they were good enough, and beet quality teams like the Raiders, Chiefs, and longtime division foe, New England Patriots. After dropping a game on the road in Cincinnati, the Bills rebounded with a win at the Ralph against the “dream team” Philadelphia Eagles. Going into the bye were sitting at a respectable record of 4-2, and were playing with confidence. However, this only lasted until after their post bye game against the Redskins. After shutting out Washington 23-0 in Toronto, Buffalo went on to drop 8 of their final 9 games, finishing their season at an all too familiar record of 6-10, and out of the playoffs yet again, adding to their league leading playoff absence.

                Although the season ended abruptly after the midseason collapse, there were still a number of positives to take away from the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. First of all is the emergence of Chan Gailey’s offense. With a healthy starting offensive lineup, the Bills showed what they were capable of accomplishing through the first 6 games of the year. With names like Fred Jackson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Stevie Johnson leading the league in their respective positions, Buffalo had one of the most potent offenses in the league. However, after Jackson, Johnson, and Fitzpatrick all went down with different injuries, the entire offense followed suit. Therefore, in my opinion, if the Bills offense can stay healthy in 2012, they will pose ma serious threat to any opposing defense.

Year in Review: Part 2

Year in Review

Part 2

                Following the team’s player only meeting, they headed to New Jersey for their final game before the all- star break. A win would go a long way not only in the team’s mathematical chance at making the playoffs, but rather it would serve as the ultimate boost to the team’s moral and confidence. The Sabres dug deep and found a way to squeak out a win via the shootout, thus the birth of the playoff push.  The team then went on a run stringing together multiple win streaks accompanied by a new found scoring touch. With a new found swagger and boost of confidence, the team looked as good as any team in the league, and left most Sabre’s fans to wonder, where would we sit if we played this way all year?  All the way up to the start of April, the Sabres were in and out of a playoff spot, and the entire second half push came to a head in a Tuesday night showdown against Washington. With two teams battling for one spot, it was do or die time. The Sabres came out on top in a commanding 5-2 victory, that had the hometown faithful wondering  if that was it. The Sabres just needed to get 3 points over their final two games to qualify for the eighth and final playoff spot. In a Thursday night game in Philadelphia, with the team needing a win, they played strong all the way into the third, however it all fell apart with just minutes left in the third, cutting the Sabre’s playoff lives just short. Although the team did show resilience and determination during adverse times in the second half, a better start to the season would have guaranteed a playoff spot. If the 2012 Buffalo Sabres can play a full season similar to the 2011 Sabres second half of the season, they will without a doubt have the potential to make a deep playoff push.

Year in Review: Part 1

Year in Review

Part 1

                The first full year under the Terry Pegula regime is now in the books. After a slow first half to the season, the team put together a remarkable surge to end the year, falling just a couple points short of a post season berth.

Entering last season, the city of Buffalo was in a buzz. Their organization did what they believed necessary to win in the offseason, signing stud players to blockbuster deals by the names of Christian Ehrhoff, Robyn Regehr, and Ville Leino. For the first time in the franchises storied history, they spent up to the salary cap, and were committed to taking a run at the cup.

Early on in the season, the team did live up to the expectations. After the month of
October, the team seemed to be headed in the right direction. However, the teams true colors were exposed during a Saturday night brawl with their Northeastern division rivals, the Boston Bruins. After being physically dominated and pushed around the entire night, the team didn’t appear to have the tenacity to compete with the big dogs.  But it wasn’t until Bruins thug, Milan Lucic took a run at Sabres goaltender and knocked him out of the lineup for the next three months, that even the guys in the dressing room began to doubt themselves.  

With the Lucic incident weighing heavily on their minds, the team went into hibernation mode for the next two months. They were in and out of the eastern conference basement multiple times, and just didn’t have the same spunk to their game that we as fans know that they are capable of bringing. After a flat out embarrassing loss to St. Louis by a score of 4-2, the team concluded a miserable, spirit crushing road trip that saw the team go 0-5-0, earning zero points in the process. It was at this point that the leaders of the team held a players only meeting, where they took it upon themselves to stop the bleeding and turn their once promising season back around. And that’s just what they did.