Denver Nuggets Logo

Watching the Lakers-Nuggets game sporadically Saturday night, I noticed a shot of former Nuggets star David Thompson in the stands.  Someone in the sports office said “Hey, is he wearing a Sabres hat?”  For a moment, it looked like he was.  Then, we realized (by seeing the huge logo at center court) it was the Nuggets logo.  The crossed pickaxes look a lot like the

Buffalo Sabres Logo

Sabres crossed swords.  The colors are also similar.  I guess this is the Nuggets alternate logo, and they’ve used it the past few years.

I guess I should watch the NBA more, or at least pay attention to that giant graphic stuck on the floor.

Tyler Myers (WHL)

Sabres fans can checkout top prospect Tyler Myers on Sunday.  His Kelowna Rockets play Windsor for the Memorial Cup.  The game will be broadcast on the NHL Network starting at 4:30pm.  Myers is the 6-8 defenseman who was the Sabres first round draft pick, and could have have a chance to make the team in this year’s training camp.

There’s a good story on his personality and development in Saturday’s Globe and Mail.  If he can add some weight to his 212 pound frame, he may be able to crack the Sabres top 6.  Myers is already signed.  But if he doesn’t make the big club, he’ll have to go back for another year in junior hockey.

A few years ago, Derek Roy led his Kitchener Rangers to the Memorial Cup, so its a good proving ground for future NHLers. 

Bob Boughner

*One other Buffalo connection to watch for in the game.  Windsor’s head coach is former Sabres defenseman Bob Boughner.  He was one of the poster boys for Ted  Nolan’s “Hardest Working Team in Hockey.’”

**UPDATE:  Windsor and Boughner won the Memorial Cup, beating Myers and Kelowna 4-1.

With pretty decent weather lined up this week, here are the viewing times for the International Space Station through May 26th. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out! The times and locations are very accurate.

ISS Mon May 18/10:16 PM 2 minutes 14 above N 10 above NE
ISS Mon May 18/11:52 PM < 1 minute 21 above NNW 21 above NNW

ISS Tue May 19/09:07 PM 2 minutes 14 above N 11 above NNE
ISS Tue May 19/10:42 PM 2 minutes 18 above N 15 above NE
ISS Wed May 20/12:16 AM < 1 minute 10 above WNW 10 above WNW

ISS Wed May 20/09:33 PM 2 minutes 14 above N 10 above NE
ISS Wed May 20/11:08 PM < 1 minute 26 above NNW 34 above N

ISS Thu May 21/09:59 PM 3 minutes 18 above N 10 above ENE
ISS Thu May 21/11:32 PM 1 minute 10 above WNW 25 above WNW

ISS Fri May 22/10:24 PM 2 minutes 27 above NNW 28 above ENE

ISS Sat May 23/09:15 PM 3 minutes 17 above NNW 10 above ENE
ISS Sat May 23/10:49 PM 2 minutes 20 above WNW 68 above WSW

ISS Sun May 24/09:41 PM 3 minutes 28 above NNW 13 above E
ISS Sun May 24/11:15 PM < 1 minute 11 above W 15 above W

ISS Mon May 25/10:06 PM 2 minutes 31 above WNW 30 above SE

ISS Tue May 26/10:31 PM 2 minutes 11 above W 18 above SW

Waiting for T.O.

You’ve seen the video on News 4 of Terrell Owens’ thunderous welcome Sunday night at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.  I happened to see it quite by accident.  It was one of the times when your personal life clashes with your professional life and leaves your head spinning!

I spent last weekend in Virginia attending events related to my eldest son’s graduation from college. (Go Matt!)  I was pretty well cut off from internet use and news from home – which is very unusual for me.  It poured rain during the commencement on Sunday and everyone was drenched.  By the time my flight touched down at BNIA at 11:45 Sunday night, I was exhausted, looked like a drowned rat, and was anxious to pick up my suitcase at baggage claim and head home.

I walked through a quiet, deserted concourse (even the lights in the ladies room were turned off!) and turned the corner to run smack into news cameras from all local stations.  My first thought was that a local soldier was returning home from duty overseas and everyone wanted to record his welcome.  I spotted News 4 Videographer Chris Broadbent who told me T.O. was expected momentarily on a flight from Cincinnati.

I decided to run downstairs to baggage claim to pick up my suitcase (I’ve lost a suitcase before…and didn’t want to go through that hassle again!) and gamble that I had enough time to run back upstairs to help Chris with interviews.  What a mistake!

I didn’t know that I’d be descending on the escalator and wading straight into a cheering crowd of a couple hundred pumped up Bills’ fans, jumping Jills, and roaming characters.  Someone spotted me and started chanting: “Jacquie, Jacquie, Jacquie!”  What a scene!

I’m sure folks thought I was there to cover T.O.’s arrival – but I was just another weary traveler looking for my luggage.

As it turned out there was a big delay and mix-up in the baggage area – and T.O. and his entourage descended the escalator to a roar from the crowd, signed a few autographs, answered a couple of questions, and quickly exited the terminal.

Everybody left.  Everybody, except a few of us who spent about 40 anxious minutes roaming the baggage claim area searching for any sign of our belongings.  Finally, about 12:30 I discovered my suitcase on a distant carousel, wrestled it to the floor, and headed for the door.

I never got a good look at T.O….but, I sure got a sample of his traveling road show.

Get the shot!

Waiting for luggage

Why Peters is an Eagle (Philadelphia Eagles)

In one of his most extensive comments since the trade, Dick Jauron gave some insight into why the Bills traded Jason Peters.  Some information has filtered out about the team’s reasons for trading the Pro Bowler, but Jauron confirmed it was based on one main reason:  the likelihood of another long holdout, and its effect on the preparations of the offensive line.

“We all thought it was critically important to us. In fairness to Jason, probably critically important to him, so he could get on with things, move on. He kind of showed us what he thought a year ago, and it was important for us to have a whole team together for communication reasons and for every reason that you could think of in terms of team-building. I’m happy for Jason and I’m happy for us.”

The Bills will have new starters at all five line positions this year, but that process has already begun.  That gives you an idea how much they value continuity and preparation time. 

Along with the unpredictabiliy of Peter’s attendance, there are also some rumors that Peters turned down a contract that would have made him the highest-paid Bills player.  Those two reason provide some explanation into why Peters is an Eagle and no longer a Bill.

click here to register for the Jog for the Jake 2009 5K road race on June 21st

WIVB-TV employee Angela Myles lost 60lbs in 2 years which helped her no longer need diabetes medication!  Watch the report from News 4.

WIVB and WNLO, as well as the other Buffalo TV stations still broadcasting in analog, will participate in a voluntary series of tests to run this Thursday, May 21st at several times during the day. Actually “test” is not a relevant term anymore. These are really long form announcements meant to raise awareness of the need to check your readiness for the end of analog broadcasting on June 12, less than a month away.

As in past “tests”, a visual graphic, along with a voice announcement, will air on analog channels only. If you see the announcement and are using an antenna to watch television, you are likely not ready for the digital conversion. (There are circumstances where you will legitimately see the announcement such as if you are watching our analog channel on your HD TV set. However, since you have an HD set, you are ready for the transition. If you are confused about seeing the announcement but think you are ready, don’t hesitate to ask questions here or call the station.)

Look for the tests at 7:28 AM, 12:28 PM and at 6:28 PM.

We’re happy to finally be able to announce that free help is available for some of our disadvantaged viewers. You may be entitled to converter installation help at no charge. Read the story in the Buffalo News here.

Be sure to call the toll-free number, 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) to see if you qualify.

Terrell Owens at OTA's

Terrell Owens Bills debut wasn’t the only interesting topic at the team’s first OTA workout.  Because this was the first real day with the entire team together on the field, some other developments are coming into focus.

*As expected, Langston Walker as moved from right tackle to left tackle, and he will be the replacement for Jason Peters.

*Brett Butler has moved to right tackle from right guard.  Butler played that position in college.

*The rest of the first string offensive line had free agent Geoff Hangartner at center, Kirk Chambers at left guard, and veteran free agent Seth McKinney at left guard.  But then, rookies Eric Wood and Andy Levitre would rotate in to the guard spots….Levitre at LG, Wood at RG.

*Owens and Lee Evans were the starting receivers, with Josh Reed the third wideout.

*Derek Fine was first string tight end.

*Aaron Schobel was in attendance, and back in his left defensive end spot.  That’s a good sign after last year’s foot injury.

*Keith Ellison remained as a starting linebacker.

*The starting safeties were Donte Whitner at free safety, and Bryan Scott at strong safety.

*Drayton Florence and Reggie Corner rotated as the nickel defensive back.

*Only veterans Dominique Rhodes and Corey McIntyre were missing.  No explanation given by the team.  McIntyre’s absence may be related to his recent arrest.

*Rookie safety Jairus Byrd will miss the OTA’s because of the rule that says players who’s college class hasn’t graduated can’t attend.  Oregon has a late school end, and that will keep him from showing up.