By now we know that Michael Vick is a Philadelphia Eagle, and that he’s been in Philadelphia since Tuesday morning, working out details of his contract.  So much for all the Vick sightings and internet rumor mongering about the controversial NFL quarterback coming to Buffalo.

But I can’t help but wonder if football fans, sports fans, citizens will some day realize the distinction between reporting and passing along gossip.  There is a difference.  There’s also a difference between sources, and people who pass along information.

When I hear or read internet denizens talk about sources, I want to know who those sources are.  Are they people in position to know?  Are they decision makers, or those close to the principals involved in a particular story?  Or by sources, do these bloggers and talk show experts mean other internet bloggers, or other media members.  There’s a big difference.

I understand we are in a new world of information dissemination, and I welcome the new technology.  I acknowledge that those of us in the world of sports media have to adjust our practices and be prepared to report as quickly as we can to changing stories and different angles of stories.  We have to adapt, and we do every day.

But what we don’t want to do, is change the principles of good reporting.  We have to check and re-check leads, verify information, and wait until we’re sure we’re right before we report things.  That’s journalism.  If it means a blogger gets the information first once in a while, so be it.

The Michael Vick rumors of the last few days were brought to you by the same people who brought you the despicable Ralph Wilson rumors of a few months ago. 

In the end, media consumers have to figure out whom they trust.  Do you trust someone with a computer who reads everybody else with a computer and an opinion?  Can you wait a little while until bona fide trained journalists get the story right?  Do you feel burned, or at least a little silly, when you buy into unfounded rumors about Vick coming to the Bills, or Ralph Wilson’s passing?   Do you really have time to waste on such unfounded rumors and reacting to those rumors?

It’s up to you to decide where to get your information from.  If you prefer unsubstantiated internet reports and gossip reported on talk radio—knock yourself out.

A Buffalo Bisons’ fundraiser could turn out to be a steal for collectors.

There are more than 500 autographed balls from the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Click here for more info on Bison’s “Mystery Ball” Fundraiser

There are more reports, now from NFL.com, that the Bills are interested in Michael Vick.  That goes along with all the Vick airport sightings by everybody’s uncle, brother, best friend and neighbor.  Everything is possible, but I just don’t see him coming here and I think the reasoning behind the reports is wrong.

Most of the national reports list the Bills for one main reason:  Well, they were willing to sign Terrell Owens.  That’s a major stretch if you ask me.  Yes, Owens brings a marquee value to the team, despite all of his perceived issues.  But none of those issues have ever been legal in nature.  That’s the difference between T.O. and Vick.  If the Bills are interested, I don’t believe it would have anything to do with Owens, or some perceived attitude among the front office that any renegade is welcome.

The NFL.com report said the Bills are “sniffing around about backup quarterbacks.”  If you’ve seen Ryan Fitzpatrick you know why.  But again, its a stretch to link that to Vick.  They may be sniffing, but that likely smells like Brian Griese.  A veteran backup who could relive Edwards and win a few games would be a nice addition.

So don’t get too worked up over what the national media or your neighbor’s friend who works at the airport says.  I just don’t see Michael Vick in a Bills uniform.  He doesn’t strike me as the reliable backup/mentor type for Edwards, and I think that’s what the Bills may be looking for.

Travel bans, closings & closed roadways

The National Guard could be called in now that Governor David Paterson has declared a State of Emergency for Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.

With at least two lives lost, communities ravaged by flooding and even a tornado, nature has unleashed some of the worst summer storms in recent memory.

The Erie County SPCA is now looking for donations to help with medical costs as they care for this six month old cocker spaniel.

Niagara County Sheriff’s investigators say the puppy was dragged behind a car and left for dead outside a Lockport gas station.

click here to read the full story

click here to learn how you can donate

New York State Department of Health Flood Preparedness

On Wednesday, I met two of the people to keep in mind when you join us for the Light The Night Walk on September 25th in Delaware Park to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They came to the Channel 4 production studio to record a public service announcement about the Walk.

Jacquie with Julia Bermingham and Liz Harrer

Julia Bermingham

Julia Bermingham turns six next week and just got an early birthday present by completing her chemotherapy treatments.  The blue-eyed beauty was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May, 2007, but was able to enter kindergarten and now looks forward to her first-grade classes.  Dan and Kristin Bermingham of East Aurora, who also have a four year old daughter, Kaitlin, say they have been guided with compassion through their ordeal by representatives of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  They are grateful for the support.

Liz Harrer of Lockport, a mother of four, is also grateful for all the support she has received from the Society since being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in 1997.  She’s so grateful that over the past decade she has become one of the Society’s most active volunteers. She calls the staff ‘amazing’ and says she doesn’t know what she would do without them.

Liz Harrer of Lockport - Jacquie - Julia, Kristin, Dan and Kaitlin Bermingham of East Aurora

You’ll be hearing more about Light The Night as our PSA begins airing here on Channel 4.  Now you know about two people you can keep in your heart as you join us in Delaware Park on September 25th.  Who will you be walking for?

Light The Night - September 25 at Delaware Park

Early highlight of the Hall of Fame ceremony is Bills fans chanting “Free Marshawn” when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was introduced.  Only Bills fans would be smart enough to have that ready at just the right time. We all laughed in the sports office when we figured out what they were chanting.  Way to go Bills fans.

Word comes from Denver that the Broncos have signed first round pick Knowshon Moreno.  The RB from Georgia was taken with the 13th pick in the first round, one pick after Bills DE Aaron Maybin.  As we’ve talked about in a previous blog entry, Maybin’s holdout will end when the players around him sign, setting  the market for Maybin and his agent, Joel Segal.  The Moreno signing will help.  Early contract numbers from nfl.com say its a 5 year deal worth $23 million.  No word on the guaranteed money.  Its believed that Moreno will get $13 million.  That’s a million more than the next pick, Redskins DE Bryan Orakpo. 

But before you plan on Maybin showing up at Bills practice, keep in mind the situation brewing with the pick before Maybin.  49ers WR Michael Crabtree is having a tough time with the Niners.  Thursday, his advisor threatened to have Crabtree sit out the season.  He wants to be paid like a top three pick, even though he went 10th.  (Good luck, Michael).  So if that toxic negotiation continues, that could further delay the end of Maybin’s holdout. Hopefully, Segal will man-up and negotiate on the right terms, not Crabtree’s terms.

Eden Corn Festival