I do too. However Manuel was 2-2.

Orton has had the luxury of playing the Vikings and Jets in 2 of his 3 wins.

Manuel starts came against teams with a record of 16-14
Orton's competition has a record of 15-15
- sbroads24

You think Manuel would have made it out of Detroit alive lmao no way in hell. He was horrible in Chicago angainst their terrible def. his throws were wildly inaccurate and his receivers had to make amazing catches sacrificing their bodies to do so. That builds a ton of uncertainty on catching passes over the middle. No thanks Manuel is right where he belongs get overy that already.

You think Manuel would have made it out of Detroit alive lmao no way in hell. He was horrible in Chicago angainst their terrible def. his throws were wildly inaccurate and his receivers had to make amazing catches sacrificing their bodies to do so. That builds a ton of uncertainty on catching passes over the middle. No thanks Manuel is right where he belongs get overy that already.
- Carubba-Kaleta

He wasn't horrible in Chicago. He was actually pretty adequate, which is all he had to be.

Receivers have had to make their share of "circus" catches with Orton as well. The difference is that Orton, right now, gives them much more of an opportunity to make them. Sbroads is right. They have given away a lot more points with Orton under center than they did with Manuel. The problem is that with Manuel, they've simply had fewer points to either give away or take.

You think Manuel would have made it out of Detroit alive lmao no way in hell. He was horrible in Chicago angainst their terrible def. his throws were wildly inaccurate and his receivers had to make amazing catches sacrificing their bodies to do so. That builds a ton of uncertainty on catching passes over the middle. No thanks Manuel is right where he belongs get overy that already.
- Carubba-Kaleta

You do remember Orton spotting Detroit 7 points with a pick 6 right?

And the fact that they missed 3 FG's helped us some.

Speaking of having to make an amazing catch, do you not remember Sammy reaching behind his body and deflecting a ball up to himself to put us in range for a 58 yard FG?

This is what I find funny. Orton is obviously better, but not by a lot.

At the risk of starting a pissing match, I still find it a bit baffling how the Sabres' rookies, who play one of the league's worst teams, if not the worst team, averages at least 3 minutes of ice time less than anybody else. Granted, some comparisons are apples and oranges (i.e. Ekblad is a defenseman so of course he's going to get more time), but in a throw away year like this, I'd rather see the younger guys play in every opportunity possible just to see what they can do. "Sheltering" them with fourth line minutes doesn't really give a full evaluation.

EDIT: also, this paragraph here sums up why "burning the first year of an entry level contract" isn't really a big deal:



That's why I don't think the Sabres are really hurt that much by the Grigorenko debacle.
- buffalofan19

While I don't like that Reinhart has been on the 4th line, I do think he's starting to look a bit more confident. That last game against San Jose was definitely his best.

Washington started Backstrom out on the 4th line and moved him up as he got more comfortable. There is no right way or wrong way to do it, IMO. It depends on the player.

I think the biggest factor for Reinhart is getting used to the speed of the game. Since one of his strong points is his hockey IQ, he needs time to get used to making decisions faster and I think we're seeing that happen.

I don't know that sending him down is really going to help in his development as he's not going to get bigger in Jr, he's not going to adjust to the speed of the game in Jr, and he's not going to get used to the physicality of the NHL in Jr either.

That doesn't mean that they should necessarily keep him here either though.

You do remember Orton spotting Detroit 7 points with a pick 6 right?

And the fact that they missed 3 FG's helped us some.

Speaking of having to make an amazing catch, do you not remember Sammy reaching behind his body and deflecting a ball up to himself to put us in range for a 58 yard FG?

This is what I find funny. Orton is obviously better, but not by a lot.
- sbroads24

Orton is no elite qb but his players are playing for him. Unlike Manuel which they did give up on him and the frustration was clear. how many times has Manuel thrown for 300 yards?

This team is way better off with Orton and it will only continue to get better. The guy is still fairly new to the offense. They seem to be getting better game by game.

Ya and the 7 points spotted was his second drive of the season Jesus I bet manning or Brady never do that.

While I don't like that Reinhart has been on the 4th line, I do think he's starting to look a bit more confident. That last game against San Jose was definitely his best.

Washington started Backstrom out on the 4th line and moved him up as he got more comfortable. There is no right way or wrong way to do it, IMO. It depends on the player.

I think the biggest factor for Reinhart is getting used to the speed of the game. Since one of his strong points is his hockey IQ, he needs time to get used to making decisions faster and I think we're seeing that happen.

I don't know that sending him down is really going to help in his development as he's not going to get bigger in Jr, he's not going to adjust to the speed of the game in Jr, and he's not going to get used to the physicality of the NHL in Jr either.

That doesn't mean that they should necessarily keep him here either though.
- HonkFortheGoose

Fair enough, but the difference with Backstrom, though, is that they stuck with it. While I don't like putting him on the 4th line, I don't think you can say the guy hasn't done enough to stay here with that kind of ice time. He's never really been put in much of a position to succeed. And the difference with Backstrom is, in 2007-2008, the Capitals were making a push to contend. They weren't expecting a lottery pick that year. What exactly are the Sabres afraid of? More losing?

Does Eichel stay in college? Or does he go NHL Right away?
- ImThatGuy

NHL ..

Fair enough, but the difference with Backstrom, though, is that they stuck with it. While I don't like putting him on the 4th line, I don't think you can say the guy hasn't done enough to stay here with that kind of ice time. He's never really been put in much of a position to succeed. And the difference with Backstrom is, in 2007-2008, the Capitals were making a push to contend. They weren't expecting a lottery pick that year. What exactly are the Sabres afraid of? More losing?
- buffalofan19

I guess at this point it's 50/50 on whether or not he should stay. The idea of having him already adjusted to everything before adding another high pick into the mix next year is appealing.

Having him in a losing environment isn't really the best situation either.

You do remember Orton spotting Detroit 7 points with a pick 6 right?

And the fact that they missed 3 FG's helped us some.

Speaking of having to make an amazing catch, do you not remember Sammy reaching behind his body and deflecting a ball up to himself to put us in range for a 58 yard FG?

This is what I find funny. Orton is obviously better, but not by a lot.
- sbroads24

Speaking of Orton, his play action fake to the fullback and pass to Lee Smith in the end zone for the second touchdown was actually pretty funny. Between that and Sammy Watkins getting run down after taking his foot off the gas, the Bills had to be the favorite of fantasy owners everywhere.

While I don't like that Reinhart has been on the 4th line, I do think he's starting to look a bit more confident. That last game against San Jose was definitely his best.

Washington started Backstrom out on the 4th line and moved him up as he got more comfortable. There is no right way or wrong way to do it, IMO. It depends on the player.

I think the biggest factor for Reinhart is getting used to the speed of the game. Since one of his strong points is his hockey IQ, he needs time to get used to making decisions faster and I think we're seeing that happen.

I don't know that sending him down is really going to help in his development as he's not going to get bigger in Jr, he's not going to adjust to the speed of the game in Jr, and he's not going to get used to the physicality of the NHL in Jr either.

That doesn't mean that they should necessarily keep him here either though.
- HonkFortheGoose

Welcome to the darkside.

Hahah completely agree slowly have him work hes way up its still early nature of the game is youll have injurys when he gets his chance he should be ready. Kinda nice to see that nothings given and hell know what its like to earn it

I guess at this point it's 50/50 on whether or not he should stay. The idea of having him already adjusted to everything before adding another high pick into the mix next year is appealing.

Having him in a losing environment isn't really the best situation either.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed. I think he's going to end up going back to Juniors. If he doesn't, it's going to be completely Murray's call. I don't think the losing hurts a kid like Reinhart as much as people think. In fact, I think the losing could potentially expose him to more in-game opportunities and situations than if this team were really good. Right now, the kid simply needs to gain experience and learn from it.

Eric Staal back tonight

I really hope we don't keep that loser stewart

Agreed. I think he's going to end up going back to Juniors. If he doesn't, it's going to be completely Murray's call. I don't think the losing hurts a kid like Reinhart as much as people think. In fact, I think the losing could potentially expose him to more in-game opportunities and situations than if this team were really good. Right now, the kid simply needs to gain experience and learn from it.
- buffalofan19

Based on what we know about Reinhart, I don't think the losing thing will really bother him either. And I think as the season goes on this team ends up looking a lot more respectable than they did during the first 2 week or so of the season.

The goals and stuff will come, though they'll still struggle with it like last year. It can't possibly stay as bad as it's been so far. And I think I like the idea of him being here and learning things at NHL speed and physicality.

Based on what we know about Reinhart, I don't think the losing thing will really bother him either. And I think as the season goes on this team ends up looking a lot more respectable than they did during the first 2 week or so of the season.

The goals and stuff will come, though they'll still struggle with it like last year. It can't possibly stay as bad as it's been so far. And I think I like the idea of him being here and learning things at NHL speed and physicality.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'm starting to lean on keeping him here too. Lots of good points brought up regarding it. Still able to bring Gringo up . Injuries wil happen .

Reinhart needs to go down his body will get destroyed here he needs to get bigger this summer ..

let him captain his team and world jrs ..and play top line minutes

Reinhart needs to go down his body will get destroyed here he needs to get bigger this summer ..

let him captain his team and world jrs ..and play top line minutes
- gerbe75pts

They could always keep him up here and loan him to Team Canada when the time comes as well. I really don't know what to do with him tbh but I think Murray knows what's best so whatever decision he makes I'll be content with

Reinhart needs to go down his body will get destroyed here he needs to get bigger this summer ..

let him captain his team and world jrs ..and play top line minutes
- gerbe75pts

Ennis disagrees with your "size requirement"

I do too. However Manuel was 2-2.

Orton has had the luxury of playing the Vikings and Jets in 2 of his 3 wins.

Manuel starts came against teams with a record of 16-14
Orton's competition has a record of 15-15
- sbroads24

Manuel nearly got 2 receivers killed in the Bears game. The trend continued in the next 3. There is no way we'd have a winning record if that continued.

Ennis disagrees with your "size requirement"
- cabin

he is not ennis though .

he is not ennis though .
- gerbe75pts

Correct. he is better than Ennis.

i can't wait till we cut EJ so we can stop talking about the bum

Correct. he is better than Ennis.
- ImThatGuy

I know that lol..

but he just is not ready for the NHL why rush him

Orton is not Tom Brady. That's not news. We once lost a game at home to the Browns 6-3 against a QB who went 2 of 17. I prefer winning.
- Buffalo-Sabres

I believe there was a blizzard during that game

I believe there was a blizzard during that game
- homiedclown

yep