I think no matter what, the fact the Bills were aggressive and landed the top defensive free agent since Reggie White is a win for them, regardless of how he competes on the field moving forward. This is a business move as much as it is a football move. Even Bills fans who have been used to losing have started to lose interest, a move like this is re-energizing and hopefully other free agents will take notice that Buffalo isn't a hole in the wall like the perception is. People forget that Green Bay was the place every free agent wanted to avoid before Reggie White landed there, now look at them.

Williams was excellent in his press conference and he is exactly the kind of super star you want to be paying good money to, seems like he has a very level head on his shoulders. Team guy. Apparently he is the hunting type and took a visit to Jim Kelly's house who is also a big hunter himself, and that was one of the selling points he liked a lot.

Bills arent Super Bowl contenders, but they surely are playoff ones now, baby steps. Sorry this got a little more long winded than I wanted.
- Gunner Staal

You said the samething about the Fitzpatrick signing.

Nice win last night. Team came up big and especially Fleury. It looks very promising from a depth view moving foward into the playoffs.
- powerhouse

Good game, but not without flaws. At times it was a clusterf*ck in our own end with too many turnovers. I also think Bylsma screwed with the lines too much causing confusion at times.

One thing I really liked was Crosby approached the game a little more cautiously. He was quick to move the puck and didn't get so physically involved. I thought the first time around he wanted to prove he was healthy and he went over-board in the physical department.

I don't blame the Rags fans for being in a sour mood having to listen to the Crosby suck fest, but beyond that, they are the whiniest fans on this site....by far. Now they know what it's like to hear the national media blow the Yankees every year.....I imagine they're ok with that however.....

You said the samething about the Fitzpatrick signing.
- dbell646

Nah, Fitzpatrick is a stop gap for the on the field portion of things. But yes, the fact they are giving out these contracts is indeed a big deal. It started with Kyle Williams and Fitzpatrick and has continued on to Stevie Johnson and Mario Williams. This is a real change in philosophy from what the norm has been.

Good game, but not without flaws. At times it was a clusterf*ck in our own end with too many turnovers. I also think Bylsma screwed with the lines too much causing confusion at times.

One thing I really liked was Crosby approached the game a little more cautiously. He was quick to move the puck and didn't get so physically involved. I thought the first time around he wanted to prove he was healthy and he went over-board in the physical department.

I don't blame the Rags fans for being in a sour mood having to listen to the Crosby suck fest, but beyond that, they are the whiniest fans on this site....by far. Now they know what it's like to hear the national media blow the Yankees every year.....I imagine they're ok with that however.....
- madmike71

I won't get to bent out of shape about the constant line changes within one specific game, I just hope it doesn't become a trend. Its one thing to spot a few shifts with Staal and Sid together or Geno and Sid, its another when each line coming out seems like a different combination.

I won't get to bent out of shape about the constant line changes within one specific game, I just hope it doesn't become a trend. Its one thing to spot a few shifts with Staal and Sid together or Geno and Sid, its another when each line coming out seems like a different combination.
- Gunner Staal

There was a point in the 2nd period last night where the line chainging affected the team and cuased the Rags to carry the play for a while

Good game, but not without flaws. At times it was a clusterf*ck in our own end with too many turnovers. I also think Bylsma screwed with the lines too much causing confusion at times.

One thing I really liked was Crosby approached the game a little more cautiously. He was quick to move the puck and didn't get so physically involved. I thought the first time around he wanted to prove he was healthy and he went over-board in the physical department.

I don't blame the Rags fans for being in a sour mood having to listen to the Crosby suck fest, but beyond that, they are the whiniest fans on this site....by far. Now they know what it's like to hear the national media blow the Yankees every year.....I imagine they're ok with that however.....
- madmike71

I'll let the line change thing go for a couple of games, but they have to settle in to usual lines at some point soon.

The one area last night that bothered me was play at the blue lines. Instead of making sure the puck was out of their zone, and making sure it was deep in the Rangers' zone, they seemed to get too cute at times.

Nah, Fitzpatrick is a stop gap for the on the field portion of things. But yes, the fact they are giving out these contracts is indeed a big deal. It started with Kyle Williams and Fitzpatrick and has continued on to Stevie Johnson and Mario Williams. This is a real change in philosophy from what the norm has been.
- Gunner Staal

I'll give you Mario he is a certified player. But fitzpatrick was nothing more than a journeyman who had a descent start to last year and they overpaid him big time. I commend them for giving out contracts but the Fitzpatrick deal isn't one that helps that franchise. Unless he is truly the player that started the season last year. Stevie Johnson is a solid receiver.

I'll give you Mario he is a certified player. But fitzpatrick was nothing more than a journeyman who had a descent start to last year and they overpaid him big time. I commend them for giving out contracts but the Fitzpatrick deal isn't one that helps that franchise. Unless he is truly the player that started the season last year. Stevie Johnson is a solid receiver.
- dbell646

The Bills can get out of Fitzpatrick contract whenever with the way the contract language is written. He broke his ribs in the Washington game and wasn't the same after it. He is a suitable stop gap for the present time.

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...Qz2.EnCfOx54_kimeXe_.uLYF

The Bills can get out of Fitzpatrick contract whenever with the way the contract language is written. He broke his ribs in the Washington game and wasn't the same after it. He is a suitable stop gap for the present time.

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...Qz2.EnCfOx54_kimeXe_.uLYF
- Gunner Staal

Just saying he could have been had for around 2-3 million

Just saying he could have been had for around 2-3 million
- dbell646

Meh, not my money and they arent in cap trouble. He won't be the starter in two years anyways.

It's nice to look at the NHL standings, and in the "Last 10" column seeing 10-0-0 for the Pens.

Two more really big games this weekend.

It's nice to look at the NHL standings, and in the "Last 10" column seeing 10-0-0 for the Pens.

Two more really big games this weekend.
- rival22

Its nice and all, but they could be better...

Its nice and all, but they could be better...
- Gunner Staal

Not sure I get you here? Sarcasm?

Not sure I get you here? Sarcasm?
- powerhouse

Yes.

It's nice to look at the NHL standings, and in the "Last 10" column seeing 10-0-0 for the Pens.

Two more really big games this weekend.
- rival22

It's been odd but is has seemed that during this run they have been overlooked. I was watching highlights the other night and they called the Blues and Dallas the hottest teams in the league with no mention of the Penguins having been 9-1-0 in their last 10 and having won 9 straight.

Here is to hoping Botterill stays around until after our big players get extensions. But he is going to get a job as a GM, sooner rather than later. He is the #2 prospect on new potential GM's.

http://www.usatoday.com/s...ger-candidates/53562872/1

Its nice and all, but they could be better...
- Gunner Staal

Let's make it 11-0... I really want to see them prove they can handle the devils. that team is such a thorn in their sides.

Let's make it 11-0... I really want to see them prove they can handle the devils. that team is such a thorn in their sides.
- madmike71

esp. since there is a decent chance we can meet them in the playoffs. need the monkey off of our back

Adam Schefter ‏ @AdamSchefter
A plane is flying to Durham from Denver. Peyton Manning is in Durham. Broncos coming from Denver

Good statement game, now we have two more in a row. This schedule with all the meaningful games at this time of the year is playing out exactly how the schedulers wanted it to it seems.

If I am going to miss a Penguins game because of the St. Patrick's Day parade, I am glad it is a Devils game.

I was reading the Rags blog and a couple of those guys feel that Nisk tripped Gaborik on that potential break away. I thought the replay clearly showed Nisk got the puck when he dove to the ice. The puck clearly was knocked away from Gaborik. If Nisk doesn't get the puck first it's a trip for sure. Anybody else have thoughts on that?

If I am going to miss a Penguins game because of the St. Patrick's Day parade, I am glad it is a Devils game.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, that game will only be watched if it is on at a bar and that is highly doubtful considering March Madness has started. As you are, I am glad its the devils.

Let's make it 11-0... I really want to see them prove they can handle the devils. that team is such a thorn in their sides.
- madmike71

A decisive win against the devils will make me feel a lot better about a possible playoff matchup at some point, plus the Devils are only 4 points behind us.

And then Philly, is only 2 points back and have some very winnable games after Sunday.

It's amazing, a 10 game winning streak really hasn't done much to distance the Pens from anyone.

I was reading the Rags blog and a couple of those guys feel that Nisk tripped Gaborik on that potential break away. I thought the replay clearly showed Nisk got the puck when he dove to the ice. The puck clearly was knocked away from Gaborik. If Nisk doesn't get the puck first it's a trip for sure. Anybody else have thoughts on that?
- madmike71

He got puck first, it wasn't a trip. The elbow mas a pretty bad missed call though. Either way, we scored 5, all at even strength and they scored 2. That's why they lost. They whine more than anyone else on this site and I love laughing at them. I want so bad to be the team to end their season. They can wish career ending injuries on our team as we move on and they start planning the draft.