The Buffalo News: Sports Columns

Favre’s itch getting under Pack’s skin: Allen Wilson

Updated: 07/09/08 6:59 AM; Imagine you’re Aaron Rodgers. Since Brett Favre announced his retirement in March, you have been operating under the assumption that you are going to be the new starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

Spellbinding match was a masterpiece: Allen Wilson

Updated: 07/08/08 6:50 AM; To the avid tennis fan, Wimbledon is must-see TV. It is, after all, the granddaddy of all Grand Slam tournaments. But the performances by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in Sunday’s final had to make even the most casual observer sit up and take notice.

A Rivers runs through Celtics’ rise: Allen Wilson

Updated: 06/19/08 6:39 AM; Doc Rivers was “the other coach” in this year’s NBA Finals. Rivers’ bench skills were widely believed to be inferior to Phil Jackson’s. Jackson owned nine NBA championships, while Rivers coached in only one playoff series before this year.

Bob Dicesare

Price isn’t so right in sports: Bob DiCesare

Updated: 11/10/08 6:36 AM; Fast food for thought . . .

Penn State’s perfect mark is deceiving: Bob DiCesare

Updated: 11/07/08 6:57 AM; All signs point to Penn State playing in the BCS Championship Game, so it could be that here we go again. Another team from the Big Ten sent for the ritual sacrifice. Oh, well. Savor this slim beam of sunshine: This time there’ll be no bearing witness to the destruction of Ohio State while the title of No. 1 in the nation beckons.

Bob DiCesare: UB leaves another foe in blue state: By Bob DiCesare

News Sports Columnist

Updated: 11/05/08 8:14 AM; Circumstances dictated that the University at Buffalo do more than win a football game Tuesday night. The Bulls needed to break from home-field convention and conquer Miami in convincing fashion, building significant momentum for two upcoming road contests that will define their teeter- totter season.

No catch: get the ball to Evans: Bucky Gleason

Updated: 11/19/08 6:49 AM; Here’s what three wasted time-outs can bring a day after watching the Bills lose on Monday Night Football:

Kotalik could miss a few weeks: By Bucky Gleason

NEWS SPORTS REPORTER

Updated: 11/17/08 7:27 AM; The Buffalo Sabres could be without Ales Kotalik until next month after the veteran right wing suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend. The prognosis sounded much better for center Tim Connolly, who has been nursing a bruised chest. Neither made the trip to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Inside the NHL: Stage seems set for Burke’s move to Toronto: Bucky Gleason

Updated: 11/16/08 10:18 AM; Brian Burke resigned last week as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks for personal reasons, which was surprising only in its timing. For years, he has talked about living closer to his four children from his first marriage and spending more time with his wife and their two young kids.

Bills’ play an extension of their coach: Jerry Sullivan

Updated: 11/20/08 6:13 AM; Dick Jauron’s pronouncements have become as predictable as his schemes. But after more than three weeks, I figured it was worth a try. Once more, Dick, can you say anything about the contract extension?

This is no time for Bills’ emotions to run dry: Jerry Sullivan

Updated: 11/17/08 6:33 AM; As of Saturday, it wasn’t looking good for Donte Whitner. The Bills safety, who separated his shoulder late in the Jets loss, could barely lift his arms above his head in catching drills. He is questionable, very questionable, for tonight’s game.

Gill’s success puts pressure on Witherspoon: Jerry Sullivan

Updated: 11/16/08 5:28 AM; UB. Bowl eligible. Who could have imagined it just a few short years ago? Who could have envisioned a day when Buffalo sports fans would be calling and e-mailing one another to ask, “Did you see it? Did you see that football game last night?” — and talking about the Bulls, not the Bills?

Little immediate help available for secondary: By Mark Gaughan

Updated: 11/14/08 6:48 AM; Question: Do you think the Bills will pursue a more dependable nickel/backup cornerback via free agency with the injuries to Ashton Youboty and Donte Whitner, and the inexperience of rookies Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner? Could the same be said for a pass rushing defensive end with the uncertainty of Aaron Schobel’s foot and a recently lackluster pass rush? If so for either, who? — Ryan Corbelli, Elma

Early finish reason to pop the cork: Mike Harrington

Updated: 10/31/08 6:46 AM; PHILADELPHIA — There was something very different about being in the Phillies’ clubhouse ducking all the flying champagne Wednesday night. (Memo to self: Standing in a media scrum right next to Brad Lidge is a sure way to get soaked).

Coste writes a new chapter to his impressive story: Mike Harrington

Updated: 10/26/08 7:40 AM; PHILADELPHIA — You want the feel-good story of this World Series? I know the national media is properly making a big deal about 45-year-old Jamie Moyer. This corner, however, feels totally provincial about Chris Coste.

Surprise! Few saw Rays, Phillies coming: Mike Harrington -- News Baseball Columnist

Updated: 10/21/08 5:22 PM; ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — I was here for the first game in the history of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. I’ve never seen a baseball game in Tropicana Field since. That will change come Wednesday night, when the Rays (minus the Devil) meet the Philadelphia Phillies in Game One of the World Series. What an odd cycle.

Sports on the Air: Jaworski enjoying bigger role: By Alan Pergament

News TV Critic

Updated: 11/15/08 10:09 AM; Like Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski is getting much more to do in his second year on the big stage.

Sports on the Air: Short finale pulled in the viewers: By Alan Pergament

Updated: 11/01/08 8:12 AM; This is what I’m thinking: • Buffalo television viewers seem to have embraced the idea that Major League Baseball should consider playing three inning games. Kidding. Sort of.

Bills fans share blame for team’s play: Updated: 11/16/08 5:28 AM; Cruel reality has returned to Buffalo Bills fans. That early season euphoria has run its course. The Buffalo Bills have become mediocre but they shouldn’t have. Let’s face it, it’s the Bills fans who put them on the pedestal. We’re the ones singing their praises to the rest of the nation and bragging that we’re No. 1. Enough is enough. This game against Cleveland is the Bills’ “Line in the sand game.”

Bills’ ship has many leaks: Updated: 11/16/08 5:28 AM; Jerry Sullivan was right. The

Time for Bills to try new tricks: Updated: 11/16/08 5:28 AM; Seems the Bills prepare for a game the same old way. No wrinkles, no stunts, no outside pass rushes, no new plays that might work.