September-2010 Buffalo Edition - PDF - Sports and Leisure Magazine

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Page 6 SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE September 2010 AFC East preview: Jets ready to take over, per their head coach By Charles Roberts It seems everyone is ready to anoint the New York Jets the runaway favorites to win the AFC East. Some would go even further and perhaps pencil them in as the conference’s representative in the Super Bowl. Even bubbly (and vulgar, if you watch HBO’s “Hard Knocks”) head coach Rex Ryan hasn’t exactly been shy in saying he thinks they are the best team in the AFC. It’s not often that a team’s head coach will come out and exude such flat-out cockiness. How do the Jets’ moves and brash head coach stack up against the rest of the division? Let’s take a look. New York Jets They certainly have a lot to build off, following a 9-7 season that led them to the AFC Championship game. What’s even more impressive is they made it that far with a rookie quarterback under center. An already-strong defense added cornerback Antonio Cromartie and defensive end Jason Taylor. The offense parted ways with running back Thomas Jones, but added veteran LaDainian Tomlinson. Former Bills guard Ruben Brown receives distinguished service award Community Sports Report The Monday Quarterback Club is proud to announce that former Buffalo Bills guard Ruben Brown has been selected to receive the 25th annual Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Distinguished Service Award for the 2010 season. Brown will be honored during pregame ceremonies at the Bills-Lions game at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Nov. 14 and at the Monday Quarterback Club luncheon at HSBC Arena the next day. Ruben Brown was an outstanding guard for the Bills from 1995-2003. He played in 136 regular season games over his nine-year career in Buffalo, making eight straight Pro Bowls. He signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2004 and played four seasons there, appearing in Super Bowl XLI and the 2007 Pro Bowl before injuries forced his retirement from the NFL. He now lives in Orchard Park, N.Y. with his wife and children. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Photo by Al Pereira Much of the Jet’s season and the outcome of the AFC East could rest on the sophomore quarterbacks throwing arm. It all looks good on paper, right? Here’s what’s missing: Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis – all summer. Regardless of when Revis signs, the fact is, he is and has been a major distraction to a team that stunned the football nation a season ago. His contract squabble will likely be a focal point regardless of when he signs. This does not bode well in the locker room. The good thing is, the offensive and Distinguished Service Award was established by the Monday Quarterback Club in 1986 to honor former players for long and merito- defensive lines are rock-solid. They locked up center Nick Mangold to a seven-year, $55 million deal and return defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, who missed much of last season to injury. The major question mark for this team is quarterback Mark Sanchez. The key ratio for this team is that of his touchdowns to interceptions. This team can’t afford another 12-touchdown, 20-interception campaign. New England Patriots Head coach Bill Belichick has been shifting toward a youth movement for the last few years, but nothing drove that point home more than his actions this year; removing all the pictures and murals depicting the “Team of the Decade” that won three Super Bowls in four years from Gillette Stadium. The Patriots’ defense will be depending on the emergence of safety Brandon Meriweather, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, safety Patrick Chung and cornerback Darius Butler – all early draft picks from 2007 to 2009. In April, the team added cor- continued on page 15 Ralph C. Wilson Distinguished Service Player Award Winners Date Pos. Name 1986 DE Ben Williams 1987 G Joe DeLamielleure 1988 S Steve Freeman 1989 WR Jerry Butler 1990 G Tim Vogler 1991 QB Joe Ferguson 1992 OT Ken Jones 1993 CB Booker Edgerson 1994 CB Butch Byrd 1995 CB Tony Greene 1996 WR Frank Lewis RB Roland Hooks 1997 TE Charles Ferguson G Jim Ritcher 1998 OT Stew Barber QB/WR Ed Rutkowski 1999 G Reggie McKenzie NT Fred Smerlas 2000 LB Darryl Talley E Ernie Warlick 2001 C Kent Hull WR/KR Steve Tasker 2002 WR Don Beebe 2003 RB Thurman Thomas 2004 LB/P Paul Maguire 2005 QB Frank Reich 2006 DE Phil Hansen 2007 WR Lou Piccone 2008 S Mark Kelso 2009 WR Andre Reed 2010 G Ruben Brown rious service to the Bills. Brown becomes the 31st former Bills player to be selected for the award over the past 25 years. Collecting Memories with Mike Dyer Kemp and Simpson have top values for fans In their 50-year pro football history, the Buffalo Bills have excited Western New York fans with their longtime success on the grid-iron. The Bills have producedchampionships, energy and four Super Bowl appearances. For sports collectors, the Bills mean collections of jerseys, caps, ties, clocks, license plates, golf clubs, umbrellas and shower curtains. They collect anything with the word Bills on it. Football cards remain the top collecting targets. Naturally, the late Jack Kemp has the most demand among Bills’ card collectors. And why not? The form e r Congressman, not to mentionunsuccessfulcandidate for Vice President in 1996, directed the Bills to a gaudy 31-9-2 record from 1964 to 1966. Those were the Bills’ most productive years in the old American Football League. Kemp was voted AFL Most Valuable Player in 1965. Kemp’s No. 1 target is the 1964 Topps card. That piece of cardboard, which came with bubble gum, is selling for $200 in excellent-mint condition. Kemp cards from 1965-67 are also top goals. Their values range from $100 to $200 each. Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson, always controversial, has the fifth most popular Bills’ card. O.J.’s rookie card from 1970 will cost you $80. During his 1994 trial, that same card was going for as much as $1,000. The No. 6 card in demand is a 1964 Topps Daryle Lamonica rookie card. It is worth $60. Rounding out the Top 10 are 1965 Topps Pete Gogolak rookie card ($50); 1963 Topps Cookie A Simpson autograph from his jail cell can get the seller as much as $100. Gilchrist rookie card ($40); 1960 Fleer Elbert Dubenion rookie card ($40); and 1960 Fleer Rich Lucas rookie card ($30). A 1960 Fleer rookie card of Tom Rychlec is valued at $28 and a 1965 Topps rookie card of Wray Carllton will cost you $26. Now a TV football analyst, ex-Bill Paul Maguire sees his 1960 rookie card at $15. O.J. Simpson’s Topps cards from 1971 and 1972 go for $15 each. The rookie cards for Bruce Smith and Andre Reed (both 1986) are valued at $6 each. A Jim Kelly Topps rookie card from 1987 is also at $6. Kelly directed the Bills to 13-3 records in both 1990 and 1991. His teams were 23-9 over the next two years. And Kelly had four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl with Thurman Thomas, Reed, and Smith. For fans who collect Bills quarterback cards, the targets are Drew Bledsoe, Dennis Shaw, Joe Ferguson, Bill Munson, Vince Ferragamo, Frank Reich, Todd Collins and Trent Edwards as well as Kemp, Kelly and Lamonica. For the Super Bowl program, the 1991 Bills-Giants scorecard has the most value. It will cost you $25 for that program. The Bills’ Super Bowl programs against the W ashington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys (twice) range in value from $14 to $20 each. Media guide collectors yearn for the Bills’ 1963 media guide. A difficult-to-find Bills’ 1963 guide recently sold for $760 on eBay. Signatures are always in demand by collectors. Again Kemp signatures are the most valuable. A signed photo by Kemp can get you $100. Other items signed by the former great quarterback are valued from $75 to $100. O.J. Simpson signatures generally sell for $45. But a Simpson autograph from his jail cell can get the seller as much as $100. So check your attics and basements for Bills collectible items. There is gold out there. Mike Dyer, a retired sportswriter, can be contacted at mikedyer59@yahoo.com.
September 2010 SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE Page 7 2010-11 Atlantic Hockey season preview By David Rourke (95), blueline mainstay New York. Garrett Bartus could be Over the last five years, Carl Hudson, and 2008-09 For the Air Force looked upon to carry the Atlantic Hockey has made Atlantic Hockey Rookie of Academy, senior Jacques workload for Connecticut a name for itself in the Year Dave Kostuch, Lamoureux highlights the in net this season. Bartus Western New York. Smith has nine new faces in Falcons offensive attack. In posted a 5-14-1 record in 20 During that time, Atlantic which to integrate into a just two year with Air appearances with a 3.26 Hockey has moved its team that has its eyes set on Force, Lamoureux has GAA and a .900 save per- championship tourna- the Atlantic Hockey scored 55 goals and added centage.ment to Rochester, and Championship. 40 assists. Holy Cross found anoth- the RIT Tigers made a run Among the new faces in Sophomore Adam er young goaltending talent through the NCAA Atlantic Hockey this season Pleskach will lead American in Thomas Tysowsky. The Tournament to the are the Niagara Purple International. As a fresh- sophomore-to-be saw Frozen Four. With the addition of Niagara to the conference, Atlantic Hockey has an even Photos courtesy Atlantic Hockey Canisius’s Cory Conacher, NU’s Bryan Haczyk, RIT’s Andrew Favot. Eagles. They join Atlantic Hockey after College Hockey America disbanded after last season. Head man, Pleskach led the Yellow Jackets with 15 goals and 10 assists. He was the only player on AIC to action in 34 games with an 11-17-6 record, while posting a 2.43 GAA and a .910 save percentage. stronger presence in Ringwald and Chris Tanev. their first-ever appearance coach Dave Burkholder will notched double digits in Senior Mike Gurtler Western New York. Junior Chris Haltign in the Atlantic Hockey try and replace forwards goals. paced the Mercyhurst Last year, the Tigers cap- (Oakville, Ontario) and semifinals, the Griffs will Chris Moran (9-33-42) and Probably the youngest offense with 30 points last tured their second Atlantic sophomore Chris Saracino look to improve their finish Ryan Olidis (14-19-33) team in Atlantic Hockey, season. In 33 games he net- Hockey Regular Season title (St. Louis, Mo.) will likely as head coach Dave Smith from last year’s squad. He the Army Black Knights will ted a team-high 14 goals and first Atlantic Hockey be the top defensive pairing returns 2009-10 Atlantic will look to seniors Bryan be led by one of its six sen- while adding 16 assists. He Tournament Crown, but this season. The other ques- Hockey Player of the Year, Haczyk (Nutley, N.J.) and iors. Cody Omilusik will was the only player last sea- their season only went up tion mark this season will Cory Conacher Marc Zanette (Nobleton, provide the scoring the son to score three short- from there. In their first- be between the pipes. Jared (Burlington, Ontario). The Ontario), along with sopho- Black Knights need as last handed goals in a game. ever NCAA appearance as a DeMichiel saw action in all senior forward posted more Paul Zanette year he netted team-high 18 Senior Nathan Longpre D-I program, the Tigers but two games last season career highs last season (Nobleton, Ontario), who goals and notched 16 will lead Robert Morris into opened a lot of eyes by cap- and led the Tigers to their with 20 goals, 33 assists and all totaled 20 plus points assists. a new era this season, as the turing the East Regional run to the Frozen Four. a team-record 53 points. last year. Burkholder will With three of its top five Colonials will participate in Crown, defeating Denver Junior Jan Ropponen Fellow senior Vincent look to junior Chris scorers from a year ago their first season in Atlantic and New Hampshire, while (Espoo, Finland) and soph- Scarsella (Lackawanna), Noonan (Portage, Mich.) freshmen, Bentley will look Hockey. Longpre netted advancing to the Frozen omore Shane Madolora who scored 11 goals and 41 between the pipes this sea- to sophomore Joe team-high 14 goals and Four in Detroit. This year (Salinas, Calif.) saw limited points last year, also returns son. Noonan saw action in Campanelli to lead this added 17 assists for 31 head coach Wayne Wilson action last season, but for Canisius. In net for 18 contests last year, ending young Falcon squad this points last season. returns his two top scorers, return to help RIT make Smith and the Griffs will be the season with a 7-9-1 year. Last season In his first two years with junior Cameron Burt another run in Atlantic junior Dan Morrison record with a 3.20 GAA and Campanelli collected 10 Sacred Heart, senior Patrick (Detroit) and senior Hockey. That tandem could (London, Ontario). In 27 a .909 saves percentage. Not goals and added 15 assists, Knowlton had five goals, 12 Andrew Favot (King City, be pushed by freshman Josh games last year, Morrison only will the Purple Eagles while playing in all 35 assists and 17 points in 58 Ontario). Burt scored a Watson (Lititz, Penn.) in posted a 12-11-3 record have a new league to play in games. games. Last year in 37 team-high 16 goals and 47 net. Wilson welcomes seven with a 3.06 GAA and a .906 this season, but eight new After joining the team games he exploded for 13 points. Right behind him newcomers to a squad that save percentage. Despite faces as well. midway through the season goals, 26 assists and 39 was Favot with 46 points, returns 17 letter-winners losing Josh Heidinger, Here are some of the last year, sophomore points. on 13 goals and a team-high from a year ago. Canisius’ all-time leader in players fans should look for 33 helpers. RIT will have a The Canisius Golden points (133) and assists when they come to Western big hole to fill on the blue Griffins’ future is bright for line with the losses of Dan the upcoming season. After 2010-11 Canisius College Schedule Date Opponent Time Sun., Oct. 3 YORK (ex.) 3:00 pm Fri., Oct. 8 at Western Michigan 7:05 pm Sat., Oct. 9 at Western Michigan 7:05 pm Tue., Oct. 19 at Mercyhurst * 7:05 pm Fri., Oct. 22 at Sacred Heart * 7:05 pm Sat., Oct. 23 at Sacred Heart * 7:05 pm Fri., Oct. 29 ARMY * 7:05 pm Sat., Oct. 30 ARMY * 7:05 pm Tue.,Nov. 2 NIAGARA * 7:05 pm Fri., Nov. 5 at Connecticut * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 6 at Connecticut * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 13 HOLY CROSS * 3:35 pm Sun., Nov. 14 HOLY CROSS * 3:35 pm Fri., Nov.19 AIR FORCE * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 20 ROBERT MORRIS * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 27 at Bentley * 7:05 pm Sun., Nov. 28 at Bentley * 4:05 pm Fri., Dec. 17 at RIT * 7:05 pm Wed., Dec. 29 at Notre Dame 7:05 pm * - Atlantic Hockey Association contests All times ET 2010-11 Niagara University Schedule Date Opponent Time Sat., Oct. 2 YORK (ex.) 4:00 pm Sat., Oct. 9 MERRIMACK 7:05 pm Fri., Oct. 15 UMASS-LOWELL 7:05 pm Fri., Oct. 22 at Union 7:00 pm Sat., Oct. 23 at Rensselaer 7:00 pm Fri., Oct. 29 MERCYHURST * 7:05 pm Sat., Oct. 30 ROBERT MORRIS * 7:05 pm Tue., Nov. 2 at Canisius * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 6 vs. Northeastern ! TBA Fri., Nov. 12 BENTLEY * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 13 BENTLEY * 7:05 pm Fri., Nov. 19 RIT * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 20 AIR FORCE * 7:05 pm Tue., Nov. 23 COLGATE 7:05 pm Fri., Nov. 26 at Army * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 27 at Army * 7:05 pm Fri., Dec. 3 CONNECTICUT * 7:05 pm Sat., Dec. 4 CONNECTICUT * 7:05 pm Sat., Dec. 11 at Colgate 7:00 pm ! – Game site TBA * - Atlantic Hockey Association contests All times ET 2010-11 Rochester Institute of Technology Schedule Date Opponent Time Sat., Oct. 2 WILFRID LAURIER (ex.) 3:05 pm Fri., Oct. 8 vs. St. Cloud State ! 5:37 pm Sat., Oct. 9 at Nebraska-Omaha ! 8:07 pm Sat., Oct. 16 UMASS LOWELL @ 7:05 pm Fri., Oct. 22 at Rensselear 7:00 pm Sat., Oct. 23 at Union 7:00 pm Fri., Oct. 29 ROBERT MORRIS * 7:05 pm Sat., Oct. 30 at Cornell 7:00 pm Sun.,Nov. 7 at Air Force * 8:05 pm Fri., Nov. 12 CONNECTICUT * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 13 CONNECTICUT * 7:05 pm Fri., Nov. 19 at Niagara * 7:05 pm Fri., Nov. 26 SACRED HEART * 7:05 pm Sat., Nov. 27 SACRED HEART * 7:05 pm Fri., Dec. 3 at American International * 7:05 pm Sat., Dec. 4 at American International * 4:05 pm Fri., Dec. 10 at Mercyhurst * 7:05 pm Sat., Dec. 11 at Mercyhurst * 7:05 pm Fri., Dec. 17 CANISIUS * 7:05 pm Thu., Dec. 30 vs. Robert Morris # 3:05 pm ! – Mutual of Omaha Stampede, Omaha, Neb. @ – Game played at Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, N.Y. # - Game played at Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. * - Atlantic Hockey Association contests All times ET
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