Buffalo Bills: Things We Know This Week

If you were caught up in fake news, it was because you read the often sued scandal newspapers at the grocery store, such as the National Enquirer or Star. News on TV was journalism with integrity and not a one-sided spin on the events.

I recall traveling to Nevada post-September 11 to visit my family for a $99 round trip because people were afraid to travel for some time. Airports have changed the screening process by upgrading security measures even until today. Traveling to Canada by car became a time-consuming ordeal. The days of crossing with no identification or only needed by the driver of the vehicle were gone forever.

Entering large gatherings became a security check at sporting events and concerts. When visiting plants and factories at work , security checks and safety orientations became present or significantly elevated. The world had changed and continues to do so.

It’s hard to believe how much the world has changed over the past month with the Pandemic. Uncertainty for businesses and future events is everywhere. People don’t make eye contact at stores. Will we ever revert to a culture of shaking hands in business or hugging in our personal lives again? Listening to radio broadcasters working from home is going from a new awkward experience to the standard.

What will play out with the dozen or more NHL regular-season games plus playoffs? Will the NFL season begin on time? What happens with MLB and the NBA? How will the NFL Draft work out with everyone involved participating from home? Are we looking at many events taking place with no live audiences? Will dining out return to normal or will the normal be a more spread out dining room experience?

The fact that many people got sick before they even were trained on prevention methods or before restrictions were put in place makes one wonder if trust issues will be a holdover for years to come. People are learning a lot, both good and bad, about their fellow citizens everywhere.

Right about now I can’t even relate to days of attending concerts, being on the floor near the stage with fans pushing and shoving to gain a better view. Mosh Pits? Hello…I think not. Charging the field after big sports victories? Nope. Masks and social distancing? Yep. Bars, Clubs, private dances? Not now. When Chris Rock sang ” There is no sex in the Champaign Room”, was he being a modern George Orwell or C. Clarke and not just enormously funny? Incredible advice by Chris Rock: “If you’ve been dating a man for 4 months, and you haven’t met any of his friends yet, you Are Not His Girlfriend!”

OK, maybe Chris Rock being futuristic was pushing the envelope. He certainly would rank up there with the advice shared by Baz Luhrmann.
“If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.”

Stay tuned. Same Bat Time. Same Bat Channel. Oops, this was strictly a 1960’s Adam West Batman reference and absolutely nothing to do with Wet markets. I digress.

Things we know about the Buffalo Bills this week:

• Brandon Beane has revealed that Buffalo was already looking at Stefon Diggs at last season’s trade deadline. He indicated that they also had conversations earlier in the off-season and eventually circled back completing a trade. Diggs was not originally being shopped as he had a very recent upgraded contract signing. He would also need to be replaced which is not an easy task.
• Josh Allen is executing new leadership skills. He is in constant contact with his teammates checking on them and their loved ones. He touches base with his coaches on the offensive side of the ball for any scheduling updates. He is a very excited young quarterback and is not afraid to show enthusiasm.
• Brandon Beane did the expected stating New England is still the team to beat in the AFC East until such time that they are beaten. I would agree because they were a dominating team last season with a struggling offense. I also recall a Matt Cassel quarterbacked Patriots team winning 11 games. Later they started a season 3-1 with Jimmy Garoppolo behind center.
• Tom Dempsey, former NFL kicker who kicked a record breaking 63 yard field goal at the time, has passed away at 73 years old. He played for several teams including the Buffalo Bills. He was born with no toes on his kicking foot which makes all of his accomplishments that much more amazing.