(*a
summary of select stories)
By Shawn Krest
At the final Buffalo Bills minicamp, five months after head coach Chan Gailey was hired, he finally got the chance to talk to his starting running back.
“I talked to him a little bit yesterday,” Marshawn Lynch said, “just to tell him that I was going to be back and let’s get this thing rolling.”
Lynch then thought about how that statement sounded and added a small caveat. “Well, they already had it rolling,” he said, “but let me come add my wheel to it.”
By Shawn Krest
In an uncertain sport, the Buffalo Bills have more gray areas than most. Call them the AFC East’s version of the Lost smoke monster.
New coach Chan Gailey has been asked about quarterbacks: “But nothing is in concrete,” receivers: “It’s really wide open,” and defense: “There are too many ifs in that question.”
There are too many ifs in a number of areas for the Bills, but here’s a position-by-position look at the players who will be answering the questions once the games start counting.
By Charles Roberts
August, 2009. After an historic season that ended with the University at Buffalo’s first-ever appearance in a bowl game, senior running back James Starks is poised to establish himself as a top-tier NFL prospect.
But after a torn labrum wiped out his entire senior season, UB’s all-time leading rusher had to prove himself all over again. Now, after nearly a year of rehab, Starks is on the verge of realizing his NFL dream as a sixth-round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers.
By George Kuhn
In the aftermath of their disappointing playoff loss to Boston, it was apparent that the Sabres performance was well short of what it takes to compete in the NHL postseason. With some promising young prospects and a strong core, will it be enough?
By Dave Ricci
Let the games begin — again.
After a one-year hiatus, the Empire State Games (ESG) are back as Buffalo will play host to the 32nd edition of the games from July 21-25.
It will mark the first time since 2003 and fifth time overall that the Buffalo region has played host to the Olympic style athletic event that features the very best amateur athletes from across the six regions (Western, Central, Hudson Valley, Adirondack, Long Island and New York City) of the state.
By Shawn Krest
The Rochester Red Wings reached the All-Star Break mired in last place in the International League North division. The Wings suffered through a losing first half for just the third time in the last eight seasons and were flirting with the worst opening half to a season since 1984.
By Mike Fox
We’ve reached the turn of the 2010 season, meaning it’s time for our annual mid-season awards ceremony.
By Mike Fox
Every four years, we are reminded that to most of the world, a “football” is round. Interest in soccer is at an all-time high here in the States, so what better time to introduce a World Cup trivia quiz.
By Charles Roberts
You almost have to feel for a guy like Bisons infielder Mike Hessman. The 32-year-old is off to the best start in what is widely considered a storied minor-league career when a June 6 hand injury threatens to derail everything.
By Bob Caico
Another great honor for the boxers who called Buffalo their home was announced recently by the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Jimmy Goodrich will join the names of Jimmy Slattery, Paul Carr, Tommy Paul, Phil and Joe Muscato and Rocky Kansas among the total membership of 228 since the Hall’s inception in 1991.
By Chris Colleluori
Help is on the way.
That’s the short version of what took place for the Panthers — and likewise for the Rochester Americans — when the Florida franchise amassed 13 selections during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles.
The long version? That requires a brief history lesson.
By Bob Conlon
Can you hear it? The sound of the vuvuzela has been buzzing since the start of the World Cup in South Africa and hasn’t stopped since. The two foot plastic blowing horn, also known by its Tswana name of lepatata, has provided the soundtrack to soccer’s biggest stage.
Although local ears have largely been free from the sounds of the distinctive vuvuzela, back home in Rochester, the Rhinos have been involved in their own Cup chase as they entered the third round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
By David Johnson
Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow is more than just a shot-blocker these days.
Recently, the 12-year professional has gotten involved in the training aspect of soccer, as the director of coaching for Cobras FC and as a partner in Athletic Republic’s newest facility in Henrietta.
By Brian Michalek
Western New York’s Jeremy Nowak who is a Cheektowaga High alumni and graduate of Mount Olives College in North Carolina will be playing in MLB. The sensational outfielder was selected in the thirteenth round in the MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles this past June. Jeremy is fulfilling a dream, but also knows a lot is expected of him. He knows he has to stay focused, refuse to let anyone stop him from getting to where he wants to be. He has got a lot of grit, and says he refuses to let anyone get in his way.
By Adam McGill
With the outdoor track season coming to a conclusion, there were many success stories to come out of Buffalo. The area brought home several school records and even earned some national attention.
By Joe Kirchmyer
In his early teens, Steve Helmicki considered himself a bit of an undersized football player, leading him to begin training in his parents’ attic with a DP vinyl and sand weight set and a Bill Grant fitness manual. While countless other young athletes might have a similar story to tell, very few — if any — have ever taken it quite as far as Helmicki.
His passion for fitness and weightlifting would eventually lead him to national and world powerlifting titles and even some world records. In fact, he’s built a weightlifting resume that goes beyond being impressive. Statistically, he is among the all-time greats in a sport that doesn’t get a tremendous amount of exposure. If it did, he’d almost certainly be a household name by now.
By Ronald S. Montesano
In our digital world, web presence is the beginning of nearly everything. It was a pleasant surprise to find that Hickory Ridge, one of our favorite golfing getaways in Western New York, has a brand new website and a Facebook page. Word of mouth is personal, but internet identification is critical to profoundly spreading the word.
By Ronald S. Montesano
For me, there’s something about that 20A & 78 exit off route 400. I make that left turn toward Wales Center and escape from the urban world. The destination, more often than not, is Byrncliff Resort and Conference Center, although I have been known to focus my attention on a windmill or two along the way.
By Bob Salzman
In most sports, the numbers don’t lie. When it comes to harness racing in Western New York, the numbers say Jack Flanigen is the best driver around.
Flanigen is the leading driver at Buffalo Raceway in both wins and percentage. And when the Raceway’s meet ends on July 25, he is hoping to continue his successful streak with the opening of Batavia Downs on Monday, July 26.
By Rich Davenport
Summer fishing comes early to WNY, and all species are open for business. Bass, Walleye, Trout and more, see Doctari’s Fishing Forum before heading out the door!
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