what grandpa ralph gave us for new years

Yes, it's apparently official. Dick will be back in the house for the 2009 season. I was going to take some time tonight to post on sunday's game-day experience (windiest friggin day i've ever seen) and, of course, the tailgate. But, since the announcement that Dick will be back next year (the news being scattered amongst reports of The Chin meeting with the JEsTS), i find myself uninspired to post. I am sorry. I will be back.

- a very dissapointed Pohono

How cold is it??

Sometimes its hard to watch Bills football because of the play on the field...today's its tough because of the elements. Bravo Pohono and Lady Pohono!!

Pass Anyone?

Halfway through the game and there are a combined 8 pass attempts by both teams today...fewest attempts in the NFL since 1991. Pohono is still reporting 50mph gusts in the stadium, and the kicking game is his proof. Missed fieldgoals by both teams are some of the highlights from the first half, along with 100 rushing yards by Fred Jackson.

Above is a picture taken by Pohono from our seats.... brrrrrrhhh. Go Bills!!!

Early Report from Orchard Park

Due to monsoon like conditions in lot 1 this morning, Pohono has asked Hobo to assist in posting today. The early report has winds gusting at 50mph, rain blowing sideways, the roof starting to blow off the field house (see picture above), and Pohono and Lady Pohono hunkered down inside the truck with no flagpole erect. Hobo has a strong feeling that a deal is being negotiated by Lady Pohono at this very minute for a warm weather game in 2009...especially following the arctic-like temperatures in Philly last year and the current rainstorm she is experiencing. Hopefully extra large coffees at Tim Horton's were purchased this morning.

Rain, snow, sleet or hail, there is nothing that is going to stop Pohono and Hobo from being Buffalo Bills fans. Patriots suck, let's go Bills!!!

Lady Pohono in the HOUSE!!!

Thats right friends, Hobo ain't making the trip. For the second year in a row, lady pohono will experience a Buffalo Bills game in week 17. some day, i guess i oughta take her to a warm-weather game...

GO BILLS!!!

Merry Christmas

May santa bring Dick a nicely wrapped pink slip for christmas!!!!

Pohono and Hobo are making plans for the NE game on sunday - Lot 1 at 8am.

Turns out a few friends from central PA are going to be at the game as well - GO BILLS!!!

No more room for Dick

I will never, ever actively root against the Bills, even if it means getting a higher pick in the subsequent season's draft. That being said, part of me would not have been upset if Buffalo had lost yesterday. As much as the Bills players may genuinely respect Jauron and play their hearts out for him, his career losing record and play-calling cannot be ignored.

I'll be pulling for the team again this weekend. However, if a loss results in getting rid of the coach, I won't lose sleep over it.

What can a Bills fan say???

Let me set the scene for you, Bills fans...

Pohono had to be at church for the christmas concert (lil' miss pohonette sang like an angel in the cherub choir, by the way) at 5:30. That meant leaving the houst a little after five. Four o'clock game. I had the vast displeasure of hearing the first quarter of the game - yes, that quarter. the one where the broncos outgained the bills 213 yards to - 2. yes, you read that right. NEGATIVE 2. so it was with very little disappointment that i shut down the computer to get dressed and head to church...

but a bills fan has to look at the carnage. you know what i'm talking about. i snuck out the blackberry (c'mon, don't judge. you would have done it too). i checked it twice. i found out things were goin' from naughty to nice! imagine my surprise when we pulled close by the end of the first half?

imagine my pleasure when we pulled ahead?

imagine my attempt to stay in my seat when we intercepted (gotta love mitchell) to kill their drive?

imagine my glorious exuberant singing of "Joy to the World" when the boys from B-lo held up on fourth down to keep the tying score out of the endzone!!!!

but of course, the best part of the concert was that lil' pohonette singing up front. yes, i'm a bills fan. but i'd miss a game any day to watch the kids sing!

countdown - Bills/Pats. Pohono and Hobo will be packing the warm stuff for that game!!!!

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least they are consistent

Random thoughts on this, another in a string of embarassing moments for the Bills...

1 - JP Losman was brilliant... for one drive. The rest of the game, and especially when it mattered, he folded/caved/wept like a little girl.

2 - Dick was... well. dick was dick. Run game is all over them, so lets put it in JP's hands to pass when the game is all but ours.

3 - JP is gone after the season, let him ride the bench for the rest of the season. Dick needs to be gone at the end of the season. or now. give us more time to find somebody with the ability to drive the talent on this squad. Dick is soft, indecisive, and meek. His team has taken on that persona. Same team, fired up coach, and we are in the playoffs.

4 - I wish i could have the past 3 hours of my life back. i had so much i COULD have done...

5 - I am looking forward to the tailgate at one bills drive on 12/28. the game, i could take or leave.

6 - no matter how many times i believe "this is the time", they find a way to rip my heart out. why am i still surprised by it...

Ah, what the hell. GO BILLS!!!!!

I try and get out, but they keep pulling me back in!

After the last two weeks, scoring three points in each game, i was kind of glad that i didn't need to spend my Sunday afternoon worrying about the Bills. Instead of spending time listening to the local radio feed, i was going to be productive. But then CBS decides to make the game the national game. So, as a fan, i have to watch.

Then the first 3 minutes of the game go by. Then the next 5 minutes. And by the end of the first quarter, i'm ready to call it quits, walk away, be productive. And they start to come back. and they make it a game at the half.

So i stay. I am not productive. Now, there are 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter, and we lead by three. and still i sit here. and am not productive.

GO BILLS!!!!!!!

Can I have a glass of water?

I need to wash the taste of vomit out of my mouth. Thats right, i am watching the Bills/Jets game. The one that started 3 minutes ago, and has already featured a 25 yard Farve run (more like a lumber than a run), and an easy Jets touchdown. How can the bills be this bad? oh, thats right. it starts at the top...

Planning for 2009 - why not...

Bills Fans, here's what it will take for the Bills to make the playoffs this year.

If the Bills win out and finish 9-7, the Patriots lose out and finish 8-8, and the Dolphins and Jets each lose their next two games and tie against each other in Week 17 to each finish 8-7-1, Buffalo (9-7) wins the AFC East and qualifies for the postseason.

thats right, the Phins and Jets need to play to a tie in week 17. Who is feeling confident about this scenario happening??? That, friends, is why Pohono and Hobo have already started discussion on next years plans.

Fact: Even with the terrible leadership of the team, Hobo and Pohono are renewing. We love us some tailgaiting!

Fact: Suhoski is all on board with joining us in the season experience in 2009.

Fact: Pohono and family bought a camper, and we'll see y'all opening day in the camper lot.

GO BILLS!!!

We're sucking, eh?

It seems that the Toronto Bills are no better than our beloved Buffalo Bills. From what i've heard on the local Buffalo radio broadcast, this is shaping up to be an ugly game. Moorman will have a career day with his punts deep in our own territory, but other than that it's not looking to be a good day, bills fans.

So lets focus on the positive. While we want a win, and cheer for a win, maybe if we stink the place up Ralph will get fed up and (a) fire Jauron, and spend some money on a proven coach, or (b) get REALLY fed up, call Jim Kelly, and sell the damn team. then, as would only be logical, Kelly would fire Jauron, and our dream of (a) would come true as well.

c'mon. this team went 5-1, and in the ensuing 6 1/2 games has been out played, out prepared, and out coached. i'm done.

(that being said, pohono and hobo will most certainly be renewing our season tickets, not for the team, but because we just friggin' love to tailgate).

i'm hungry for catfish.

The question of the week

Will our fearless Hobo and Pohono visit Canada this weekend?

How does that happen?

How, friends, do the Buffalo Bills lose against the San Francisco 49ers? How????? First west coast team to come east and win this year. We, my friends, have a LOT of work to do before we are a remotely good team.

Heading to the Patriots game in week 17 seems to have less meaning now than it did 5 weeks ago...

But, as a true fan is always a fan, i still say...

GO BILLS!!!!!

Where will we draft?

Watching the 49'ers game, and just can't believe how bad we look. Seriously - even if we come out of this game with a win, we will be swept in the division over the next few weeks. This team is playing poorly. And when the most consistent guy on the team (Lindell) has now missed 2 fieldgoals, we can't even get our 3's on the board. Ouch.

No regrets on investing in season tix - we'll renew for next year, especially since Pohono just bought a camper so we can rock the camper lot in style... but i wish my ticket and merchandise money would be put to better use by old ralphie and his minions.

we'll save the anti-ralph and anti-jauron rants for the offseason to keep the blog interesting...

BEAST MODE!!!

Game Day Photos!

While we wait to see what happens in tomorrows game, and if Trent gets his head on straight, thought i'd post a few more pics from the Monday Night game...

Hanging out just before heading into the stadium for kick off...

It was, in two words, friggin cold...

Have you ever seen a more beautiful sight?

Good times...

For some reason unknown to the rest of us, Hobo decided to pick Shiney up over his head. That, my friends, didn't work... Shiney had to call an injury time out...


Introductions - GO BILLS!!!


Stadium Fireworks - much more impressive on the broadcast with a view from the helicopter!

Opening KickOff - Go BILLS!!!!

A picture is worth a thousand words... i tried to take a pic of this sign, my favorite in the stadium, during the Jets game. Unfortunately, there were six dudes urinating in the sink. Irony, yes, but i don't take pics of dudes urinating!

Post-Game. The snow started in force...

Second time, same as the first, a little bit clearer and a little bit worse!

I'm watching the game on the DVR. i gotta say, it's as painful two nights later in high-def as it was in the stands on Monday. Edwards has so much talent, but seeing him scared to throw is ugly... D looks good, though, as does special teams. thats the only way we were still in the game.


D-Biz and i arrived around 2:00am after fighting through some heavy snow on the drive up. our boys Hobo and Shiney had partied all day (random fact - Hobo ended up parking the camper right next to a bunch of guys that included his old college roommate...) and headed to the Big Tree Inn for some warmth. They had just gotten back to the camper when we arrived - hung out for a while, then it was time to crash. Got the "whazzup" from hobo just before he and shiney snuggled up for the night.


See, here's the thing - we had borrowed a pop up camper (i think i might have mentioned in an earlier post that it was friggin cold). thats 4 dudes, 2 beds. at one end of the camper, Pohono and D-Biz zipped up in their bags using a "man card approved" head-to-toe arrangement. at the other end of the camper... well, you get the idea. C'mon, now. HEAD-TO-TOE, BOYS, and NO SNUGGLING!!!!



Morning dawned COLD. and about 3 hours later we got up to start the day... A good cuppa joe gets the day going while we figure out where we're gonna find the heat! (in case you wondered - there was none!) whats a guy to do? (if you've read the blog at all, you know the answer... EAT!)



A few (10) pounds of wings later, the boys were feeling good! toss the football till winded (about 3 minutes), go eat some more. toss the football, cook some brats. toss the football, open up the lime tortillas and salsa. get the picture? you only have 12 hours to tailgate, ya gotta get it all in!




enough for now - more pics (and a video you won't want to miss) later on...

Get Trent a Shrink!!!

Pohono, Hobo and friends are back safely from the Monday Night experience. I know y'all are looking for some pictures, and trust me, there are some on the way. Tonight, though, i just don't have it in me to post them... Natedogg - i know you're reading... good to see ya, hope you made it home safely.

The camper lot was COLD, friends. VERY COLD. it didn't help, of course, that we were staying in a pop-up camper with no power, no heat and really no insulation. there are stories. there are pictures. there are memories. another night...

my only words of wisdom: you CANNOT win in the NFL when your quarterback is scared to throw the ball. done. end of story. if TE can't get over his mental block and start relying on his instinct (which, by the way, is outstanding!), we're going to lose a lot more games this year. that boy needs a shrink!

Oooooh, so cold!

Status Report II - Hobo just emailed a plea asking "please bring heat of some sort"! looks like Pohono and D-Biz will be paying a visit to the local WalMart before heading to the camper lot!!!

c'mon, it's only 30 mph gusts and raw temp in the low 30's... you can handle it, can't you Hobo???

last post until Pohono arrives at the camper lot!

Go Bills!!!!!

Hobo and Shiney: Status Report

Cold. Windy. And crackin' open the first brews! the pop-up camper is set up, ready to go. Weather forecast: overnight lows 27 degrees, and snow. Welcome to Buffalo!!!!

12 hours and Pohono and D-Biz will be there too!

Go Bills!!!!!!!!!!

The Rolling Turd

Today we flew back from Arkansas. Pohono's flight left Little Rock at 7am, so it was get up at 3am to drive there from Mountain View. Upon arrival at home, drove the pohono-mobile over and picked up our palatial lodging for the camper lot - a circa 1986 pop up camper being loaned to us by a co-worker. it ain't fancy, but the price is right!

my friends, you will be delighted to see pictures of the luxurious accommodations we're in for. did i mention that it's supposed to snow on Monday night? and to clarify, did i mention its a POP UP CAMPER? yup. bring the long johns.

The Poor Mans Chicken Wing

Hobo and Pohono are in training. in just a little over 48 hours, Hobo and Shiney will be on the way to Orchard Park to establish position in the camper lot. by midnight Sunday, Pohono and D-Biz will join 'em there. so we're in the final stages of training for "camper lot weekend II".

here's the thing. Hobo and Pohono are in Arkansas on business (with a coworker who has been very VERY patient with us!). Training for a camper lot weekend typically involves ingesting 2 dozen wings, and washing them down with labatts blue. those items, my friends, are not available in beautiful Stone County Arkansas. See, Stone County is dry, and i'm not sure they know what buffalo wing is. whats a guy to do?

Jo Jo's Catfish Wharf. Thats what a guy's gotta do. instead of all you can eat chicken wings, hobo and pohono rolled with the all you can eat catfish. it was time, bills fans, to man up. the first plate came. 10 fillets for each, with hush puppies, tomato relish, cole slaw, baked beans and a baked potato. Pohono and Hobo were impressed. fast forward a few minutes. empty plates, and truely time to man up. bring us some seconds, fish monger!!!! five more fillets arrived for each of us.

By the time 5 more minutes had elapsed, the men were seperated from the boys. Pohono, i am proud to say, stepped up and had his man card validated. Hobo, i am dissapointed to say, whimpered off to the ladies room and cried himself to sleep. Final tally: Ten fillets and one bite for Hobo. 16 fillets and a bite for Pohono. I'm not proud of how much i ate, my friends. I am, however, proud that i kicked Hobo's fish-eatin' a$$ to the curb...

and in case you were interested - it was Hobo's first time ever to try catfish. i'll give him a little credit for bypassing the "Hungry Fisherman" (11 fillets) and going straight for the All You Can Eat.

Camper Lot Here We Come!!!

Go Bills!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Move on, Pohono. Move on...

I find myself very blessed by the ability to move on and let go of the frustration and annoyance quickly after a game like this (and the last two...). 30 minutes and, while still dissapointed, i can look back and say "its just a game". went outside with lil' pohono and lil' pohonette, and made a big pile of leaves to jump into. very therapeutic. i recommend it to all of bills nation. even if ya don't have little kids, go make a pile of leaves, jump in it, and keep saying "it's only a game... it's only a game... it's only a game..."

that being said, trent better get his head on straight. marshawn better figure out how to get some yards, and hardy better step up and figure out this game.

GO BILLS!!!!!

I am officially sick

I don't have a lot to say - this is absolutely nauseating. so much excitement and anticipation those first 4 games. even losing to Arizona but coming back with a big win the next week was filling us with hope. now we're about to be 0-3 in the division. 1-4 in our last 5 games. Trent looks like JP, but at least JP made the occasional big play happen while he was fumbling and throwing interceptions. Don't get me wrong, i'm still a billiever in Trent, but the doubt is creeping in. we've gone from slam dunk winner in the division to holding up 4th place...

and for the third game in a row, when we are still technically in it, our D gives up dink and dunk 8 minute drives to ice the game.

sorry for my venting. Hobo and i have been emailing our disgust, and i had to get it out here as well...

here's hoping for a miracle in these last 4 minutes. otherwise, lets just focus on the tailgate for Monday Night Football in Orchard Park!!!!

GO BILLS!!!!!!!

An uninspiring start...

Pohono is sitting in central PA, listening to the game. After the Patriots march down with ease to score (on a Matt Cassell 11 yard scramble - ????), it's now the Bills ball. 3rd and a very manageable 2 yards. what happens? Our player of the year Jason Peters flinches on a false start, puts us to 3rd and 7. Unacceptable. This guy is killing us. So glad he held out for that new contract...

on the bright side, we did get the first down...

Hobo is flying to Arkansas, hope he gets somewhere he can at least see the end of the game.

What Buffalo Needs

You know it's time...

Sausage King

Focus on the Positive!

That's right, Bills Fans. Lets not focus on the negative. Lets ignore the fact that the Bills fell apart again, two weeks in a row against a divisional opponent. Lets ignore the fact that, despite holding a hall of fame QB named Brett to a mediocre game, we still gave up way too much ground and could not hold them on a must-stop drive. Lets ignore the fact that we've dropped 3 of the last 4 games. Instead, my friends, lets focus on the positive:

The Buffalo Bills fans throw the best damn tailgates in the National Football League!!!!!!!!!!!

RedGap and Pohono hanging in Lot 1 - first game in Buffalo in a long time for RedGap. If you want to know why he's called RedGap, don't ask.

Having a cold one for Hobo...

Sitting in the lot, tending to our tailgate, and these girls come walking by. For some reason, they decided to look at me (wearing my hat, thank you) and ask if I was bald... WTF? apparently their guy friends were sending them on a scavenger hunt, and we were happy to help fill the bill of "get a picture with a bald guy". We gave them two for the price of one... Don't ask what the deal is with the cowboy. i don't know...

Two dudes consuming somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 calories of junk food at the Ralph. So, of course, ya gotta drink light beer. Go Blue!

Ketchup... Mustard... Ketchup... Mustard... The legend of Pinto Ron.

The weekly pose with the legend. Dude has to smell for the rest of the week after that gets in his beard.

RedGap's first exposure to Pinto Ron. Not impressed.

Go Bills!!!!!

Lot One, my friends

Pohono and Redgap, just put the hot italian sausage on the grill in lot one. Lot is full, dudes playing cornhole on one side of us, people drinking a keg of microbrew on the other side of us. Who could ask for anything more on a fall day?

Go Bills!!!!

Countdown, NY Jets...

In 48 hours, the clock will be winding down on the Bills win over the NY Farvres... I just flew back from beautiful Minneapolis Minnesota, and looming large on my radar screen is Pohono's first visit to the Ralph since the come from behind win during camper lot weekend. GO BILLS. My buddy Red Gap and I will be heading to Orchard Park early sunday morning to give him the Lot 1 experience, and see if he can handle Pinto Ron. I think he's up for it...

Red Gap and i go way back - only attended two bills games together, though. both at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, and both resulting in losses to the Ravens. Despite the losses, though, it's always outstanding to see the Bills play.

Couple of injuries, with Reed and Schobel potentially hurting, but i still think the Bills win. The crowd at the Ralph will be tough on Farve, and i expect to be cheering a Whitner INT, and maybe one by my boy Poz too...

GO BILLS!!!!

Bad times against Miami

Bills fans everywhere, the sky is not falling. Take a deep breath. Go nurse a Labatts Blue. Life will be OK.

I have been dissapointed by Bills losses, but after watching them romp over the fish the last two years, this hurt bad. Even worse, we don't get a game in our house to crush them this year. Whatever Ralph and old man Rodgers may say, it aint a home game.

Now, I shall go get on a plane and spend some ungodly sum for a drink while I fly to, of all places, Minnesota. Could life be more depressing right now...

Oh, and screw Tedd Ginn.

Reflections from the Chargers Game

I thought I'd take a few minutes and give an update on the Chargers game that Hobo and Hobo Bro attended this past weekend. As we all know, the Bills were victorous and now boast a 5-1 record. Below are some pictures from the weekend:

After a long night of "holding down" the local Applebees and consuming "a few" Blues.

8:05am Lot 1. Nothing else like it in the world.

Leftover brawts and doggs from the Opening Weekend tailgate with Natedogg that were found in the grill.

Not much you can say about this other than "Only in Buffalo"

Where's Hobo?

Hobo bro is offically a Bills, and Labatts, fan.

Who would have guessed that when the power was lost to the stadium, Hobo would have been the first in line not to get through the gate. Hobo bro made it through and took this pic.

The view from our season ticket seats. Gotta love section 335, row 16.

Hobo and Hobo Bro celebrating another Buffalo victory.

True or False?

Yesterday on Mike and Mike, during a segment titled "True or False", the following question was asked of Mike Golic and Mark Schlereth: "True or False: The Buffalo Bills will win the AFC East"

I am pleased to report that both Golic and Schlereth didn't hesitate in answering "YES". I love it when the "experts" begin to recognize that this Bills team is for real.

GO BILLS!!!

Good times against Miami

I could bore you with stories about how I developed a passion for the Bills but I will spare you. Part of the passion for the Bills coincides with a passion for hating the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo's opponent this week. I have many memories of Bills-Dolphins games over the years and I could share them, but the link below sums they up for me too well to pass up.

Go, Bills.

http://nycbbb.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=64

SHOUT!

Two Minute Warning

Bills up 23 - 14, with the ball in the red zone. Hobo's reports from the Ralph have been great - the 12th man has stepped it up again, and the place is CRAZY!!!!

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!

Power Problems?

So Pohono's running late to get home for the start of the game, and lo and behold he gets an email from Hobo that the power at the Ralph went out about 30 min before game time, and has been off and on since then. Pohono finally gets home and tunes into the satellite radio home audio feed, and it's the broadcast team calling the game (well, actually calling the blackout) via cell phone. seems a helium balloon from the parking lot got tangled in the power lines behind the score board, and all went dark. After a 10 min delay, they started play again, with no power, no scoreboard, no game clock, and no connection to the radio station. listening to the game via cell call.

and the ref's just called the bills for a delay of game. are you kidding me? no game clock? you can't be serious...

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!

Update from Hobo, via Pohono

Update from OP

Hobo and hobo bro are chilling in lot 1, same cast of characters from week one and just as much fun. Hobo bro bought a poz jersey to fit in well with the locals. Just fired up the grill and found a surprise.... Three left over brawts and two turkey dogs left over from opening weekend with nate dogg.

Go bills, go pinto ron. 90 minutes until ketchup and mustard.....

Hobo's in college?

Just an official statement that Pohono is jealous that Hobo got tomorrows game tix, while Pohono sits home and hopes to find an internet feed of the game... Yes, old man Hobo is in Geneseo NY, hanging out at the local Applebees hoping to find his way to SUNY Geneseo's dorms to see if he can recapture some of his college glory... Tomorrow morning he is partying with Pinto Ron and the gang in Lot 1, then watching a heck of a football game. GO BILLS!

Keep the stadium LOUD tomorrow, Hobo!!!!!

Not bad for a disposable camera

The Return of Hobo

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to reintroduce myself to everyone.... I am Hobo.

You may be asking yourself, where has hobo been? What jersey did he buy? Why did he pass out with a cup on his ear and let a girl stick her tongue in his ear? All good questions that I'm here to provide answers to.1. I have been living, just doing my thing. Following the oakland game, I have watched one bills game with the local bills backers club, and one game on an illegal feed over the internet.2. Edwards throwback. Easy decision at the end of the day, however the recent signing of evans to a long term deal has new jersey (not the state) thoughts dancing in my head.3. Because I'm hobo and that's what I do best. We all have strengths and one of mine happens to be the ability to drink 20 beers, eat 40 wings, and pass out all in a 10 hour stretch.Rolling up to the chargers game this weekend with my brother, first bills and first ever nfl game for him. He'll get to see how we party in lot 1.

More to come...