COMMENTARY
Jauron risked Edwards for poor reason
Column as I see ’em:
• We all know Dick Jauron is a conservative man. But the Bills’ coach took it to ridiculous lengths Sunday against the Chiefs. Jauron sent quarterback Trent Edwards onto the field with 7:56 left in the game and his team leading, 54-24. They even had him throwing on the first play.
Why would they expose Edwards to potential injury in a blowout? Edwards suffered a concussion earlier in the season. It was even more foolish when you consider that the Bills’ previous series had ended with a roughness penalty against the Chiefs. As the Bills took the field, Marshawn Lynch had to be restrained from going after KC players.
“We did what we needed to do to win a game,” Jauron said. “That was all we were trying to do. Clearly, we have a young quarterback, too, who needs to see situations and needs to finish games. I’ve witnessed 14 points in 40 seconds.”
Wow. The man loves to insult our intelligence. Sure, teams can score twice in a short period of time. But 30 points in seven minutes? That’s how little faith he has in his team? And what “situation” did Edwards need to see? If Edwards has been needlessly injured, now that would have been a situation.
• I get a little tired of hearing the Sabres talk about how vital it is to have their young players spend at least a year in the minor leagues, as if it’s hockey gospel. Look around the NHL. There are plenty of examples of young kids (Patrick Kane, for one) playing right away and making big contributions.
• Tony Gonzalez was crushed when he didn’t get moved at the trade deadline. But it certainly didn’t affect his motivation. In six games since the deadline, the Chiefs’ great tight end has 44 catches for 503 yards and four TDs. You saw him Sunday. Don’t you think he could be helping the Bills’ offense right now?
• It was nice to see the voters get it right and give the AL MVP to Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox. Yes, I’m biased — in favor of second basemen who hit for average and power, run well, and are great fielders. I felt Roberto Alomar deserved at least one MVP in Toronto.
• The Jets look like the class of the AFC after winning in Tennessee. The Giants are clearly the best team in the NFC. Don’t look now, but we could have a Super Bowl between the two New York City teams this year — on the 40th anniversary of the Joe Namath guarantee.
• The Celtics certainly aren’t suffering from any NBA championship hangovers. They’re beating teams in numbing, methodical fashion. Nobody scores against these guys down low with Kevin Garnett playing help defense. The Celts and Lakers have both won nine of 10, so we could be looking at a second straight Boston- L. A. final in the spring.
• It was a whirlwind weekend for University at Buffalo football graduates, too. Jamey Richard started at center for the Colts against the Chargers on Sunday. That’s a daunting assignment, making the line calls with Peyton Manning at quarterback, changing plays at his every whim. At one point, Manning was visibly angry at Richard for failing to snap the ball and forcing him to call timeout.
• Marc Gasol (Memphis) and Rudy Fernandez (Portland), two of the NBA’s most effective rookies, played on the Spanish Olympic team that lost to the USA in that epic final in Beijing. Clearly, that team had talent. Just think if Toronto’s Jose Calderon, who is second in the league in assists and a perfect 40 for 40 from the foul line, hadn’t missed the gold-medal game with an injury.
• The Sharks are off to one of the best starts in NHL history. Evidently, they’re getting along OK without Brian Campbell and Craig Rivet.
• There seem to be more NBA teams clearing cap space for LeBron James and the 2010 free-agent class than competing for the title.
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