Talking Buffalo

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran has an extensive interview with Buffalo Bills beat reporter Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News on a variety of personal and professional topics.

Skurski was previously a guest on the podcast all the way back on episode five last March.  When that episode aired last year it was business as usual at The Buffalo News. Not long after however, an exodus of veteran writers left the News for a variety of reasons. Skurski talks about how he and the department handled it, the sting of losing several colleagues that are also his friends and having to deal with the phony perception that the Buffalo News sports department was essentially dead following the departures.

The two then spend a lot of time talking about the Bills. Jay offers his take on how much new tight end Tyler Croft’s broken foot at the first day of OTA’s sets back the position, the Jerry Hughes extension, Ed Oliver’s expectations as a rookie and the offensive line actually being the sexy position to cover during training camp.

He also reveals a player on the roster he thinks is poised to have a big breakout season.

You can follow Jay on Twitter @JaySkurski and of course be sure to check out his work at The Buffalo News.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran is joined by contributing writer for The Athletic, hockey analyst and the first ever three-time featured guest on this podcast, Kris Baker.

The two discuss several Buffalo Sabres topics, including the hiring of new head coach Ralph Krueger.  Baker gives his insight on the hire and explains why he thinks there’s a chance for Krueger to be exactly what the Sabres desperately need.  Baker also has thoughts on why Phil Housley failed as head coach in Buffalo, putting at least some blame on a lack of talent on the roster.

They also talk about whether the Sabres will be able to re-sign Jeff Skinner, what Plan B may be if he departs, Baker’s take on several young players in the organization and he provides a peak at a handful of prospects the Sabres may target with the seventh overall pick in the NHL draft next month.

They wrap by briefly talking a little Game of Thrones and Kris pays respect to recent podcast guest Paul Hamilton.   You can follow Kris on Twitter @SabresProspects.

After that, courtesy of Sean Chandler is a non-spoiler review of John Wick Chapter 3.  Chandler is the host of the widely popular Sean Chandler Talks About YouTube channel, which now boasts over 111,000 subscribers and growing daily.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran talks with NFL Blogger and strong social media presence Lindsey OK on a variety of topics.

The two discuss Lindsey being born and raised not far from Baltimore, what got her interested in first football and later on blogging, working with Hall of Famer Ed Reed and addressing head-on a controversy Lindsey got herself into on Twitter several years ago as a youngster.

They also dive into some Baltimore Ravens talk, including Lindsey’s feelings on Joe Flacco being traded to Denver, Lamar Jackson’s passing struggles as a rookie, the departures and additions of several key players this offseason and her thoughts on new first-round draft pick Marquise Brown.

The chat wraps with a little fandom over N’Sync, dudes trying to slide into Lindsey’s DMs, the darker side of social media creepiness and her favorite thing about blogging.

You can follow Lindsey on Twitter @Lindseyyok and be sure to check out her website at www.lindseyyok.com.

After that Moran is joined by his buddy Joe (@BuffaloWins) for another installment of the “Run-In With Joe.”  Today the guys are sort of crapping on the NHL in light of Moran’s unpopular tweet on Tuesday suggesting he’d trade the Buffalo Sabres, Bandits and Bisons for a NBA franchise.

They also spend a considerable chunk of time discussing Game of Thrones, giving their takes on a final season that’s left many feeling unsatisfied, Moran goes over some show nitpicks he has before the two conclude the segment with predictions for the series finale airing Sunday night.

At the very end of the episode Moran pays tribute to Buffalo Bills super fan, friend of the podcast and friend of his in general, Ezra Castro AKA Pancho Billa, who passed away from cancer this week at the age of just 39. He’ll be loved and missed by a legion of family, friends and fans.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran interviews WGR 550 producer/evening talk host Joe DiBiase on his entry into the sports media business, his career to this point and his brand new podcast.

A native of Orchard Park, DiBiase grew up a huge Buffalo Bills and Sabre fan, teams he now in part covers for a living.  They talk about his childhood Buffalo sports fandom through going to Buffalo State College as he began his pursuit of sports broadcasting.  DiBiase discusses his college gig as Sports Director at WBNY that ultimately helped him prepare for his job at WGR 550, going from a part time producer to full time asset at the station who not only produces the afternoon show but also has one of his own on weeknight evenings from 7-9pm.

They also spend time chatting about DiBiase’s brand new “Sneaky Joe Show” podcast and we find out what the premise is, who he’s doing the show with, what his production schedule will look like and what about his show will be unique in comparison to a sports market growingly saturated with podcasts.

You can follow Joe on Twitter and get info about his new podcast at @SneakyJoeWGR and check out his work at WGR.com.

Before and after DiBiase, Moran is joined by recurring guest Aaron Quinn (@AaronQuinn716) of Cover 1. The first part has the two running down several topics, including Bills rookie camp, Lee Smith signing, E.J. Manuel retiring, the NBA playoffs and much more before they return later in the podcast for a full and fiery review of the second-to-last episode ever of Game of Thrones.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran hooks up with his Pat with Pucks partner Tone Pucks for a chat on a variety of sports and pop culture topics.

With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, Moran and Pucks (@TonePucks) sort through a list of five significant Buffalo Bills post draft team storylines with the predominant theme being competition.   They discuss in detail the brewing battle between Levi Wallace, Kevin Johnson and E.J. Gaines for a starting cornerback spot, how the NFL draft was a vote for confidence for Zay Jones and Robert Foster, how the incredibly crowded Bills backfield may play out and sift through all the team’s addition on the offensive line with several scenarios on how they’ll arrive with a starting unit, of which both Pat and Pucks urge fans to not sleep on Ty Nsekhe as the starting left tackle when the smoke clears.

They also spend some time collectively crapping on the Buffalo Sabres. Who will be the Sabres next head coach?  Pucks suggests that if Phil Housley was truly as incompetent as it appears, Jason Botterill’s next imminent retread selection may actually matter.

The two also talk a little MLB, including the surprising Minnesota Twins start and the New York Yankees staying afloat despite all the early season injuries and the Buffalo sports media news that Joe Buscaglia will be soon joining The Athletic before finishing up with several Game of Thrones takes as the epic series heads into its final two episodes.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this unique episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has an extended interview with former American Idol star Elliott Yamin ranging over a wide variety topics spanning his life and career.

The former top three finalist from of one of America’s most iconic shows of this century speaks of humble and diverse beginnings as a young child in Los Angeles before his family relocated to Richmond, Virginia at the age of 11. He describes the culture shock of switching coasts and some of the physical ailments that has plagued him since his early teen years— ear surgeries leaving him with 90% hearing loss in his right ear as well as being diagnosed with Diabetes.

Yamin credits his friends for forcing him to audition for season five of American Idol in Boston and explains the entire process, which actually consisted of three full rounds over two months before even getting to sing for Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.  After impressing the judges in a non-televised audition, Yamin went to Hollywood, where he struggled in large part because his mother was ill back home in Virginia.  After making it to the Top 24 he hit his stride during the three semi-final rounds, more-less dominating as he seemingly came out of nowhere to win America over with splendid renditions of “If You Really Love Me” and “Moody’s Mood for Love,” the former promoting Simon to say he was potentially the best male vocalist he’s ever heard on the show at the time.

Moran takes Yamin on a stroll through several of the weeks after becoming a Top 12 finalist and we learn about his experiences working with Barry Manilow, being confused after nearly going home during Queen week, his thoughts on the “A Song for You” performance that had Paula in tears and Simon calling it a vocal master class before shocking show fans by stealing the show during Top 4 Elvis week a few rounds later.

You can feel the emotion in Yamin’s voice when he talks about going home to Richmond for Top 3 week and being treated like a hero—what it meant to feel the love from an entire city that embraced him during his memorable run.

He also speaks of clashing a little bit with music mogul Clive Davis, the one thing that left him sore about being eliminated, performing during the finale with the legendary Mary J. Blige, his post-Idol career and so much more.

It’s a great interview, the longest ever on the Moran-Alytics Podcast and it really sheds light on why Elliot Yamin was and remains one of the most beloved contestants on American Idol history.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran interviews longtime WGR550 Buffalo Sabres reporter Paul Hamilton on a wide variety of topics spanning his life and career.

A radio veteran at WGR since 1994, Hamilton talks about discovering the sport of hockey at a very young age in Amherst. While his adult career has been focused on covering the sport in Hamilton’s younger years he excelled at playing it, going to Iowa State to play college hockey and eventually earning school Hall of Fame honors.  He also was invited to the 1980 U.S. Olympic team tryouts and recounts that story, including spending time playing on a line with future Olympic hero Mark Johnson.

Hamilton also discusses what led to his opportunity at WGR nearly 25 years ago and how it quickly transitioned from part time board operator to Sabres reporter—a position he’s held ever since.

The two spend considerable time on deep topics, including Hamilton losing his wife to cancer and how the support of others helped him move forward as well as a major lifestyle change and procedure a few years ago that very likely saved his life.

They also talk a little Buffalo Sabres hockey as Hamilton gives his take on who he’d like to see as the next Sabres head coach, how trading Ryan O’Reilly last summer was absolutely the right move for them to the make, and what the organization needs to realistically do this summer to improve and wipe off the stench for falling off in historical fashion this past season.

Along with some lively conversation on the pitfalls of Twitter the two wrap up with the Mini-Lightning Round, where we learn among other things Paul wishes he could rock out some Led Zepplin at karaoke, is a big Lance Allworth fan and would love to have an intimate conversation with people involved with Pearl Harbor.

You can follow Paul on Twitter @Pham1717 and check out his work at wgr550.com.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran has a full of review of the Buffalo Bills 2019 draft with CBS Sports NFL Draft Writer Chris Trapasso.

After spending some time giving listeners a chance to know Chris, a Western New York native, the two deep dive into all eight of the Bills selections from the draft.

Chris breaks down each pick, reveals how he had the prospects graded and explains how he thinks each fit into the organization. They spends considerable time talking about Buffalo’s most surprising pick, running back Devin Singletary in the third round, why Singletary was Trapasso’s highest rated running back in the draft and what it may mean going forward for Lesean McCoy.

Chris also explains what he didn’t like about the Dawson Knox pick, how surprised he was to see Ed Oliver on the board at nine, solid roster depth on the back end of the draft and much more.

You can follow Chris on Twitter at @ChrisTrapasso and be sure to check out his work at CBSsports.com.

After that Moran is joined by his buddy Joe (@BuffaloWins) for an atypical Tuesday edition of “The Run-In With Joe” on the heels of the epic Game of Thrones episode from Sunday night.

The two discuss the Battle of Winterfell, highlighting their favorite and least favorite moments, the shocking destroyer of the Night King and the somewhat lack of main character deaths during the longest and most fierce battle in television history. They also take a peek at what to expect over the final three weeks of the series.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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On this special overnight Friday/Saturday episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Pulse Cellular, Patrick Moran chats with NYup.com Buffalo Bills writer Ryan Talbot about the first three rounds of the NFL draft and more specifically how the Bills have fared.

Talbot, a recurring guest on the podcast is armed with tons of information and insight on the first four players selected by Buffalo; defensive end Ed Oliver, offensive lineman Cody Ford, running back Devin Montgomery and tight end Dawson Knox.

While mocked to Buffalo and several mock drafts in the months leading up to this week, there were numerous reports indicating Oliver would go within the first three to five picks, making his falling into the Bills lap at nine a pleasant surprise.  Talbot offers his take on Oliver as a player and fit for Buffalo while the two discuss what scenario probably would’ve played out had Oliver not been on the board.

In the second round the Bills moved up two spots to select Ford.   The two dicsuss Ford and the entirely revamped Buffalo offensive line, which now has seven new players from last season’s historically bad unit. Where will Ford fit ? Who’s likely to be on the outside looking in?

Of course, the big surprise of the draft came in round three when Brandon Beane chose Devin Singletary other prospects at tight end, wide receiver and defensive end—positions most thought they’d address before running back. Singletary’s arrival almost certainly means a veteran will be on his way out.  Will it be Lesean McCoy?

Before Friday ended the Bills traded away both their fourths to Washington to move back into the late third and select tight end Dawson Knox.  He’s a project with very little college production but Talbot raves about his physical talents.

Moran ends the segment by having beef with McCoy for spoiling the ending of one of the most anticipated movies of the decade less than 24 hours before it theaters.

You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @RyanTalbotBills and check out his work at www.nyup.com.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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This episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, presented by Pulse Cellular is (almost) entirely about the NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday.  First, Patrick Moran interviews Greg Gabriel, a three-decade veteran of NFL scouting as the two talk several prospects and positions, mostly as it pertains the Buffalo Bills.

Gabriel isn’t as high on Ed Oliver as many Bills fans and ultimately predicts the Bills’ selection at nine will come down to tight end T.J. Hockenson and offensive tackle Jonah Williams.

Gabriel also discusses the improvement of Josh Allen over his first year at quarterback in Buffalo and confesses some details missed when first evaluating him as a NFL draft prospect last year.

You can follow Greg on Twitter @GregGabe.

Sandwiched between Gabriel’s interview is Moran getting together with Aaron Quinn (@AaronQuinn716) from Cover 1.  They spend the first half of their segment discussing both the best and worst case draft scenarios for the Bills when the first round begins on Thursday night, including an incredible realistic scenario where Oliver, Hockenson and Williams are all gone before the Bills are on the clock.  They also talk about a potential trade for a defensive end and have thoughts on the signing of running back T.J. Yeldon.

Later they conduct their fourth and final four round Bills Mock Draft, done in real time with the computer simulating the other 31 teams.  The guys are faced with a tough decision at nine with both Oliver and Williams on the board.  They also have to change course when tight end Irv Smith Jr. is gone in the second round before taking a defensive end in the third along with a wide receiver and safety in the fourth, both of whom have picked in their previous mocks.

They end the segment talking a little Game of Thrones with at least a slight disagreement on the second episode before looking forward to what should be a historic Battle of Winterfell coming on Sunday.

Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets 

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