The Buffalo Bills and Perry’s Ice Cream are predicting a fan blitz on area food stores this season for the newest flavor, Buffalo Bills Brownie Blitz. Buffalo Bills Brownie Blitz is Perry’s latest creation featuring premium French vanilla ice cream with laces of fudge and brownie pieces, all packaged in classic Bills colors.

The Buffalo Bills & Perry’s Ice Cream will hold a press conference and FREE sampling of the new Buffalo Bills ice cream flavor on Monday, July 14, at 11:00 a.m. Media and shoppers will have the first opportunity to taste the new flavor. Tops Friendly Markets, another local hometown team, will host the press conference and sampling at 2101 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. Billy Buffalo, the Bills team mascot, and Perry Winkle, Perry’s mascot, will be on hand to assist with the Buffalo Bills Brownie Blitz sampling. The ice cream sampling will end at 1:00 p.m

Might as well go and get your Blitz on, Bills fans!

Upon hearing that Trent Dilfer is retiring, we couldn’t help but feel bad for Jim Kelly. I mean, freakin’ Trent Dilfer gets to retire a Super Bowl Champion, yet Kelly doesn’t? Where’s the justice in that? It just doesn’t feel right even writing that. Dirty.

Maybe we Bills fans should start a petition that Dilfer should send his ring to Kelly. OK, that’s probably pushing it, but it still sucks that a piss-poor quarterback like Dilfer has a blingin’ S.B. ring, and Kelly doesn’t. I guess life really isn’t fair.

This won’t be Buffalo’s first try at arena football. In 1997, the city was awarded an AFL franchise, which became the Buffalo Destroyers. Despite breaking records for season ticket sales among all other arena league teams, the franchise was sold in 2003, and moved to Columbus, OH after owner Mark Hamister said the team had lost upwards of 5 million dollars in it’s final seasons.

You have to stand up and applaud Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas for staying involved with the city that made them the well off gentlemen they are today. People in the city of Buffalo will be excited to see anything that had to do with those two former superstars. They’re as popular today as they were twenty years ago, and with the right marketing, they should help this business venture go far. These teams usually consist of former local high school and college stars, and Buffalo has no problem getting behind they’re local teams. I know I’m excited to see what happens.

- Pat Duffy

Now, I don’t want to sound like a jerk, and I am really proud of Hamadan for gracing the cover of NOX, but is the best Arab American athlete really a journeyman NFL QB? So I Googled Arab American athletes, and found out that former Bills QB Doug Flutie is also an Arab American athlete. I had no idea. It seems the Bills have cornered the market on Arab american QB’s . But when it comes to Arab American athletes, Gibrian is definitely the most accomplished. A giant congrats to you Gibrian Hamadan. Here’s to more success in the future.

In other news……

The prize for our Buffalowdown fanatic contest was supposed to be announced yesterday, but I forgot it was memorial day, and I was busy cooking out and remembering all the folks that have sacrificed so much so we can live free. A hearty thanks from the Buffalowdown to those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect what we hold so dear.

So today we will announce the prize…. and it is…….drum roll please…….

A gift certificate to NFL shop.com for a jersey. Pretty cool I know. Keep sending pics of weird memrobilia, (we’ve gotten a ton, but nothing that can’t be beaten) and the coolest, weirdest one will win the jersey. All entries must be sent to buffalowdown@yahoo.com. Contest ends this Saturday.

- Pat Duffy

This is Marshawn Lynch on “The Mayne Event” segment they run during NFL countdown on ESPN.  It’s from last season, but it’s funny. 

Marshawn Lynch on ESPN\’s \”The Mayne Event\”

You really have to hand it to Buffalo fans when it comes to supporting their team. We have one of the largest stadiums in the NFL (seating around 74,000). We are one of the smallest markets, and have one of the lowest per home incomes in the NFL. Yet every season people love to spend their hard earned cash to go see the Bills play football.

You have to give the Buffalo Bills franchise credit as well. The Bills ticket prices are the lowest in the NFL. Single game tickets average $41.29 a seat (as low as $36.00), and you can buy season tickets for as low as $240. They cater to the die hard and casual fans alike.

Still, you have to wonder if the increase in season tickets has anything to do with the games in Toronto. The Bills haven’t made the playoffs in almost a decade. We ‘re talking about a team with a ton of young players. A lot of upside, a lot of potential, but not a lot of proven anything. This isn’t the kind of team that should be setting records at the box office before the first snap of pre - season. I think the city of Buffalo is sending a message to this franchise. They love their team, and they want to do everything they can to keep it their team. If the possible loss of the team is really driving up ticket sales, it goes to show you once again that the fans of Buffalo are some of the greatest fans in the NFL.

Quick notes from OTA’s

- JP Losman hasn’t been at practice since the opening day of OTA’s. The team is saying he had a previous out of town commitment…. and that’s all their saying.

- Rumor is Jason Peters surgery rehab isn’t keeping him out of practice, it’s his pocketbook. Word on the street is that Peters is unhappy with his contract, and wants it restructured. If I’m not mistaken, Jason still has three years left on his deal, and the Bills have several high profile free agents next off season. Good Luck with that one Jason.

- It looks like Lee Evans and Robert Royal will be taking a seat until training camp to fully rehab their off season surgeries. Coach Jauron had this to say on the matter:

“Lee as you know did all of the individual work. Robert wasn’t scheduled to do any of these things. We anticipate they’ll both be completely healthy for training camp and that’s good. Strength wise, weight wise, body fat, all of those things are good in both of their cases and they’re both guys we trust completely. They won’t be involved in our OTAs unless something unforeseen occurs.”I can’t imagine what unforseen thing would push two guys who aren’t 100% into meaningless voluntary workouts.

- Pat Duffy

**Still running the fanatic contest. Prize will be announced Monday, and the first round of memorabilia will be posted some time this weekend. Send all pics to buffalowdown@yahoo.com

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor was trumped by figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi on last nights season finale of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Who needs mini camps under a new coach (which he is missing due to his obligation to ABC) to learn a new system? I really feel bad for Jason. Everyone knows that a defensive player of the year trophy just doesn’t look right without a disco ball trophy sitting next to it. Now I’ve never seen Dancing with the Stars, but from what I understand, this could really help Taylor’s bid to get a trade out of Miami. We’re talking about a NFL veteran, team leader, only two years removed from a defensive player of the year honor, who can dance the hell out of the foxtrot. His new found notoriety can also put asses in the seats. He’ll be a real help to any team that’s looking to increase ticket sales in that pesky 60 year old Jewish woman market. OyVey !

But seriously folks……

A few Bills notes.

- Lee Evans is missing OTA’s today at One Bills Drive. J.P. Losman and Jason Peters are also absent from the days work outs.

-Word on the street is that first round pick Leodis Mckelvin is getting a lot of reps on the first team defense.

-Veteran free agent signee Will James (CB) is also impressing the coaches with his speed and quickness. Good to see it may not be corner by committee this season.

- New DT Marcus Stroud is very excited about the defenses’ potential. When asked if it’s too much to expect this defense to be in the top 15 league wide -

“Not at all. As a matter of fact I think that should be one of our expectations or goals to be among the top 15. We have the talent to do it. It’s a matter of going out there and playing hard. Even the guys you have rotating in it are a good mix. I think we definitely have a chance. Spencer Johnson, [John] McCargo, Ryan Denney, you have guys on this team who when one guy goes out, the other guy can come in and the level of play shouldn’t go down at all. That’s what we’re expecting“

…….The confidence is a nice change from last season.

- Pat Duffy

*****Send your pics and stories for the Buffalowdown Fanatic Contest. Prize will be announced Monday, and we will accept entries until May 30^th . Contest ends May 31^st. Send all entries to

buffalowdown@yahoo.com ******

But we push on. Most of us to an extreme. I’ve been to several NFL cities for football games, and the only fans that come close to our dedication us are Philly, Cleveland, and Kansas City (I’ve never been to Oakland, but they look hardcore from a distance). We love our team no matter what. The Bills sell out games in December, when its sleeting in 25 degree weather, and the team is 4 - 11.

The Bills are a family team. Loyalty is pushed down through generations. That’s how I became a Bills fan. My dad started taking me to games when I was four years old. I haven’t missed many since. I know that the majority of Buffalo fans are the same way. And we all have our stories to tell, and our Bills memorabilia to show off. That why, for the next two weeks, we are going to run the Buffalowdown Fanatic contest, sharing the best Bills stories, and showing off the craziest Bills items that you may have lying around your house. I think I have everyone beat, and that’s why I’m running this contest. Send your Bills stories and pics of your rare Bills items over the next two weeks, and we will choose the biggest Bills Fanatic. The prize (it’s a good one) will be announced Monday, and the contest will end may 31^st. Lets see if you can top this:

For those of you who don’t know, I make my living touring the country as a stand up comic. This gives me an opportunity to work my schedule out so I can see the Bills play a few away games each season. Here’s me in Miami and Cleveland (the crazy snow game) last season. My family also has season tickets. We first got them in 1988 (when they were $15.00 a ticket) and have ridden the highs and the lows ever since.

The best thing about being a Bills fan in the early 90’s was how accessible the players were. After the game, most of the team would come out to the parking lot’s motor home section to visit their families, and take pictures with fans. They were always great about taking time to make a kids day ( that’s Will Wolford holing a six year old me.)

I’m often the butt of jokes among my friends due to my obsession over the Bills. Lets start with the jersey collection. There’s twelve of them in that picture, and that’s not all. I have another five or six, but they wouldn’t fit in the frame. When it comes to rare, there are four that I don’t think anyone else has (send pictures if you do).

- Alex Van Pelt authentic jersey. He was the third string QB for ten years, and had a few opportunities to start they year before we signed Drew Bledsoe. I haven’t seen anyone with this jersey ever.

- Jim Kelly authentic 75^th anniversary away jersey. It’s pro cut, and extremely small, and it’s not a Mitchell and Ness. The Jersey is made by champion. It’s un wearable, but still pretty cool with the NFL 75^th anniversary patch, and the Bills 35^th anniversary patch

- Todd Collins replica jersey. I’ve only seen two or three of these ever (not that anyone would wear it anymore). I think they sold them for the 45 minutes it looked like Todd was the Bills QB of the future. But it’s good to see he’s finally on track in Washington.

- Don Beebe authentic Packers jersey. I know it’s not a Bills jersey, but Beebe was a fan favorite in Buffalo, and it was good to see him get a Super Bowl ring in Green Bay. He only played there two years, so I don’t know how many of these they made.

- Jim Kelly Authentic Autographed jersey - My dad took me to meet him when I was 5. He signed this for us. It was the greatest day of my life (I was only 5, gimmie a break)

It’s not just jerseys either my friends. My family has a whole collection of weird and wonderful Bills stuff .(This article took a trip to my parents house with a camera, so I’m writing off the gas money as a business expense). This has to be the weirdest thing we have. They sold it at the stadium in 1989. The story goes that the dolphins threatened a lawsuit, and they pulled it. If anyone else has one, send a Pic. Here is the mini helmet and NFL beanie bear collection (along with the authentic Bills helmet). Two pretty cool mini helmets here and here. This is one of my favorite pieces. It was handed to my dad by Kenneth Davis after he scored a TD during a game sometime in the 75^th anniversary season. My other almost favorite is this (back view here). It’s a piece of the turf at Rich stadium. They replaced it after the second super bowl season, and sold the old turf in key chains (I’ve never seen another one of these. Once again, send pics). Finally, my favorite piece of Buffalo Bills memorabilia… A bottle of unopened champagne from the Bills locker room of Super Bowl XXV. No one remembers how we came across it, but it has to be the coolest thing we own. It has the date, January, 27, 1991, and the words “In celebration of Super Bowl XXV Buffalo Bills vs New York Giants” printed on the label. Had things gone just a tad bit differently, Darryl Talley, or Bruce Smith, or Cornelius Bennett would have been spraying that bottle on each other, celebrating a huge win.

Well that’s what I have for you. I really would like to see if anyone has any more cool stuff. Pictures of you at games (home or away). Rare Bills pieces, Pictures of you with players, coaches, players wives, coaches wives, coaches wives sisters, anything, and we’ll post them along with your story. (It doesn’t even have to be Bills stuff. Any NFL team will do). I want to know that there are more out there like me. I know there are.

- Pat Duffy

*To enter the contest, send stories and Pictures to Buffalowdown@yahoo.com They will be shared throughout the week, with a winner being picked on May 31^st. Last entries due May 30^th. Prize will be announced Monday, May, 26^th. Good Luck.

You have to applaud Buffalo for making a move on Evans this early. They went through this off season neglecting to sign a veteran big play receiver. It looks like they were counting on Lee to be their man all along. Here’s to hoping they’re not just making a token gesture with plans to let him walk into free agency.

Off-season OTA’s started this morning. All but three players (Jason Peters, Brian Moorman, Mike Viti) were at practice today. Jason Peters in still recovering from injury, and I believe Viti is being held out due to a little known NCAA rule that states a newly signed college player can only participate in one organized work out session before their graduation. Army’s graduation isn’t until may 31^st, so this would explain why an un drafted free agent would be missing workouts he would need to make the team. I’m not totally sure if that’s the case, if you know, let me know.

J.P. Losman was also at workouts today. He declined to talk to the media, but his good buddy Lee Evans talked for him

“I spoke with him numerous times with him here in the off-season and he has to sit back and wait for an opportunity and that’s his mind set.” Evans continued: “He’ll prepare himself to be as good as he can and if he gets a chance to step in and gets that opportunity then he’ll be ready.”

That has to be good to hear for Bills fans.

- Pat Duffy

*Coming soon - The “I’m a Buffalowdown Fanatic” contest. We’re going to find out who has the craziest Buffalo Bills memorabilia collection. Check back soon for details and prizes.

I write this article not as a Bills fan, but as a football fan: I don’t want to sound bias (although I know to some, that will seem impossible). How can those tapes not be a giant advantage? I’ve heard people go both ways on this, and it always makes me scratch my head when I hear people say that the tapes would do very little to help you win football games.

How is it not going to have a positive effect on your team if you know what’s about to happen?

Taping teams that are in the same division gives you a HUGE advantage. You see that team twice a year. Even if they change their defensive signals from year to year, you have one game where you always know what’s coming. With that in mind, I did a little research. Since 2002, Buffalo is 1 – 11 against New England. The Bills lone win came on opening day of 2003. In those games, there is a large discrepancy in points when it comes to first vs. second games.

In first games since 2002, The Bills lost by an average of 13.8 points, with one possession finishes (loss by less than 8 points) in 2005, and 2006, and a win in 2003

In second games since 2002, The Bills lost by an average of 26.7 points. On top of that, in those games, Buffalo scored over ten points only once (2002) and was held without a touchdown twice (2006,2004)

It’s not just the Bills either. Since the Steelers tape was recorded, New England has a 5-1 record against Pittsburgh. Browns: 4-0, Chargers: 3-0.

You can’t argue against those numbers. There is obviously an advantage to having those tapes, and the proof is in the numbers. How bout his number:

Before the tapes Bill Belichick’s record as a head coach: 6 – 14

Since the tapes: 99 – 26

Something has to be done if in fact these tapes show that the Patriots were stealing the signals. It’s not just football records we’re talking about. There are hundreds of millions of dollars earned by the Patriots in licensing, merchandise, ticket sales, etc. that was earned on false pretenses. There are players who were knowingly cheating, and gaining notoriety in the process. There are millions of kids that must be explained to: even though New England won three Super Bowls, sent numerous players to the Pro – bowl, and are the face of the success in the NFL, they are wrong, and not something to look up to.

It ruins the NFL as the league in which anything can happen. It ruins the game for every fan that ever bought tickets to see a game in which the Patriots had that advantage. It tarnishes the Super Bowl, the single greatest sporting event in America. It taints the game that so many players that came before gave their hearts, minds, and body to, in the belief that the better team that day will walk off of the field a winner.

The league must be stern. The offense we’re talking about spans several seasons, and alters the history of the game of football. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but if we can’t even rely on a fair game, the NFL is no more of a sports league than the WWE. Rodger Goodell showed he could be tough on players that embarrassed the league outside of the field of play. Lets see if he can show the same strength going up against men who made millions while fooling us all, and the team that was once the portrait of franchise perfection in football.

- Pat Duffy

It was 31 years ago this week that Tom Cousineau was made the first pick overall by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL draft. Cousineau is in exclusive company, as he is one of only two players since 1977 who were drafted 1^st overall, and didn’t sign with an NFL team for the season (Bo Jackson is the other). Instead of playing for the Bills, Cousineau opted to play for the Montreal of the Canadian fooball league (the story goes they offered him double what Buffalo was willing to pay), where he played for three years.

Cousineau would never play a game for the Buffalo Bills. He returned to The NFL in 1982, and the short story is….the Bills traded him to Cleveland for a first round pick that became Jim Kelly (another guy that would spurn the Bills in another league for three years).

That time period was a black eye for the Bills, as several players opted to play in other leagues rather than work for (or play in the climate of) Buffalo. When Jim Kelly was drafted, he openly stated that he didn’t want to play in a windy cold weather open stadium. He thought that it would kill his stats. Joe Cribbs jumped ship for the USFL as well. He was in a contract squabble, and said he would rather play close to home in Alabama than in the cold of Buffalo. Another first round pick, Phil “cowpokes” Dokes took off for the Michigan Panthers . DE Scott Hutchinson, P Greg Cater, C Kent Hull, all high profile Bills that either left for, or started in other leagues. It watered down a team that was on the upswing, and kept the Bills from reaching the greatness that they eventually recaptured near the end of the nineteen eighties.

It’s truly a different league now.. Can you imagine Jamarcus Russell telling the raiders “No thanks” to go play in the Arena Football League? Can you see Brady Quinn passing on a career with Cleveland to go try his luck with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL? There’s no way.

There is a reason the NFL is the strongest league in professional sports. There’s a reason it’s trumped the most competition, and come out on top. NFL is smart. They know how to entertain, and they have learned how to treat their fans. I say this with the possibility that the leagues Collective bargaining agreement will the voided in November. The salary cap will be in place until the 2011 season, but after that, there is a possibility of a work stoppage, the worst thing that a company can do to itself.

Do the right thing owners, and get the deal done. You should learn from the mistakes of the past, and not give anyone the opportunity to jump in on your product.

Lets keep the football the most popular sport in America

- Pat Duffy

 Lets take one last fond look at Brockington’s Buffalo Bills Career

- May 1 2008 - Rookie Free Agent LB Joe Brockington is signed by the Buffalo Bills

- May 6 2008 - Rookie Free Agent LB Joe Brockington is released by the Buffalo Bills

it’s sad to see him go. 

- Pat Duffy

“He’s getting old, and he can’t use HGH anymore, so Patriots safety Rodney Harrison really has to put in over time in the gym this off - season. Help him pump iron the natural way so he doesn’t miss four games again this year.”

Help Rodney Harrison Do it without HGH!