Talking Buffalo

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has an interview with WIVB-TV Channel 4 Buffalo sports reporter, Nick Filipowski. They chat about Filopowski’s childhood and being born into a military family that had him living quite literally all over the world during his youth, including a decade of residence in Japan. The two discuss many topics, ranging from Nick’s obsession with landing a Tony Gwynn rookie baseball card, going to the University of Nebraska for college, what led to him deciding he wanted to become a broadcast sports journalist and all of the jobs that led him from Nebraska to Iowa and eventually Buffalo. Nick also speaks on leaving Channel 7 for Channel 4 last year, why he loves Buffalo so much and some takes on the sports media before concluding with Moran’s Mini-Lightning Round, which reveals among other things Filipowski’s favorite athlete, sports movie, city to visit, Twitter handle and three dinner guests from any era he’d love to have it as his table. You can follow Nick on Twitter @News4_Nick and check out some of his digital work at wivb.com. After that Joe (@BuffaloWins) from New York City returns for another “Run-In With Joe” segment. Today they’re talking about if the Buffalo Bills should be looking to keep or trade running back Lesean McCoy, whether Josh Allen is better off taking rookie lumps now or sitting on the sidelines to develop before both Joe and Moran come up with a Mt. Rushmore of all-time NFL quarterbacks and Joe hits his finisher on Making Nuances Great Again. Finally, this episode marks the launch what will be a recurring series of original music played by deserving artists to end the show. Today’s episode ends with a tracked called “Welcome Home” by Caitlin Koch. You can read her bio as well as check out tour dates, news and music by visiting her website at CaitlinKoch.com. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews one the leaders in the world of hockey analytics, Ryan Stimson of The Athletic. Stimson is a contributing writer at the Buffalo division of The Athletic and does an impeccable job of covering the Buffalo Sabres through extensive analytical and statistical driven analysis. For mainstream fans not aware of Stimson and the work he does, Moran asks Stimson about where he grew up, how he got into hockey and when he figured out deciphering through analytics would play a role in his life. Stimson also talks about how the opportunity to join The Athletic came out and how he feels about working some of the most talented and well known sports journalists in Buffalo. Of course, the conversation ultimately turns to Sabres talk and Stimson breaks down why he thought playing Jeff Skinner with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart was a bad idea, talks about Eichel being an elite scorer but not necessarily yet an elite center, and gives insight into what fans can expect of goaltender Carter Hutton going forward. Finally, the interview wraps with Moran’s recurring Mini-Lightning round, where Stimson reveals such nuggets as his favorite athlete, city to visit, activity, spot to hit up for wings, the one person on Twitter he’d follow if only allowed and the three dinner guests from any era he’d most like to have. You can follow Ryan Stimson on Twitter at RK_Stimp and subscribe to The Athletic, where they always seem to be having advantageous deals for new subscribers. Immediately after that Moran is joined by Tone Pucks (@TonePucks) for the recurring Pat with Pucks segment. Today the guys are breaking down the Buffalo Bills last second 13-12 victory over the Tennessee Titans to earn their second win in three weeks. While Pucks is glad to see his hometown team, he’s anything but pleased with the progress rookie quarterback Josh Allen is making. He’s discussed along with Matt Milano and Sean McDermott, their post-game weekly awards and much more. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this very special episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran gets away from his typical conversational format with guests that talk about their life and career, and instead dedicates an entire show to a very talented high school football player in Florida that despite personally doing nothing wrong has been unfairly and excessively punished by the Florida High School Athletic Association. “The Knowledge McDaniel Story” tells the tale of a senior high school football star who earlier this spring received several D-I offers, including Ohio State and the University of Georgia, all the while seeing his Grandmother/caregiver fall on impossibly hard financial times. Desperate for a bed to sleep on, food and the environment to better focus on his studies, McDaniel started living with the family of a close friend and teammate. Unaware any FHSAA rule was being violated, an investigation was launched after a former player’s parent wrote an anonymous letter to the state alleging several violations. While most were quickly proven inaccurate, it was disclosed that because McDaniel lived with a player on the team and a family with “athletic interests.” Among other program penalties, McDaniel was deemed ineligible to play his senior season just two days before the team’s Kickoff Classic. This kicked off a wild series of events, appeals and suspicious circumstances that have resulted in the innocent kid being partially reinstated, meaning he can play in the regular season after missing four games but no postseason contests, despite the publicly written plea of the Appeals Committee Chairperson for a full and unrestricted reinstatement and the resignation of another committee member over a mediation decision. It’s a story with many layers that’ll have your head spinning and likely angry. It’s also a story that’s caught the attention of several nationally known people in the sports world. ESPN’s Dick Vitale lives in the area and has gotten to know Knowledge personally through all of this. He had a passionate social media rant recently regarding this story that is replayed on this podcast. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson, Tampa Bay Bucs Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy and former Buffalo Bills Pro Bowler Eric Wood are among other notable figures that have publicly tweeted out in disgust over what’s happened. After laying out the details of Knowledge’s story, Moran has an interview with Jason Dill (@Jason_Dill) of the Bradenton Herald, who provides insight mainly from a reporter’s perspective but does drop the nugget that he feels McDaniel ultimately has been sentenced twice for the same crime. The big interview on this podcast is with Florida born and raised former 14-year NFL star, Kevin Carter (@KevinCarter_93) who once was a Florida high school football legend himself. Carter, now a CBS Sports college football analyst is downright incensed at the FHSAA over their refusal to reinstate McDaniel without restriction and pulls no punches in an interview you absolutely need to hear. Please listen to the podcast and when it’s over, we implore you to at least try and help right this absurd injustice to an innocent teenage child. To do that, you can contact the Director of the FHSAA , Mr. George Tomyn and let him know you think what they’re doing to Knowledge McDaniel is wrong. Mr. Tomyn is the one person that has the power to instantly overturn everything. His office phone number at the FHSAA is (352) 372-9551 (extension 110), his email is [email protected] and you can use Twitter @FHSAA. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran welcomes the show’s first two-time special guest, Kris Baker of The Athletic. When Baker appeared on Episode No. 31 in July, Moran took a deep dive into Baker’s life and career. This time it’s all about Buffalo Sabres hockey as the puck is set to drop on the NHL season this Thursday. Moran talks to Baker and gets his thoughts on the opening roster as it’s currently constructed, on Tage Thompson starting the season as a top six forward, Casey Mittlestadt centering a third line and the performance of prized rookie Rasmus Dahlin during the Sabres preseason. They also spend time talking about some guys who didn’t make the Sabres roster coming out of camp, including Alex Nylander, Brendan Guhle, Victor Olofsson and Rasmus Asplund. Which prospects could be up with Buffalo sooner than later? Finally, Moran asks Baker if he’s perplexed about Jack Eichel, the face of the franchise not yet being named the Sabres captain. You can follow Kris Baker on Twitter (@sabresprospects) and read his along with a who’s who of incredible sports content by subscribing to The Athletic. After that Moran is joined by Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) for their “Pat with Pucks” segment. Today they’re breaking down the good, bad and ugly from the Buffalo Bills latest lopsided loss, a 22-0 shellacking in Green Bay. How much of the blame falls on rookie quarterback Josh Allen? Is it time for the Bills to start actively trying to move Lesean McCoy? Is Kelvin Benjamin ever going to help the offense? What rookie was the team’s biggest bright spot in their third miserable outing in four tries? All those topics are discussed as well as some New York Yankees and Ryder Cup talk before the Puck Drop comes on former Sabres general manager Tim Murray and final shout-outs to an Academy Award winning actor and longtime now former sports writer for the Buffalo News. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a wide-ranging interview with talented young WIVB-TV Channel 4 Buffalo sports reporter Jenna Harner. Relatively new to Buffalo having arrived this spring, Harner talks to Moran about her life and career, including growing up in Connecticut as a Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and New York Giants fan, a weird combination for sure. She discusses going to Ithaca college and what got her interested in sports broadcasting. While still in school Harner started working at both the school’s radio station as well as the newspaper and it would springboard her to a job in Elmira. After nearly two years in Elmira the opportunity to come to Buffalo and join the WIVB sports team happened, and Harner details why she made the decision. The two also spend time discussing how Harner has adapted to living in Buffalo, how she feels about the city and a few spots she likes to hit up for wings or beers. They also talk about the University at Buffalo football team, off to a 4-0 and featuring potentially two players who could be high NFL draft picks in the near future. They wrap with Moran putting Harner through his mini-lightning round, a series of random questions where Harner reveals among other things her favorite athlete, city to visit, sports movie, Twitter follow and her three most coveted dinner guests. You can follow Jenna Harner on Twitter at @JennaHarner4 and check out her work at WIVB-TV. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran joins his recurring “Pat with Pucks’ segment partner Tone Pucks for the duration of the podcast as they cover a wide variety of topics. Of course, at least as far as Buffalo sports fans are concerned the big story is the Buffalo Bills shocking not just their owns fans, but NFL fans all around with a dominating 27-6 victory over the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings. In fact, this was the first time in the past 40 years a team came into a game underdogs by at least two touchdowns and won by more than a touchdown. Pat and Pucks (@tonepucks) break down the game and highlight the return of an extremely impressive defense that was supposed to be the team’s biggest strength yet played horribly over the first two games. That wasn’t the case in Minnesota, as the unit produced four sacks and forced three turnovers. Equally impressive was rookie quarterback Josh Allen, who played well enough to give fans hope they may finally have the young franchise quarterback they’ve lacked since the days of Jim Kelly. Sure, we’ve heard it before with J.P. Losman and E.J. Manuel but this performance felt different. Or does it? The guys don’t necessarily agree. After Buffalo Bills and NFL talk, the pair talk Tiger Woods, including Moran admitting Wood’s win at the Tour Championship had him feeling emotional. Among other topics, they discuss the rotting away of baseball’s best player, if Casey Middelstadt’s deserving of an opening night roster spot on the Buffalo Sabres, and the exciting 4-0 start of the UB Bulls. As they wind down, The Moran’s Top 10 list features Elton John’s songs while The Puck Drop places off-field troubled Lesean McCoy on blast and the Pat Peeve of the Week reveals how bad Florida summer and fall weather is for football players. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews WKBW-TV Channel 7 Buffalo sportscaster Matthew Bove on a variety of topics. A native of Western New York, Bove talks about growing up just north of Buffalo, why he became a Boston Red Sox fan as a kid and tells a story of how he nearly went to UConn instead of Buffalo State for college before a panic attack just a few weeks prior changed his course of action. They discuss Bove getting a job at WKBW and starting as an editor and photographer before working his way to a news reporter position and ultimately a spot as a sportscaster and reporter. Matt speaks of some media influences, including his widely popular Channel 7 colleague Joe Buscaglia. He also has thoughts on the turbulence that’s went on in the Buffalo sports media over the past year as well as the effectiveness of social media and some solid advice for youngsters who may want to break into the sports media business. Of course, they talk plenty of Buffalo Sabres hockey and Matt provides his insight on Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Dahlin and others before declaring there’s no reason the Sabres can’t be a playoff contender this season. The interview wraps with Moran putting Bove through his traditional Mini-Lighting Round, where Matt discloses several of his favorite things, the one Twitter handle he’d follow if only allowed one, and keeps it a family affair with the dinner guest final question. You can follow Matt on Twitter at @Matt_Bove and check out his work online at wkbw.com. Immediately after that Moran is joined by his buddy Joe (@buffalowins) for another “Run-In With Joe” segment. They’re discussing how much of the Buffalo Bills early failures are due to trusting the process versus flat-out poor personnel decision making, while also having takes on Maroon 5 being named the primary Super Bowl halftime entertainment, Game of Thrones winning another Emmy for Best Drama Series and WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view last Sunday. Joe ends with his “finisher”, a beef with many Buffalo Bills beat reporters. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a lengthy interview with the newest sports enterprise writer for the Buffalo News, Jason Wolf. A 15-time recipient of the Associated Press Sports Editors national top-10 writing award, Wolf details his career journey during this wide-ranging chat; dating all the way back to his days as a youth growing up in Pennsylvania as an Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Phillies fan. A graduate of Penn State College, Wolf spent several years honing his craft while working in his hometown state covering high school and college sports before venturing off to Virginia and North Carolina to do the same in more prominent roles. A big break came Wolf’s way in the summer of 2015 when he moved to Tennessee to cover the Titans for the Tennessean. Wolf was prepared to remain there for the long haul but that changed when the Buffalo News came calling this past summer. Wolf talks in detail about the tough decision he made to move to Buffalo, why he was interviewing the News as much as they were interviewing him, how he feels about the tough competition between the News and The Athletic, what he thinks of Buffalo during the short time he’s been there, and of course a lengthy chat about chicken wings, because why wouldn’t there be? Moran also discusses a few of the excellent stories Wolf has penned since arriving at the News, including a poignant feature on UB’s Khalil Hodge and following Eric Wood around during his first game as an ex-Buffalo Bill. You can follow Jason Wolf on Twitter at @JasonWolf. After that Moran is joined by Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) for their weekly “Pat with Pucks” segment. They are fully breaking down the Buffalo Bills home opening 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. How did Josh Allen look in his career debut? Will Sean McDermott be calling defensive plays going forward? Should the Bills try to get something for Lesean McCoy? All these topics and more are discussed and unlike Vontae Davis, Pat with Pucks doesn’t quit halfway through. The UB Bulls, Buffalo Sabres, Elton John and more are covered during this entertaining recurring segment. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, today marks the official start to hockey season as the Buffalo Sabres take the ice for training camp. To celebrate a new season, Patrick Moran interviews Sabres beat writer Joe Yerdon of The Athletic (Buffalo) on a variety of topics in a wide-ranging discussion. They discuss everything from Yerdon growing up near Albany through his youth and college days before deep diving into his career and everything that led to him joining The Athletic this summer. Of course, they spend considerable time talking about the Sabres, and Moran asks Yerdon about Rasmus Asplund, Alex Nylander, his thoughts on an improving bottom half of the Sabres roster, the effect that the arrival of Rasmus Dahlin has had on the culture and vibe of the organization and Joe is asked to give a prediction on how the team will fare in 2018-19. It seems no Moran interview is complete without chicken wing talk these days, and Yerdon has an entertaining story about his experience at Bar Bill with hot wings before they wrap with the mini-lightning round and Yerdon explaining the origins of his “noted jerk” moniker. You can follow Joe Yerdon on Twitter at @JoeYerdon and you can subscribe to The Athletic by going to https://theathletic.com/ After that, Moran is joined by Joe from BuffaloWins (@buffalowins) for his recurring “The Run-In With Joe” segment. Today they’re reacting to Buffalo Bills rookie Josh Allen being named the starting quarterback after just one game, examine if Nate Peterman’s Bills career may already soon be coming to an end, discuss if Stephen A. Smith was exaggerating when he tweeted that the Bills may be the worst team of this decade and veer off for some WWE talk as they run down the Hell in the Cell pay-per-view this coming Sunday and offer predictions. Finally, Joe uses his “finisher” to blast the Buffalo News sports department for doing a poor job using Twitter. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews the all-time undisputed king of sports agents and the real-life inspiration for the 90’s Hollywood blockbuster Jerry Maguire. Leigh Steinberg is today’s featured special guest. He’s represented and guided the career of more than 300 professional athletes, including a mind-blowing 63 former NFL first-round draft picks and a record-shattering eight consecutive years of representing the top overall pick of the draft. Leigh discusses his business approach towards being an agent and how it helped him attract clients like Troy Aikman, Steve Young Warren Moon, Oscar De La Hoya, Lennox Lewis, Ben Rothlisberger and a pair of Buffalo Bills Hall of Famers, Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith among countless others. Steinberg (@leighsteinberg) also talks about debating Ronald Regan when he was young, why he was interested in becoming a sports agent, why it’s so important for his clients to be entrenched in their communities and to give back, his comeback from alcohol and personal demons, and offers advice to youngsters looking to break into sports management. Of course, we also talk about the famous Steinberg-inspired 1996 Cameron Crowe movie Jerry Maguire starring Tom Cruise as well as some other Hollywood hits Steinberg’s consulted on, including For The Love of the Game, Any Given Sunday and Arli$$. Immediately after that, Moran’s joined by Tone Pucks for “Pat with Pucks.” Today they’re discussing the abysmal showing by the Buffalo Bills in their regular season opening 47-3 loss at Baltimore. Are the Bills really this bad? Is the Nate Peterman era over already? Is Kelvin Benjamin the most overrated player on the Bills roster? Why was Vontae Davis inactive? All these topics and more are covered by two guys seemingly flabbergasted over how bad the Bills looked in Week one. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews multi-time New York Times best-selling author Jeff Pearlman to discuss his new book hitting stores next Tuesday “Football for a Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL.” Pearlman reveals the painstaking process of writing the book and interviewing over 400 people while doing so. Because of that he’s able, as his own description says to “unearth all the salty, untold stories of one of the craziest sports entities to have ever captivated America.” He also talks about the tireless physical and mentally exhausting promotional side that goes into a book after it’s published and available for purchase. This isn’t Pearlman’s first rodeo when it comes to writing winning sports books that rank among the best sellers in the world. We discuss some of his previous efforts, including novels about Bret Favre, Barry Bonds and Walter Payton as well as the 1986 Mets and the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 90’s. Pearlman wraps up the interview with some interesting Buffalo Bills/USFL stories about Jim Kelly, Joe Cribbs and Marv Levy. Follow Jeff Pearlman on Twitter @jeffpearlman, You can purchase “Football for a Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL” and any other of Jeff’s books, among other ways by going to his website at www.jeffpearlman.com After that Joe from Buffalo Wins (@buffalowins) joins for a “Run-In With Joe” segment. Today they’re talking reaction from Tuesday’s podcast that featured Jerry Sullivan and some Buffalo Bills talk. Joe has strong takes on several sports media topics involving Sully, discusses Nate Peterman, names a make-or-break guy on each side of the ball for the Bills and offers a final record season prediction as well as his Super Bowl pick. The podcast concludes with the debut of “Spin It Skully”, where Moran’s friend, Skully from Buffalo joins and does what he does best—puts a positive spin on anything and everything Buffalo Bills related. You can’t help but laugh and enjoy when listening. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s a milestone for the Moran-Alytics Podcast, as this marks the show’s 50th episode. To celebrate Patrick Moran interviews one of the most polarizing Buffalo sports writers/columnists of all-time, Jerry Sullivan. A 29-year veteran of the Buffalo News before accepting a buyout in May, Sullivan goes all-in on the News with one of his first public interviews since leaving the company he spent nearly three decades with as a sports columnist. “Sully” as he’s known to Buffalo sports fans everywhere talks about the straw that broke the camel’s back on his decision to accept the buyout —having his long standing sports column taken away. Never one to mince words and admittedly still feeling somewhat volatile over his column being yanked, Sully goes into details of the overall unhappiness for many at the News, the BN Blitz that he perceives as a miserable failure and talks about the possibility that the Terry and Kim Pegula may have had influence to his column being taken away. Feeling emasculated over losing his column, Sully left and spent time debating what his future would be. Turns out that involves reuniting professionally with an old friend and colleague. Sully recently announced that he along with fellow former Buffalo News sports writer and columnist Bucky Gleason would be writing for Buffalo Maven, a division of the Sports X-Change covering the Buffalo Bills, and also co-hosting a weekday morning sports talk radio show together from 9:00am to 12:00pm on 1270 The Fan. Of course, Sully talks about the team he’s covered for so long, telling stories of his time covering the team during the Super Bowl years of the 90’s and gives insight on today’s team, including his thoughts on Josh Allen as well as predictions for how he sees the Bills in 2018. It’s without question the most fiery interview on this podcast to date. You can follow Jerry Sullivan on Twitter @ByJerrySullivan. After that Tone Pucks (@TonePucks) joins Moran for “Pat with Pucks.” The two discuss their feelings on Nate Peterman being named the Bills starting quarterback, A.J. McCarron getting traded and a positional review of the team’s current 53-man roster. They also reveal a series of Bills individual and team season predictions, and each take a stab at picking this year’s Super Bowl. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, it’s a Buffalo style SB Nation daily double. Moran interviews the managing editor of both Buffalo-based blogs under the SB Nation umbrella; Matt Warren from Buffalo Rumblings (Buffalo Bills) and Chad DeDominicis of Die by the Blade (Buffalo Sabres). Moran talks with Warren to wrap up the Bills preseason immediately after a very dramatic comeback victory in Chicago, 28-27 in which the team was awful for three quarters before coming back with 25 unanswered points for an improbable victory Warren offers his takes on Sean McDermott never officially naming a starting quarterback for the game, where he thinks A.J. McCarron stands with the team after Chicago and who he expects to be the Bills starting quarterback when the games start counting next weekend. He also reveals who he thought helped and hurt himself most in the preseason finale, names a few guys he think may end up on the chopping block and offers up a prediction for the season. You can follow Matt on Twitter at @mattrichwarren and be sure to check out www.buffalorumblings.com for daily Buffalo Bills news and original content. After that and with training camp just two weeks away, Moran talks to DeDominicis to help catch fans up to speed with what’s been an incredibly busy Sabres hockey summer. DeDominicis gives his takes on the Conor Sheary, Jeff Skinner and Ryan O’Reilly trades as well as the free agent signing of goaltender Carter Hutton. Of course, we also talk about ultra-touted rookie Rasmus Dahlin and what his arrival means to the team, the roster position battles Chad’s looking most forward to at training camp, and he’s tasked with attempting to sell fans on getting excited about Buffalo Sabres hockey again. You can follow DeDominicis on Twitter at @CMDeDominicis and be sure to check out www.diebytheblade.com for daily Buffalo Sabres news and original content (and yes, we said the exact same about Rumblings. Get over it, they’re both great blogs!) ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran teams up with his Pat With Pucks segment co-host Tone Pucks for a lengthy conversation of all things Buffalo Bills on the heels of an abysmal performance by starters on both sides of the ball in a 26-13 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Heralded rookie quarterback Josh Allen got his first start of the preseason but never had a chance to behind an offensive line that couldn’t come close to containing a ferocious Bengals pass rush that sacked Allen five times in the first half. Nate Peterman came in to start the second half and carved up the Bengals second team defense to continue a strong training camp and preseason. Is this quarterback competition over? While the headlines focused on the Bills failing offensive line, the team’s starting defense fared no better. The defensive line put zero pressure on Andy Dalton, the linebackers were caught out of position and the secondary couldn’t cover AJ Green or John Ross. Moran and Pucks discuss what potential changes we may see on defense between now and the season opener. The two also discuss a few players that saw their stock rise and a few who may find themselves in trouble come roster cut down later this week. Moran also asks Pucks if he thinks the city of Buffalo could support a MLB team in 2018 and forces him to pick between having an expansion MLB or NBA franchise. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran welcomes former center, captain and one of the most popular players of this or any era of Buffalo Bills football, Eric Wood in one of the longest interviews the former Pro Bowl center has ever done. Wood reveals in more detail than ever before exactly how the process played out from the end of the 2017 season to the point where he was forced to retire because of a culmination of neck injuries. Wood describes feeling blindsided by the MRI results as he physically felt great and was already beginning the mental readiness for his next season, not to mention a baby with his wife on the way exactly at the time everything happened. He also talked about the aftermath and a press conference he admits should’ve been canceled in an emotional account of events Wood is still in the process of dealing with. On a much lighter note, the two retrace Wood’s (@ewood70) football roots, going all the way back to a nine-year old youth, winning two state titles while in high school and choosing to go to Louisville in large part because it was the lone D-I school to offer him a scholarship. Wood also discusses the NFL draft process in 2009, going to Buffalo, his Bills career and what it meant to not only become a captain and leader of the team but also the importance of being on the team that finally ended a 17-year playoff drought. They wrap the interview with Wood providing insight on the 2018 Bills including thoughts on Josh Allen, Nate Peterman and the offensive line. Oh, they also talk about chicken wings because of course they do. Immediately after that Joe from BuffaloWins (@buffalowins) pops on for a “Run-in With Joe” segment, where they discuss Joe’s selfie with Ronda Rousey, WWE Summerslam action and some Bills takes on a handful of players at the midway point of the preseason. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews Boston Sports Journal owner, editor and columnist Greg Bedard for well over a full hour in a wide-ranging interview. It’s a true deep dive into Bedard’s life and career, from his growing up a huge sports fan and talented baseball prospect to his entire sports writing journey, Bedard spends time discussing each step and how it’s shaped who he is today. Everyone sports journalist akes a different path to becoming successful and Bedard’s certainly no exception. He tells the story of how of all things, covering a little league baseball team in Florida in the 90’s helped jump start a career that he previously felt was going nowhere. Bedard also speaks candidly of his time at Sports Illustrated after being hand-picked by Peter King, as well as the hurt and frustration he felt after being part of their layoffs in 2017. It ultimately led to Bedard launching BostonSportsJournal.com and he reveals the reasons why he came to that decision after evaluating the landscape of the business. Also never one to shy away from a voicing an opinion, Bedard talks about covering Brett Favre and Tom Brady, questions why reporters basically give their work away from free on Twitter, and has an ultra-strong take on why the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t beat the New England Patriots. You can follow Bedard on Twitter @gregabedard and check out his work at www.bostonsportsjournal.com ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this first of its kind episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is not steps away from the comfort of his home studio in Florida but actually tapes this podcast at a bar to coincide with the preseason opener for the Buffalo Bills. It took 45 episodes but the Moran-Alytics Podcast finally took the show on the road, recording Thursday night from the Amherst Ale House in Amherst. Joining Moran on the podcast in Amherst is “Pat with Pucks” segment co-host Tone Pucks (@tonepucks). Together the two hit on a variety of topics early in the show, including Moran’s chicken wing adventures while spending the past few weeks in Buffalo, New York on a working vacation. Moran’s been eating wings nearly every night he’s back in Buffalo since moving to Florida roughly two years ago and power ranks them almost immediately after each, and the Amherst Ale House is no exception. Will the combination of Crown Royal BBQ and Cajun/Medium wings land them in Moran’s Top 10? Of course, the main topic of the podcast focuses on the Bills preseason home opener against the Carolina Panthers. Football is back and moments after the Bills lost, 28-24 the two give their thoughts on several players, including the fantastic job both Nate Peterman and A.J. McCarron did at quarterback, Kelvin Benjamin’s big preseason debut, an unlikely running back emerges in the mix while a rookie defensive back really struggled. Apologies in advance on the varying background noise during this taping, far more noticeable on Moran’s mic than Pucks’. Taping shows outside with crowds is a process and sooner than later we’ll get that sound tight. For a sound snob like Moran this audio is occasionally painful. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews Cover 1 founder and contributor football writer for The Athletic Buffalo, Erik Turner. Quickly earning a reputation as one of the best at breaking down and analyzing game film, Turner talks about his career path that began as a youngster in Lockport, New York through high school and college in upstate New York before starting to dab in the scouting and blogging industry. Turner discusses some of the places he honed his craft at before eventually starting Cover 1, a move that expanded his readership as well as his profile. Eventually it would to an opportunity with The Athletic when they formed a Buffalo division and Turner reveals why he jumped on board. Moran also gets Turner (Cover_1_) takes on several Buffalo Bills topics, including the recent trade for Corey Coleman, how Josh Allen is progressing, breaking down film with former Bills center Eric Wood, and some guys Turner’s looking forward to seeing when the preseason starts. The interview wraps with Turner answering several random questions during the mini-lighting round, including the one person he’d follow on Twitter if he were only allowed on follow, and the three dinner guests from any era he’d love to have. After that Joe (@buffalowins) pops in for a “Run-In With Joe” segment. They discuss Joe’s disdain for training camp, his thoughts on the national media shitting on Allen already and concludes the segment by inciting Moran with a chicken wing take. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by one of the most recognizable NFL Superfans, certainly among the “Bills Mafia.” Ezra Castro, more affectionately known as Pancho Billa is Moran’s special guest on the show. Pancho speaks comprehensively on a wide range of topics in an interview that goes on for nearly a full hour. During that time he talks growing up in El Paso, Texas and the unlikely fashion in which he initially became a Buffalo Bills fan at around seven years old back in 1986. Being a Bills fan just yards from Mexico is pretty rare, especially growing up in a home with his father a diehard Dallas Cowboy fan. We talk about his love of football that started as a young kid and has never waned. Fortunately for Pancho he was smart enough to realize early on his dreams of being the next Kent Hull and playing in the NFL would never become a reality, so after high school he eventually focused his sights on a career becoming a mortician. That’s right—he went to Mortuary school and got into that line of work. Pancho talks about what led to him choosing that career and why he felt able to handle everything that comes with it. Pancho also reveals, in candid detail the moment he realized something was significantly wrong with his health, which unsurprisingly happened on the road for a Bills game. He discusses the process of being diagnosed with cancer, what his initial reactions were and how both he and his family have handled it since. Of course, we talk about the moment the entire world got to know Pancho Billa at the 2018 NFL Draft in Dallas when former Bills legends Fred Jackson and Andre Reed called him up to the stage to announce the team’s third-round draft pick. You didn’t need to be a Bills fan or even a football fan to feel the emotion of the moment. Naturally that’s led to Pancho Billa becoming a celebrity of sorts, never more evident than his appearance at Bills training camp last week that attracted Bills GM Brandon Beane, co-owner Kim Pegula and countless players and fans to approach him for well wishes, selfies and even autographs. This is a great interview featuring one of the most genuine person you’ll ever hear. You can follow Castro on Twitter at @Panchobilla1. There’s also a Go Fund Me page set up to help support his ongoing fight with cancer at Pancho Power. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews the newest Buffalo Bills beat reporter in the Western New York area. Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com/NYup.com joins the podcast for a wide-ranging interview over the course of nearly an hour. While most sports journalist know what they want to do with their life from a young age and work relentlessly at school to achieve it, Parrino speaks candidly about a completely different path. He didn’t his sights set on becoming a journalist when he was younger and frankly was a pretty lousy student, so much so in fact that he actually dropped out of high school and settled for his G.E.D. Things began to change in his mid-20’s and he would ultimately find himself as the editor at the University at Buffalo Spectrum. Parrino talks about how that was a turning point in what eventually would become his career. After spending some time at the Buffalo News as an intern and a stint at the now defunct Tonawanda News, Parrino remembers his big break when he landed a digital content job in the world of the UFC, a job that would see him move with his wife out to Las Vegas. Parrino talks about working for the UFC and dishes on Dana White, Connor McGregor, Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey. As much as he enjoyed living in Vegas and working for the UFC, when the chance came to move back home to Western New York and work full time covering the Bills it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. He discusses that process and some of the things he’s seen early at Bills camp, including in-depth thoughts on Josh Allen, Tremaine Edmunds and Lesean McCoy. This is a great early opportunity for Bills fans to get know a guy who will be entrenched in covering the team. You can follow Matt on Twitter at (@MattParrino) Immediately after that Moran is joined by Tone Pucks (@TonePucks) for their weekly “Pat with Pucks” segment. Today the pair talk chicken wings and subsequent Twitter backlash over liking two of Western New York’s long-time favorites. They also discuss the start of Bills training camp including thoughts on the quarterbacks, offensive line and wide receiver positions as well as examining what, if any distraction a few off-field incidents may have on the team, and wrap up by talking about the potential pitfalls and dangers of being an official today in the world of youth and high school sports. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran gives Buffalo Bills fans a fond stroll down memory lane in landing a wide-ranging interview with popular former wide receiver Don Beebe. Naturally, plenty of time is spent with Beebe talking about the golden era of Buffalo Bills football as the team went to four straight Super Bowls. Beebe shares his initial feelings about Jim Kelly, getting destroyed in his first professional practice by Nate Odomes, how he rose up the team’s depth chart and the personal devastation he felt after a broken ankle suffered against the Miami Dolphins in late 1990 forced him to be sidelined for Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants. Of course, Beebe’s most famous for tracking down defender Leon Lett and stripping the ball from him just as Lett was about to cross the goal line for a touchdown in Buffalo’s Super Bowl XXVII blowout 52-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Beebe talks about what that moment meant to him immediately as it happened, after the game when owner Ralph Wilson addressed him in the locker room and what it’s done for his life and career in the years that have followed. Among other things a coach, motivational speaker and author, Beebe discusses his book titled “Six Rings From Nowhere” and what the inspiration was for doing it. You can purchase his book on his website at www.donbeebe.com. The two also spend time talking about the current Bills roster, the draft process when Beebe was selected in third-round in 1989, the legendary Kelly post game parties at his house, his thoughts on the city of Buffalo and much more! Immediately after that, Joe (@Buffalowins) joins for a “Run-In With Joe” segment. He and Moran discuss Beebe, why so many people think the Bills are going to be one of the league’s worst teams in 2018 and also talk a little WWE/Summerslam. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this first-ever Tuesday episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by one of the most accomplished, respected and well liked NFL insiders in the industry. Josina Anderson of ESPN joins the podcast for a wide ranging interview covering both her career and plenty of her life. Seemingly from the time she was born and definitely by the time she reached high school in Silver Spring (Maryland), being involved in sports became Anderson’s destiny. Josina talks about growing up in a very strong and intelligent family and how that rubbed off on her as a youth. Anderson may bleed Tar Heel Blue but reveals in this interview how she nearly went to arch rival Duke for college. Anderson talks about her path and struggles after college that came along the way during her eventual journey to ESPN, from her first post-college job all the way in Coos Bay, Oregon back to the Washington D.C. area and having to do personal training work to make ends meet before landing a job in Denver that really launched her career. Anderson ( @JosinaAnderson) talks about her time at those jobs as well as what led to her getting an opportunity at ESPN and the role her friend and colleague Adam Schefter played in it. She also talks about several sports media topics both deep and lighthearted and hammers home the significance of developing and maintaining trust in her line of work. Of course, there’s football to be discussed and Anderson gives her take on the Lesean McCoy situation, Josh Allen, Le’Veon Bell, the team most likely to knock off New England in the AFC and a far too early Super Bowl prediction. This was a really fun and informative long form interview that covers a lot of the ground with one of the very best and most recognizable names in the business today—a must listen for all football and sports media fans! ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by WGR-550 sports talk radio host Jeremy White for a wide ranging interview. White talks about growing up outside of Syracuse, becoming an Orange fan at a very young age and deciding on Cuse’ for college in the 11th hour over Ithaca. After school he eventually landed a permanent job at WGR and initially worked in a variety of roles. That changed in late 2004 when Howard Simon came over from WNSA and White moved from an evening slot with Brad Riter to being paired with Simon on the morning show. Nearly 14 years later the duo remain together and White discusses what that partnership has been like and why he thinks it’s worked for so long. White also gives his takes on a downtown Buffalo stadium, local media, how he feels about sports writing, Twitter and plenty more. Unsurprisingly there’s plenty of Buffalo Bills and Sabres talks to be had as well. It’s pretty obvious by his comments White didn’t agree with the Bills decision to select Josh Allen over Josh Rosen this past April and because of a lack of adding weapons during the offseason, White thinks the Bills offense is in big trouble for 2018. On the Sabres side of things White gives his thoughts on the Ryan O’Reilly trade, rehashes some tank memories and talks about a particular Sabres player on the roster he likes more than most others. As with each featured guest, the interview ends with a little mini-lighting round, and we learn that White’s very well-traveled, credits a video game for helping him discover his love for soccer and reveals the three dinner guests from any era he’d love to have at his table. You can follow Jeremy White on Twitter at (@WGRjeremy) and listen to him along with all WGR programming and content by going to the WGR website. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran gets the opportunity to interview one of his favorite basketball point guards of all-time. As a teenager Moran wanted to be the next Kenny Anderson, but he’ll settle for having the former hoops legend as the featured guest on this podcast. Born in Queens, Anderson was a basketball prodigy from the time he first picked up a ball and started playing. By the time he was in sixth grade there were already colleges interested in him, and at Archbishop Molloy he became the consensus number-one high school player and recruit in the country. A four-time, all-city player (something only Lew Alcindor also accomplished in New York City) and Parade All-American player, Anderson heavily considered going to Syracuse as well as Duke and North Carolina but ultimately chose Georgia Tech at the urging of his mother. After two stellar seasons and a Final Four appearance as a Yellow Jacket, Anderson entered the NBA draft in 1991 and was the second overall pick. He played in the league for 14 years, was an all-star and made tens of millions on the court. Of the court, Anderson’s life is and was anything but perfect. He has and continues to battle demons, many of them that chronicled in a fascinating documentary available via Amazon called “Mr. Chibbs.” Anderson talks with Moran about his entire hoops career from childhood through the NBA, speaks on a few current NBA topics and tells everyone why he felt it was important to have the Mr. Chibbs documentary made. You can follow Anderson on Twitter (@Chibbs_1) and see the Mr. Chibbs Documentary via Amazon. Immediately after that Moran is joined by Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) for another “Pat with Pucks” segment. It’s worth noting this segment was taped right before the Lesean McCoy allegations surfaced last Tuesday. They’re reviewing (last week’s guest) Joe Buscaglia’s Top 20 Bills Talents, discussing the Bills playoff odds in Vegas, and Moran surprises Pucks with a Mini Lightning Round for him, the segment typically reserved for featured guests aka guests that matter. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this really cool episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran finally tracks down one of a handful of guests he’s wanted on since launching the podcast around five months ago. WKBW-TV sports director, Buffalo Bills beat reporter and Bills Beat podcast co-host Joe Buscaglia joins Moran for a wide ranging interview. It’s one of those deep dive type of conversations as Moran gives fans of Buscaglia an opportunity to get to know the man many consider one of, if not the best Bills beat reporter in the industry today. Going all the way back to the beginning, Joe B. talks about growing up in Western New York and being obsessed with sports from a very young age and in unorthodox ways. He went to St. Francis high school in Hamburg before embarking on a journey down to Florida State College to continue his education. Not having the journalism program he was looking for, Buscaglia came back north after two years, transferred to Buffalo State College and the rest was history. However, it wasn’t an overnight success. Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) was only a part-time producer at WGR-550 after college while working a job at Key Bank to make ends meet. He was close to moving on from aspirations of sports journalism when he caught a break. He’d go on to become a Bills beat reporter for WGR and eventually the sideline reporter during Bills games on live radio, which is where he started to make a big name for himself. In 2015 Buscaglia made the move to television, joining WKBW-TV. He’s now the station’s sports director and Bills beat reporter. He talks about that journey each step of the way as well his thoughts on several media topics and the hugely popular Bills Beat podcast he co-hosts with Matthew Fairburn. Of course, they spend some time talking Buffalo Bills football. Buscaglia discusses Sean McDermott, Tremaine Edmunds’ ceiling as a rookie, Lesean McCoy’s place among the Bills all-time greats (NOTE: this segment was taped before allegations against McCoy arose) and reveals a guy he thinks can be the pleasant surprise of training camp. This is an excellent, must-listen episode for Bills fans that features one of the true rising stars in the sports media business. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews brand new The Athletic (Buffalo) hockey writer John Vogl. For the first time since making headlines by leaving The Buffalo News, Vogl speaks on-air for the first time. Additionally, this marks Vogl’s first podcast appearance ever! After spending the past 16 seasons covering the Buffalo Sabres at The News, Vogl was the first domino to fall in the recent purge of the sports department when he accepted a buyout. In the coming days and weeks several prominent members of the department decided to leave as well, spanning a variety of ways. Vogl planned to take the summer off and “relax on the water” but those plans quickly changed when The Athletic came calling. Within days of his announced departure from TBN, Vogl signed on for the new job. Just as he was the first to leave the Buffalo News, he was the first to climb on board with The Athletic’s brand new Buffalo division. Before long the online subscription-based site added eight more writers to the Buffalo team. Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) documents his version of the story, including the reasons he decided it was time to move on from TBN and what it was about The Athletic that was attractive to him. We also discuss Vogl’s growing up in Western New York and eventually attending Buffalo State College. It may be a surprise to learn Vogl wasn’t always destined to be a sports journalist and didn’t exactly bear a resemblance to a model academic student. He talks about what led to things turning around for him and ultimately embarking on what’s been a fantastic career covering the NHL. Vogl also talks Sabres hockey, his fondness for WWE and of course goes through the “Mini Lightning Round” to reveal his favorite city to visit, sports movie, twitter follow and three people he’d love to break bread with. Immediately after that Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) pops by for a “Pat with Pucks” segment. Pucks and Moran talk about Sabres superstar Jack Eichel switching jersey numbers, their feelings on fans and jerseys, discuss a recent podcast guest’s prediction that the Buffalo Bills will have the worst record in the NFL this season and much more. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this belated Independence Day episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews one of the best defensive ends to play in the NFL over the past 25 years. Former 1995 St. Louis Rams first-round draft pick Kevin Carter, 27th on the NFL’s all-time sacks list joins the podcast for a wide-ranging interview. Going all the way back to the start, Carter talks about growing up in Florida and not being allowed to play tackle football until he got to high school. It didn’t take him or his coaches long to see he was a superstar in the making and despite the late start, he became one of Tallahassee’s hottest college recruits. He talks about choosing to stay in-state for college at the University of Florida despite coming close, very close to going to Notre Dame to play under Lou Holtz. Following a stellar college career that saw his Gators win the SEC three times, Carter became a hot draft prospect. He talks about that entire process including the draft, one that saw him go not just in the first round to the St. Louis Rams but sixth overall and the first defensive player off the board. Going to St. Louis was certainly an adjustment for Carter, as the Rams were pitiful in the mid-90s. That started to change in his third year when legendary head coach Dick Vermeil came aboard. The pinnacle of Carter’s individual and team accomplishments came together in 1999 when he led the entire NFL with 17 sacks while his Rams finished 13-3 and went on defeat Tennessee in the Super Bowl. Carter also talks candidly about why things turned for him after Vermeil retired and Mike Martz took over, which eventually led to a trade to Tennessee and the opportunity to play alongside a man he considered the toughest he’s ever played against, Steve McNair. He also spends time talking at length about what it was like to play for Nick Saban in Miami for two years and Jon Gruden for two years in Tampa as his career wound down. Of course, no Moran-Alytics Podcast interview is complete without a “Mini Lightning Round” of questions and Carter reveals such things as his favorite city to visit, what his favorite hobby is, the one person he must follow on Twitter and three guests from any era he’d most like to break bread with. This is an outstanding interview with one of the era’s great defensive linemen! Follow Kevin Carter on Twitter (@kevincarter_93) and check out his website, including charitable foundation information at http://kevin-carter.com ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews Sports Illustrated and MMQB National Football Writer Jonathan Jones. A native of North Carolina, Jones talks about growing up in the Tar Heel State and attending the University of North Carolina. Jones eventually became the sports editor of his college newspaper and managed a staff of 25. He talks about how the gig helped prepare him for his professional career. From there Jones (@jjjones9) went on to cover the Carolina Panthers for the Charlotte Observer. Jones talks about his time covering the team, ranging from being intimidated early on in as a 23-year old reporter in the locker room to covering the Panthers when they went to the Super Bowl in 2015. He also talks about his relationship with Cam Newton and how things changed during the process. Jones also discusses how his opportunity at Sports Illustrated came out, why he took the job, his teammate at SI and previous Moran-Alytics Podcast guest Jenny Vrentas, and life at SI without Peter King. At some point the two actually getting around to talking some current football. Jones gives his thoughts on if Tyrod Taylor is really locked in to begin 2018 as the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback and defends his reasoning for picking the Buffalo Bills to finish dead-last in the NFL standings this year. Immediately after that Moran is joined by Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) for their “Pat with Pucks” segment. The two talk about the Buffalo Sabres roster after trading away Ryan O’Reilly, trading for Connor Sheary and signing goaltender Carter Hutton as their significant moves over the past week. How much improvement, if any should fans expect this season after finishing dead-last in the NHL standings three of the past five years? The two also talk NBA free agency including Lebron James taking his talents to Los Angeles and Paul George staying in Oklahoma City, reveal unpopular opinions and give special shout outs. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews Sal Maiorana, long-time Democrat & Chronicle beat reporter for the Buffalo Bills. A Buffalo native who spent much of his childhood growing up in nearby Syracuse, Maiorana talks about admiring Bob McAdoo, Gilbert Perrault and OJ Simpson as a young kid and knowing he wanted to someday become a sports writer when he was only in sixth grade. It was a journey that started to come to fruition when he attended Buffalo State College and landed an intern gig stringing Buffalo Sabres games for the Associated Press. After college Maiorana eventually landed a job at the Democrat & Chronicle. Originally hired as a golf writer, Sal also started covering the Bills beat in 1990. Ironically it was the same year the Bills would play in their first of four consecutive Super Bowls —-not a bad way to start your NFL beat writing career. Sal talks about covering that first Super Bowl and the immediate anguish he felt after Buffalo lost. They also spend time discussing sports media, including Sal’s take on the balance between friendship and competition among his colleagues, why the game has changed because of guys like Adam Schefter, and his opinion on everything that’s happened at The Buffalo News. An author of several books, they spend time talking about a few specifically and Patrick’s surprised to learn Sal incorporated fictional characters into some of his historical perspective novels. Of course, Sal spends plenty of time talking about the Bills, including his thoughts on what he perceives as the ridiculousness of OTA’s, how patient the Bills will be with Josh Allen and discusses a former first-rounder who could find his roster spot in jeopardy this summer. The interview wraps up with some random topics. Sal reveals his favorite sports movie and city to visit, the one person he’d follow on Twitter if he were only allowed to follow one, and lists the three people dead or alive he’d love to have dinner with. You can follow Sal Maiorana on Twitter (@salmaiorana), read his work at the Democrat & Chronicle here and check out all of the books he’s authored on Amazon right here. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews ESPN college sports reporter Olivia Harlan on a wide variety of topics. The two discuss Harlan’s career path — one that’s traveled amazingly far for Olivia only being in her mid-20s. Harlan (@Olivia_Harlan) talks about her childhood and why being the father of famous NFL broadcaster Kevin Harlan and granddaughter to former Green Bay Packers got her loving sports at such an early age. Every great journey doesn’t always go as planned and for Olivia that included having to reshuffle the deck after failing to get into the college she long dreamed of attending, Northwestern. The former Miss Kansas Teen USA bottled that disappointment and turned it into a life changing positive by going to the University of Georgia where more doors for her than she could’ve imagined, including a gig covering the Atlanta Hawks for three years at Fox Sports South. Harlan also talks about how the opportunity to work at ESPN came about, reveals some of her memorable stories so far in the business, discusses her long term goals and shares details on how she met and fell in love with Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker, as the two prepared to get married in just a few weeks. Immediately after that Moran is joined by Matt Warren of Buffalo Rumblings on the heels of Warren’s sensational story published Friday that took readers inside all of the happenings at The Buffalo News Sports department of late, including many of the writers talking on the record for the first time with Warren. Warren (@MattRichWarren) breaks down his story from both sides and gives a few opinions on what he thinks went wrong at TBN and what the future of the sports department is. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews Western New York’s preeminent expert when it comes to hockey prospects and now a contributing writer for The Athletic’s brand new Buffalo division, Kris Baker. The two discuss the formation of The Athletic’s Buffalo division, how the opportunity came about for Baker to join the staff, the other writers hired to represent Buffalo, what his vision is for the site and what this means in regards to competition alongside The Buffalo News directly for the eyes and dollars of sports fans. Of course, the reason Baker was hired at The Athletic is his unrivaled analysis on Buffalo Sabres prospects and he provides listeners with a straight up education on soon-to-be first overall draft pick Rasmus Dahlin. From his physical skill set to mental make-up and immediate role he’ll play in the Sabres rebuild, Baker tells you everything you need to know about the Swedish prodigy defenseman. Baker (@sabresprospects) also spends time discussing some of the other top prospects in the Buffalo pipeline and gives a honest assessment on the state of the Sabres roster and things he feels they need to be better at in order to legitimately compete with the rest of the league and move out of the NHL basement. We also get a very rare glimpse into Baker’s personal life—where he grew up, his hobbies and what got him into wanting to write about Sabres prospects in the first place. Immediately after that it’s the debut of a brand new segment titled “The Run-In With Joe.” Joe from Buffalo Wins (@buffalowins) joins the podcast to discuss the Buffalo sports media and more specifically, the budding feud between The Athletic and the Buffalo News. How much have the recent departures at The Buffalo News hurt the sports department? Can they recover from what’s clearly a down time in the newspaper’s history? Even with the exits of many older veteran writers does the sports section feel stale? What will they do with The Athletic now serving as direct competition in the market? What’s up with the beef between Mike Harrington and Tim Graham? All that and much more. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews Yahoo Sports NBA insider/analyst and co-host of one of the most popular basketball podcasts in the world, Jordan Schultz. Schultz talks about growing up in Seattle and being a basketball star in his own right as a kid, Schultz was a star player on his high school team that nearly won a state championship. He talks about his college basketball career and what led him to pursue a career in sports writing. It was a journey paved with many stops, including a long stint at the Huffington Post before joining Yahoo Sports around a year ago. The two also discuss Schultz’s gig as co-host of the “Pull Up with CJ McCollum” podcast, featuring Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum. Of course, many NBA topics are also discussed, including where Lebron James may land this summer, CJ’s future with Portland, where Golden State ranks among the league’s all-time great teams and a look at the 2018 NBA draft that takes place on Thursday. You can follow Jordan Schultz on Twitter @Schultz_report and check out the “Pull Up With CJ McCollum” podcast. After that Patrick is joined by Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) for their weekly Pat with Pucks segment. Among the topics discussed is the state of their hometown Buffalo News sports department after yet another huge staff departure, a complete lack of quality local high school and college coverage in Buffalo, reaction following the conclusion of Buffalo Bills minicamp, the U.S. Open and more. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews NFL.com writer and “Around the NFL” podcast co-host Marc Sessler. The two talk about Sessler’s journey from childhood to writing for NFL.com, a process stretching from being born in Upstate New York to high school in Connecticut and bouncing around colleges before ultimately ending up at UCLA. The two spend significant time talking sports media and Marc offers his takes on the newspaper business, his biggest influences, social media and the importance of aspiring sports journalists to be more diverse than ever. Sessler also talks about his “Around the NFL” podcast, a show consistently ranked high on the Apple Podcast Sports & Rec charts. What goes into making a hit podcast and does he enjoy the process? Of course, they also talk plenty of football, including the Cleveland Browns win ceiling for 2018 and Sessler’s thoughts on the Buffalo Bills drafting Josh Allen over Josh Rosen. You can follow Marc Sessler (@marcsesslerNFL) on Twitter and check out his Around The NFL podcast. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by one of the all-time great NBA pure point guards. Rod Strickland, 12th in NBA history in assists and 29th in steals joins the show to talk about a variety of topics. Strickland discusses being born and growing up in New York City, a mecca for superstar point guards both on the basketball courts and in the playgrounds. He talks about winning a high school state championship and why he decided to pick DePaul for college over several other schools, including Pittsburgh and Syracuse. We also talk about his entire 17-year career that began with the New York Knicks and go into specific detail about his time with San Antonio, Portland and Washington. Strickland speaks on many of the trials and tribulations of his career and reveals some of his favorite players, teammates and guys he played against. There’s also plenty of current NBA talk as well. Of course, Strickland’s asked to weigh on the whole Lebron vs Michael Jordan debate that continues to dominate water coolers, and Strickland reveals there’s two other players that must always be in the greatest player ever conversation. He also talks about where Lebron may land next, Kyrie Irving (his Godson) and Golden State’s place in NBA history after winning their third championship in four years. You can follow Rod Strickland on Twitter (Rod_Strickland) Also on the show is “Pat with Pucks’ featuring Tone Pucks. Patrick and Tone debate if the Cleveland Browns may win more games than the Buffalo Bills in 2018, wonder if Jerry Hughes may be on his way out this summer and react to Jason LaCanfora calling A.J. McCarron one of the 10 QB’s under the most pressure for this season. Tone (@tonepucks) also adds his thoughts on Buffalo Sabres forward Ryan O’Reilly trade rumors, the Washington Capitals winning the Stanley Cup, Jim Kelly being honored with the Jimmy V award and Terrell Owens’ decision to not attend the Hall of Fame induction ceremony this August. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by long-time Cleveland Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot. They talk about Cabot’s remarkable career covering the Browns for Cleveland.com with stories also appearing in The Plain Dealer. Unlike many sports journalist who bounce around before finding their mainstay, Cabot’s has been a career spent covering one team for nearly 28 years. It’s also a career built from timing and loyalty. Cabot nearly moved to Florida after graduating college from Kent State, In fact she was literally packed to move to Florida before getting the call with a job offer to work at The Plain Dealer. Along the way she’s had several opportunities to leave for what many perceive as greener pastures, including a job at ESPN but she ultimately decided to stay in Cleveland. Cabot talks about being a female sports beat writer in a male dominated business, how social media can be an unfair and cruel place, the responsibility she carries being a NFL Hall of Fame voter, and what fans can expect when the Cleveland Browns star on HBO’s Hard Knocks this summer. You can follow Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter (@MaryKayCabot) ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews former Buffalo Bills cornerback Marlon Kerner. A third-round pick out of Ohio State, Kerner played for the Bills for three full seasons in the mid-90’s before torn ACL injuries to each of his knees prematurely ended his playing career. Kerner talks about growing up in Columbus, Ohio and wanting to go to Notre Dame but ultimately choosing to go Ohio State, a decision that paid off for him in a big way as he’d go on to become the Bills third-round pick in the 1995 draft despite Marlon never getting any indication he was on the Bills radar. He speaks in-depth about the intimidation factor he felt when first coming to Buffalo, going to a team just one year removed from their fourth consecutive Super Bowl on a roster featuring future Hall of Famers in Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. Marlon (@marlonkerner46) speaks about growing into a NFL player and describes in detail how it would come to an end thanks to an unfortunate pair of ACL injuries. He also spends a little time talking about potential future star cornerback Tre’Davius White and discusses his current role as the Bills Director of Player Engagement & Alumni. Both before and after the Kerner interview Moran is joined by his Monday “Pat with Pucks” partner Tone Pucks (@tonepucks). The two have very opinionated takes on what is going on with the Buffalo News sports department, why cuts have rained down on established journalists there and examine the public reaction on social media. They also go over some notes from Buffalo Bills OTA’s last week and run down their least favorite athlete ever in several sports. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews ESPN.com Buffalo Bills beat reporter Mike Rodak. A native of Massachusetts, Rodak (@mikerodak) talks about growing up a fan of nearby Boston sports teams and moving on to Providence for college because his older brother went there. Partially due to being unsure of what exactly he wanted to do with his life and also because Providence didn’t have a major journalism program, Rodak majored in finance and management. While still in school he caught a break in 2010 and got a gig helping to cover the New England Patriots as ESPNBoston.com. He would go on to be part of the Patriots coverage team for three years there and covered his first (and to date only) Super Bowl when the New York Giants defeated the Patriots, 21017 at Super Bowl XLVI (46). Rodak talks about that experience as well as moving on to Buffalo in the summer of 2013 to take over as Bills beat reporter for ESPN.com. Naturally because of his ties to New England both as a native and covering the Patriots, Rodak almost immediately drew the ire of many Bills fans who regarded him as a Patriots fan providing biased coverage against the Bills. Mike shares his feelings on that then and now. They spend considerable time talking about the sports media life —from personal friendships to direct competition and Mike has a strong take on the recent Buffalo News “buyout’ of longtime columnist and friend of his, Jerry Sullivan. Of course, they do talk a little about the Bills, including Rodak’s thoughts on why the organization may have passed on Josh Rosen in favor of Josh Allen, the wide receiver position and the big differences between the Sean McDermott and Rex Ryan regimes. They wrap up a mini-lightning round of random questions, something that’s become a ritual with each guest on the podcast, including revealing Rodak’s favorite sports movie, city to visit, the one person he’d follow on Twitter if only allowed one follow, three dinner guests and more. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast Patrick Moran is joined by Sports Illustrated and MMQB senior writer Jenny Vrentas. One of the best sports writers in the business today male or female, Jenny takes us through her journey, one that actually began as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major at Penn State College before deciding she wanted to venture into sports writing and ultimately going to the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She went on to land a job at the Newark Star Ledger in 2007, a position she’d hold for six years as she eventually became a beat writer for the New York Jets and Giants. Her career shifted in 2013 when Peter King essentially handpicked her to join the MMQB writing team at Sports Illustrated. Vrentas talks in detail about that process and gets emotional when discussing King’s upcoming departure after 29-years at Sports Illustrated. She also gives her opinion on the life of a reporter in the New York city market, goes into the unfair disadvantages women often have in the sports journalism workplace and discusses a few of the incredible stories she’s written in recent years. All that and much more with one of the best and most likable sports writers in the business! Follow Jenny Vrentas on Twitter at @JennyVrentas and check out her work at Sports Illustrated. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this breakthrough episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews one of the most recognizable people in the world of sports, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter joins the show for an extended interview. Their talk reveals Schefter’s legendary career actually stems from a series of unplanned circumstances. While it appears Schefter was a prodigy destined to be arguably the most recognizable football media face on earth, that’s hardly the case. The truth is Schefter was rejected by at least two colleges before getting into Michigan. He also didn’t go to school with designs of becoming a journalist and only multiple rejections led to him joining the college newspaper. After school he applied to over a hundred jobs without getting a response, and incredibly he joined ESPN only after the NFL Network wouldn’t budge on a mediocre re-signing offer when his contract there expired. Essentially, Schefter’s success is a story of perseverance and he runs through it all in an interview laced with topics you don’t hear him talk about often. He also talks about respect and competition among his peers, what it’s like working for ESPN and a bunch of random human interest questions. And yes, he does answer a couple of Buffalo Bills questions while learning himself that he was indirectly the genesis for the #BillsMafia movement. Speaking of the Bills, Ryan Talbot (@ryantalbot) of newyorkupstate.com joins the podcast following Schefter for a conversation about the Bills. He talks about Richie Incognito un-retiring and things for fans to look forward to as OTA’s get going. ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews award-winning New York Post lead sports columnist, Mike Vaccaro. A two-time New York Sportswriter of the Year as named by the National Sports Media Association, Vaccaro talks with Moran about a variety of topics, including his career journey that began at St. Bonaventure College in Olean, New York and led to jobs in Fayetteville, Kansas City, Middletown and Newark before landing a job at the New York Post, a position he’s now held since 2002. Vaccaro discloses what it’s like to work in the ultra-competitive New York City media market, offers his insight into the “Tabloid Wars” between the Post and the NY Daily News and discusses the balance between having friends in the media while still competing against them for scoops and stories. The three books Vaccaro has written are also discussed and he reveals which if the three means the most to him. There’s even a little bit of actual sports talk in the interview, including his take on a Yankees/Nationals World Series collision course, the New York Knicks and Sam Darnold falling to the New York Jets. Before that, Moran is joined by Tone Pucks for their weekly “Pat With Pucks” segment. The two talk about the favorable position the Buffalo Bills roster appears to be in moving forward thanks to a bright salary cap outlook, and spend some time discussing if NHL pending free agent John Tavares really is a realistic option for the Buffalo Sabres this summer. Links to review/purchase Vaccaro’s books on Amazon: The First Fall Classic: The Red Sox, the Giants, and the Cast of Players, Pugs, and Politicos Who Reinvented the World Series in 1912 : https://goo.gl/RezAhr 1941–The Greatest Year In Sports: Two Baseball Legends, Two Boxing Champs, and the Unstoppable Thoroughbred Who Made History in the Shadow of War: https://goo.gl/VgAqK4 Emperors and Idiots: The Hundred Year Rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox, From the Very Beginning to the End of the Curse: https://goo.gl/P1Vc7d ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by Adam Caplan, former ESPN NFL Insider and current SiriusXM Radio host. One of the best reporters in the business, Caplan (@caplanNFL) spends a little time discussing the Buffalo Bills and several other teams around the league; including Cleveland, Tampa Bay and the LA Rams. However, as usual with guests on the podcast, Moran spends even more time pulling back the curtain to give fans an opportunity to get know Caplan well beyond his NFL expertise. We discuss Caplan’s growing up near Philadelphia, his early obsession with fantasy baseball, working for Scout.com on a path that would eventually lead him to ESPN in 2013 and a key role on their NFL Insiders show. Caplan also reveals his feelings of being a victim of the ESPN layoffs last year, a group that included among others Andrew Brandt, Jason Stark, Andy Katz, Mark Stein and Ed Werder. We also learn a few anecdotes Caplan rarely talks about, including the story of where he met his future wife and his time working wrestling events and one night in particular that led to Vader getting heated at him. All that and much more! Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran and his weekly Monday “Pat With Pucks” partner Tone Pucks examine the current Buffalo Bills roster as it stands to debate if this team, on paper is better or worse than last year’s 9-7 playoff team. They break the team down by position and agree on some units while disagreeing on others, especially quarterback and the offensive line. They also give their thoughts on Russ Brandon recently “resigning” as President of both the Bills and Buffalo Sabres, with Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) refusing to completely vilify Brandon and says Ralph Wilson is more to blame for the Bills 17-year playoff drought. The Las Vegas Golden Knights, Lebron James & Tiger Woods are also discussed, and the two wrap up by answering a couple of fun TV and movie topics floating around Twitter. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast Patrick Moran is joined by Sweeny Murti, New York Yankees beat reporter for WFAN in New York City, a job he’s held dating back to 2001. Also a contributor for the MLB Network and SNY, Sweeny discusses why pitching has keyed the Yankees sizzling hot streak they’ve been riding recently. He also puts their recent record in historical context, talks Yanks/Red Sox rivalry, Luis Severino and the role Miguel Andujar may have going forward once Brandon Drury gets back. Sweeny (@YankeesWFAN) also lends insight as to what it’s like working in the crazed New York media, specifically covering the Yankees. He talks about the relationship he has with some of his colleagues while still maintaining a sense of competition. He reveals that he had to overcome being a little intimidated at covering the most famous team in all of sports when first starting his tenure as WFAN Yankees beat reporter more than 17 years ago, and how it was Bernie Williams who helped break the ice. Lastly, Sweeny offers advice for youngsters hoping to break in the business and answers a series of random questions. After that Patrick is joined by Jon Alba (@jonalba) of ABC7/Fox 22 in Bangor, Maine to discuss recent WWE events and happenings. Jon, co-host of “Living The Gimmick” podcast that drops every Wednesday, gives his thoughts on Seth Rollins being arguably the best thing going lately, what the WWE should do with Roman Reigns and his assessment of the jobs Kurt Angle and Paige are doing as respective show general managers. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast Patrick Moran is joined by Del Reid, a founding father of one of the most famous fan bases in all of sports. This is your opportunity to learn the true story of #BillsMafia Thanks to the Barstool Sports and Deadspins of the internet, when many hear the term #BillsMafia they think of couples publicly fornicating in parking lots, guys drinking shots out from a chick’s bare naked ass and of course, table crashing. Lots and lots of table crashing. Often tables lit on fire. All that is true. However, that’s not what #BillsMafia is all about. Del (@DelReid) gives fans an education and tells those who don’t know the TRUE story and history of the #BillsMafia. He tells how the whole thing actually started as a bit of an inside joke and how a famous NFL insider, Adam Schefter inadvertently got the ball rolling. He also talks about the roles former Bills Stevie Johnson and Nick Barnett had in the thing taking off and many of the wonderful, charitable things that have resulted from the #BillsMafia becoming a thing. Of course, with the good always comes the bad and Del doesn’t shy away from discussing the downside of #BillsMafia, a side often sensationalized on internet blogs. We also spend time talking about 26 Shirts, a venture Del co-founded that uses the sales of t-shirt selling campaigns to assist worthy causes. To date 26 Shirts has raised nearly $500,000 for people in need and the venture continues to grow. Del’s one of the true good guys of Western New York and when fans around the globe think #BillsMafia they should be thinking of guys like him as opposed to tailgating ass juice drinkers. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast Patrick Moran is joined by Buffalo Bills beat reporter and co-host of The Bills Beat Podcast, Matthew Fairburn. This interview focuses on Fairburn and his journey to landing a job at Syracuse.com covering the Buffalo Bills, from growing up in Massachusetts to going away for college at the University of Missouri. Fairburn speaks of internships and writing gigs he had along the way to prepare him for post graduate life covering the NFL. Fairburn (@matthewfairburn) discusses how he got his job, other opportunities he was perusing at the time, relocating to Western New York and how he’s built a life around the area, including meeting his fiancé. He pulls back the curtain a little to disclose what life’s like covering a NFL team on the road and talks on the balance between friendship and competition among media colleagues covering the team’s beat. We also discuss The Bills Beat Podcast, a show he cohosts with Joe Buscaglia that’s hands down the best Bills podcast and one of the top sports and recreational podcasts overall anywhere. If you don’t believe me, check the Apple Podcast charts. Of course, I do spend some time talking Bills football with Fairburn and get his take on why he doesn’t think Josh Allen is as much of a “project” as other things. He also offers insight on Tremaine Edmunds, an improving defense and an outloook where Matthew thinks the Bills may be better in 2018 than most skeptics believe. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast Patrick Moran is joined by one of the rising young sports talk radio show hosts in Western New York, Nate Geary of WGR550 in Buffalo. The two fully recap the NFL draft from both a Buffalo Bills and league-wide perspective. They discuss the much anticipated yet highly scrutinized decision of Bills general manager Brandon Beane to trade up five spots and select quarterback Josh Allen, a decision that instantly sparked a lightning rod of reaction among fans. Geary talks about how much he loved the Bills “other” big first-round move that came with zero controversy, trading up for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. This is a guy that could become one of the better linebackers in the league. They break down all the Bills draft selections and discuss how they may fit into the team’s immediate and long term plans. The two wrap up by talking about some of the other teams in the league and how they fared with the draft, with both agreeing Green Bay and Denver had great drafts while the opposite for New Orleans. The two disagree on Baltimore and Pittsburgh. After that Tone Pucks drops in for their weekly Pat With Pucks segment and the two put an emphasis on the fans reaction of drafting Josh Allen, the Pegula’s involvement in the process if any, the state of the Bills roster now that the draft is complete and wind down by talking about the Buffalo Sabres winning the draft lottery Saturday. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy NFL Draft Day, folks! On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast Patrick Moran interviews long-time WGR 550 Buffalo sports talk radio host, Howard Simon. They discuss Howard’s long and successful career in the sports radio business, a journey that began in the mid-1990’s and included stints at WBEN and WNSA radio as well as a television gig at the Empire Sports Network before settling into his WGR morning show gig with Jeremy White in 2004. Howard recalls in great detail the divide among both fans and the media a few years ago that was unprecedented in Buffalo sports —the Buffalo Sabres tank. Howard explains why he took the side he did and the overall stress that Sabres season caused him. He also reflects on life as a morning talk show guy, answers several random questions and of course gives his take on what the Buffalo Bills should do in the NFL draft that starts tonight. Speaking of the draft, Patrick pulls a WGR-550 doubleheader and grabs Nate Geary (@NateGearyWGR) for a conversation about the NFL draft starting at the 44:00 mark. Patrick unveils his one and only mock draft, with plenty of trades and Nate offers his insights and opinions on several picks, players and positions. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Moran-Alytics Podcast enjoys its biggest score to date as Patrick Moran interviews long-time Sports Illustrated veteran and current media critic and columnist for The Athletic, Richard Deitsch. Starting at around the 3:30 mark Richard discusses in detail several topics, including why he decided to leave Sports Illustrated after 20 years for The Athletic, why he will soon be relocating permanently to Toronto, how he really feels about Skip Bayless, recollections of his favorite Olympic memories (he’s covered seven Olympic games) and Richard reveals why he chose to Buffalo for his college education and how going to school there played a role in launching his widely successful sports media career. We also discuss his Sports Media podcast, which has long been one of the top ranked sports and recreational podcasts in the world and Richard shares memories of a few past guests and offers his take on what makes for a good show. Lastly, Patrick asks Richard a series of rapid-fire style questions and actually stumps him when Richard’s asked what three dinner guests he’d most like to have, dead or alive. After that Patrick grabs Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) for the Monday weekly “Pat with Pucks” segment. This week they are giving their final thoughts as the NFL draft begins just four day from now. They also react to the Benjamin Allbright interview from last Thursday, give their takes on the NFL schedule release and offer opinions on now retired former Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re just one week away from the NFL draft and Denver sports radio host Benjamin Allbright joins Patrick Moran on the Moran-Alytics Podcast to talk all things NFL and the draft. Widely known as one of football’s best insiders and a must-follow on Twitter (@allbrightNFL), Benjamin shares the latest on what he’s been hearing when it comes to personnel decisions on this draft class, particularly at the quarterback position. We discuss several draft scenarios starting at around the 8:20 mark, including Allbright’s thoughts on the Buffalo Bills and what he hears the team is trying to do in regards to moving up the draft board. Here’s a spoiler alert–if you’re a Bills fans and in love with Josh Allen, this probably isn’t the interview you want to hear. We also discuss reporting, Twitter and social media in how it pertains to the relationship between reporter and content consumer, as well as details of Allbright’s very public feud with Jason La Canfora from 2016. The interview ends by stepping away from sports for a few fun facts, and we learn among other things what tunes Allbright likes to pump on his music player and three people he’d love to have dinner with. Immediately after that (around the 42:00 mark) Patrick is joined by former University at Buffalo defensive end and NFL draft prospect Demone Harris (@demoneharris). The two discuss Harris’ journey to this point — a road not paved easy. Harris wasn’t even a full-time starter on his high school football team until his senior year and didn’t receive a college scholarship. Instead, he was a walk-on at UB and during his time transformed himself from just another face in the program to one of its most pivotal players. With just one week Demone finds himself on the doorstep of the NFL, whether it comes in the later rounds of the draft or immediately after as an undrafted free agent, he’ll be on an NFL roster soon. Demone reveals what he plans on doing during the draft. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast features perhaps our biggest guest to date, as Patrick Moran interviews Ross Tucker, SiriusXM NFL Radio Host, color analyst for NBCSN and host of the Ross Tucker Podcast. The two get right to the point during an interview (43:00) as Ross is reasonably confident Richie Incognito hasn’t played his last NFL game. He also gives his insight to the one quarterback prospect that would be worth the Buffalo Bills moving up from No. 12 to 2 for in the NFL draft, now less than two weeks away. Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) also gives his take on a few of the other quarterback prospects, speaks of the two non-quarterbacks he loves most in the draft, isn’t sold on the Los Angeles Rams being the class of the NFC and we finish up with Ross reminiscing about his time with the Bills in 2003-04. Before that Tone Pucks (@TonePucks) joins Patrick for their weekly “Pat with Pucks” segment. Patrick quickly realizes how old and out of touch the duo are when it comes to recent charting pop music before the conversation takes a bit more serious turn towards several sports topics, including plenty of Bills talk while also checking in on the MLB National League and the Cleveland Cavs. Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.