THE BEST OF NICK MENDOLA . . .LIVE

PODCAST: Living Around Murder

Nick — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:01:45 +0000

Two authors join us today. First: an American author named Robert Andrew Powell, who spent a season in the murder capital of Mexico (and maybe the world) living the culture and following their major soccer team. The book, “This Love Is Not For Cowards”, is terrific, haunting work and you should buy it using the link below (because it’s a good book and also because my site is now an Amazon Associate (help me make loot)). Our second guest is Michael Flatt, a UB grad who published his first book of poetry this month.

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Nine: Writing a Book on Murder

PODCAST: Life In a Post-Pominville Buffalo w/ guests Jeremy White & Ken McKenna

Nick — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:08:15 +0000

What do we make of Darcy Regier’s dealings, the prospects he’s captured and the Sabres in general? We welcome WGR’s Jeremy White & Hockey’s Future’s Ken McKenna to talk life in a post-Pominville world.

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Eight: Post-Pominville talk with WGR’s Jeremy White & Hockey’s Future’s Ken McKenna

PODCAST: Here Comes Bobby Hurley

Nick — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:28:30 +0000

So we went to UB spring football practice and left with a new hoops coach. Hear from Paul Peck, Bobby Hurley, Danny White and Will Regan in an Alumni Arena-hosted podcast

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Seven: Talking UB with Paul Peck, new hoops coach Bobby Hurley, AD Danny White and player Will Regan

PODCAST: Talking with “Lincoln” actor Stephen McKinley Henderson

Nick — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:03:02 +0000

When Stephen McKinley Henderson moved to Buffalo, it was 30 years before he’d work alongside Daniel Day-Lewis on the Academy Award winning film, “Lincoln.” Here-in is a remarkable story of a tremendous actor and professor at the University at Buffalo doing what he loves. Go see him speak at Chef’s next Thursday as a part of the UB Downtown series.

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Six: Talking with “Lincoln” star and UB professor Stephen McKinley Henderson

PODCAST: Talking sports with Jarrett Payton

Nick — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:10:45 +0000

He was offered a professional soccer contract overseas in high school, played college football at The U, won a World Bowl and oh, he’s the son of late NFL legend Walter Payton: Jarrett Payton of ChicagolandSportsRadio.com even tells us who from the NFL Draft fits the Buffalo Bills quarterback role.

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Five: Talking sports and life with Jarrett Payton of ChicagolandSportsRadio.com

PODCAST: “Brad Riter Should Be On The Radio Every Day”

Nick — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:43:37 +0000

Old friend Brad Riter of trendingBuffalo.com joins the fray by phone to talk shared and uneasy fan emotions about the Sabres after the firing of Lindy Ruff.

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Four: Lindy Ruff’s fired & TrendingBuffalo.com’s Brad Riter is talking with me about it.

PODCAST: When Your Squirt Hockey Teammate Is On “The Amazing Race”

Nick — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:14:01 +0000

Nick has three guests: First, Nick’s former squirt hockey teammate Max Bichler and his wife Katie are contestants on “The Amazing Race 22″ beginning this Sunday. Then, we bring back a WECK interview from 2011 between Nick and actor Michael Kenneth Williams (“The Wire,” “Boardwalk Empire”). To start the show, Nick spends a few minutes on Bucky Gleason’s now infamous assertion that Terry Pegula is failing Sabres fans by keeping Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier around.

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Three: Buffalonians in “The Amazing Race” plus Sabres talk & Michael Kenneth Williams

PODCAST: NU coach Dave Burkholder & WECK throwback interview w/ 30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander

Nick — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:55:11 +0000

The Niagara Purple Eagles are now the No. 15 ranked men’s hockey team in the US heading into a weekend home-and-home with Canisius. I talk with head coach Dave Burkholder before playing back a very funny interview from back in the WECK days with 30 Rock cast member and “World Champion” Judah Friedlander. Enjoy!

AB Podcast Number Seventy-Two: Talking college puck & leadership with Dave Burkholder + WECK throwback interview with Judah Friedlander

PODCAST: What’s The Musical Future For Garage Kids?

Nick — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:46:42 +0000

Every old man finds a day where they have trouble finding new rock and roll, but why does it feel like this is different? Are the days of packing your gear and friends in a van to play rock and roll across the country in trouble? We talk tunes with 103.3 The Edge program director James Kurdziel and Grand Champeen guitarist Channing Lewis. It’s fun. There is swearing.

Grand Champeen plays Austin City Limits' Satellite Sets

AB Podcast Number Seventy-One: Spitting music talk with Grand Champeen’s Channing Lewis & 103.3 The Edge’s James Kurdziel

Sweat the band Excited States that I talked about HERE:

PODCAST: Sabres Talk, Young Buffalo Athletes & Topps-foolery

Nick — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:15:00 +0000

Did your hear? 2013 has begun, and here’s our first podcast. Nick quickly delves into how he understands those who are hitting the Sabres panic button… but completely disagrees. Also: Nick has not one but TWO guests in his “Best of the Web” feature, including Jonah Bronstein from HomebaseBuffalo.com and Beau Abbott from the NSFW BaseballCardVandals.com.

Tomorrow we’ll have a second podcast to celebrate 2013, with Grand Champeen singer Channing Lewis & 103.3 The Edge program director Jim Kurdziel.

AB Podcast Number Seventy: Sabres Alert & Best of the Web

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep18 “Interview with Stevie Johnson and Lease Talk”

Nick — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:59:14 +0000

Stevie Johnson talks his maturation and desire for the Bills to be relevant in the National Football League. Before that, though, I talk my hopes for the new Bills lease & then we listen to this week’s Bills rap. It’s fun and rather frivolous.

AB Podcast Number Sixty-Nine: Talking With Stevie Johnson

Upper90/TLNM combocast, “Interview with Joe Prince-Wright”

Nick — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:51:50 +0000

Currently in the mix for Scottish professional side Arbroath FC, Joe Prince-Wright has written for The Guardian, MLS Soccer and Eurosport. He joins Nick to talk about playing at Celtic, the EPL’s current season, American college soccer, FC Buffalo and more. Follow him on Twitter!

AB Podcast Sixty-Eight: Scottish professional player & MLS writer Joe Prince-Wright

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Wk14 v St. Louis Rams

Nick — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:59:26 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Fourteen

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

produced by Pumice T

The Late Nick Mendola Seas3Ep17, “Interview with Matt Taibbi”

Nick — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:20:17 +0000

Rolling Stone editor, investigative reporter/author and former Buffalo resident Matt Taibbi joins the show to talk about an awful lot of subjects including Russia, journalism, fiscal cliffs and pro basketball in Mongolia. He swears early on with my permission. Warn your kids.

AB Podcast Sixty-Seven: Author and reporter Matt Taibbi

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go BIlls Rap 2012, Wk11 v. Dolphins

Nick — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:50:30 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Eleven

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk10 v. Patriots

Nick — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:03:29 +0000

Brady as Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs"

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Ten

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola podcast, Seas3Ep16, “Interview with Grantland contributor Ben Austen”

Nick — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:52:33 +0000

By now many have read the new Bills/Buffalo feature on Grantland, a comprehensive and exposed view of Buffalonians as Bills fans. We revisit with the author of the piece, Ben Austen, to further discuss his experience in our city.

Graphic from Grantland piece

AB Podcast Sixty-Six: Author of Grantland’s new Bills/Buffalo feature, Ben Austen

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola podcast, Seas3Ep15 “Pre-Election & Bills talk with The Nation’s George Zornick”

Nick — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:54:30 +0000

We start off with some Bills talk, but you might wanna hit pause if politics offends you. It’s an important week for our country and I’m going to talk about what I think matters. All polite and rational opinions welcome.

AB Podcast Sixty-Five: Bills talk & Election crunch time w/ The Nation’s George Zornick

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk9 v. Texans

Nick — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:18:31 +0000

Healthy

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Nine

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk7 vs Titans

Nick — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:54:59 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Seven

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Week Six vs. Cards

Nick — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:16:09 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Six

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep14 with “Sons of Anarchy’s” Chris Browning

Nick — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:14:29 +0000

Friend of a friend Chris Browning gives us a Hollywood-via-Western-Pennsylvania take on his career as an actor in “Sons of Anarchy,” “Book of Eli” and a number of other roles that require a lad to be pretty “badass.”

AB Podcast Sixty-Four: Talking with ‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor Chris Browning

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Week Five

Nick — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:27:47 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Five

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep13 “Hanging with WGR’s Dan Cave”

Nick — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:35:03 +0000

On the day after the Buffalo Bills huge loss to the Patriots, WGR’s Dan Cave stops by to talk Bills, chores, the NHL Lockout and who’s closer to a series: the Red Sox or the Cubs?

AB Podcast Sixty-Three: Hanging Out With WGR’s Dan Cave

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep12

Nick — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:42:25 +0000

The Bills and Patriots: are they about to tangle in the most important Bills home game in ages? The Nation’s George Zornick and I go through that, as well as wondering how in the world the Republicans and Mitt Romney have fallen so far behind in the polls… plus: are polls real or ridiculous?

AB Podcast Sixty-Two: Interview w/ The Nation’s George Zornick

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk4 v. Patriots

Nick — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:43:25 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Four

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk3 v. Browns

Nick — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:09:38 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Three

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola Seas3Ep11, “News & Bills talk with George Zornick”

Nick — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:14:11 +0000

I’m fairly nervous regarding the escalating U.S. embassy heat around the globe. The Nation’s George Zornick takes us inside the fray and talks about the presidential election. Then we talk about the Bills, because we’re from Buffalo.

AB Podcast Sixty-One: Interview w/ The Nation’s George Zornick

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk2 v. Chiefs

Nick — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:38:03 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Two

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola Seas3Ep10, “Interview with Luke Russert”

Nick — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:53:26 +0000

Catching up with longtime friend of the show Luke Russert of NBC News to talk the Bills opening loss, his friendship with Eddie Vedder, seeing the Boss in Chicago, the state of politics and even where the Presidential Election is leaning right now. Good dude, as always.

AB Podcast Sixty: Interview w/ NBC News’ Luke Russert

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Let’s Go Bills Rap 2012, Wk1 v. Jets

Nick — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:52:07 +0000

Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week One

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep9, “Hanging Out With Tim Graham”

Nick — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 03:39:59 +0000

Tim Graham has worked for ESPN, the Palm Beach Post and The Buffalo News. He dropped by Nick’s studio to talk Bills football, Johnny Cash, head issues, blue solo cups and so much more. This is Part I of the conversation. GET INTO IT.

AB Podcast Fifty-Nine: Interview w/ Tim Graham of The Buffalo News

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep8, Interview w/ Tom Fontana of “Copper,” “Oz” and “Homicide”

Nick — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:12:16 +0000

This podcast may be exactly what I want the program to become: genuine conversations with interesting folks who have a real connection to Buffalo. Tom Fontana (right, with “Copper” star Tom Weston-Harris) has written and produced shows like “Oz” — which he created — “Homicide: Life On The Street,” “St. Elsewhere” and now “Copper,” which is two episodes deep on BBC America (airs Sunday nights). We talk about his roots in Buffalo and local theater, his relationships with people like Dick Wolf, Christopher Meloni & David Simon plus, of course, his new Civil War-era crime drama. It’s a blast.

AB Podcast Fifty-Eight: Interview w/ Tom Fontana of “Copper,” “Oz” and “Homicide”

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep7: UB, College Football preview with Scott Wilson

Nick — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:29:54 +0000

The number of wins for bowl eligibility is six. Can the 2012 UB Bulls meet that total? What will it take for a non-SEC team to win a title? All that and more with UB pregame and postgame host Scott Wilson.

AB Podcast Fifty-Seven: UB Bulls & CFB preview w/ Scott Wilson

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep6: “Gold Medals, NBA talk w/ Jonah Bronstein”

Nick — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 20:05:12 +0000

The USA are champions in basketball, Dwight Howard is an L.A. Laker and my friend & hoops expert Jonah Bronstein of the Niagara Gazette was over my house. Cause for a basketball podcast? YOU KNOW IT.

: Getty Images

AB Podcast Fifty-Six: Gold Medal and NBA Talk w/ The Niagara Gazette’s Jonah Bronstein

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep5 on Schumer, Buffalo & Championships

Nick — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:15:24 +0000

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii love a parade. Lots of speculation on Schumer’s press conference and why I’d trade nearly anything in my sporting past for one pro title.

AB Podcast Fifty-Five: Speculating Schumer & Buffalo Sports’ Title-Tipping Point

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep4 “Harbor Talk w/ Town Ballroom’s Donny Kutzbach and other tales”

Nick — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:54:17 +0000

What’s happening downtown is excellent, but rather than discuss what will happen… let’s focus on HOW people like Donny Kutzbach (Town Ballroom & Funtime Presents) and Buffalo Place have succeeded at the Harbor by just making things happen. Also, we’ll talk about seal flu.

From the Buffalo News

AB Podcast Fifty-Four: Harbor Talk w/ Town Ballroom’s Donny Kutzbach and other tales

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep3 “Optimism of Opening Day & Politics talk w/ George Zornick of The Nation”

Nick — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Do I feel the Bills can make the playoffs? Do I hate forced negativity in sports media? Does The Nation’s George Zornick provide hearty political talk again this Friday?

Well… does Bruce Springsteen have his finger on the pulse of the working man?

AB Podcast Fifty-Three: Bills Optimism On Opening Day & politics talk w/ The Nation’s George Zornick

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep2, “PSU Punishment & Batman (Two Topics)”

Nick — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:18:11 +0000

Why the huge punishment of Penn State by the NCAA needs big picture viewing and some light-hearted fare — spoiler-and-gun-control-debate-free — on “The Dark Knight Rises”

AB Podcast Fifty-Two: Punishment at PSU & Spoiler-free Batman Talk

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas3Ep1, “Regular Regier, Sad Sandusky & Kooky Campaigning”

Nick — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:09:04 +0000

Darcy Regier’s shrinking uniqueness, Penn State football should avoid further NCAA punishment and our weekly visit from The Nation’s George Zornick. It’s a great way to start a new “season” of The Late Nick Mendola podcast, one slated to hang out all the way through the 2012-13 NHL season. Get ready for hijinx!

AB Podcast Fifty-One: Regular Regier, Sad Sandusky & Kooky Campaigning

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep50: Nifty Fifty

Nick — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:53:28 +0000

Why trading NHL picks for players is key, revolutionized LeBron opinions in wake of a title, which famous James has 200-year staying power and “Moonrise Kingdom” opens

AB Podcast Fifty: Nifty Fifty

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep49: When Audio Goes Wrong

Nick — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:10:47 +0000

What do you do when a perfectly-legit hour-long conversation with the Niagara Gazette’s Jonah Bronstein sounds like it was recorded in a grain solo thanks to a faulty cord? You put it up anyway. Enjoy a lot of talk about basketball’s role in WNY, Niagara County hoops and the NBA Finals.

AB Podcast Forty-Nine: In the Echo Chamber w/ Jonah Bronstein

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep48: Wallenda Walk & Interview w/ J Pinder

Nick — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:46:01 +0000

Talking about a purposeful ignorance of the Nik Wallenda walk over Niagara Falls… until today (I do care!), whether it’s okay to wear a Cubs cap to a game not involving the Cubs, the forgotten Sonics fan… PLUS an interview w/ Seattle hip-hop artist/ardent Sonics (not Thunder!) supporter J Pinder.

AB Podcast Forty-Eight: Wallenda Walk, Ballcap Talk & interview w/ Seattle hip-hopper J Pinder

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep47: A Trial Separation with Boxing (with the near certainty of divorce)

Nick — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:11:23 +0000

Nearly everyone who watched Pacquaio v. Bradley on Saturday night knew who won. It wasn’t close. Two judges must’ve been paid handsomely or electro-shocked, and now I’ve left my rampart as one of the last supporters of the Sweet Science. Maybe one day you’ll return, boxing…

AB Podcast Forty-Seven: A Trial Separation with Boxing (with the near certainty of divorce)

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep46: LeBron Goes Nuts + Euro 2012 preview

Nick — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:39:41 +0000

LeBron James defies even my Celtics fanhood to deliver with 45 +15 in Game Six, the Celts prospects for Gm6, the NHL’s prospects for ANY Saturday ratings & a preview of Euro2012.

Not teammates this month...

AB Podcast Forty-Six: LeBron’s Game Six insanity + a preview of Euro 2012

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep45: Interview w/ “The Long Walk” author Brian Castner

Nick — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:18:48 +0000

I could pretend the timing was planned, but on this 68th anniversary of D-Day we speak with Iraq War veteran/bomb disposal expert Brian Castner on his new book dealing with the trauma that comes with and after war, “The Long Walk.” I’m unsure you’ll find a more interesting 20 minutes in your day and make sure to pre-order Brian’s book from Talking Leaves or another trusted local bookseller.

AB Podcast Forty-Five: Interview with author/veteran/Buffalonian/outdoorsman Brian Castner on his new book, “The Long Walk”

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep44: NBA nears apex & interview w/ Craig Kanalley

Nick — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:07:11 +0000

He even LOOKS like Rajon Rondo

For Monday’s podcast, we catch up with Buffalo boy and Huffington Post senior editor Craig Kanalley, but not before reveling in what is easily the second-most popular playoffs in major professional American sports: the National Basketball Association.

AB Podcast Forty-Four: NBA nears apex & interview w/ Craig Kanalley

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep43: Big Sports Weekend Ahead

Nick — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:53:59 +0000

It’s the last light podcast week for a long, long time as I wrap up my 2011-12 season at Sahlen’s Sports Park this week and have a full summer of spitting non sequiturs in your general direction. For heaviness, please check my Dr. Corasanti/Alix Rice post, but for light-hearted takes on last night’s Talib Kweli/J Pinder show at The Town Ballroom, the NBA Conference Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals and US/Canada in Toronto this weekend… LISTEN!!

AB Podcast Forty-Three: Big Sports Weekend Ahead

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep42: Get Big Picture

Nick — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:34:20 +0000

Back, rejuvenated and episodes away from some world-class guests… but why did I disappear for a couple weeks? And was there a danger of no return? Will the kids at the shows have kids of their own? Is this a 1968 episode of “Batman”?

AB Podcast Forty-Two: Get Big Picture

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep41: NBA/NHL talk + interviews with comedienne Suzanne Weber & The Nation’s George Zornick

Nick — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:34:30 +0000

AB Podcast Forty-One: NBA/NHL talk, plus interviews w/ comedienne Suzanne Weber & The Nation’s George Zornick

What do Mitt Romney’s D-quotient, Mother’s Day, the Washington Capitals and me have in common? They are all involved in this podcast. I love you, Mom and my kid’s mom (and her mom… and their moms…)

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep40: Interview w/ director Mike Sobieraj

Nick — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:19:40 +0000

AB Podcast Forty: Interview w/ “My City Limits” director Mike Sobieraj

Head to Highwatermarkfilms.com to learn more about Mike’s 30-minute documentary about resettled refugees in Buffalo. It features a soundtrack by local mainstay Roger Bryan & The Orphans. There’s a free screening at the Buffalo and Erie Country Historical Society at 6p on May 23.

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep39: Fred Jackson Extended plus T.O. and Dr. Phil together at-last

Nick — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:02:30 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Nine: Fred Jackson Extended plus T.O. and Dr. Phil together at-last

The Bills led a press conference in to announce they’ve cloned Fred Jackson.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep38: Bryce Harper fever plus A Heady Topic

Nick — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:05:54 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Eight: Bryce Harper’s boogers plus a heady topic: depression & head safety

An appetizer on Bryce Harper fever in the media, followed by a heady discussion on how we deal with head trauma and depression in life.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep37: Bills Draft Recap & bin Laden… micromanager?

Nick — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:24:55 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Seven: Bills Draft Recap & bin Laden… micromanager?

Talking Buffalo Bills draft picks, the Coyotes saving their franchise, NBA Playoffs and Osama bin Laden… micromanager?

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep36: Welcoming the Newest Bill

Nick — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:04:06 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Six: Gilmore’s a Bill & Other NFL/NHL Thoughts

An easy explanation for why the Bills draft pick looked bummed and what the pick means, plus other NFL Draft and NHL second round thoughts.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep35: Draft Talk w/ Bills Digest’s Mark Ludwiczak

Nick — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:41:55 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Five: A Conversation With Bills Digest’s Mark Ludwiczak

When fancy microphones take a dump, we battle through: it’s Bills Digest/CBS Sports’ Mark Ludwiczak and me, talking Bills draft.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep34: Interview with Warren Barton

Nick — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:11:26 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Four: A Conversation With Warren Barton

Before starting his well-respected gig as a pundit on Fox Soccer Channel, Warren Barton played the role of defender for England, Newcastle United and Wimbledon. Still broadcasting, Barton now owns and coaches a strong San Diego Flash side in the National Premier Soccer League. We talked about this week’s Champions League tilts, Lionel Messi’s place in soccer lore, Jurgen Klinsmann’s takeover of US Soccer, Newcastle United’s table ranking and, of course, the National Premier Soccer League.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep33: Conversing with Nick Bakay

Nick — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:03:54 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-three: A Conversation With Nick Bakay

Talking Bills draft, Hollywood, poop diapers and… “Paul Blart 2?” with Buffalo native, actor, comedian, sportscaster, dad Nick Bakay.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep32: “Cabin In The Woods” own Rich Herbeck

Nick — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:35:27 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-Two: “Cabin In The Woods” own Rich Herbeck

Buffalo boy Rich Herbeck has been involved with “Lost”, “Alphas”, and now we’re finally seeing the work he did on “Cabin In The Woods.”

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep31: Sun Spits Out Giant Fireball

Nick — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:49:49 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty-One: Sun Spits Out Fireball

Sure, we can and will talk about the NHL playoffs, suspensions, Ted Nugent, women’s wages and more… BUT THE SUN SPIT OUT A GIANT FIREBALL

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep30: Is There Anybody Alive Out There?

Nick — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:30:57 +0000

AB Podcast Thirty: Is There Anybody Alive Out There?

Who’s ready for the George Zimmerman and Casey Anthony reality show? Probably far more people than are willing to change the culture that would embrace it. From Anderson Cooper on Dyngus Day to to Bamitt Rombama, it’s TLNM Podcast

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep29: Roy v. Ruff, Hookers v. Ontario

Nick — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:07:09 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty-Nine: Derek Roy vs. Lindy Roy, Ontario vs. Hookers

The 'A' stands for anarchy!

Can Derek Roy & Lindy Ruff co-exist? How do Jason Pominville and Ryan Miller play into the equation? Nothing good comes from Ozzie Guillen & Fidel Castro in the same sentence, plus hookers North of the border… a new Friday night for college kids?
Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Good Friday edition of The Late Nick Mendola (Seas2Ep28): Requiem For a Team

Nick — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:24:07 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty-Eight: Requiem For a Team, 2012 Buffalo Sabres

What do the 2012 Buffalo Sabres have in common with “Lost” and Dennis Green? Plenty.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep27: Is It Now or How Do You Believe?

Nick — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:22:55 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty-Seven: Is it NOW do you believe or HOW do you believe?

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep26

Nick — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:56:02 +0000

When I worked at WGR, I spent many a morning having a quick conversation with now-WBEN news director Steve Cichon. I found his stories fascinating and his temperament friendly. Steve has published multiple books including one on the complete history of Parkside called “The Complete History of Parkside“, as well as a new, completely touching tribute to his late father, “The Real Steve Cichon.” Plus, he wears bow ties and is responsible for WGR’s “Haseoke.” Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

AB Podcast Twenty-Six: Two-Man Town Hall with WBEN news director & Staffannouncer.com author Steve Cichon

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep25: I Want It, Sabres

Nick — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:52:06 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty-Five: What if the Sabres really go the route of redemption?

There was a time not too long ago when there was nothing I wanted more than to watch my favorite team play my favorite sports. That iced canes squad was the 2005-06 Buffalo Sabres and Dear Holiness they were wonderful to watch; Our city’s team was the amalgamation of everything adrenaline-boosting in the sport: cast-offs, young studs and nobodies who latched onto rule changes and beat teams so soundly that fans would’ve bought commemorative toilet paper if there was such a thing.

Yes, we would’ve wiped our behinds with Derek Roy well before it became a derisive notion.

That Sabres team lost mainly because they had more injuries to one position than dummies at the crash test factory. Joy was short-lived because surprises yield expectations and the 06-07 team met the playoffs as if God had deemed them champions before the season. You know what happened next: “He said, he said” with star players’ contracts, unruly expectations for kids not ready to lose their mentors and less on-ice leadership that the captain of the Titanic.

The next few years felt so lonely. As a ticket holder, watching the seats re-fill around me between the lockout and the rock-out was intoxicating. It was a ride I hadn’t been on since Buffalo made the Leafs fall en route to the Cup Finals. The 05-06 team made each game feel like 50 cents from the tooth fairy. The next few teams were the bully taking your money and telling you it’s fake.

“Hockey Heaven” ensures that Sabres fever cannot possibly sneak up on even the average fan this go-round. Well, Hockey Heaven and the Pittsburgh Penguins. You see, we’re weeks away from having the “stars aligning” conversation just as we’re actually weeks away from the Sabres completing their improbable run into the postseason (Can you believe the Devils knocked out the Pens while we got the Rangers, the world’s most overappreciated No. 1 seed?!?!?)

No, this improbable run isn’t close to that improbable, let alone impossible. In fact, it was just January in which — paraphrasing myself — t’s not that 10 points out with half-a-season to go is a mountain to overcome. It’s that 10 points out for this team felt like Everest.

But there are elements of this run — if we can call it that — that stir up emotions consistent with some of Buffalo’s more fun victory sprints. No, we cannot be called underdogs — we spend more money than the majority of teams — but perhaps Wonderdogs… as in, I can’t help but wonder how in the world this group we branded old dogs mere weeks ago has learned new tricks?

Consider a Vezina-winner and Olympic silver medalist dropping off considerably, being branded as a one-year wonder. Consider a coach and general manager verbally-escorted out-of-town by the majority of the vocal fan base. Consider a group of players deservedly being served garbage soup for electing the new guy captain, retreating under fire and all-in-all resembling keystone cops in the jurisdiction of their own dysfunctional locker room.

So what’s so exciting for me is not the concept of underdog nor the concept of powerhouse; I’m pumped at the wonder of one the most visceral of plotlines: redemption.

The storyline doesn’t match up with a dream Hollywood flick. That would’ve been a Cup run last year, months after Terry Pegula bought the team and a team legend died in season. Heck, this doesn’t even have the big-name locker room squabbling of Team Peca, Team Pronger and the ’06 Oilers.

But wouldn’t it make sense if this was the group to win something massive in Buffalo? Not the Party-Fueled Bickering Bills who went to dance after dance, nor the team with the best goaltender of all-time, nor the upstart underdogs who “no one believed in but us” back in ’06.

Rather consider the star they were forced into signing, the captain who was “overpaid,” the “Chippewa primadonna” whose heart wasn’t in it and the high-priced free agent signing who went bust before properly-inflated?

Look, you gotta be hot at the right time and there isn’t a better time than now. I wouldn’t even bet on this team completing their run to the postseason, but man I’m telling you I want it (if only to smash every preconceived notion of what it takes for a Cup team. Thanks, I’ll take the skilled all-around center over the late-round face-off guy).

I’m just saying: Sometimes ingredients never felt like ingredients until it’s all you had to throw in the fryer one night. It’s one of the legends as to how Buffalo came up with chicken wings. Maybe it can build a hockey winner.

It’s not likely… but I want it: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep24

Nick — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:14:14 +0000

Who in the world is Sal Capaccio of WGR and what does he think of the Bills, radio and Buffalo? Nick sat down with Sal and got to know the football fiend.

AB Podcast Twenty-Four: Two-Man Town Hall with WGR’s Sal Capaccio

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

BKR Podcast Six: Saints & Sinners, Bills & Sabres

Nick — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:06:28 +0000

BKR Podcast Six

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep23

Nick — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:10:40 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty-Three: NFL Bounty Penalty Feels Pretty Hypocritical”

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep22

Nick — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:31:28 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty-Two: Are you suffering from Sabres exhaustion?

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep21

Nick — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:20:26 +0000

: “Stop being horrible to women!”

AB Podcast Twenty-One: Williams signing makes it playoffs or bust

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep20

Nick — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:28:10 +0000

AB Podcast Twenty: An interview with Revival Tour and Alkaline Trio member Daniel Andriano

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep19

Nick — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:37:03 +0000

AB Podcast Nineteen: Hypothetically, Mario Williams becomes a Bill… then what?

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep18

Nick — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:00:09 +0000

AB Podcast Eighteen: Nick Helps Your Secretary With Her Bracket, In Turn Helping You

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep17

Nick — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:05:13 +0000

AB Podcast Seventeen: Two-Man Town Hall: 11-12 Hoops w/ Paul Crowley

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

BKR Podcast, v5

Nick — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:34:23 +0000

BKR Podcast 5

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep16

Nick — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:02:03 +0000

AB Podcast Sixteen: Killing Conversation With Arguments

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep15

Nick — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:31:17 +0000

AB Podcast Fifteen: Mario Williams, Lazar Hayward and the Bracketologist Masquerading As a Hero!

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep14

Nick — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Biebs! Let's hang!

AB Podcast Fourteen: Keeping Ryan Miller Angry –> Inviting Bieber to Play Iced Canes

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep13

Nick — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:23:52 +0000

AB Podcast Thirteen: Will Shake-up shake up Roy? Is Miller the problem?

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep12

Nick — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:24:44 +0000

AB Podcast Twelve: Darcy Regier goes from zero to hero in 10 minutes time

A note on Hodgson from my friend Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun, who calls Hodgson a “great kid with huge upside.”

“Here’s something that should spice up those Leaf-Sabres game. Haliburton is a town in cottage country 2-1/2 hours north of Toronto. Same home town as Matt Duchene.

Published Feb 17/2012
MIKE ZEISBERGER
Toronto Sun

VANCOUVER – Cody Hodgson didnt just grow up in a home full of Maple Leafs fans.
He actually was almost born in the home of the Maple Leafs itself.
Back on Feb. 17, 1990, Hodgson’s parents came down from Haliburton to attend a Maple Leafs-New Jersey Devils game at the Gardens and were in the building when his mother, Marie, went into labour. Cody was born the next day at a Toronto-area hospital.

”They still have the ticket stubs,” Hodgson, the Vancouver Canucks forward, chuckled on Friday as his team prepared for Saturdays game against Toronto.

They knew the birth could happen any time, but dad had the opportunity to get tickets, so they went to the game.

Hodgson was surrounded by Leafs supporters growing up. Now, as he celebrates his 22nd birthday on Saturday, he’ll face off against Toronto for the first time in Vancouver and just the second time in his young NHL career.
“You always cheered for those guys, too,” Hodgson said. ”When you’d go to school, all the kids are Leafs fans. Everybody was always cheering for the Leafs. There were some pretty good players, too, with Mats Sundin. Tie Domi was a big name in our house.”

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Podcast: BKRv4

Nick — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:59:27 +0000

This picture has nothing to do with Brad’s podcast. I just had to post it and hadn’t heard it yet and here’s a cool picture.

BKR Podcast 4

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep11

Nick — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:22:13 +0000

Thanks to Ash Wednesday services, this one was a bit rushed, but that doesn’t mean the barely fathomable nature of re-signing Paul Gaustad pre-trade deadline is any more understandable.

AB Podcast Eleven: Re-signing Gaustad would be a symptom of the sick, Ash Wednesday and Rick Santorum vs. the Illuminati

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep10

Nick — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:17:29 +0000

AB Podcast Ten: Only a Year of Pegula and Why He May Be Keeping Darcy

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep9

Nick — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:12:51 +0000

AB Podcast Nine: “The Sabres are a Sting concert, RIP Gary Carter, Dirk Daniels loves “Linsanity” and interview guest John K. Samson of The Weakerthans on his new album, “Provincial” and former Flyers 61-goal scorer Reggie Leach. “

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Podcast: BKR, v3 “Brad Riter on WGR, baby furniture and VH1 Classic”

Nick — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:04:50 +0000

BKR Podcast 3: “Brad Riter on WGR, baby furniture and VH1 Classic”

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep8

Nick — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:34:42 +0000

(Ooooh, it’s a lady)

AB Podcast Eight: “The Sabres bottoming out… and also several controversial takes on women’s rights that will make liberals and conservatives alike angry with Nick. “

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep7 (Not a fan of the number six)

Nick — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:17:27 +0000

AB Podcast Seven: “Is Any Public Figure Really Real? feat. thoughts on Mitt Romney, Kellen Moore, Zambia, Jason Whitlock, Jeremy Lin and a Chanel commercial”

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep5

Nick — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:17:33 +0000

AB Podcast Five: The One Where Nick Learns Mid-Podcast that he Has a Co-Worker in the Swimsuit Issue and UB is going to play Ohio State in Football

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

PODCAST: BKR, v2

Nick — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:13:50 +0000

BKR Podcast 2: On the Golden Corral chocolate water fountain commercial… and more!!!

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep4″

Nick — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:58:22 +0000

Recommended pre-reading: our guest Mark Byrnes’ post in “The Atlantic Cities” from Dec. 15, 2011 on “Buffalo, Then and Now (1902-2011)”

AB Podcast Four: Architecture: physically, mentally and societally

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“The Late Nick Mendola,” Seas2Ep3

Nick — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:38:59 +0000

AB Podcast Three: Eulogizing romance, eight points for Sam Gagner and the real American dream

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep2

Nick — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:22:06 +0000

AB Podcast Two: Eulogizing romance, eight points for Sam Gagner and the real American dream

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

The Late Nick Mendola, Seas2Ep1

Nick — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:02:48 +0000

AB Podcast One: On Sabres, fat kids and positive examples

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Friendocast: BKR, v1

Nick — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:37:53 +0000

The Brad Riter AB Cast, No. 1

Email: audiobuffalo@gmail.com

SONG: “Centerman”

Nick — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:22:45 +0000

An ode to Darcy Regier’s search for the man in the middle.

Centerman – AudioBuffalo.com

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

LYRICS:

Waitin’, watchin’ the clock, another loss, it’s got to stop

Fans will take no more, the playoffs out-of-reach
Excuses are out the door, so much hubris
Didn’t win with Gratton or Dainius Zubrus

He lies and says he’s in love with them, can’t find a centerman…
He dreams of Spezza and then Malkin, can’t find a centerman…
Can’t find a centerman
Can’t find a centerman
Ohh…

Talkin’ to himself, can’t get those GMs on the phone…
And then there’s Leino-o-o…
Memories back when he had Drury and Briere

Now he’s stuck waiting for D. Roy to come along…
Would trade a kidney, just for Bergeron

He lies and says he’s in love with them, can’t find a centerman…
He dreams of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, can’t find a centerman…

He lies and says he’s in love with them, can’t find a centerman…
He dreams of Crosby and then Malkin, can’t find a centerman…

Can’t find a centerman
Can’t find a centerman
Yeah…

He loved Tim, ah… He won’t let Goose leave this way
Luke Adam… ah… we’d even take Jokinen

Can’t find a centerman
Can’t find a centerman

Oh, Jordan Staal. Oh, Ryan Getzlaf. Koivu, Any Koivu, Just a Koivu, Find a Koivu.

“The Late Nick Mendola” podcast, 11/21/11

Nick — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:37:33 +0000

Hate voices, or at least mine? Here’s this week’s “Immediate Reactions.”

Sometimes, the simplest answer is the best one. Why aren’t the Bills great anymore? Injuries. Why aren’t the Bills good anymore? They don’t have a good enough quarterback to win games on his own. We discuss that and compare the Bills struggles to the Sabres perceived struggles on this straight-forward edition of the podcast.

Podcast Seven: Bills/Fins, Sabres depth

Email: nick@fcbuffao.org

“The Late Nick Mendola” Podcast, 11/18/11

Nick — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:38:40 +0000

Had a chance to catch up with FreeDarko, Bleacher Report and the wonderful TheClassical.org‘s Bethlehem Shoals this morning — both our babies cooperated — to get his take on the NBA Lockout. Besides taking money out of his pocket, Shoals has another somewhat unique take… and he’s on the players side. All that and some talk on adjectives and adverbs in today’s featured interview.

Here it is, Download and listen.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“The Late Nick Mendola” Podcast, 11/14/11

Nick — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:43:58 +0000

Sunday’s “Immediate Reactions”

Today’s edition features, in no particular order:

– The Bills problems sans Shawne Merriman and Kyle Williams

– The very real notion of elderly female Jehovah’s Witnesses or something of that ilk

– The widespread but vague knowledge of Jerry Sandusky’s misdeeds?

– Miller/Lucic; How do you solve a problem like Paul Gaustad?

Here it is, Download and listen. Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“Let’s Go Bills Rap,” Week Ten

Nick — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:13:15 +0000

Real cowboys: awesome.

Dallas Cowboys: not-so-much.

Rapping Cowboys: Yeesh.

Rapping about Cowboys: somewhat acceptable.

“Let’s Go Bills Rap” Week Seven

Nick — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:19:49 +0000

Bye bye, bye, it’s Crossword time!

What’s a four letter word for awesome? Fitz.

Let’s go Bills on three! hut hut uhhh

Let’s go Bills, let’s go Bills, let’s go Bills, B-b-b-b-b-b-Bills (x2)

4 and 2 is our record and man it’s kinda funny

That our runner is D-3, better give him his money

FItz went to Harvard and Stevie Kentucky

So forget about Stanford and their boy Andrew Lucky

We need a big win for the AFC East

We’ll get help from Dareus, the man is a beast

The bye week is gone, enough with the scout D

We’ll undress the Skins, like our name’s Rob Gronkowski

Let’s go Bills, let’s go Bills, let’s go Bills, B-b-b-b-b-b-Bills (x2)

Washington has been struggling, no ifs ands or maybes

Rex is pretty bad and Beck’s a loser, baby

Who needs a Shanahan when you’ve got a Chan to plan

Ways to win every game with his Buffalo clan in hand

We beat on the Eagles. We beat on the Pats

And surely Brian Orakpo can’t do better than that

We’re going to Canada, home of Dave Coulier

To beat up the Skins, home of Chris Cooley, eh?

Let’s go Bills, let’s go Bills, let’s go Bills, B-b-b-b-b-b-Bills (x2)

“The Late Nick Mendola” Podcast – Friday, October 21, 2011

Nick — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:13:21 +0000

Well, I’m back, working out the kinks (For example, I’ll have a brand new cord that won’t malfunction on Friday and make the computer microphone have me sounding like a echo toolbox). Expect shows at least 3x per week until formal affiliations are finished. I just couldn’t stand waiting on the sidelines while legal bugs are worked out.

Today’s topics:

– Why the Sabres last two wins matter more despite early season status

– Two local college hoops teams with national pub

– Brief World Series thoughts

– Gaddhafi and the “start” of Libyan liberation

Here it is. Download and respond: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Interview with Kay Rich

Nick — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:33:59 +0000

On Saturday against Northern Illinois, the UB Bulls will salute their oldest living player: 100-year-old Paul Rich. While the story in itself is remarkable enough in terms of his personal longevity and success, I talked to his wife of 12 years on the phone this morning. I recorded the conversation with Kay Rich for article’s sake, but afterward asked permission to post it.

This interview isn’t about sports; it’s about life. If you’re looking for hard-hitting stuff, this isn’t your spot. But if you’re looking for reflections on love and what it means to be alive, Kay is where it’s at. She’s been married to Paul for 12 years, but between the two of them they’ve totalled 126 years in marriage. That’s big time.

“The Late Nick Mendola” – Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

Nick — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:34:54 +0000

Today’s topics:

– Beers in the BoSox dugout

– The Sabres for real… already?

– Eastern Conference playoff picture jammed all year?

– World Series preview

– Republican debates all about zingers.

– Evolved thoughts on Occupy Wall Street and how it plays into Buffalo mentality

Here it is. Download and respond: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“The Late Nick Mendola” – Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

Nick — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:21:19 +0000

Well, I’m back, working out the kinks (For example, tomorrow I’ll close the door while my son and dog try to co-host during naptime and/or “Baby Einsteins”). Expect shows at least 3x per week until formal affiliations are finished. I just couldn’t stand waiting on the sidelines while legal bugs are worked out.

Today’s topics:

– The death of Dan Wheldon

– Jim Schwartz’s disapproval of firm handshakes

– Bills/Giants redux

Here it is. Download and respond: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“Let’s Go Bills Rap,” Week Six

Intern — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:43:15 +0000

Nick can’t get online to post this himself, so this will be void of ~~football~~ humor. Get your rap on. Let’s go Bills!

Buffalo Bills Rap – Week 6

“Preseason Podcast” No. 1: Sabres preview, Bills/Eagles

Nick — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:17:43 +0000

Hey guys and girls,

Not going to be foolish enough to put a timetable on it this time around, but my broadcasting moves are making their way past the legal/company stage and it’s time to finally get ready to roll. I’m going to take the next week (or few weeks) to get the kinks out of the system—it’s been awhile!—so here’s my first “preseason” podcast, featuring talk on the Sabres captaincy, the Leafs, a Bills/Eagles forecast, UB, Occupy Wall Street and more.

Go team: nick@fcbuffalo.org

“Let’s Go Bills Rap,” Week Five

Nick — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:53:34 +0000

What’s good, Bills fans? Pumice T here. I’ve taken control of NickMendola.com and I’m posting Week Five’s “Let’s Go Bills Rap” without getting Nick’s approval. So, if you never hear from me again, it’s either him or that #BillsMafia I’ve been hearing about.

“Let’s Go Bills Rap,” Week Four

Nick — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:52:55 +0000

Rumble with the bungles? Download the Bills Rap for Week Four, and everything will start making sense again.

“Let’s Go Bills Rap,” Week Three

Nick — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:01:52 +0000

Bills. Pats. I. Raps.

Download and listen to the Week Three edition of the “Let’s Go Bills Rap” HERE

Immediate Postgame Show (Reactions to Come): Wk2

Nick — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:32:00 +0000

Forget typing, I’m hyper. Download and listen to a brand-new invention — the Immediate Reactions Post-game Show, brought to you by FC Buffalo or something.

“Let’s Go Bills Rap” 2011, Week Two

Nick — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:24:54 +0000

As promised, and in time for your tailgating pleasure, download the 2011-2012 “Let’s Go Bills Rap” for Week 2. Put on your Zubaz, shield your eyes from Al Davis, and turn it up!

“Let’s Go Bills Rap” 2011, Week One

Nick — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:33:21 +0000

Look at the hog atop this sign. What's his deal? Why is he happy? Is he a cannibal hog? A hoggibal?

The Buffalo Bills are back, and so is the “Let’s Go Bills Rap.” Without a preseason rap, this one’s just a warm-up for next week’s home-opening rap. We’ll have it in plenty of time for your tailgate.

DOWNLOAD WEEK ONE’S RAP HERE.

Three Quick Points: Linebackers, Debt Ceilings & Pegula

Nick — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 06:08:24 +0000

Three quick things this early Sunday morning:

"More like 'Least Mode,'."

– If Nick Barnett isn’t a Buffalo Bill by Sunday or Monday, I’m going to be mildly-floored. Via a conversation on Twitter, Barnett ate dinner in Buffalo or Rochester tonight and “is going back in tomorrow.” The player fits the team. The team’s needs fit the player’s skill set. If the injury bug has flown, he’s a brilliant signing. All that said, I’ve been a huge Barnett fan going back to the days of him essentially being Dick Butkus for me in Madden 2004 against my younger brother.

I’m not saying Buffalo isn’t a private jet away from Detroit or any other potential Barnett suitor, but I am saying Merriman can do a lot to tell a fellow linebacking friend about the faith of this club with injured former stars.

– So, the debt ceiling is going to be raised (in all likelihood) come Sunday. What a shock! The rest of the world has been telling our President and his Congress “Do it or we’re all going to die” for months. Once this became clear to the Republicans, it became about pretending they cared about the debt, which nearly no one in Congress truly does in their proverbial heart of hearts (Try going to war with a Constitutional amendment on not going into deficit on tap. Nope). Once it got to ending tax breaks and loopholes being equated with tax raises, it was over.

The amazing thing is that the Democrats called the bluff, and likely gave way more than they needed. Sure, Obama would’ve looked horrible if the Republicans allowed him to be the guy who defaulted the country, but essentially every sitting member of Congress would’ve looked ridiculous running for re-election against any non-incumbent (“See, what we were thinking was, you wouldn’t get any money but we’d gain political capital!).

Honestly, the debt ceiling is as stupid as the NFL “Lockout.” There was too much on the line for the business of either organization to ever truly be a threat.

– By the way, in the words of Brad Riter, “the Sabres know there’s a salary cap, right?”

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Brad Smith under center?

Nick — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 03:54:42 +0000

Those who heard Brad Riter and me during the Bills portion of our Friday podcast know I’ve been fairly bullish on the long-term prospects under Chan Gailey. That said, the Bills boss uttered some curious words when asked about new toy Brad Smith.

“I see him being used in a similar role as I used Kordell (Stewart) in Pittsburgh. He can play some receiver and quarterback. He gives you a lot of versatility. He can play special teams, cover kicks and return kicks. He can do a lot to help a football team win games.”

What in the world does that mean? If I was in sports radio right now I could spend a week talking about this quote. Luckily I’m not in sports radio, but I digress.

If the comment by Gailey was not offhand and the comparison is real, let’s look at the numbers Smith and Stewart provided in the Big-12.

Smith, Mizzou ’02-’05 (four-year starter) — 48GP, 56.3%, 8799 yards, 56TD, 33 INT // 799 rushes, 4289 yards, 45 TDs

Stewart, Colorado ’91-’93 (three-year starter) — 33GP, 58.1%, 6481 yards, 33TD, 19 INT // 302 rushes, 1289 yards, 15 TDs

Now I’m not going to leap to conclusions here, but would it be disconcerting to believe Gailey views Smith as a guy he could turn into a functional starting quarterback? Is that even possible? Is the mad scientist getting madder? Is he just trying to find pieces that fit the molds he knows worked so many years ago?

This doesn’t have to be an optimistic or pessimistic post, more a ponder point. The man is entering the 2011 season with a Harvard product who is the most proven of the bunch, a Coastal Carolina cat who had great success — for a Bill of this decade — under Gailey at KC and Smith to go with presumed fourth-stringer Levi Brown.

So, could Brad Smith’s signing have very little to do with the big man’s receiving? Does Gailey really think star quarterback isn’t nearly as important as the rest of us? Jay Fiedler, Stewart and Thigpen may be silently nodding.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

WECK’s 2011 NFL Draft Guide

Nick — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 03:39:39 +0000

(WECK 1230) — While we’ve been swallowed up in hockey fever, WECK’s Scott Wilson has put together a wonderfully in-depth draft guide fit for a two-day crash courser or the seasoned draft scholar. We’ve also had several first-day draft prospects, a fake draft and multiple other draft write-ups.

A reminder that WECK will be on-the-air at 6:30 p.m. EST Thursday and 6 p.m. EST Friday for Days One & Two of the NFL Draft. In addition to Brad Riter, Scott Wilson and Bob Gaughan manning the “war room” at 2900 Genesee, Nick Mendola and Christian Gaddis will be at Victor’s Bar and Grille at 1503 Hertel Avenue (ENTER DRAFT CONTEST) both days along with a number of other NFL and ex-NFL players, and WECK’s Joe Major will be at One Bills Drive for all interviews and more.

Scott Wilson’s Draft Guide:

Other links:

NEW: You don’t have to take a quarterback

NEW: Which Day-Two QBs pass multiple tests?

NEW: Day Two recap, pick-by-pick, with audio

Where the Bills could go in Round No. 2

Day One recap, pick-by-pick, with audio

Day One things to ponder

Christian Gaddis reveals his seven sleeper s.

Spread QBs drafted since 1997

Chan Gailey’s comments from the NFL Combine

Fake (mock) Draft:

WECK’s Fake Draft by Nick Mendola

Individual prospect interviews:

Auburn DT Nick Fairley

Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan

Miami LB Colin McCarthy

Villanova OL Ben Ijalana

Buffalo CB Josh Thomas

SONG: “Daniel’s Song”

Nick — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 05:40:04 +0000

If you haven’t heard, I don’t like Danny Briere anymore. Sure, I’d have lunch with him. He’s a nice guy. But as a hockey player and sound-bite? He’s a whambulance driver. So I wrote a goofy song for him (produced by the inimitable Frank Miller). Cheers, DB.

Daniel Parody

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

Also, if you haven’t heard, Briere thinks the officials are out to get the Flyers.

PRE-DRAFT INTERVIEW: Ryan Kerrigan

Nick — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:23:30 +0000

(WECK 1230) — The latest in my predraft interviews comes with Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan, who is expected to be drafted in the Top 20 of this month’s NFL Draft.

DOWNLOAD & LISTEN HERE

Kerrigan posted 136 tackles and 25 sacks the past two seasons, totaling 210 and 33 during his four years with the Boilermakers.

Interview with Theo Fleury

Nick — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:02:47 +0000

(WECK 1230) — I make no bones about Theo Fleury being one of my favorite hockey players of all-time. He was pugnacious and skillful, the sort of player I wanted to be in the NHL. Behind the scenes he was fighting the sort of personal demons so relentless that they drive some folks over the edge.

A substance abuser who was also sexually abused, Fleury’s 2009 book “Playing With Fire” details that fight bigger than hockey. This was my first chance to talk to Theo, so we touched on that as well as some expected honesty and wit about today’s NHL. Here are some highlights, and at the end I’ll paste in the entire audio interview.

On how the book helped him heal: “Yeah, because it wasn’t a secret anymore. A lot of times we’re only as sick as our secrets.”

On being an undersized hockey player: “When I look in the mirror, I don’t see somebody who’s small. I see somebody who has never been afraid of hard work. A guy that’s determined, a guy that’s passionate, caring, loving and all those things. All those things together in one package made me the player I was.”

On being driven to win, and being one of the few players with a Cup, a World Juniors title, a Canada Cup win and an Olympic gold: “I grew up playing hockey in Small Town, Canada. It just so happened that I was with a group of kids and a group of parents that we had a lot of fun together, but at the end of the day we were all passionate about winning. Every single rink I ever played in had a scoreboard… that means somebody’s gotta win and somebody’s gotta lose. I’d rather be on the winning side.”

On if the NHL needs to clean up the game: “Hockey is — what? — the 100-and-some-odd popular sport in the United States? We need to take the stigma of violence away from the game of hockey because hockey played well and hockey played skillful and hockey played hard is an amazing sport. Most people in the United States can’t skate or never played hockey before, they don’t fully understand the beauty of the sport and how much skill it takes to play the sport we play… The best player in the game has been out for three months with a concussion. We have a-ways to go, but I think there are lots of things we can to make the game safer and expose the game for the true talent that the game has.”

On the Buffalo Sabres: “I love their team. They probably have one of the best goaltenders in the league. I love their fight and I love their character. They’ve come from a long way back and it seems every single year they are right there til the end. Lindy Ruff has done a fantastic job… They’re fun to watch and I’ve always admired the heart and passion they do play with.”

On being personally lambasted by Canucks fans recently for critical comments he made about the Vancouver club’s fortunes: “It’s been a fun day. What people don’t realize is I no longer play the game. I have my own radio show in Calgary every Friday. We were talking about the playoffs and people asked my opinion on the Vancouver Canucks and I told them, like many things I’ve said in my life, how it is in my opinion and the Vancouver fans have plastered my Twitter page with all kinds of comments. They have crossed the line as well. I think it’s quite funny how some people react to certain. I love the passion the Canucks fans but on the other side of the coin, I always though trash talking was about being witty and clever and not personally attacking somebody. If you’re personally attacking someone, you’re not witty and you’re not clever.”

Here’s the entire audio.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

Interview with Joe Posnanski

Nick — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:09:07 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Joe Posnanski is flat-out one of the best writers in the United States. Intrepid WECK producer Chris Ryndak landed the Sports Illustrated backpage columnist for a rare radio interview.

Here’s the talk we shared on the Negro Leagues, the art of writing and even Bruce Springsteen.

“The Late Nick Mendola” airs 7-10 p.m. EST on Hometown 1230 WECK.

DRAFT INTERVIEW: Miami ILB Colin McCarthy

Nick — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:30:57 +0000

(WECK 1230) — WECK began our draft prospect profiles a little early when University of Miami linebacker Colin McCarthy gave us a ring. The Hurricane ILB recorded 120 tackles in his senior season and played under Chan Gailey and the Bills staff during the Senior Bowl.

Mike Mayock has him rated as the No. 2 inside backer in the draft, while Walter Football has him going No. 102 overall to Arizona (three picks after the Bills choose Oregon ILB Casey Matthews).

McCarthy hails from Pennsylvania though he grew up in Clearwater, Fla. We found him generally pleasant and endorse him.

LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE

In the interest of propping him up, here’s a video of him popping a defenseless running back.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

The “Blame Brad” Podcast w/ Nick & Corey

Nick — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:13:42 +0000

(WECK 1230) — New WECK boss Brad Riter has officially brought Corey Griswold onto the Hometown 1230 staff, and both myself and Corey will punish Brad by putting our friendship into audio form.

Here’s the first “Blame Brad” podcast, as Nick & Corey spent a few Saturday morning minutes talking All-Star Games and bad coffee.

“Blame Brad” — Season 1, Episode 1

A quick sound bite on the shootings in Arizona

Nick — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 03:48:26 +0000

(WECK 1230) — I rarely post my “The Late Nick Mendola” show promos, but I thought this one came out very well and true inside of 30 seconds. It’s about my feelings after the shootings in Arizona and the speech from President Obama. I hope it comes out alright.

On Arizona

The majority of us are in the middle. Don’t abide by extremists in power on either side.

God bless the world.

“REAL” Audio: Why the Bills fired their ILB coach

Nick — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 01:46:50 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Why did the Bills fire Demontie Cross?

Listen in on this totally real, not fake-at-all locker room speech.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

ESPN’s Tom Luginbill previews the NFL Draft

Intern — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:38:30 +0000

ESPN college football analyst Tom Luginbill joined The Late Nick Mendola program Thursday evening to examine Blaine Gabbert’s draft stock, the top defensive line prospects, and where Jake Locker stands, among other topics.
_______
Full audio:Tom Luginbill on The Late Nick Mendola
________
On Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert:
“I think he’s got a chance to be special. I really do. Coming out of high school, he was our No. 1 ranked overall guy but suffered an injury the second week of his senior season and didn’t play the rest of the year. Then he comes on and matures at Missouri. He’s got athleticism. He’s got size. He’s got arm strength. I think there are some concerns about his ability working from under center because he’s been primarily a spread shotgun guy. But I just don’t know with the defensive linemen that are available, where there, in my opinion, are far more definitives right now, if you go the Gabbert route.”
________
On if there is a ‘No-Doubt Franchise QB’ in this draft:
“No, I don’t. Andrew Luck was in a different category all on his own. There’s still big questions with Ryan Mallett when the game is on the line. I think there are accuracy-wavering questions with him as well. Jake Locker will go out on pro day and he will be so unbelievably impressive physically that it’s gonna sway NFL scouts and coaches away from watching the tape. Gabbert has the fewest red flags right now and I think that’s what stands out about him. Is he ready? That remains to be seen. He hasn’t had his best performances against the stingiest of groups. I can’t believe, with the defensive linemen that are available, that you would go quarterback here unless you had a guarantee of getting Andrew Luck.”
________
On who are the top three defensive linemen in the draft:
“Nick Fairley. Da’Quan Bowers. And Marcell Dareus. Dareus gives you the best option as an end in a three-man front. But if he’s in a four-man front, he’s gonna have to move to one of the tackle spots. There is no doubt about that. I believe that Fairley can be a force in a three-man front because he’s gonna be over 315-320 in a couple years. I think he can anchor. He can occupy blockers and be that zero technique, but he’s also got the versatility to line up in the one and the three in the four-man front. Da’Quan Bowers, for my money, is the most versatile, athletic, and valued defensive lineman prospect in this class. Much in the same way Ndamakung Suh can affect a game, Da’Quan Bowers can do the same thing by lining up at any one of the four defensive linemen spots on a four-man front. That’s what he brings to the table. Bowers was a 1200 yard rusher as a tailback coming out of high school at 6’4″, 265 lbs. That’s the guy I go with. That would be my personal choice, with Fairley a very, very close second, and Marcell Dareus third, if you were going to rank the top three.”
________
On Jake Locker and if there’s a big gap between him and Luck:
“To some degree. With Jake Locker, what you’ve got is a player that has played with a very porous offensive line. And he has played on a poor defensive football team. In his defense, he has really had to manufacture some plays and when you’ve had to do that on a consistent basis, the other end of the spectrum is gonna hit you too, and that’s when you start forcing plays. When he’s in a position when you can simplify things in front of him, it’s when he’s at his best. His physical tools are not the problem. What’s gonna be scrutinized with Jake Locker are his intangibles, not so much his competitiveness, but his intangibles, and heavily, in comparison to Luck, whose’ you don’t need to look past what you’re seeing on tape. I think that’s what separates the two.”
________
On Davonte Shannon and Dominic Cook’s draft prospects:
“I think you’re probably looking at second day picks or free agent evaluations. And a lot of that is gonna depend on how those guys perform from a pro day standpoint and how they’re gonna perform if invited to the NFL combine, to try and make that statement and elevate their stock. Having done two Buffalo games, I know both those guys made an awful lot of plays in both outings. So, it’s not gonna be from a lack of being seen or exposed, but it’s gonna be about whether or not people feel it’s the right fit. ”
________
On if Kansas fans are off Turner Gill’s back:
“I believe so. Here’s the thing that I look at in college football with coaches. When you get hot and make that jump, and I’m not saying that Turner Gill has necessarily made the wrong decision here, but when you get hot, and your star is rising, if you take the wrong job, your star will drop twice as fast as it took to rise. I hope that’s not the case with Turner Gill. I think he provided a spark and got those guys to buy in late, but that’s a tough job. It is a tough job. And with Nebraska now leaving the conference, you’re still having to compete with Missouri, Iowa State, and Kansas State, for players in Texas where the rest of the conference either resides in or borders upon, and that’s a challenge for any team outside of the state of Texas in the Big 12.”

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

“Let’s Go Bills Rap” Week 14

Nick — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:18:11 +0000

(WECK 1230) — The Bills… the Browns… not on television. So take this week’s Bills rap to your tailgate and bump it loud. Let the Dawgs know that this 2-10 team won’t go down lightly.

DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN HERE.

BIT: The audible exploits of Terry Pegula

Nick — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:45:40 +0000

(WECK 1230) — The rumours are swirling that prospective Sabres buyer Terry Pegula also has interest in one day being a part of Buffalo Bills ownership. Will his exploits ever cease? Two Buffalonians were recorded talking about the man, the myth, the legend: Terry Pegula.

LISTEN HERE!

“Let’s Go Bills Rap” Week 12

Nick — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:04:13 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Here’s the Bills Rap for Week 12. Figured we’d need some extra luck at the stadium!

Also, thanks to everyone for the kind words on “Fitzmagic,” especially Chris Brown for linking us on Buffalobills.com. If you haven’t heard it, check it out here.

Gonna be a lot of Steelers fans at the Ralph and since they support arguably the best franchise in the history of football, let’s show them the best tailgating and cheering in the county.

SONG: “Fitzmagic”

Nick — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:53:16 +0000

Credit: Ryan T.

(WECK 1230) — Obviously, this is a little light-hearted, but we love this 2-8 football team about as much as you could possibly love a 2-8 football team. Doesn’t a man with 18 touchdown passes in eight games deserve a solid nickname and a song? I give you… “Fitzmagic.”

Download and listen here.

: Credit: Giacomo Ferrisimo

“Ho, ho, ho
Fitzmagic you know
Never believe he can’t throw
Fitzmagic, you know
Put him into the Pro Bowl

Never makes mistakes
Never use a play fake
This just gives the other team’s a warning
Got a beard like Barry White
Future’s looking real bright
Fitz’s face all squished up in his helmet

Ho, ho, ho
Fitzmagic you know
Never believe he can’t throw
Fitzmagic, you know
Put him into the Pro Bowl

Even on a Monday
Hope is just a week away
Tons of hair on Fitz’s chin adorning
Spiral’s looking real nice
Stevie looks like Jerry Rice
Next year we might even see a game at night.”

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

Dirk Daniels returns, celebrates Bills and Sabres!

Nick — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:10:03 +0000

(WECK 1230) — After a prolonged period in his mom’s basement, Dirk Daniels has emerged full of optimistic thoughts on the Buffalo Bills and some… other emotions for the Sabres.

Listen to Dirk here!

“Let’s Go Bills Rap” — An Apology

Nick — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:07 +0000

My throat is behaving like a real… other part of the body, and won’t allow my voice to produce this week’s Bills rap.

So I offer last year’s Bills v. Jets rap, complete with Lee Evans and Reggie Torbor mentions. Download and listen here. This is probably the closest we’ll ever come to a parental advisory. I really hate the Jets.

“Let’s Go Bills” Rap, Week Eight

Nick — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 10:55:14 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Alright, alright, alright! You’ve been heard. The “Let’s Go Bills” Rap will not take a week off again. Maybe we felt burnt post-bye. Maybe we were worried pre-Ravens. Maybe my wife’s really pregnant and life kinda got in the way of the marriage of football and hip-hop (That one’s actually true).

So, here’s a borderline dirty Bills rap. If you listen to it with your kids, maybe listen to it first. There are always some veiled references to adult things, so I don’t think anything’s a big deal, but family first! DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN HERE.

Also, here’s a link to last night’s Canisius goal calls.

McShay: DTs run deep, Bills could use Luck

Nick — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:59:58 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Count Todd McShay among those who believe Andrew Luck will be a remarkable pro quarterback.

The ESPN college football and NFL Draft analyst joined ‘The Late Nick Mendola” program Wednesday night to talk the top of the draft, where the Buffalo Bills are projected to pick.

LISTEN TO MCSHAY’S INTERVIEW HERE (McShay joins show about two minutes in).

McShay said he has serious concerns about Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett and likes Washington’s Jake Locker, but believes Andrew Luck should be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft and that any team without a franchise signal caller shouldn’t consider anyone else (I’m paraphrasing). FYI: Locker and Luck face-off Saturday night in Washington at 7 p.m. I know I’ll be watching what Bears scout and UB grad Marty Barrett told us to look for while watching a college QB on TV.

McShay said he believes Luck comes from the Sam Bradford camp, which is to say that to which team he would be drafted won’t have anything to do with his decision of whether the sophomore would leave college football early.

The analyst also said the draft is pretty deep into the second round on solid defensive linemen, an opinion Bills fans angling for a non-quarterback early should consider. He also named the only four positions generally worth drafting early and made a sly nod toward the Mel Kiper Jr. controversy.

We know there’s some controversy with draft experts who weren’t “in the league”, but we are fans of McShay’s work and attitude. He’s always been very outgoing and accomodating to me (Nick) at WGR and now at WECK. At the very least, he seems like a good professional.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

McKee joins NU while waiting on NHL job

Nick — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:43:12 +0000

UPDATE: Jay joined our show — with special guest co-host Aaron Mentkowski of Ch.7 — at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday. He talked about NU, how he changed his mind about Sidney Crosby and even joked with us to put in a good word for him with Darcy Regier. LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE.

(WECK 1230) — Jay McKee isn’t done with the NHL, but he’s found a great way to get a head start on the second portion of his hockey life.

The blueliner is coaching the Niagara University ‘D’ corps as a volunteer assistant coach. McKee was in the press box with assistant coach Greg Gardner for the home opener Saturday, and will help the team until he finds an NHL home.

“For me, while still holding out hopes of landing an NHL position this season, it is an honor and a privilege to be part of an organization and program as well respected as Niagara University and Niagara Purple Eagles hockey,” said McKee, who was coached by Niagara boss Dave Burkholder when both were working in the OHL.

“The current room of players is full of solid character, great work ethic and very exciting to watch. This team, combined with a dedicated and energetic coaching staff, can do very special things this year. I look forward to bringing what I was taught and learned, while playing with and against some of the NHL’s greatest players for 13 years and passing those lessons along to Niagara’s players.”

This is a boon for NU hockey, and just another reason to check out Atlantic Hockey this season. The Purps are 0-0-1 after a opening night tie against Merrimack, while local rivals Canisius are 1-1 after a spirited series at Western Michigan. The two teams tangle at Canisius on Nov. 2 in the first game as conference rivals.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

TLNM Podcast, Week Five w/ NBC’s Luke Russert

Nick — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:51:55 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Here’s this week’s The Late Nick Mendola podcast with NBC’s Luke Russert. Luke talked about the Bills prospects of 0-16 and threw in some commentary on how Carl Paladino is regarded in D.C. right now. And a bonus segment on how the Fitz is alright. It was going to be on the air, but then Jason Pominville got hit very dirty.

Here’s an even better bonus segment on Fred Jackson, the Sabres and The Highwaymen.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

“Let’s Go Bills Rap,” Week Five

Nick — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:19:35 +0000

(WECK 123o) — Trent’s back and the Bills have not been eliminated from the playoffs yet. Let’s celebrate via poorly-performed and well-produced hip-hop! DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN HERE

TLNM Podcast w/ Luke Russert, Vol. III

Nick — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:22:57 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Our weekly podcast with NBC News’ Luke Russert delves into the Trent Edwards release, the depth at running back and even Carl Paladino’s chances in November. Download and listen HERE.

“Let’s Go Bills” Rap, Week Three

Nick — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:40:55 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Hopefully this is the week. What else can you say when it’s the Bills and the Patriots? Celebrate another game in Foxboro with the Week Three Bills Rap. Download and listen here.

TLNM Week Two podcast w/ NBC’s Luke Russert

Nick — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:24:39 +0000

(WECK 1230) — Week Two’s talk with NBC’s Luke Russert revolves around — what else? — the quarterback switch and the offensive line. There’s much much more to go around with the big time Bills fan.

LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE.

“Let’s Go Bills Rap, Week Two”

Nick — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 01:51:32 +0000

(WECK 1230) — For the first time in the history of the Bills rap, pony tails are mentioned. At least, I believe it’s the first time. Enjoy it, and beat Green Bay: DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN HERE.

And here’s our CJ Spiller Song from last month, in the hopes of a much better Week Two numbers-wise.

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

Weekly Bills recap w/ Luke Russert & more

Nick — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 01:41:47 +0000

(WECK 1230) — It’s Monday, which means a regular check-in with NBC News’ Luke Russert, a huge Bills fan. We spent the episode talking a whole lot of Bills/Fins, a little November election and even some college football.

Afterward, at the 18-minute mark, the podcast takes a play-by-play trip to “Funtime Billsland,” the alternate universe where every week seems to work out for Buffalo.

Click here to listen.

Music, Reporting and a Contest: A Bills Potpourri

Nick — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:58:42 +0000

(WECK 1230) — I’m about to conclude an insane week of preparation for football season, so rather than conduct three blog posts, how about you let me long-dash my way through one? Pretty please?

1) “The Bills Rap” is back. Some of you hated it on WGR and a lot of you loved it. The requests for its return were many, and thanks to the producing talents of my cousin Pumice T it now includes a special auto-tune edition and the best-sounding mp3 the song has ever had. Listen to it here, and pass it to your friends. It always makes my weekend to hear it in the lots at One Bills Drive: LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE (and if you missed the “Spiller” song we did early in camp, listen here).

2) Females Putting the ‘F’ in football – Do you have a friend, wife, mother or daughter who can talk football with the best of your guy friends? Whether she’s a woman in uniform or just happens to be related to a male sports fan who brings his daughter to the slaughter, enter to join our Sunday pregame show’s brand new competition to find the brightest female fan in Western New York. She just may have what it takes to be WECK’s first ever “Grid-Iron Maiden.”

image courtesy of Urban.

It always bothers me to hear rhetoric that women don’t understand the game. Is it true in some cases? Absolutely. One of my sisters never really cared to get into the game, but my mom, grandmother and aunts were all-in for the most part.

Email nickonweck@gmail.com with your name, age (must be 21), picture (we need proof you males aren’t sabotaging the show) and a brief paragraph on what makes you qualified to compete to be WECK’s Gridiron Maiden. Two will be chosen each week to join me (Nick Mendola) for a segment of our pregame show at Hucklebuckets Family Grill and Sports Bar in Amherst’s Northtown Plaza, on the airwaves at WECK 1230 AM and streaming at www.weck1230.com. We’ll get you some food — which is half-priced during the show — and if you win we’ll turn to you often for opinions and more. We’ll figure out a proper prize somewhere down the line. Each week, Scott, the owner of Hucklebuckets, will choose a winner.

Any addition questions, email away. The pregame show is brought to you by Hucklebuckets, Caputi Liquors, Consumer’s Beverages, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County and Center-Ice Sports Cards.

3) A good reporter’s inkling — Don’t be surprised to see the Bills line up against Miami with some quarterback-less offensive sets. I’m not even talking about a Wildcat formation with Trent Edwards lined up as a wide-out. I’m talking a shotgun-esque formation with Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson three across the backfield and the snap heading in any of their respective directions. My inkling would also say Lynch or Jackson will be more apt to throw the ball, while Spiller could be simplified to running. You didn’t hear it from me…

Email: nickonweck@gmail.com

SONG: “Spiller”

Nick — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:46:23 +0000

(WECK 1230) — When I created this on a lark, I didn’t expect folks would be into it. After all, a listener created one for Ryan Miller a few years back and though I loved it, it didn’t take off.

So, here are the short and long versions of “Spiller,” to the tune of Mike Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Let us know what you think… nickonweck@gmail.com

An Interview That Will Tear You Apart

Nick — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:00:27 +0000

If you don’t know about “The Room” and its director/actor/producer/language haymaker Tommy Wiseau, you still may enjoy this interview with him.

Wiseau will be in town for a showing of his film, “The Room”, at The Town Ballroom on Friday night. I do believe you’ll want to be there.

Here is the lengthy conversation.

Pre-Bills Training Camp Podcast

Nick — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:13:40 +0000

With “The Late Nick Mendola” program on WECK 1230 AM in a bit of a “bye week,” Nick welcomes producers Mike Cline, Jr. and Chris Ryndak as well as special guest Scott Frauenhofer give their outlooks on the Bills heading into the Thursday’s start of training camp.

Podcast

Soccer podcast No. 1

Nick — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:58:12 +0000

The United States Soccer team and the popularity of the game in the United States are the opening topics in Volume I of our soccer podcast.

Listen away

AUDIO: Kaleta on free agency, Niedermayer, more…

Nick — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:28:18 +0000

Courtesy: Associated Press

(WECK 1230) — If I step back from the microphone and keyboard of journalism, and you ask me who my favorite on-ice and in-locker-room Sabre is, I’m probably going to tell you Pat Kaleta. So, I was happy to host the winger to talk restricted free agency, the Sabres signings and his next event for his HITS Foundation.

Honestly, I’d advocate for just about any charity event, but the one Pat has coming up sounds like fun. Volleyball tournament where winner plays Kaleta and his buddies, sand castle contest, water balloon toss… something for everybody. Check out details here: http://hitsfoundation.net/

WECK’S World Cup Promo

Nick — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:44:23 +0000

By now, a bunch of you are probably really sick of the vuvuzela, the South African horn sounded during games of the 2010 World Cup. Well, you may not know that before U2 was approached to make a promo for the tournament, FIFA asked WECK’s Frank Miller and myself to write a song previewing the games.

The entire thing is longer, and will be played on Riter Radio this afternoon (4-7 p.m. EST on www.weck1230.com), but here’s short sample: “The Late Nick Mendola’s” World Cup promo for ESPN/WECK

And for those who haven’t seen, here’s the U2 video (which despite me making light of it, is pretty cool):

Who or what is interesting to you (and new promos)?

Nick — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:19:48 +0000

(WECK 1230) — I’ve got a convenient problem coming up next week for “The Late Nick Mendola” program. After a full show from 7-10 p.m. on Monday, May 24, I have four-straight days of 30 minutes of program to fill since the Yanks play at 8:10 and pregame starts at 7:30 p.m.

So I have an awesome task — find anyone of interest to interview for those programs. Since I can do the interview live or record it at any point during the day, really anyone anywhere in the English-speaking world is an option. My starting points have been Chuck Klosterman and Grant Wahl from SI, but I want to know who you think I should endeavor to speak with (like the author of the book to your right. No, the other right).

ALSO…

Here at WECK, tech guy Frank Miller and I had a whale of a time figuring out how to promo my show. After weeks of back-and-forth, we just flipped a mic on Friday and I started talking about my likes and dislikes.

Do you think they came out alright?

PROMO_NICK 1

PROMO_NICK 2

High-fives and handshakes,

Nicholas (nickonweck@gmail.com)

“The Late Nick Mendola” — Weds. May 5, 2010

Nick — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:03:33 +0000

” The Late Nick Mendola” debuted on WECK from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday evening. I had several old friends and a couple new join the show, which was produced by TJ Schratz and Mike Cline. Mike is performing stand-up comedy in Rochester on Thursday night. I’ll be performing “The Late Nick Mendola” from 7-10 p.m. again Thursday night as well.

Below is Wednesday’s show if you missed it. Hour One dealt with where I’ve been, what you want in a talk radio show, a little Sabres and Bills plus guests Luke Russert and UB lineman Peter Bittner. Hour Two’s guest was Bisons play-by-play man Ben Wagner who talked baseball. We also spent that hour taking calls about the NBA, NHL and Bills. Hour Three featured two terrific guests: Yahoo! Sports’ Greg Wyshynski to talk Sabres and NHL playoffs, with The Buffalo News and Sports Insiders’ Rodney McKissic weighing in on hoops. All that and tattoo talk on “The Late Nick Mendola’s” inaugural run on Hometown 1230 WECK.

Hour1

Hour2

Hour3

Stream Thursday’s show live at 7 p.m. at http://www.weck1230.com, or email nickonweck@gmail.com with your questions or show topics.