35Pete
December 25th, 2006, 8:18:31 AM
Pete: Welcome to Listen Up! Rock.
Pete: So How many years has the Range been going on now? How has it evolved? What's your vision of the Range going forward?
Rick: The Range is 10 years old now and from the looks of things it will easily last another 10 years. The Range has grown into something I never would have imagined 10 years ago or even 5 years ago, the staff, the members and our web hosting company always amaze me with their hard work and complete dedication, I feel like a proud parent at what we have here and the direction we're heading. The future of the Range? I can only imagine where we'll be in another year, or 5 years. 20,000 members is a reality, not bad for a fan based web site.
Pete: What was the move from Phoenix to Buffalo like? Any problems with the transition?
Rick: After spending 20 years in the desert it was time for a change. I watched as the Phoenix area grew from a couple million people to well over 4.5 million and with that comes traffic, crime, pollution, housing increases and less space to get away to.
Western New York has always been dear to my heart, I never stopped talking about wanting to get back home, back to the water, the rain, snow, the great people and not to mention the great food!
I made the trip from Phoenix to Buffalo in 3 1/2 days. I was in the truck driving about 20 hours a day, I guess I wanted to get back home more than I thought I did. But all in all, the trip went good and the move was a success.
Pete: Where did the name Rock Serasin come from?
Rick: It was from the Toronto star article they did, Canadian fans vs American fans about a year ago, the Star did this huge piece on me, sent a photographer who spent an hour taking pics just to discover they spelled my name wrong. Since then the name has stuck to the point that my family and friends off the Range call me "Rock".
Pete: Are you enjoying living in Western New York again? How's the snow and cold weather (sucker)?
Rick: You can not imagine how much I enjoy being back in WNY. I forgot how beautiful this part of the country is. The green grass, the blue skies, the water, trees and wild life, Im very happy to be here. As far as snow goes, it's been nice here, we only had a few snow days which sucks because I want to go snomobiling in the worst way! In Phoenix, it only rained a handful of days every year, so I really don't mind, I actually enjoy a good rain.
Pete: How'd you manage to meet Pinto Ron and become part of the crew? What are the parties like? Christ 6 AM. I don't get up and start drinking on weekends until at least 7 AM.
Rick: I met "Pinto Ron" (His actual name is Kenny Johnson) about 10 years ago. We managed to stay in touch over those years when I would fly back to "Rich Stadium" and we would also seem to meet up at one to two away games every year. This year I made all the home games, even preseason, I took over making the wings and making the garbage plate or at least our/my version of it, not to mention bartending and just helping everyone out. Remember that we easily have a few thousand people there each home game, some take pictures, some eat a wing many do shots out of the bowlingball, the heaviest shot glass in WNY! Kenny announced me as a member of the gang early on in the year, I guess that's a compliment, but I don't know. (LOL). Last week I was inducted by getting douced with 64 ounces of ketchup and at least that much mustard. I can't tell you enough to not try this stunt at home, my nose was packed with mustard and the ketchup stings the hell out of your eyes. I have pictures to share with everyone, or you can stop by and see Kenny get doused between 11am and 11:30 before every home game, bring a camera!
The tailgate parties or the pretailgate parties? The pre parties start at 5am and last until 8am when they open the gate and let us all in. We usually eat a good breakfast just outside the gates, several guys cook up eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, pancakes and make these great breakfast sandwiches for several of us. There's usually about 20 of us there from 5-6am with more people arriving after that, lining up to enter the mother land.
The actual tailgate parties are amazing. If I try and explain what goes on there I'll be selling what goes on there short. We cook pizza in a filing cabinet, store beer in a toilet, omlettes are made in a shovel, bacon cooked on a saw, grilled cheese sandwiches on a rake, wings in a army helmet and my garbage plate in a hub cap. Trust me, you have to see it to believe it.
Pete: Any words for the contributors that help make this place possible?
Rick: Yes, you guys rock! When the Range was facing a possible shut down a few years ago, our contributors stepped up and kept this place going, without all of their help, we might not have made it to 10 years, no, we wouldn't have made it, period.
If you see a member with the "Contributor" tag in their signature take a few minutes to tell them thank you for allowing this place to stay open and pretty much advertisment free. Remember that we are a non profit web site, all donations go to our server, www.BuffaloWebhosting.com (http://www.buffalowebhosting.com/). If you haven't helped in the past, now's a good of time as always to help keep all three of our web sites open.
Pete: What positions do you feel are most in need of upgrade, either via draft or free agency?
Rick: A Bills question, wow. :-)
I still think we need help on the defensive front, I sure miss the days of a big Ted Washington and Pat Williams. The Offensive line has has improved since the shake up several games ago, even though they, as a whole, have improved, I still feel we need a couple of studs to give JP more time. I'm content with our RB's, WR's and JP Losman as our future QB, I have always wanted a sure handed tight end to help JP out. On the defense, I'd like to see more speed coming from our line backers, I think keeping Nate in the secondary will be a key to the Bills future too.
I have confidence in Marv Levy when it comes to the draft and addressing the teams needs.
Pete: At the Pinto party who is the biggest Range partier, yourself exluded?
Rick: To be honest, everyone who comes by does a great job, I don't think I can narrow it down to just one person, sorry. (How's that for a political answer)...
Pete: Do you think Marv and Dick have what it takes to turn this team around?
Rick: I do. It all starts at the top as we have seen in the Bills glory years, Marv and Dick have my vote as well as my 100% backing.
Pete: Is the season going as you expected from your thoughts prior to the season? Why or why not?
Rick: I thought the team was a 8-8 team, they lost several games by 3 points or less, get those games to the wins column and we're in the playoffs. I thing good things are happening and I'm excited about next season.
Pete: Been to any Sabres games? If so which ones and what was it like (I miss home Sabres games) considering that you have been away from them for so long?
Rick: I haven't made it to a Sabres game yet, I will once the Bills season is over, I've already made plans to make a game or two every month, that's if I can buy or find a seat, the sabres are the hottest ticket in town and seats are scarce.
Pete: Was the Donte Whitner pick a good one or not? Why or why not? What about McCargo? Who was our best draft pick value wise?
Rick: I like Donte, he stepped up and has played like a man. I only see good things coming from him. McCargo has also been a decent draft pick, all the rookies have done a great job, the Bills have a young team, how can anyone say anything negative when you have a handful or rookies starting at any one time? I can't.
Pete: Who is the hottest woman on the planet? Share pics please.
Rick: Do I have to narrow it down to just one? I always thought and still think my lovely wife is the hottest.
Pete: Do you think TKO is done? I mean that achilles injury seems to have taken the monster out of him.
Rick: I see flashes of his old self every now and then but I don't see it, his play, through out the entire game. I think confidence has something to do with it, I can only imagine what goes through his mind each and every game. I'd be worried about reinjuring it and not being able to walk again once my career is over. If you start to think that way, your career as a pro player is all but over. Next year will be a do or die year for him, I hope he comes back and regains his all-pro ability.
Pete: What about Losman? Do you think he is our QB for the future? What do you think of his upside? Can he achieve it?
Rick: I like JP, I said this from the start that he needs the time to grow into a NFL QB and he also needs the weapons and protection to put it all together. We can all see that he's getting everything including the confidence that is needed to become and stay our QB of the future.
Pete: Any final thoughts or comments? Ohh, can I have a raise?
Rick: I just want to tell all the staff how much I appreciate their efforts, I couldn't have done this without all of you and your unmatched efforts.
Buffalo web hosting, thanks for the years of service and help! What a huge difference a truly professional company can make to a growing web site(s).
To the fans, thank you for making us #1 and keeping us the top Bills/Sabres and sports forum on the net, no other site compares and we couldn't be the best without the best fans, thank you!
Contributors, you're the back bone and people behind the scenes, we wouldn't have made it this far without your generosity, thank you.
To all, I hope everyone has a very Happy New Years, I hope that this new year is truly special to you and your families and I hope that you stay with us for yet another 10 years.
"Rock Serasin"
Pete: So How many years has the Range been going on now? How has it evolved? What's your vision of the Range going forward?
Rick: The Range is 10 years old now and from the looks of things it will easily last another 10 years. The Range has grown into something I never would have imagined 10 years ago or even 5 years ago, the staff, the members and our web hosting company always amaze me with their hard work and complete dedication, I feel like a proud parent at what we have here and the direction we're heading. The future of the Range? I can only imagine where we'll be in another year, or 5 years. 20,000 members is a reality, not bad for a fan based web site.
Pete: What was the move from Phoenix to Buffalo like? Any problems with the transition?
Rick: After spending 20 years in the desert it was time for a change. I watched as the Phoenix area grew from a couple million people to well over 4.5 million and with that comes traffic, crime, pollution, housing increases and less space to get away to.
Western New York has always been dear to my heart, I never stopped talking about wanting to get back home, back to the water, the rain, snow, the great people and not to mention the great food!
I made the trip from Phoenix to Buffalo in 3 1/2 days. I was in the truck driving about 20 hours a day, I guess I wanted to get back home more than I thought I did. But all in all, the trip went good and the move was a success.
Pete: Where did the name Rock Serasin come from?
Rick: It was from the Toronto star article they did, Canadian fans vs American fans about a year ago, the Star did this huge piece on me, sent a photographer who spent an hour taking pics just to discover they spelled my name wrong. Since then the name has stuck to the point that my family and friends off the Range call me "Rock".
Pete: Are you enjoying living in Western New York again? How's the snow and cold weather (sucker)?
Rick: You can not imagine how much I enjoy being back in WNY. I forgot how beautiful this part of the country is. The green grass, the blue skies, the water, trees and wild life, Im very happy to be here. As far as snow goes, it's been nice here, we only had a few snow days which sucks because I want to go snomobiling in the worst way! In Phoenix, it only rained a handful of days every year, so I really don't mind, I actually enjoy a good rain.
Pete: How'd you manage to meet Pinto Ron and become part of the crew? What are the parties like? Christ 6 AM. I don't get up and start drinking on weekends until at least 7 AM.
Rick: I met "Pinto Ron" (His actual name is Kenny Johnson) about 10 years ago. We managed to stay in touch over those years when I would fly back to "Rich Stadium" and we would also seem to meet up at one to two away games every year. This year I made all the home games, even preseason, I took over making the wings and making the garbage plate or at least our/my version of it, not to mention bartending and just helping everyone out. Remember that we easily have a few thousand people there each home game, some take pictures, some eat a wing many do shots out of the bowlingball, the heaviest shot glass in WNY! Kenny announced me as a member of the gang early on in the year, I guess that's a compliment, but I don't know. (LOL). Last week I was inducted by getting douced with 64 ounces of ketchup and at least that much mustard. I can't tell you enough to not try this stunt at home, my nose was packed with mustard and the ketchup stings the hell out of your eyes. I have pictures to share with everyone, or you can stop by and see Kenny get doused between 11am and 11:30 before every home game, bring a camera!
The tailgate parties or the pretailgate parties? The pre parties start at 5am and last until 8am when they open the gate and let us all in. We usually eat a good breakfast just outside the gates, several guys cook up eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, pancakes and make these great breakfast sandwiches for several of us. There's usually about 20 of us there from 5-6am with more people arriving after that, lining up to enter the mother land.
The actual tailgate parties are amazing. If I try and explain what goes on there I'll be selling what goes on there short. We cook pizza in a filing cabinet, store beer in a toilet, omlettes are made in a shovel, bacon cooked on a saw, grilled cheese sandwiches on a rake, wings in a army helmet and my garbage plate in a hub cap. Trust me, you have to see it to believe it.
Pete: Any words for the contributors that help make this place possible?
Rick: Yes, you guys rock! When the Range was facing a possible shut down a few years ago, our contributors stepped up and kept this place going, without all of their help, we might not have made it to 10 years, no, we wouldn't have made it, period.
If you see a member with the "Contributor" tag in their signature take a few minutes to tell them thank you for allowing this place to stay open and pretty much advertisment free. Remember that we are a non profit web site, all donations go to our server, www.BuffaloWebhosting.com (http://www.buffalowebhosting.com/). If you haven't helped in the past, now's a good of time as always to help keep all three of our web sites open.
Pete: What positions do you feel are most in need of upgrade, either via draft or free agency?
Rick: A Bills question, wow. :-)
I still think we need help on the defensive front, I sure miss the days of a big Ted Washington and Pat Williams. The Offensive line has has improved since the shake up several games ago, even though they, as a whole, have improved, I still feel we need a couple of studs to give JP more time. I'm content with our RB's, WR's and JP Losman as our future QB, I have always wanted a sure handed tight end to help JP out. On the defense, I'd like to see more speed coming from our line backers, I think keeping Nate in the secondary will be a key to the Bills future too.
I have confidence in Marv Levy when it comes to the draft and addressing the teams needs.
Pete: At the Pinto party who is the biggest Range partier, yourself exluded?
Rick: To be honest, everyone who comes by does a great job, I don't think I can narrow it down to just one person, sorry. (How's that for a political answer)...
Pete: Do you think Marv and Dick have what it takes to turn this team around?
Rick: I do. It all starts at the top as we have seen in the Bills glory years, Marv and Dick have my vote as well as my 100% backing.
Pete: Is the season going as you expected from your thoughts prior to the season? Why or why not?
Rick: I thought the team was a 8-8 team, they lost several games by 3 points or less, get those games to the wins column and we're in the playoffs. I thing good things are happening and I'm excited about next season.
Pete: Been to any Sabres games? If so which ones and what was it like (I miss home Sabres games) considering that you have been away from them for so long?
Rick: I haven't made it to a Sabres game yet, I will once the Bills season is over, I've already made plans to make a game or two every month, that's if I can buy or find a seat, the sabres are the hottest ticket in town and seats are scarce.
Pete: Was the Donte Whitner pick a good one or not? Why or why not? What about McCargo? Who was our best draft pick value wise?
Rick: I like Donte, he stepped up and has played like a man. I only see good things coming from him. McCargo has also been a decent draft pick, all the rookies have done a great job, the Bills have a young team, how can anyone say anything negative when you have a handful or rookies starting at any one time? I can't.
Pete: Who is the hottest woman on the planet? Share pics please.
Rick: Do I have to narrow it down to just one? I always thought and still think my lovely wife is the hottest.
Pete: Do you think TKO is done? I mean that achilles injury seems to have taken the monster out of him.
Rick: I see flashes of his old self every now and then but I don't see it, his play, through out the entire game. I think confidence has something to do with it, I can only imagine what goes through his mind each and every game. I'd be worried about reinjuring it and not being able to walk again once my career is over. If you start to think that way, your career as a pro player is all but over. Next year will be a do or die year for him, I hope he comes back and regains his all-pro ability.
Pete: What about Losman? Do you think he is our QB for the future? What do you think of his upside? Can he achieve it?
Rick: I like JP, I said this from the start that he needs the time to grow into a NFL QB and he also needs the weapons and protection to put it all together. We can all see that he's getting everything including the confidence that is needed to become and stay our QB of the future.
Pete: Any final thoughts or comments? Ohh, can I have a raise?
Rick: I just want to tell all the staff how much I appreciate their efforts, I couldn't have done this without all of you and your unmatched efforts.
Buffalo web hosting, thanks for the years of service and help! What a huge difference a truly professional company can make to a growing web site(s).
To the fans, thank you for making us #1 and keeping us the top Bills/Sabres and sports forum on the net, no other site compares and we couldn't be the best without the best fans, thank you!
Contributors, you're the back bone and people behind the scenes, we wouldn't have made it this far without your generosity, thank you.
To all, I hope everyone has a very Happy New Years, I hope that this new year is truly special to you and your families and I hope that you stay with us for yet another 10 years.
"Rock Serasin"