Archives for August 14, 2008

‘”Good luck to them,” said defensive back Chuck Winters of the NFL interlopers. “Maybe more football fans get added to the whole thing. Either way, it doesn’t put more money in my pocket. Now, if this was taking money from me …”‘

‘Think about it. What’s more spontaneous than a crisp December NFL morning in Orchard Park with a roaring fire in a metal barrel, flames licking hungrily on hurricane-force gusts less than a short first down away from your gas tank? Hog heaven.’

‘Aug. 16, 1997: Green Bay 35, Buffalo 3: About 10,000 no-shows among an announced crowd of 53,896.’

‘”It’s a blessing to be here,” said Mace, 22, a University of Wyoming product whose CFL rights are owned by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “It’s kind of a fluke to be the only Canadian playing, but it just worked out that way. To play in the NFL and at the same time in Canada is a beautiful thing.”‘

‘”I think it’s the first of many steps,” Rogers vice-chairman Phil Lind said yesterday. “It’s a major step because the Bills are now officially ensconced in Toronto, as a team. And they’ll be here for five years, and we have a minimum of eight games — a minimum of eight games — so they’re going to be here. They’re now part of the Toronto scene.”‘

‘The CFL’s formal stance is that two imported games per year won’t damage an ancient cultural institution. But three or four? That would be a different story. But it’s what the partnership of Larry Tanenbaum and Rogers Communications are clearly seeking, as they try to soften the marketplace for an eventual NFL franchise in Toronto.’

‘By playing in Toronto, the Bills expect to make $9 million per game. Typically, the Bills make $3 million per home game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘”It’s great to be back again,” he said. “I feel great. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m able to go out there and do everything I’m supposed to do. I can’t wait (for the regular-season games) to start.”‘

‘As fans enter Ralph Wilson Stadium this season, they will see a new, colorful exterior wall mural, and find Labatt Blue through concession area signage. Labatt Blue also will ramp up advertising efforts on www.buffalobills.com and see an increased presence on the Buffalo Bills website. For a limited time, fans can visit www.MyBillsMyBeer.com to enter a promotional sweepstakes to win weekly prizes, including a grand prize VIP trip for two to the Bills at Miami game on October 26, 2008. Fans can visit participating retailers for a special code, then log on to enter the contest.’

‘”I hope people in Toronto welcome us,” Moorman said. “I’m looking forward to getting Toronto people to believe in the Bills and make it like a home away from home.”‘

‘However many football pundits – including diehard CFL supporters – firmly believe the series is an experiment to gauge the city’s NFL interest and the first step in the Bills eventually relocating to Toronto and dealing a death knell to the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.’

‘The Bills have touched down for the first of eight games, and as much as the team’s management wants to spin the message that the team is not leaving Buffalo for greener Canadian pastures, once owner Ralph Wilson dies there’s going to be an auction and the highest bidder will become the next owner. Ted Rogers and his consortium are ready to ante up and price will not be an issue.’

‘"I think there are some pretty high expectations in that locker room," second-year quarterback Trent Edwards said. "There are a lot of confident players in there that had a lot to gain off of last season’s success that we had, and we’re headed in the right direction."’

‘”It’s a preseason game and we’re getting ready for a regular season game up there too. So to get a feel for how the trip goes, crossing the border, our hotel situation, the meeting rooms, the stadium itself, the locker room, it will be nice to have had been there once before playing that regular season game.”‘