Archives for August 2008

‘Two backup candidates, Matt Murphy and Patrick Estes, went down in Monday night’s practice and the Bills will go into Thursday’s preseason game at Rogers Centre against Pittsburgh with just three healthy tackles – starters Langston Walker and Kirk Chambers, plus rookie Demetrius Bell.’

‘You see, unlike Toronto, Buffalo sees itself as a player on the world stage not via commerce or education or culture, but through its sports teams. And, with all due respect to the Sabres, the Bills are the father, son and motherlode in terms of our sense of self.’

‘In fairness, all may not be completely lost, but what has Toronto gained? Consider that the Bills are guaranteed a total of $78 million (all figures U.S.) for three exhibitions and five regular-season contests between now and 2012. That’s almost $10 million per game, when the average gate at Ralph Wilson Stadium is $5 million to $6 million. Good call, Ralph.’

‘The Bills series was never a cash-grab by Rogers, as is often portrayed, and never an attempt to put the CFL out of business. It has always been about attracting the NFL’s attention by demonstrating Toronto’s economic might and making it a worthy destination for relocation of an existing NFL franchise, be it the Bills or another team. That remains the long-term goal and the primary reason why these games are being held in Toronto.’

‘”We’ve been very open about the fact that this is a critical year, and we need to take another step,” Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon said yesterday. “We feel that we’re poised — with the work that’s been done with the draft and with free agency — to take that next step. And we all feel that pressure every day.”‘

‘”I don’t think I’ve played as well as I need to or as well as I think I can,” Schouman said.’

‘"We’re going to continue to try and get better. Me and Kirk (Chambers) and Langston (Walker)realize ahead of time that we might have to do some duty (at left tackle) in the second half."’

‘"When I came in here I said I was willing to do whatever the coaches decided to do with me," said Cox. "I’m ready to do everything to make this team and make the team better and help them get to the playoffs. I’m just learning and trying to stay right by my coach’s side with every rep and take it as it goes."’

‘"The ankle feels good," said Whitner after practice. "There’s a little bruise on there. It’s just a minor injury that you play through. You just want to get healthy at this time so when the season rolls around it’s not holding you back from playing your best."’

‘"The coaches said that they’re going to make a final decision tonight on what they’re going to do for the game on Thursday," said Butler. "A lot is still dependent upon whether Estes will be able to dress. I’m just going to work here for the next two days before the game and get some tackle sets and definitely go out there and perform well."’

‘In Niagara – Fort Erie, there are four border crossings in close proximity: Queenston – Lewiston Bridge, Rainbow, Whirlpool and Peace Bridges. So check the CBSA Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca or call 1-800-715-6722 to determine which bridge is the least busy. The Whirlpool is a NEXUS only Bridge so you must be a NEXUS member to use this bridge. Consider getting your NEXUS card as the Whirlpool Bridge never has any backups. It is important to note that the NEXUS card is also an accepted alternative document to the passport under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).’

‘So as the NFL moves closer to Toronto with Thursday’s game, it’s not worth getting bent out of shape. It’s just a game, a meaningless one at that, but for historical purposes some people are viewing this as a trickle that could develop into a flood. Only when 89-year-old Bills owner Ralph Wilson dies and his team is sold to the highest bidder as part of his plan to lessen inheritance taxes on his family will it truly be known whether the Buffalo team becomes Toronto’s team on a permanent basis.’

‘In addition to entertaining their Canadian fans, the Bills will be seeking to look much sharper than they did in last Saturday’s 17-14 loss at the Redskins.’

‘”Day by day I’m getting prepared for the season. I feel pretty good,” McKelvin said. “I felt like I played pretty good (against Washington). There were a few little things that I did wrong that I will not do again.”‘