Archives for October 27, 2011

‘”It’s not a home game, we’re playing an international game that counts as a home game because it’s relatively close to Buffalo. We’re ambassadors of the game, trying to globalize the sport. We understand that, but at the same time it’s certainly not the same environment we have here at Ralph Wilson Stadium.”‘

‘”The way he’s playing he’s taking advantage of his opportunities, this is the first time he was able to come in and be named the starter,” said Fred Jackson. “He’s relishing that role. He’s taking full advantage of making plays for his team, going in the right spots and I love playing with him.”‘

‘Chris Collins, the Republican incumbent, says he wants to see an arrangement that mirrors the current lease agreement — with the state paying for the bulk of the stadium upgrades and the county contributing annually to its operations and maintenance. Mark C. Poloncarz, the Democratic challenger who currently is county comptroller, has been critical of Collins for waiting to begin lease negotiations for Ralph Wilson Stadium but says it’s too early to detail how much he thinks the county or the state should pay.’

‘”We’ll play a rotation of several guys in there,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “It gives us some flexibility about who can go in there. We’ve just got to keep guys fresh and let them keep going at the quarterback.”‘

‘Nix would tell you he needed to take a chance on a rush linebacker who was once the terror of the NFL. He had other pressing needs and couldn’t fix everything at once. But it was a waste of money that could have been spent elsewhere, on players who would have actually contributed to a contender.’

‘Bills back Fred Jackson agreed: “It’s not the same crowd like it is here in Buffalo at The Ralph. Every time that we’ve been up there we have had a disadvantage in crowd noise. … But hopefully with the start that we’ve gotten off to, that changes.”‘

‘”It’s something you try not to think about, but it’s certainly something that exists, that’s in the air. I’m human, too; I can’t just block all that away. Yeah, it’s something I’d like to get done and we’ll just see how it progresses here in the next couple weeks.”‘

‘”I think about it every day,” said Jackson, talking about his background as unknown, undrafted, now unbelievable. “That’s what’s motivating me to be here. It’s something I try to reflect on as much as possible. And it’s one of the things that keeps me motivated out here.”‘

‘”I mean, it’s what it is. I’ve played in each of the games in Toronto and anybody who’s played up there has that expectation . . . The expectation that there’s going to be just as many cheerers for the Redskins as there will be for us.”‘

‘All of that could have passed without comment. What galls is the head patting routine at the end: “… They (i.e., We) cheer for any big play regardless of whichever team makes it.”‘

‘”We hope that we get more of a fan base up there with the good start we’ve gotten out to,” Jackson said. “Maybe that brings out more fans to us.”‘

‘So when the Redskins travel to Buffalo on Sunday to play the Bills — wait, they aren’t playing this game in Buffalo? The Buffalo Bills are playing a home game in Toronto? Yes, to generate more revenue — the value of the Bills’ franchise drops nearly every year, as does the attendance — the Bills are playing one home game a year in Toronto. That should limit the Buffalo jokes this week.’

‘But it also subjects the players to an additional tax, and the attendance has been an issue. The stadium, built for the Toronto Blue Jays and also the home of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, seats upwards of 54,000, but it has not been full for any of the games to date and only approaches capacity as the result of distribution of hundreds of free tickets.’

For Redskins’ unheralded offensive players pressed into duty, opportunity knocks (Washington Post)

Black fans have grown to love the Redskins (Washington Post)

John Beck getting a feel for job with a start under his belt (Washington Times)

Football still lagging in popularity in Canada (Washington Times)

It may be the beginning of the end for Redskins’ Cooley (Washington Examiner)

In Buffalo, clearly not a clean Bill of health (Washington Examiner)

Young Redskins receiving some lessons (Washington Examiner)

Redskins’ Rebound Relies Upon Reserves (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Five-Year ‘Bills Toronto Series’ Not A Favorite Among Several Buffalo Players (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Promotion To Main Roster Still Eludes Rookie Running Back Evan Royster (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Rivalry Between Ryan Fitzpatrick, John Beck Goes All The Way ‘Back’ To Childhood (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

No panic for Redskins … yet (CSN Washington)

Royster stays patient (CSN Washington)

Don’t write off Cooley just yet (CSN Washington)

Redskins find ways to cope without key players (AP)

Injury-riddled Redskins sign TE Byrd, OL Compas (AP)

Redskins sign TE Byrd, OL Compas (The Sports Network)

Injuries starting to mount for Redskins (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy And Personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Fletcher hopes to keep streak doing (The Sports Xchange)

Fletcher Slowed By Hamstring Injury (Redskins.com)

Grossman Released From Hospital (Redskins.com)

Torain Ready to Lead Redskins’ Run Game (Redskins.com)