Archives for December 2012

‘Indeed, a collective sigh of relief could be heard coming from western New York on Friday morning when the loyal football-crazed zealots in the area were welcomed with the news that the franchise had agreed to a 10-year lease to remain in the Buffalo area.’

‘Toronto is an NFL town, not a Bills town. There is more Cowboys, Steelers and Packers support in the GTA than there is for the Bills. Those Bills fans who do live in Toronto go to Orchard Park to watch their team while enjoying a much better game day experience.’

‘The team’s lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium is due to expire in 2013. The renovation price tag is placed at $130 million, with the Bills paying some $35 million. New York state will pick up $54 million of the remaining $95 million and Erie County the other $41 million. Initial renovation costs were expected to top $200 million.’

‘”They can’t move,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, a key figure in the lease negotiations. “We believe it is iron-clad.”‘

‘The second-oldest NFL facility, San Francisco’s Candlestick Park, is in its last season as the home of the 49ers. The team is scheduled to move into Santa Clara Stadium next fall, pushing Ralph Wilson up to fifth-oldest on the NFL list.’

‘Even by NFL standards, that’s significant. Consider, for perspective: Forbes’ most recent valuation of the Bills priced the franchise at just north of $800 million.’

Upgrade at tight end is likely priority for Miami Dolphins (Miami Herald)

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill showing improvement in last four games (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins place Dan Carpenter on IR, sign Nate Kaeding (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins-Bills: Who has the edge? (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Five reasons to pick Dolphins 20, Bills 13 (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Key matchup: Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Sean Smith (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Banged-up Miami Dolphins put kicker Dan Carpenter on IR, sign Nate Kaeding (Palm Beach Post)

K Kaeding signs with Miami; Carpenter placed on IR (AP)

Dolphins place K Carpenter on IR (The Sports Network)

Dolphins Game Preview vs. Bills (CBS Sports)

Dansby, Wake among ‘Phins eyeing Pro Bowl (Fox Sports Florida)

Miami Seeks To Even The Season Series Against Buffalo In Its Final Home Game Of The Year (WFOR-TV)

Dolphins Sign Kicker Nate Kaeding (WFOR-TV)

Dolphins Sign Kaeding; Place Carpenter On IR (MiamiDolphins.com)

Carpenter And Kaeding Reverse Roles; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Ten Memorable Home Finales (MiamiDolphins.com)

Final Dolphins-Bills Injury Report, 12/21 (MiamiDolphins.com)

”’You never know what’s going to happen from this year to the next,” Johnson said. ”You’ve got to get the picture fast and I definitely did. I can’t say I (immediately) did with the shenanigans that I had going on early in my career. I’m here now and I have to be able to hold it for as long as I can.”’

”’This is a monumental day for us,” he added. ”The Buffalo Bills are right here in western New York, where we’re going to be for many decades to come.”’

‘The renovations will be centered around improving the fan experience, including new video display boards on the stadium’s east end and the creation of a new west end plaza.’

‘The lease also allows the Bills to play one preseason game every other year and one regular-season game each year in Toronto, the newspaper reported.’

‘These two teams have gone in opposite directions since their meeting in Week 11, which the Bills won 19-14. In that game, the Bills handled the Dolphins for the most part due to rookie QB Ryan Tannehill’s struggles. Since then, the Bills have lost three of four games and are coming off a 50-17 blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks.’

‘Lingering questions about an NFL team — or two — in Los Angeles have been a thorn in the side for Bills fans for many years. Is this deal enough to keep the Bills from moving to L.A.? For the next seven years, that certainly appears to be the case. After that? It remains up in the air.’

‘”Me, I like the deal,” WR Steve Johnson said. “I know I’m here for another five. So I’m happy about it. I like the area, that’s why I re-signed. I think that’s just comforting for the fans outside, to know that we’ll be here for another seven.”‘

‘However, the fact that an opt-out clause after the seventh year for a paltry (by NFL standards) $28,363,500 was worked in, and that it was mentioned briefly at best during the press conference, it should be a tiny cause of concern to Bills fans looking for long-term security for their favorite football team.’