Got_Wood

Here's a caption from when the Packers rebuilt Lambeau and when Chicago rebuilt Soldier Field: "The massive redevelopment plan was designed to update the facilities, add more premium and suite seating, yet preserve the seating bowl, keeping the storied natural grass playing field of the "frozen tundra." The project was completed in time for the 2003 season, bringing the current capacity to 72,928. Construction management was conducted by Turner Construction Sports, and proved to be of remarkably little disruption to the 2001 and 2002 seasons. By contrast, the Chicago Bears needed to relocate to Memorial Stadium of the University of Illinois in Champaign in 2002 while Soldier Field was reconfigured." It is a bold statement to say that people would give up season tickets... but so is the team moving to Toronto.

It may be a sacrifice that fans are willing to make to keep the team around. I'm not sure there is a solution here that involves every fan being happy. And it's possible that a slight increase in prices for tickets could make up the difference. I don't know, just throwing ideas out there. It's better than the Rogers Center in Toronto.

Just trying to be positive PTR. I see where there is reason to be skeptical. But, part of renovation is tearing things down. That is the reality of the situation. The seats (as you can see in the picture) become luxury boxes, and there is more seating created by wrapping the boxes around the other endzone. Which right now is just empty space for the most part. Once again, this is all just a dream at this point. Open to any other ideas you have as well.

Also, it is possible that the Bills could play their regular season games at the Carrier Dome at the University of Syracuse while the stadium is being redone. It houses 50,000 and it isn't that much of a trek for Bills fans. Especially if the fans know the stadium is being upgraded in Orchard Park

Ok, here is another version with half of the stadium's 300 level seating still intact, and the other half being renovated. This one also has the end zone club seats intact. It's an evolving idea... http://i45.tinypic.com/10qko4m.jpg

Valid point, and I agree that it will be tough to raise funds. But this is an alternative idea to a complete move and rebuild. With a brand new stadium, you're looking at $900 mil to $1 billion in funds. With an upgrade tot he current structure like Lambeau or Soldier Field, you're looking at $150-$250 million. That's a pretty HUGE difference. If it means keeping the Bills in Buffalo, this has to be at least considered.

I completely agree. I literally took the Lambeau Field design and "Buffolo-ized" it. It would be nice to have more 300 level seating, and rearrange the luxury boxes somehow. Just thought I would start here.

+1 Couldn't agree more. All about positivity here. That's why I tried to throw this idea out there. And the addition of the museum would be incredible. I say we start a movement!!!

I thought about that when I put the design together. I agree that there could be some way of keeping the 300 level together. Maybe placing the luxury boxes between levels, or something to that effect. Whatever it takes to keep the stadium here.

That's a great idea. That would just add to the experience of it.

Thank you for the realistic view of the Bills situation. I personally think the "redo" is better for the fans and the bottom line. And yes, the ownership is different with the Packers. They were able to move their project forward with the fans in mind, because they're owned by fans. But Buffalo is a similar city in that the Bills are a huge part of their culture and livelihood. Just as the Packers love Brett Favre (not as much recently) and Reggie White, and grasp on to the history of the team behind Lambeau and Lombardi... the Bills fans love Jim Kelly and Bruce Smith, and hold the history of the team behind Levy and Wilson dear in their hearts. The Ralph can become a monument of sorts. A tribute to the history of a team that has played such a huge part in the lives of Western New Yorkers. If you've ever visited Lambeau field, you would know what I mean. And I believe the Ralph can be that same place for the fans of Buffalo.

The "redo" wasn't enough. Take a look at the picture I attached and you'll see the difference. The Ralph is still bare bones in terms of the revenue they can bring in for team gear, food, and alcohol. Particularly in the offseason as well. This kind of construction would change that. Not just a few new luxury boxes and a big screen TV. It's a full on make over.

Go the route of the Packers when they upgraded Lambeau Field. Take the existing stadium, and make it a place where people visit in the offseason. Make it a theme park / museum of sorts. A statue of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi stand outside the stadium like ghosts as visitors frequent the stadium year round. The stadium tours, Packers team gear stores, restaurants, and bars in the new Field House attached to the stadium make it a place you can bring your family for a day of fun. This would increase the revenue the stadium brings in by a big number. Quote from Lambeau Field website (http://www.lambeaufield.com/stadium_info/history/): If you want the Bills to stay in Buffalo, this may be one of the only options. And a much cheaper option than building a whole new stadium. This is what a "Lambeau Stadium Redo" might look like in Buffalo: http://i48.tinypic.com/w6wrjr.jpg or http://i45.tinypic.com/10qko4m.jpg (Alternative with more 300 level seating)

Great find! This can be used as ammunition against all the haters out there in the media. Great hire, and things are looking up for the future of this organization.

All I have to say is this: http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6069/bushmiddlefinger.png

Completely agree. No more players with a "world of talent", but have yet to prove it. Okung and Bulaga are the best bets to succeed based on their current body of work. Not the "potential" that they have.

Take the blinders off. Any American should be able to flip the bird at an MMA event during their free time. This wasn't a press conference, an organized NFL event, team activity, or anything related. That wasn't a press photographer either. It was probably some idiot who was heckling him publicly. If ANYTHING, Ryan should be able to sue the moron that sent the picture to the press.

The NFL is ridiculous. Goodell and his fines are out of hand.

I agree. I don't really want to see us take Berry, Bryant, Haden, or Spiller. Just wanted to mention all of the elite talent available. I'd be really happy with Bulaga as well.

You take a look at who the best players in the country are in the upcoming draft and you try and get one of those guys, regardless of their position. The Bills don't need to get the 3rd best player at a position just because it's one of their biggest needs. We've made that mistake before. Who are the best players out there this year? - Ndamukong Suh - Eric Berry - Gerald McCoy - Russel Okung - Rolando McClain I would say that is the elite group. And this next group is the 2nd tier: - Sam Bradford - Brian Bulaga - Joe Haden - CJ Spiller - Dez Bryant - Mike Iupati I honestly have no idea what Buddy and Chan are going to do. Makes things a little more interesting.

This is the biggest joke of a game I've ever seen. No one wants to hurt each other, so no one is trying. Is this what the NFL wants? A bunch of divas worried more about their paychecks than actually playing a game??? Either the NFL needs to put something on the line to give these overpaid prima donnas to play hard, or just cancel the game. It's embarassing for the league. The channel was changed after 5 minutes of this garbage.

Our DC could also be one of the senior bowl coaches. Buddy and Tom are down there right now. You never know.

If that is the case, then I feel bad for the Bills. Not because Sanders isn't at least a little qualified. But because it would show how incredibly out of touch they are with the rest of the league. If you can't get a quality defensive coordinator candidate in here to at least interview, then that is a failure in itself. Hiring a bunch of guys that were either fired or have some lower positional coach status at a college program is not only pathetic, but it's lazy. The Bills front office needs to at least show they care about keeping this team in town. Not just going with some cheap "safe" bet guys that they have coached with throughout their career.

I'd take Ron Jaworski at this point. ANYONE to advise out QB's is better than no one. Well not anyone...

I think it was a bit of a disadvantage last season when Van Pelt was promoted from QB coach to OC. It's good to have that extra help on the sidelines to evaluate and lend advice during games especially. Hope fully we fill that void this year.