buffalobillsfootball Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 If I didn't know better, I would have assumed it was a home game for the Redskins based on the crowd reaction as you could hear it on TV. It sounded like a half-empty stadium watching their team lose 23-0. I guess I didn't realize how few Bills fans go to these games. Let's stop being so dramatic here folks. I was at the game. Did it feel different? Yes. But did I see and hear more Bills fans? I did. But did it feel sterile and forced? Yes. But this was the first year that the Rogers Centre appeared sold out. It took me 1/2 the first quarter to acclimate to the differences. I sat at the 50 yard line - 30 rows up from the field. Seats were $340 each. I got the tickets for free. I would never sit that low again. There was no pitch - so, it was hard not to want to watch the jumbotron rather than the game. These seats would be great for a baseball game; but not football. I, on the other hand, could not believe how many BILLS fans and Bills jerseys, etc. I was actually impressed. We took the train from Burlington and was amazed how many BILLS fans got on the train from each stop all the way into Toronto. We need these fans. On the way home; standing room only on the train - and mostly bills fans. Were there other jerseys and redskins fans - yep - but no different than the Ralph; EXCEPT for the atmosphere. The whole game day experience is flawed. No tailgating as we all know. And the atmosphere at the game was sterile. I actually felt uncomfortable seeing videos on the jumbotron of Bills players telling "Toronto fans to get off their seats and yell." It was just so forced. We all can agree that we are not a fan of the Toronto series but we have to accept it. The Bills success and long term future in Buffalo is contingent on similar success up in Toronto. Go Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 It must have been Halloween - I noticed a lot of folks dressed as empty blue seats That costume is all the rage this year ... it's beating out spiderman 2 to 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Smith Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Let's stop being so dramatic here folks. I was at the game. Did it feel different? Yes. But did I see and hear more Bills fans? I did. But did it feel sterile and forced? Yes. But this was the first year that the Rogers Centre appeared sold out. It took me 1/2 the first quarter to acclimate to the differences. I sat at the 50 yard line - 30 rows up from the field. Seats were $340 each. I got the tickets for free. I would never sit that low again. There was no pitch - so, it was hard not to want to watch the jumbotron rather than the game. These seats would be great for a baseball game; but not football. I, on the other hand, could not believe how many BILLS fans and Bills jerseys, etc. I was actually impressed. We took the train from Burlington and was amazed how many BILLS fans got on the train from each stop all the way into Toronto. We need these fans. On the way home; standing room only on the train - and mostly bills fans. Were there other jerseys and redskins fans - yep - but no different than the Ralph; EXCEPT for the atmosphere. The whole game day experience is flawed. No tailgating as we all know. And the atmosphere at the game was sterile. I actually felt uncomfortable seeing videos on the jumbotron of Bills players telling "Toronto fans to get off their seats and yell." It was just so forced. We all can agree that we are not a fan of the Toronto series but we have to accept it. The Bills success and long term future in Buffalo is contingent on similar success up in Toronto. Go Bills Thank You I was at the game as well. I did NOT want to support this venture at all and this was my first year going up there. I was very happy with the experience and I think the local people understand the paranoia involved on the part of Buffalonians....but I talked with about 15 different groups of people and there was a great mix of types of fans and levels of football experience, but the one thing in common was EVERY person there had a positive attitude about being at that game and were going to make the best of it. The stadium was pretty much full. Outside....sure, it wasn't like the Ralph, but at the parking lot I was in there were groups tailgating and throwing footballs around. The parking guys were getting a kick of the groups that were doing it up. The way I look at it, instead of grumbling about how sterile the place is....I took it as an opportunity to be an ambassador as both a Buffalonian, and a football fan. No question is stupid, and have a good time while meeting new people. I would say the atmosphere was more charged in the stadium than any home Sabres game this year. People were making noise on 3rd down....maybe only 40% of them, but there were plenty of educated and loyal fans in there to make a go of it. I had no problem yelling, and then singing the Shout song after scores. Even if many around me didn't join in, again, they got a kick out of it. It would be like me going to a Manchester United game. I wouldn't know the chants, but I would enjoy being in the atmosphere, know enough about the sport, and appreciate the experience. The Bills themselves treated this as an away game in a hostile environment.....at least until they started to take control. George Wilson set the tone with his comments early in the week, and the guys were in a foul mood in warmups. Only a few would even acknowledge the fans as they went back in the tunnel, and none of them came out for individual introductions. I understand where they were coming from....but maybe next year they will warm up to the idea a little more themselves and understand if they keep playing with passion, they will continue to gain some traction up there. I would absolutely go again next year......no way would I pay face value, but there were plenty of 50% offers out there, and I was shocked that I could scalp an extra ticket for what I had paid for it....and this was to a scalper by chance standing in a hotel bathroom line. I can understand the resentment of losing a home date, but the Canadians were very cordial, understand our concerns, and gave it a good go in my opinion. I don't embrace the series, but I don't look at it as a boogeyman anymore either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 (edited) Watching at home you would have thought a football game had broken out at a 4 year old's funeral. Something didn't quite seem right during the broadcast and my Asian friends had seizures every time the camera pointed at the strobe light scoreboard. Edited October 31, 2011 by Jauronimo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 (edited) Someone forgot to warn Toronto fans about the Buffalo Bounce. That kid must have fudged his undies. PTR Edited October 31, 2011 by PromoTheRobot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hsp08 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Here is an excellent article regarding the Bills in TO: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/jeff-blair/the-bills-in-toronto-are-money-in-the-bank/article2219407/ The one thing that sticks with me, FEAR LA, NOT Toronto, we are part of your solution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Watching at home you would have thought a football game had broken out at a 4 year old's funeral. Something didn't quite seem right during the broadcast and my Asian friends had seizures every time the camera pointed at the strobe light scoreboard. It did seem alot quieter than it would be at the Ralph. For that reason, it is not a good thing. we need that homefield buzz we get at the Ralph. That strove light scoreboard, I think that effect happens because TV is filmed at 28 to 30 frames per second. The refresh rate of the scoreboard is much faster. So you get a strobe effect. Watch a TV show where a computer monitor is shown in the background and you see that rolling strobe effect. Any other techies agree? Or is some other technical issue occurring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick in* england Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I hate the Toronto series as much as anyone. BUT it could be overcome if the venue was better. The BIGGEST problem with the entire series is the Rogers Centre. It's not a football venue and that kills it from a fans standpoint and from a home-field advantage standpoint. I could go on - but there you have it in a nutshell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDH Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 (edited) I keep reading online that there were 51k there but it looked on TV like half the place was empty. Was the place full as they claim? I've read the capacity 52k so if it attendance was 51k it should have been packed... Edited October 31, 2011 by MDH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I hate the Toronto series as much as anyone. BUT it could be overcome if the venue was better. The BIGGEST problem with the entire series is the Rogers Centre. It's not a football venue and that kills it from a fans standpoint and from a home-field advantage standpoint. I could go on - but there you have it in a nutshell. Not having been in the Rogers Centre, I could see that it might not be an ideal venue. As for the rest (ie fans) I would say keep winning, and you will not only get traction in that market, but will see people confident to drive from buffalo. I still think its funny how many people say they refuse to go because its like a road game. Catch 22 much? if 50k drove up from the ralph the problem would be solved. cant rely on the people of toronto to give you homefield. go up and dictate it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 (edited) For a couple of Canadians' take on the atmosphere: http://thestar.blogs.com/thespin/2011/10/gridiron-meaning.html Tough day for CFL supporters, this is. How do they explain away the full house, or close to full house, at the Rogers Centre for the Bills and Redskins on Sunday, an enthusiastic full house, at that? Even if you accept the general wisdom that the house is papered, you still have to get the people to go, and there is no way on earth the Argonauts could ever dream of attracting an audience like that for a regular season match. http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/article/1078469--kelly-dominating-bills-finally-give-t-o-fans-reason-to-cheer It was also a cautious turning point in local fan/club relations. It was not a “home” crowd in any conventional way. There were plenty of Skins jerseys to be seen — as well as plenty more from every other NFL club. The atmosphere still needs real work. The roof of the dome was closed because of a fear of rain showers, precisely the sort of namby-pamby stuff that makes the Buffalo players shake their heads. Pre-game tailgaters had two vastly different options — face painting and photo ops with the toddlers, or the POW-camp charms of the fenced-in, licensed zone. Neither feels very much like football. There’s one year left on the current deal between Buffalo and Toronto. It’s a little late for a getting-to-know-you phase. This will never feel like a real home game, nor should it. Home games are for home teams. But there is finally an understanding between the visitors and their hosts — you bring a team worth watching, and we’ll cheer when you do. Edited November 1, 2011 by ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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