corta765 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 So for confidential purposes I will not say the name of my source or place of employment but trust me when I say it is well founded. With that said in conversation today I learned that training camp may be shorter then last year and the possibility is true that the team in a few years may pack up back to Buffalo. This falls directly in line with what I have heard that the Bills preseason schedule itself would force less training camp days given when there games are this pre season. Last year the number of practices in Rochester fell to 11 total down from 13 in 2017 with only one night practice in 2018 compared to three in 2017. Both years McD has done camp the number of practices and night practices have been far less then in years prior. Rex Ryan's last year had 16 practices including 5 night practices. While the team has said they have no plans to leave, I believe realistically that it will end in the next 5 years with the Bills just doing a 2-3 day joint practice or something like that. My one compliant since Russ Brandon has left is the fact the Bills have backed off Rochester with events the way they use to and it does make us nervous that camp will go given how it already has been condensed. That said as a Rochester resident training camp is an incredibly exciting time for us and great primer for the regular season. Plus it is cool being out in the area and seeing the Bills players and coaching staff. If you ever are up in Rochester during camp go to Thirstys in the town of Pittsford. The players, coaches, and administration tend to go there. A few years ago Whaley and I believe Rob Ryan came in there. Usually it is a little later at night. 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrbojanglezs Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Im sure McD would have no media availability to practice if he could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWATeam Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Makes sense with the great new facilities in Buffalo. They should be there as much as possible. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdrought Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Just now, SWATeam said: Makes sense with the great new facilities in Buffalo. They should be there as much as possible. Kinda my thoughts on this... I was never sure why teams leave billion dollar facilities to spend time at colleges... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 1 minute ago, Mrbojanglezs said: Im sure McD would have no media availability to practice if he could. ......we've done construction set up and tear down work at the St John Fisher camp for the last 20 years.....when McDermott came on the scene, there would be times that our workers could be nowhere near the field he was using.....OBD gladly paid for idle time while workers stood around waiting until McDermott gave them "the go".... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 I dont know...seems McD really likes the time at camp to build "culture". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 26 minutes ago, whatdrought said: I was never sure why teams leave billion dollar facilities to spend time at colleges... Simple. They don't want the players going home at night. It's football 24/7 while at camp, with a sprinkle of marketing 101... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 21, 2019 Author Share Posted May 21, 2019 26 minutes ago, whatdrought said: Kinda my thoughts on this... I was never sure why teams leave billion dollar facilities to spend time at colleges... Back in the day the idea of branding the team outside of Buffalo had real merit that mattered and for most teams going away for camp was a big bonding/gear up time. Like others have said with the facilities they now have in Buffalo and the lack of appeal for most teams to actively market outside their main locale that seems to be fading. As a Rochester resident it would be a major loss fanbase wise if camp goes given how the Bills really have not done a lot out here the last few years, but it would be understood at the same point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 God, I wish training camp was like this when I played. We had 3 a days. Training camp sucked!!! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 44 minutes ago, SWATeam said: Makes sense with the great new facilities in Buffalo. They should be there as much as possible. While true, IMO the reason they went to SJF was to make the Rochesterians feel loved and a real part of the Bills family Moving them back out of town will more than likely decrease the attendance #s 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 50 minutes ago, whatdrought said: Kinda my thoughts on this... I was never sure why teams leave billion dollar facilities to spend time at colleges... It’s a team bonding exercise as well they spend a few weeks together all day every day in a dormitory... tensions get high sometimes but it’s also a team building experience 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Well, there are 12 days scheduled at the moment, with the last one being Wednesday, August 15th. Their second preseason game is the next day, 8/16. They also have a practice the day before their first preseason game on 8/8. I would assume that’s intentional? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffAlone Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said: While true, IMO the reason they went to SJF was to make the Rochesterians feel loved and a real part of the Bills family Moving them back out of town will more than likely decrease the attendance #s While I'm all for interaction with fans, I'm Definately more for player safety, including proper facilities. They spent the money for that state of the art rehab/training facility...take advantage of it is my opinion. I'd rather go into the year healthy and not see a TC, than vice versa. Bills Mafia from Rochester aren't gonna turn their backs if this happened Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons1992 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 The Bengals started doing in-town TC a few years back, and I think it's a great idea vs. going 1.5 hours away for 3 weeks. It's inevitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutDog Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 14 minutes ago, BuffAlone said: While I'm all for interaction with fans, I'm Definately more for player safety, including proper facilities. They spent the money for that state of the art rehab/training facility...take advantage of it is my opinion. I'd rather go into the year healthy and not see a TC, than vice versa. Bills Mafia from Rochester aren't gonna turn their backs if this happened Not sure I get this argument: there’s been no safety issues save the wet-mat-incident. The facilities are great and they also bring in (literally) tons of equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 14 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said: The Bengals started doing in-town TC a few years back, and I think it's a great idea vs. going 1.5 hours away for 3 weeks. It's inevitable. Mike Brown is cheap... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 19 minutes ago, BuffAlone said: While I'm all for interaction with fans, I'm Definately more for player safety, including proper facilities. They spent the money for that state of the art rehab/training facility...take advantage of it is my opinion. I'd rather go into the year healthy and not see a TC, than vice versa. Bills Mafia from Rochester aren't gonna turn their backs if this happened I've seen the pictures and videos of the new facilities which look awesome I was just throwing a thought as to why SJF was chosen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whites Bay Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 I guess another aspect is that the Bills have owners that have made a decision to keep the team in Buffalo. As I recall, one of the drivers behind the Rochester training camp was the desire to expand the fan base. "Regionalization", I believe it was called. Well, if the owner has deep pockets and has stated publicly that Buffalo fans should plan to enjoy the team "for generations to come", I guess it's not as urgent an issue. Kind of along the lines of expanding the footprint to the "Home" games in Toronto. When you think back on it, those were some pretty dark days. Glad that crap's behind us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffAlone Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, TroutDog said: Not sure I get this argument: there’s been no safety issues save the wet-mat-incident. The facilities are great and they also bring in (literally) tons of equipment. Its not an argument either for or against. Just giving my 2 cents. If you have better facilities at home, I personally would not be upset if they just stayed home. TC attendance did not decline when we went to SJF from Fredonia, nor would it if they moved again. Both places were a great host, and so would any new TC platform be. Thats all I'm saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fansince88 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, corta765 said: So for confidential purposes I will not say the name of my source or place of employment but trust me when I say it is well founded. With that said in conversation today I learned that training camp may be shorter then last year and the possibility is true that the team in a few years may pack up back to Buffalo. This falls directly in line with what I have heard that the Bills preseason schedule itself would force less training camp days given when there games are this pre season. Last year the number of practices in Rochester fell to 11 total down from 13 in 2017 with only one night practice in 2018 compared to three in 2017. Both years McD has done camp the number of practices and night practices have been far less then in years prior. Rex Ryan's last year had 16 practices including 5 night practices. While the team has said they have no plans to leave, I believe realistically that it will end in the next 5 years with the Bills just doing a 2-3 day joint practice or something like that. My one compliant since Russ Brandon has left is the fact the Bills have backed off Rochester with events the way they use to and it does make us nervous that camp will go given how it already has been condensed. That said as a Rochester resident training camp is an incredibly exciting time for us and great primer for the regular season. Plus it is cool being out in the area and seeing the Bills players and coaching staff. If you ever are up in Rochester during camp go to Thirstys in the town of Pittsford. The players, coaches, and administration tend to go there. A few years ago Whaley and I believe Rob Ryan came in there. Usually it is a little later at night. Did you learn of this in a level profile meeting? Edited May 22, 2019 by fansince88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Maybe they will move the camp to Batavia. Anybody buying up land there? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffAlone Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 So, can we just call it TC now or what?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustWinPlease Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 4 hours ago, corta765 said: So for confidential purposes I will not say the name of my source or place of employment but trust me when I say it is well founded. With that said in conversation today I learned that training camp may be shorter then last year and the possibility is true that the team in a few years may pack up back to Buffalo. This falls directly in line with what I have heard that the Bills preseason schedule itself would force less training camp days given when there games are this pre season. Last year the number of practices in Rochester fell to 11 total down from 13 in 2017 with only one night practice in 2018 compared to three in 2017. Both years McD has done camp the number of practices and night practices have been far less then in years prior. Rex Ryan's last year had 16 practices including 5 night practices. While the team has said they have no plans to leave, I believe realistically that it will end in the next 5 years with the Bills just doing a 2-3 day joint practice or something like that. My one compliant since Russ Brandon has left is the fact the Bills have backed off Rochester with events the way they use to and it does make us nervous that camp will go given how it already has been condensed. That said as a Rochester resident training camp is an incredibly exciting time for us and great primer for the regular season. Plus it is cool being out in the area and seeing the Bills players and coaching staff. If you ever are up in Rochester during camp go to Thirstys in the town of Pittsford. The players, coaches, and administration tend to go there. A few years ago Whaley and I believe Rob Ryan came in there. Usually it is a little later at night. Going to piss off a lot of Rochester fans, and lose the young fans who become Bills fans because of training camp in Rochester. It's typical Bills that they would screw a large portion of their fans from the Rochester, Finger Lakes and Syracuse region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Joshin' Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 12 minutes ago, JustWinPlease said: Going to piss off a lot of Rochester fans, and lose the young fans who become Bills fans because of training camp in Rochester. It's typical Bills that they would screw a large portion of their fans from the Rochester, Finger Lakes and Syracuse region. Typical Bills eh - examples please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 40 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said: Maybe they will move the camp to Batavia. Anybody buying up land there? ..Dunkirk Don perhaps?.......has land all over............. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 (edited) which ever way it goes, i am thankful that they came to SJF. loved, loved, loved having my Bills in my locality. made the (late Spring) early Summer that much better. Edited May 21, 2019 by Foxx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 15 hours ago, BuffaloBill said: Maybe they will move the camp to Batavia. Anybody buying up land there? Rumor has it their new stadium will be there so why not put TC also 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 15 hours ago, BuffaloBill said: Maybe they will move the camp to Batavia. Anybody buying up land there? LOL I've always said Batavia would be a great location AND It is east of Buffalo if you follow the dots .... ..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 18 hours ago, Whites Bay said: I guess another aspect is that the Bills have owners that have made a decision to keep the team in Buffalo. As I recall, one of the drivers behind the Rochester training camp was the desire to expand the fan base. "Regionalization", I believe it was called. Well, if the owner has deep pockets and has stated publicly that Buffalo fans should plan to enjoy the team "for generations to come", I guess it's not as urgent an issue. Kind of along the lines of expanding the footprint to the "Home" games in Toronto. When you think back on it, those were some pretty dark days. Glad that crap's behind us. But the flip side is the team needs to be regionalized for corporate sponsors and increased media attention. I would bet money that without the regionalization of the team the odds of the team staying in Buffalo during those dark years would've been much lower. The last I heard the Bills said like 30% of their season ticket holders are Rochester or Southern Tier residents, that is a large portion of fans to say who cares to. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vorpma Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 16 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said: ..Dunkirk Don perhaps?.......has land all over............. Blasdell or Niagara University ha ha! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrbojanglezs Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 really Rochester fans are going to quit the Bills because training camp isn't there? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 as a resident, it's nice, but mostly for the kids. Every time i go to camp, i find myself wildly bored. i'm also not someone who sits in the stands or takes notes. i bring the kids, buy them some *****, mill around and go. it is nice for families, so it would be disappointing for them to leave. i get the logic behind the move though. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 26 minutes ago, Mrbojanglezs said: really Rochester fans are going to quit the Bills because training camp isn't there? LOL Lighten up Francis No one said that (at least not me) I said (or meant to imply) "camp" attendance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 31 minutes ago, Mrbojanglezs said: really Rochester fans are going to quit the Bills because training camp isn't there? The current generation no. But you have to remember the impact it has on kids when you can go and see players, the team, etc.. up close. If that is gone and families who don't have the money to go to games don't go to Buffalo it becomes far easier for kids to cheer a different team. Let them grow up 10-15 years and the next round of your fanbase isn't what it was. I am not sure why people are afraid of the team being regionalized it is only for the best of the team. I never want a home game outside of the Ralph again, but if the team went to Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Cuse, Jamestown etc.. for events I think it only helps to strengthen the brand. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 21 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said: God, I wish training camp was like this when I played. We had 3 a days. Training camp sucked!!! You played football? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 18 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said: ..Dunkirk Don perhaps?.......has land all over............. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrbojanglezs Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 2 hours ago, corta765 said: The current generation no. But you have to remember the impact it has on kids when you can go and see players, the team, etc.. up close. If that is gone and families who don't have the money to go to games don't go to Buffalo it becomes far easier for kids to cheer a different team. Let them grow up 10-15 years and the next round of your fanbase isn't what it was. I am not sure why people are afraid of the team being regionalized it is only for the best of the team. I never want a home game outside of the Ralph again, but if the team went to Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Cuse, Jamestown etc.. for events I think it only helps to strengthen the brand. So does the younger generation of kids in Buffalo not become Bills fans because TC is in Rochester? Let's face it younger generations become bills fans because their parents raise them that way not because where training camp is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 11 minutes ago, Mrbojanglezs said: So does the younger generation of kids in Buffalo not become Bills fans because TC is in Rochester? Let's face it younger generations become bills fans because their parents raise them that way not because where training camp is. Buffalonians get to see the Bills about town 9 months of the year if not more. Rochestationas get to see the Bills about town for 1 out of the month of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hooks Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 2 hours ago, ShadyBillsFan said: LOL Lighten up Francis No one said that (at least not me) I said (or meant to imply) "camp" attendance Can we decide as a fan base to not use the “lighten up Francis” line anymore? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Bobby Hooks said: Can we decide as a fan base to not use the “lighten up Francis” line anymore? Shirley you jest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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