NFL FanHouse

Buffalo Bills' Donte Whitner: 'Do I Expect Us to Make the Playoffs? I'm Guaranteeing It'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:14:00 EST

Buffalo Bills strong safety Donte Whitner has one of the brightest futures of any NFL player. He's already started 29 games in his career, and he's only 22 years old. I like him a lot.

So that's why, while I'd consider this type of statement to be over the top coming from some players, I kind of like it from Whitner:

When asked if he expects the Bills to make the playoffs, Whitner makes it clear how serious he is. "Do I expect us to make the playoffs?" he says. "I'm guaranteeing it.

That's what Whitner said to Clifton Brown of The Sporting News in a story that portrays Whitner as one of the league's smartest and hardest-working young players, not to mention as a mentor to Bills rookie Leodis McKelvin, who is only a month younger than Whitner but is much less experienced.

I don't know if I'm ready to buy into Whitner's guarantee, but I do know that I like his confidence. It sure seems like a long time ago that people were criticizing the Bills for drafting him.

Via PFT.

Buffalo Bills' Donte Whitner: 'Do I Expect Us to Make the Playoffs? I'm Guaranteeing It' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With NFL Threat Looming, CFL Launches 'This Is Our League' Ad Campaign

Michael David Smith — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:25:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Video, Buffalo, Toronto

Many Canadians believe that the NFL's plans to play regular-season games in Canada -- and possibly move a team there permanently -- are a threat to the Canadian Football League's very existence. In response, the CFL has launched an ad campaign reminding Canadians, "This is our league":

The commercial itself is cool, but I really don't understand why so many Canadian football fans are freaking out, to the point where elected officials are trying to pass laws to keep the NFL out. Is the CFL really so weak that putting one NFL team in Canada would put the entire league out of business?

Via Sports by Brooks.

With NFL Threat Looming, CFL Launches 'This Is Our League' Ad Campaign originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prosecutor Says Bills' Marshawn Lynch Has Agreed to Deal, 'He Was Driving the Car'

Michael David Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

Erie County District Attorney Frank J. Clark announced today that Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has agreed to a deal that will resolve the investigation of his hit-and-run accident.

"This whole agreement is predicated on the fact that he was driving the car," Clark said. "Has he said that officially? The answer is no. But obviously, the reason we were here in these negotiations is all predicated on the fact that he was driving the vehicle."

Presumably, this means Lynch will plead guilty to some traffic offense related to leaving the scene of an accident, but Clark wouldn't get specific during his bizarre press conference, in which he got angry at reporters when they asked him what the agreement entailed. Clark did say there was one other person in the SUV when Lynch hit a pedestrian, but he would not say whether that passenger was a Buffalo Bills player.

Prosecutor Says Bills' Marshawn Lynch Has Agreed to Deal, 'He Was Driving the Car' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIP, Tim Russert, Fan of the Buffalo Bills

Michael David Smith — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:46:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Buffalo

Tim Russert, the longtime host of NBC's Meet the Press, has died of a heart attack.

Although those in the political arena can memorialize Russert far better than we can here, it's worth noting for our corner of the world Russert's love and affection for his native Buffalo, and especially for the Bills. Russert was well known for making it a point to be home from his Meet the Press tapings in time to watch the Bills on Sundays, and for ribbing politicians who came from states with teams the Bills beat.

Russert was 58. After the jump, watch Tom Brokaw discuss one of his favorite memories of Russert, which centered on his love of the Bills.

RIP, Tim Russert, Fan of the Buffalo Bills originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prosecutors Will Subpoena Ralph Wilson in Marshawn Lynch Hit and Run Case

Michael David Smith — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:57:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

The hit-and-run investigation surrounding Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has now roped in the team's owner, Ralph Wilson. The Buffalo News reports that Wilson is one of nine people affiliated with the Bills who prosecutors will subpoena in connection with the incident.

It's not clear what Wilson knows, but prosecutors could think that Wilson has asked Lynch point blank whether he was driving his SUV when it hit a pedestrian two weeks ago. Also likely to be subpoenaed are Bills rookie wide receivers James Hardy and Steve Johnson and second-year offensive lineman Christian Gaddis.

The Buffalo News also reports that although Lynch has never been arrested in New York State, local police were familiar with him -- and his propensity for getting kicked out of bars -- before the hit and run took place:

one law enforcement official was not surprised to hear about the latest incident involving Lynch's vehicle.
"God, no, I wasn't surprised at all," the source said. "It follows a pattern. It's the kind of stuff he's been doing. He's just so cavalier about everything. That was always my impression."

Lynch has still not said anything publicly, or to the police, about the incident.

Prosecutors Will Subpoena Ralph Wilson in Marshawn Lynch Hit and Run Case originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 4 Witnesses Saw Marshawn Lynch Driving SUV That Hit Pedestrian

Michael David Smith — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is still invoking his Fifth Amendment rights and refusing to cooperate with police in the investigation of a hit-and-run involving an SUV he owns, but it appears that authorities are close to charging him as the driver.

WGRZ in Buffalo reports that a source with knowledge of the investigation says four witnesses say Lynch was at the wheel of the vehicle at the time it hit a woman and sped off. The station also reports that police are investigating whether other Bills players were in the car at the time.

The woman who was hit was treated and released at a local hospital. Police took the SUV from Lynch's driveway and have impounded it; they say it will remain in police custody as long as the investigation is ongoing.

Previously on FanHouse:
Police Find SUV From Hit and Run in Marshawn Lynch's Driveway
Marshawn Lynch Investigated in Hit and Run

Report: 4 Witnesses Saw Marshawn Lynch Driving SUV That Hit Pedestrian originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Police Find SUV From Hit and Run in Marshawn Lynch's Driveway

Josh Alper — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, AFC East, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

It appears that Marshawn Lynch's involvement with a hit-and-run in Buffalo has gone from suspected to confirmed. Police found the SUV that struck a woman in Lynch's driveway shortly after the accident early Saturday morning.

The Buffalo News reports that the vehicle had damage that linked it to the accident but when police knocked on Lynch's door there was no answer. The police aren't assuming that Lynch was behind the wheel but consider him a "key figure" in the case.

"I think it's fair to say that, if Mr. Lynch was not driving the vehicle, he probably has a pretty good idea who was," Buffalo police spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge said Tuesday, following a news conference at Police Headquarters. "At no point has Mr. Lynch reported his vehicle had been stolen that police are aware of," he added.

DeGeorge also said that charges will be filed at some point but they need to figure out who was behind the wheel of the car at the time. Lynch's representatives have been cooperating with the investigation but, as of Wednesday morning, Lynch himself had not spoken with the police and it took three days before his attorney responded to police requests for information.

Police Find SUV From Hit and Run in Marshawn Lynch's Driveway originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marshawn Lynch Investigated in Hit and Run

Michael David Smith — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:16:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

WGRZ News in Buffalo is reporting that the Buffalo Police Department is investigating a hit and run accident involving a car registered to Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch.

According to the report, Lynch's car hit a female pedestrian at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. It is not known whether Lynch was driving. Witnesses said the woman was lying in the street for about 15 minutes but eventually got up on her own and walked to an ambulance. There are no details about her condition.

Neither the police department nor the Bills would comment publicly, but a Bills spokesman said Lynch's attorney is out of town and will address the situation when he returns.

Via PFT.

Marshawn Lynch Investigated in Hit and Run originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bills Release Kevin Everett; TE to Receive NFL Disability Benefits

Dan — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, AFC East, NFL Injuries, Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills released tight end Kevin Everett this morning, but that does mean the two sides will be parting ways.

"Kevin will always remain a Buffalo Bill in the same way that Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and so many others before him are held in the highest regard by our franchise," the team said in a statement Tuesday.

Everett's release opens the door for him to receive several NFL disability benefits, including a one-time payment under the player health reimbursement plan. He will also be able to apply for additional long-term injury benefits, and should be well taken care of for the foreseeable future.

Although Everett may never return to 100%, his recovery is nothing short of remarkable. Not only did doctors believe he would never walk again, initial reports indicated that the severity of his injuries were considered life-threatening. Yet, less than a year later, Everett has regained most of the feeling from his neck down and has also learned to walk on his own once again.

"The Buffalo Bills continue to be moved by Kevin Everett's heartwarming story of his recovery," the team's statement read. "His progress from September 9 of last year through today is nothing short of a miracle, and is a tremendous example of faith, family and hard work."

Bills Release Kevin Everett; TE to Receive NFL Disability Benefits originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 May 2008 12:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bills' James Hardy Pulled Gun on Dad

Michael David Smith — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:18:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

A Fort Wayne, Indiana police report indicates that Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver James Hardy pulled a gun on his father, the Journal Gazette reports.

According to the paper, Hardy was listed as a suspect but his name was redacted from a police report that said his father, James W. Hardy II, was engaged in a fight with his son. A witness said she yelled at the younger Hardy to stop fighting, and he then pulled out a gun before leaving. Hardy has a permit to carry a gun.

Hardy's father told police he and his son were in an argument, and that the younger Hardy was always angry with him because he was in prison while his son was a boy, but that he was not injured and did not want to press charges against his son. He told the Journal Gazette:

"Me and my son's relationship is fine and anything (different) ... is not factual. Me and James' relationship is fine," he said.

In May of 2006 Hardy was arrested on battery charges in what authorities said was an attack on his girlfriend and their infant son. Four months later he was suspended by the team for two games for still-undisclosed personal reasons that were apparently unrelated to the arrest. After leaving Indiana with a year of eligibility left, Hardy was the Bills' second-round pick in last month's draft.

Via PFT.

Report: Bills' James Hardy Pulled Gun on Dad originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 May 2008 09:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Draft Grades: Buffalo Bills

Dan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, AFC East, NFL Draft, Buffalo

Buffalo Bills 2008 Draft Picks:

Round 1 (11): Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Round 2 (41): James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Round 3 (72): Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
Round 4 (114): Reggie Corner, CB, Akron
Round 4 (132): Derek Fine, TE, Kansas
Round 5 (147): Alvin Bowen, OLB, Iowa State
Round 6 (179): Xavier Omon, RB, Northern Missouri State
Round 7 (219): Demetrius Bell, OT, Northwestern State (LA)
Round 7 (224): Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky
Round 7 (251): Kennard Cox, CB, Pittsburgh

The Good: Not only was Buffalo able to land the cornerback they so desperately needed, they were also able to land the big-time wide receiver they coveted as well. Both Leodis McKelvin and James Hardy will come in and have an immediate impact for the Bills, giving them two dimensions they were lacking last year. Additionally, Derek Fine was a tremendous value pick in round four and will likely add some quality depth to Buffalo's currently shallow tight end position.

The Bad: Outside of McKelvin and Hardy, many of the players Buffalo drafted have several question marks. Can Ellis become a more consistent player at the next level? Is Corner's size (or lack thereof) a major concern? Is Bowen big enough to play every down? And does Bell have enough game experience to offer any significant value? Those are some rather concerning questions ...

The Grade: B-. At the very least, Buffalo got two solid starters out of the draft and a lot of depth. Some of the other players will most likely realize their talent and reward the Bills, while the rest will eventually fade away into nothing. It wasn't an outstanding draft by any means, but it certainly wasn't a poor one either.

Click here to read other draft grades.

NFL Draft Grades: Buffalo Bills originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Offensive Tackle Demetrius Bell, Son of Deadbeat Dad Karl Malone, Drafted by Bills

Michael David Smith — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:09:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Draft, Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills picked Northwestern State offensive tackle Demetrius Bell on Sunday in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Seventh-round offensive linemen rarely get any attention.

But Bell is getting a lot of attention today because of his famous father, NBA legend Karl Malone. And Bell says the genetics of a great athlete is all he ever got from that famous father.

When they met for the first time, Bell was 18, and Malone delivered a harsh message that, according to several reports, amounted to, "It's too late for me to be your father, and you'll earn your money on your own."

Charming. There is one nice piece of news in all this: Bell has become close to his half-sister Cheryl Ford, a WNBA player who is another one of Malone's children out of wedlock. Bell calls Ford the biggest influence on his football career.

Offensive Tackle Demetrius Bell, Son of Deadbeat Dad Karl Malone, Drafted by Bills originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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11. Buffalo Bills: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

Michael David Smith — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Draft, Buffalo

Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin was a dominant player at cornerback as a senior, and as you can see in the above video he's one of the best punt returners in college football history. The Bills took him with the 11th pick in today's draft, making him the first cornerback off the board.

I'm not totally sold on him, though. I don't think McKelvin's any better than Aqib Talib of Kansas, and I certainly wouldn't have taken McKelvin this highly.

Previously on FanHouse:
FanHouse Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills Select WR Limas Sweed No. 11
NFL Draft: Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly Pulling Away as the Top Wide Receiver Prospect

11. Buffalo Bills: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills Select WR Limas Sweed No. 11

Dan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, AFC East, NFL Draft, Buffalo

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The Buffalo Bills have several needs, but a quality wide receiver to line-up across from Lee Evans is certainly at the forefront. And with the team now looking to use a more high-tempo type offense, a 6'4'' play-maker like Limas Sweed certainly fits the bill.

But is it too early to draft a wide receiver?

One of the major problems facing the Bills this year is the quality and depth at the wide receiver position. There are a handful of players that appear to have legitimate talent, but none that seem to warrant such an early pick. However, given the current nature of Buffalo's offense and the potential for missing out on one of them, the Bills may have to reach in round one.

The next question is, why Sweed?

Many people believe Malcolm Kelly is establishing himself as the number one wide receiver in this year's draft and it's hard to dispute that. He's a tall, physical receiver like Sweed, but he comes with a variety of injury concerns. And although his agent is quick to pass them off, they are legitimate concerns. For that reason, Sweed seems like the safer bet for Buffalo.

While Sweed also comes with injury concerns, they are not nearly as troublesome as Kelly's. And on the plus side, Sweed is considered a Plaxico Burress-type receiver with unparalleled motivation and an impressive work ethic. By all accounts, he has the intangibles to become a legitimate number one in the NFL.

The Skinny:
Team Needs - WR, CB, OLB, DT, DE
Player Select - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Also Considered - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma; Leodis McKlevin, CB, Troy

Previous Pick: No. 10, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Saints

Next: No. 12, Denver Broncos

FanHouse Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills Select WR Limas Sweed No. 11 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Draft: Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly Pulling Away as the Top Wide Receiver Prospect

Michael David Smith — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Draft, NFL Video, Buffalo, ESPN

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper went through the wide receiver and tight end prospects in this year's NFL draft, and it's becoming clear that Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly is pulling away from the pack:

Kiper suggests that Kelly could go as high as 11th overall to the Buffalo Bills, and that's where most mock drafts have him. Buffalo could use another receiver, but 11th overall strikes me as a little too high to take Kelly. The biggest problem for Kelly may be that teams will think they can get a receiver who's almost as good, such as LSU's Early Doucet or Michigan's Mario Manningham, in the second round.

There doesn't appear to be a tight end in this year's draft who would be anything other than a reach in the first round, but it's possible that some team looking to bolster that position will go with either Purdue's Dustin Keller or USC's Fred Davis late in the first round.

NFL Draft: Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly Pulling Away as the Top Wide Receiver Prospect originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buffalo Bills' Kevin Everett Making Progress, Still Has Long Way to Go for Full Recovery

Michael David Smith — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:16:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Injuries, NFL Video, Buffalo, ESPN

Sophisticated medical techniques and smart doctors have done a great deal for Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a near-fatal spinal cord injury during the first weekend of the NFL season but is now back on his feet. But as Everett described in an interview on ESPN's Jim Rome Is Burning, he still has a long way to go to make a full recovery:

Everett says he still has "very little feeling in my hand" and adds, "My feet are still somewhat numb." He has a long way to go before he's living a completely normal life.

But Everett is working hard in his physical therapy, and while he does that, he deserves credit for the way he's deflecting attention from himself and giving attention to the advanced medicine that has helped him. Doctors on the scene induced hypothermia by injecting Everett with cold saline, and Everett said, "I really do think the hypothermia machine helped me a lot."

Everett still needs a lot of help. But every step he takes is a big one.

Buffalo Bills' Kevin Everett Making Progress, Still Has Long Way to Go for Full Recovery originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roscoe Parrish Has No Regard for Manatees

Michael David Smith — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:17:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Miami, Buffalo

I previously noted that Buffalo Bills wide receiver and punt returner Roscoe Parrish was arrested for drunk driving on Saturday morning. But an athlete driving drunk is not, unfortunately, a particularly unusual event.

What is unusual, as Touchdown.org points out, is that the Miami Herald, in reporting Parrish's DUI arrest, also had this to say about Parrish's criminal record:

Records show that Parrish was issued a civil infraction on May 31 of 2006 for not observing the speed limit in a Manatee zone.

For the uninitiated, a manatee zone is a place where boaters are told to proceed with caution so that they don't injure the vulnerable manatee, which are endangered aquatic mammals also known as sea cows. Wikipedia says this about manatees:

Their slow-moving, curious nature, coupled with dense coastal development, has led to a number of violent collisions with propellers from fast moving recreational motor boats, leading frequently to maiming, disfigurement, and even death.

So, c'mon, Roscoe. Whether you're around people on the road or around manatees in the sea, it's time that you start concerning yourself more with the safety of others.

Roscoe Parrish Has No Regard for Manatees originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bills' Roscoe Parrish Arrested for DUI

Michael David Smith — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:54:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Police Blotter, Buffalo

Buffalo Bills wide receiver and return man Roscoe Parrish was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Miami Beach Saturday, the Miami Herald is reporting.

Parrish, who grew up in Miami, attended Miami Senior High School and played at the University of Miami, was arrested at 4:30 a.m. while driving his 2005 Bentley, the report says. No other information is available.

Parrish is one of the NFL's best special teams players, and late in the 2007 season he signed a lucrative contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in the league whose primary job is returning kicks. Parrish led the league in punt returns with a 16.3-yard average. He also had his most productive season as a receiver, with 35 catches for 352 yards.

Via PFT.

Bills' Roscoe Parrish Arrested for DUI originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good News for Buffalo Fans: Bills in Toronto Makes Season Tickets a Better Deal

Michael David Smith — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, NFL Fans, Buffalo, Toronto

Although some fans in Buffalo are concerned about the fact that the NFL is now scheduling Bills games across the border in Toronto, the NFL's decision is good news for Buffalo fans for several reasons. Case in point: Season tickets are now a better deal.

One of the big rip-offs in sports is that NFL season ticket holders can't buy the eight regular-season home games without also buying two preseason home games. Since NFL preseason games are dull exhibitions featuring a whole lot of playing time for guys with no shot of making the roster, fans don't particularly like it, but they put up with it because they want to see those eight regular-season games.

But now that the Bills are playing one regular-season game and one preseason game in Toronto, a typical Bills season ticket only requires fans to pay for eight games, seven regular-season and one preseason.

Bottom line: If you were a Bills season ticket holder last year, 20% of the games you were paying for were meaningless. If you're a Bills season ticket holder this year, the meaningless percentage has gone down to 13.5%. One of the many reasons for fans in Buffalo to be glad to share their team with fans in Toronto: Sharing the costs of preseason games.

Bills have fewer home games, best ticket prices [Rochester Democrat & Chronicle]

Good News for Buffalo Fans: Bills in Toronto Makes Season Tickets a Better Deal originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralph Wilson to Bills Fans: 'Don't Worry. Don't Worry Right Now'

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:17:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, AFC East, Buffalo, Toronto

You have to give it to the Buffalo Bills' owner Ralph Wilson ... one way or another. At the news conference to announce that the Bills will play eight home games in Toronto over the next five years, he tried his best to keep the citizens of Buffalo from fretting that this is the beginning of an eventual relocation:

"What am I going to say to the fans of Buffalo?" Wilson asked in response to a question. "I'm going to say, 'Hey, I can't speculate. I can't speculate what's going to happen in the future. But don't worry. Don't worry right now.'"

Well, that should put everyone at ease. When Wilson was asked if this move was leading to the relocation of the team to Toronto, he rationalized, "Buffalo is dwindling in population, in jobs. People don't have jobs, and they move out of Buffalo, they move out of Western New York" (you can read the long, rambling statement here).

I see what he's trying to convey to fans. Buffalo is getting smaller and it has gotten harder to be economically viable in today's NFL. Bringing in the Toronto and southern Ontario market does make sense and it isn't like the NFL hasn't seen a team split home sites during a season. The Green Bay Packers played some home games in Milwaukee until 1994.

Still, the writing is on the wall. Wilson has long been one of the so-called "small market" owners who tends to object to most of the league's business, since he feels it prices him out. It doesn't help that the Toronto side of this deal is hungry for an NFL team and that Wilson thinks it's ready:

"I can answer that in the affirmative," Wilson said. "Just driving in from the airport and seeing all the buildings, all the construction that's going on here in Toronto. I guess I've been told it's the fifth-largest town in North America. It reminds me of my trip to Dallas a few months ago. There's building in Dallas, Texas, everywhere. Cranes, brand-new structures, and I see the same thing here in Toronto. I'm going to answer that in the affirmative."

Ralph Wilson to Bills Fans: 'Don't Worry. Don't Worry Right Now' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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