Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
since the Jan. 1 victory against Southampton
Topic Started: Apr 12 2014, 03:04 AM (9 Views)
jinpan1234
Administrator
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. With temperatures dropping and snow piling up outside the teams facility, Johnson wondered who had the bright idea to have Buffalo (4-7) "host" the warm-weather Atlanta Falcons (2-9) inside the climate-controlled confines of Torontos Rogers Centre on Sunday. "Yeah, they must have fixed the schedule or something out there in Atlanta. Its supposed to be out here at the Ralph," Johnson said Wednesday, referring to the Bills home, Ralph Wilson Stadium. "Who put the schedule together to have them come to Toronto?" Johnson and his teammates are finding themselves at a sudden disadvantage as Buffalo prepares for its annual trip north of the border to resume the "Bills in Toronto" series, which was first established in 2008 and renewed for another five years in January. The Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Bills come off their bye week still on the fringes of the AFC post-season hunt. Theyre 3-3 at Orchard Park, including a decisive 37-14 win over the New York Jets on Nov. 17. "It is what it is," Johnson said. "We cant really make excuses for it. We cant complain about it. We just got to go out and try to handle business." An added wrinkle to the game is news that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment -- the company that controls the Leafs and NBA Raptors -- has aligned itself with New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi to make a push to bring an NFL franchise to Toronto. One logical option would be the Bills. In establishing the series, the Bills turned to their neighbours to the north in a bid to expand their region. The deal provides the Bills a much-needed boost to their small-market franchises revenue base by essentially leasing out a home game to Canadian communications giant, Rogers Communications. What the Bills lose, however, is a distinct late-season edge they would normally get playing in the cold and blustery conditions in Buffalo. "Yeah, wed love to get them outside in the elements. That would definitely be an advantage," centre Eric Wood said. "But this is a deal weve got to embrace. Its important to our franchise. You cant go up there with a bad attitude." Like it or not, the Bills are resigned to knowing they have no choice when it comes to making the two-hour trek to Canadas largest city and financial capital. Its a metropolis of more than 5 million residents, where the NHLs Maple Leafs dominate the sports pages, and a place better known these days for Mayor Rob Fords various attention-grabbing troubles. Wood drew headlines of his own last year after Buffalos 50-17 loss to Seattle at Toronto. Unable to make the trip because of a sprained right knee, Wood grew frustrated watching on TV and seeing the lack of support the Bills got from the crowd. He called it "a joke," and added: "Those non-Bills fans that go to the game are just cheering for plays as opposed to cheering for a team. And that kills you." Wood was in a more diplomatic mood this week when reminded of his comments. "It was a heat of the moment-type deal," he said. "I was excited about the opportunity to go up there and hopefully get a win. And Im approaching it the same way this year." Getting a win would be a start. The Bills are 1-4 in regular-season games at Toronto, with their lone win a 23-0 victory over Washington in 2011. The series opened with a dud, when Buffalo managed just 163 yards offence in a 16-3 loss to Miami. Turnout has been an issue in part because of expensive ticket prices and the perennial struggles of a Bills team thats not made the playoffs since 1999. Though the first four games were listed as sellouts, Rogers acknowledged the count included thousands of freebies. And those fans that do show up represent the mixed loyalties Canadians have toward the NFL. Though a majority of fans attending games wear Bills jerseys, its not uncommon to spot others wearing a wide range of colours -- from the Cowboys, to 49ers, and even the CFL Argonauts. First-year Bills coach Doug Marrone said its up to his team to generate an edge. "In order to create that advantage, you have to go up there and play well," Marrone said. "I think we do have some fans in Toronto. And I think if we play well, well create more fans." nflcheapjerseysforsale . CATHARINES, Ont. Cheap Jerseys From China . -- Dustin Penner scored 17:42 into overtime and the Los Angeles Kings are headed to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time as a franchise after beating the Phoenix Coyotes with a 4-3 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final Tuesday night. http://www.nflcheapjerseysforsale.com/. They were resigned to the role of spoiler and nearly put a significant dent in Tampa Bays post-season hopes on Sunday, with a furious comeback attempt coming just short as the Rays held on for a 7-6 victory. Cheap Jerseys . Serbia captain Bogdan Obradovic said he decided to let the top-ranked Djokovic rest after he beat Rafael Nadal in a gruelling five-set final in Melbourne. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . -- Just about everything had gone as planned for the Golden State Warriors at home this season until 11:26 remained in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.LONDON -- Juan Mata is edging closer to joining Manchester United from Chelsea as the Premier League champions try to strengthen their squad after a lacklustre first half of the season. In a sign that Matas Chelsea departure is nearing, a person familiar with the situation said the midfielder did not train with the first team on Wednesday. United said it is yet to make a formal bid for Mata, but another person with knowledge of the situation said the club is pursuing the Spaniard in the January transfer window. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the transfer is not being discussed publicly. According to Britains Press Association, United has lodged a 40 million-pound ($66-million) bid through a third party. United and its manager, David Moyes, would not take questions on Mata in the post-match news conference after the teams League Cup semifinal defeat to Sunderland later Wednesday. The 25-year-old Mata, Chelseas player of the year for the last two seasons, has fallen out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned as manager in June. He has not played for the team since the Jan. 1 victory against Southampton. Chelsea pulled further away from United in the Premier League title race by beating Moyes side 3-1 on Sunday. While Chelsea is third, just two points from the summit, United is seventh, 14 ppoints behind leader Arsenal.dddddddddddd. Moyes accepts there is a need to reinforce the squad, with Champions League qualification, by finishing in the top four, far from certain. "I fully understand that supporters are keen to see us freshen up the squad with new faces, but January is a difficult month in which to bring people in," Moyes said in Wednesdays program for the League Cup semifinal against Sunderland. "While we are actively scouting players all the time, a lot of the work we are doing now is preparation for the summer. "If we can do any business now then we will certainly try to do it, but I will not compromise the standards required for a player that can come into this club and help improve it." Selling Mata to United could indicate that Chelsea does not see the 20-time English champions as a major rival this season. United has lost four out of five games at the start of 2014, and was seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Sunderland on Wednesday night to reach the League Cup final. "We all know that our club is undergoing changes at present, but I have a clear path in my mind and I know where we are going," Moyes said in Wednesdays program. Mata would not be eligible to play for United in the Champions League because he has played in the group stage for Chelsea. ' ' '
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Announcements & News · Next Topic »
Add Reply