Archives for October 2011

‘Bills back Fred Jackson agreed: “It’s not the same crowd like it is here in Buffalo at The Ralph. Every time that we’ve been up there we have had a disadvantage in crowd noise. … But hopefully with the start that we’ve gotten off to, that changes.”‘

‘”It’s something you try not to think about, but it’s certainly something that exists, that’s in the air. I’m human, too; I can’t just block all that away. Yeah, it’s something I’d like to get done and we’ll just see how it progresses here in the next couple weeks.”‘

‘”I think about it every day,” said Jackson, talking about his background as unknown, undrafted, now unbelievable. “That’s what’s motivating me to be here. It’s something I try to reflect on as much as possible. And it’s one of the things that keeps me motivated out here.”‘

‘”I mean, it’s what it is. I’ve played in each of the games in Toronto and anybody who’s played up there has that expectation . . . The expectation that there’s going to be just as many cheerers for the Redskins as there will be for us.”‘

‘All of that could have passed without comment. What galls is the head patting routine at the end: “… They (i.e., We) cheer for any big play regardless of whichever team makes it.”‘

‘”We hope that we get more of a fan base up there with the good start we’ve gotten out to,” Jackson said. “Maybe that brings out more fans to us.”‘

‘So when the Redskins travel to Buffalo on Sunday to play the Bills — wait, they aren’t playing this game in Buffalo? The Buffalo Bills are playing a home game in Toronto? Yes, to generate more revenue — the value of the Bills’ franchise drops nearly every year, as does the attendance — the Bills are playing one home game a year in Toronto. That should limit the Buffalo jokes this week.’

‘But it also subjects the players to an additional tax, and the attendance has been an issue. The stadium, built for the Toronto Blue Jays and also the home of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, seats upwards of 54,000, but it has not been full for any of the games to date and only approaches capacity as the result of distribution of hundreds of free tickets.’

For Redskins’ unheralded offensive players pressed into duty, opportunity knocks (Washington Post)

Black fans have grown to love the Redskins (Washington Post)

John Beck getting a feel for job with a start under his belt (Washington Times)

Football still lagging in popularity in Canada (Washington Times)

It may be the beginning of the end for Redskins’ Cooley (Washington Examiner)

In Buffalo, clearly not a clean Bill of health (Washington Examiner)

Young Redskins receiving some lessons (Washington Examiner)

Redskins’ Rebound Relies Upon Reserves (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Five-Year ‘Bills Toronto Series’ Not A Favorite Among Several Buffalo Players (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Promotion To Main Roster Still Eludes Rookie Running Back Evan Royster (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Rivalry Between Ryan Fitzpatrick, John Beck Goes All The Way ‘Back’ To Childhood (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

No panic for Redskins … yet (CSN Washington)

Royster stays patient (CSN Washington)

Don’t write off Cooley just yet (CSN Washington)

Redskins find ways to cope without key players (AP)

Injury-riddled Redskins sign TE Byrd, OL Compas (AP)

Redskins sign TE Byrd, OL Compas (The Sports Network)

Injuries starting to mount for Redskins (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy And Personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Fletcher hopes to keep streak doing (The Sports Xchange)

Fletcher Slowed By Hamstring Injury (Redskins.com)

Grossman Released From Hospital (Redskins.com)

Torain Ready to Lead Redskins’ Run Game (Redskins.com)

‘”It’s definitely not the same hostile environment that teams have to deal with coming into the Ralph out here,” he said. “This is no knock on the citizens of Toronto. We know a large percentage of our fan base comes from Canada, and we’re appreciative of their support. But at the same time, the environment is just not the same. That’s just facts.”‘

‘Coleman is familiar with Buffalo’s defense after playing in eight games with the Bills as an undrafted rookie last year. The Auburn product was then among the Buffalo’s final cuts prior to the start of this season.’

‘”If you have a team of characters, which I believe we do, I think they respond,” coach Chan Gailey said. “We have to get rested up and get as many people healthy as we can and get ready to go for the next game. Nobody feels sorry for anybody in this league.”‘

‘”We all felt it was in the best interest to let him try to get this thing completely well and we’ll just plug in some other guys and see if they can go do it. I don’t know how it’ll work. We’ve got to wait and see.”‘

‘The Bills have picked a good time to face a Washington Redskins team reeling with more injuries than they are and coming off a 33-20 loss to Carolina. QB John Beck, who has taken over for an erratic Rex Grossman, played decently against the Panthers. But lost for the season was RB Tim Hightower (torn ACL) while WR Santana Moss has a broken hand. If Buffalo can get the Rogers Centre crowd on its side, this is a good game to get its 31st-ranked defense on track.’