Archives for November 28, 2013

‘I’ll admit, it’s hard to feel confident in a city that put a crack-smoking buffoon in the mayor’s office. But the threat is there, along with the money. And really, should we Americans be laughing at anyone for the characters they elect to high office?’

‘”I feel real comfortable in the defense,” said Branch after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve embraced my role, tried to get in there and plug up the holes, tried to get disruptive in the backfield. I’m embracing the role and hopefully I can go out and keep doing what I’m doing.”‘

‘Capacity in the domed stadium for NFL games is about 45,300. Last year’s announced crowd for the Bills game against Seattle was 40,770. Officials of Rogers Media Inc., the Bills’ partner for the game, told the Toronto Star earlier this week about 82 percent of the tickets had been sold, about the same as last year in the week leading up to the game.’

‘”A lot of the questions that everyone’s asking me, do you want to be here, I’m really not the right one to be asking the questions to,” Byrd said. “It’s not totally up to me, so like I said, it is what it is and I’m just focused on football and playing to the best of my ability.”‘

‘”EJ understands it,” Marrone said. “We’ve been saying to get back there and throw it. Just throw it. Let it loose, let it loose.”‘

‘”No. I always find it funny because people will ask me what’s going on and I’ll be like, ‘What?’ Someone will ask me a question and I’ll turn around to (PR chief) Scott (Berchtold) and go, ‘Where were they going with that question?’ He’s like, ‘Well you haven’t heard,’ and I really don’t.”‘

‘In order to credit the idea that the Bills will end up staying in Buffalo, you have to believe several things. First – that the will exists locally to keep them. It does. Second – that the money to buy them will materialize. It might. Third – that a huge capital investment beyond the $1 billion (U.S.) purchase price will be further made. This is where it gets iffy.’

‘Whether the game counts for more than that is doubtful. Other than a healthy payday and a chance to increase a footprint in a foothold the Bills established long ago on the sheer strength of geography, there isn’t anything remarkable about Buffalo’s Toronto series.’

It’s reality check time for the Falcons (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Falcons OT Terren Jones was tipping the scales at 380 pounds (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

3 key matchups: Worrilow breaks down Bills’ rushing attack (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Falcons’ Ryan looks to end road woes against Bills (Fox Sports South)

Rookie OT Jones hoping to make debut for Falcons (AP)

Falcons Sign WR Croom to Practice Squad (AtlantaFalcons.com)

Time Machine: Falcons Hang Tough vs. Bills in 2005 (AtlantaFalcons.com)

Wing Tips: Falcons vs. Bills (AtlantaFalcons.com)

‘”I’ll tell you this: Obviously it was a great way to start off my bye [week] Sunday, when I heard the news of this and listening to all of the nonsense relative to it,” Brandon told WGR 550. “If we had to discuss and speak to every single individual that would have interest in buying an NFL franchise, that’s all you would talk about on your show.”‘

‘The Falcons, who play their home games in a dome, “must have fixed the schedule,” Johnson joked.’

‘Bills are 1-4 in regular-season games at Toronto since opening annual series north of border in 2008.’

‘According to head coach Doug Marrone, Robey injured the ankle during a practice in the past two weeks. The coach believes there isn’t any reason for concern, however, as he expects Robey to play in their game against the Falcons.’

‘”Im just gonna take it year to year,” Wood said. “I’m not going to go up there with any ill feeling or any less excited than I am for every game. Hopefully the Bills fans will be out there supporting us this year and looking forward to a good atmosphere if we can get it.”‘

‘Activities surrounding the game include a weekend takeover of Yonge-Dundas Square in Downtown Toronto where the Bills will host an NFL Youth Football Festival featuring live music, football-themed games, sponsor tents and giveaways, and special appearances by the Buffalo Jills and NFL Hall of Famer Bills alumni Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas (4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday). In support of the NFL’s Play 60 movement, and as part of Sports Day in Canada, ParticipACTION will take part in an afternoon of football drills and skills led by experienced instructors on Saturday, November 30 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.’