I’m in Row 1, Seat 31 in the football Media section—which puts me exactly at the 40-yard-line (there’s also a baseball media section in the end zone). One thing I like about this Press Box is the open air. At Ralph Wilson Stadium—as nice as that Press Box is—you are behind glass so you lose a lot of the crowd noise. Of course that’s an outdoor stadium, so it just makes sense. But I like this setup. I don’t know if tonight’s crowd will be anywhere close to a Ralph Wilson Stadium crowd in terms of noise, but I like to hear and feel that noise when I’m at a game.

The Bills Toronto Series is an extension of the franchise’s overall regionalization strategy that was developed more than 10 seasons ago with the formation of the Verizon Wireless Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY. Between the two ventures, the Bills have set the standard in the NFL for the regionalization of their franchise. More than 100,000 fans attended the first two Bills Toronto Series games at Rogers Centre last season. Approximately 15% of Bills fans travel from Ontario to Ralph Wilson Stadium on Buffalo Bills game days. And approximately 11% of Bills fans are based in Rochester, NY.

Once both teams completed their warmups, the Hudson (Ohio) High School marching band performed on the field. The U.S. National Anthem was performed by Canada’s own Barenaked Ladies while the Canadian anthem was performed by beautiful contest winner Laura Cavacece. A few more pregame notes: the Budweiser Official Buffalo Bills Tailgate party has been going on outside for the past five hours. And a Bills rally towel is being given to all fans in attendance tonight.

I was watching quarterback Trent Edwards during warmups. He has to be feeling disgruntled with the fact he is not starting. His image was instrumental in the marketing of this game and as the season has progressed (or regressed in his case), he has faded to a backup role behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. Ryan is 5-2 in his last seven starts and seems to give the Bills a better chance of winning. But I don’t think either player is the quarterback of the future for the Bills. There are going to be a lot of changes around this organization in the offseason.

This game was officially announced as a sellout three days ago. But twenty minutes before game time, Rogers Centre is only about half full.

POSTGAME: The Bills Toronto Series hasn’t been kind to Buffalo thus far. In tonight’s second regular season game to be played at Rogers Centre here in Toronto, the Bills were beaten by the N.Y. Jets 19-13 in front of a sellout crowd. Yes, the stadium did fill up nicely with only a smattering of empty seats visible. So, the Bills have lost to the Steelers (preseason last year), the Dolphins (regular season last year) and now the Jets.

The statistics that really jumped out at me in this game were those of Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick—he was just 9-of-23 passing for 98 yards and one interception. The Bills offense, seemingly revitalized when interim head coach Perry Fewell took over for Dick Jauron, took a step backwards tonight. And on an evening when Bills receiver Terrell Owens was supposed to put on a show for Toronto, he was held to a meager three catches for 31 yards by the National Football League’s best cover corner, Darrelle Revis. NFL Network’s Deion Sanders called Owens vs. Revis “a matchup of all matchups.” But Darrelle clearly had the better of T.O. this season, holding him to four catches in two games. The Bills offense managed just 194 total yards tonight.

Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez continues to improve and impress. When he left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury, the Jets offense stalled. Mark was 7-of-15 passing for 104 yards and a touchdown. His stats would’ve been padded considerably had receiver Braylon Edwards been able to hang on to what surely would’ve been an 80+ yard touchdown pass. It seems as though Braylon has trouble with the throws that are on target. Then he turns around and makes the difficult catches. It’s got to be some kind of mental block. But he carries the title of receiver. Therefore, he needs to receive.

With the loss, the Bills fall to 4-8 and are all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention this season. As far as the Jets are concerned, this was a must-win. And with their record now at 6-6, they are still in the thick of the AFC Wild Card playoff race.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Bills Toronto Series vs. N.Y. Jets

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

In some instances, this game was marketed as T.O. in TO. And that’s just fine with Terrell:

“For me, it’s gonna be all eyes on me. No matter what I’m looking forward to the opportunity to go up there and showcase my skills and obviously the Bills as an organization and as a team. I think overall, this team is looking forward to the opportunity ….. It feels good. I’m looking forward to the game and all of the Canadians out here in Toronto—you all come out and support the game tomorrow, it’s going to be a good one.”

T.O. doesn’t need to offer any convincing words of salesmanship. I don’t know if he’s aware of it or not, but the game has already been announced as a sellout. So with the local blackout lifted, the entire city of Toronto—and the millions watching on NFL Network—are ready to see a revitalized Buffalo Bills team and a re-energized Terrell Owens. Since defensive coordinator Perry Fewell took over the head coaching duties when Dick Jauron was fired a couple weeks ago, T.O. has been a much bigger factor in the team’s offensive game plan. After a terrible nine-game start (26 catches for 366 yards and one touchdown), Terrell has added 14 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games under coach Fewell. If this trend continues, T.O. in TO will be remembered as more than a marketing phrase.

Source: BuffaloBills.com, BuffaloBills.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

T.O. in TO: Terrell Owens Enjoys Spotlight

When this regionalization plan went into effect last season, many Bills fans felt it was merely the first step at permanently moving the team to Toronto. I, too, was somewhat skeptical at the motive behind the idea of sacrificing a regular season home game in Orchard Park, NY for the larger market in Canada. But Bills owner Ralph Wilson assured fans the plan was part of a bigger picture to introduce the team to a wider audience, not move the team. NFL Chief Marketing Officer Mark Waller concurred, saying the goal was to “grow the NFL, not move the franchise.”

The Bills Toronto Series has been described as a way to strengthen the organization by expanding its fan base, similar to when the team moved its training camp to Rochester, NY back in 2000. But, I wonder. If the venture is deemed a success when all is said and done, is it just the beginning of the end for the Bills in Buffalo?

One thing’s for sure, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell already considers the Toronto Series a success:

“The two games up at Toronto (last) year were tremendously successful for us. We said that the objective was to regionalize the Buffalo Bills, and it achieved those objectives. We were able to increase our season ticket sales in the Toronto area significantly—over 40 percent. And I think from that standpoint, we achieved what our initial goal was. The other issue is that it’s a building process. When we first got in, we wanted to make sure it was a good experience for the two teams, that they were successful and that they could do it without any negative competitive consequences, and we achieved that objective ….. I’m very confident that (this) year’s game is going to be bigger and better. I think we’ll evaluate every aspect of the game, including pricing, and I think they’ll do a terrific job and it’ll be a great game.”

It’s yet to be seen whether the game will be great. Neither the Bills nor Jets are serious playoff contenders. But there will be plenty of fans there to see it. Monday, the game was officially announced as a sellout, further confirming that introducing the National Football League to Canada was a good idea.

Sources: NFL Media, NYTimes.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Buffalo Bills Toronto Series Continues

Dick Jauron fired by Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

Bills owner Ralph Wilson made the following statement today:

“I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately. I have tremendous respect for Dick and thank him for all of his efforts during these past four years. While this was a very difficult decision, I felt that it is one that needed to be made at this time for the best interest of our team. We will now focus on moving forward and preparing for our game this week in Jacksonville.”

No word was immediately given as to who the interim coach would be (although I suspect defensive coordinator Perry Fewell). But you can bet the Bills will look outside the organization (at least one hopes) for a new head coach next season. Names like Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan come to mind, but there will be a long list of worthy candidates trying to help the Bills return to their glory years.

Source: BuffaloBills.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Buffalo Bills Fire Head Coach Dick Jauron

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills / Photo: Newscom

After a sideline outburst during today’s 41-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Terrell was visibly annoyed with the media and sarcastic with his responses in his postgame presser. He continues to use the phrase: “I’m just going with the plays that are called.” Translated, that means the plays that are called stink.

T.O. was rather sullen after yesterday’s loss:

“Well, according to you (the media), I’m washed up and so is everybody else. It is what it is. I pay no mind to it. I hear it. I go out and I play. And again, I’m just going with the plays that are called. If I’m involved, I’m involved. If not, I try to do what I can with the running game ….. I’ve never been in this situation, with a losing record at this point in the season ….. Every team I’ve been on has been successful. And again, I’ve been involved everywhere that I’ve been.”

Clearly, that means that if T.O. was more involved in Buffalo, they would be successful. I think Terrell is trying to stay on his best behavior. And he would be well-advised to continue to do so. After all, this season is more or less an audition for next season when he certainly hopes to join a warmer weather contender. This one-year “experiment” with the Buffalo Bills was a mismatch from the get-go. And I would be stunned to see it continue beyond 2009.

Source: BuffaloBills.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

T.O. Just Goes With the Plays Called

Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

But according to Bills owner Ralph Wilson, no decision will be made right now to replace coach Jauron:

“Yesterday was so bad that it’s hard to make a decision right now. I’m not going to make any decisions during the middle of the season right now. At least right now ….. I’ll tell you what—whatever I say now is going to be twisted around. If I say exactly what I think, whether it’s right or wrong, it’s going to be twisted around, so I just don’t want to talk about it.”

One thing he has to be thinking is that his offense stinks. In fact, following yesterday’s 6-3 loss to the aforementioned Browns, it’s clear the Bills offense can’t get much worse. They are currently ranked 25th in the league overall and no other team has committed more penalties.

I can’t say I’m surprised when the foundation of the team (the O-line) includes new faces at every position (including two rookies). So, I’m not sure whether replacing the head coach is going to make a lot of difference at this point. I definitely think the team needs to go in a new direction with the leadership of the organization. But to begin that overhaul five games into this 2009 season might not make much sense. It really should’ve started nine months ago.

Source: Buffalo News

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Bills Stay With Dick Jauron as Head Coach

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

The Bills vs. Browns matchup tomorrow is far from “Game of the Week” material. Outside of the stretch of 190 miles between these two cities, not many people are going to pay attention. And that probably irks Terrell—he of reality show fame—who thrives on attention. So, he went “so far” as to proclaim his positive feelings about this Week Five contest with a timid attempt at giving the Browns bulletin board material:

“All I know is I feel very comfortable about this game this weekend. I feel like we’re going to win and I feel that way every game, but for some reason I feel a little better about this weekend coming up ….. I have a lot of confidence in the guys on the field; we just have to go out there and make it happen.”

Now, T.O. is a confident guy. Which is an obvious understatement if you know anything about him (and I’m assuming you do). This seems like a tepid prediction when you consider just how brash T.O. is. And how bad the Browns have been this season. T.O. has lost his swagger. But it could take just one win before he’s feeling like his old self again.

Source: Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Has Terrell Owens Lost His Mojo?

Terrence McGee, Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

Terrence was scheduled to be a free agent when this season ends. But he won’t need to spend any time thinking about that possibility now:

“You definitely feel good about your long term security when you can get a deal like this done, but more importantly it allows you to focus more on football. At the same time I did my best to not even think about it because you don’t want it to affect your play. But it is good to get it over with and focus on making it to the playoffs.”

Terrence is doing less work for more money these days. Remember, he used to return kickoffs until defensive back Leodis McKelvin very successfully relieved him of those duties last season. Of course, after last Monday Night’s performance against the Patriots (Leodis had two KO return fumbles—one that ultimately decided the game), the Bills might be rethinking that.

Source: BuffaloBills.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Terrence McGee Signs Contract Extension

Within the past few days, Bills head coach Dick Jauron fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert and the team released their starting left tackle (Langston Walker)—two integral positions in the success of any offense. So with no time to test their suddenly new look offense in game mode, the team must rely merely on a week of practice to ready themselves for one of the toughest tests in the NFL—the New England Patriots in Foxborough. A division rival in front of a national TV audience. On Monday Night Football, no less.

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

On the surface, the removal of coach Schonert and Langston Walker smacks of desperation for a struggling offense that only managed six points in their final two preseason games. In due time we may see these moves take shape as sensible decisions. But I’m wondering if it will be too late? I believe coach Jauron is on very thin ice and a poor showing in September might just seal his and this team’s fate.

That brings the headline into play—Can Terrell Owens save the Buffalo Bills? With all the hype and all the hope of a city on his shoulders, Terrell has been nursing a sore toe for a month and has thus only played in one preseason game—hardly a proper introduction to his new teammates. Is he going to be able to step onto the field with a new left tackle (Demetrius Bell), new OC (Alex Van Pelt) and relatively new no-huddle offense and win a football game? There are more questions than answers in Buffalo right now.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Can Terrell Owens Save the Buffalo Bills?

Aaron Maybin, Buffalo Bills / AP Photo

Aaron was understandably excited and ready to be reunited with his teammates:

“There’s a lot of catching up that I have to do. But we still have three weeks to go. I’m really excited about getting back out there, getting back on the field. And I think I’ll be fine.”

At any rate, that leaves only two first round Draft picks unsigned—Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Andre Smith and San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree. And there doesn’t seem to be much progress on the horizon for either of those players.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Buffalo Bills (Finally) Sign Aaron Maybin