Comments on: Eric Wood tees off on Bills’ Canadian “home” games

By: bullcharger

bullcharger — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:08:11 +0000

I am from Toronto and was at the game. Wood is right about the atmosphere. The fans there were either fans of the Seahawks, Bills or just impartial casual NFL fans. You see Jersey’s from all 32 teams when you are walking around. There aren’t enough true Bills fans to make any noise on defense and the fans that go aren’t educated on what to do at an NFL game. That said… I am a Patriots fan and have been since the Grogie days. I still cheered for the Bills at that game (I have a soft spot for lovable losers), but not as loud as I do in Foxboro. It was fun to go, but it is massive advantage to the visiting team. The key to fixing it is the Bills need to be actually good. Then real Bills fans would go to that game or they wouldn’t need it at all.

By: peikid

peikid — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:41:09 +0000

At least the buffalo fans appreciate each and every home game. Seems wasted on Toronto fans at the moment.

By: cjspiller12

cjspiller12 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:34:53 +0000

Lets Be honest .the Bills need Toronto more then Toronto needs the Bills. It is a world class city with a Major League Baseball team,NBA team,NHL team plus a MLS and CFL teams. One Bills game a year is no more significant to the city then an exhibition game.
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A world class city that doesn’t support any of the teams you mentioned except the Maple Laughs and they suck even worse than the Bills. Toronto is a joke of a sports city. Nobody attends the Raptors or the Blue Jays games.

By: aboselli

aboselli — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:09:03 +0000

If the game was played in Orchard Park, the Seahawks would have contended with 65,000 screaming fans, quite a bit of rain and, I think, a more competitve opponent.

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More like 45,000 ‘fans’, 30,000 of them drunk, and the same old Bills that come up small most of the time.

Maybe they don’t hang 50 on them, but Fitz would be good for another pick or two with a wet ball. It would even out – Seahawks still blow them out. At least Spiller is not too tired after the game.

By: chawk12thman

chawk12thman — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:34:04 +0000

Every NFL team should have to play one away game at a neutral site. That would be 16 games each year. In fact, I would make it those games where they are from different conferences, so that the divisional races were less impacted. If it didn’t work out and was not profitable, make it so the NFL had an opt out clause after three years. One or two games a week would be played at the neutral sites and the home fans would not be impacted by losing a home game that they would otherwise attend.

Overall, USA would lose those games which doesn’t thrill me, but if the ultimate result is more revenue from merchandize and TV sales then perhaps the overall benefit for the league and players is worth moving in this direction.

Just a suggestion….

By: peikid

peikid — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:15:28 +0000

By: granadafan

granadafan — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:04:19 +0000

Goddell needs to change the game for games overseas to attract the local fans. For example, games in Canada will allow a 12th man on the field whose sole role will be to fight the other team’s 12th man. Halftime shows will consist of clubbing a seal mascot and making fun of the Quebecois.

In London, players will be able to roll around in “agony” upon big hits, grabbing their faces when they got hit in the leg or elsewhere in the body. They’ll be taken off the field on stretchers only to hop off the stretcher upon reaching the sidelines with a miraculous recovery. Tebow will appreciate that.

By: coolgato13

coolgato13 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:14:01 +0000

Maybe so Eric, but you forgot to mention that the Bills are a joke !

By: manningbowl88

manningbowl88 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:38:32 +0000

bills are terrible no matter who they play where they play and how they play.. there like the browns and skins (b4 RG3..and possibly after who knows) they will always be terrible year in and year out

By: steelr007

steelr007 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:17:05 +0000

I agree with Eric Wood. eventually the novelty of the NFL going international will wear off. Maybe they should focus on filling the stadiums at home first (Jacksonville, San Diego, Oakland, etc.) before branching overseas.

By: bigbamboom1

bigbamboom1 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:55:59 +0000

Eric Woods is spot on correct. This is a 100% joke. And 1000% cheat of season ticket holders and fans of the home team. Does the NFL reduce the price of tickets to season holders to offset for games played in Canada or London? No they don’t! I’m surprised that mayors and politicians who help owners get the sweetheart stadium deals aren’t up in arms with Goodell & the owners against this insidious practice.

By: hutch119

hutch119 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:41:18 +0000

Just move them to Toronto and get it over with.

By: tonyricemajorharris

tonyricemajorharris — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:27:58 +0000

All about the Benjamin’s

By: doublec42788

doublec42788 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:18:32 +0000

Theres more Dolphins fans in Canada than Bills fans..

By: torontofalcon

torontofalcon — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:04:51 +0000

Toronto has hard core fans, I know I live there. But with the struggles the Raps,Jays, and Leafs have had you think these fans wanna play more money to see a mediocre team? Hell no, no disrespect to the bills but if yall were a better team this series would be better.

By: nananatman

nananatman — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:01:43 +0000

Nobody cheers for a team destined to get destroyed after 7 minutes of gameplay.

By: buffalobills2012

buffalobills2012 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:38:48 +0000

@wtf6969
Id love to know what game you were at bcause Im sure it wasnt one in the 1st half of the season when the fans are sold on hope and progress.
Im a season ticket holder of over 15+ yrs and have been to 14 stadiums in the NFL and the Bills stadium is more like a college atmosphere. Very fan friendly and the crowd is top notch.
The seats are so close to the field and there isnt a bad place to sit in the whole stadium.

By: footballchic777

footballchic777 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:37:54 +0000

I totally agree. Let’s see him try to take the Patriots, Vikings, Lions, Packers…or any of the northern teams there…..wouldn’t happen. This guy was spot on, and Goodell needs to listen to his brand….the players.

By: wtf6969

wtf6969 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:13:01 +0000

I don’t think there is too much of a “home field advantage” in the Ralph. I’ve been to a few games there where, amazingly, the Bill were actually winning, and yet the entire stadium sits on it’s hands. Only NFL stadium where people tell other fans to sit down. Lame.

By: pksullivanmph

pksullivanmph — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:00:56 +0000

Wood is already used to Tim Hortons they are like Starbucks in Buffalo (Tim was a Buffalo Saber). However Tim Hortons or no Tim Hortons wood is right!!! Ralph Wilson Stadium and only Ralph Wilson Stadium is home. The beloved 12th man deserves 8 games there. @footballady52. 🏉

By: dtjano

dtjano — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:59:50 +0000

It’s a money grab by Ralph. The number the Bills front office throws out is about 15% of their fan base at home games are from Southern Ontario. I’ve yet to talk to anybody at a home game from Buffalo who has gone to any of the games in Toronto.

By: coolzog

coolzog — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:39:19 +0000

Nothing like complaining about fans not cheering enough in a game that your team basically rolled over and gave up.

The Bills suck when they play in Buffalo too, so I’m pretty sure that’s not the problem…

By: cbskropski

cbskropski — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:30:22 +0000

Tim Horton’s is the preferred coffee choice in Buffalo, this author has no idea what he’s talking about.

By: shotgunnoblitz

shotgunnoblitz — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:23:47 +0000

Maybe… just maybe, if they were ever a good team people might go to these games. I think the seahawks playing in Vancouver BC would be vastly different than the Bills playing in Toronto. Sure the seahawks wouldnt have their impressive homefield advantage, but it surely wouldnt be as bad as the toronto bills ever had. Get a team that people care about to do these games. Put the packers north of the border and see Canadians flock to the game.

By: Cereal

Cereal — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:20:33 +0000

Good call Woody,,,terrible move by the Bills but that certainly is not shocking. I wonder if Buffalo could beat the Argonauts ?

By: kane337

kane337 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:08:33 +0000

Based on their record playing at Ralph Wilson stadium isn’t helping either.

By: nygdriveforfive

nygdriveforfive — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:05:49 +0000

The Bills Stink. They have been bad for 20 years. If people in Toronto want to pay good money to see a terrible team they have plenty of home team options. I’ve been to 4/5 games here. It’s getting worse not better. If a 7/3 or 8/4 Bills team rolled into the Rogers Centre to play the Pats, they would sell out the place. Bottom line is the Bills are terrible and we don’t need another bad team in this city even once a year. O and writing this well enjoying my morning Timmys.

By: xbot5000

xbot5000 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:00:30 +0000

I’m a Bills fan and don’t like the Toronto game, but Wood’s arguement is weak. In the last 5 years what was on the line when the Bills played the Toronto game? In the 13 year playoff drought, they haven’t even cracked the top 9 teams in the AFC.

What exactly does Buffalo need home field advanage for in mid December – a worse draft pick?

Start drafting better, and not picking coaches off the NFL trash heap and fans might start to cheer regardless of the city your in.

By: alewatcher

alewatcher — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:59:50 +0000

rcm1002 says: Dec 19, 2012 8:50 AM

There’s a Tim Horton’s on every corner in Buffalo, so if Wood isn’t used to it already he never will be.

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I live in Rochester, NY, and there are at least three Tim Horton’s within a mile of my house.

By: joetoronto

joetoronto — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:51:27 +0000

The misinformation here is amazing.

First things first. Do not confuse Toronto NFL fans will southern Ontario NFL fans. Toronto NFL fans are NOT fans of the Bills or the Sabres, generally speaking.

Southern Ontario fans are primarily fans of the Bills and the Sabres, to an extent. These are the fans that travel to the Ralph every Sunday, 10′s of thousands of them.

Secondly. Bringing two teams from other cities, that no one cares about, and charging us insane amounts of money, is a recipe for disaster.

Imagine the Bears and Packers playing in Detroit, do you think the people would shell out $500 to go see the game?