Toronto Bills Blog

There has been no progress in contract talks with Bills receiver Stevie Johnson. Unless a contract extension is signed by March 13, he will become a free agent. Johnson has said he wants to remain in Buffalo. His agent commented: “The Bills have options. They can use the franchise tag on him, they can negotiate an extension, or they can let him walk. It is no secret where Stevie’s heart is, but at the same time he has to do what is best for his family.” Despite being penalized for excessive celebration, Johnson has made solid contributions to the Bills offense. Last year he had 76 receptions for 1,004 yards and 7 touchdowns. The team can not afford to lose him.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has vowed support for the Bills. Speaking earlier this week in Buffalo, he said “The Bills are very important, not just to western New York, but the entire state. We want to keep the Bills here. I’m looking forward to being part of a cooperative effort to keep them here.” He was alluding to the impending sale of the team when owner Ralph Wilson passes on. The current lease on the stadium is up in 2013, and the club wants major upgrades to the facility, estimated to run $100 million. It is unlikely that cash-strapped Erie County can handle that without major state aid. Otherwise the franchise will be free to relocate to another town. The handwriting is on the wall. The Bills Toronto Series is the prelude to the eventual move of the team to metro Toronto, the largest and most affluent city in Canada. Cuomo’s rhetoric may be good politics, but he can not dictate to the Wilson heirs.

Sports Fans Coalition is fighting the Federal Communications Commission’s blackout rules. The group has formed a Buffalo chapter, headed by Matt Sabuda, a former public relations official for the Bills. Local fans have been deeply impacted by the FCC rules, which resulted in blackouts of the last 3 home games. The FCC prohibits airing of games not sold out within 72 hours of kickoff by local, cable, and satellite stations. Fans can now offer comments on proposed revisions to the regulations by logging on to www.endblackouts.com. Sabuda is also spearheading a drive to keep the Bills in Buffalo, exploring possible community involvement in future ownership interests.

The Bills have promoted 3 in the front office. Andy Major has been named Vice President of Event Operations and Guest Experience. He has spent 18 years in the NFL and formerly served as Executive Director of Bills Marketing. Dan Evans has advanced to Vice President of Information Technology. The Buffalo native serves on the league’s Technical Advisory Committee. Gregg Pastore is now Senior Director of Digital Media. He oversees production of the team website and online marketing. Together the 3 veteran personnel have decades of experience in professional sports administration.

Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski is expected to be ready for the Super Bowl. The Williamsville North star went down with a left ankle injury in the third quarter of yesterday’s AFC Championship game. New England narrowly defeated Baltimore 23 – 20 when the Ravens Billy Cundiff missed a 32 yard field goal with 11 seconds left. Gronkowski left the field in obvious pain, assisted by trainers. He returned to play in the fourth quarter. On the day the Gronk had 5 receptions for 87 yards. He set a league record this year for touchdowns by a tight end, recording 90 catches for 17 touchdowns and 1,327 yards. The spirited second year veteran has become a fan favorite and source of pride for his hometown.

Today’s AFC Championship game has Buffalo ties. When the Patriots meet the Ravens at Gillette Field, there will be players with local roots. Receiver Lee Evans, who spent 7 seasons with the Bills, will be in a Ravens uniform. After suffering an early season injury, he sat out 7 games. Since returning he had 4 receptions for 74 yards. Last week he made a 30 yard catch against the Texans, his first in postseason action. Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski has had a sensational year as tight end for New England. Selected for the Pro Bowl, the Gronk has emerged as the heart and soul of the Patriots offense. Expect spirited play from both native sons as they compete for a Super Bowl berth.

Mary Wilson, wife of Bills owner Ralph Wilson, has been honored for civic contributions. The National Federation For Just Communities recognized her efforts in establishing the Western New York Girls in Sports program. At a recent luncheon they presented her with a plaque lauding her promotion of fitness among young women. Both Mrs. Wilson and her husband have long been known for their civic outreach. They have supported numerous charitable initiatives and given freely of their time and resources. They are responsible corporate citizens with a social conscience. While their sports franchise has floundered on the field, they have generously supported the greater Western New York community.

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s new budget includes $2.94 million for the Bills. It is the last installment of a 15 year state commitment for capital upgrades to Ralph Wilson Stadium. As previously disclosed, the budget includes potential money for “the retention of professional football in Western New York.” Erie County Executive Mark Polocanrz affirms Cuomo’s commitment to the Bills: “Through conversations I have had with Gov. Cuomo, his staff and comments he has made publicly, the governor has made it clear that keeping the Bills in Buffalo is as much a priority for the state as it is for my administration.” The need is two-fold: incentives for the eventual purchaser of the team to remain in the area, along with funds for improvements to the Orchard Park stadium. Remediation of the aging facility is estimated to cost upwards of $100 million and will be a cornerstone of the negotiations to extend the current lease, which expires in 2013. The financial support of New York, the wealthiest state in the union, is critical to the continued operation of the Bills in Buffalo. The outcome is uncertain.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged millions to keep the Bills in Buffalo. He earmarked part of an $84 million pool for “critical economic development investments”. The Bills are the only NFL team to play in New York State. Both the Giants and Jets play at the Meadowlands in neighboring New Jersey. The future of the franchise in Western New York is in doubt given the advanced age of owner Ralph Wilson. The club will have to be sold to pay the estate taxes when he passes on. While Cuomo’s initiative may be good politics, it falls far short of the $800 million that will be required to purchase the Bills. The more likely scenario is that the franchise will be sold to Toronto interests who will move the team to the Rogers Centre. Wilson recognizes this reality and has started the transition through the Bills Toronto Series.

The Bills are looking to re-sign tight end Scott Chandler. He has come into his own as one of the league’s solid tight ends. If contract talks fail, he will become a free agent on March 13 and likely be taken by another team. Chandler put up respectable numbers this year. He had 38 catches for 389 yards and 6 touchdowns, the best performance for a Buffalo tight end since Pete Metzelaars in 1992. General manager Buddy Nix has indicated the club will keep him if the price is right. Chandler earned an estimated $1 million last season. The Bills must do all they can to keep him in uniform.