Only for Guild Members » The Buffalo Bills wont be coming north this season

The Buffalo Bills wont be coming north this season. Jimmy Hayes Jersey . The NFL club and Rogers Communications announced Wednesday theyve put the beleaguered Bills Toronto Series -- which features Buffalo playing exhibition and regular-season games at Rogers Centre -- on hold for at least a year. That means the team will play eight home games at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., for the first time since 2007. "The plan is to postpone it for one year, regroup and determine whats the next best step," said Keith Pelley, the president of Rogers Communications media division. "Its not nullified right now, we have an agreement in place. "Anything is possible but thats not the plan. The plan is to take a step back and say, OK, the Series is having some challenges, the NFL is still big in Toronto, its still important to the Bills so whats the best way to move forward?" The decision comes a little more than a year after the Bills and Rogers agreed to renew the series for five years, though 2017 after the original five-year deal expired. A series-low gathering of 38,969 watched the Atlanta Falcons nip Buffalo 34-31 in overtime Dec. 1 at Rogers Centre, which can seat 54,000 spectators for football. The loss dropped the Bills regular-season record in Toronto to a dismal 1-5 -- and 0-4 in December -- since the start of the series in 08. Buffalo also sports the NFLs longest active post-season drought at 14 straight seasons. Bills president Russ Brandon said the atmosphere at Rogers Centre versus Atlanta figured in the clubs decision to take a step back. "I think thats a fair comment," Brandon told reporters in Orchard Park. "Obviously were trying to build a fan base north of the border and this year I would say it was a neutral crowd. "Some of that had to do with how we played over the last six years, (that) has really not been conducive to building a lot of fans that were NFL fans, but were trying to make them Bills fans. Were going to continue to try to do that through a variety of initiatives that we will be working with Rogers over the next year in a very robust sponsorship and partnership that we will have that will cater to fans above the border." Following the loss to Atlanta, Brandon publicly questioned whether his club loses its competitive edge playing in Toronto. Buffalo has often battled neutral crowds at its home away from home. Bills games at Rogers Centre routinely attract a mix of NFL fans who proudly don their team colours and cheer as loudly -- or sometimes louder -- for Buffalos opponent than the home team. In fact, several Falcons players were surprised at the support they received at Rogers Centre. "It didnt feel like we were in Canada," said Atlanta safety William Moore. "I even saw a No. 25 jersey (Moores number) out there." Whats more, playing in a domed facility robs the Bills of their biggest home advantage: The cold, windy conditions that are the norm in December at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "Were going to go through a detailed full analysis," Brandon said. "Were going to look at every aspect that if we do come back we have a more robust fan experience and try to create more of a home field advantage for us. "Right now that was not the situation. That was one of the reasons we want to get in to a lot of detail with our partners up there and see if that is viable moving forward." Brandons statement "if we do come back," prompted a followup question regarding whether the Bills mightve played their final game in Toronto. "What I said is that were going through a full evaluation process and well work with our partners," Brandon responded. The Bills Toronto Series was unveiled as an attempt to showcase Toronto as a viable NFL city. Rogers Communications Inc. paid US$78 million to stage eight games -- five regular season, three exhibition -- expecting southern Ontario fans to flock to Rogers Centre. But high-priced tickets -- initially averaging over $180 each, compared to roughly US$51 at Orchard Park --and struggling Bills teams combined to make it a tough sell. Tickets were reduced to roughly an average price of $99 to make the game more affordable but even that didnt result in a sellout. "Its always very difficult to change public opinion midway through a project," Pelley said. "Theres no hiding the fact the series did not get off to a rosy start. "It tough midway through to change that perception, hence the reason why we thought it would be a best to take a year off then re-launch it once weve thought that through." Series organizers have also struggled to find the right formula to re-create the NFL experience here. A huge attraction for many American football fans is arriving at the stadium hours before kickoff, setting up the barbecue to cook a variety of foods while throwing a football around in the parking lot or breaking down the upcoming game with friends over a cold beer. However, provincial laws make that impossible in Toronto. The creation of the series also fuelled speculation Toronto would be the landing spot for the Bills upon the death of Ralph Wilson Jr., the clubs 95-year-old owner. However, Brandon routinely stated the NFL club was merely broadening its regional base to include Canadas largest city and generate additional revenue. Brandon said the Bills must take ownership for their role in the series struggles. "I think its been a roller-coaster from the standpoint of just the losses," he said. "Thats on us. "Some of the initiatives Rogers has worked through on their end have improved, but obviously this past year was disappointing with that neutral crowd that we had there, to say the least. I think there have been positives. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest positive has been the influx of fans back here at Ralph Wilson Stadium." Now the question remains whether the Bills can sell out eight home games in 2014. "Obviously last year we had to really work for our sellouts, understandably so," Brandon said. "Thats something that were willing to take on, that challenge. "We have very passionate fans and tremendous fans, but we have to really work to sell tickets here as weve discussed in the past. Were not satisfied until every seat in this building is sold. Thats always the No. 1 initiative and really the foundation of how we run our business." Cory Schneider Jersey . - Kevin Labanc and Joseph Blandisi were a potent combination for the Barrie Colts on Friday night. Kyle Palmieri Jersey . The 23-year-old Woods, Tiger Woods niece, closed with a 4-under 69 at Royal Pines to finish at 16-under 276. Lee also shot 69 in the event sanctioned by the European and Australian tours. Woods birdied the par-5 15th to open a two-stroke lead, hitting a wedge from about 120 yards to 4 feet. http://www.authentichockeyshopdevils.com/adidas+travis+zajac+devils+jersey . Green-Ellis was Cincinnatis leading rusher each of the last two seasons. His role was reduced last year when Giovani Bernard was added to the backfield. Green-Ellis ran for 756 yards and a career-low 3.TORONTO, Ontario - While most of his teammates embarked on vacations to sunny southern destinations over the Olympic break, David Bolland - out of the lineup since suffering a severed tendon in his left ankle on November 2 in Vancouver - headed to London, Ontario instead to continue his rehab with his old junior team, the London Knights. Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday. "I was in London once at a bar called "Joe Cools" and they have numerous stools there that have players names on them that Ive coached, and hes one of them." In all seriousness though, that Bolland has put himself in a position to even discuss a potential return just 110 days since suffering a laceration that he said went right through the muscle and tendon in his ankle, nearly down to the bone, is a remarkable feat of determination that has not been lost on his coach. "The level of professionalism that he displays day in, day out right from when we first saw him in training camp, that has continued here," said Carlyle. "Hes pushing himself and with the help of our training staff and our strength and conditioning (coaches), hes done a heck of a job to get himself back where he is now." So where exactly is he? Neither Carlyle nor Bolland would pin down a specific return date but Bolland did sound more encouraged with his progress than he did when he offered his last update on February 5 in Tampa Bay. "Im close, its getting there," he said on Thursday. "Im on my way upwards." Carlyle suggested yesterday that a decision would be made next Wednesday as to whether Bolland will dress when the Leafs resume their schedule against the New York Islanders on February 27. "Ah, well see," Bolland added when asked if he expects to play against the Islanders. His impending return was welcomed news to Dion Phaneuf. "Thats a very big boost," said the Leafs captain. "Bollands an experienced guy whos played a lot of hockey in the league. Hes a big part of our team. Hes big in the room; hes big on the ice. Hes a leader in our dressing room and he plays hard night in and night out so were excited too get him back. New Jersey Devils Jerseys. ." But despite just 22 regular season games remaining for the Leafs, Bolland will not be re-inserted until he declares himself ready. "When he says hes ready to go, thats one of the things were adamant about here is that the player is not going to come back and say hes 85 per cent and were going to put him in the lineup," Carlyle said. "Hes got to tell us hes 100/110 per cent and then were ready to go. That makes it a lot easier for everybody involved." When Bolland was injured, he was playing on a line with Mason Raymond and David Clarkson. Since then, Clarkson has been moved to a line with Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri which Carlyle indicated he has been pleased with. At this point, consider it audition time for the right wing spot with leading candidates likely being Nik Kulemin and Troy Bodie. "We think that Bolland and Mason Raymond and whoever we decide to put there could give us a 2A and 2B type of offensive numbers," said Carlyle. But dont expect too much too soon when Bolland does return, Carlyle cautioned, suggesting he will keep an eye on his minutes and potentially avoid penalty killing duties early on. "I dont think Ill be stepping into the same role as I was at the start of the season," Bolland said. "I missed two and a half, three months of hockey and just coming back and throwing yourself in the mix is never fun. Its tough coming back from injuries and coming back will be something where Ill be eased in and not just thrown to the wolves. My expectations will be a little bit lower but gradually (after) the first two or three games, Ill be back in the mix." The chance to get Bolland back for the stretch drive, whether its in the first game back against the Islanders or a few games later, is an addition that Carlyle feels will have a significant impact on the team, almost akin to a trade deadline acquisition without giving anything up. "Anytime you can add a player of that caliber, it does change the makeup of your lineup," said Carlyle. "We lost two centres (Bozak and Bolland) early in November and weve been taxing people and putting younger players in situations that have somewhat overwhelmed them at times. We feel its a huge compliment to the depth of our organization that our young players have come in and filled that gap. Theres no ifs, ands or buts adding a David Bolland, we feel it has an impact into our line up." 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