TORONTO -- A December road game against the Buffalo Bills has never shaped up so
well for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.
Rafinha Camiseta . The Falcons face the Bills
on Sunday at Rogers Centre, meaning Ryan and Co. wont have to deal with the
wind, rain and snow being forecast for Buffalos home venue, Ralph Wilson
Stadium, in Orchard Park, N.Y. It will be Buffalos sixth regular-season "home"
game in Ontario as part of the Bills Toronto Series, which began in 2008 and was
renewed in January for another five years. The Bills (4-7) are 1-4 at Rogers
Centre and 0-3 in December contests there. Whats more, Atlanta (2-9) plays its
home games in a dome. "I think obviously playing in a dome this time of year
late in the year thats an advantage for both offences," Ryan said. "It can be
difficult to go out there and play when its windy and cold and youre either
getting hail or snow . . . so I think both offences, it cuts you a little bit of
a break." But once again receiver Stevie Johnson and his Buffalo teammates must
deal with the disadvantage of being the home team indoors in a different
country. "Yeah, they must have fixed the schedule or something out there in
Atlanta," Johnson said. "Who put the schedule together to have them come to
Toronto?" Buffalos roster features two Canadians: rookie defensive lineman
Stefan Charles, a Toronto native who grew up in Oshawa, Ont., and veteran
linebacker Jamaal Westerman, who was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but grew up in
Brampton, Ont. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff grew up in Guelph, Ont.,
and played at the University of Guelph. Charles, claimed last month off
Tennessees practice roster, could see more playing time Sunday as defensive
tackle Kyle Williams (back) is questionable. Williams, 30, has a career-high
seven sacks and 48 tackles this season. The Bills Toronto Series was unveiled in
2008 as event organizers wanted to show Toronto was 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 a slow economy, high-priced tickets -- initially averaging over $180
each, compared to roughly US$51 at Orchard Park -- and struggling Bills teams
have made it a tough sell. Last year, a series-low 40,770 spectators watched
Seattle dismantle Buffalo 50-17. Some ticket prices were reduced to make games
more affordable but that hasnt resulted in a sellout. The average ticket price
last year was roughly $99. Greg Albrecht, in his second year as the executive
director of the Bills in Toronto Series, expects a crowd of about 40,770 on
Sunday. But with events planned for the entire weekend, a pre-game show
featuring "some surprises from the Department of National Defence," and a
half-time performance by The Beach Boys, Albrecht said this has become much more
than just a football game. "That is absolutely my goal, to make this the
preeminent NFL experience in Canada," he said. The series has been good
financially for the Bills as the original deal more than doubled what they
wouldve made holding the games at Orchard Park. It has also allowed the NFL club
to establish a foothold in Canadas biggest market. But the Bills lose their huge
home-field advantage playing late-season games in cold, blustery Orchard Park.
Also, fans at Rogers Centre cheer as much -- or more -- for Buffalos opponents
as they do the home team. However, Albrecht has a plan to help remedy that.
"Were looking for the craziest fans when the Bills are on defence," Albrecht
said. "Four of those fans, one per quarter, will be picked and prior to the end
of the game were going to do a contest, basically an on-field event, and the two
winners will be flown to Barbados for a week with their family. "Its a pretty
high-end prize but its just an incentive to get people to really start making a
lot of noise and creating that crazy NFL fan experience here in Toronto." The
series has also created much speculation regarding the Bills potential
relocation to Toronto after owner Ralph Wilson, 95, passes away. Such talk
gained more steam last week amid reports that rocker Jon Bon Jovi has aligned
himself with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment -- which owns the NHLs Maple
Leafs and NBAs Raptors -- to purchase the Bills and move them to southern
Ontario. "In my view, this is something were building to create more NFL
awareness as well as build up the Bills fanbase and celebrate the NFL in
Canada," Albrecht said. "The future of the team, who owns it and where it goes
is a little bit beyond my purview. "Im here to make sure were doing what we can
from a corporate partnership base, from a fanbase and make this the best NFL
event that we can make." But that hasnt stopped some Bills players from
criticizing the series. Centre Eric Woods blasted the Rogers Centre after last
years contest. "I think that Toronto series has turned into pretty much a joke,"
Wood told a Buffalo radio station. "Its a bad atmosphere for football. I mean,
nobody wants to play there. "I guess for opposing teams it beats the hell out of
going in somebody elses stadium and dealing with a bunch of crowd noise. I dont
think its turned out the way we wanted, and I hope we dont renew it. That
sucked." Woods was signing a different tune this week. "I kind of said that in
the heat of the moment after the game last year, and Im looking forward to it,"
he said. "Hopefully my feelings will change after this game." Buffalo rookie
head coach Doug Marrone said the Bills could make Rogers Centre an inhospitable
environment for opponents by playing better there and giving Toronto fans more
to cheer about. "I think we do have some fans in Toronto and I think if we play
well well create more fans," he said. "I think we can over a period of time,
with success, really create that type of advantage for us over there." Still,
Ryan is preparing for the worse at Rogers Centre. "Well anticipate going into it
where its going to be really loud and difficult for us to communicate, and then
obviously adjust if its different," he said. "But Im hoping weve got a bunch of
supporters up in Toronto and they show up this weekend and are pulling for us."
Luis Suarez camiseta barcelona . -- With the
season on the line once more in Oakland, Justin Verlander pitched another Game 5
gem.
Blanca camiseta barcelona .com) - Coming down
the stretch of a lengthy road trip, the Vancouver Canucks aim to rebound from
just their second loss in seven games on Sunday evening as they visit the Ottawa
Senators. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Peyton Manning flew to New York this spring to pay
his respects to Derek Jeter and David Letterman, two much-admired superstars in
the middle of their long goodbyes. "Im sad to see some of these guys retiring,"
the Broncos quarterback said at the time. "Im not far behind." Yet retirement
really isnt on Mannings radar as he prepares for his 17th NFL season, his third
in Denver. Coming off the best two-year stretch of his career, Manning is
keeping tacklers, tedium and time itself at bay. At 38, Manning said hell keep
playing as long as hes still productive and loves the game. That passion and
productivity were on full display last season when he won his fifth MVP award
and set single-season records by passing for 55 touchdowns and more than 5,500
yards. There are no signs of his affection or efficiency ebbing anytime soon,
either. "You see it in how he prepares every day," centre Manny Ramirez said.
"Were here in the off-season and hes still putting the same amount of focus as
he does in-season, preparing, trying to get better every day, trying to pick
apart the defences." "I still enjoy the work and preparation," said Manning, who
lost wide receiver Eric Decker to the Jets but gained coveted free agent
Emmanuel Sanders and prized rookie Cody Latimer. That turnover actually helps
keep Manning young at heart, coach John Fox suggested. "Theres so much change in
the NFL nowadays that I think that keeps the juices flowing, whether thats
getting Emmanuel Sanders up to speed or last year, Wes Welker. Anytime you put a
new cog in there, thats an adjustment," Fox said. "I think he takes pride in
that and he attacks that. He seems to me to be having a great time." Manning
would like to play out his contract, which runs through 2016. Yet, while hes not
pondering retirement, he said in an interview with The Associated Press that he
has certainly contemplated what it will be like. "Sometimes I sort of kick back
and I pause and I think what sorts of things would I miss the most if I wasnt
playing," Manning said. The answer hits him like one of those teeth-rattling
sacks by Robert Mathis. "Being in the huddle," Manning said. "Thats what I
missed most when I was injured, Ill say that. I mean, theres no other type of
unity or bond that I think any other job can provide. I know there are meetings,
there are video conferences. But that huddle, because of where it takes place:
its often on the road, in the middle of the field, in front of 80,000 people,
its unique." Its what excites him even at an age when many quarterbacks have
retired to the broadcast booth or are hitting thhe links instead of the weights.
Sergio Busquets Camiseta. "When you dont play
football anymore, you can broadcast, you can coach, you can be in management,
whatever, but you are not allowed to go into the huddle anymore," Manning said.
"That huddle is just for players. You can go into the locker room after the game
and you can speak to the team, but I think any retired player would probably
tell you they miss the huddle." The way Manning has guided the Broncos to a 28-8
record over the last two years belies how far he had fallen when he was forced
to sit out the 2011 season in Indianapolis and even had to look in a mirror to
relearn his release point after a series of neck surgeries weakened his throwing
arm to the point he could hardly grip, much less throw, a football. Mannings
reboot has turned into a blessing. "Yeah, although I have to say, some guys
might need a year off to whatever, relight to fire, whatever it may be. I didnt
need a year off to remind me of how much I love football," Manning said. "But
when you have it, it sure does reinforce what you kind of always thought, that I
do love it." Working with play-caller Adam Gase and new teammates has
revitalized Manning. "Sometimes it, the monotonous routine, the boredom, that
pushes guys out, not the physical part of it," Manning said. "And I have been
stimulated the past two years working with Adam and working with different
teammates, so it does sort of keep the bounce in you, I think." Manning doesnt
view himself so much as a 17-year NFL veteran but as Denvers third-year
quarterback. "I really feel because its a new team, post-injury, its kind of a
new me. Thats how I have to look at it," Manning said. "Im a different player
from before I was injured. Im not saying better, worse, whatever, just a
different player. And so what I can compare myself most accurately to is my
first season here in Denver and kind of how I am physically and how I am with my
teammates and with Adam and so its helped to have now two years to build off
that baseline." He no longer feels like a visitor in his own locker room. "And I
like going into that huddle," Manning said. "I like the guys that I get to work
with. I like lifting weights, working with Wes Welker, doing a set of bench
press with Jacob Tamme, I like working with the guys that I play with and I
still like learning. I like being challenged by Adam every day to be a better
football player. There are a lot of things that I still enjoy about it. "And I
look forward to driving over here every day. I think as soon as you go, Golly, I
do not want to go over there today, thats when youve got to get out."
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