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Home away from home
The Buffalo Bills journeyed to Toronto last Sunday to face the Atlanta Falcons. It marked the sixth occasion for the adventure of a Bills’ home game in Toronto, a home game away from home.
As I have noted on previous occasions, I often listen to 550 on the AM radio dial to catch the flavour of the Bills. There are commentators who toe the party line, and others who will blatantly step outside the confines of the team philosophy. Then there are the call-in shows that give the fans their opportunity to express their opinions on the state of the Bills.
After the game on Sunday, the team faithful let it be known that they were not exactly happy with their beloved Bills. They came just short of uttering death threats.
There was reason to be upset. The team got out of the gate in magnificent fashion. No sooner had we settled into our seats, than the Bills had jumped out to a 14-0 lead.
Rookie quarterback E. J. Manuel had scampered into the end zone for his team’s first touchdown. The play was challenged, as it appeared to be out of bounds near the goal line; however, after the usual delay, the referee emerged from the replay tent, and signalled the major score. Great roar from the crowd. Perhaps a few of the faithful from Orchard Park really did make the trip north.
The weather outside was frightful, but that had no impact on the playing conditions at the Rogers Centre. I did hear discussions about players’ traction on the playing surface, and some had difficulty seeing the ball in the lights.
Most of the players, and some of the fans, understand that there is a financial reason for the Bills to be in Toronto. The team is receiving several hockey socks full of money to play in Hogtown. They will continue the exercise for at least four more years.
A couple of Torontonians dressed for the Bills. Jamaal Westerman moved to Toronto several years ago from Florida, and began playing 12-man football in high school. At first, he thought he might be overlooked by the college scouts who roam the country looking for prime talent. His fears were unfounded, and he landed at spot at Rutgers, and became a starter for three years. Incidentally, both of his brothers have had stints in the Canadian Football League.
Stefan Charles also hails from Toronto, and played his early football in Regina. He relished the opportunity to play in front of his family and friends at the Rogers Centre: “I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. That would be almost my Super Bowl.”
On the bright side, CJ Spiller electrified the crowd with his spectacular runs. In the first quarter, he hit the line on an inside zone play. After the game, he analyzed the play: “Offensive line did a great job blocking. Stevie did a great job blocking.” He scampered for 77 yards, a team record. He was caught from behind by rookie Desmond Trufant on the Falcons’ six-yard line. His comment: “That’s probably the first time I have ever been caught like that.”
The Falcons running back, Steven Jackson, was also brilliant. He is a bruising runner, topping the scales at more than 240 pounds, and is difficult to bring to the turf. He scored the Falcons’ first touchdown when he ran through the line, off the left guard and into the end zone on a rumbling 27-yard strike.
Matt Ryan orchestrated the comeback for the Falcons, and Matt Bryant booted the winning field goal through the uprights at the appropriate time, in overtime, to seal the deal. Truly heartbreaking for the Bills.
The Bills have four games remaining, with a mathematical chance to gain a playoff berth. Truly, that is not the main object of the exercise right now. There is a certain amount of character building that must take place, not always an easy thing to do. There are key positions that must be filled for next year. Drafting and free agent signings will be critical. It will be time to tinker, but not to blow up the whole thing.
Patience, Bills fan.
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