Virus Takes Down the Buffalowdown for a bit…..But we’re Back!
June 6, 2008
Just wanted to say hello friends. It’s been almost a week since we last posted. Someone sent us a virus in one of the emails for our Fanatic contest, and it took us out for a few days. But I just got our computer back from the shop, and we’re ready to go. It’s going to take alot more than that to keep us down. 
We’re Back! And we will have the winner of our little contest on Saturday. Someone will be taking home a gift certificate for 1 jersey from NFL.com. We will also be posting all the pictures of the wierd Bills stuff that we recieved. Everyone who entered, check your email, as we have sent an adress request to the winner so we can sent you that gift certificate.
See you guys later…….We have ALOT to talk about.
Bills Legends Have a Hand in New Buffalo Football Franchise
June 1, 2008
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle is reporting that Buffalo Bills legends Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas will be involved in an arena football league team in Buffalo that expects to begin play in 2009. The team will play in the AF2 (a feeder league to the AFL), with Kelly and Thomas being minority owners. Majority ownership will belong to Rochester Business man Bob Bartosiewicz, Who currently owns the Rochester Raiders, an arena football team that plays in the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). They will be known as the Buffalo Stampede, and have yet to sign a lease with any arena. 
This won’t be Buffalo’s first try at arena football. In 1997, the city was awarded an AFL franchise, which became the Buffalo Destroyers. Despite breaking records for season ticket sales among all other arena league teams, the franchise was sold in 2003, and moved to Columbus, OH after owner Mark Hamister said the team had lost upwards of 5 million dollars in it’s final seasons.
You have to stand up and applaud Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas for staying involved with the city that made them the well off gentlemen they are today. People in the city of Buffalo will be excited to see anything that had to do with those two former superstars. They’re as popular today as they were twenty years ago, and with the right marketing, they should help this business venture go far. These teams usually consist of former local high school and college stars, and Buffalo has no problem getting behind they’re local teams. I know I’m excited to see what happens.
- Pat Duffy
Bills Third String QB Best Arab American Athlete
May 27, 2008
Bills third string QB Gibran Hamdan was named the top Arab American Athlete by middle east magazine NOX. Hamadan, who is half Arab and Half Palestinian graces the cover of the magazine this month. The journeyman QB was originally signed to Buffalo’s practice squad last season, but was activated to the game roster after the release of Craig Nall . Hamadan has played for Washington, Seattle, San Fransisco, and Buffalo, as well as spending a few years in NFL Europe. 
Now, I don’t want to sound like a jerk, and I am really proud of Hamadan for gracing the cover of NOX, but is the best Arab American athlete really a journeyman NFL QB? So I Googled Arab American athletes, and found out that former Bills QB Doug Flutie is also an Arab American athlete. I had no idea. It seems the Bills have cornered the market on Arab american QB’s . But when it comes to Arab American athletes, Gibrian is definitely the most accomplished. A giant congrats to you Gibrian Hamadan. Here’s to more success in the future.
In other news……
The prize for our Buffalowdown fanatic contest was supposed to be announced yesterday, but I forgot it was memorial day, and I was busy cooking out and remembering all the folks that have sacrificed so much so we can live free. A hearty thanks from the Buffalowdown to those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect what we hold so dear.
So today we will announce the prize…. and it is…….drum roll please…….
A gift certificate to NFL shop.com for a jersey. Pretty cool I know. Keep sending pics of weird memrobilia, (we’ve gotten a ton, but nothing that can’t be beaten) and the coolest, weirdest one will win the jersey. All entries must be sent to buffalowdown@yahoo.com. Contest ends this Saturday.
- Pat Duffy
Marshawn Lynch with ESPN’s Kenny Mayne
May 24, 2008
Seeing as how OTA’s are finished for the week, and there isn’t much Bills stuff going on, I figured you guys would enjoy a video. It’s like in elementary school when your teacher was too lazy to do a lesson plan the night before.
This is Marshawn Lynch on “The Mayne Event” segment they run during NFL countdown on ESPN. It’s from last season, but it’s funny.
Marshawn Lynch on ESPN\’s \”The Mayne Event\”
Buffalo Fans Grabbing up Tickets …… and Notes from OTA’s
May 23, 2008
The Bills hit 50,000 season tickets sold this week for the upcoming 2008 season. The mark is up roughly 2,000 from last season, and is the highest total since 1993, the year that Buffalo last appeared in the Super Bowl. 
You really have to hand it to Buffalo fans when it comes to supporting their team. We have one of the largest stadiums in the NFL (seating around 74,000). We are one of the smallest markets, and have one of the lowest per home incomes in the NFL. Yet every season people love to spend their hard earned cash to go see the Bills play football.
You have to give the Buffalo Bills franchise credit as well. The Bills ticket prices are the lowest in the NFL. Single game tickets average $41.29 a seat (as low as $36.00), and you can buy season tickets for as low as $240. They cater to the die hard and casual fans alike.
Still, you have to wonder if the increase in season tickets has anything to do with the games in Toronto. The Bills haven’t made the playoffs in almost a decade. We ‘re talking about a team with a ton of young players. A lot of upside, a lot of potential, but not a lot of proven anything. This isn’t the kind of team that should be setting records at the box office before the first snap of pre - season. I think the city of Buffalo is sending a message to this franchise. They love their team, and they want to do everything they can to keep it their team. If the possible loss of the team is really driving up ticket sales, it goes to show you once again that the fans of Buffalo are some of the greatest fans in the NFL.
Quick notes from OTA’s
- JP Losman hasn’t been at practice since the opening day of OTA’s. The team is saying he had a previous out of town commitment…. and that’s all their saying.
- Rumor is Jason Peters surgery rehab isn’t keeping him out of practice, it’s his pocketbook. Word on the street is that Peters is unhappy with his contract, and wants it restructured. If I’m not mistaken, Jason still has three years left on his deal, and the Bills have several high profile free agents next off season. Good Luck with that one Jason.
- It looks like Lee Evans and Robert Royal will be taking a seat until training camp to fully rehab their off season surgeries. Coach Jauron had this to say on the matter:
“Lee as you know did all of the individual work. Robert wasn’t scheduled to do any of these things. We anticipate they’ll both be completely healthy for training camp and that’s good. Strength wise, weight wise, body fat, all of those things are good in both of their cases and they’re both guys we trust completely. They won’t be involved in our OTAs unless something unforeseen occurs.”I can’t imagine what unforseen thing would push two guys who aren’t 100% into meaningless voluntary workouts.
- Pat Duffy
**Still running the fanatic contest. Prize will be announced Monday, and the first round of memorabilia will be posted some time this weekend. Send all pics to buffalowdown@yahoo.com
Jason Taylor Don’t Dance, and Your Daddy Don’t Rock and Roll
May 21, 2008
Proof that it’s a slow Bills news day:
Dolphins DE Jason Taylor was trumped by figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi on last nights season finale of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Who needs mini camps under a new coach (which he is missing due to his obligation to ABC) to learn a new system? I really feel bad for Jason. Everyone knows that a defensive player of the year trophy just doesn’t look right without a disco ball trophy sitting next to it. Now I’ve never seen Dancing with the Stars, but from what I understand, this could really help Taylor’s bid to get a trade out of Miami. We’re talking about a NFL veteran, team leader, only two years removed from a defensive player of the year honor, who can dance the hell out of the foxtrot. His new found notoriety can also put asses in the seats. He’ll be a real help to any team that’s looking to increase ticket sales in that pesky 60 year old Jewish woman market. OyVey !
But seriously folks……
A few Bills notes.
- Lee Evans is missing OTA’s today at One Bills Drive. J.P. Losman and Jason Peters are also absent from the days work outs.
-Word on the street is that first round pick Leodis Mckelvin is getting a lot of reps on the first team defense.
-Veteran free agent signee Will James (CB) is also impressing the coaches with his speed and quickness. Good to see it may not be corner by committee this season.
- New DT Marcus Stroud is very excited about the defenses’ potential. When asked if it’s too much to expect this defense to be in the top 15 league wide -
“Not at all. As a matter of fact I think that should be one of our expectations or goals to be among the top 15. We have the talent to do it. It’s a matter of going out there and playing hard. Even the guys you have rotating in it are a good mix. I think we definitely have a chance. Spencer Johnson, [John] McCargo, Ryan Denney, you have guys on this team who when one guy goes out, the other guy can come in and the level of play shouldn’t go down at all. That’s what we’re expecting“
…….The confidence is a nice change from last season.
- Pat Duffy
*****Send your pics and stories for the Buffalowdown Fanatic Contest. Prize will be announced Monday, and we will accept entries until May 30th . Contest ends May 31st. Send all entries to
buffalowdown@yahoo.com ******
Being a Bills fan ain’t easy, but don’t we love doin’ it.
May 20, 2008
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Lee Evans Contract Offer and the first day of OTA?s
May 19, 2008
It’s being reported by ESPN that the Bills have made a contract extension offer to WR Lee Evans. The deal would prevent Evans from becoming a free agent after next season.
You have to applaud Buffalo for making a move on Evans this early. They went through this off season neglecting to sign a veteran big play receiver. It looks like they were counting on Lee to be their man all along. Here’s to hoping they’re not just making a token gesture with plans to let him walk into free agency. 
Off-season OTA’s started this morning. All but three players (Jason Peters, Brian Moorman, Mike Viti) were at practice today. Jason Peters in still recovering from injury, and I believe Viti is being held out due to a little known NCAA rule that states a newly signed college player can only participate in one organized work out session before their graduation. Army’s graduation isn’t until may 31st, so this would explain why an un drafted free agent would be missing workouts he would need to make the team. I’m not totally sure if that’s the case, if you know, let me know.
J.P. Losman was also at workouts today. He declined to talk to the media, but his good buddy Lee Evans talked for him
“I spoke with him numerous times with him here in the off-season and he has to sit back and wait for an opportunity and that’s his mind set.” Evans continued: “He’ll prepare himself to be as good as he can and if he gets a chance to step in and gets that opportunity then he’ll be ready.”
That has to be good to hear for Bills fans.
- Pat Duffy
*Coming soon - The “I’m a Buffalowdown Fanatic” contest. We’re going to find out who has the craziest Buffalo Bills memorabilia collection. Check back soon for details and prizes.
The Patriots Tapes Do Give Them an Advantage, and the Numbers Here Prove it!
May 8, 2008
If History is Forgotten, It?s Bound to Repeat Itself.
May 7, 2008
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