DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Bills fans demand roof raised for game at Toronto

By JOHN WAWROW, AP Sports Writer
1 hour, 56 minutes ago

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP)—What was the NFL thinking when it scheduled the warm-weather Miami Dolphins to play their division-rival Buffalo Bills in the cozy confines of a domed stadium in December, and in Canada of all places?

That’s the question numerous unhappy Bills fans have been asking since the schedule came out with Buffalo playing a “home” game against Miami at Toronto’s Rogers Centre on Dec. 7.

With that in mind, two Bills season-ticket holders, Andrew Petrinec and Al Keohane, decided to do something about shifting the climate-controlled playing field in Buffalo’s favor by organizing a petition to have the domed stadium’s retractable roof open for the game.

“We’re just trying to make a difference,” said Petrinec, who’s gathered about 1,000 signatures on the Internet and in person. “We’re trying to do anything we can to help out the team and make a little noise so maybe the league will recognize that fans aren’t extremely thrilled with it.”

Bad enough that Buffalo fans were deprived of a game in Orchard Park against an AFC East opponent when the Bills secured a five-year deal to become the first NFL team to start playing annual regular-season games outside the U.S.

What’s worse is the Bills losing their traditional cold-field advantage.

The Dolphins might have the edge in the series, with a 51-37-1 record against Buffalo. But they have certainly struggled at Orchard Park after Dec. 1, going 2-7, including two playoff losses.

“Having it in a domed stadium definitely does make it a little lopsided toward the Dolphins,” Keohane said. “If (Toronto) gets the December Miami game against the Bills, then they should be in the cold, too.”

As novel as their proposal might be, the petition won’t pry open the roof, said Adrian Montgomery, spokesman for Rogers Communications, one of the game’s hosts.

One problem in the event of snow or rain is the field’s lack of a proper drainage system, Montgomery said. Another factor: the roof is locked in place after baseball’s Blue Jays end their season.

“I wish we could open it,” Montgomery said. “But please let them know that we recognize how important this game really is. And we will do everything in our power to replicate the frenzied atmosphere at Ralph Wilson Stadium.”

What can’t be replicated are the occasional snowstorms and biting winds that blow in off nearby Lake Erie at this time of year.

The mere proposal to open the roof sent chills through at least Dolphins defensive end Matt Roth.

“No! Don’t do that,” Roth said. “I hope it’s closed for the fans’ sake, for all those West Palm fans. We don’t want them to open the roof.”

It didn’t matter to Miami guard Justin Smiley, though. “I don’t really care. I like cold-weather games. If they think that it would be in their favor by opening the roof in that game, I don’t think it really matters.”

Even Bills players are split on the topic.

“Hell no. Are we not human?” receiver Josh Reed said. “We might get an edge, but I think I can probably speak for a few players on this team that I’d rather play indoors.”

Guard Langston Walker would sign the petition.

“It’s part of the game. You play in winter for a reason,” Walker said. “I think it would make for an exciting game. The weather always adds an element to it. It’s something that both teams have to combat against.”

Receiver Lee Evans was also in favor, but doubted it’ll ever happen because fans are already paying a steep price to attend the game at $200 per ticket.

The high ticket prices are the Toronto organizers’ attempt to recoup the $78 million they’re paying the Bills to essentially lease eight games, including three preseason, through 2012. Montgomery said there are about 2,500 tickets still unsold.

Petrinec was undeterred after learning the roof won’t be open.

“I don’t think that we have completely lost here. We have at least started a conversation,” Petrinec said. “We want them to realize that fans are not happy with the situation, and that there is something that they can do for us to make it a little more bearable.”

On the Net:

Petition can be found on: PETITION LINK REMOVED

Associated Press Writer Sarah Larimer in Miami contributed to this story.

My thoughts: It's enough that they lost a regular season game in their home stadium, open the damn roof.

What a bunch of jerks running this league. - Take what should be a Bills home game and play it in Toronto. - Amidst rumors that the Bills may be moving to Toronto.

This whole idea is very, very, rude, inconsiderate, and spiteful towards Bills fans. This goes to show that the NFL itself doesn't care about history, tradition, or fan loyalty.

I am beginning to question why I support a league that is run by a bunch of selfish idiots.

Buffalo requested this game. They received approval last year to play a regular season game in Toronto each year for a span of 5 years, as well as a handful of preseason games......

That is how I remember it....the league didn't force the game to be played there.

I think Wilson did it to drum up more fan support from north of the border, and to possibly nudge Buffalo into looking in to a better stadium situation.

I just looked...their stadium opened in 1973......not really that old for a public stadium, but it has to be obsolete in terms of modern NFL seating arrangements.

That place could also use a roof.

We had 9 guys fron Toronto at our tailgate last week. They said the cheapest tix is $200 and you had to buy the preseason to.

I'm sure the people who can afford $200 and up tix would prefer the roof closed.

I hate domes! The Toronto and Pontiac are the only ones I've been in. John Riggins said on Sirius Radio "The only way Detroit should be able to keep the Thankgiving game is if they move it to Ann Arbor" He also hates domes and fake grass.

I feel bad for Bills fans with respect to the entire Toronto situation. I don't want the Bills in Toronto for even one game a year: their fans deserve MUCH better.
I'm sure people remember they were one of only two franchises who voted against the move by Modell – the other being Pittsburgh of course - so I have a soft spot for the Bills and their poor fans.
In the pre-season game, some Bills players talked about how there was no atmosphere in Toronto. Didn;'t surprise me – Toronto sports fans are passive, relatively speaking.

I agree.

Back as a teen when the AFL was getting off the ground, the Bills were the team...they were always on TV...Bills,Raiders,Jets..one of those 3 was playing.

I like the Bills too...one of the great injustices in sports ever was that team not winning at least 1 of those Super Bowls...I think they were the best team each time...sort of like the Vikings in the 60's, early 70's...that team should have won one of those games.

Go figure??