Playing 8 games on this side of the Peace Bridge is not a really good idea, Ralph.

Every weekend in the winter, I pack up my things, and head down the QEW. Sure, traffic slows down at the Ford Plant, but it is easily avoidable. An hour an a half later, I hit the border. Then, immediately, I am immersed in the city of Buffalo. I look to the left, I see the beautiful Dunn Tire Park, where the Buffalo Bisons play. On my right, and behind the Aud, I can see HSBC Arena, where the Sabres play. It is brief, but Buffalo hits you.

I am on my way to Ellicottville, a town with just under 2,000 people in it. It's main source of revenue is it's ski slopes. It has two of them. My family and I have been skiing there for the past eight years. But before I get there, I pass through Orchard Park. The way you see Orchard Park through the windows of the car is quite boring actually. Tons of farms, and an off-ramp or two. Then, the Ralph. It is far off in the distance, but it is there. This small town holds an NFL team. Well, Buffalo's NFL team.

Recently, the Bills cut a deal with the powers-that-be to send the Bills to Toronto's Rogers Centre for 8 games. 5 of those games would be regular season games played over the course of 5 years. The remaining 3 would be scattered pre-season games. This has caused unrest in Buffalo. I have seen it first hand.

Ralph Wilson is pushing 90 years old (October 17, 1918). Ralph has said that he does not intend to leave the Bills to his wife, Mary, or any of his three daughters. This is causing even more unrest. The future of the Bills is uncertain. The idea of selling the Bills to wealthy businessmen in Toronto is unsettling to say the least. I consider myself a Bills fan, and even though I live in (around) Toronto, I don't want the Bills to move to Toronto.


It actually confuses me as to why the Bills would even want to play in Toronto. For one, the field is terrible. It is FieldTurf. But that is besides the point. The fans in Buffalo are quite passionate about their team. I have been inside many houses in the area for parties and whatnot. There is always a ton of memorabilia, souvenirs, old tickets, etc. Why tear their team away from them? Especially when the only reason the fans are coming to the stadium is to see the Patriots. It seems likely that Toronto fans will see the Pats, too.

A curious note: Getting tickets for these Bills games is quite awkward. Instead of paying for individual game tickets, you must buy a pack with all of the 5 years worth of tickets in it. At an average of $250 per head per game. You will receive a priority status for this pack, if you are a season ticket holder of the CFL's Toronto Argonauts. (And not, alarmingly, Bills season ticket holders.) Are they worried that interest in the team will go 'downhill' over time?

Looking at the big picture, the Bills playing in Toronto, and possibly permanently moving to Toronto after Ralph Wilson's death is not a good idea.

- Buffalo Bills fans love this team. Someone needs to stop and take a look.

- Bills fans from Toronto may keep the Bills' heads above water (financially), but they certainly won't do anything for the team in terms of fan support. Actually, I take that back. Toronto fans would be ecstatic to see the Pats, Cowboys, Colts etc. in Toronto.

- Finally, Buffalo Bills fans love this team. Someone needs to stop and take a look.

I know. It has been said.

Shout.