Yesterday, Buffalo Bills wideout Stevie Johnson sat down for a chat with fans over at ESPN SportsNation. Among the litany of questions he covered was one about Toronto.
"What's your opinion on the Bills playing games in Toronto instead of Buffalo?" questioned Rich from New Jersey. "And what opposing stadium do you like playing in?"
Johnson's reply was a little disheartening to say the least.
"I enjoy it. I know the fans don't really like it too much," said Johnson. "I enjoy away games. Having a home game that's away, it's a win-win for me. I just wouldn't talk about that in front of the Bills fans. It's pretty cool to me."
Apparently the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium and the fans that destroy their throats each and every week for the team aren't what Johnson is looking for in a playing experience. He would prefer the smattering of applause and general lethargy that Toronto provides.I think Stevie needs to tread lightly on this topic. The major turning point for Willis McGahee's career in Buffalo came when he publicly stated the Bills should move to Toronto in 2007. It ranked just off the list of Worst Moments In Team History. Bills fans are worried enough about losing their team, and to state publicly that you prefer playing a home game on the road is a slap in the face to the fans that regularly attend games at the Ralph - whether it was intentional or not.
Johnson covered other topics in the chat, as well. Here are some of those highlights:
- "I definitely believe that (the new uniforms will give the Bills a spark). The swag is always going to be there, but it will boost the morale of the guys in the locker room."
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"That's the same mentality I have. Everybody says it's an unlucky number and showing that it isn't. The number doesn't make you, you make the number. Something different, rather than something in the 80s. And the 1 and 3 make a "B" and that's what I call my wife. Pretty smooth."
- "I'm just working on my routes. I'm working on getting my lungs up. I'm getting in tip top shape. I've been getting advice from Jim Kelly. When he talks to you, you have to go on it. So, I'm trying to get into tip top shape."
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"I think Fitz has great chemistry with everyone, because he shows faith in them. Through the games. He's taking chances. When he's taking chances with you, you don't want to let him down. That's how I feel with Fitz and myself and that's the way it is with all of the WRs on the roster. That's why we can come together and make plays."
- "I'll go to bat for Kyle Williams. He's a monster in there. He's smart. He reads plays out. I know it's different being a NT than a DB or something else, but he's smart. He runs down plays. He is."
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"I don't have any predictions on a record. But I feel like we can make a push toward the playoffs, but I know we'll make a solid push toward it this year."