By Danny Cox
The intensity of the NFL playoff-hopeful season is really about to heat up, but there is a lot more drama going on. The soap opera that is simply titled the “New York Jets” is really starting to heat up, and the Buffalo Bills don’t look like they will be heading north of the border any time soon.
Mark Sanchez to back-up Greg McElroy with Jets, Tim Tebow demoted to third string
(Credit, Elsa/Getty Images)
It isn’t set in stone just yet, but a source confirmed to ESPN that demoted starter Mark Sanchez would be backing up new starter Greg McElroy. If both of them and Tim Tebow are all active on Sunday, which coach Rex Ryan said is possible, then that means Tebow would be demoted to third string. There is no rule that says NFL teams must announce their team designations.
“As competitors, everyone wants to be out there,” said McElroy, who took all of the first-team snaps in Friday’s practice. “I know Tim wants to be out there, I know Mark wants to be out there and, of course, I want to be out there as well.”
Ryan has declined to comment on any moves that could come after the season is over such as trading Sanchez or cutting Tebow. At the current time, the Jets have three signal-callers in some kind of odd quarterback carousel that could break down at any second.
Bills sign new 10-year lease to stay in Buffalo; Stadium upgrades coming
There has been much talk about the Buffalo Bills heading north to Toronto or even our west to Los Angeles and abandoning the New York area. Well, even with playing one or two “home” games a year in Toronto, it doesn’t appear as if the actual move will be happening anytime soon or at all.
The Bills agreed to sign a new 10-year lease with the state and county to continue playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The $271 million deal will have $130 million go toward upgrading the stadium which opened back in 1973. There will also be some funds put aside to explore the possibility of funding a new stadium.
“This is a monumental day for us,” he added. “The Buffalo Bills are right here in western New York, where we’re going to be for many decades to come.”
Making matters better is that the Bills are pretty much locked in definitely for at least seven years. If the team decides to leave Buffalo before 2020, they would have to pay $400 million. After 2020, the team has the option of buying out the final three years of the 10-year lease for $28 million.
Falcons’ safety Chris Hope fined $30,000 for hit on Giants’ Victor Cruz
The Atlanta Falcons dominated the New York Giants this past Sunday with a 34-0 victory, but there was a lot of fighting still going on. Falcons safety Chris Hope was fined $30,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on wide receiver Victor Cruz of the Giants.
That wasn’t the only fine handed out for that game though.
Both wide receiver Roddy White of the Falcons and cornerback Corey Webster of the Giants were fined $7,875 each for a fight they had during the game. White ended up grabbing Webster by the facemask while Webster hit White in the face.
For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest NFL news, see CBS Sports Las Vegas.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
