Toronto on Wilson’s radar
Ralph Wilson is convinced Toronto is ready to support an NFL franchise. The Buffalo Bills owner wouldn’t say whether that team might one day be his.
Wilson steered clear from discussing whether the Bills would ever relocate north of the border. “Don’t worry right now,” was the best answer he could provide at a news conference Wednesday in Toronto announcing the Bills would begin playing an annual regular-season game in Toronto beginning this season through 2012.
Based on what Wilson saw from the airport to a downtown hotel, he was convinced North America’s fifth-largest sports market was ready for the NFL.
“I can answer that in the affirmative,” Wilson said.
It was certainly a different view than what he usually sees in economically challenged Buffalo.
“It’s no secret, Buffalo is diminishing in size,” Wilson said.
Grimsley shot, killed
Former Houston Oilers linebacker John Grimsley was found fatally shot in his suburban Houston home, the apparent victim of a gun-cleaning accident, an official said.
Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace Joel Clouser said that when Grimsley’s wife, who was out of town, was not able to reach her husband, she had a neighbor check on him. The neighbor found Grimsley’s body in the dining area.
Clouser ordered an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. Grimsley was 45.
Still pursuing Spygate
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is willing to pursue any believable information in the Spygate case.
Goodell said the league has been in touch with representatives of former New England Patriots assistant coach Matt Walsh. Walsh, who did video work for the Patriots when they won their first Super Bowl after the 2001 season, was not interviewed as part of the NFL’s investigation into New England illegally taping opposing coaches in the last two years.
“If there is new information that is credible, new material that could be credible that would help us,” Goodell said, “yes, we’ll look at it.”
Around the league
Jared Zabransky, the quarterback who led Boise State’s memorable Fiesta Bowl upset over Oklahoma a year ago, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. … “Inside the NFL” is ending its 31-year run on HBO. Wednesday’s season finale was to be the studio show’s last on the network, HBO announced. … Gregg Williams was hired as the Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. … Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon has pleaded innocent to drunken driving. Moon entered the plea Tuesday in Kirkland, Wash., Municipal Court. … Former NFL lineman Bill Maas and his girlfriend, Sarah J. Murphy, both of Lee’s Summit, Mo., will serve two years of probation for gun and drug charges.