When I input an eigthnote on the upbeat and tie it to a quarter note or half note it plays the attack of the pitch/pitches, then plays the same attack after the duration of the roll.  I tried checking with the mouse by clicking on it and it still plays back as a roll and the roll plays back perfectly when its on a downbeat, just not an upbeat.

Did the FAQ answer that for you?

didnt see it in the faq.  a link would be greatly appreciated.

So is Sibelius not honoring the tie?  Is that what I'm understanding here?

YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!!!  it is not the upbeat it is the tie.....