Top 10 Buffalo Bills draft picks: 2000-2009

by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 12:14 PM EST in NFL Draft Comment 95 comments

I don't get into the whole "Hey, a decade's about to end, let's make lists!" culture. It's fun, but it's repetitive and boring. Still, those types of lists engender some fun discussions, so while I won't go overboard and do best/worst lists for every possible topic concerning the Buffalo Bills, I figured we'd knock off the most important aspect of the team: drafting.

This past decade has been a brutal one for Bills football. But even in bad times, a few (random and ultimately meaningless to the win column) good decisions are made. What follows is my list of the Bills' ten best draft selections of the past decade.

10: Travis Henry, RB, Tennessee (2001, Round 2, No. 58 overall)
We start our "best of" list with one of the more controversial figures in the NFL of the past decade, and he only played four seasons in Buffalo. That should tell you a lot. However, as a second-round pick, the Bills got three highly productive seasons out of Henry - until he was usurped by a man who will appear a little higher on this list.

Henry finished his Bills career with 3,849 yards and 29 touchdowns. He played in three more seasons with Tennessee and Denver, but his career was cut short thanks to off-field troubles. Henry is currently serving a one-year NFL suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, but that's made irrelevant by the fact that he's nearly a year into a three-year prison sentence for financing a cocaine trafficking operation.

9. Angelo Crowell, LB, Virginia (2003, Round 3, No. 94 overall)
He got his start as Takeo Spikes' replacement, and when he got into the lineup, he hung onto a starting job for a number of seasons. Not a flashy performer, Crowell nonetheless put up solid stat lines in three seasons as a key defensive contributor, tallying 233 tackles, 7 sacks and 5 interceptions in his brief Bills career. He spent the 2008 season on IR (controversially, I might add), and is now out of football after being cut by Tampa Bay prior to the start of the 2009 season.

8. Marshawn Lynch, RB, California (2007, Round 1, No. 12 overall)
He's only in his third season - and his third season isn't going so well - but Lynch has been a consistent performer on some bad football teams, to his credit. He's rushed for 2,489 yards and 17 touchdowns to this point in his Bills career, and you can add a Pro Bowl berth to his resume as well. Off-field issues have plagued him early in his career, but if he can lay those issues to rest, Lynch is in line for a solid career.

7. Willis McGahee, RB, Miami, FL (2003, Round 1, No. 23 overall)
Before he became the hated son of Buffalo, McGahee was one of the bolder and smarter picks of the Tom Donahoe era. Drafted in spite of a knee injury, McGahee rewarded the Bills for their risk in the form of 3,365 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns in three seasons as a Bill. Still one of the more productive scoring backs in the game with Baltimore, McGahee also makes the list because the Bills were able to trade him for three more draft picks. He wasn't a need pick, but the Bills got production and tripled their draft selections with this investment.

6. Nate Clements, CB, Ohio State (2001, Round 1, No. 21 overall)
The Bills have had a lot of "whoops" moments with their first-round draft picks in recent seasons, but Clements decidedly does not fit that criteria. In six seasons with the Bills, Clements picked off 23 passes and scored 7 touchdowns (5 on interceptions, 2 on punt returns) while establishing himself as one of the best corners in the game. He has spent the past three seasons in San Francisco, where he has added a further 7 interceptions to his resume as the cornerstone of a re-building defense.

5. Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin (2004, Round 1, No. 13 overall)
With Drew Bledsoe in town, Buffalo needed a speedy receiver to complement Eric Moulds. They got a good one - and an immediate contributor, which is rare for rookie receivers - in the form of Evans. He caught 24 touchdown passes in his first three seasons, including 9 as a rookie, and since then Evans has established himself as one of the more under-appreciated receivers in the game. His production has slipped, but as he's been catching passes from awful quarterbacks, that's not overly surprising. Furthermore, Evans is one of the few draft-day investments the Bills have made at the receiver position in the past decade that actually panned out as planned.

4. Jairus Byrd, S, Oregon (2009, Round 2, No. 42 overall)
It's tough to put a current rookie on this list, but we'll make an exception for a guy who is still leading the league in interceptions (8) as a rookie making a position switch. Byrd has dealt with nagging injuries all season, and he's very much a one-dimensional player. But his ball skills and ball-hawking presence has been a tremendous boost to Buffalo's pass defense, and for his flaws, he's still a heck of a football player with a bright future.

3. Kyle Williams, DT, LSU (2006, Round 5, No. 134 overall)
I love it when teams find excellent, underrated contributors in the middle rounds. Williams has been a very nice find for the Bills, emerging as a very solid run defender as a fourth-year starter out of LSU. He'll never be a dominant player, but he's the type of guy that can find work on any NFL team thanks to his overall ability, his attitude and his work ethic. He's started every game he's ever appeared in as a Bill, and picked up 127 tackles and 7 sacks in the process.

2. Terrence McGee, CB, Northwestern State (2003, Round 4, No. 111 overall)
McGee is decidedly the "one who did NOT get away," as he's the only big name corner the Bills haven't allowed to leave via free agency in recent memory. A no-name draft pick out of Northwestern State, no one was really sure what to make of the McGee selection when it happened, but he's proven to be the steal of the decade for the Bills. A contributor since a rookie and a defensive starter for the last four years, McGee 390 tackles, 16 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown to his name. He's also widely regarded as one of the best kick returners of the past decade, with a 26.3-yard average and 5 return touchdowns. He made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2004 for his return efforts, as well.

1. Aaron Schobel, DE, TCU (2001, Round 2, No. 46 overall)
Clements was the big name draftee in 2001, but Schobel has given the Bills the most production and the most longevity of any draft pick made this decade. In his ninth year as a Buffalo Bill, Schobel ranks second on the Bills' all-time list with 75 career sacks, trailing only Hall of Fame end Bruce Smith. He's also got 19 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, 30 tipped passes, 3 interceptions and a defensive touchdown on his resume. Schobel has never been flashy and he makes a bit more money than he probably should, but he's been one of the most respected pass rushers in the league over the past decade, and as a second-round pick, he's also by far been the Bills' best draft pick of the past decade.

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Not happy with a lot of these as no one is a "Star" in this league (so far)

I’d have to say Kyle Williams as being the best with Schobel not too far behind. McGahee was suppose to be that “Star – top 5 pick” taken at the time Buffalo did with hopes that it would work out… Turned into a circus with the Henry who we all know was sent packing. McGahee… was alright, but never seemed to want to be a “Star” here.

by dabillsr1 on Dec 9, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

McGahee would have been their guy if he just worked out a bit more and didn’t mind that he wasn’t living in South Beach. Baltimore made a rare bad move trading for him. He might score TDs (though those days are soon to be behind him), but he doesn’t punish teams now.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. Even is McGahee isn’t a top RB now, he was when he was with us. Too bad his attitude stinks.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Byrd will soon be at the yop of that list

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Dec 9, 2009 12:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like this post but...

I disagree with Byrd being so high. Granted he did play extremely well this year but he is still only a rookie. I find it interesting how he beats Evans, Lynch and Henry. I do think this guy has the ability to top this list but at this point its a little early to put him at number 4. Bills fans have a reason to be excited about him tho, he is one of our only bright spots of the future so far.

by csc06258 on Dec 9, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I felt weird putting him that high. Call it optimism on my part. If I had ranked them in terms of what each has given the organization to this day, I think Byrd still makes the list, but at No. 10.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea but I can understand your mentality. I really hope Byrd continues his play. He could easily top this list and def deserves to be on it.

by csc06258 on Dec 10, 2009 1:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I never really stopped to think about how significant Lee Evans' contributions to this team have been.

To think he’s pretty much the only WR drafted this decade that panned out…that’s so sad.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We’ve had three second-round receivers – Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish and James Hardy – that have not gone so hot.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What do you think about Hardy in the following year?

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Dec 9, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you’re asking me what I think of him heading into next year, I think he’s a project.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, which is why I said “panned out.” I’m waiting for the Josh Reed FC to come to his defense. James Hardy is on the verge of doing nothing with this club.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hahahaha. Gotta love the Reed FC.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 9, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd consider myself a member of the JRFC

I think he’s a good player. But getting a good slot receiver out of a 2nd round pick, and playing him as your #2 for a couple years…that’s not what I’d call “panning out”

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 9, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Though Josh Reed looks like a stud compared to James Hardy.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the majority of these picks on the list. I agree that Schobel should be on the top of the list, as he was a second rounder, who turned out to be a terrific pass-rushing DE you could count on, even if the level of talent on the D-line wasn’t overwhelming.
Kyle Williams is just a solid football player, although I still have my doubts whether he should be a starter in this league, as either he or Stroud (or both) are doing an incredulously bad job of run-stopping (and don’t blame it all on the LB’s, because every time I watch the tape of our D-line, it’s getting pushed back 3-4 yards inside, so the DT’s are a huge part of the problem). It might be Stroud, who according to NFLN analyst, Matt Millen, has been disappointing on tape.

by BillsfanfromDenmark on Dec 9, 2009 12:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The only thing Matt Millen should be analyzing are the grey hairs in his ‘stach. He’s a horrible judge of talent!

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We should be too hard on our D-Line

That’s a tough position to be in when TOP is not in your favor and you don’t have depth.

by Ono on Dec 9, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What about our 2003, 2nd round pick....?

I wouldn’t rank Byrd that high, for at least another year. He’s been pretty average, to be kind, in run support and been nicked up all season. If he only had 4 INT’s would he be close to the top ten? As it is, how sad is it that a rookie with 10 or so games under his belt in mostly part time duty is potentially one of our best picks of the decade?

That’s 7 Donahoe draftees and just 3 for the Marv/Jauron, by my count. Its no wonder we’re in as crummy a situation as 4 years ago. This franchise is aching for a competent football mind to start pulling in great draft picks…

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Dec 9, 2009 1:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Wait. Crowell is sitting at home and Buffalo hasn’t picked up the phone? The Bills are starting DBs at LB for crying out loud! Sure, Fewell was miffed when Crowell had that surgery on the eve of the regular season and Crowell was unhappy when he was sent to IR…..but there seems to be some mutual need here.

Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner

by Ron From NM on Dec 9, 2009 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

cause crowell is garbage hence one of the worst teams in football cut him

by billsstein on Dec 9, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

they also got rid of derrick brooks and several others, and are currently 1-11 because of it.

by quantumuprising on Dec 9, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Crowell got hurt

And was placed on IR by Tampa

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Dec 9, 2009 2:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Crowell was injured in the preseason and was going to miss the season? I didn’t realize that Tampa Bay cut him

by masterkembo on Dec 9, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have doubts that Crowell could even pass an NFL physical

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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

McCargo didn’t pass Indy’s, but Buffalo welcomed him back. What’s the deal with his calf? How can a calf injury keep you out for so long.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well....

The calf is connected to the quad which is connected to the glute which is connected to the spine which is connected with the brain, where the problem evidently lies.

by Ron From NM on Dec 9, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

made my day
rec’d

"What in the hell have I gotten myself into?" - Bruce Smith HOF

by Chriz on Dec 9, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Too True.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have to say I loved Travis Henry when he was a bill. I was disappointed with the mcgahee pick cause i knew it was the end of his career here. One of my fondest memories of the Bills was seeing Henry tear up the Giants Defense playing on a broken leg. However, now he is much like OJ. His career is overshadowed by his stupid decisions… Obviously not nearly to the same extent but similar none the less

by billsstein on Dec 9, 2009 1:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

just seeing those stats make me miss Nate even more. He was one of my favorite Bills during this era. He was an exciting player.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 9, 2009 1:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well he’s been absolutely terrible in San Fran. They’re considering moving him to safety next year.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 9, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Buffalo made the right move letting him walk. I hate saying it, but he seemed to leave his best days behind in Orchard Park.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah think thats true. Still when he was a Bill... he was fun to watch

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 9, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but the FO was right to let him walk, and their assesment that his best days were behind him was entirely correct. Now if they could have onl;y got it right with Pat Williams and Antoine Winfeild we would be a lot better off.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And I like the "the one who did NOT get away" motto for McGee. Fits well.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 9, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately, he also can’t stay healthy.

2010 Bills' truth in advertising: "Look out Cleveland, this year we score 6!" - bluecollarbuffalo

by thefourwinds on Dec 9, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Reading this article made me realize how bad the drafting has been. Williams I like… as a backup, and the fact that he makes the top 10 and I can’t think of anyone to replace him, just wow.
Three of the top 10 have been RBs, I suppose we know how to draft RB, but it also shows how many picks we have had to use on RBs…
I agree with Schobel, he isn’t anything dramatic but he is definitely consistent.

I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City

by Ghetts on Dec 9, 2009 1:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t get into the whole “Hey, a decade’s about to end, let’s make lists!” culture. It’s fun, but it’s repetitive and boring.

Which is why I dig it so much!

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 9, 2009 1:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

“Best of” decade lists for albums are my favorite (Pitchfork being my favorite).

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here are the selections since 2000

1, Pick 11 (11) Aaron Maybin DE 6’4" 249 Penn State
1, Pick 28 (28) (From Panthers through Eagles) Eric Wood C 6’4" 310 Louisville
2, Pick 10 (42) Jairus Byrd CB 5’10" 207 Oregon
2, Pick 19 (51) (From Cowboys) Andy Levitre OL 6’3" 305 Oregon State
4, Pick 21 (121) (From Eagles) Shawn Nelson TE 6’5" 240 Southern Miss
5, Pick 11 (147) Nic Harris S 6’2" 234 Oklahoma
6, Pick 10 (183) Cary Harris CB 5’11" 187 Southern Cal
7, Pick 11 (220) Ellis Lankster DB 5’9" 191 West Virginia

2008 – Buffalo Bills
1 11 Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
2 41 James Hardy WR Indiana
3 72 Chris Ellis DE Virginia Tech
4 114 Reggie Corner DB Akron
4 132 Derek Fine TE Kansas
5 147 Alvin Bowen OLB Iowa State
6 179 Xavier Omon RB Northwest Missouri State
7 219 Demetrius Bell T Northwestern State-Louisiana
7 224 Steve Johnson WR Kentucky
7 251 Kennard Cox CB Pittsburgh

2007 – Buffalo Bills
1 12 Marshawn Lynch RB California
2 34 Paul Posluszny MLB Penn State
3 92 Trent Edwards QB Stanford
4 111 Dwayne Wright RB Fresno State
6 184 John Wendling DB Wyoming
7 222 Derek Schouman FB Boise State
7 239 C.J. Ah You DE Oklahoma

2006 – Buffalo Bills
1 8 Donte Whitner SS Ohio State
1 26 John McCargo DT North Carolina State
3 70 Ashton Youboty CB Ohio State
4 105 Ko Simpson FS South Carolina
5 134 Kyle Williams DT Louisiana State
5 143 Brad Butler T Virginia
6 178 Keith Ellison OLB Oregon State
7 216 Terrance Pennington T New Mexico
7 248 Aaron Merz G California

2005 – Buffalo Bills
2 55 Roscoe Parrish WR Miami (Fla.)
3 86 Kevin Everett TE Miami (Fla.)
4 122 Duke Preston C Illinois
5 156 Eric King DB Wake Forest
6 197 Justin Geisinger G Vanderbilt
7 236 Lionel Gates RB Louisville

2004 – Buffalo Bills
1 13 Lee Evans WR Wisconsin
1 22 J.P. Losman QB Tulane
3 74 Tim Anderson DT Ohio State
4 109 Tim Euhus TE Oregon State
7 207 Dylan McFarland T Montana
7 214 Jonathan Smith WR Georgia Tech

2003 – Buffalo Bills
1 23 Willis McGahee RB Miami (Fla.)
2 48 Chris Kelsay DE Nebraska
3 94 Angelo Crowell LB Virginia
4 111 Terrence McGee DB Northwestern State-Louisiana
4 127 Sam Aiken WR North Carolina
5 151 Ben Sobieski G Iowa
6 187 Lauvale Sape DT Utah
7 228 Mario Haggan LB Mississippi State

2002 – Buffalo Bills
1 4 Mike Williams T Texas
2 36 Josh Reed WR Louisiana State
2 61 Ryan Denney DE Brigham Young
3 97 Coy Wire SS Stanford
5 139 Justin Bannan DT Colorado
6 176 Kevin Thomas CB Nevada-Las Vegas
7 215 Mike Pucillo G Auburn
7 249 Rodney Wright - Fresno State
7 251 Jarrett Ferguson - Virginia Tech
7 260 Dominique Stevenson LB Tennessee

2001 – Buffalo Bills
1 21 Nate Clements CB Ohio State
2 46 Aaron Schobel DE Texas Christian
2 58 Travis Henry HB Tennessee
3 76 Ron Edwards DT Texas A&M
3 95 Jonas Jennings T Georgia
4 110 Brandon Spoon MLB North Carolina
5 144 Marques Sullivan T Illinois
6 178 Tony Driver DB Notre Dame
6 195 Dan O’Leary TE Notre Dame
6 196 Jimmy Williams CB Vanderbilt
7 214 Reggie Germany WR Ohio State
7 238 Tyrone Robertson DT Georgia

2000 – Buffalo Bills
1 26 Erik Flowers DE Arizona State
2 58 Travares Tillman FS Georgia Tech
3 89 Corey Moore OLB Virginia Tech
4 121 Avion Black WR Tennessee State
5 156 Sammy Morris RB Texas Tech
6 194 Leif Larsen DT Texas-El Paso
7 233 Drew Haddad WR Buffalo
7 251 DaShon Polk LB Arizona

Bills-fan-who-wants-a-GM

by can on Dec 9, 2009 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

avion black

Theres a name I havent heard in a loooong time.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 9, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pretty scary

up until the last couple drafts these are really awful draft classes. the last couple the jury is still out.

by Polish Lover on Dec 9, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

The list of competent starters from the decade is not much greater than 10

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by can on Dec 9, 2009 3:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

2003 was not too shabby

2004 & 2005, last two Donohue years, were awful and that’s our problem. Those are the players that should be maturing into the anchor for the team now.

2006-2009 drafts have been good. There are a lot of great building blocks that will mature into awesome players.

by Ono on Dec 9, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2000 Braught us NOTHING, nothing at all. desasterous year. 2003 and 2006 on the other hand we great years for us. The rest seem to have 2 or 3 decent players, which is what you should realisticly expect from a draft.

The one thing that does bug me though is that we haven’t drafted a genuine star in over 10 years. That bugs me.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brian where did you get your TD #'s for the RB's?

I have Henry as having 29 TD’s as a Bill, and 38 overall…
And McGahee had 24 as a Bill, 45 overall… 45 in 3 years? We would’ve been a lot better if that was what he did…

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 9, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah – PFR has McGahee with 24 TDs in 3 years in Buffalo.

Brian just used their career numbers instead of Buffalo numbers. Derp.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 9, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Knew I was gonna do it, too. Fixing…

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sad commentary on scouting

No players with Hall of Fame potential. Our best draft pick in ten years is a good but not great pass rusher who has been a liability against the run. No one at all on the OL. It’s no wonder the Bills haven’t made the playoffs this decade.

by Rick A on Dec 9, 2009 2:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would disagree. Our best pick in the last ten years is a speedy one dimentional WR IMO.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Our 2003 draft wasn't so bad, in hindsight

6 out of the 8 guys contributed/ are still contributing…because apparently, though Sam Aiken couldn’t get on the field with us, he’s good enough to be the 3rd guy on the Pats…

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 9, 2009 2:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well the Pats didn’t think so bringing in Joey Galloway. It just kinda, ya know, happened with Brady as the QB.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 9, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont mean to understate the effect brady obviously has, as well as being on the same field as Welker and Moss,

but how is it we never even let him get on the field as a WR…even in the red zone. 19 catches in 4 years? 2 starts?

it’s not like our cup runneth over with quality receivers during that time…

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 9, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

It’s part of the double whammy… we draft crappy or we don’t retain many of the “keepers” who can contribute.

by fansince60 on Dec 9, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Roscoe Parrish might be epic with Tom Brady. Might.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 9, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No offensive line man on the whole list....no wonder why we a one of the worse teams of the decade

Rrrawrrrr, rrrawrrr like a dungeon dragon-Busta Ryhmes

by Moe_frm_B_ on Dec 9, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well Butler`s a descent lineman, when healthy….

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rookie Free Agents

What a pathetic list of draft picks! How sad that the free agent rookies list might be as good: Jason Peters, Jabari Greer, John DiGiorgio, Jim Leonard, Jon Corto, etc. Was Freddy Jackson and Brian Moorman undrafted rookie FAs? I also remember Rashad Baker.

by labill on Dec 9, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Regardless how much we want him replaced

Keith Ellison has been a great value for this team since being drafted in the 6th round.

by Brennan McCoy on Dec 9, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Keith Ellison isn’t the greatest athlete, but he is a solid player. I hate how some people talk him down, saying he wouldn’t start for another team in the NFL. Believe it or not, there are worse LB corps out there.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 9, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Believe it or not, there are worse LB corps out there.

Name two.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m referring to original starters of Mitchell, Poz, and Ellison….not this mess that we have now.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 10, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, in that case I totally agree. Our problem isn’t that we don’t have any good LB’s, our starters are middle of the pack, not bad, but not outstanding. Our problem is we had no debths. So now with 2 of 3 starters on IR we suck the big one.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 10, 2009 2:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree.

I`d even keep him around, he`s a serviceable OLB, would make a fantastic backup for the LB corps. And I think that he`d do well as an ILB if we change to a 3-4.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 9, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

quick question...

I want to congradulate Moorman on making the All-Fundamentals team…. but what the hell is the All-Fundamentals team?! haha

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Dec 9, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sad Day

Its a sad day when Kyle Williams is our third best pick of the decade. Dont get me wrong, he is a tough player, but hes not an upper tier DT in the league. That just shows you how bad our drafts have been for the last decade

by MarkyMarkO on Dec 9, 2009 3:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just the one day?

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 9, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DL choices

Look at the DL they’ve drafted in Round 1: Flowers, McCargo, Maybin. These guys should be long time starters. In Round 3: Edwards, Anderson, Ellis. These guys ought to be starters/backups.

by Rick A on Dec 9, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

running back order seems odd

Henry although a flawed human was a better back than lynch or Mcgahee. I agree with Schobel at one, but evans has to be #2 or #3. Jonas Jennings was the last quality o-line men to play for us for any length of time, he has to be on the list. Hopefully, byrd is on next decades list, but way too early to tell now. WIlliams just seems to be a little high.

Man 2000 was a really bad draft.

As mediocre a team as we field every year, I wish we would only draft guys in the first two or three rounds that we know will start. Most teams are made up of 1st to 3rd rounders, our teams are made up of 5th and 6th rounder. Why pay a guy $10m a year as a first rounder unless he walks on the field to start for you. It makes no football or business sense.

by wab2 on Dec 9, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Have you looked at what the Patriots have won with, 6th, 7th, and undrafted players. The round a player is drafted in is overrated. Its more of a salary scale than a talent evaluator.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 9, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Recent high level draft picks that need to be stars or at least starters on our team...

Chris Ellis 3rd Rd ‘08 – hasn’t contributed at all this season and could be cut next preseason.

James Hardy 2nd Rd ‘08 – hasn’t contributed at all this season and most of his rookie year, will be given more than enough shots next year in preseason but needs to be an impact next season.

Trent Edwards – 3rd Rd ‘07 – given a lot of opportunities but has had to work with 3 OC’s and not much stability or talent in front of him. Bills pretty much failed Trent as much as he failed the Bills (Same goes for JP Losman).

Demetrius Bell 7th Rd. ‘08. Even though he wasn’t a “high” draft pick, he was a the only OL that was drafted in ’07 and ’08 and thrown into the starter role this season. An injury, given up sacks, and multiple false starts have made his move to starter anything but star potential.

by dabillsr1 on Dec 9, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Front office has been consistent for the last 10 years...

Front Office Consistency—-Wade Phillips was given the heave ho after the 2000 season, in 98 & 99 Wade guided the Bills to the playoffs. As we know Flutie was benched in favor of Rob Johnson in the "Music City Miracle" and then was let go in favor of RJ after 2000. The Bills struggled to an 8 & 8 record in 2000 and Wade was let go in favor of Greg Williams. Williams had 3 uneventful years which included dumping RJ after 2001 (for whom the Bills gave up the 9th pick in the 98 draft). Bills trade a no#1 (13th pick in the 2003 draft) pick for Bledsoe who lasted 3 years behind a below average O-line but did take the Bills to the brink of the playoffs in 04 losing the final game to the Steelers. Bills trade a future no#1 for the right to draft JP Losman in 2004, he plays 1 year behind Bledsoe. Bledsoe is cut and JP is given the reins, JP lasts thru the 2008 season and is released. Bills draft Trent Edwards in the 3rd round in 2007 status uncertain!!

In 6 seasons between 98 and 04 the Bills traded 3 no#1 picks for QB’s and used no #3 on a QB in 07 and as of now they still don’t have clear cut no#1. Is there any doubt why the Bills have struggled, they haven’t had a QB to build around. Another consistent aspect of the Guy/Modrak era has been the consistent lack of production from the no# 1 picks since 99 excluding Winfield (99) and Clements (01) who are productive on other teams. Total busts—-Flowers (00), Lard Ass Williams (02) and JP (04). Average—McGahee (03) at least the Bills were able to trade him, Whitner (06) and Lynch (07) —-Below average McCargo (06). Finally it is still too early to tell—McKelvin (08) and of course this year’s pick of Maybin (09). I know some will disagree but Evans (04) has been the only no# 1 worthy of being a high pick, he has had to play with 5 different starting QB’s and at least 4 different OC’s….

Yes, the Bills Front Office has been consistent but for too many of the wrong reasons!!!

"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"

by Goose22 on Dec 9, 2009 4:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well put

depressing to recount, but, well put!

by fansince60 on Dec 9, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Top 10

If Poz didn’t make the top 10, I’ll assume he’s somewhere in the top 15?

Personally, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt over Kyle Williams at #3… it’s too bad that our top 5 draft picks aren’t clear cut. Over the span of 10 years, that’s pretty bad.

Schmucks don't make it to the Pro Bowl... except Jason Peters!

by Run Thurmal Run! on Dec 9, 2009 11:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt over Kyle Williams at #3

Really? He’s a worse player whom we drafted higher.

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s also playing beside a SS, and a career back-up, with really no one to give him a breather. If he was playing beside Mitchell, and Ellison I think he would be having a better year.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 10, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

bad luck comes from bad preparation…and good from good… we are bad, and good players are being squandered.
This is a good article about developing practice squad players and Ross Tucker mentions the bills in it as he often does as a former bovine streaker

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ross_tucker/12/09/practice.squad/index.html

It's not all that bad.... Go Bills 2010 !!!!

by killascript on Dec 10, 2009 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Its like D Bell, he really could of used a full year in a reserve roll, then I think he would of came out extremely solid next year.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 10, 2009 1:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, he's not in a good situation.

but we’ve never seen evidence that he’s a better player than that, so it’s bizarre that we’d put him above a guy who is a consistent performer, indeed one of the only ones we’ve had this decade.

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 10, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that Williams is a great player, and I’m not trying to downplay that at all. I would just love to see us snag a big MLB, and put Poz outside with Kawika. Shawne Merriman is a FA this year right? One could only hope.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 10, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shawne Merriman wouldn’t be a good fit at LB here. He weighs more than every DE on our roster. The weight difference between Merriman and a big 4-3 LB like Patrick WIllis or EJ Henderson is as big or bigger than the weight difference between Merriman and Spencer Johnson. Merriman is a pass rusher and a pass rusher only.

I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same. Except I could fly. - Dwight Schrute

by kaisertown on Dec 11, 2009 1:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In basically 4 seasons, he’s had 43.5 sacks, I don’t care if he’s a pure pass rusher.

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 11, 2009 4:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Then play him at a postion that rushes the passer which in a 4-3 isn’t a LB.

by kaisertown on Dec 11, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kyle Willians at 3?

Brian, I take issue with Lee Evans being snubbed by both Jairus Byrd and Kyle Williams. I can understand Byrd because of how great hes been this year so I can swallow that. But Kyle Williams over Evans? Evans? The only producer on our offense? A guy who came in and torched the league in his first three years? Evans was a monster his rookie year and has been a staple of this team since. Kyle Williams is a nice story and I get that his late draft status warrants additional consideration but come on, Evans has had a far greater positive impact on this team this decade than Kyle Williams.

I love Schobel and McGee at 1 and 2, both are deserved. I also agree with the rest of this list.

For the record, the 2002 and 2005 drafts were what killed this franchise this decade.

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Dec 10, 2009 1:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

A guy who came in and torched the league in his first three years?

I think that’s a little much.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Dec 10, 2009 1:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what was it his first three years?

9 Tds, 8 Tds, and 6 Tds or something like that. Thats very impressive.

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Dec 10, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't exactly call that "torching the league"

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Dec 11, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i sure would

considering how long it takes receivers to develop, Lee absolutely torched the league. Just look at Hardy, Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, even DeSean Jackson, not putting up those kinds of numbers

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Dec 11, 2009 1:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps it’s positional bias. DTs are far more important than WRs, and Williams was a diamond in the rough.

You expect the Bills to hit on first-rounders. You don’t expect them to hit on fifth-rounders, so Williams is higher on the list.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 10, 2009 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

fair enough

although

You expect the Bills to hit on first-rounders

I dont know if most fans expect that anymore haha!

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Dec 10, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Notice

How there are no offensive lineman or stellar defensive lineman making the list. Evidence of why the Bills have not made the playoffs for eleven straight years. Then again, the Patriots and other teams with solid offensive line’s have been successful at signing free agents, etc. -Bils top offensive lineman was a free agent – Jason Peters. I question McGahee being that great a pick, he hated playing in Buffalo, and really has not lived up to his hype. Ray Rice is the reason he hardly play’s for the Ravens.

by BuffaloWhiner on Dec 10, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Look at his stats while he was here. He scored a slew of TDs and gained a lot of yards. Isn’t that what RBs are supposed to do?

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 10, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More depressing

This 10 best list is way more depressing than the subsequent 10 worst list. Combined they are proof beyond a reasonable doubt of an incompetent organization. Personnel have come and gone but the results are always the same. The inescapable conclusion is the person choosing the football management has no idea what he is doing.

by jpheff on Dec 10, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs