Rosters Revamped Part 1: Comparison of the 1990 and 2009 Buffalo Bills

     In light of all of the talk surrounding the comparions of the 90's Bills teams and this years squad I decided to take a deeper look player by player.  This is the First part of a two part series that will examine both the offense and defense for the perspective rosters of 1990 and 2009.  On an Early Wednesday morning we'll take a look at the Defensive side of the ball.  When the Bills transitioned into a Championship caliber team, they were good at two things; Scoring points and keep the opposing teams quaterback on the ground.  I will be posting the offensive post next week this time to round up discussion.  Going into the 1990 season the Bills had a middle of the Pack defense capable of excellant games and sub-par games.  Much like the 2008 Bills the defense was beginning to Blossom.  After reading Brian's Article on the percentage of Bills drafted still on the team, it made me recall how the Superbowl teams were built.  As you will find below most of the defensive unit was drafted and molded to the Bills defensive scheme in 1990.  While the defense was never spectacular like the offense, they usually kept the other team from outscoring their offense.  Another obvious thing to point out here is Buffalo Ran a 3-4 defense in 1990.  The 2009 Bills will be manning the 4-3, but player comparisons and skill sets are strikingly similar.  Where the Bills lack in comparison to a pass rush in 1990, they make up for with a much better secondary then in 1990 heading into the 2009 season.  If the offense can make teams come from behind this year the pass rush numbers will go up similar to the 1990 Buffalo Bills.  If your looking for proof the Bills have what it takes this year (On Paper)......look no further!

 Starting Defenses

Defensive Lineman:

 DT- Jeff Wright- Selected out of Central Missouri State in the 8th round of the 1988 NFL Draft, Jeff Wright started all 16 games in 1990 recording 5 sacks for the Bills. Jeff Wright possessed a good combination of pass and run stuffing skills anchoring the 3-4.

 DT- Marcus Stroud- acquired via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008, Stroud recorded 2.5 sacks in 2008 and possesses a better combination of the above mentioned skills of Wright.                                                                  DT- Kyle Williams- Selected out of LSU in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Williams recorded 2 sacks in 2008 and possesses good run stuffing skills, but needs work in the pass rushing department.  Combined the tackles matched Wright's total in 1990.

 DE- Bruce Smith- Selected out of Virginia Tech in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft, Bruce Smith started all 16 games in 1990 recording 19 sacks for the Bills.

 DE- Aaron Maybin- Selected out of Penn State in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Aaron Maybin will begin is first year in the NFL this upcoming season.  Maybin Possesses the raw speed off the edge Bruce had, but will need to Bulk up to become a game changing DE.  If Maybin puts up half of 19 (9.5) in 2008 look for a strong pass rush once again in Buffalo.

 DE- Leon Seals- Selected out of Jackson State in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL Draft, Leon Seals started all 16 games in 1990 recording 4 sacks and 1 Interception for the Bills.

 DE- Aaron Schobel- Selected out of Texas Christian in the 2nd round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Schobel recorded 1 sack in 2008 due to an injury shortened season.  Schobel almost mirrors Seals in physique and skill set, but Aaron should be rested this year and ready for one last run in Buffalo.  Look for a healthy Schobel to at least Double Seals numbers with Maybin on the other side this season in pass rushing downs.

 Linebackers:

 *LB- Carlton Bailey- Selected out of North Carolina in the 9th round of the 1988 NFL Draft, Carlton Bailey started 6 games in 1990 recording 2 sacks for the Bills.                                                                                                                               *LB- Ray Bentley- an Undrafted Free Agent in 1986, Ray Bentley started 9 games in 1990 recording 1 interception for the Bills.

 LB- Keith Ellison- Selected out of Oregon State in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Ellison will be moving into Second full year as a starter.  There is no Lock Ellison will be the starter, but he is on paper at this point in the Year.  Bailey and Bentley weren't the game changing linebackers in the Bills defense, but mainly relied on for gap pressure and tackling which fits Ellison's strengths.  Anything else is being hopeful.

 LB- Shane Conlan- Selected out of Penn State in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft, Shane Conlan started all 16 games in 1990 recording 1 sacks for the Bills.

 LB- Paul Posluszny- Selected out of Penn State in the 2nd Round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Posluszny recorded 1 sack in 2008 while leading the Bills in tackles.  When looking at the two rosters, these two players are basically the same linebacker of two different decades.  Both Breeded from Happy Valley and outstanding run stopping Linebackers.  Both were and are weak in man to man coverage, but formidable in zone packages.

 LB- Cornelius Bennett- Selected out of Alabama in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts (Acquired via trade), Cornelius Bennett started all 16 games in 1990 recording 4 sacks for the Bills.                         LB-Darryl Talley- Selected out of West Virginia in the 2nd round of the 1983 NFL Draft, Darryl Talley started all 16 games in 1990 recording 4 sacks, 2 Interceptions (1 for TD) for the Bills.

 LB- Kawika Mitchell- acquired via free agency in 2008, Kawika recorded 4 sacks and 2 interceptions in 2008.  I truly believe there will never be two linebackers like Talley and Bennett in Buffalo again.  Both were outstanding Blitz linebackers.  They also played the run and pass at a high level.  Mitchell best fits the standards set by these two linebackers and will need to carry the playmaking load at linebacker once again for the 2009 Bills.  He also needs to avoid disappearing for weeks at a time as well.

 Secondary:

 *CB- Kirby Jackson- acquired Via Free agency in 1988, Kirby Jackson started 11 games in 1990 recording 3 interceptions for the Bills.                                                                                                                                                             *CB- James Williams- Selected out of Fresno State in the 1st round of the 1990 NFL Draft, James Williams started 5 games in 1990 recording 2 interceptions for the Bills.

 CB- Leodis McKelvin- Selected out of Troy in the 1st round of the 2008 Draft, Leodis McKelvin recorded 2 interceptions (1 for TD) in 2008.  McKelvin is a dynamic player in more than one area of the field.  Much like Williams the Bills have high expectations for him this year.  He has to play better than Williams for the Bills secondary to be legitimate this season.

 CB- Nate Odomes- Selected out of Wisconsin in the 2nd round of the 1987 NFL Draft, Nate Odomes started all 16 games in 1990 recording 1 interception for the Bills.

 CB- Terrance McGee- Selected out of Northwestern State in the 4th round of the 2003 NFL Draft, McGee recorded 3 interceptions in 2008.  McGee is Buffalo's most experienced and gritty corner. Much like Odomes he possesses great man-to- man coverage skills.  McGee is not as physical as Odomes, but can lay a hit when needed. Look for McGee to benefit most from a revamped pass rush in 2009.

 *S- John Hagy- Selected out of Texas in the 8th round of the 1988 NFL Draft, John Hagy started 11 games in 1990 recording 2 interception for the Bills.                                                                                                                                            *S- Mark Kelso- acquired via Free agency in 1986, Mark Kelso started 5 games in 1990 recording 2 interceptions.

 S- Donte Whitner- Selected out of Ohio State in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Donte Whitner had a mediocre season in 2008.  Whitner missed a few games with a shoulder injury in 2008.  Swtiching to FS, Whitner needs to find the ball savvy skills that made a name for Kelso in the NFL this season.

 S- Leonard Smith- Selected out of Jackson State in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL Draft, Leon Smith started all 16 games in 1990 recording 4 sacks and 1 interception for the Bills.

 S- Bryan Scott- acquired via free agency mid-season in 2007, Scott became an impact player for the Bills in 2008 taking over for Ko Simpson.  Scott recorded 1 sack for the Bills in 2008.  Leon Smith was the 8th man in the Box for the Bills.  Like Smith Scott possesses good man coverage skills, but lacks awareness in deep field coverage.  Look for Scott to spend more time in the film room this off-season or find a new home in 2010.

 *players spilt starts

 To the comments!! V