History of the Bills: 1984-1988

All the talent the Bills were able to acquire, was an amazing feat. Makes me think it was our “perfect storm”, and those only happen once in a lifetime.

In May, six-year Bills receiver Greg Lewis retired from the game at the age of 36. Upon his retirement he was the second-leading receiver in Bills history behind Elbert Dubenion with 4,638 total receiving yards and third behind Dubenion and Bob Chandler in receiving touchdowns.

Would this be Frank Lewis?

The 1988 AFC Championship game against the Bengals was where I saw Bruce Smith make the best play I ever saw him make in his entire career. Unfortunately, he didn’t even get credit for it. I’m not as big a fan of Smith as many, but this play was so amazing, it even confounded the officials.

It was in the first half. The Bengals were driving on the Bills’ end of the field. Smith came around the corner and, slipping, grabbed Esiason by the front of the shoulder pads (right at the top of the chest). Smith yanked him down, with one hand, so hard that Esiason’s head snapped forward. When the official saw Esiason’s head, he threw the flag, assuming it was an intentional face mask. The replay clearly showed Smith had gotten all pads, but, of course, it was a play that couldn’t be overruled even if replay were being used then (which it wasn’t). So an incredible play was ruled a drive-sustaining penalty, and I think the Bengals may have scored one of their first-half TDs on that drive.

I think no matter what Jaurons record is this year…..we’re gonna be dealing with him for a while…….

bleh

On October 31, the Bills traded their 1988 first round pick, their first and second picks in the 1989 draft, and running back Greg Bell for rookie linebacker phenom Cornelius Bennett

Wow, I never knew we gave up that much for Biscut. My head would explode if the front office made a trade like that today!

“Fandemonium”

Isn’t it “Pandemonium”?

to see the Bills lose to the Wyche machine, you could tell that Buffalo was a team that was on the rise (finally!). You had to give the Bungles credit, though. Cinci darn near won the Superbowl that season, outplaying the SF 49ers juggernaut. In fact, the play before the winning Montana TD, Cinci had a great shot at an INT but couldn’t hold on.

All the talent Buffalo was stocking on the roster was exciting for those of us frustrated with the franchise (& gnashing our teeth, sound familiar?) back in the mid-’80’s. You could just feel that our turn was finally coming.

And the rivalry with Shula’s hated Dolphins was just starting to heat up again.

I’m still surprised nobody said anything about Jim’s hand down his pants….