Buffalo Bills 2000s All-Decade Team: Defensive End No. 2
The Bills pass rush in the 2000s has been much-maligned and justifiably so. Still, we need a second defensive end on our All-Decade Team, and we have a few options to choose from.
Phil Hansen
Beloved by many Bills fans, Phil Hansen was drafted in the 1991 NFL draft from North Dakota State. Hansen most certainly would be opposite of Hall of Famer Bruce Smith on the 1990s All-Decade team, but he also started 20 games in the 2000s. He had five sacks, an interception, three batted balls, and a fumble recovery in those two seasons to go along with his 38 tackles. He might win this fan voting, but during his two final seasons in Buffalo, he was clearly on the down slope of his career and missed twelve games. As much as I love Hansen, I should probably remind you to vote for only what he did this decade.
Marcellus Wiley
Wiley makes the list for one stat: 10.5 sacks. He only made 15 starts in the decade for Buffalo, but that sack total, more than the rest of his Bills career combined, gets him a spot on the list. It's the most in one season by any Bill remaining on this list. He also forced three fumbles, recovered one, and made 41 tackles in his lone season in Buffalo in the decade.
Ryan Denney
Denney was the Bills' second-round pick in 2002. In 2003, Denney started 13 games for the Bills at defensive end opposite Schobel, and many thought the Bills might have their long-term answer at bookends of the defensive line. Unfortunately for Denney, though, he only started 7 games over the next four years before making 11 starts for the injured Schobel in 2008. In his 111 games, he had 23.5 sacks, 20 pass knock downs, six forced fumbles, and three recoveries, along with his 190 tackles. He is number one on this list in games played and sacks in the 2000s. A neat fact about Denney is he has caught two touchdowns passes from Brian Moorman on fake field goals, and has a blistering 22 yards per reception, which would lead the team in the decade if it qualified.
Chris Kelsay
Kelsay was the Bills' second-round pick in 2003. With that, the pattern of the Bills selecting DEs in the second round was over after three straight years (Schobel, Denney, Kelsay). He has 22 career sacks and his 210 tackles and 88 starts over his seven years in a Bills uniform are the most of the remaining DEs. He has knocked down 16 passes, picked off three passes returning one for a touchdown (perhaps the greatest play I've ever seen live), forced five fumbles, and recovered six. He also recorded a safety in 2007.
Leave your voting rationale in the comments section. The outside linebackers are on deck.
Previous Installments: QB, RB 1, RB 2, WR 1, WR 2, TE, OT 1, OT 2, OG 1, OG 2, OC, P/K, DT 1, DT 2, DE 1
64 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
hahaha
Give me a sec, I’ll fire it up there
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on May 21, 2010 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
And there it is.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on May 21, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Dude. My bad. :-)
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 21, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
The dude abides.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I find it hard to vote for KElsay and Deney
For kelsay…. all his outstanding athletic plays have been sprinkled on top of some of the most mediocre at best play to ever cast a stink over the DE position
It is Brohm’s Bills jersey that is the least stained with doo-doo... GO BILLS
Perplexed
Don’t have a clue who to vote for. Wiley only played in 2000 after backing up Bruce for a few years. Kelsay & Denny average at best as basically role players and Hanson whose last 2 years (2000 & 2001) were injury plagued——-tooo tough to call. I abstain on this vote!
"I believe if Shoeless Joe Jackson were playing today, he’d have a shoe contract."
Don Mattingly, ‘95
Voted Wiley
His one season is far and away better than what the others contributed. Phil Hansen is another vote for nostalgia. He has his place in the 90’s All Decade, but should ceed to others here, in my opinion. Wiley was another player I felt the team let go far too easily.
Kelsay might have alot of tackles, but I don’t think he deserves the nod based on that nor on the amount of time he’s worn the uniform.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 9:15 AM EDT reply actions
Wiley
“Wiley was another player I felt the team let go far too easily”
I believe he was a salary Cap casualty.
"I believe if Shoeless Joe Jackson were playing today, he’d have a shoe contract."
Don Mattingly, ‘95
Yes, he was. Butler issues, if I recall, though may be completely off target.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
The Bills were in Salary Cap hell at that time....
"I believe if Shoeless Joe Jackson were playing today, he’d have a shoe contract."
Don Mattingly, ‘95
This will be the only time I ever back Kelsay
other than with how hard he works…
I actually think Kelsay deserves this spot. Not that that is in any way related to how he’s played, but rather due to his longevity and lack of competition. I voted for him, feel slightly dirty, am currently drinking a Guinness to kill the pain, and actually have no problem with him winning this. Too bad he won’t.
~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 May 21, 2010 1:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh to be drinking a Guiness at 2PM. :-) Isn’t it hot in NYC right now? I can’t drink Guiness if I’m wearing shorts.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 21, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
It is very warm
And I don’t usually like Guinness outside of the winter, but I’m sitting in a great pub where Guinness is their go-to beer. I had the urge to drink a few, so I had to do it.
~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 May 21, 2010 2:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I voted Kelsey
But that is only because his production was the best. This says alot about our DE2 over the past 10 years.
Kurupt should love that rationale.
Let the offseason begin
Honestly, I agree
The absolute dearth of DE talent this decade is not only indicated by Kelsay’s potentially second best production, after Schobel, but also based on his longevity. It says a great deal about the talent this team has had that Kelsay has played for so long here…
~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 May 21, 2010 1:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
this is why I always like your comments, although you dont like him you are level headed enough to realize he is better than Hanson, for this Decade.
Let the offseason begin
Thanks!
Glad you didn’t say I hated Kelsay, because I surely don’t. I just dislike his game and really don’t like how the Bills have continually trotted him out there.
~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 May 21, 2010 2:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I voted Kelsay…
and punched myself in the balls afterwards.
Hansen was the 90’s. I agree with Afghan that it just would have been my nostalgia talking. Wiley was my mom’s favorite Bill the year he played and he shouldn’t have been allowed to walk as easily as he did… to SD no doubt.
Fatang Fatang.
by NeverendingOptimism on May 21, 2010 9:25 AM EDT reply actions
I voted Kelsay too. Have to vote for someone, and he averaged out a lot better than Denney. Phil Hansen? All-decade for the 2000’s? If you looking that direction, you should have voted for Wiley. That was one decent year of production from a 3-4 DE.
We have to remember, good or not (remember the Offensive Line polls? I still have nightmares), Kelsay, overall, was the second best DE on the team this decade. OR maybe I’m just faking left and countering back to the right. D’OH!
Kelsay appears to be the 2nd best DE simply because he’s been given nearly a decade to accumulate stats. He’s not dominant and he’s not terrible. His contribution is not irreplacable, and that to me is enough to stay away from his vote. I’ll remember him more for his Celino & Barnes spots than any particular play on the field.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I think sadly, that he is still the #2 DE of this decade for the Bills. It just reflects how neglected or misguided the choosing of men to man that position for the Bills really was. The spirit of the poll isn’t to pick the guy who had the best year, that would be Wiley, but the 2nd best of the Decade. It’s not Kelsay’s fault that he IS the second best. That is the fault of the Bills front office and our defensive schemes and talent evaluation.
Remember him??
He’s still here and one 15 sack season away from greatness!
~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 May 21, 2010 1:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Kelsay based on desire and longevity.
Do you think his stats would be better if we had penatration from the middle of the D-Line? Do you think the switch to the 3-4 is meant to get these QB’s out of the pocket? I do. Kelsay’s best days may be over but the man always had the rush but was never able to finish. Not because of his ability as much as the inabilitiy of the scheme he was asked to work in. Hate on him all you want, the man brings his lunch to work everyday and never leaves early.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Kelsay’s a workout warrior who has a good motor. If he was going to be a stud, I think it would have happened by now.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed,
Unfortunately for us and fortunately for him, we haven’t been able to find a replacement for that workout warrior and high motor quality.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
That to me should have been addressed long ago—the inability to find better talent.
I have no bone to pick with Kelsay, he’s an absolute gentleman, and someone the team would do well to keep around following his football career, in some capacity. To me, it’s just that when he’s an unquestioned starter because his average production is better than guys who just can’t get on the field, how can you say he’s a pillar of the decade?
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you just justified Nix and his offseason game plan.
So many holes to fill, he drafts a NT, DE, ILB, OLB and brings in another DE and ILB before the draft. Right there proves your point and justifies my vote. Oh and lets not forget the this Coleman kid from Auburn. Odds favor one or two of these moves being a step in the right direction. Your points are accurate, the sample size in these polls are limited based on the lack of competition for starting positions.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
It makes me sick to think they (from my perspective) “gave up” on finding better talent in many areas for whatever reason. Maybe they were scared (Mike Williams)? Maybe they didn’t want to spend the coin (Walker/Dockery)? Maybe they had no confidence in their people picking players any better than what they presented them with originally?
All I know is it’s enough to make the average fan say “why am I bothering to support what you can’t fix?”
It’s like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, when we look at the last decade.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, when we look at the last decade
Haha I used to have a quote like that somewhere… cant remember where I saw it. “Being a Buffalo sports fan is like rooting for Charlie Brown to kick the football.”
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
Scott Norwood became a real life Charlie Brown on one attempt.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I voted for Wiley. His one season in the 2000s was better than anyone else’s on the list best season by a lot.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by a TON!
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Faithful
by TheAfghanTwilight on May 21, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s not the point of these, right? If it was a pick the best season, there wouldn’t be much debate on any of these. It’s who OVERALL best represents the Bills of this decade. For defensive end, that was Aaron Schobel first and,
I picked Kelsay, however much it killed me. Sure, Wiley did have the best single season by a little. 2006 was Kelsay’s best season and I don’t think it was too far off Wiley. If you count Kelsay’s 4 passes defensed to 5.5 sacks, that gives him 9.5. Add in that Kelsay had 61 tackles, with 20 assists. That gives him 41 SOLO.
So if you say Sacks + Passes Defensed = Breakups-
Kelsay | 5.5 sacks | 4 PD = 9.5 Breakups | 61 Tackles | 20 Asst
Wiley | 10.5 sacks| 0 PD = 10.5 Breakups | 41 Tackles | 24 Asst
I just don’t see this wide margin that Wiley carries over Kelsay.
He isn’t flashy, and he has over-pursued often enough to incite rage, but I couldn’t figure how NOT to vote for him as the #2 DE for the decade. Really, I think his presence on the all-decade roster is almost a requirement for the 2000’s Bills, he fits the character of this lost decade pretty well, don’t you think.
I didn’t pick the best season, per se. I picked the best player and in this decade if I put one season of Wiley up against Kelsay’s entire career, I’d rather have that one season.
If all it entailed was compiling stats I would have picked Kelsay but he was mediocre when Wiley had a great year.
Really, I think his presence on the all-decade roster is almost a requirement for the 2000’s Bills, he fits the character of this lost decade pretty well, don’t you think.
That I can agree with.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 21, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I totally agree with that quote too
Kelsay is a microcosm of this team for the last decade. If he doesn’t win the vote, I nominate him for an honorary degree, or as the mascot.
~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 May 21, 2010 2:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd for the mascot!
If I only had a brain...
by Schooled You on May 21, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks K. I think Matt missed that I DID put Wiley’s best season against Kelsay’s, and Kelsay came up looking at least adequate. Wiley had a great season for a 3-4 DE, but at the time also had a better supporting cast than Kelsay had in ’06.
I just don’t see the weight of his Wiley argument, especially considering the nature of these polls, and what was until now, the criteria to put some importance on longevity.
I also think Hansen should be removed from this poll, he wasn’t really that productive in those two years, and even together they don’t measure up to Wiley’s one season, or Kelsay’s body of work. I think people must be picking him out of some form of protest.
Kelsay is a great guy, not that that counts. He totally has to be the #2! He IS the 2000’s Bills. High character, high motor, a propensity to over-pursue, and talent that just doesn’t translate all that well to NFL football. I am amazed after watching him over the years that his stats really do map him as an adequate starter as a #2 DE. Especially the longevity.
The one thing with Kelsay I always thought would have improved his game would have been to stay back and block passing lanes instead of trying to rush the passer. He obviously has a feel for pass defense, not many DE’s have the # of passes defensed and interceptions that he does. There’s also the fact that Kelsay doesn’t seem to be close to retirement by any means. He may not have a place in the 3-4, but I see him playing ball until he’s almost 40.as long as someone signs him.
I just don’t see the weight of his Wiley argument, especially considering the nature of these polls, and what was until now, the criteria to put some importance on longevity.
People would argue that you should vote for the best player from the decade and not the best compiled stats. I think it’s a combination otherwise I would just give it to the guys with the best stats.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 21, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry K...
But Im going with Kelsey… lol
It was between him and Wiley… but that Cellino and Barnes commercial for Kelsey where they still show him sacking Brady like 4 years ago gave him the edge.
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
I voted for him
~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 May 21, 2010 1:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Kelsay
Haha!
~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."
The biggest problem...
With Kelsay, Denny and even Schobel to a certain extent is that the Bills defense hasn’t had that go to player for so long. A Bruce, Bennett, Ted Washington etc etc a stud defensive player that elevates the play of all others around them. Spikes is the last player that was here that had that attitude and was able to back it up on the field. He brought energy to the field and got the other players fired up. Not that the players don’t play hard or aggressive the team has missed that leader that rallies the troops.
.
"I believe if Shoeless Joe Jackson were playing today, he’d have a shoe contract."
Don Mattingly, ‘95
Stop with the Hansen thing
This is a vote for the best of the 2000’s, not the 90’s…As mediocre as everyone was in the 2000’s, Phil’s play, whether due to injury or not, did not surpass any of the other 3.
by South Jersey Bill Fan on May 21, 2010 11:22 AM EDT reply actions
ABK
Enough said.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Boston or Philly? Wont be a problem. WE'RE GOING TO THE STANLEY CUP BABY!!! GO HABS GO!!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on May 21, 2010 11:22 AM EDT reply actions
I went with Kelsay as well
"If we can put four quarters together, that's the objective. Let's see how somebody else feels playing from behind." (TWCS)
by norcaliangelsfan on May 21, 2010 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
In the Kelsay section, it says:
He has 22 career sacks, second most of any Bill not named Aaron Schobel
I can’t quite figure this statement out; Phil Hansen has the second most career sacks of any Bill not named Aaron Schobel.
Should that be second most career sacks of any active Bills player (other than Schobel), or second most of any Bill in this decade (other than Schobel)?
Its of the decade, I think, without loooking it up
A number of guys have more than 22 sacks for the Bills.
~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 May 21, 2010 1:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
In the decade. Sorry.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings
by MattRichWarren on May 21, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Voted Wiley, but man was that a tough one.
By the way, absolutely LLLLOOOOOVVVVEEEE the pic. What a great way to start the weekend to see Marino getting smacked in the chops.
Behold - Ghidrah, the 3 headed monster aka Jackson, Spiller & Lynch!
That is not Dan Marino. That is Chad Henne. With any luck, no one will ever, EVER mistake Chad Henne for Dan Marino ever again after this comment. :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on May 21, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha
The Bills didn’t even have those unis when Danno was still playing….
~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 May 21, 2010 1:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm still hoping they ditch the new Unys...
Never liked them never will….
"I believe if Shoeless Joe Jackson were playing today, he’d have a shoe contract."
Don Mattingly, ‘95
Not really
First I think the unys are jinxed!!
Most of all to me they look like an abstract of different colors—-red, silver, grey, 3 different blues—-no thanks. A true softball style…
Their classic look of the 90’s or 60’s is one of the best looking uniforms league wide. Why Tinker with a great looking uniform…
"I believe if Shoeless Joe Jackson were playing today, he’d have a shoe contract."
Don Mattingly, ‘95
easy
Why Tinker with a great looking uniform…
One word – money
Two words – Russ Brandon
Three words – Stimulate jersey sales
Don’t worry, we are due for another change soon.
I think my next jersey will be a throwback with “The 12th Man” on the back.
Show me the baby CHIX, and it better not look like the pool boy from our vacation at Club Jauron!!!!!
"I’m not sure if I disagree with this being the logic behind Nix’s decisions or if I disagree with this logic if it is what lead Nix to address the positions he did, but I definitely disagree with something." - kaisertown
Yeah, that should have been a clue. But it’s not like it was 20 years in between. It was only like 2 or three, right? The real clue would’ve been the number on Henne’s shoulder, which I couldn’t see on my monitor at work.
At any rate, I still love the pic. A Phish is a Phish, being Marino would’ve just been gravy. But since it’s a former Wolverine to boot, just as good.
Behold - Ghidrah, the 3 headed monster aka Jackson, Spiller & Lynch!
Yep. My mistake. I guess I wasn’t used to seeing a sack from one of our defensive ends lately.
Behold - Ghidrah, the 3 headed monster aka Jackson, Spiller & Lynch!
Hansen had less sacks and tackles in two years than Wiley had in one.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings

by 































