Buffalo Bills 2000s All-Decade Team: Player of the Decade
We've reached the end of our long journey. Today, we select the best player for the Buffalo Bills in the decade. I've included only players who won the positional vote, with a few interpretations. Don't vote for your favorite Bill. Vote for the best.
Drew Bledsoe - QB
Bledsoe compiled a 23-25 record in Buffalo, starting every game over the course of his three seasons with the Bills from 2002-2004. He compiled 10,151 passing yards, 905 completions, 1,531 pass attempts, 55 touchdowns, 43 interceptions and 48% winning percentage, plus a Pro Bowl. During 2002, Bledsoe broke several of the team's single-season passing records, throwing 100 more passes than Jim Kelly ever did in one year and gaining 500 more yards than the Hall of Famer. In 2004, the Bills came up just short of the playoffs with Bledsoe at the helm.
Eric Moulds - WR
Moulds joined the Bills as a first-round selection in 1996 and spent ten years of his twelve-year career in Buffalo. Prior to the decade, he had already established himself as a legit starter, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1998. In his six seasons with the Bills in the decade, Moulds caught 494 passes for 6,161 yards (a healthy 12.5 yards per reception), 30 touchdowns, and two Pro Bowl appearances. Three times in a Bills uniform he was in the league's top ten in receptions, and twice he was in the top ten for yards per game. In 2002, he was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
Jay Riemersma - TE
Only three of Riemersma's six-year Buffalo career fell in the decade, but all three were solid seasons. He was originally drafted out of Michigan in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL Draft, but didn't play at all in that first year. He became only the second Bills tight end in history to record more than 50 receptions in a season when he caught 53 in 2001. In the decade, the big tight end started 42 games in Buffalo, catching 116 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ruben Brown - OG
Brown was drafted No. 14 overall by the Bills in the 1995 NFL Draft. He started 63 games at left guard for the Bills from 2000-2003, and made the Pro Bowl in each of those four years. In 2000, the Bills ranked No. 9 in total offense with Brown as the leader of the offensive line.
Aaron Schobel - DE
Schobel was the Bills' second-round pick in 2001. His 78 sacks are more than three times more than the next closest Bills player in the decade. He owns the top three yearly sack totals of the decade, and four of the top five. He's recovered more fumbles than any defensive player on the team in the last decade, and forced more than almost everyone in team history. He even has three interceptions and a touchdown return. He's batted down 31 passes in his career, and outside of missing eleven games in 2008 with a bad foot, he has been extremely durable, playing in every other game while he's been on the team. Schobel was a member of two Pro Bowl squads in the decade, and participated in more games (133) than any regular player during the decade.
Pat Williams - DT
Williams joined the Bills in 1997 and stayed through the 2004 season. He started 64 games for the Bills in the decade, accumulating seven sacks, 222 tackles, two forced fumbles, a safety, and two touchdowns on an interception and fumble return. In 2000, the Bills were the third-ranked defense in the NFL, and in 2003 and 2004 they were second.
Takeo Spikes - OLB
The Bills signed the high profile Spikes from the Bengals prior to the 2003 season. In his first two seasons in Buffalo, he made two Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team (the only regular player on the Bills to be name an All-Pro in the decade). He started 46 games in Buffalo before being traded after two injury-plagued seasons. He recorded seven sacks, seven interceptions, two interception returns for touchdowns, defended 29 passes, forced seven fumbles, recovered three fumbles, and made 188 tackles. In 2003 and 2004, the Bills were the second-best defense in the league in yards allowed.
London Fletcher - MLB
The Bills signed Fletcher as a free agent in 2002 when he left the St. Louis Rams. He started every game during his five years in Buffalo, and led the team in tackles each season. Fletcher recorded 14.5 sacks, five interceptions and a touchdown return, along with seven fumble recoveries and a touchdown return, five forced fumbles, 28 passes defended, 495 tackles, and a safety. That tackle total ranks seventh on the all-time list, and are almost 100 more than the next best in the decade.
Brian Moorman - P
Moorman appeared in more games during the decade than any other Bill (144). In his nine-year career with the Bills, Moorman has made 700 punts for over 30,500 yards, an average of 43.6 yards per attempt. All of those are second only to Chris Mohr in team annals, but with one more even below-average season in 2010, Moorman will become the most prolific punter in Bills history. His long punt of 84 yards is the longest in team history. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade team as the lone Bills representative. Moorman was named to two All-Pro teams (the most of any Buffalo player) and two Pro Bowls in the decade, and has two touchdown passes to boot.
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It has to be Moorman
Is our punter really the Bills best player of the decade……It is sad, but true. What is not to like about this guy. Great punter, great member of the community. Does anyone know what the record is for TD passes thrown by a punter?
Isn’t it ironic that the Dick-less Bills have more balls with CHIX running the show.
"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
Does anyone know what the record is for TD passes thrown by a punter?
Hes gotta be right up there with them… I remember back when he first came to Buffalo, I believe it was in Oakland, he threw a pass to McGee for a first down off a punt coverage gone bad, back when he was a gunner. It was the first play like that I remember seeing from him and then every year since hes done something awesome. Gotta love the Moorman Army at the Ralph.
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
I think that was Kevin Thomas
I don’t remember McGee playing much gunner either. Did he?
~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 problem is that there are many players who are both QBs and punters; the most recent are Danny White and Tom Tupa.
But if you include just post-merger players who are punters that have never started a game at QB, Lee Johnson, Brad Maynard and Moorman are all tied for the lead at 2.
See: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tiny/IjwYc
Ryan Denney is also tied with Jared Allen for the most receiving touchdowns by a DE (2 of course).
Great job....thanks....I think the non-starter thing is a fair way to draw the line
If I were the Bills coaches, I would try very hard to give Brian sole possession of that record :-)
Isn’t it ironic that the Dick-less Bills have more balls with CHIX running the show.
"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
I think they’re going to need him to do it a few times this season.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Jun 8, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
just tipped the scale
away from schobel. moorman back ahead at 33%. which is way too low. the guy single handedly kept us in SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many games. period. end of discussion. close strand, no further comments/votes needed. ; )
FS Jairus Byrd aka the Buffalo Bills' Silver Lining
A lot of these guys were good players, London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes, Drew Bledsoe, Pat Williams…the problem is that they have built reputations with other teams. The only two guys who have really been Buffalo Bills their whole careers and performed at a high level is Schobel and Moorman. It really should just come down to those two. I went with Schobel, he is #2 on the all time team sack list besting some pretty good players.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
by sireric on Jun 8, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
My favorite player, Eric Moulds. My heart says Moorman… Schobel will probably win this… but Im going with Fletcher. One of the most under-rated football players and had his best years with us, IMO. He was a true captain of a defense and knew exactly what to do and where to be. Always around the ball.
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
by bflo on Jun 8, 2010 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
this is exaclty what went through my head
and what i based my voting on.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby. That’s what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to show you the baby, and the baby is winning." - Buddy Nix
Aaron Schobel
Not only has he been the standard of consistency for the Bills during the entire decade, but He’s also been mong the leagues best (statisticly) at his position for the last decade too. Should be a very easy choice.
Not to take anything away from Brian Moorman, the NFL’s all-decade punter, but Schobel has been a game changer, and you can’t say that about any punter.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions
PS – Matt is this it? Can i get the neightmare team started? And yes I amm looking forward to doing it. It’s going to be very… theroputic.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
one of the prerequisites for that is that players have to play at least a season in the uni. otherwise, you’re going to have guys who’ve only done ten or eleven games beating out players who were bad for far, far longer =)
STAY TURSTY MY FRIEND I DONT DRINK BEEAR BUT WHEN I DO IS XX - abayarde, the most interesting man in the world
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I have two possibilities of qualifications. Either you played a full season (minimum) or were a first round draft pick that entirely failed and put the team back a few years by selecting you. If you meet one of the two critirea, your going into the pole.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Well all the first round picks played at least one year here
So you should stick to the at least one full season with the team requirement. We’ll get to see all the first round busts in there anyhow!
~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."
Wel if they have to actually play then I can’t include McCargo. Understand my reasoning now?
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
He's been here for 4 seasons now
He played in every game in 2007, too.
How would he not qualify?!?!
Are you saying you wouldn’t include a guy if he played in 15 games one year only?
~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."
Realy, played in every game in 2007? ok then he does qualify. I just honestly haven’t seen him on the feild at all in the last 2 seasons, guess thats why I was thinking of the exception rule.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh and I’d deffinatly include a guy for totally sucking for 15 games.
I guess that it will just come down to research and see who I come up with.
You guys just let me know when I can get started.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
why would it have to include playing time?
if your drafted high and never make a start thats should suffice as a terrible player and investment.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
by silverstreak3k on Jun 8, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you trying t say that I should include Maybin?
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
ha
i actually dont hate maybin, and think he will do better in the 3-4 cuz it seems to fit his body type and athleticism. im just saying in general
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
by silverstreak3k on Jun 8, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok. But Maybin is just about the only one that i can think of that would fall into your description since K has reminded us that even if he hasn’t really played recently, McCargo did play in every game in 2007.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
thats true
i just dont think excluding someone based on playing time should hinder your selection process.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
by silverstreak3k on Jun 9, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
If you meet one of the two critirea, your going into the pole.
Look out for that pole!
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Jun 8, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a recap post I’ll be running listing the whole team but you can feel free to start. :-)
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jun 8, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Schobel is a good choice, but
Schobel has been a game changer,
This is exactly why I didn’t vote for him. I don’t think he played big in big games. Granted “big” is relative for this decade, but where was he when we needed a big play to close out some of those close games?
Isn’t it ironic that the Dick-less Bills have more balls with CHIX running the show.
"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
that’s where i’m at Joe. he seems to get sacks in bunches against poor teams or at times that don’t matter because the game is already, more or less, over
We got the tools, We got the talent
by J2 on Jun 8, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I think his biggest game may have been last season’s opener in Foxboro.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Jun 8, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
can say it about moorman
no question. he was a GAME SAVER as well. which only gives a game changer a chance that he would have never had to begin with.
FS Jairus Byrd aka the Buffalo Bills' Silver Lining
Schobel
It’s pretty depressing to look at the choices tbh.
"What wins the majority of the time is blocking, tackling, throwin', catchin' and kickin" - Chan Gailey
Riemersma? Really?
I’d take about 10 other guys not listed ahead of him, at least!
I voted Moulds because I think he was the best player of the bunch. Schobel, Spikes, Moorman and maybe Brown were close.
~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."
He had the highest winning percentage of anyone in the entire series! He had to be on here.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jun 8, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
How does that make him worthy of player of the decade though? Just because the rest of the TE’s he was compared to were terrible doesn’t mean he should be talked about as best player of this decade!!!
~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."
It doesn’t by itself. I thought he should get a shot though based on the winning percentage. Sheesh. He wouldn’t make my top ten list, personally, but three people voted for him! :-)
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jun 8, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted P. Williams, because after they allowed him to leave that entire defense just went downhill. Schobel has the sacks, and I really like him as a player, but you saw the difference when Williams wasn’t there.
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
It would have been Williams if we didn't let him go...can't count his years as a Viking towards the best Bills player IMO
Isn’t it ironic that the Dick-less Bills have more balls with CHIX running the show.
"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
You've got something there.
My vote was Moorman. We have had some pretty good punters over the years, usually they last one contract and then move on. Schobel is highly considered but our pass rush needs to resemble authority late in a game and that hasn’t happened in a long while. It very well could be due to scheme and players since Williams moved on. We have not been able to shut down offenses late in games. Last year getting to Brady would of been a nice sign of that corner being turned. Moorman, is an artist at his profession, he gets my vote.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
by VanScottM on Jun 8, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
good point....rec'd
Moorman, is an artist at his profession
Isn’t it ironic that the Dick-less Bills have more balls with CHIX running the show.
"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
how many guys
kick the ball out of the endzone to force a safety, just to be certain to keep the opponent from recovering a fumble for a TD? I have only witnessed one. not that it is a situation that occurs often…. but how many guys, seriously. you have to be thinking about the bigger picture and many players barely grasp their own position.
FS Jairus Byrd aka the Buffalo Bills' Silver Lining
I remember Frank Reich doing it back in the day. I think it was a fumble.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jun 8, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This is great
This shows us just how pathetic our franchise has been. I love me some Brian Moorman but the fact that our punter is either going to be 1 or 2 for players of the decade is unbeleivable.
I don’t want to go on a Ralph rant and i’ve defended him but he at this point has to be the reason. Outside of Bill Polian, which was clearly a fluke because it took a heart attack to appoint him as GM, the Bills franchise has been one of the worst franchises int he NFL, if not the worst. Best part about that – if it wasn’t for Polian we may never have seen the super bowl – and he was fired for non football related issues.
holy crap is that depressing
We got the tools, We got the talent
i would rec this
but i just can’t. not that i don’t agree. but man. who can be happy about these truths? not a Bills fan.
FS Jairus Byrd aka the Buffalo Bills' Silver Lining
This vote looks to be be playing out as I think it should.
I voted for Moorman, though I probably could have just as easily chosen Moulds. It’s pretty crazy how well Moulds did given the QB situation for much of his career.
Brian Moorman is such a talented player and gifted athlete, and he matches up very well with many players outside of the kicking realm. He’ll never be a guy you’d want laying the wood on anyone, but he’s certainly someone who won’t ever be easily replaced. He’s also one of the nicest, giving players i’ve ever encountered. I’d love to know how many other teams’ fans purchase and wear the punter’s jersey. Does Raider Nation do this?
Go Moorman!
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Jun 8, 2010 12:56 PM EDT reply actions
On a side note
I firmly believe that this pole would be won by either Spikes or Fletcher had we hired a HC that ran teh same systems as Mularky instead of hiring Jauron. The switch to the cover 2 killed the D for this team and we needlessly got rid of some increadibly talented players on our D.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions
Spikes had clearly lost a step after his injury and Fletcher was 33. They made an educated decision to jettison those two guys at appropriate times.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jun 8, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
wasnt spikes hurt a lot of the time he was here?
i always figured he was let go for those reasons. he benefits from willis out in SF. not to take away from spikes, but i dont think hes the center piece of any D, but a great number 2 LB. good thing for Sf….
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
by silverstreak3k on Jun 8, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Spikes started 35 straight games before his big injury. Then he missed 5 games in his final season. He’s missed time here and there.
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by MattRichWarren on Jun 8, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
He has bounced back very well as a 3-4 Mike though.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Mind you the fact that he plays beside Patrick Willis also helps.
Washington? Check. Pittsburg? Check. Philly? Wont be a pro... errr.... GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 8, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
so two years he was fine
one year was a complete waste and the last year he missed about a third of the time. thats pretty injury riddled…..if you average it out, he missed 4.25 games a season. i loved spikes but his health drove me nuts those last two years which is why i wasnt sad to see him go nor was i surprised.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
by silverstreak3k on Jun 9, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe w fletcher
congrats to LF for finally making it to pro bowl but spikes had definately lost more than just a step.
FS Jairus Byrd aka the Buffalo Bills' Silver Lining
Moorman
No question in my mind. I suspect that prejudice against special teamers will keep some from voting for him.
Brian Moorman's gonna win!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA the 2000's sucked for Bills teams
no offense to Moorman because I’m a huge fan
We got the tools, We got the talent

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