Buffalo Bills

HISTORY
Founded in 1960 as an original member of the AFL. Joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL/nfl merger, and has never relocated.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: 2 – 1964 (AFL), 1965 (AFL)

Conference Championships: 4 – 1990 (AFC), 1991 (AFC), 1992 (AFC), 1993 (AFC)

Division Championships: 10 – 1964 (AFL East), 1965 (AFL East), 1966 (AFL East), 1980 (AFC East), 1988 (AFC East), 1989 (AFC East), 1990 (AFC East), 1991 (AFC East), 1993 (AFC East), 1995 (AFC East)

Playoff Appearances: 17 – 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999

Recent Records:

2004: 9-7 2005: 5-11 2006: 7-9 2007: 7-9 2008: 7-9
2009: 6-10 2010: 4-12

2011 Draft Grade

Buffalo Bills (F+)
3: Marcell Dareus (1, 3 = 2) +1
34: Aaron Williams (32, 33 = 33) +1
68: Kelvin Sheppard (64, 144 = 104) -34
100: Da’Noris Searcy (176, 105 = 141) -41
122: Chris Hairston (120, 197 = 159) -37
133: Johnny White (85, 189 = 137) -4
169: Chris White (224, 170 = 197) -28
206: Justin Rogers (229, 240 = 235) -29
245: Michael Jasper (255, 255 = 255) -10

The Bills were the poster child of no value. They did pretty well picking players at their value slot in Rounds 1 and 2, picking a guy that many named the best player in the draft, DT Marcell Dareus, with their first selection. Regardless of their draft grade here, that pick was huge for them. They have talented defensive backs, but the team has really struggled because they just can’t stop the run. They also can’t rush the passer, and that puts added pressure on those defensive backs. Dareus will help fix a lot of problems with his beast mode in the middle. While they flunked the draft grades, I think they addressed some big needs defensively, and value be damned, this might have been a very productive draft for the Bills – I think they picked up 3 defensive starters. I like Johnny White as a power back and Michael Jasper is a small college kid with upside. But, they didn’t get value anywhere, and in a game where value is big, they certainly get the grade they deserved!

Draft Pick Total: 1080 – Player Rankings Total: 1263 —- TOTAL RANKING: -181

2011 Mock Draft

Buffalo Bills 4-12 – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama: I don’t know if Dareus has as much upside as a quarterback does here, but he certainly will take the worst part of the Bills and make them better. Buffalo gave up about 250 more rushing yards than any other team in the league last season. The year before that, the stats were similar. Opposing offenses averaged 170 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. Dareus can help in any defensive front, and he is a physical marvel at his size. His athleticism is underrated. DL, DL, DL in the first three? I think that’s where I’d go.

2009 Fantasy Football Notes

Trent Edwards, Fred Jackson,  Marshawn Lynch, Dominic Rhodes, Xavier Omon, Lee Evans, Terrell Owens, Roscoe Parrish, Shawn Nelson

The Bills aren’t the most exciting team on the market (hence their 3 straight seasons at 7-9), but they have some fantasy options to look at. Trent Edwards could be an interesting late round target. He now has a talented running game, will be running the hurry up, and has two pro-bowl receivers to throw to. That being said, Lee Evans might drop a bit with the addition of TO, or he might flourish without the double teams. I think he’ll get less targets with more consistency, and come out just a little above what he did last season. TO on the other hand, will most likely match last season’s stats. He has a lot to prove and I think he will. Fred Jackson is a nice back-up, and now more than ever, his value is solid. Taking Marshawn Lynch in Round 5 or so, and Jackson in Round 10 or so, will give you a very nice RB starting options all season long for the price of a 5th and 10th round pick. That’s a steal. Dominic Rhodes won’t have too much value after Week 3, unless one of the other backs gets hurt. Rhodes needs to be on your radar though, he’s talented enough to get numbers if injuries ravage the Bill’s RB slot. Xavier Omon is a sleeper in fantasy, but the RB has skills, and you never know. I’m talking Sleeping Beauty sleeper level. Roscoe Parrish has been getting a lot of attention in camp for his ability to run with the ball. His hands look improved, but I don’t think there will be enough touches to make him ownable. Still, his skill set is explosive, and if he gets a chance you need pay attention. Shawn Nelson might not be the #1 or even #2 TE, but he’s the only TE in Buffalo that you need to pay attention to. His receiving skills trump anything from his TE competition, so take notice if he becomes the starter later in the year.

2008 NFL DRAFT GRADES

Buffalo Bills: B+

Yes Buffalo – it was as if I helped you put together the top of your draft board!

I really like Leodis McKelvin. He has amazing speed. At 5’11” his size is decent. He plays stronger and bigger than he is. He’s a fierce return man, and probably would have been a top 5 pick if not for his questionable hands. McKelvin helps Buffalo improve right away, in a spot that hasn’t been too good since Nasty Nate left to San Fran.

I thought James Hardy had the best chance of any receiver in this draft to become great. He has some question marks in his off the field history, and already he’s been involved in an altercation and possibly a firearm, but his football skills are second to no wideout. He’s really fast, his hands are great, he uses them to catch, and he’s shown he can produce against good defenses that are focusing almost solely on him. I like that.

Chris Ellis is off and on, but was a big part of a very good defense at Virginia Tech. At 6’4″ Ellis is very physical and fast. His upside is at least worth this pick.

Reggie Corner did a lot of things well for little Akron College. Many are saying this pick was too high for a 5’10” 180lb CB, but I think size is a little overrated at that position. They are asking this guy to guard receivers, and honestly, how many times do jump balls get thrown these days? Corner is fast and uses good technique. I like this pick.

Derek Fine will make this team because of the lack of tight ends in Buffalo. He’s not really great at anything, can’t really stretch the field, and doesn’t block like a stud, but he’s a smart player that does everything okay. Maybe a bit of a reach?

Alvin Bowmen had some good games against some big programs. For the most part, he was stuck on a team with a suspect defense, but it’s hard to question his skill set. He can attack the run and cover the pass – in the 5th round, to possibly get a future every down linebacker is a steal.

Sometimes good players slip past the “big” schools. Xavier Omon seems to be one of those guys. He played at little Northwest Missouri State, but has very good size and runs well. Could be a steal, but there are a few good backs in front of him in Buffalo.

Demetrius Bell only played football for 2years at Northwestern State. He’s got great size and athleticism, as he played and started for the schools hoops program that was solid. In Round 7, this kid will be a project on the practice squad – but he has a little something that I like.

Steve Johnson? I don’t know. Average receiver with average speed and pretty good size. Only time will tell.

Kennard Cox might have played out of position at Pittsburgh. He has shown good covereage skills and might have the speed and physicality to do well on the inside as a nickel. Solid pick this late (251st overall).


2007 Buffalo Bills

A 2-5 start didn’t spell good things for JP Losman, Willis McGahee, and the rest of the young Bills. However, Buffalo managed to put together a 5-4 finish, losing some tough games against San Diego (21-24) and Tennesee (29-30) that would have gotten them above .500 for the first time since Drew Bledsoe was at the helm. But it wasn’t to be, and once again the Bills are picking in the top half of the draft. It will be interesting to see if the Bills can follow last years solid play, and turn it into momentum for the ’07 season, or if once again, Buffalo will disappoint, struggling their way through the season, once again coming up short. Losman looked like the player Buffalo thought he was when they plucked him off the board in the first round a couple years back. People can hate on him all they want, but the bottom line is, he has improved into someone the Bills can rely on. Lee Evans is a legit force in this league, as he solidified himself as one of the true big play threats in the NFL, as evident by his 16 yard per catch, his 8 touchdowns, and the fact that he’s the only receiving threat on his team. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Bills leading rusher, Willis McGahee, because he hasn’t done much to gain much appreciation from the Bills or Buffaloes’ fan base.

2007 Off-Season Plans:

Deciding the fate of Willis McGahee should be something the Bills are desperately looking into. On one hand, Willis obviously has loads of talent, and its damn near impossible to find a solid young running back to handle your offensive load. On the other hand, Willis has been quoted saying he thinks the team should move somewhere “better”, and he disappears for games at a time. Did I mention he’s produced three offspring in 13 months time? Sweet guy, spreading so much love around, like Cupid almost. There are teams out there looking for a talented player like McGahee, so maybe the Bills can slip their problem off to another squad, but the chances Willis is back with Buffalo are pretty good. Defensively, the Bills just flat out need to get healthy. If that is made possible by adding young defensive talent in the draft, plucking some athletes via free agency, or hiring a new strength and conditioning staff, I don’t know, but something needs to be done. Probably even more important than figuring McGahee out is working something out with one of the league’s elite corner backs, Nate Clements. Nate is a shutdown guy who can add something to the run defense. He was one of the few Bills who produced at an elite level all year long. But his skill, and the fact that he’s an unrestricted free agent makes him a tough signing. Through the draft, it looks like the Bills will plunge into the vast defensive pool, as most people have suggested a youth movement for Buffalo. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bills add a tall, over the middle, rout running player with great hands, if Dwayne Jarrett is around at the 12th spot. He would tandem great with Lee Evans.

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