Buffalo Bills Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game

being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players

from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to

defy that notion. 

Considering that the Buffalo Bills’ legacy varies from wretched to below

average to isolated greatness, the challenge of putting together a Buffalo

Bills dream team becomes even more challenging. Today, I have taken

on the daunting task. The Bills were back-to-back AFL champions in

1964-1965. They advanced to four straight Super Bowls from 1990-

1993. Though they lost all four, that era was very special. History often

judges the Bills unfairly which begs the question of “had they beaten

the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV, perhaps they might have

won multiple Vince Lombardi Trophies. Since the turn of the century,

they have had the misfortune of playing in the same division as the

New England Patriots. 

Other than those eras, the Bills had isolated years of postseason

participation. They also had years that varied from wretched to

mediocre. Nonetheless, there is enough positive history to create a

dream team. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player needed

to have played at least four seasons as a Bill. Since the free agency era

began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals

don’t make this list. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first consideration

coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-Pro seasons

are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely. While I

understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this

discussion. 

Generational reminders

All eras matter. Being an AFL champion or four straight Super Bowl

runner ups does not guarantee a spot on this team. Winning or losing

eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep

format, which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, before

you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I

take off the list at that position?”  

OFFENSE

QB -- First team: Jim Kelly. Honorable mention: Joe Ferguson.

Kelly was the triggerman of the K-Gun offense that featured shotgun and

no-huddle. Kelly, who played from 1986-1996, would fit perfectly in

today’s game. In leading the Bills to four straight Super Bowl

appearances, the Bills featured some of the best offenses in NFL history.

Kelly is a Hall of Famer, five-time Pro Bowler and is the franchise all-

time leader in passing yardage, completions, attempts and touchdown

passes. Kelly exuded much toughness in the pocket. No quarterback,

including Kelly, played more games in franchise history than Ferguson

(164), who is second behind Kelly in four categories for the franchise

lead. Ferguson did not get any Pro Bowl recognition but in 1975 he

tied Fran Tarkenton for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (25) and

threw 20 or more scoring passes on three other occasions. 

RB -- First team: OJ Simpson, Thurman Thomas. Honorable mention: 

LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson.

Jokes aside but when Simpson was known as a football player, he was

one of the most electrifying players in NFL history. Simpson is a Hall

of Famer, five-time Pro Bowler, five-time All Pro, and AFL All-Star in

1969. He led the NFL in rushing four times and was the first player in

NFL history to surpass the 2,000 rushing mark in a single season.

Thomas is not only a Hall of Famer but was a complete running back.

He is the all-time leader in franchise history and caught 427 career

passes. Thomas was the perfect compliment for teams overly concerned

with stopping the Bills’ passing game. Thomas was a five-time Pro

Bowler and two-time All Pro. In 1991, he was the NFL Offensive Player

of the Year and MVP. McCoy was a Bill for only four seasons but he

was still incredibly impactful in that span. He was a three-time Pro Bowl,

scored 30 touchdowns and is sixth in franchise history in career rushing

yardage. Jackson lacks the Pro Bowl accolades of the aforementioned

three but ranks third in franchise history in rushing yardage and was the

first player in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards and surpass the

1,000 yard mark in kickoff returns. 

FB -- First team: Jim Braxton. Honorable mention: Carwell Gardner.

Braxton gets overlooked because he was a teammate of Simpson for

seven years. Braxton was Simpson’s lead-blocker and when he was not

opening up lanes for him, Braxton was hurting defenses on his own.

Braxton is 12th in franchise history in rushing yardage, caught 144

passes and scored 31 touchdowns. Gardner was more of a lead blocker

than he was in getting touches. Nonetheless, from 1990-1995, he

cleared many paths for Thomas. 

WR -- First team: Andre Reed, Eric Moulds. Honorable mention:

James Lofton, Jerry Butler.

Reed was on the receiving end of many Kelly passes in the potent

K-Gun offense. The Hall of Famer and seven-time Pro Bowler is tied

for first in franchise history with 87 touchdowns. He is also the franchise’s

all-time leader in receptions, yardage and touchdown receptions. Moulds,

who was a Bill from 1996-2005, came after the Bills glory years but he

established himself as an explosive go-to receiver, making three Pro

Bowls in ten seasons. Moulds caught 100 passes in 2000 for a franchise

single-season record and is second behind Reed in career receptions,

yardage and touchdowns. Lofton is known mostly for his years as a

Green Bay Packer but joined the Bills in time for their glorious run in

the early 1990s. Lofton was a Bill for four seasons (1989-1992). In 1991,

he became the oldest player to surpass the 1,000 yard mark, Jerry Rice

has since joined him. Butler’s legacy is much defined as “what might

have been.” He played parts of seven seasons, which amounted to 88

games. Butler, however, was the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1979 and

Pro Bowler in 1980. Injuries short changed his career but still ranks

seventh in Bills history in both receptions and yardage. 

TE -- First team: Pete Metzelaars. Honorable mention: Jay Riemersma.

Metzelaars was an underheralded but valuable member of the K-Gun

offense. Metzelaars was a serviceable blocker and receiver. In the latter

category, he is No. 1 among tight ends in franchise history in games

played, receptions, yardage and touchdowns. Riemersma frequently

battled injuries but often played through them. That toughness along

gets him a spot on this team. In addition, he is second in most receiving

categories for a tight end in franchise history. 

OT -- First team: Stew Barber, Will Wolford. Honorable mention: 

Joe Devlin, John Fina.

From the AFL era, there might not have been a better offensive tackle

in franchise history than Barber. He started 14 games as a rookie at

linebacker before moving to tackle. At that position, Barber missed

only one game and was a five-time AFL All-Star. Wolford played

seven years as a Bill and was a stalwart tackle. He was on the NFL

all-rookie team in 1986, was a two-time Pro Bowler and played 102

games. Devlin was one of the most underappreciated players in

franchise history. Though he never earned Pro Bowl honors, he was

an outstanding pass protector for both Freguson and Kelly. Fina was

similar to Devlin in terms of being undervalued but he was meaningful.

Like Devlin, Fina gets high marks for reliability. In 10 seasons, he

started 131 games. 

OG -- First team: Joe DeLamielleure, Billy Shaw. Honorable mention: 

Jim Ritcher, Ruben Brown.

The Bills are very deep at this position. DeLamielleure was the central

figure in the Bills’ offensive line that was known as “The Electric

Company” that opened up numerous avenues for Simpson.

DeLamielleure is a six-time Pro Bowler and six-time All Pro. From

the AFL era, Shaw also deserves ample props. Shaw is not only a Hall

of Famer but eight-time AFL All-Star, including five years in a row. He

played on back-to-back AFL champions in 1964-1965. Ritcher played

14 seasons (1980-1993) with the Bills and saw many highs and lows,

the former being four straight Super Bowl appearances. Ritcher and

center Kent Hull provided a solid interior line. Ritcher was a two-time

Pro Bowler who played 14 seasons with the Bills. Brown played nine

seasons (1995-2003) and was a Pro Bowler eight times. The only Bill

to make more Pro Bowls in franchise history was Bruce Smith. He was

also honored three times as the Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year. 

C -- First team: Kent Hull. Honorable mention: Eric Wood.

Hull paired with Ritcher gave the Bills a formidable interior line. Hull

was as vital as anyone to the functionality of the Bills’ K-Gun offense.

Hull was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro. Wood’s career

was cut short after nine seasons because of a neck injury. Wood’s best

season came in 2015, when he made the Pro Bowl. 

DEFENSE

DE -- First team: Bruce Smith, Aaron Schobel. Honorable mention:

Jerry Hughes, Mario Williams.

Regardless of position, there is not a better Bill in franchise history than

Smith. You could say he is a Hall of Famer and all-time leader in NFL

history with 200 sacks (171 as a Bill) and stop there. Smith was a

nightmare against both the pass and run. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl,

two-time All Pro, two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and

two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Schobel played nine years

as a Bill. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and is second in franchise

history with 78 career sacks. Schobel has more sacks of New England

Patriots legend Tom Brady than any other player. Williams is best known

for his time as a Houston Texan and being the highest draft pick in 2006

not named Vince Young or Reggie Bush. Williams, however, had the

better career. In four years as a Bill, he recorded 43 sacks and was a Pro

Bowler twice. 

DT -- First team: Tom Sestak, Kyle Williams. Honorable mention:

Fred Smerlas, Ted Washington.

Though sacks were not a stat in Sestak’s era (1962-1968), he was later

credited with 51. Though a series of injuries cut his career short, Sestak

was a dominant defensive tackle. He was a six-time AFL All Star and

played for two AFL champions. Though Williams was a six-time Pro

Bowler in 13 seasons, he makes this team for longevity as well as

sustained greatness. Williams is one of only six players in franchise

history to play 13 seasons with the Bills. Williams was the heart and

soul of the Bills defense in his time as a player. Smerlas retired before

the Bills run of four straight Super Bowl appearances but has some

sweat equity in the team getting there. Smerlas was a premier 3-4 nose

tackle who could two-gap very well. Smerlas was a five-time Pro

Bowler who was tough against the run and also recorded 29.5 career

sacks. Washington played for seven different teams but his best

football was a six year stretch from 1995-2000 with the Bills. Like

Smerlas, Washington was the prototypical 3-4 nose tackle, only

with more girth. As a Bill, Washington was a three-time Pro Bowler. 

OLB -- First team: Darryl Talley, Cornelius Bennett. Honorable

mention:  Michael Stratton, Lucias Sanford.

Bennett and Talley formed a great duo at outside linebacker, one of

the most underrated in NFL history, during the Bills’ aforementioned

run in the early 1990s. Talley was perhaps the most complete linebacker

in franchise history. Though neither Talley nor Bennett are in the Hall

of Fame, they are worthy of consideration. Talley never missed a game

in his 12 seasons as a Bill. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time

All Pro but deserved many more. Between Bennett and Smith, teams

had to take a “pick your poison” approach on who to double-team.

Bennett was a five-time Pro Bowler in nine seasons as a Bill. Bennett

recorded 71.5 career sacks, forced 31 fumbles and intercepted seven

passes. Stratton went from 13th round pick in 1962 to six-time AFL

All-Star in 11 seasons. Stratton played a vital role in the Bills winning

back-to-back AFL championship games. He made a thunderous tackle

on San Diego’s Keith Lincoln and in the same game intercepted a pass

to halt a Charger drive, helping the Bills win 20-7. Sanford never

earned any Pro Bowl honors but gets the fourth spot here by default.

He appeared in 118 games in 10 seasons. Sanford intercepted five

passes and recovered eight fumbles. 

ILB -- First team: London Fletcher, Shane Conlan. Honorable

mention:  Jim Haslett, Harry Jacobs.

Fletcher played for three different teams (Bills, Rams, Redskins) and was

impactful on all three. Though he did not gain any Pro Bowl recognition

in his five seasons in Buffalo, he was plenty deserving and perhaps the

best inside linebacker in franchise history. Fletcher was the team leader in

tackles all five years he played as a Bill. Conlan played six seasons as a

Bill during their heyday between 1987-1992. He was the NFL Defensive

Rookie of the Year, three-time All Pro and quintessential inside linebacker.

Those under the age of 45 only know Haslett as a coach but he had a solid

seven year career with the Bills. Though injuries limited him to 91 games,

he was impactful when healthy. Haslett was a member of the All Rookie

team in 1979 and All Pro in 1980. Jacobs was a Bill during the Golden

Age of the AFL era, playing from 1963-1969. Jacobs was a two-time

AFL All-Star and vital piece to consecutive AFL champions. Jacobs was

a big reason the Bills went 17 games without giving up a 100-yard rusher

in 1964-1965. 

CB -- First team:  Nate Odomes, Stephon Gillmore. Honorable mention: 

Butch Byrd, Antoine Winfield.

There was not a better cornerback in franchise history than Odomes, who

was a two-time Pro Bowler in seven seasons as a key member of the Bills

defense in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Odomes recorded 26 interceptions

in his career, sixth best in franchise history. Odomes tallied nine picks in

1993, second best in franchise history in a single season. Though Gilmore

is known for his success with the division rival Patriots, he made an impact

as a Bill in his five seasons. During which time, he intercepted 14 passes.

Byrd played seven seasons as a Bill from 1964-1970. He was a five-time

AFL All-Star, member of back-to-back AFL champions and is the franchise

all-time leader in interceptions and return yardage. Much of Winfield’s legacy

came as a Minnesota Viking but pound-for-pound was one of the toughest

players in the NFL. 

S -- First team: Henry Jones, George Saimes. Honorable mention:  Steve

Freeman, Jarius Byrd.

Hands down, Jones is the best safety in franchise history in the modern era.

Jones played ten seasons with his best being 1992, when he was both a

Pro Bowler and All Pro. In Jones’ career, four of his 18 interceptions were

returned for touchdowns. Saimes deserves recognition from the AFL era.

Saimes played seven years, recorded 22 interceptions, was a five-time AFL

All-Star and was a key cog in back-to-back AFL champions. Freeman was

released in training camp in his rookie year by the Patriots but after the

Bills picked him up, Freeman enjoyed a prosperous 12 year career.

Freeman makes this team for his longevity, 178 games are the most in

franchise history for a defensive back. Freeman intercepted 23 passes.

Byrd’s time with the Bills was short, five years, but also very impactful. In

that span, he earned three Pro Bowl nods and 22 interceptions. He was a

member of the all rookie team in 2009. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

GENERAL -- Steve Tasker. You have to find a spot for Tasker, who might

be the best special teams non-kicker/non-returner in NFL history. Tasker,

who was a backup wide receiver, was exceptional at covering kicks and was

a seven-time Pro Bowler. In his 12 seasons, Tasker compiled 204 special

teams tackles and blocked 12 punts. 

K -- First team: Steve Christie. Honorable mention: Dan Carpenter.

Christie played nine seasons with the Bills and is the franchise’s all-time

leader in points scored and in field goals made. Though Christie never

received Pro Bowl recognition as a Bill, he was a reliable kicker, especially

in the clutch. Christie kicked nine field goals in overtime, which is a record

he shares with Jason Elam and Jim Breech. Carpenter meets the minimum
requirement to make this team, four years as a Bill and gets honorable

mention by default. Nonetheless, he was impactful. Carpenter was great

inside 40 yards and a genuine threat beyond that range. 

P -- First team: Brad Moorman. Honorable mention: Colton Schmidt

Moorman’s 13 seasons are tied for third most in franchise history.

Moorman was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He is the franchise leader

in punts, gross punting average and punts downed inside the 20. Schmidt

did not have a long career as a Bill, five years from 2014-2018, yet it’s

hard to ignore the 44.0 yard average and having 105 punts downed

inside the 20. 

RETURN -- First team: Terrance McGee. Honorable mention: Leodis

McKelvin.

You could put McGee as a cornerback but as dangerous as he was in

returning kickoffs, putting him here was too hard to pass. McGee averaged

26.4 yards per return in his career with five touchdowns. In 2005 against

Cincinnati, he became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff

and interception for a touchdown in the same game. McKelvin played

nine seasons. He was a member of the NFL all rookie team in 2008. He

ranks third in punt return yardage and second in kickoff yardage, both

franchise marks. He was All Pro in 2012. 

HEAD COACH -- First team:  Marv Levy. Honorable mention: Lou

Saban.

After a two-year hiatus from coaching in the NFL, in between coaching

the USFL’s Chicago Blitz, Levy took over as the Bills head coach after

Hank Bullough was fired. Though the Bills went 2-5 for the remainder

of the 1986 campaign, Levy returned. From 1987-1989, the Bills climbed

to respectability and became a serious contender in the AFC. From 1990-

1994, the Bills reached four consecutive Super Bowls despite the

psychological difficulty of losing on the big stage. Levy went 112-70 in

his time with the Bills. Saban had two different stints as the Bills head

coach (1962-1965; 1972-1976). He delivered back-to-back AFL titles

from 1964-1965. He was 31-28-1 in his second stint before resigning

after Game 5 in 1976. 

TEAM -- 1990. Though it would be easy to take the 1964 or 1965

AFL championships, if Scott Norwood’s kick goes a few feet to the left,

the Bills might have won multiple Super Bowls. What ifs aside, the

1990 Bills dominated their opposition throughout the season. This

version of the Bills had a point differential of minus-165. The K-Gun

offense perfected the art of its no-huddle offense and the defense began

to gell as a unit with Smith, Bennett, Talley, etc.