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

2005 Finish: 5-11, 3 rd Place AFC East
2006 Finish: 7-9

Recent Records:

2004: 9-7 2005: 5-11 2006: 7-9

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.
See the Bills draft situation at Lucky’s Mock Draft!

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