Buffalo Bills: Encyclopedia - Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills

American Football League (1960-1969)

• Eastern Division (1960-1969)

National Football League (1970-present)

• American Football Conference (1970-present)
  • AFC East (1970-present)

• Buffalo Bills (1960-present)

• AFL Championships (2)
  1964, 1965

• AFC: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

• AFL East: 1964, 1965, 1966
• AFC East: 1980, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995

• War Memorial Stadium (1960-1972)
• Ralph Wilson Stadium (1973-present)
  • a.k.a. Rich Stadium (1973-1998)

The Buffalo Bills American football club is a Buffalo, New York-based National Football League team which plays its home games in the suburb of Orchard Park. The team began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League and joined the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL Merger.

The Bills won two consecutive AFL titles in 1964 and 1965. The club is also the first team to appear in four consecutive Super Bowls, but they lost all of them.

Buffalo Bills - Franchise history

Buffalo Bills - The early years

The Buffalo Bills were a charter member of the American Football League in 1960. After a public contest, the team adopted the same name as the former All-America Football Conference team in Buffalo. In the AFL, a predominantly offensive league, the Bills were a great defensive team.

The 1964 Bills allowed just 913 yards rushing on 300 attempts during the regular season, a pro football record. The same defense registered fifty quarterback sacks, a team record that stands today, even though it was established in a 14-game season. They were the first American Football League team to win 13 games in a season. The 1964 defense also allowed only four touchdowns rushing all season, and started a string that would extend into the 1965 season: seventeen straight games without allowing an opponent to score a rushing touchdown. Eight members of the 1964 squad were on that year's AFL Eastern Division All-Star Team, including cornerback Butch Byrd. Three were eventually named to the American Football League's All-Time Team, and six to the second team. The only professional football player ever inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, without ever playing in the NFL, was a member of the 1964 Bills; guard Billy Shaw.

The Bills won AFL championships in both 1964 and 1965, were one of only three teams to appear in an AFL championship game for three consecutive years, and the only AFL team to play in the post-season for four straight years, 1963 through 1966. In addition to their defensive prowess, the Bills had offensive muscle as well, in stars such as fullback Cookie Gilchrist, quarterbacks Jack Kemp and Daryle Lamonica, and receivers Elbert Dubenion and Ernie Warlick. Tragedy struck the Bills when Bob Kalsu, an offensive lineman, quit the team after his 1968 rookie season to serve in the Vietnam War, where he was killed in action in 1970.

Before the 1969 season, the Bills drafted running back O.J. Simpson, who would become the face of the franchise through the 1970s. The Bills became part of the NFL when the latter absorbed the AFL in a merger in 1970. In 1971, not only did the Bills finish in sole possession of the NFL's worst overall record at 1–13, but they also scored the fewest points (184) in the league that year while allowing the most (394); no NFL team has since done all three of those things in the same season in a non-strike year. Lou Saban, who had coached the Bills' AFL championship teams, was re-hired in 1972.

1973 was a season of change: Joe Ferguson became their new quarterback, they moved into a new stadium, Simpson recorded a 2,000-yard season and was voted NFL MVP, and the team had its first winning record since 1966. They made the NFL playoffs for the first time in 1974, but lost in the first round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

After a mediocre 1975 season the Bills had internal troubles in 1976, as the team dropped to the bottom of the AFC East, where they stayed for the rest of the 1970s. After the 1977 season Simpson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Chuck Knox was hired as head coach and he would end up leading the Bills back to the top.

1980 marked another breakthrough for the Bills. They beat the archrival Miami Dolphins for the first time in 11 years in their season opener, en route to winning their first AFC East title. The following season they lost their title to the Dolphins, but won their first NFL playoff game (over the New York Jets). They lost in the second round to the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. The following year—the strike-shortened season of 1982—the Bills slipped to a 4–5 final record.

In the famous 1983 draft the Bills selected quarterback Jim Kelly as their replacement to an aging Joe Ferguson, but Kelly decided to play in the upstart United States Football League instead. Knox left his coaching position to take a job with the Seattle Seahawks, and new coach Kay Stephenson proved to be less than stellar. In 1984 and 1985 the Bills went 2–14.

Buffalo Bills - The Marv Levy - Jim Kelly era 1986-1997

After the USFL's demise, Jim Kelly joined the Bills for the 1986 season, and immediately proved to be worth the wait. In addition to new coach Marv Levy, a receiving game featuring Andre Reed and a defense led by first-overall draft pick Bruce Smith, the Bills started marching back to the top.

In 1988, the rookie season of running back Thurman Thomas, the Bills went 12–4 and finished atop the AFC East for the first of four consecutive seasons. After having an easy time with the Houston Oilers in the divisional playoff, they lost the AFC championship to the Cincinnati Bengals. 1989 was a relative disappointment, with a 9–7 record and a first-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.

In 1990 the Bills switched to a no-huddle offense, and it started one of the most successful runs in NFL history. The team finished 13–3 and blew out the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Raiders in the playoffs on their way to Super Bowl XXV. The Bills were overwhelming favorites to beat the New York Giants, but the defensive plan laid out by coach Bill Parcells and defensive coordinator Bill Belichick kept Buffalo in check (and without the ball) throughout the game. The game featured many lead changes, and with the score 20–19 in favor of New York with eight seconds left, Bills kicker Scott Norwood attempted a 47-yard field goal. It went wide to the right, and the Giants emerged victorious; however, some criticized Levy for not calling one more offensive play in an effort to make the field goal try shorter.

The Bills steamrolled through the 1991 regular season as well, finishing 13–3 again and with Thurman Thomas winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. They also had an easy time with the Kansas City Chiefs in their first playoff game and beat the Denver Broncos in a defensive struggle in the AFC Championship. The Bills looked to avenge their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss a year earlier by playing the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI, but it was not to be. The Redskins opened up a 24–0 halftime lead and never looked back, handing the Bills a 37–24 loss (an embarrassing moment occurred as the teams were leaving the field at the end of the first half when Bills center Adam Lingner angrily ordered a cameraman to "Get that fuckin' camera out of my face;" the comment was picked up by a nearby microphone and everyone watching or listening to the game on television or radio would have had an opportunity to hear it).

The Bills lost the 1992 AFC East title to the Miami Dolphins and Jim Kelly was injured in the final game of the regular season. Backup quarterback Frank Reich started their wild card playoff game against the Houston Oilers, and they were down 35–3 early in the third quarter. Undaunted, the Bills scored touchdowns on several consecutive possessions to tie the game and force overtime. Steve Christie kicked the game-winning field goal in the extra session to cap the biggest comeback in NFL history, 41–38. They then handily defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional playoff and upset the archrival Dolphins in the AFC Championship to advance to their third straight Super Bowl. Super Bowl XXVII, played against the Dallas Cowboys, turned out to be a mismatch. Buffalo committed 9 turnovers en route to a 52–17 loss. One of the sole bright spots for the Bills was Don Beebe's rundown and strip of Leon Lett after Lett had returned a fumble inside the Bills' 5 and was on his way to scoring. Lett held the ball out long enough for Beebe, who had made up a considerable distance to get to Lett, to knock it out of his hand.

The Bills won the AFC East championship in 1993 with a 12–4 record, and again won playoff games against the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, setting up a rematch with the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVIII on January 30, 1994 . The Bills became the only team ever to play in four straight Super Bowls, and looked ready to finally win one when they led at halftime. A Thurman Thomas fumble returned for a touchdown by James Washington tied the game, and the Bills were stunned again, 30–13.

The Bills would not get a chance to make it five straight in 1994. The team stumbled down the stretch and finished 7–9, fourth in the division and out of the playoffs. See 0 for 4 Curse.

In 1995 Buffalo, with free agent linebacker Bryce Paup anchoring the defense, again made the playoffs with a 10–6 record, and defeated Miami in the wild card round. They would not get a chance to get back to the Super Bowl—the Pittsburgh Steelers, who went on to advance to the Super Bowl, beat Buffalo in the divisional playoffs 40-21.

In 1996 the Bills saw their commanding lead in the AFC East race disappear to a surging New England Patriots team. They still made the playoffs, but as a wild card—and the first victim of the Cinderella Jacksonville Jaguars, the first visiting team ever to win a playoff game in Buffalo. Jim Kelly retired after the season, signaling an end to the most successful era in Bills history. Thurman Thomas gave way to new running back Antowain Smith. Kelly's loss was felt in 1997, with the Bills stumbling to 6–10. Coach Marv Levy retired after the season.

Buffalo Bills - Recent years

The Bills, under new coach Wade Phillips signed two quarterbacks for the 1998 season, Rob Johnson and former Canadian Football League star Doug Flutie. Despite many Bills fans wanting Flutie to get the starting job, Phillips named Johnson to the position. After Johnson and the Bills stumbled to begin the season, Flutie came in and led the Bills to a playoff spot and 10–6 record. They faltered in their first playoff game against the Miami Dolphins.

Flutie's popularity continued into the 1999 season, with the Bills finishing 11–5, two games behind the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC East standings. Wade Phillips gave Rob Johnson the starting quarterback job in the first round playoff game against the Tennessee Titans. The Bills scored a field goal with 16 seconds left to give them a 16–15 lead. But the Music City Miracle, a lateral from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson that led to a Tennessee touchdown on the ensuing kickoff won the game for the Titans. The Titans went on to advance to the Super Bowl.

The final ties to the Bills' Super Bowl years were severed in 2000, when Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith were all cut. Antowain Smith, Eric Moulds, and Marcellus Wiley respectively had long since eclipsed them on the depth chart. After an 8–8 season, and the team still caught up in the Johnson vs. Flutie controversy, general manager John Butler departed for the San Diego Chargers—and took Flutie and Wiley with him. Doug Flutie left the Bills with a .677 winning percentage in 31 starts. Antowain Smith also left as a free agent for the New England Patriots, where he was the starting running back on their first two Super Bowl championship teams. Both Flutie and Smith were dominant in their final game as Bills, in a 42-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Smith would be quickly replaced by rookie Travis Henry.

Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams took over as head coach for the 2001 season, which proved to be the worst in recent memory for the Bills. Rob Johnson went down in mid-season with an injury and Alex Van Pelt took over. Buffalo finished 3–13. The Bills even lost a much-hyped mid-season match up with "Bills West" (the Flutie-led Chargers). After the season they traded for quarterback Drew Bledsoe, deemed expendable by the Patriots after Tom Brady led them to a Super Bowl victory.

Bledsoe revived the Bills for the 2002 season, leading them to an 8–8 record, setting 10 team passing records in the process. However, in a tough division with all other teams finishing 9–7, they were still in last place. Another Patriots castoff, safety Lawyer Milloy, joined the Bills days before the 2003 season began and gave the team an immediate boost on defense. After beating eventual champions New England 31–0 in the first game, and crushing the Jaguars in their second game, the Bills stumbled through the rest of the season, finishing 6–10. In one game, however, the Bills' fans gained a small measure of satisfaction when the defense sacked Rob Johnson multiple times in his relief effort for the Washington Redskins. Gregg Williams was fired as head coach after the 2003 season and replaced with Mike Mularkey. The Bills also drafted another quarterback, J.P. Losman, to be used if Bledsoe continued to struggle in 2004.

Bledsoe did continue to struggle in 2004. The Bills started the 2004 season 0–4, with Bledsoe and his offense struggling in their run-first offense, averaging only 13 points per game. Additionally, each loss was heartbreakingly close. The team finally managed to turn things around with a victory at home against the also winless Miami Dolphins. This, along with the emergence of Willis McGahee taking over the starting running back role from the injured Travis Henry, and emergence of Lee Evans to give the Bills a second deep threat, sparked the Bills to go 7–2 in their next nine games. This string of victories allowed the Bills to be in the hunt for a final AFC wildcard playoff spot. Though they would lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of the season, costing them a playoff berth, the late season surge gave the team a positive direction to approach 2005.

The Bills released quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who then signed with the Dallas Cowboys—reuniting him with former coach Bill Parcells. Many fans hoped that replacement J.P Losman could lead the Bills to the playoffs in the 2005 season.

Football analysts expect Willis McGahee to be an effective running back and a focal point of the Bills offense.

In 2005 after a 1-3 start in which QB J.P. Losman played somewhat poorly, the Bills turned to backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb who led Buffalo to consecutive home victories over division rivals Miami and the New York Jets. However, with a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the AFC East for the first time since 1996, the Bills were embarrassed on the road against the Oakland Raiders, 38-17. In their next game against the New England Patriots, the Bills were ahead for most of the game; however, the Bills futility at Gillette Stadium continued as the Patriots came back to win 21-16 in the 4th quarter. During the game against Kansas City Holcomb was sacked, ended up with a concussion in the process, and was therefore removed from the game with J.P. Losman replacing him. Losman did an outstanding job and not only did the Bills win that game 14-3, but J.P earned the start for the next game against the Chargers. However, the Bills road futility continued as the team seemingly fell apart at the seams; losing that game 48-10. Despite that loss, the Bills were able to return to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium to face a tough Carolina Panthers team during Thanksgiving weekend. The Bills played a great game while the defense showed signs of why they were the top defense last year in holding Carolina to 6 points in 3 quarters. J.P. Losman played his best game throwing no interceptions in the first half and leading the team to a 9-6 lead into the 4th quarter. Despite playing very well, Carolina scored a touchdown from a Jake Delhomme pass to Tight End Michael Gaines late in the 4th quarter to make it 13-9. The score would stand that way. A week later, the Bills traveled to Miami to take on the Dolphins. The Bills would get off to a fast start with three touchdown passes from J.P. Losman to Lee Evans in the first quarter. The Dolphins would get a field goal in the second quarter, but then in the third quarter, the Bills sacked Dolphins QB Gus Frerotte for a safety to have a 23-3 lead going into the fourth quarter. However, the Bills defense reverted to its midseason form as the Dolphins got the win with a rushing touchdown by Ricky Williams and a pair of TD Passes from back-up QB Sage Rosenfels to Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers; the last coming with virtually no time left on the clock. The shocking collapse realistically eliminated Buffalo's postseason hopes for the season. Many fans have questioned head coach Mike Mularkey's playcalling citing his overuse of gadget and trick plays, which do not always work in the Bills favor. Furthermore, many have questioned the suspension of WR Eric Moulds for the December 11, 2005 game against the Patriots, (in what might have been one of his last home games as a Buffalo Bill) although the decision was supported by owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. The Bills faint playoff hopes were mathematically over when their division rival New England Patriots came into town and defeated the Bills 35-7 the following week. The Bills then lost their last home game (a rare nationally-televised home prime-time game) of the season to the Denver Broncos (28-17) in Week 15. A 37-27 win over the AFC North Division Champion Cincinnati Bengals was the lone bright spot during the month of December. In that game, CB/KR Terrence McGee set an NFL record for both a kick return and an interception for a touchdown in the same game. Unfortunately, the Bills closed out the 2005 season on New Year's Day with a 30-26 loss to their AFC East rivals, the New York Jets, at the Meadowlands. In an ironic twist of fate, the winning points for the Jets came in the form of a 95-yard kickoff return from CB/KR Justin Miller. While the Bills struggled both offensively and defensively all season long, their special teams, particularly their kick-coverage units, were among the top in the league. Their final record of 5-11 represents the team's worst since 2001 and contributes to their lack of a playoff appearance since 1999.

Vice President and General Manager Tom Donahoe was fired during a press conference on Wednesday, January 4, 2006. With a record of 31-49 over the last five seasons, owner Ralph Wilson stated durng a week 17 postgame interview that there would be structural changes within the organization. Many fans feel Donahoe has failed to address key positions during the offseason such as the offensive and defensive lines during his tenure despite having a veteran-laden roster of skill-position players. The team also has underachieved and failed to build upon the momentum that was gained during a six-game win streak toward the end of the 2004 season. The Bills have missed the playoffs for 6 consecutive seasons, which is unacceptable in today's parity-driven NFL. In addition, every other AFC team has had at least one playoff apperance during that time frame. The only exception is the Houston Texans, who didn't begin play as an expansion team until 2002. Marv Levy was hired in replacement of Donahoe as Vice President of Football Operations with the hopes of turning the flagging franchise around. This reunites Levy with the team he took to four Superbowls.

Buffalo Bills - Season-by-season

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties

Buffalo Bills - Players of note

Buffalo Bills - Current roster

DEPTH CHART

Offensive backs

• 35 Joe Burns FB/RB
• 25 Lionel Gates RB
• 44 Jon Goldsberry FB
• 10 Kelly Holcomb QB
• 7   J.P. Losman QB
• 6   Shane Matthews QB
• 21 Willis McGahee RB
• 31 Daimon Shelton FB
• 20 Shaud Williams RB

Receivers

• 11 Roscoe Parrish WR
• 89 Sam Aiken WR
• 84 Mark Campbell TE
• 48 Brad Cieslak TE
• 87 Tim Euhus TE
• 83 Lee Evans WR
• 80 Eric Moulds WR
• 82 Josh Reed WR
• 19 Jonathan Smith WR
• 15 George Wilson WR

Special Teams

• 9   Rian Lindell K
• 8   Brian Moorman P
• 54 Mike Schneck LS

Offensive line

• 66 Bennie Anderson OL
• 69 Mike Gandy OL
• 73 Justin Geisinger OL
• 61 Greg Jerman OL
• 71 Jason Peters OL
• 75 Duke Preston OL
• 70 Trey Teague OL
• 58 Chris Villarrial OL
• 68 Mike Williams OL

Defensive line

• 95 Sam Adams DT
• 77 Tim Anderson DT
• 97 Justin Bannan DT
• 92 Ryan Denney DE
• 99 Jason Jefferson DT
• 90 Chris Kelsay DE
• 94 Aaron Schobel DE

Linebackers

• 55 Angelo Crowell LB
• 50 Liam Ezekiel LB
• 59 London Fletcher LB
• 53 Mario Haggan LB
• 96 Jeff Posey LB
• 57 Josh Stamer LB

Defensive backs

• 26 Rashad Baker S
• 22 Nate Clements CB
• 33 Jabari Greer CB
• 29 Eric King CB
• 42 Jim Leonhard S
• 24 Terrence McGee CB
• 36 Lawyer Milloy S
• 23 Troy Vincent S

Practice squad

• 67 LaWaylon Brown DT
• 60 Jasen Esposito OL
• 52 Wendell Hunter LB
• 39 Rob Lee CB
• 97 Marques Ogden OL
• 91 Eric Powell DL

Injured reserve

• 98 Ron Edwards DT
• 88 Ryan Neufeld TE
• 93 Lauvale Sape DT
• 72 Lawrence Smith OL
• 64 Ben Sobieski OL
• 51 Takeo Spikes LB
• --   LaDaris Vann WR
• 27 Coy Wire S

Physically unable to perform

• 85 Kevin Everett TE
• 28 Kevin Thomas CB

Buffalo Bills - Pro Football Hall of Famers

• Joe Delamielleure
• Jim Kelly
• Marv Levy
• Billy Shaw
• O. J. Simpson
• James Lofton

Buffalo Bills - Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards

• McCann Award winner Larry Felser
• Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award Van Miller

Buffalo Bills - Retired numbers

• 12 Jim Kelly/Joe Ferguson
  • The numbers of O.J. Simpson (32), Thurman Thomas (34) and Bruce Smith (78) have not been officially retired, but none of these numbers have been reissued since those players left the team.
  • Since the earliest days of the team, the number 31 was not supposed to be issued to any player. The Bills had stationery and various other team merchandise showing a running player wearing that number and it was not supposed to represent any specific person but the 'spirit of the team.' This policy has been abandoned in recent years.

Buffalo Bills - Players and contributors on the Bills' Wall of Fame

• Joe Delamielleure
• Elbert Dubenion
• Joe Ferguson
• Kent Hull
• Robert James
• Bob Kalsu (1945–1970, one of only two pro football players to die in the Vietnam War)
• Jim Kelly
• Jack Kemp
• George Saimes
• Tom Sestak
• Billy Shaw
• O. J. Simpson
• Fred Smerlas
• Mike Stratton
• Darryl Talley
• Thurman Thomas
• Edward Abramoski (Trainer)
• Patrick J. McGroder (Vice President)
• Marv Levy (Head Coach)
• Ralph C. Wilson Jr. (Founder)
• The 12th Man (Fans)

Buffalo Bills - Not to be forgotten

• Lou Piccone
• Bob Chandler
• Don Beebe
• Cornelius Bennett
• Drew Bledsoe
• Ruben Brown
• Steve Christie
• Al Cowlings
• Joe Cribbs
• Joe DeLamielleure
• Elbert Dubenion
• Doug Flutie
• Cookie Gilchrist
• Phil Hansen
• Jim Haslett
• Travis Henry
• Kent Hull
• Bob James
• Henry Jones
• Bob Kalsu
• Jim Kelly
• Jack Kemp
• Marv Levy
• James Lofton
• Paul Maguire
• Scott Norwood
• Bryce Paup
• Peerless Price
• Andre Reed
• Frank Reich
• Lou Saban
• George Saimes
• Tom Sestak
• Billy Shaw
• O.J. Simpson
• Fred Smerlas
• Bruce Smith
• Mike Stratton
• Darryl Talley
• Steve Tasker
• Thurman Thomas
• Ted Washington
• Marcellus Wiley
• Pat Williams

Buffalo Bills - Front office and coaching staff

• Marv Levy - General Manager
• Tom Modrak - Assistant General Manager
• Mike Mularkey- Head Coach
• TBA - Offensive Coordinator
• Jerry Gray - Defensive Coordinator
• Sam Wyche - Quarterbacks Coach
• TBA - Defensive Line Coach
• Bobby April - Special Teams Coach
• Jim McNally - Offensive Line Coach
• TBA - Linebackers Coach
• Mike Miller - Tight Ends Coach
• Chuck Lester - Defensive Assistant
• Brad Roll - Strength and Conditioning
• Eric Studesville - Running Backs Coach
• TBA - Defensive Backs Coach
• Tyke Tolbert - Wide Receivers Coach

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Buffalo Bills", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki