BillsZubaz Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 Bill Polian. He drafted some of the greatest players in Bills history. With out Bill, I don't know if we would have been to 4 consecutive superbowls. If this isn't exclusive to players. I have to say Ralph. He made it all possible. Polian is a good choice though.
BYGD1 Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 For me its Bruce Smith with a close 2nd to Kelly, not Defensive Ends could be game changers the way Bruce was for a long period of time, simply the best, with the cast he had around him...
Albany,n.y. Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 The greatest pure talent: O.J. Simpson Bruce Smith was the greatest defensive player Jim Kelly was the most important player. On top of that he was the only one of these three who stayed in WNY and can be seen on most gamedays in the stadium, long after his retirement. So, for his time on the field, off the field & post retirement career, plus the fact he's the only player Ralph has seen fit to retire his number, my vote goes to Jim Kelly.
Buffalo 66 Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 That me that murdering bastard Orenthal ! Then machine gun a close second.
Tasmo Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 EDIT: i'm talking players only.....on-field. i'm going to say Thurman Thomas...... League MVP.....and best all around all purpose RB to ever play the game !! #1- Thurman #2- Bruce #3- O.J. #4- Cookie #5- Kelly OJ Simpson. Even though he is a of a human.
NewHampshireBillsFan Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 OJ Simpson - everyone else a distant 2nd. regarding Thurman thomas I can argue he's only the 4th best RB we ever had behind Cookie & OJ & Joe Cribbs Cribbs was 4 yrs and 4 probowls....returned punts and led the Bills in both receiving and rushing in 1983. Thurman had good fortune to come along as the RB in the no huddle....while Thurman was taken out of the game on 3rd downs his rookie year....joe Cribbs was running & receiving and returning punts to a start in the pro bowl his rookie year starting alongside earl campbell... In general I think the players from the Knox era are a bit overlooked when it comes to all time selections OJ was the best Bill. Anyone who saw him play on a consistent basis would probably agree with that. In terms of being illusive in the open field no one who ever played the game came close, including Jim Brown. How many times did two defenders come from two different directions to tackle OJ and he faked out both of them at the same time such that the two defenders smacked hard into each other and ended up on the ground while he sped through them for a touchdown. When OJ got past the line of scrimmage a thrill used to go down my back because of the potential for something amazing to happen on every play. I loved Cribbs and Thurman and of course Kelly and Bruce but OJ was a one time only in history NFL talent. Other RBs may have had better numbers and better strength, but no one did what OJ did on the field.
PeteBills4ever Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 Bruuuuuuuuuuce Smith, best Bill by far.
billsfan89 Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 BRUCE is numero uno with OJ, Therman, Kelly, and Reed run out the top 5.
outsidethebox Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 Lenny Walterscheid. Do you remeber the time he scored that TD in OT? Me neither.
KD in CA Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 OJ Simpson - everyone else a distant 2nd. No question about it. He's one of the all time great talents in NFL history.
sharper802 Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 1. OJ based on pure talent alone 2. Jack Kemp - If QB's are judged by titles he has two and a league MVP 3. Bruce Smith 4. Thurman - not far behind OJ in raw talent 5. Kelly - perfect leader for WNY fans and weather
thewildrabbit Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 I love Thurman. Don't get me wrong. Incredible running back who had quickness, versatility and great vision. That being said, I think that Thurman benefited greatly from the Bills offensive philosophy, dangerous passing game and incredible beast of an Oline. Thurman is not nearly as productive without those factors... What most fail to realize is... the Bills used the running game to set up the pass. The Bills used to run more then they threw the ball in the Kelly era. While the Bills O line was better then most, it wasn't even close to what Emmitt Smith had in Dallas. If you go back and look at what Thurman Thomas did, 5x pro bowls-1991 NFL MVP-1992 NFL offensive player of the year. Thurman Thomas is the only NFL player to lead the league in total yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons. Now considering he almost never caught the ball while in college it is amazing that he is one of six NFL backs to have over 400 receptions and 10,000 yards rushing. He is also one of five backs to have rushed for over 1,000 yards for 8 consecutive seasons. I know I'm leaving out a bunch of playoffs stats and other stuff. Just think, this kid kept Barry Sanders on the bench in College. The guy was like 70% of the offense in Buffalo, he gets my vote.
VADC Bills Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 OJ was the best Bill. Anyone who saw him play on a consistent basis would probably agree with that. In terms of being illusive in the open field no one who ever played the game came close, including Jim Brown. How many times did two defenders come from two different directions to tackle OJ and he faked out both of them at the same time such that the two defenders smacked hard into each other and ended up on the ground while he sped through them for a touchdown. When OJ got past the line of scrimmage a thrill used to go down my back because of the potential for something amazing to happen on every play. I loved Cribbs and Thurman and of course Kelly and Bruce but OJ was a one time only in history NFL talent. Other RBs may have had better numbers and better strength, but no one did what OJ did on the field. Bruce and OJ are the only two Bills that are clearly in the top 3 all time at their respective positions maybe Tasker but thats it. At the time of retirement OJ was #2 in rushing yards second only to Jim Brown. Bruce is #1 all time sacks. No other Bills have this type of status. Believe it or not I believe Andre Reed was in the top 3 in yards or catches when he retired as well.
Charles Romes Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 For over a decade he consumed at least two blockers nearly every play and still dominated. He not only was the best Bill I ever saw. He was the best football player I ever saw. I continue to be amazed at how underrated Bruce continues to be.
tomdayfan Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 If the question is greatest player, I'd go with OJ...just edging out Bruce. For sheer talent, he was spectacular. In any game, at any time, wherever the Bills were on the field, he was a threat to go all the way. On a side note, it's amazing how lucky Buffalo sports fans were in the 70's. You had OJ playing for the Bills. Gil Perreault & the French Connection on the Sabres, and Bob McAdoo on the Braves.
BB2004 Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 If yer talking pure talent, it begins and ends with Bruce Smith. All the other players are great...but Bruce is an all world great. It is a difficult call, no question. You could make a case for any of them. Clearly though, on the defensive side it was Bruce Smith.
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