Nanker Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Greg Cook was destined for greatness as the Cincinnati Bengals QB before his career was derailed by injury. http://www.profootba...-the-69-bengals Sorry Alb. Just posted without reading the rest of the thread. Glad to see someone else remembers Greg Cook. If he stayed healthy, the Bungles might never have drafted Ken Anderson - who was their best QB of all time.
Orton's Arm Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 More to do with lining up behind Bruce Smith than being plugged into a "perfect fit". I disagree. Cornelius Bennett was a five time Pro Bowl selection, was once selected as the AFC defensive player of the year, and has been mentioned as the third-best pass rusher in the NFL. (The third-best of his time, not all-time.) His best season, sack-wise, was 1988, when he had 9.5 sacks. Like Bryce Paup, he also had the benefit of playing with Bruce Smith. 9.5 sacks is a very respectable achievement for an OLB, Bruce Smith or no. But Bryce Paup's 17.5 sacks is just a little bit better.
IA Bills Fan Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 R.B. Jamaal Anderson from the Atlanta Falcons could have been another running back that would have been a stud if he didnt end up with a knee injury
Mike in Syracuse Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 I can't believe no one has mentioned Sam Cowart. Before he got cheap shotted by that dirtbag lineman from TB he was absolutely starting to dominate. The first quarter he played in that TB game we was absolutely unblockable. He was never the same after that.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 I can't believe no one has mentioned Sam Cowart. Before he got cheap shotted by that dirtbag lineman from TB he was absolutely starting to dominate. The first quarter he played in that TB game we was absolutely unblockable. He was never the same after that. Cowart was mentioned at least twice.
Mike in Syracuse Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Cowart was mentioned at least twice. You're right, I missed them both.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) You're right, I missed them both. Once a thread gets to 4 pages, it becomes a bit cumbersome. Easy to skim and miss. I sometimes get irritated when people post when they've obviously not read the whole thread but on the other hand… sometimes it's too much to expect someone to sift through so many posts… especially if the quality of posts is bad or there's a huge quantity of them. edit: I don't recall the play that changed the course of Cowart's career. It was an achilles wasn't it? Edited June 5, 2011 by San Jose Bills Fan
BillsPride12 Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Sterling Sharpe...dude was literally unstoppable...double cover/triple cover...didn't matter...dude averaged 85 catches, 1162 yards, and 9 TDs in 7 years(including his rookie year which he only had 55/791/1). Career was cut short at age 29 when he already had amassed 595 receptions, 8134 yards, and 65 TDs Compare this to Rice's first 7 years in the NFL which he had 526 receptions, 9072 yards, and 93 TDs and while Rice clearly had superior stats, Sharpe clearly was pretty close and definitely would have been a first ballot hall of famer himself... Agreed. Could you imagine him and Favre playing together during Favre's prime? GB might have one another Super Bowl during that era.
justnzane Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Sterling Sharpe...dude was literally unstoppable...double cover/triple cover...didn't matter...dude averaged 85 catches, 1162 yards, and 9 TDs in 7 years(including his rookie year which he only had 55/791/1). Career was cut short at age 29 when he already had amassed 595 receptions, 8134 yards, and 65 TDs Compare this to Rice's first 7 years in the NFL which he had 526 receptions, 9072 yards, and 93 TDs and while Rice clearly had superior stats, Sharpe clearly was pretty close and definitely would have been a first ballot hall of famer himself... this is one I think of, as he helped out Depew's Don Majkowski and Brett Farve out as a security net. When Shannon won his first SB ring with the Broncos, he gave it to Sterling. imo, Sterling should be in before Shannon.
Lofton80 Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Bills - Jerry Butler, John Davis Others- Tony Boselli- Hall of Fame was likely Bo Jackson was a good call earlier
transient Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Once a thread gets to 4 pages, it becomes a bit cumbersome. Easy to skim and miss. I sometimes get irritated when people post when they've obviously not read the whole thread but on the other hand… sometimes it's too much to expect someone to sift through so many posts… especially if the quality of posts is bad or there's a huge quantity of them. edit: I don't recall the play that changed the course of Cowart's career. It was an achilles wasn't it? It was an achilles, which also brings to mind Takeo Spikes.
Pete Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 I remember that Cowart Tampa game. It was his last series before the injury- Cowart first down sack, Cowart second down sack, Cowart third down sack. Cowart was starting to dominate.
OldTimer1960 Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 I am sure that some or all of these have been mentioned, but for Bills only, here are my picks: Robert James CB: I believe he was undrafted and was very very good. Sam Cowart ILB: was really very very good prior to his injury which just killed his career. Jeff Nixon S: He was really looking good and then he hurt his (knee I think). Takeo Spikes OLB: was DOMINANT before his achilles injury. He has hung on for many years as an OK starter (now with SF), but he has been no where near his level with Cinci and the Bills. Jerry Butler WR: Might have been the Bills' best WR ever had he not gotten hurt early in his career. I remember him making some just AMAZING catches. Of them all, I think it is a toss-up between Butler and Spikes as to who would have been the very best, but I think all of the above would have had outstanding careers if not for the injuries.
behind a post WMS69 Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 Leonard Smith missed the Super bowl vs. the Redskins after getting an infection from having fluid removed by a Bills doctor, IIRC. He was coming off another dominating season at SS. Pretty sure he never played another down.
Spiderweb Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 I disagree. Cornelius Bennett was a five time Pro Bowl selection, was once selected as the AFC defensive player of the year, and has been mentioned as the third-best pass rusher in the NFL. (The third-best of his time, not all-time.) His best season, sack-wise, was 1988, when he had 9.5 sacks. Like Bryce Paup, he also had the benefit of playing with Bruce Smith. 9.5 sacks is a very respectable achievement for an OLB, Bruce Smith or no. But Bryce Paup's 17.5 sacks is just a little bit better. Can't disagree that Paup still managed quite an accomplishment with 17.5 sacks. Yet, I also have to agree that Bruce Smith was to one who drew the double teams, who the opposition focused upon, and because of his greatness it led to far more opportunity for Paup than if Smith wasn't lined up opposite him. I recall a fairly sizable quantity of Paup's sacks coming from beating a TE and/or a back. Smith was the man and Paup benefited.. "Bad things, man, bad things" (RIP- D. Hopper)
Orton's Arm Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 Can't disagree that Paup still managed quite an accomplishment with 17.5 sacks. Yet, I also have to agree that Bruce Smith was to one who drew the double teams, who the opposition focused upon, and because of his greatness it led to far more opportunity for Paup than if Smith wasn't lined up opposite him. I recall a fairly sizable quantity of Paup's sacks coming from beating a TE and/or a back. Smith was the man and Paup benefited.. "Bad things, man, bad things" (RIP- D. Hopper) You've made a good point. And I agree that Bruce Smith was a better pure pass rusher than Paup. However . . . Bruce Smith is not the only RDE in the history of the league to consistently command double teams. Even on teams with very good RDEs, it's very, very rare to see an OLB put up over 17 sacks in a season! I'm not disagreeing with your point, just pointing out that Paup's season was very remarkable. You may recall the playoff game in which the Bills faced the Steelers. Bruce missed that game because he'd been hospitalized with an illness. The Steelers responded by consistently running plays to the opposite side of the field from wherever Paup happened to be. That cut down on his opportunities to make plays and put up good numbers. But it also showed the Steelers feared him.
jumbalaya Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 For the Bills of the late 70's and 80's besides, Nixon and Butler already mentioned, our best LB in the Bermuda Triangle and an absolute beast was Shane Nelson. Once his knee busted up he was never the same. One year opposing teams were averaging something like 1.5 yd per carry when he was in the games and over 4 when he was out. He would be on the wall had his career lasted. He was a stud. We also had a very good, very fast WR named Mike Montler (sp?) that never made an impact due to his knees. Maybe someone else remembers his name.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 (edited) We also had a very good, very fast WR named Mike Montler (sp?) that never made an impact due to his knees. Maybe someone else remembers his name. Mike Mosley is the player I think you're thinking of. Fast white boy. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoslMi00.htm Mike Montler was one of the centers (along with Bruce Jarvis) of The Electric Company. Edited June 6, 2011 by San Jose Bills Fan
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