Most talented player in Bills franchise history?

[Dopey]

24 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

Not at all. That just shows it was a poorly thought-out question.

Maybe we want to ask, "The most talented skill set FOR HIS POSITION in Bills history."

Otherwise I'm going with the Punt God.

He is talented, I give you that 

[Sierra Foothills]

8 hours ago, Locomark said:

I watched OJ as a kid. He was a great athlete and dominated for 2-3 years. He rarely caught the ball, never blocked like Thurman and had a much superior line and FB. He also played in an era where LBs,DEs, and Safetys were more bulky than fast. He rarely ran anyone over. In a later era I don’t know how he would have fared. Unlike Bruce he was not in the best 5 at his position all-time. So that is why he isn’t in the conversation with Bruce. He may not be top 7/8 even though he was given the ball on every play, something most athletes dream of.  He doesn’t come close to guys like Sanders or Smith. I listed the other random just showing guys that are natural superior athletes since that was the question. 

 

Sorry to pile on... you need to watch this highlight package and listen to the narration.

 

It's a myth and misunderstanding that OJ didn't have a power component to his game... these highlights are well worth the time spent watching and absolutely awe-inspiring (click on "Watch on YouTube"):

 

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

1 hour ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

Not saying he is even in the top 10, but I always thought Brian Moorman was extremely athletic 

you can keep your day job. 😆 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

4 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Kelly was incredibly tough. Is he tougher than Allen? Kelly had a big arm. Allen might have the biggest arm ever. There is literally nothing that Kelly could do that Allen can’t. There are lots of things that Allen can do that Kelly couldn’t. Talent-wise it isn’t a conversation. I wouldn’t have Kelly in the top 10 most talented Bills ever. He might not be in the top 20. 

Again, talent and accomplishment aren’t interchangeable. 

Physically and talent wise I agree Allen is better than Kelly in all aspects of the game save one.

Deep ball touch and accuracy. Allen still struggles with his deep ball. Allen and Rodgers are probably the greatest deep out or curl patterns QBs of all time. No one has thrown those passes better.  But on deep seam, post, or fly patterns Allen still struggles.  Kelly dropped those passes in the WR hands on a regular basis.  He could hit Lofton on a high arching pass or Reed on a deep cross in perfect stride.  

[Sierra Foothills]

2 hours ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

Not saying he is even in the top 10, but I always thought Brian Moorman was extremely athletic 

 

Especially when punting from his own end zone... maybe the best in league history in that situation.

 

 

[mannc]

10 hours ago, Locomark said:

I watched OJ as a kid. He was a great athlete and dominated for 2-3 years. He rarely caught the ball, never blocked like Thurman and had a much superior line and FB. He also played in an era where LBs,DEs, and Safetys were more bulky than fast. He rarely ran anyone over. In a later era I don’t know how he would have fared. Unlike Bruce he was not in the best 5 at his position all-time. So that is why he isn’t in the conversation with Bruce. He may not be top 7/8 even though he was given the ball on every play, something most athletes dream of.  He doesn’t come close to guys like Sanders or Smith. I listed the other random just showing guys that are natural superior athletes since that was the question. 

Probably one of the worst takes in the history of TSW…I don’t even know where to start.

[Marvin]

Those who denigrate OJ's running are incorrect.  He ran with power and he ran with speed.  And the hits he took would eventually end his career.  I can't recall him blocking -- then again, very few teams passed the ball even close to half the time.

 

I get that people want to minimise his contributions to the team in a very mediocre era in Bills history because of his alleged crimes.  But he was one of the best football athletes I have ever seen.

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Physically and talent wise I agree Allen is better than Kelly in all aspects of the game save one.

Deep ball touch and accuracy. Allen still struggles with his deep ball. Allen and Rodgers are probably the greatest deep out or curl patterns QBs of all time. No one has thrown those passes better.  But on deep seam, post, or fly patterns Allen still struggles.  Kelly dropped those passes in the WR hands on a regular basis.  He could hit Lofton on a high arching pass or Reed on a deep cross in perfect stride.  

That’s totally fair. Appreciate the thoughtful response!!

[dhgold]

I'm glad to see so many people sticking up for OJ (the football player).

 

Eleven years after he retired, OJ was still the standard of running back excellence.

[billykay]

47 minutes ago, Marvin said:

Those who denigrate OJ's running are incorrect.  He ran with power and he ran with speed.  And the hits he took would eventually end his career.  I can't recall him blocking -- then again, very few teams passed the ball even close to half the time.

 

I get that people want to minimise his contributions to the team in a very mediocre era in Bills history because of his alleged crimes.  But he was one of the best football athletes I have ever seen.

hits ? What hits ? His vision was so good that I never saw him take a big hit. I rate him right up there with Barry & Jim Brown.

[PromoTheRobot]

On 9/3/2022 at 1:21 AM, Special K said:

IMO, the top 3 has to be OJ Simpson, Bruce Smith, and Josh Allen, in whatever order you choose.

 

Although he hasn’t officially played a game with the Bills yet, Von Miller has to be pretty high on that list as well.

 

Pretty cool to think that the Bills might have two of the most talented players in franchise history playing at the same time!! 

 

What at are your thoughts?

 

How would you rank them, and who else would you put in your Top 5??

 

Allen is the best player ever. I've been a fan of the Bills since '66. No one has ever willed the Bills to more wins than him.

[The Frankish Reich]

4 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

Yeah, Barry Sanders was definitely gifted in a small, sports car sort of way.

 

Like you said, OJ had the turbo boost, like the Millenium Falcon going into hyperspace.

Great way of putting it!

[Chicagobills]

Vontae Davis 

[mannc]

56 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Allen is the best player ever. I've been a fan of the Bills since '66. No one has ever willed the Bills to more wins than him.

Even after only four seasons, it's hard to argue with that...

[Bills2022]

1 hour ago, dhgold said:

I'm glad to see so many people sticking up for OJ (the football player).

 

Eleven years after he retired, OJ was still the standard of running back excellence.

 

Thurman Thomas > OJ.   Thurman had 2000+ yards from scrimmage in two seasons, just like OJ.  but he also had 9 straight seasons of 1000+ yards from scrimmage.  OJ only had 6 and they were not consecutive. 

 

Give me Thurman.  

[LabattBlue]

Just now, Bills2022 said:

 

Thurman Thomas > OJ.   Thurman had 2000+ yards from scrimmage in two seasons, just like OJ.  but he also had 9 straight seasons of 1000+ yards from scrimmage.  OJ only had 6 and they were not consecutive. 

 

Give me Thurman.  

SMH. 🤔

[Sierra Foothills]

1 minute ago, Bills2022 said:

 

Thurman Thomas > OJ.   Thurman had 2000+ yards from scrimmage in two seasons, just like OJ.  but he also had 9 straight seasons of 1000+ yards from scrimmage.  OJ only had 6 and they were not consecutive. 

 

Give me Thurman.  

 

You can have him.

 

If OJ was on the Levy Bills, the team wouldn't have gone 0-4 in Super Bowls.

[Bills2022]

Just now, Sierra Foothills said:

 

You can have him.

 

If OJ was on the Levy Bills, the team wouldn't have gone 0-4 in Super Bowls.

 

No, the Bills would never have made the Super Bowl.   OJ never even made it to the Super Bowl because he wasn't talented enough to bring them there.  

[LabattBlue]

2 minutes ago, Bills2022 said:

 

No, the Bills would never have made the Super Bowl.   OJ never even made it to the Super Bowl because he wasn't talented enough to bring them there.  

Doubling down on bad takes is not a good idea. 

[thenorthremembers]

Probably not a popular opinion but Jason Peters should be in consideration.   Not the top guy but he has had a great career and was an incredible athlete.

 

Its going to be Josh by the end of his career but currently its Bruce.