Big Turk Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Was listening to Bill Polian on NFL Radio this morning talking about the old Bills teams and he gave Kay Stephenson a lot of credit for what happened. He said before the '85 draft the Bills had stockpiled picks and had 2 picks in each of the first 4 rounds. Polian was getting many offers for trading some of those picks for current good players and wanted to go that route because he was afraid they would lose their jobs if there wasn't some significant improvement... He went to Stephenson who said "Absolutely not, Mr. Wilson brought us here to bring a championship caliber team to Buffalo, and the only way we can do that is by drafting well in this draft. If we don't get the job done, then that's just too bad, but we are not trading those picks." He claimed the integrity and devotion of Stephenson to the team is what led to the Bills teams of the late 80s and early 90s because he would have traded some of those picks for players... The behind the scenes things you never knew...possibly the worst coach in team history helped set the table and prevent a huge mistake based on fear of losing jobs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDD Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Nails Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Sacramento Surge royalty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffismagic Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Was listening to Bill Polian on NFL Radio this morning talking about the old Bills teams and he gave Kay Stephenson a lot of credit for what happened. He said before the '85 draft the Bills had stockpiled picks and had 2 picks in each of the first 4 rounds. Polian was getting many offers for trading some of those picks for current good players and wanted to go that route because he was afraid they would lose their jobs if there wasn't some significant improvement... He went to Stephenson who said "Absolutely not, Mr. Wilson brought us here to bring a championship caliber team to Buffalo, and the only way we can do that is by drafting well in this draft. If we don't get the job done, then that's just too bad, but we are not trading those picks." He claimed the integrity and devotion of Stephenson to the team is what led to the Bills teams of the late 80s and early 90s because he would have traded some of those picks for players... The behind the scenes things you never knew...possibly the worst coach in team history helped set the table and prevent a huge mistake based on fear of losing jobs... Yes, a great lesson in how long term thinking should trump short term needs when drafting. Too bad the Bills got rid of Polian and have been doing the exact opposite of what he did since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Best Player Available Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Yes, a great lesson in how long term thinking should trump short term needs when drafting. Too bad the Bills got rid of Polian and have been doing the exact opposite of what he did since. Plug the hole with dumster finds and cross your fingers. whaley has hit pay dirt a couple of times. He has also missed big time ( Harvin, C. Williams, R. Bush etc.) but this philosophy if it even is one. is suspect and short term. Look at the reciever corp and Whaley's letting homegrown draft picks walk. R.Woods blocking alone had huge value. The drafting of effing track stars (nix included) That blow. How did that work? And still waiting for a NFL RT. The "he has potential" card is worn out. There is no vision at the executive level on this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIDE LEFT Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 I believe it was Stephenson who was responsible for hiring Polian to begin with. Actually had to sneaki the hiring of Polian in actually, as Ralph Wilson, ever the cheapskate, so no need for a director of pro personnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 From what has been written and spoken over the years, think Hank Bullough has him beat on that one! (at least in the eyes of Fred Smerles) Was listening to Bill Polian on NFL Radio this morning talking about the old Bills teams and he gave Kay Stephenson a lot of credit for what happened.He said before the '85 draft the Bills had stockpiled picks and had 2 picks in each of the first 4 rounds. Polian was getting many offers for trading some of those picks for current good players and wanted to go that route because he was afraid they would lose their jobs if there wasn't some significant improvement...He went to Stephenson who said "Absolutely not, Mr. Wilson brought us here to bring a championship caliber team to Buffalo, and the only way we can do that is by drafting well in this draft. If we don't get the job done, then that's just too bad, but we are not trading those picks."He claimed the integrity and devotion of Stephenson to the team is what led to the Bills teams of the late 80s and early 90s because he would have traded some of those picks for players...The behind the scenes things you never knew...possibly the worst coach in team history helped set the table and prevent a huge mistake based on fear of losing jobs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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