BigDingus Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Ruben Brown (Guard): 1. Played 8 consecutive seasons for the Bills from 1996 to 2003, only missing 8 total games. 2. Made the Pro Bowl in all 8 seasons with the team (9 overall). 3. He was a 2nd Team All-Pro in 4 seasons; 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2002. Now that we got that out of the way, I just wanted to ask why he's rarely mentioned in the "best-of" conversations, or "All-whatever team" threads that pop up on the boards. The three things I can think of are 1) he played after the Super Bowls & the hey-day of the Kelly, Thurman, Reed, Bruce, etc. era, 2) he was only part of the 18 year drought for a couple of years, and 3) he was a Guard. Maybe it's because he's never been up for HOF consideration, even though he's quite deserving. Problem there is many linemen get snubbed for the Hall, so that's nothing new. Crazier still, I just was reading an article which mentioned that along with Bruce Smith, Ruben Brown is the only Bills player to have more Pro Bowl selections than Kelly, Thomas, Reed, Simpson, etc. Does nobody else find it odd he still doesn't get the recognition or credit he deserves? If anything, the guy deserves a spot on the Bills Wall of Fame. It's amusing that in his day, some thought he was actually overrated, yet now he's all but forgotten in most discussions. He's easily the most accomplished Bills O-linemen, and for a long time, he was one of the most accomplished & elite linemen in the league period. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Can he still play? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkwwjd Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 He was definitely a good player, but he was also the poster boy in his day for guys who got to the Pro Bowl because he got there the year before. He probably deserved the first two or three. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 6 minutes ago, Bills Fan in Haiti said: He was definitely a good player, but he was also the poster boy in his day for guys who got to the Pro Bowl because he got there the year before. He probably deserved the first two or three. He was All-Pro 4 times, last being 2006, I think, so he was still really good.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkwwjd Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 26 minutes ago, LeGOATski said: He was All-Pro 4 times, last being 2006, I think, so he was still really good.... I agree that he was very good, but definitely not under-rated as the OP asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceman_16 Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Who is Ruben Brown? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbRiddick Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 I remember at the time even Bills fans said he only got to the pro bowl so often based on reputation 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenorthremembers Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 He was very good. I think him being "forgotten" or "underrated" has more to do with him playing guard. Personally, I think Aaron Schobel may qualify here as well and he played a more premiere position. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Bills Fan in Haiti said: He was definitely a good player, but he was also the poster boy in his day for guys who got to the Pro Bowl because he got there the year before. He probably deserved the first two or three. Yeah I agree with this comment. Rueben was very good for many years, but I think toward the end of his career with the Bills, especially toward the end, his play was inconsistent. There were several years that he was maybe a bit more than average and he still made the Pro Bowl. I remember when Donahoe released him in 2003. Most fans were fine with in because he had a phat contract and wasn’t so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMAKCruiser Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 I am sure I am exaggerating a bit but I feel like he was flagged for holding every game 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 For me, he’s alwaus been one of the overrated guys. Excellent career, no doubt but not sure I put him among the top couple at his position of all time. I think he is more wall than hall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 15 minutes ago, SMAKCruiser said: I am sure I am exaggerating a bit but I feel like he was flagged for holding every game Spot on... I forgot. He was definitely flagged for penalties at the worst times too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Now I want a Rueben! Seriously though, he was a great guard . This was still before interior line play was really appreciated. I feel like back then voting for pro bowl was more of a popularity contest. Rueben was a heck of a player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 1 hour ago, BuffaloRush said: Yeah I agree with this comment. Rueben was very good for many years, but I think toward the end of his career with the Bills, especially toward the end, his play was inconsistent. There were several years that he was maybe a bit more than average and he still made the Pro Bowl. I remember when Donahoe released him in 2003. Most fans were fine with in because he had a phat contract and wasn’t so good. Most fans were also fine with it since he quit on the team at the end of the 2003 season (arguably the worst year of the drought)... !@#$ him. I also agree that he made critical mistakes at the absolute worst times. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helpmenow Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Reuben is a lot smaller than he was too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Lightning Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Not underrated at all. Overrated towards the end of his career. That said I would jump for joy to have his skillset at guard right now. Solid player. He's damn good on the radio as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 He's a good candidate. Great player. Modern era I'd think about Schoebel. From back in the day George Saimes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 How can Ruben be forgotten? He's at the double tree every other day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggTX Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 The most underappreciated Bill of all time is Robert James. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wppete Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 5 hours ago, LeGOATski said: Can he still play? Have you seen him lately? He looks very thin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 I don't think so. Everyone knows he was really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 5 hours ago, aceman_16 said: Who is Ruben Brown? ...Gov Jerry Brown's cousin............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCBongo Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Nope, every critical drive you would hear "holding, number 79, offense, 10 yard penalty repeat 2nd down". My father and I still prefer to any offensive holding as the Ruben Brown memorial penalty. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, DCBongo said: Nope, every critical drive you would hear "holding, number 79, offense, 10 yard penalty repeat 2nd down". My father and I still prefer to any offensive holding as the Ruben Brown memorial penalty. ? ..."momentarily detaining the opposition" sounds much more palatable IMO............... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 1 hour ago, wppete said: Have you seen him lately? He looks very thin. So... that's a "no" then... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helpmenow Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 1 hour ago, GreggTX said: The most underappreciated Bill of all time is Robert James. Never heard of him, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Dirty B Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 6 hours ago, RobbRiddick said: I remember at the time even Bills fans said he only got to the pro bowl so often based on reputation This is what I remember also. My dad used to go on and on about this. I met him once as a kid, really great guy. Wish I could say that about some others but anyways. As I've gotten older I've noticed my dad's sports opinions are awful. Much like mine lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrooter Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 (edited) 6 hours ago, Bills Fan in Haiti said: I agree that he was very good, but definitely not under-rated as the OP asked. My opinion exactly, Brown was overrated many years if anything IMO. Edited September 16, 2018 by billrooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Rueben was excellent and not underrated by virtue of his many Pro Bowls. I thought Jim Ritcher and Joe Devlin were underrated Offensive Lineman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 1 hour ago, GreggTX said: The most underappreciated Bill of all time is Robert James. Wrong. He was voted to 3 pro bowls and 2 All APro Teams while playing on a very crappy team. This means he was widely recognized by the league and the sports writers. He was a shutdown corner before they came up with the term. He was the reason they outlawed the bump and run. James is on the Bills Wall of Fame after a 6 year career. This is both recognition and appreciation. They can get no higher honor. Had and he played 10 years he may have been a Hall of Fame player, but like many, many, others players injuries shortened a great career. He he was not underappreciated but time moves on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 (edited) Honestly I think he might be the most OVERRATED player...he was good, and great for a few years maybe but a lot of those pro bowls toward the tail end were coming from name recognition...he probably only deserved 3, maybe 4 of them based on his actual play. He was definitely NOT as good as you would think based on his resume. Edited September 16, 2018 by matter2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Phil Hanson, Fred Smerlas,Eric Moulds are kind of forgotten too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDingus Posted September 20, 2018 Author Share Posted September 20, 2018 On 9/16/2018 at 3:03 AM, LeGOATski said: Can he still play? Man I wish...This O-line would immediately would improve to mediocre! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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