Brennan Huff Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Just now, unbillievable said: Vontae made NFL history. I wonder if he has any regrets? Would he be on the roster today? Not sure what his contract looked like… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 3 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said: Billy Joe Hobert might have been the worst. That’s also a fun game to play We traded a 3rd-round pick for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloCajun Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Sam Gash was special in so many ways... he never provided outstanding statistical output... his blocking was legendary... he would have had his own segment on GMFB... "the angry blocker..." the Bills used to use the term "Gash'ed" whenever a player on the team had a great block! 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unbillievable Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Not sure if Fred Jackson qualifies. He had tryouts with 3 other teams, started in NFL Europe, before playing his first real game with Buffalo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 30 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said: Great list. I put a line in where I'd separate the candidates for "Best Ever" from a group that is just "very good". Sanders and Beasely could still work their way up, but they need to either string a couple of great seasons together, or make some amazing plays that directly contribute to a Super Bowl victory season. I like Spielman but I don’t think he was close to best ever, he only played here 1.5 seasons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paup 1995MVP Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 44 minutes ago, ctk232 said: Agree with a lot here already, but just to throw a curveball here, Emmanuel Sanders is shaping up to be the FA steal for this FO in all honesty. Great call. I loved it when the Bills signed Sanders. He is a great professional WR. Just knows how to play the position well. Takes care of himself, has not lost his speed and knows how to avoid the big hit. If he keeps playing like this the Bills need to resign him for two more years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, McBean said: Is it Micah Hyde? I’m 31 so I’m sure some of you that are older will disagree but IMO Micah Hyde is the best free agent signing the Bills ever made. When Micah was signed it was year 1 of the McDermott era. Hyde set the tone. Leader, incredible player, and is so underrated. Thinking about it this morning I wanted to pose the question to the board…who’s the best Bills free agent signing of all time? Salute to Micah for all he’s done for this team. Seeing him score the pick 6 on Sunday night..I couldn’t help to think that the turnaround all started with HIM. Hyde and Poyer are definitely under the radar but they can in and solidified the defensive backfield for 5+ positive seasons. They have to be in contention. One suggestion I would make might be Ted Washington who essentially did the same thing with the Bills DL. Ted and Bryce Paup were two players that were perfect additions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloCajun Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 One could argue the best free agent signing the organization has made was Bean himself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 8 minutes ago, Rico said: We traded a 3rd-round pick for him. We made up for it when we got a 3rd for Tuh-ROD. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 49 minutes ago, nucci said: Art Still. The defense made a huge jump in '88 when he was signed Isaiah Robertson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 11 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said: 1. Ted Washington.......he was the best defensive player in the NFL in 1997 IMO and he was the foundation of their great overall defense which became the identity of the team.....whether fans realized it at the time or not. Cutting him erased 15 years of organizational identity building and set the drought in motion. From 1994-2004 he was the most dominant run defender in the NFL. 2. Bryce Paup..........gotta' give it to Paup because of his NFLDPOY year...........one of the greatest seasons in Bills history. 3. Jordan Poyer.........he's been the better of two tremendous safeties........and the cheaper signing. 4. Micah Hyde..........the last Whaley gem(Babich gets Poyer credit)........sustained, consistent excellence gives him the nod over the next gem. 5 Lorenzo Alexander...........another Whaley gem........cheap signing and contended for NFLDPOY and great culture guy.(Zach Brown was the other cheap signing that offseason and he lead the NFL in tackles). 6. James Lofton..........cheap acquisition and outstanding........unfortunately he was only that guy for about 2 and a half seasons before trailing off rapidly. 7.(tie) Doug Flutie and Tyrod Taylor...........a lot of mileage and good offensive production from two super cheap signings. Two different levels of fan appreciation but both played their part in QB'ing teams to the playoffs. Nice except Hyde was a McD gem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Smith Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Billy Joe Hobert 😋 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unbillievable Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 7 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said: 1. Ted Washington.......he was the best defensive player in the NFL in 1997 IMO and he was the foundation of their great overall defense which became the identity of the team.....whether fans realized it at the time or not. Cutting him erased 15 years of organizational identity building and set the drought in motion. From 1994-2004 he was the most dominant run defender in the NFL. Washington was part of those declining Bills years, and always seemed to be on the cusp of getting cut/traded for salary cap reasons. I agree, he was never fully appreciated. Fans always think that it's easy to find that space-eating NT, and prefer splashy players like Sapp, Glover, Kennedy, and Randle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chongli Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) No one has mentioned Kent Hull (RIP) yet. He was undrafted by the NFL, wasn't he? And then after the USFL, he followed Marv Levy and was signed by the Bills on the same date as Jim Kelly, I assume as a free agent. --------- EDIT: Rick Gosselin in the link below says Hull followed Levy here: https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/state-your-case/state-your-case-kent-hull "Levy spent a season coaching in the USFL so he was knowledgeable of the talent in that league. When Levy moved on to the Bills, he brought Hull along with him." But from my memory, and confirmed by to Pro Football Reference, Levy didn't come to Buffalo until midway through the 1986 season, when Hank Bullough was fired. And also from Pro Football Reference, Hull started here from day one of that season. So Hull couldn't have followed Levy. Edited October 13, 2021 by chongli 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said: Bryce Paup, Takeo Spikes, James Lofton Just off the top of my head for throwing options out there. Paup was one of my favorite Bills, even though his time here was short. My son was born in 2003 and I wanted his middle name to be Bryce six years after he left Buffalo. I got overruled. Note: She's me EX wife, now. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearNorth Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 4 minutes ago, chongli said: No one has mentioned Kent Hull (RIP) yet. He was undrafted, wasn't he? And then after the USFL, he followed Marv Levy and was signed by the Bills on the same date as Jim Kelly, I assume as a free agent. Hull is showing in PFR as an undrafted free agent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unbillievable Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 4 minutes ago, chongli said: No one has mentioned Kent Hull (RIP) yet. He was undrafted wasn't he? And then after the USFL, he was signed by the Bills on the same date as Jim Kelly, I assume as a free agent. there are a few exceptions, like Fred Jackson, but I think it would be easier if it was specific to players who were on other NFL teams, before signing with buffalo. Otherwise this would turn into an UDFA thread. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 5 minutes ago, chongli said: No one has mentioned Kent Hull (RIP) yet. He was undrafted by the NFL, wasn't he? And then after the USFL, he followed Marv Levy and was signed by the Bills on the same date as Jim Kelly, I assume as a free agent. If accurate, then immediately goes to the top of the list. But are we really counting UDFAs here? Seems more like a discussion around established players who came from other teams. Great suggestion. Tough call (on UDFAs). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearNorth Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Cookie Gilchrist was a free agent, signed from the CFL. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleTheWagons99 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Mario? Not best but should be mentioned. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearNorth Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 minute ago, DrDawkinstein said: If accurate, then immediately goes to the top of the list. But are we really counting UDFAs here? Seems more like a discussion around established players who came from other teams. Great suggestion. Tough call (on UDFAs). He was signed from a defunct league, no one in the NFL had his rights, same deal as a CFL signing. Jack Kemp was claimed from the waiver wire. Only Bills QB to end the season [twice] with a W in a championship game. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeAndy Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 The streak doesn’t end in without Tyrod. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 minute ago, Rico said: Nice except Hyde was a McD gem. Could be, but Whaley's record with lower profile FA signings was strong and McD was pulling info from a lot of people to find his players.(Personally, Hyde was my top free agent target for Buffalo and shouldn't have been lower profile, but he was). IMO, the 2017 draft was mostly intel he stole from Carolina with the help of Beane.........Tre White as a no brainer, he was IMO at the time the best CB prospect in the draft(over the more gifted Lattimore even) so if I could see that, any pro personnel guy should.........but I certainly don't believe that Dawkins and Milano go in Whaley's ledger (and Zay Jones was basically selected by McD's ***** WR coach hire Phil McGeoghan). But regarding Hyde.......the fact is that Beane's free agent and trade acquisitions were VERY sh*tty for the first 14 months or so................so I gotta' give Whaley and staff some pro personnel credit on the Hyde signing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manther Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 3 minutes ago, CircleTheWagons99 said: Mario? Not best but should be mentioned. Mario should be a top 5 to top 10 FA signing of all time. I would lean towards top 5. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceVilanch Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Takeo was great, a shame him and Fletcher were caught in the heart of the drought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeAndy Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Just now, BADOLBILZ said: Could be, but Whaley's record with lower profile FA signings was strong and McD was pulling info from a lot of people to find his players.(Personally, Hyde was my top free agent target for Buffalo and shouldn't have been lower profile, but he was). IMO, the 2017 draft was mostly intel he stole from Carolina with the help of Beane.........Tre White as a no brainer, he was IMO at the time the best CB prospect in the draft(over the more gifted Lattimore even) so if I could see that, any pro personnel guy should.........but I certainly don't believe that Dawkins and Milano go in Whaley's ledger (and Zay Jones was basically selected by McD's ***** WR coach hire Phil McGeoghan). But regarding Hyde.......the fact is that Beane's free agent and trade acquisitions were VERY sh*tty for the first 14 months or so................so I gotta' give Whaley and staff some pro personnel credit on the Hyde signing. Whaley may have been an idiot, but he had his strength and finding gem FAs was one. 1 minute ago, BruceVilanch said: Takeo was great, a shame him and Fletcher were caught in the heart of the drought. Spikes-Fletcher-Crowell may have been the best LB core we ever had. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unbillievable Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 minute ago, BruceVilanch said: Takeo was great, a shame him and Fletcher were caught in the heart of the drought. The drought really skews the way some of these players are graded. I also think a few are benefiting from recency bias. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 5 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said: Could be, but Whaley's record with lower profile FA signings was strong and McD was pulling info from a lot of people to find his players.(Personally, Hyde was my top free agent target for Buffalo and shouldn't have been lower profile, but he was). IMO, the 2017 draft was mostly intel he stole from Carolina with the help of Beane.........Tre White as a no brainer, he was IMO at the time the best CB prospect in the draft(over the more gifted Lattimore even) so if I could see that, any pro personnel guy should.........but I certainly don't believe that Dawkins and Milano go in Whaley's ledger (and Zay Jones was basically selected by McD's ***** WR coach hire Phil McGeoghan). But regarding Hyde.......the fact is that Beane's free agent and trade acquisitions were VERY sh*tty for the first 14 months or so................so I gotta' give Whaley and staff some pro personnel credit on the Hyde signing. https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2017/12/how_did_buffalo_bills_land_micah_hyde_in_free_agency_ask_the_green_bay_packers.html McD wanted him on the team. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 17 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said: Spikes-Fletcher-Crowell may have been the best LB core we ever had. Talley-Bennett-Conlin 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Lofton because it led directly to the beginning of our Super Bowl run. The offense hugely improved once he was inserted as a starter in '90. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 26 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said: Whaley may have been an idiot, but he had his strength and finding gem FAs was one. Spikes-Fletcher-Crowell may have been the best LB core we ever had. 8 minutes ago, nucci said: Talley-Bennett-Conlin I’ll put up Tracey, Stratton & Jacobs as Best Ever 20 minutes ago, Rico said: https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2017/12/how_did_buffalo_bills_land_micah_hyde_in_free_agency_ask_the_green_bay_packers.html McD wanted him on the team. Fantastic article, @Rico Thanks! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeerie Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 1 hour ago, McBean said: Is it Micah Hyde? I’m 31 so I’m sure some of you that are older will disagree but IMO Micah Hyde is the best free agent signing the Bills ever made. When Micah was signed it was year 1 of the McDermott era. Hyde set the tone. Leader, incredible player, and is so underrated. Thinking about it this morning I wanted to pose the question to the board…who’s the best Bills free agent signing of all time? Salute to Micah for all he’s done for this team. Seeing him score the pick 6 on Sunday night..I couldn’t help to think that the turnaround all started with HIM. I was shocked that Green Bay didn't re-sign him. I had just watched him in the GB v Dallas playoff game and he played lights out. I said at the time, I would love it if the Bills could get him. And we did! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Coot Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Jack Kemp (if he counts as a free agent) we claimed him off waivers How about Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Had Spielman not gotten injured he could have been higher up in the conversation My top 5 Paup Washington Lofton Spikes Hyde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) In terms of longevity you can’t argue against Hyde/Poyer for most other signings. A lot of the common responses in my opinion aren’t as good as Hyde and Poyer but one is as good and one is better. Spikes - Had two great seasons in 2003-2004. But he was hurt in 2005 and not as effective in 2006. Then he was traded. Bryce Paup- Had a fantastic DPOY in his first year but then was hurt in 1996 and turned in a solid but not fantastic 1997 before he left. Certainly a greater peak but not a lot of longevity. Ted Washington- This is one that has both the longevity and production to rival Hyde/Poyer. Washington was in Buffalo for 6 seasons and made 3 Pro Bowls and was a rock solid starter all 6 years. I think Hyde and Poyer will need to put in 2 more seasons of high end production to edge out Ted. London Fletcher- He was in Buffalo for 5 seasons and was healthy and productive all 5 seasons. Although Fletcher never got even a Pro Bowl in his years here that is a travesty as he was a really good player. This one you could argue is currently as good as Hyde/Poyer but if Hyde/Poyer give you one more season you give them the edge. James Lofton- Was in Buffalo for 4 seasons but was hurt most of his first year. Three productive seasons followed but I would put the Hyde/Poyer combo over them. Edited October 13, 2021 by billsfan89 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDubya76 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 2 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said: Bryce Paup, Takeo Spikes, James Lofton Just off the top of my head for throwing options out there. Those were the first three that came to mind. We are from a different Bills fan generation I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 No love for Kenny Davis? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muppy Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Immediate impact and the last missing piece to the 90's super bowl teams my choice is James Lofton WR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SydneyBillsFan Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 3 hours ago, DJB said: Vontae Davis Left the building before dotting the 'i' on his contract signature. What a guy!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 2 hours ago, BearNorth said: He was signed from a defunct league, no one in the NFL had his rights, same deal as a CFL signing. Jack Kemp was claimed from the waiver wire. Only Bills QB to end the season [twice] with a W in a championship game. and 2 playoff loses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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