Your Top 3 Players from the "Drought Era" you'd add to the current roster

[machine gun kelly]

49 minutes ago, DasNootz said:

Purely for this roster:

 

Moulds

Nate Clements

Mario Williams

 

 

 

 

I like you’re list, but would replace

Mario with Takeo.

 

Moulds would be a great DK Metcalf type teamed up with Diggs and Davis.  What a combination.

 

Clements could lead as 2nd, and Elam can learn behind him.

 

Takeo would replace Edmunds as a perfect ILB.  Someone earlier said Takeo over Milano.  Obviously a couple don’t realize how much of an impact Milano makes on this team as the Wil.  Edmunds is not a Wil.  He’s the Sam and Takeo was far better in the same role.  This is not me indicting Edmunds simply Edmunds still has holes and is a make or been year for him.

 

Thats my play along for this game.  That would be a heck of a team, not that I’m not incredibly happy with the team we have this year.

[DasNootz]

30 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

I like you’re list, but would replace

Mario with Takeo.

 

Moulds would be a great DK Metcalf type teamed up with Diggs and Davis.  What a combination.

 

Clements could lead as 2nd, and Elam can learn behind him.

 

Takeo would replace Edmunds as a perfect ILB.  Someone earlier said Takeo over Milano.  Obviously a couple don’t realize how much of an impact Milano makes on this team as the Wil.  Edmunds is not a Wil.  He’s the Sam and Takeo was far better in the same role.  This is not me indicting Edmunds simply Edmunds still has holes and is a make or been year for him.

 

Thats my play along for this game.  That would be a heck of a team, not that I’m not incredibly happy with the team we have this year.

I thought about Takeo, but the game is different now and I don’t know how he’d do vs modern TEs.  If we were playing Tennessee every week, sign me up.  Putting Williams opposite Miller would be massive destruction for a pocket. 

[GunnerBill]

44 minutes ago, DasNootz said:

I thought about Takeo, but the game is different now and I don’t know how he’d do vs modern TEs.  If we were playing Tennessee every week, sign me up.  Putting Williams opposite Miller would be massive destruction for a pocket. 

 

He'd get killed. He does a lot of tv stuff over here in the UK and he has even said himself that his style of linebacker would struggle to play in the NFL of the 2020s.

[GoBills808]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

I like you’re list, but would replace

Mario with Takeo.

 

Moulds would be a great DK Metcalf type teamed up with Diggs and Davis.  What a combination.

 

Clements could lead as 2nd, and Elam can learn behind him.

 

Takeo would replace Edmunds as a perfect ILB.  Someone earlier said Takeo over Milano.  Obviously a couple don’t realize how much of an impact Milano makes on this team as the Wil.  Edmunds is not a Wil.  He’s the Sam and Takeo was far better in the same role.  This is not me indicting Edmunds simply Edmunds still has holes and is a make or been year for him.

 

Thats my play along for this game.  That would be a heck of a team, not that I’m not incredibly happy with the team we have this year.

Edmunds is not a SAM, he’s the MIKE.

[Buffalo Bills Fan]

Fred Jackson

Brian moorman 

Robert woods 

[NoHuddleKelly12]

5 hours ago, chris heff said:

Kyle Orton? I’ll never forget him starting a slide three yards behind marker when there was no one within ten yards.

Yah as a starter of course it’s a no go—but we’ve also had worse during the drought. 

[machine gun kelly]

3 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

Edmunds is not a SAM, he’s the MIKE.

You’re right.  My apologies.  My point was more so on how critical Milano is to our LB corp and the defense last two years looked different when he wa healthy and when he was out.

[Norcalbillsfan]

Fred Jackson over beast mode just cuz Jackson was criminally underutilized in the passing game. Pair his blocking/catching with josh and that's a nightmare for LBs.

 

Moorman (before punt God pick) 

 

Gilmore in his prime with tre would be unfair

[Snappysnackcakes]

In the current NFL, I’d vote for both Clements and McGee. McGee would double as a great return man (kickoffs). Specifically to our defense, I’d pick Fletcher over Spikes and if you look at his career stats, he compares to Ray Lewis. I loved Aaron but I’d beef up the secondary in this age of the NFL. And I’d take Fletcher every day of the year over Edmunds. Edmunds seems like a good kid, but he’s a feckless leader and if you watched the sidelines during the Jags game, he was curled up at the end of the bench, to himself, and not acting as any kind of leader whatsoever. And if this is about drought era players, why is everyone throwing Moulds and Winfield in here? My God what our team would be with those guys…

[Never NEVER Give-up]

Ted Washington (2000)
Marshawn Lynch
Terrance McGee

Eric Moulds (chose McGee over Moulds due to perceived team need)

Edited June 5, 2022 by Never NEVER Give-up

[Snappysnackcakes]

3 minutes ago, Never NEVER Give-up said:

Ted Washington (2000)
Marshawn Lynch
Terrance McGee

Eric Moulds (chose McGee over Moulds due to perceived team need)

Big Ted was in the playoffs. Is this about drought era or our favorite players? 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 6/3/2022 at 4:21 PM, BigDingus said:

So I saw this question on Twitter & thought I'd ask it here just for fun.  What 3 players from 2000-2017 era of no playoffs would you guys choose to replace a current roster member with?  Also, which specific known starters would you replace with them?

 

**********

 

1. Takeo Spikes, LB - He normally played ILB, but I'd replace Milano as I'd prefer to see him & Edmunds on the field together. But if it came down to it, I'd take him over Edmunds too.

2. Ruben Brown, LG - He sometimes was called "overrated" by fans, but the guy made 8x Pro Bowls & 4x 2nd team All Pro on the Bills. He made the playoffs, but he played for us until signing with the Bears in 2004. I'd replace Ryan Bates & hope Saffold can play RG 😁

3. Marshawn Lynch, RB - There's a lot of good picks for RB, but I think having a really powerful, hard to tackle back that can get those tough yards would be best. I know the conventional wisdom would suggest someone good at catching the ball & be a dual receiving threat, but I think Lynch would kill it in this setup. The field is so spread out, he'd have a field day, and Josh would be the additional running threat if plays break down. Plus, there are just those short yardage situations you'd prefer to have Lynch over a QB sneak or a more shifty guy like Shady. 

 

**********

 

Anyway, I really wanted to put Kyle Williams on the list, or an underrated guy like Terrance McGee who was a strong CB & ST guy (CB in particular has some nice candidates), but these are the 3 I'd love to take most. 

 

 

Without reading any replies I'm going to go with...

 

Aaron Schobel: a highly underrated player. Sack master and also racked up a lot of tackles. Effective against the run too.

Jason Peters: As much as I love Dawkins, how are you going to turn down a HOF left tackle? Biggest mistake not paying this guy what he was worth.

Terrence McGee: GREAT return specialist and would be awesome paired up with Tre White as a #2.

 

I mostly went with positions of need. Honorable mentions would be Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher, Fred Jackson, and Prime Nate Clements.

6 hours ago, Buffalo Bills Fan said:

Fred Jackson

Brian moorman 

Robert woods 

 

IDK. This is kind of a weak list lol no offense

38 minutes ago, Never NEVER Give-up said:

Ted Washington (2000)
Marshawn Lynch
Terrance McGee

Eric Moulds (chose McGee over Moulds due to perceived team need)

 

How did I forget Moulds???

[Snappysnackcakes]

29 minutes ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

 

Without reading any replies I'm going to go with...

 

Aaron Schobel: a highly underrated player. Sack master and also racked up a lot of tackles. Effective against the run too.

Jason Peters: As much as I love Dawkins, how are you going to turn down a HOF left tackle? Biggest mistake not paying this guy what he was worth.

Terrence McGee: GREAT return specialist and would be awesome paired up with Tre White as a #2.

 

I mostly went with positions of need. Honorable mentions would be Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher, Fred Jackson, and Prime Nate Clements.

 

IDK. This is kind of a weak list lol no offense

 

How did I forget Moulds???

You didn’t “forget Moulds” because Eric wasn’t a part of the drought. 

[Punching Bag]

On 6/3/2022 at 9:29 PM, RaoulDuke79 said:

Marshawn

Stevie Johnson (would love to see him with Allen)

Aaron Schobel

 

The idea that Allen could get in sync with Stevie Johnson like Fitzpatrick did freaks me out.

He used to jerk CBs out of their shoes.

[Punching Bag]

11 hours ago, chris heff said:

Kyle Orton? I’ll never forget him starting a slide three yards behind marker when there was no one within ten yards.

 

He reminds me on QB in "The Replacements" just before strike.

[hondo in seattle]

23 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

Byrd has a great highlight reel of INTs, but I'm not sure I'd want him to replace Hyde or Poyer.

There were plenty of winners on those teams that would fit right in with the process.

 

Agreed.  

 

Those 9 picks Byrd's rookie year are misleading.  Several times he was out of position but had the ball bounce his direction or the QB made a terrible throw.  

 

His actual skills improved as his career progressed, but he never again got more than five picks. 

 

The gridiron gods smiled on him his rookie year.   He wasn't actually that stellar.   Hyde and Poyer are both better.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Kyle Williams, Aaron Schobel, , Ryan Fitzpatrick for backup (would love Ted Washington but he was just before the draught)

 

 

[chongli]

11 hours ago, Buffalo Junction said:

 

Terrance McGee. Could play outside and slot cb. Electric returner that was a threat to take any interception, FR, PR, or KR to the house. I’d take Winfield over McGee all day, but if we’re going pure center of the drought remembered for one team guy McGee fits the Bill. Dude could flip the momentum of a game at any moment. 
 

 

 

2005: JP Losman's first year playing. Absolutely electric kickoff return by McGee at the end of the first half. Perhaps the greatest in Bills history. Had he scored, I say the Bills would have gone on to beat the Saints.

 

 

[GoBills!]

Pro bowl Schoebel
Jason Peters
Fred Jackson.

[chongli]

7 minutes ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

Kyle Williams, Aaron Schobel, , Ryan Fitzpatrick for backup (would love Ted Washington but he was just before the draught)

 

 

Washington did play for us in 2000, the first year of the drought. If people are including Moulds in their lists, who also played for us in the playoffs, Washington is fair game.

Edited June 5, 2022 by chongli

[Buffalo Barbarian]

1 minute ago, chongli said:

 

Washington did play for us in 2000, the first year of the drought. If people are including Moulds in their lists, who also played for us in the playoffs, Washington is fair game.

 

Dumbass coach Grego cut him and others and ruined our defense and started the whole drought off.

 

 

[chongli]

2 hours ago, Snappysnackcakes said:

Big Ted was in the playoffs. Is this about drought era or our favorite players? 

 

1 hour ago, Snappysnackcakes said:

You didn’t “forget Moulds” because Eric wasn’t a part of the drought. 

 

Interesting question. Moulds does feel a little unfair, but then we also have to exclude Kyle Williams, who played in the playoffs his final year. But since the OP's post stipulates, without further clarification (AFAIK...haven't read the whole thread):

 

"What 3 players from 2000-2017 era of no playoffs would you guys choose to replace a current roster member with?"

 

I would argue that any player who played during this time would be eligible.

[Punching Bag]

 

On 6/3/2022 at 4:21 PM, BigDingus said:

So I saw this question on Twitter & thought I'd ask it here just for fun.  What 3 players from 2000-2017 era of no playoffs would you guys choose to replace a current roster member with?  Also, which specific known starters would you replace with them?

 

Anyway, I really wanted to put Kyle Williams on the list, or an underrated guy like Terrance McGee who was a strong CB & ST guy (CB in particular has some nice candidates), but these are the 3 I'd love to take most. 

 

It does not say no players who saw playoffs before or after draught,   

In debating this would be a big hole, big enough to run Ted Washington through.

 

It also does not specify what is a starter.  Some are skipping 2nd part of question "Also, which specific known starters would you replace with them?"

When you have a team which plays 4-2-3-2 formation that includes NCB.   It may or may not include kickers depending on point of view [those who think special teams members can be found in cracker jack boxes will disagree).

 

 

Correctly worded as some are answering is "What 3 players from 2000-2017 era of no playoffs who only played for the Bills during that era would you guys choose to replace a current starting roster member with [yes starters have not been established yet and likely will not be until end of preseason]? "

 

 

[Nelius]

Wow, now this is an offseason thread. Awesome job, great thread

 

Hard to disagree with Takeo - yes, #1

Brian Moorman easy - #2

#3? the fun pick. A man can dream - prime Lee Evans running long with Josh for like 40 catches and an easy 1k per year. Just a compliment to Diggs and Davis, but what Sanders would have been if he was 25 and fast.

 

[eball]

19 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

I think the "long time apologist that credited the Bills for trading that ingrate Peters" is showing. 

 

Peters is the only sure-fire HOF'er the Bills drafted or developed during the drought...........and the 2021 Bills OL undermined what should have been a championship season last year.........arguably single-handedly with their 125 combined pressures and sacks.      I know some people think that 34 year old Rodger Saffold has somehow flipped them from bad to good but that's simply illogical.

 

Jason Peters

Mario Williams

Marcell Dareus

 

The HOF'er and the two guys who had the most dominant seasons of any Bills during the drought.

 

 

Yeah, yeah…you guys have convinced me.  I didn’t include Peters for the reason I stated, not because I hold some ridiculous grudge.  I do believe the OL will play at a much higher level this year for a number of reasons, but I understand the comments about moving Dawkins inside and making it even better.

 

[T master]

Mario Williams

Marshawn Lynch

Arron Schobel  

[JaCrispy]

“The Lion” Fred Jackson

 

Jason Peters

 

Aaron Schobel 

[BuffaloFan68]

Eric Moulds

Kyle Williams

Aaron Schobel 

[GunnerBill]

19 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

Edmunds is not a SAM, he’s the MIKE.

 

And Milano plays both the SAM and the WILL depending on the look the defense is in. When he became a starter the Bills were still a 4-3 base with Zo as the SAM but now in the 4-2-5 Milano lines up on the strong side regularly (without the numbers infront of me I'd posit even more than he lines up on the weakside). The fact is Spikes couldn't play either of those spots in this D and he has pretty much accepted that himself in the tv stuff he has done in the UK. 

22 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

I think the "long time apologist that credited the Bills for trading that ingrate Peters" is showing. 

 

Peters is the only sure-fire HOF'er the Bills drafted or developed during the drought...........and the 2021 Bills OL undermined what should have been a championship season last year.........arguably single-handedly with their 125 combined pressures and sacks.      I know some people think that 34 year old Rodger Saffold has somehow flipped them from bad to good but that's simply illogical.

 

Jason Peters

Mario Williams

Marcell Dareus

 

The HOF'er and the two guys who had the most dominant seasons of any Bills during the drought.

 

 

That is the list. @GoBills808 had it first and it should have been end of thread at that point to me. The other answers are wrong. 

[pigpen65]

Fred Jackson instantly pops out as an excellent Bills players who deserved better than the drought Bills. Not just that his talelent was wasted here, but also that the losers in charge never even have him the respect he deserved while he was here. That's the name that pops out for me right off the bat. The waste of Jackson's career here was so egregious. 

 

[BADOLBILZ]

4 hours ago, eball said:

 

Yeah, yeah…you guys have convinced me.  I didn’t include Peters for the reason I stated, not because I hold some ridiculous grudge.  I do believe the OL will play at a much higher level this year for a number of reasons, but I understand the comments about moving Dawkins inside and making it even better.

 

 

 

Well the visceral hate for Peters on this board was at about 90% in the 5 years or so after his trade.........grudges are still illogically held by some even though they can now see that Bills management was just incompetent.   Ask @PromoTheRobot and others who were still trying to critique his play when he was 35 years old.     As I said at the time,   Peters was an established veteran but he would easily outlast any of those rookies they got in that trade.   That was an understatement.........I believe Matt Stafford is the only active position player in the entire NFL left from that draft going into 2022........and Peters is likely to return for his age 40 season.   Even last season, 12 years after the trade,  he would have been a significant upgrade over Spencer Brown.    And at 39 years of age his 2021 PFF grade at LT (77.5) was the same as Dion Dawkins.   Amazing player.......as Andy Reid once said "the Peyton Manning of offensive tackles" and no doubt the GOAT of the Bills drought era. 

 

[Buffalo Bills Fan]

13 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

 

Without reading any replies I'm going to go with...

 

Aaron Schobel: a highly underrated player. Sack master and also racked up a lot of tackles. Effective against the run too.

Jason Peters: As much as I love Dawkins, how are you going to turn down a HOF left tackle? Biggest mistake not paying this guy what he was worth.

Terrence McGee: GREAT return specialist and would be awesome paired up with Tre White as a #2.

 

I mostly went with positions of need. Honorable mentions would be Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher, Fred Jackson, and Prime Nate Clements.

 

IDK. This is kind of a weak list lol no offense

 

How did I forget Moulds???

Understand what you mean buddy. Just thinking witch player's would really help the team now to make it a complete team.. Love spikes among others moulds forget him as well. 

Edited June 5, 2022 by Buffalo Bills Fan

[BADOLBILZ]

12 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

I’m somewhat surprised with the scoffing at the suggestion the offensive line could be a problem… people have short memories around here I guess… then again, there were fans consistently thinking some of those awful drought teams had “playoff caliber” potential. 😅

 

 

It never fails.........the further you get into the offseason the more people forget how the games actually unfold.    Their OL was simply terrible for most of 2021.   I know they added Kromer but at the same time they are talking about more outside zone running..........even though the secondary reason(behind using Allen like a battering ram) to the OL playing better toward the end was getting away from the outside zone blocking.

[gobills404]

Jason Peters

Eric Moulds

Mario Williams

 

[BBills_88]

Kyle Williams 

Jerry Hughes 

Eric Moulds

Edited June 5, 2022 by BBills_88

[Rico]

1 hour ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Well the visceral hate for Peters on this board was at about 90% in the 5 years or so after his trade.........grudges are still illogically held by some even though they can now see that Bills management was just incompetent.   Ask @PromoTheRobot and others who were still trying to critique his play when he was 35 years old.     As I said at the time,   Peters was an established veteran but he would easily outlast any of those rookies they got in that trade.   That was an understatement.........I believe Matt Stafford is the only active position player in the entire NFL left from that draft going into 2022........and Peters is likely to return for his age 40 season.   Even last season, 12 years after the trade,  he would have been a significant upgrade over Spencer Brown.    And at 39 years of age his 2021 PFF grade at LT (77.5) was the same as Dion Dawkins.   Amazing player.......as Andy Reid once said "the Peyton Manning of offensive tackles" and no doubt the GOAT of the Bills drought era. 

 

Yeah, but he looked cool.

Edited June 5, 2022 by Rico

[NeverOutNick]

Fred Jackson And Kyle Williams are no brainers that deserve to be on this team in their prime and would immediately improve the team.

 

3rd would be dealers choice on Corner Winfield, Gilmore or Clements

[Freddie's Dead]

Fred Jackson:  Triple threat at RB, would be a huge target for Josh, NFL MVP in 2011 before he broke his leg

Kyle Williams:  Best DT of the drought era (yeah, I seddit!), best FB of the drought era, pass-catching threat out the backfield

 

The third choice is difficult, many to choose from.  Imma go:

 

Antoine Winfield:  Lockdown corner, but even more importantly, very strong defender against the run.

 

Honorable mentions:  Eric Moulds, London Fletcher, Aaron Schobel.

 

Great post, OP!

 

Edited June 6, 2022 by Freddie's Dead

[transplantbillsfan]

Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson 

Fred Jackson 

 

His combination of ability to pass protect, run and catch the football would be so welcome in this offense. Lynch had a great NFL career and is likely on his way to the HOF, but I honestly think prime Fred Jackson was a better overall RB than prime Marshawn Lynch. Unfortunately, he had horrible luck... part injuries and part withheld opportunities among other things 

[Richard Noggin]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:05 PM, KzooMike said:

Looking at our scheme?

 

DT: Pat Williams: Who isn't super drought era, but I've seen some Moulds responses. Who isn't super drought era either. Pat in the 3-Tech would allow Ed to do what he does best. I haven't seen Pat mentioned yet, lots of Kyle who is also a great option in this spot but Pat is always going to require two people. 

 

I don't hate the Pat Williams responses (and I especially don't hate the Eric Moulds responses). But how exactly would "Pat in the 3-tech...allow Ed to do what he does best?" Ed Oliver's "best" is IN the 3-tech! He's been forced to line up at 0 or 1-tech fairly often in college and in the pros, unfortunately, based on necessity. But if you're trying to boost Ed Oliver's production, specifically, adding a NT makes more sense than adding another 3T. Right?