The State of the Bills the last time we played the Broncos in preseason

[BillsFan619]

Thought it would be interesting to look back.
 

It was 2011.

 

HC - Chan Gailey

OC - Curtis Modkins

DC - George Edwards

 

A few of the offensive players:

QB - Fitz

RB - Fred Jackson

WR - Stevie Johnson

TE - Scott Chandler

 

A few of the defensive players:

DT - Kyle Williams

DT - Marcel Dareus

DE - Chris Kelsay

CB - Terrence McGee

LB - Kelvin Sheppard (and people complain about Tremaine 😜)

 

This was the year that we started out 4-1 and beat the Pats in dramatic fashion 34-31. Most were thinking playoffs.

 

We’d go on to lose 9 of our next 11 games and we had a 7 game losing streak during that stretch. We finished 6-10 and our drought extends to 11 years.

 

By the way, we ended up losing to the Broncos in that pre-season game, 24-10.

 

We have it so good right now, Bills Mafia. Go Bills!

 

 

Extracurricular - Here’s a fun discussion. If you could pick one of our players from the 2011 roster to be on the 2022 roster, who would it be?

 

This is a difficult one. I think my favorite drought player is Kyle Williams. But, I think I’d have to choose Fred Jackson because I think our DL rotation this year is good and FJ would most likely help our running game be at another level this season.

 

Below is a link to the 2011 roster if you’d like to take a look at it to make your choice.

 

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2011

[hemma]

I’d take Fred any year on any team.

[Rubes]

6 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

Thought it would be interesting to look back.
 

It was 2011.

 

HC - Chan Gailey

OC - Curtis Modkins

DC - George Edwards

 

A few of the offensive players:

QB - Fitz

RB - Fred Jackson

WR - Stevie Johnson

TE - Scott Chandler

 

A few of the defensive players:

DT - Kyle Williams

DT - Marcel Dareus

DE - Chris Kelsay

CB - Terrence McGee

LB - Kelvin Sheppard (and people complain about Tremaine 😜)

 

This was the year that we started out 4-1 and beat the Pats in dramatic fashion 34-31. Most were thinking playoffs.

 

We’d go on to lose 9 of our next 11 games and we had a 7 game losing streak during that stretch. We finished 6-10 and our drought extends to 11 years.

 

By the way, we ended up losing to the Broncos in that pre-season game, 24-10.

 

We have it so good right now, Bills Mafia. Go Bills!

 

 

Extracurricular - Here’s a fun discussion. If you could pick one of our players from the 2011 roster to be on the 2022 roster, who would it be?

 

This is a difficult one. I think my favorite drought player is Kyle Williams. But, I think I’d have to choose Fred Jackson because I think our DL rotation this year is good and FJ would most likely help our running game be at another level this season.

 

Below is a link to the 2011 roster if you’d like to take a look at it to make your choice.

 

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2011

 

Ooo, excellent question at the end. As much as I loved Kyle, I'd have to go with Fred. The guy would just be spectacular in this offense.

 

Honorable mention to Fitz (as our #2, of course, curse notwithstanding).

 

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

Terrence McGee.  In addition to being a very good CB, he was an exceptional kick returner!

 

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by HereComesTheReignAgain

[PetermansRedemption]

Kyle Williams for sure. I’d follow that guy into battle. I still get chills if I pull up one of his pre-game speeches on YouTube. 

[Brand J]

We have too many RBs for a pass-first offense as it is. Give me Kyle Williams.

[Draconator]

This player wasn't the best at his position on the 2011 team, but I'd go with Roscoe Parrish, just for the outside deep threat. Opens things up underneath for Diggs and co. 

[transient]

CJ Spiller... because I'm still convinced that we just need to get him into space. 

Edited August 19, 2022 by transient

[Bookie Man]

Eric Wood. 

[Buffalo716]

41 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

We have too many RBs for a pass-first offense as it is. Give me Kyle Williams.

None of our rbs could hold a candle to FJ22 

 

He would hardly come off the field with the team we have … He was one of the best third down backs in the league… And possibly the best pass blocker

 

No offense to Cook but FJ would make him obsolete… And he was better than Singletary

Edited August 19, 2022 by Buffalo716

[The Jokeman]

20 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

Thought it would be interesting to look back.
 

It was 2011.

 

HC - Chan Gailey

OC - Curtis Modkins

DC - George Edwards

 

A few of the offensive players:

QB - Fitz

RB - Fred Jackson

WR - Stevie Johnson

TE - Scott Chandler

 

A few of the defensive players:

DT - Kyle Williams

DT - Marcel Dareus

DE - Chris Kelsay

CB - Terrence McGee

LB - Kelvin Sheppard (and people complain about Tremaine 😜)

 

This was the year that we started out 4-1 and beat the Pats in dramatic fashion 34-31. Most were thinking playoffs.

 

We’d go on to lose 9 of our next 11 games and we had a 7 game losing streak during that stretch. We finished 6-10 and our drought extends to 11 years.

 

By the way, we ended up losing to the Broncos in that pre-season game, 24-10.

 

We have it so good right now, Bills Mafia. Go Bills!

 

 

Extracurricular - Here’s a fun discussion. If you could pick one of our players from the 2011 roster to be on the 2022 roster, who would it be?

 

This is a difficult one. I think my favorite drought player is Kyle Williams. But, I think I’d have to choose Fred Jackson because I think our DL rotation this year is good and FJ would most likely help our running game be at another level this season.

 

Below is a link to the 2011 roster if you’d like to take a look at it to make your choice.

 

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2011

Imagine had we kept Marshawn Lynch and drafted Dez Bryant instead of Spiller. 

5 minutes ago, transient said:

CJ Spiller... because I'm still convinced that we just need to get him into space. 

see above. 

[ddaryl]

5 minutes ago, ßookie_tech said:

Eric Wood. 

 A bionic Eric Wood because of the neck....  

[Buffalo716]

6 minutes ago, Draconator said:

This player wasn't the best at his position on the 2011 team, but I'd go with Roscoe Parrish, just for the outside deep threat. Opens things up underneath for Diggs and co. 

Roscoe while super fast and twitchy wasn’t a typical deep threat … He wasn’t running nine routes on the outside down the field

 

he was always working the middle of the field … The 3 Longest catches of his career or like 50 48 and 38 yards

 

His best season before injury he was killing the middle of the field

[mushypeaches]

10 minutes ago, Draconator said:

This player wasn't the best at his position on the 2011 team, but I'd go with Roscoe Parrish, just for the outside deep threat. Opens things up underneath for Diggs and co. 

 

Yeah, the 2022 Bills won't go anywhere without a guy that played 6 years in the league, scored 7 TD's and averaged 11.2 YPC.  

He barely sniffs the field with this team unless it's on special teams

 

[ddaryl]

6 minutes ago, transient said:

CJ Spiller... because I'm still convinced that we just need to get him into space. 

 

 

[ddaryl]

Eric Wood would be a good choice if we could make his neck issue go away.

Fred Jackson would be an awesome re-incarnation of this team

Kyle Williams would always be welcomed 

[MJS]

51 minutes ago, HereComesTheReignAgain said:

Terrence McGee.  In addition to being a very good CB, he was an exceptional kick returner!

 

 

That was my thought too. Tre White and Terrance McGee would be a great CB tandem. Not to mention he is the best returner in Bills history.

 

Brian Moorman would be another good choice.

[st pete gogolak]

If McGee had scored a touchdown on the kick return against the Saints it would be in the running for the greatest touchdown in NFL history.  What's really frustrating is that if you look at the field when McGee is around the 15 yard line, statistically he probably has better than a 90% chance of scoring.  Total fluke that he went down.  Oh well, that was the Bills until Beane and McDermott got here.

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

I'd go for Andy Levitre. Very good guard who I feel would beat out Saffold or Bates and upgrade the interior. 

 

Eric Wood was great too but I am fine with Morse. 

 

[Cash]

Who to add from the 2011 team?  There are only a few considerations IMO.  Here's my breakdown, from least to most helpful for 2022:

 

WR Roscoe Parrish

Pro: Upgrade at PR over anyone we have now.  Could back up the McKenzie role on offense.

Con: On offense, he's just a worse version of McKenzie.

 

DT Marcell Dareus

Pro: Most natural talent on the team; before he got soured on the Bills, he was an absolute force.  Versatile enough to play anywhere on the line if needed.

Con: Already didn't get along with McDermott once.  2011 was Dareus' rookie year and he wasn't as good as he eventually got.

 

RB CJ Spiller

Pro: He's fast, and breakaway speed is something Beane has prioritized this offseason.

Con: He started looking competent down the stretch of 2011, but it took like 12 games to get there.  Wasn't ever all that good, even in 2012.

 

FS Jairus Byrd

Pro: Great player! (But not as good as Micah Hyde)

Con: He would be higher, but we're loaded at safety and he'd strictly be insurance if Hyde gets hurt.

 

WR Stevie Johnson

Pro: Can play outside or inside; not the best WR in the league but was incapable of being locked down.

Con: Would his unorthodox style fit into our scheme?

 

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Pro: Way overqualified backup who's also a great locker room presence.  Might be able to hold down the fort even if Allen had to miss a lot of time.

Con: Would the 2011 version of Fitz be super-cool about being a backup?  Probably, but it's hard to say for sure.

 

DT Kyle Williams

Pro: Another big-time McDermott guy, and he could play either 1-tech or 3-tech.

Con: Better at 3-tech than 1-tech, and we look to be pretty well set up at 3-tech this year.  How big a marginal upgrade would he be at either position?

 

RB Fred Jackson

Pro: Freddie!  Definitely a McDermott-type guy, and probably an upgrade at RB over anyone currently on the roster.  2011 was one of his best statistical seasons, even though he was already 30.  Not spectacular at anything, but at least decent at everything.

Con: I'm higher on our current backs than most, so I don't see him as the huge on-field upgrade that most others do.

 

 

And finally, my choice:

LG Andy Levitre

Pro: I have concerns about our interior O-line.  Levitre was an awesome LG who would probably be a significant upgrade over Saffold.  Worst case, he'd be a massive, MASSIVE upgrade over Mancz or Hart or Ford when it comes to depth.

Con: If Saffold isn't over the hill AND stays healthy, there's not a lot of bang for the buck here.

Note - the following were DQ'd due to availability concerns:

Eric Wood

Terrence McGee

Big Mike Jasper

 

 

 

[Buffalo Boy]

2 hours ago, BillsFan619 said:

This was the year that we started out 4-1 and beat the Pats in dramatic fashion 34-31. Most were thinking playoffs.

    I tapped out at the beginning of that year as I knew we were gonna suck and I was BEAT DOWN. So, I didn’t get the Sunday ticket.

   Week number six, Sunday morning Directv calls me: “ Mr.Buffalo Boy, y would you be interested in getting the Sunday Ticket for the remainder of the season for ( whatever it was $130 or something). Golly Gee , I sure would I said……,

     We lost like the next 5 games in a row🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

     I SO enjoy where we are right now!!!!!

[ticketssince61]

1 hour ago, st pete gogolak said:

If McGee had scored a touchdown on the kick return against the Saints it would be in the running for the greatest touchdown in NFL history.  What's really frustrating is that if you look at the field when McGee is around the 15 yard line, statistically he probably has better than a 90% chance of scoring.  Total fluke that he went down.  Oh well, that was the Bills until Beane and McDermott got here.

 

Truly Amazing Return

 

How did he not score? He had a convoy of 5 or 6 Bills and one Saint and was tripped up.

 

It must have been because he was totally exhausted 

[Buffalo716]

1 hour ago, ticketssince61 said:

 

Truly Amazing Return

 

How did he not score? He had a convoy of 5 or 6 Bills and one Saint and was tripped up.

 

It must have been because he was totally exhausted 

Terrence has talked about that return at length in multiple interviews

 

Basically He said when He got down there he had his eyes on the one saints player… He wasn’t sure if he would go inside or around or cut the blocker down 

 

And by the time he cut the blocker , He said he literally had no legs left… Tried to hurdle and could barely get off the ground

[Bob in STL]

Levitre and Wood would help us, but Freddy Jackson would take our offense to another level.  I would pick Jackson. Freddy can also return kicks.  
 

McGee would be my next choice and would improve CB and KR positions.

[transient]

I’m changing my selection. I’m going with Arthur Moats… if he was good enough to end the streak then he’s good enough to end Kermit the Chief.  

[GunnerBill]

It's either Stevie Johnson who wouldn't start but would beat out our outside receiver depth or Andy Levitre who would probably start at guard.

[Buffalo716]

5 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

It's either Stevie Johnson who wouldn't start but would beat out our outside receiver depth or Andy Levitre who would probably start at guard.

Eric wood could play center and guard at probably a higher level than levitre 

 

he was an amazing athlete for a 310 pounder 

[LyndonvilleBill]

Levitre would probably be my first choice, but based upon the current roster (although may not be the popular choice) I'd take Scott Chandler. I'm good with our DL, DB's and I like our RB group as it is currently. Not really excited about our TE group behind Knox.🤔

[iccrewman112]

17 hours ago, hemma said:

I’d take Fred any year on any team.

same could be said for Kyle

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Brian Moorman so we could unite the punt gods!

 

 

 

But I would probably take either Andy Levitre or Terrance McGee because of our lack of quality depth at those positions.

 

I'd be curious how Stevie Johnson and Fred Jackson would perform in our offense.

[Punching Bag]

2 hours ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Brian Moorman so we could unite the punt gods!

 

 

 

But I would probably take either Andy Levitre or Terrance McGee because of our lack of quality depth at those positions.

 

I'd be curious how Stevie Johnson and Fred Jackson would perform in our offense.

 

I'd like Brian but as an assistant coach teaching Punt Godling the tricks so he can get up to speed faster.

 

Stevie holds the record for consequetive 1000 yard seaons for Bills - that tells how good he was.

Stevie worked really well with Fitzpatrick for Stevie would adjust route on fly to make spots he needed to be at making some QBs including all-Pro Revis look silly - no CB could anticipate his route (I call it route blazing not route running).  Other QBs had issue with Stevie but I do not think Allen would.

 

Fred would just perform in this offense and would reduce need for Josh to run.

[Comebackkid]

I'd probably take Fred...I was a pro Fred person from day one but,    I'd love to see a determined pre paid, lazy and high Marcel Dareus on this team.   

[Rico]

Dareus as a rookie joining the current team is a light years better situation than the 2011 loser team / loser franchise, his career probably would have turned out much differently.

[Apocalypse Nuts]

Wonderful post, OP.  Love the walk down memory lane.  I remember this season well and still feel the heartache after that great win against the Pats.

 

Kyle and Fred are my picks and I have to say just because this years team seems to have such a good d line,  I would pick FJ.  I just think he would add a vertical power dimension to the running game.  Like Kyle,  he was just so fun to watch.

 

Thanks again for starting this great thread.