Similarities From The Past May Go a Long Way in 2015 For The Buffalo Bills

As The Buffalo Bills go into the 2015 season, I couldn’t help but notice several intriguing similarities between this current team, and The 1988 Buffalo Bills team. That 1988 team went on to a 12-4 regular season record. Hopefully, this current team will have the same results and success as the 1988 team, because of the similarities. These are some of the things that stand out the most that can make all the difference.

DEFENSE- In 1988 the Buffalo Bills had the 4th best overall defense in the NFL. They were 4th against the pass, and 12th against the run. Coincidentally just last season, the Bills ranked 4th overall in total defense as well! They were ranked 3rd against the pass, and 11th against the run. Defense wins games and it showed in 1988, as it helped that team win 12 games in the regular season. It showed a lot in 2014 as well, contributing to the majority of the teams wins. The fact that we didn’t lose any major players to this success, as well as bringing in new defensive guru Rex Ryan, this team could be the very best in 2015. Losing SS Da’Norris Searcy to Tennessee was the only major key player lost to free agency from last year’s squad. Filling in the SS spot will be Corey Graham, as Buffalo will move him from cornerback. That will give Buffalos first pick of the draft Ronald Darby a chance to show what he can do at cornerback. Returning DB Nickell Robey will be a key player in the nickel slot to help maintain Buffalo’s strong pass defense. Never the less, Stephon Gilmore, and Leodis McKelvin will look to be a top duo as cornerbacks in the NFL. Signing Jerry Hughes to a 5-year deal after back to back 10 sack seasons will help Buffalo to keep arguably the best Defensive Line in the NFL.

SPECIAL TEAMS- In 1988, The Buffalo Bills were known for their Special Teams, being ranked #2 overall in the NFL. Having pro bowl gunner Steve Tasker run down returners consistently helped that squad every year he was in Buffalo. That 1988 team was hard hitting, and known around the league for having one of the best units in the most underrated part of football. Blocking kicks, pinning teams deep into their own end, and not giving up big returns played a huge role in that teams success. Coincidentally, these current Buffalo Bills were ranked #2 in the NFL just last season! Going into the 2015 season, the team is aiming for the top spot in the NFL. Once again not losing any major names to free agency, and re-signing stud gunner Marcus Easley to a 4-year deal, The Bills very well could claim the top spot in 2015. Rookie Karlos Williams and veterans Ty Powell and Boobie Dixon should help maintain the Bills current success. Running Back and Special teamer Boobie Dixon blocked 2 punts in his first year in Buffalo, both leading to points for Buffalo.

HEAD COACH- Before he was in Buffalo, Marv Levy was the Head Coach of another AFC team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Coincidentally, new Head Coach Rex Ryan was also previously a Head Coach for an AFC team, The New York Jets. As we all know, Marv Levy had much more success his second time around in Buffalo as Head Coach. Rex did great his first 2 years in New York, bringing his team to two consecutive AFC Championship games. But, because of a poor front office and a GM who let good players go without replacing them, Rex had to work with less than stellar talent for the remainder of his tenure in New York. I’m really hoping Rex has the same kind of result Marv did his second time around! (Except when we get there, win the big one!)

NEW RB IN TOWN- Yes, I know Thurman Thomas was a rookie in 1988. Yet, even as a rookie, he still contributed on limited carries. Buffalo ranked 7th in the NFL rushing the ball in 1988, and new RB Thurman Thomas contributed to that mightily. As a rookie, Thurman rushed for 881 yards (Team High) on just 207 carries. That was good for 4.3 yards per carry. Although LeSean McCoy is not a rookie, he is the new RB on the team that could put Buffalo over the top in the rushing game. Like Thomas, McCoy can run and catch the ball with the best of them. If McCoy can average 4.3 yards per carry as Thomas did in 1988, look for him to rush for over 1300 yards in 2015. Paired with another great All-purpose back Fred Jackson, I expect the rushing game to bounce back from a franchise low in rushing just last season.

GAVE UP A 1ST ROUND DRAFT PICK- Back in the late 1980’s Buffalo did the same thing they did before the 2014 NFL draft! They gave up the next years 1st round pick to get “their” guy! Buffalo gave up a 1ST round pick to grab LB/DE Cornelius Bennett, which turned out to be one of the best moves in Bills history. In 2014, Buffalo gave up their 2015 1st round pick to move up and grab WR Sammy Watkins. Bennett turned out to be well worth the risk! Bennett played for Buffalo during the “glory years”, as well as being selected to numerous pro bowls, and helping the team to 4 consecutive AFC Titles. Sammy has already shown signs of greatness, as he broke nearly every rookie WR record there was in Buffalo, including yards and receptions. Injuries and poor QB play limited Watkins to 982 Yards receiving. Even with terrible QB play and coaches, Watkins put very respectable rookie numbers.

QUARTERBACK- Like I said when you’re a die hard fan of a professional sports team, you see similarities in a lot of stuff. Maybe this one is just coincidental?! In 1988, Jim Kelly was entering his 3rd season with the team. (Yes, I know he wasn’t a rookie and played in the USFL before he came to the NFL) Although his stats were very descent, his overall QBR in his first 2 seasons was about 83.6. E.J. Manuel, the highest QB taken in the draft since Jim Kelly, is entering his 3rd season. Although E.J. Manuel has only had 14 starts due to injuries and poor coaching, his career QBR is 78.5. Not that far off! Another thing Kelly and Manuel have in common is that they both played College ball in the state of Florida. Kelly played football at The University of Miami, while Manuel played for Florida State. Both played in the ACC. Now I’m not saying E.J. Manuel is the next Jim Kelly, but he has a chance to be the next star QB for the Bills going into his 3rd season.

#1 OVERALL PICK DE- Bruce Smith was drafted #1 overall in the 1985 draft by the Buffalo Bills. He helped lead the Bills to 4 consecutive Super bowls, as well as being named to numerous pro bowls. He is arguably the best pass rusher in NFL history. Even though he was double and sometimes triple teamed, Smith holds the record for career sacks! In 1988, he was going into his 4th season with the Bills. Mario Williams, although not drafted by Buffalo, was also drafted #1 overall in 2006. Like Bruce Smith in 1988, Mario Williams is now going into his 4th season with The Buffalo Bills. Since joining the Bills in 2012, Mario has gone up in the sacks department every year he has been in Buffalo. Last season he recorded a career best 14.5 sacks, look for that number to go up once again!

All in all, people can’t deny the striking similarities when analyzing these 2 teams. I for one couldn’t believe how many things these 2 teams have in common when I really examined them statistically! Bottom line, if we can get smart and consistent QB play from E.J. Manuel, and continued dominance from the Defensive and Special teams units, the 2015 Buffalo Bills will have the same regular season record that the 1988 Bills had, and record that NFL Network analyst Heath Evans predicted, 12-4!

Giuseppe A. Corso

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