25 replies to this topic

[conace21]

With the NFL off-season upon us, I remember the threads last year with 10-12 discussion questions for each team. I thought I'd try something a little different; what players would you put on the Mt. Rushmore for a specific team, a combination of talent and representing a team.

I'll start with my hometown team, the Buffalo Bills.

Jim Kelly, OJ Simpson (on-field only), Jack Kemp, Bruce Smith

[james]

Can't argue with that list. Those would be my four also. Joe Delamaleur(sp) would fall a bit short....

[Rupert Patrick]

With the NFL off-season upon us, I remember the threads last year with 10-12 discussion questions for each team. I thought I'd try something a little different; what players would you put on the Mt. Rushmore for a specific team, a combination of talent and representing a team.

I'll start with my hometown team, the Buffalo Bills.

Jim Kelly, OJ Simpson (on-field only), Jack Kemp, Bruce Smith

I would replace Kemp with Marv Levy.

[conace21]

I would replace Kemp with Marv Levy.

This Rushmore was for players only. I debated keeping Bruce Smith off because he was kind of a jerk, but I realized if I had OJ on there, that logic fell apart.

[paulksandiego]

This Rushmore was for players only. I debated keeping Bruce Smith off because he was kind of a jerk, but I realized if I had OJ on there, that logic fell apart.

O.J. was a jerk too???

[rhickok1109]

With the NFL off-season upon us, I remember the threads last year with 10-12 discussion questions for each team. I thought I'd try something a little different; what players would you put on the Mt. Rushmore for a specific team, a combination of talent and representing a team.

I'll start with my hometown team, the Buffalo Bills.

Jim Kelly, OJ Simpson (on-field only), Jack Kemp, Bruce Smith

Wow, the choice of Kemp really surprises me. Of course, I'm not a Buffalo fan, but I've seen the Bills in person and on TV pretty often, from 1960 on, and his is not a name that comes quickly to mind. I think I'd put Thurman Thomas in that spot.

[conace21]

O.J. was a jerk too???

Actually, his arresting officers described his as quite charming.

I considered Thurman and Tom Sestak, but went with Kemp for his role in leading the Bills to their only two league Championships. I know the Bills were a relatively conservative running and defense oriented team and Kemp was actually pulled for Lamonica in some games, but Kemp's coming to Buffalo was the key step in the Bills becoming a winner midway through 1962. Besides, I couldn't think of one defender that really stood out from the others. Sestak may have if he had played longer.

[apbaball]

Wow, the choice of Kemp really surprises me. Of course, I'm not a Buffalo fan, but I've seen the Bills in person and on TV pretty often, from 1960 on, and his is not a name that comes quickly to mind. I think I'd put Thurman Thomas in that spot.

He did win two championships as QB for them.

[JohnH19]

He did win two championships as QB for them.

I would have Kemp's face on the mountain. Simpson certainly belongs as a player but can we possibly ignore what has occurred since? If not, I would replace him with Thomas.

[Todd Pence]

For the Bills - Smith, Kelly, Thomas and Reed.

[PowderedH2O]

Hard to say. The obvious to me is the four HOFers that played primarily in Buffalo: Kelly, Simpson, Thomas, Smith. But, that totally ignores the great teams of the mid-sixties. Kemp has been suggested, but it seems that those teams were noted for their great defenses. Tom Sestak or George Saimes perhaps?

[evan]

Just wondering if someone with deep Buffalo ties could tell me the relative impact of Bob Kalsu. Is he considered a well-known heroic figure among Bills followers, an odd historical footnote, or an inspirational figure that transcended the game. If he's considered a strong inspirational figure, perhaps he might be considered for a bust on our mountain here.

[Jeffrey Miller]

Just wondering if someone with deep Buffalo ties could tell me the relative impact of Bob Kalsu. Is he considered a well-known heroic figure among Bills followers, an odd historical footnote, or an inspirational figure that transcended the game. If he's considered a strong inspirational figure, perhaps he might be considered for a bust on our mountain here.

Since he only played one season, and was a startere for only about half the games, I think he qualifies for an inspirational figure but not someone who is necessarily representative of the Bills. He probably belongs more to the league as a whole, as he was the only active player to die in the Nam.

I think Conace has it right. Kemp is the leader of the team's first golden age, a very respected figure in the franchise's history, not to mention his post-football accomplishments.

[james]

How would y'all rate Cookie Gilchrist? Does he belong on the Bills Mt. Rushmore? I never saw him play as played before I was born, but I've heard a lot of good things about him.

[Jeffrey Miller]

How would y'all rate Cookie Gilchrist? Does he belong on the Bills Mt. Rushmore? I never saw him play as played before I was born, but I've heard a lot of good things about him.

Cookie's career was too short and too controversial. Could have been one of the greatest ever had he played his entire career in AFL or NFL.

[BD Sullivan]

Since he only played one season, and was a startere for only about half the games, I think he qualifies for an inspirational figure but not someone who is necessarily representative of the Bills. He probably belongs more to the league as a whole, as he was the only active player to die in the Nam.

Jeff made an important distinction by noting that Kalsu was the only ACTIVE player to die in Vietnam. The Hall of Fame wasn't even aware until 2004 about Don Steinbrunner. He played one season with the Browns in 1953, then entered the Air Force. In 1967, he was killed after being shot down in Kontum Province, South Vietnam.

[conace21]

Cookie's career was too short and too controversial. Could have been one of the greatest ever had he played his entire career in AFL or NFL.

Agreed. Cookie was a memorable player and a fine runner. Former Buffalo News columnist Larry Felser called him the best player, pound for pound, to ever suit up for the Bills. But he only played three years for Buffalo, and they still won the championship the year after they traded him.

Another great player from the Bills defense of the 60's was Butch Byrd, the franchise's leader in interceptions.

[Teo]

What about Billy Shaw? He is their only Hall of Famer from the 60's.

[conace21]

What about Billy Shaw? He is their only Hall of Famer from the 60's.

Shaw was a fine guard who was a crucial part of their ball-control offense and is probably one of the best 4 or 5 pure talents to ever play for the Bills (along with Joe D, Kelly, Bruce and OJ). If I had left off Bruce Smith because of his personality, I would have picked either Shaw or Thurman Thomas.
I just chose Kemp for the way he represented Buffalo as much as for his talent. Kemp became even more well known for his political career, but it was his leadership in the locker room as much as his passing arm. Kemp played in 6 of the first 7 AFL title games and is one of only 3 Bills to win the MVP award.

[John Grasso]

I just chose Kemp for the way he represented Buffalo as much as for his talent. Kemp became even more well known for his political career, but it was his leadership in the locker room as much as his passing arm. Kemp played in 6 of the first 7 AFL title games and is one of only 3 Bills to win the MAP award.

Wasn't it just 5 of 7? In 1963 Buffalo was defeated by Boston in the division playoff game
and in 1962 the Oilers and Texans played in the AFL title game.
Regardless, it still showed his great leadership and he would be my choice for one of the four Buffalo greats.