Buffalo Bills: 5 Retired Players That Would Help Right Now
By Ryan Brennan
DE Bruce Smith (1985-1999)
With the Buffalo Bills switching back to a 4-3 defense this season, the Buffalo Bills will need to re-evaluate their defensive line this offseason. With Corbin Bryant, Leger Douzable and DeAndre Coleman all off the roster, the Bills aren’t left with a lot of depth at the position.
Currently, the Bills have Marcell Dareus, aging Kyle Williams and developing Adolphus Washington at defensive tackle. At defensive end, they only have Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes and Jerel Worthy.
Imagine if we could bring back Bruce Smith to work opposite of Lawson, adding Dareus and Washington in the middle. Oh boy. Plus, Kyle Williams is the perfect backup.
Bruce Smith, who doesn’t really need an introduction, is not only one of the best draft decisions in NFL history, but also just simply one of the most dominant defenders the league has ever seen.
In his 15-year career with the Buffalo Bills, Smith proved that the team was simply better with him on the field. He was as reliable as they come, only missing four games from 1992-1998. He did miss 11 games in 1991 and then had two consecutive 12-game seasons in 1987 and 1988. He did have 8 full seasons, though.
Buffalo Bills
He would only miss the 10-sack mark three times in his career — his rookie season in 1985 (6.5), 1991 when he played 5 games (1.5) and his final season with the Bills in 1999 (7.0). His highest sack total in a single season came in 1990 when he finished with 19 sacks. Over time, he would accumulate 171 sacks in Buffalo and with 29 more coming in Washington from 2000-2003, Smith would go on to break the NFL all-time record in career sacks.
11 Pro Bowls, 9 First Team All-Pros, 3 NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team, NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team, retired jersey, I mean who wouldn’t want to bring Bruce Smith back in time?
The point is, the Buffalo Bills need to find a pass rusher like Smith. His relentlessness and pure talent were unmatched by anyone else when he stepped foot on the field. He was a player that teams had to account for each and every play. His strength matched with his quickness were too much to handle for any offensive lineman.
The Buffalo Bills can definitely find some talent near rounds 3 or 4 — or even beyond that — at the defensive end position, as well as the defensive tackle position.
Lastly, we have the cornerback position to upgrade — since the Bills won’t have Stephon Gilmore next season. Who would I bring back in time to help us?