6 Former Buffalo Bills who would thrive on the 2019 roster
By Avery Duncan
Which Buffalo Bills legends would fit in the best and thrive with the current 2019 roster?
The Buffalo Bills’ current roster looks to be complete. Though there are no gaping holes throughout the depth chart, there are some places of concern. Luckily, with a handy dandy time-traveling machine, those issues can be fixed, and then some.
Instead of simply repairing the Bills’ offensive line, receiving corps, and others through the draft, free agency, and patience, the time machine can bring back any six Bills greats to come back and play; how convenient. Factoring in the team’s storied history and abundance of Hall of Famers, this fantasy, time morphing team of Bills look like a real contender.
Joe DeLamierlleure – Offensive guard
Joe DeLamielleure was a force for the Bills’ offensive lines of the mid-’70s. Acting the part of a right offensive guard for some historically great running games, DeLamielleure–a first-round pick in 1973–was a constant in Buffalo for seven seasons, not missing one game and earning five Pro-Bowl nods and four All-Pro first-team selections.
As a central figure to the “Electric Company” offensive line, DeLamielleure paved ways for O.J. Simpson, in wake to a Hall of Fame induction in 2003. He was a big, physical guard that opened up running lanes, but didn’t slack in pass protection either; in 1975, led by DeLamielleure, the Bills allowed the fewest amount of quarterback-takedowns in the NFL.
DeLamierlleure’s success on the field led to a Hall of Fame nod as well as an appearance on the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade squad, and Bills Wall of Fame. He’s often thought of as the best offensive lineman in Buffalo’s lengthy history. Considering that the Bills’ current offensive line isn’t quite at “Electric Company” level, the team could use his blocking up front.
It’s worth noting that DeLamierlleure’s impact on the NFL goes far beyond his success on the field. He’s an advocate for player safety, particularly against CTE for the NFL Players Association, even attempting to force the NFL to pay for disabilities from playing the game.