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Best Buffalo Bills players to wear 16-20

By Aarron Van Buren

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Dennis Shaw #16 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers at War Memorial Stadium on September 24, 1972 in Buffalo, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 27-20. (Photo by Clifton Boutelle/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Dennis Shaw #16 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers at War Memorial Stadium on September 24, 1972 in Buffalo, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 27-20. (Photo by Clifton Boutelle/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Dennis Shaw #16 of the Buffalo Bills turns to handoff against the San Francisco 49ers at War Memorial Stadium on September 24, 1972 in Buffalo, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 27-20. (Photo by Clifton Boutelle/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Dennis Shaw #16 of the Buffalo Bills turns to handoff against the San Francisco 49ers at War Memorial Stadium on September 24, 1972 in Buffalo, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 27-20. (Photo by Clifton Boutelle/Getty Images) /

Best Buffalo Bills player to wear #16: Dennis Shaw, QB

Dennis Shaw. 16. player. 16. . Quarterback. San Diego State.

Dennis Shaw was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Shaw was a backup to start the year and came off the bench to replace Dan Harragh in two games until he won the starting job. When he finally got the starting role, it wasn’t pretty for Shaw.

Shaw was battered behind the line, getting sacked 41 times for a loss of 387 yards. Needless to say, the offensive line was a big issue, and this was the 1970’s version of David Carr playing for the Houston Texans. On top of all of that, he threw 20 interceptions. Those resulted in a 3-8-1 record, in which there was only one game he didn’t throw a ball to the other team.

The Associated Press started the Rookie of the Year (RoTY) award in 1967, and Shaw was the first quarterback to win it. He did manage to throw for over 2,500 yards and 10 touchdowns. It must have been a low bar for rookies that year as it just doesn’t seem to sit right with the stats that were provided.

Shaw stood out as he actually had the best stats out of the others who also wore #16. Even the legendary Tom Flores wore it but hardly played during his time in Buffalo.

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