Tweet
Bills building success around the class of 2006
Perhaps Marv knew what he was doing after all!
more...
The experts had fun with them at the time. People laughed at the Buffalo Bills for the 2006 draft. They said Marv Levy was in over his head as a general manager. They said the Bills reached and missed the obvious. They called it the worst draft in the league, a big fat “D” on the report card. I wonder how those draft gurus would grade that ’06 draft today? In retrospect, the Bills pretty much nailed it. I showed the list to a couple of seasoned Bills watchers the other day and even they were amazed.
The first seven players taken in that draft are all starters or major contributors on a rising Bills team that is looking to go to 4-0 today against the Rams. The Bills are the talk of the country, a sudden playoff contender. The ’06 draft laid the foundation and helped shape the team’s competitive personality.
Donte Whitner: eighth pick overall, defensive captain, strong safety and team leader. John McCargo: 26th overall, backing up at defensive tackle because the Bills found a jewel later in the draft. Ashton Youboty: third round, nickel back, a revelation this year, maybe the most improved guy on the team.
Ko Simpson: fourth round, starting free safety. Kyle Williams: fifth round, a steal, starting defensive tackle coming into his own, had the game of his career last week. Brad Butler: fifth round, starting right guard. Keith Ellison: sixth round, starting outside linebacker.
They also picked up Fred Jackson, an emerging backup running back, and John DiGiorgio, a solid reserve linebacker, as undrafted free agents that year.
Not a bad haul, I must say. There aren’t any superstars, just a collection of smart, solid football players who are growing up fast. That was the year Levy talked about character and intelligence. Skeptics snickered, but it has been validated.
The first seven players taken in that draft are all starters or major contributors on a rising Bills team that is looking to go to 4-0 today against the Rams. The Bills are the talk of the country, a sudden playoff contender. The ’06 draft laid the foundation and helped shape the team’s competitive personality.
Donte Whitner: eighth pick overall, defensive captain, strong safety and team leader. John McCargo: 26th overall, backing up at defensive tackle because the Bills found a jewel later in the draft. Ashton Youboty: third round, nickel back, a revelation this year, maybe the most improved guy on the team.
Ko Simpson: fourth round, starting free safety. Kyle Williams: fifth round, a steal, starting defensive tackle coming into his own, had the game of his career last week. Brad Butler: fifth round, starting right guard. Keith Ellison: sixth round, starting outside linebacker.
They also picked up Fred Jackson, an emerging backup running back, and John DiGiorgio, a solid reserve linebacker, as undrafted free agents that year.
Not a bad haul, I must say. There aren’t any superstars, just a collection of smart, solid football players who are growing up fast. That was the year Levy talked about character and intelligence. Skeptics snickered, but it has been validated.
Marv
Marv Levy
" ~ yordad
Comment