patmoran2006
05-28-2010, 07:53 AM
(We’re counting down our list of the best 20 Buffalo Bills draft picks of all-time. Take note- this is not a rundown of the best 20 players. Where the player was drafted is often a major factor in determining his value and ranking. Today is No. 19 our list, Jeff Nixon)
Jeff Nixon, S (Drafted in fourth round of 1979 draft, 87<SUP>th</SUP> overall)
If you were a Buffalo Bills fan and around for the 1970’s, you’ll wretchedly remember the team’s incapacity to defeat the hated Miami Dolphins. Twenty times during the decade the two sides met on the field and all twenty times the Bills walked into the locker room dejectedly on the losing end of the stick.
That changed on opening day of the 1980 season. After 10 years of coming up empty, the Bills treated their sellout home crowd to a 17-7 victory over Miami. In that game, a second year safety picked off three passes and recovered a fumble to lead the Bills to a win, prompting Ralph Wilson at the time to call it the greatest victory in franchise history, even surpassing the 1964/65 AFL Championship games.
The second year safety was Jeff Nixon and for that game alone, he could make this list.
Fortunately for Nixon, he was more than a single game superstar.
A three-time All American (1976-78) while in college at the University of Richmond, Nixon finished his stellar career as the school’s all-time leader for interceptions in a season (eight) and career (23).
When the 1979 NFL draft rolled around, a Bills organization that lacked talent knew they needed to hit home runs. Having two of the first five selections of the draft, they struck out with their first pick in Tom Cousineau (1<SUP>st</SUP> overall) but then ran off three straight that would go on to have solid careers as a Bill; Jerry Butler Jim Haslett and Fred Smerlas. Having a pair of fourth round picks, the team missed on defensive end Ken Johnson the first time. Luckily, they more than redeemed themselves with the second fourth rounder, taking Nixon 87<SUP>th</SUP> overall.
It took Nixon literally no time to make an impact. In his rookie season, Nixon led the team with six interceptions despite spending the first 11 games of the season as a backup. The six picks tied a team record for most by a rookie since Butch Byrd in 1964; a mark that stood until Jairus Bryd shattered it by three last season.
When the 1980 season rolled around the Bills had two very clear goals; ending a five-year playoff drought and finally beating Miami in the process.
Nixon would prove to be instrumental in both.
In the 17-7 win to end the skid, Nixon picked off Bob Griese twice and Don Strock late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Nixon would intercept two more passes, including a 50-yard touchdown return against the New York Jets over the next three weeks. The Bills would go on to make the playoffs.
Sadly, his days as a turnover producing machine were coming to an end.
By 1981 Nixon was battling an assortment of injuries, none more prevalent than a bad knee. It inhibited his ability to make plays and after only four years in Buffalo, his career was finished. He picked off 11 passes in his first 20 games, but didn’t have any over his last 23.
Had Nixon been able to avoid injuries, who knows what kind of assault he could’ve made on the team record book. Still, when you consider the rookie record, nearly single-handedly ending the losing streak to the Dolphins and the fact he was only the sixth player the Bills drafted in 1979, Nixon goes down as one of the better value picks in franchise history.
Previously: #20- Joe Cribbs (http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/2010/05/top-20-all-time-bills-draft-picks-joe-cribbs-20/)
Jeff Nixon, S (Drafted in fourth round of 1979 draft, 87<SUP>th</SUP> overall)
If you were a Buffalo Bills fan and around for the 1970’s, you’ll wretchedly remember the team’s incapacity to defeat the hated Miami Dolphins. Twenty times during the decade the two sides met on the field and all twenty times the Bills walked into the locker room dejectedly on the losing end of the stick.
That changed on opening day of the 1980 season. After 10 years of coming up empty, the Bills treated their sellout home crowd to a 17-7 victory over Miami. In that game, a second year safety picked off three passes and recovered a fumble to lead the Bills to a win, prompting Ralph Wilson at the time to call it the greatest victory in franchise history, even surpassing the 1964/65 AFL Championship games.
The second year safety was Jeff Nixon and for that game alone, he could make this list.
Fortunately for Nixon, he was more than a single game superstar.
A three-time All American (1976-78) while in college at the University of Richmond, Nixon finished his stellar career as the school’s all-time leader for interceptions in a season (eight) and career (23).
When the 1979 NFL draft rolled around, a Bills organization that lacked talent knew they needed to hit home runs. Having two of the first five selections of the draft, they struck out with their first pick in Tom Cousineau (1<SUP>st</SUP> overall) but then ran off three straight that would go on to have solid careers as a Bill; Jerry Butler Jim Haslett and Fred Smerlas. Having a pair of fourth round picks, the team missed on defensive end Ken Johnson the first time. Luckily, they more than redeemed themselves with the second fourth rounder, taking Nixon 87<SUP>th</SUP> overall.
It took Nixon literally no time to make an impact. In his rookie season, Nixon led the team with six interceptions despite spending the first 11 games of the season as a backup. The six picks tied a team record for most by a rookie since Butch Byrd in 1964; a mark that stood until Jairus Bryd shattered it by three last season.
When the 1980 season rolled around the Bills had two very clear goals; ending a five-year playoff drought and finally beating Miami in the process.
Nixon would prove to be instrumental in both.
In the 17-7 win to end the skid, Nixon picked off Bob Griese twice and Don Strock late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Nixon would intercept two more passes, including a 50-yard touchdown return against the New York Jets over the next three weeks. The Bills would go on to make the playoffs.
Sadly, his days as a turnover producing machine were coming to an end.
By 1981 Nixon was battling an assortment of injuries, none more prevalent than a bad knee. It inhibited his ability to make plays and after only four years in Buffalo, his career was finished. He picked off 11 passes in his first 20 games, but didn’t have any over his last 23.
Had Nixon been able to avoid injuries, who knows what kind of assault he could’ve made on the team record book. Still, when you consider the rookie record, nearly single-handedly ending the losing streak to the Dolphins and the fact he was only the sixth player the Bills drafted in 1979, Nixon goes down as one of the better value picks in franchise history.
Previously: #20- Joe Cribbs (http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/2010/05/top-20-all-time-bills-draft-picks-joe-cribbs-20/)